{Lathrop Head Coach Chris Holt shakes hands with Lutheran North head coach Carl Read before the Missouri Class 2 Semifinals last Saturday}
Every year I cover high school football, there comes a point where I will cover a team’s final game of the season and with that, the seniors of said teams final performance at the high school level.
It’s within these moments you see the emotional bond these players have for their teammates and coaches as the realization that their time playing high school football has come to an end.
Last Saturday, I witnessed this moment for the Lathrop Mules.
{Lathrop senior quarterback Blake Gordon embraces sophomore offensive lineman Mason McFarland after the Mules 38-24 loss}
The Mules - the champions of the KCI Conference - conquerors of Maryville’s historic 67 game home winning streak - last season’s Missouri Class 2 State runner-up - entered their semifinal showdown with Lutheran North with aspirations of returning to Columbia, Missouri for another shot at championship glory.
However, that day, it wasn’t meant to be as they were defeated, 38-24.
After falling behind early 16-0, the Mules battled back with a 38-yard field goal from sophomore Jackson Gentzell, followed by a 60-yard touchdown pass between seniors Blake Gordon and Tyler Paul midway through the second quarter bringing them within six.
Before the first half came to a close, Lutheran North sophomore quarterback Brian Brown flexed his muscles. First showing off his arm with a 13-yard touchdown pass on a fourth down conversion, then using his legs to cap off the first half scoring with a 39-yard touchdown run, extending the Crusaders lead to, 31-10.
In the second half, the Lathrop defense showed what made them such a dominant unit during the regular season, holding Lutheran North to just one score. Their halftime adjustments helped keep them within striking distance as the team settled in for a hard-fought second half.
Responding in kind was the Crusaders defense, who on back-to-back possessions inside their own five-yard line, kept the Mules from crossing the goal line and closing the gap. Those two stops were crucial in allowing the Crusaders to hold off the Mules and earn a shot at winning their sixth state championship this weekend.
Game ball for the Crusaders obviously goes to quarterback Brian Brown who had 271 yards of total offense with four touchdowns.
Game ball for the Mules goes to senior Tanner Dalinghaus who led the Mules in tackles with 12. He also carried the ball five times for 40 yards and was the Mules emotional spark plug throughout the contest.
{Lathrop game ball recipient Tanner Dalinghaus stares down Lutheran North game ball recipient Brian Brown pre-snap during the Missouri Class 2 Semifinals}
The Great Debate in the State of Missouri
This game was yet another talking point in a long-standing discussion/debate within the state of Missouri when it comes to the competitive playing field concerning public school sports programs and private/charter school programs with the ability to recruit players.
Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, the Missouri State High School Activities Association will be adding a new championship formula that will apply to the private and charter schools in football among other sports within the state.
For more information, check out this article from Platte County Citizen editor, Cody Thorn http://www.plattecountycitizen.com/theplattecountycitizen/changes-coming-to-number-of-classes-public-vs-private-schools-classification2662019?fbclid=IwAR3rDoxSrCNjMPfdDLgS12wBB4TFJrStUqkMwVoSCAOh4rqNd3zRQWeqbVc
While these changes will ultimately be a good thing and will help even the playing field, for the 19 Lathrop seniors who just played their final games as Mules and finished off the program's best two year stretch of football, this concept of change comes a year too late.
Tomorrow our countdown takes us to a KCI Conference rivalry that has picked up steam the past few seasons.
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