Sabetha 21, Jeff West 20

The Bluejays not only recovered from a 14-13 heartbreaking setback against Holton the previous week, they came back from an early 14-0 deficit and took advantage of Jeff West mistakes to prevail in a 21-20 homecoming victory that evened the season record.  The Jays (2-2) were outgained by visiting Jeff West 318 to 265 total yards, but the Tigers (1-2) sloppy mistakes coming off a bye week, finally caught up in suffering their first loss of the season.

Jeff West jumped to a 14-0 lead as quarterback, Hunter Dean ran in scores from one and three yards out on the first two Tiger possessions of 11 and 10 plays.  Sabetha turned the ball over on downs after marching 16 plays to the redzone, and coughed up a fumble for the only turnover of the game on their next drive.  Yet, Jeff West called a timeout to keep 1:21 on the first half clock, and failed on a fourth down and 11 play from midfield to give Sabetha a chance to get back in the game.  The Bluejays capitalized and marched 10 plays, using all three of their timeouts, and Brandon Poe hit Jonah Montgomery on a beautiful eight yard fade pass with 7.6 seconds left before the intermission.  The PAT was blocked, and the Tigers had a 14-6 lead at halftime.  

Sabetha got the ball to start the second half after receiving a short squib kick and went 55 yards in 10 plays before Brock Frey ran in a three yard score.  Poe found Alec Kirwan on the two point pass to tie the score at 14.  Jeff West answered on their next drive as Dean scored his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard sneak, but the PAT was missed wide left with 11:08 to play in the contest.  After the teams exchanged punts, Sabetha went on a gutsy possession.  Frey kept the drive alive with a 14 yard draw play on second and 29 and then converted on the ensuing third and 14 by catching a pass to set up the score.  Zach Edelman relieved an injured Trae Snyder and scored from one yard out with 5:39 remaining to tie the game before Kirwan kicked the winning PAT.  Jeff West turned the ball over on downs on their final possession at the Bluejay 44 after failing two get two yards on a pair of short pass plays.  

Edelman finished with 49 yards on just 7 carries, all in the second half, and along with fellow safety, Frey, was among the Bluejay tackle leaders to earn Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank On" honors.  Frey had 121 yards on 28 carries and Synder finished with 60 yards on 12 totes.  Senior, Caleb Strahm edged out teammate Eric Renyer to earn Denison State Bank "Lineman of the Game honors” for their perimeter blocking against a much bigger and more experienced Tiger front line.  

Jeff West hurt themselves with 12 penalties for 125 yards and a botched snap killed a fourth quarter possession.  Keishon Brown had 12 carries for 102 yards, but only got 3 carries for 12 yards in the second half.  Dean added 97 yards on 25 carries with all 3 scores and was 6 of 11 passing for 66 yards.