Bowling Green, Mo. (KFMO) - Valle Catholic's season came to an abrupt end Saturday afternoon, as the Warriors were upset by Bowling Green 36-28.
In a matchup between two one-loss teams, it could be considered an upset as the Warriors (10-2) had beaten the Bobcats (12-1) 42-20 in the regular season. But come playoff time, the Bobcats were ready to play.
Just a few plays into their first drive, a 70-yard run by quarterback Jace Eskew set up a short touchdown run by Dane Dunn to give Bowling Green an 8-0 lead. Both offenses would trade punches back and forth, but it was Bowling Green who took a lead into the half, 22-21.
The Bobcats scored the first and only touchdown of the third quarter, and with a converted 2-point try, led by 9 points, the first two-score lead of the entire game. After the Valle offense stalled out once more, Eskew would shake off a couple defenders en route to the endzone for the 36-21 lead.
Valle didn't go away, however, at least, not until the very end. Quarterback Wyatt Fallert threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Wil Kuehn to get back to within one score. Despite having no timeouts, it seemed as if Valle would get one more chance, with Bowling Green facing a 4th and 10 with 1:45 to go. But what was initially an incomplete pass was flagged for defensive pass interference, giving the Bobcats an automatic first down. A couple of plays in victory formation would seal Valle's fate, as the Bobcats advanced to the state quarterfinal.
Valle finishes its season at 10-2. Bowling Green advances to the state quarterfinal round, where they will face perennial Class 2 powerhouse Lamar.
