This season, the Mid-Buchanan Dragons have adopted “Whatever it Takes” as their team mantra.
It’s emblazoned on t-shirts and other memorabilia as the team, along with the school, have used it as a rallying cry.
In most years “Whatever it Takes” would mean added devotion, determination and dedication to those tasks that get you ready for and make you better during the season.
But, as we all know, 2020 hasn’t been like most years, so not only have they met those tasks with added focus, but they have done so while maintaining proper health precautions and regulations set during the pandemic.
The team, from top to bottom, has bought into not only trying to stay healthy, but continuing the program’s ascension, one that has been steadily climbing the past three years.
An ascension that has now, with their 46-21 victory over Hamilton last Saturday, seen them reach the Missouri Class 1 Semifinals for the third year in a row.
Reaching the state semifinals once is a major accomplishment, being able to do it three consecutive years is a monumental achievement, especially for a program that is just four years removed from a one-win season.
“Man, it is hard to put into words what this means. I have been lucky to have been able to coach so many good young men over the past six years. They have all really helped our program grow and helped get things going in a positive direction,” said Dragon head coach Aaron Fritz. “I have also been very lucky to coach with a bunch of guys who enjoy the grind of watching film and studying and wanting to help make these kids the best they can be. It definitely takes everyone to have good things happen and I am very proud of everyone. “
This past Saturday, the Dragons rallying cry personified during Mid-Buchanan’s stiffest test of the season when they traveled to Hamilton to take on the Hornets for the second time.
This was no 63-6 domination like their regular season matchup, this was a heavyweight bout between two of the best teams in the KCI Conference.
Mid-Buchanan reached the Missouri Class 1 Semifinals for the third year in a row after defeating Hamilton 46-21 last Saturday (Slideshow).
Hamilton came out determined, holding Mid-Buchanan to two consecutive three and out possessions, while taking an early lead during their first possession with a 13-yard touchdown run.
After being shut out in the first quarter, Mid-Buchanan tied the game with a two-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Javan Noyes. The score was the exclamation point on an 87-yard drive.
Quick to respond, Hamilton scored on their next possession with a two-yard touchdown run of their own, giving the Hornets’ a 14-7 lead.
Landing a counter punch, Mid-Buchanan scored once more before the break when Noyes connected with junior Caiden Bailey for a 13-yard touchdown pass. A missed PAT kept Hamilton in the lead 14-13, a lead they took into halftime.
Facing a halftime deficit for the first time this season, the Dragons didn’t panic. They kept their composure, confident in their ability to do whatever it took to earn the victory.
“To be quite honest, us coaches went into the locker room very calm, talked to the kids on a couple of small adjustments that we wanted to make that would help them out and then told the kids that they just needed to not panic and keep playing,” Fritz said. “That was probably something I was most proud of was that no one, kids or coaches, panicked. We stayed the course and kept battling even though we were not playing well on either side of the football.”
Noyes and Bailey gave Mid-Buchanan their first lead of the contest early in the third quarter, when the two connected for their second touchdown pass. This one came on a critical fourth and 15 from the Hamilton 25-yard line.
Caiden Bailey had two touchdown catches against the Hornets, this score gave Mid-Buchanan a 19-14 lead in the third quarter.
However, Hamilton once again quickly responded, scoring on a 65-yard touchdown run by running back Sawyer Morrow.
Noyes completed his third touchdown pass of the contest on Mid-Buchanan’s next possession, this time to fellow senior Lane Ellison.
Clinging to a 27-21 lead, the Dragon defense made their biggest stop of the season during Hamilton’s next possession.
Looking like they were going to re-take the lead, Hamilton had the ball, first and goal at the Mid-Buchanan ten-yard line. Three negative plays later and the Hornets were facing fourth and goal from the Dragon 22.
The Hornets’ pass on fourth down fell well short, giving Mid-Buchanan the ball and a chance to extend the lead.
“Going into the game, we knew if we could get Hamilton into some obvious passing downs, that would be to our advantage and even though they were inside the twenty, they were in a situation where they needed to throw the ball,” Fritz said. “Our guys did a great job of making the crucial plays when they needed to and got us the big stop we needed to go down and give us a more comfortable lead.”
That crucial stop swung the momentum completely into Mid-Buchanan’s favor as the Dragons scored three times in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Noyes once again proved why he is one of the top quarterbacks in Missouri’s Class 1 Division completing 22 of 27 passes for 323 yards with three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 30 times for 170 yards with three rushing scores.
“I just want to complete the throws the coaches ask me to make, that and not turning the ball over are the most important things for me,” said Noyes after the game. “This feels really good, I am really happy for us. For the whole team and the community, we just want to me make sure we go out and play our best in our next game and go out and win it.”
Mid-Buchanan quarterback Javan Noyes had 493 yards of offense and scored six touchdowns against Hamilton.
His running mate in the Dragon backfield, fellow senior TJ Runyan, Carried the ball 12 times for 107 yards with one touchdown.
Mid-Buchanan’s leading receivers were junior Blake Hunter with six catches for 125 yards, Caiden Bailey with six catches for 79 yards with two touchdowns and Lane Ellison with three catches for 79 yards and one score.
Setting the tone for the Dragon defense was junior Cage Burns who finished the game with 15 tackles. Lane Ellison and senior defensive lineman Creed Webster both finished with 13, while senior linebacker Butch Walters ended the game with 11.
This Saturday, the Dragons host Adrian (11-1) in the Missouri Class 1 Semifinals. Adrian defeated Marceline 13-7 in the Quarterfinals to reach this match-up.
“Adrian is a great football team and probably the best team we have played this year,” Fritz said. “They have tons of size and will really push our guys up front to be physical and tough all game.”
Game time is 1 p.m. Saturday in Faucett.
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