In one of the best week nine games of the weekend the Perry Lecompton Kaws raced out to a big lead and held on late to advance to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs with a 28-21 victory over Sabetha.

The Bluejays though started fast taking the opening kickoff and racing 68 yards down the field in just seven plays before Matthew Garber caught a seem and raced 40 yards into the end zone to give Sabetha a 7-0 lead early.

Perry Lecompton responded right back with a drive of their own taking up over five minutes off the clock going on a 7-play, 65-yard drive that ended on a 2-yard run by Gunnar Ball. The Kaws missed the extra point giving Sabetha a 7-6 advantage.

The Kaws defense then forced a 3-and-out on Sabetha’s next drive and took advantage going on another five-minute drive that ended with Ball throwing a jump ball to Kael Gorski who pulled it down in the end zone and with a two-point conversion gave Perry a 14-7 advantage in the second quarter.

Perry’s defense forced another 3-and-out and started to drive down the field once again, but Jake Beyer intercepted a pass giving the Bluejays what looked like a big play before halftime.

That momentum was short-lived for the Jays as on the ensuing drive just two plays later Josh Herrman fumbled, and Perry recovered before five plays later finding the end zone on an 8-yard pass from Ball to Ty Williams giving the Kaws a 20-7 lead at the break.

Out of the break you thought that if Perry could get a score the game could be out of reach and the Kaws did just that marching 60 yards and taking over seven minutes off the clock before going up 28-7 on a 3-yard touchdown reception from Gorski.

From there it looked like it could be a rout but to Sabetha’s credit they battled back and scored back-to-back touchdowns on a run by Herrman and a 21-yard reception by Nohl Niehus to make it a 28-21 ballgame.

The Bluejays then got a big play defensively and intercepted Ball for the second time in the game setting themselves up with a chance to tie the game.

Sabetha quickly moved down the field and got to the Perry Lecompton 20-yard line with just under three minutes to go, but on fourth down Gorski picked off a pass and then made a couple of big receptions to seal the deal for the Kaws.

Gorski had a monster night for the Kaws scoring twice with 99 yards receiving while intercepting a pass and playing great defense all night long, while Ball threw for 270 yards and three scores.

Sabetha was held to just 231 yards of offense and only 160 rushing yards with Garber and Herrman each collecting right around 65 yards on the ground with scores.

Perry Lecompton (6-3) now moves on and will have a big rematch at Holton next week, while Sabetha ends their season 4-5 which is the first losing season for the Bluejays since 2013.