Mid-Buchanan quarterback Javan Noyes (left) leads the Dragons into the Semifinals for the third year in a row. Tomorrow they take on the Adrian Blackhawks, led by junior quarterback Colton Bass (Right).
Adrian photo submitted by the Adrian News Leader.
We’ve made it football fans; the semifinals are finally here.
High school teams throughout Missouri had to navigate their way through a peculiar season to reach this point and the final four teams in each division, sans eight-man, because their title game is set, are ready to determine who will play for a State Championship.
On one side of the Missouri Class 1 bracket Saturday, we have Thayer (11-1) hosting Windsor (13-0) and on the other side we have Adrian (10-1) traveling to Mid-Buchanan (13-0).
This column focuses on the latter.
Mid-Buchanan, the undisputed kings of the KCI Conference this season, have been on a tear.
After dominating their way through the regular season, where they allowed more than ten points only one time, the Dragons won their third District Championship in a row.
First, they defeated Polo 55-6, before dispatching rival East Buchanan a second time, 35-0.
Last week in the quarterfinals they defeated another KCI Conference foe, Hamilton, for a second time 46-21 to advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive year.
A year ago, they fell to eventual State Champion Valle Catholic, 37-14 and in 2018 they were two points away from playing for a State Championship.
"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." - Mid-Buchanan Head Coach Aaron Fritz.
The Adrian Blackhawks, winners of the West Central Football Conference, opened the season with a tight 20-14 loss to Butler and haven’t lost since.
In District play they defeated Crest Ridge 46-36 before winning a District Championship by defeating Sweet Springs with Malta Bend, 28-20. It was their fourth District Championship appearance in a row and second championship in four years.
A week ago, in the Quarterfinals, they defeated Marceline in a defensive struggle, 13-7.
This is the Blackhawks’ first Semifinal appearance in 15 years as they look to continue their quest for the schools first State Championship since 2002.
"This opportunity is big for the team and the town. With all the problems that 2020 has brought everyone, it's something that everyone can get behind and look forward to. " - Adrian Head Coach Matt Cochran.
Offensive Firepower
Leading the explosive Dragon offense that averages 54 points per game, is four year starting quarterback, Javan Noyes.
In his final year at the helm of the Dragon offense, Noyes has thrown for 2,431 yards, ran for another 1,166 and has produced 60 touchdowns.
The leading receivers for Mid-Buchanan are seniors Lane Ellison who has 750 yards with 11 scores while fellow senior Rawlins Brant has 500 yards and five touchdowns.
Joining Noyes in the Dragon backfield is senior running back TJ Runyan. One of the most explosive backs in northwest Missouri, Runyan has run for 1,208 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns.
Mid-Buchanan running back TJ Runyan has over 1,200 rushing yards this season.
Also threats to score for the Mid-Buchanan offense are juniors Caiden Bailey and Blake Hunter along with sophomore Xavier Arambula.
With so many offensive threats to prepare for, Adrian head coach Matt Cochran knows his defense will have their hands full come Saturday.
“This week we have focused on how to stop Mid-Buchanan's high-powered offense. It's going to take a great effort on our part to at least slow them down a bit,” Cochran said. “If we can limit their points, that’ll gives us a chance.”
When Adrian has the football fans can expect them to run the ball and run the ball some more.
The run game has been their bread and butter all season long with the Blackhawks' averaging 271 yards per game on the ground.
Driving the ship for the Blackhawk offense is quarterback Colton Bass. The junior signal caller has run for 820 yards and thrown for 701 while scoring 24 touchdowns.
Senior Grant Stacey is the teams leading receiver with 356 yards and six touchdowns.
In the backfield with Bass are freshman Hunter Bailey and junior Korbin Kisner.
In his first year of high school football, Bailey has produced 1,144 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns. Kisner has 856 yards with six touchdowns of his own.
Adrian freshman running back Hunter Bailey has run for over 1,000 yards this season. Photo submitted by the Adrian News Leader.
Adrian being as dominant in the run game as they are, is something Mid-Buchanan head coach Aaron Fritz knows his Dragons will have to be fully prepared for come Saturday.
“Adrian is a team that presents so many problems for opposing defenses, and it starts in the backfield,” Fritz said. “Both of their running backs run the ball extremely well and they are a great combination of speed and power. When you factor in their quarterback, it’s a tough offense to stop.”
Defense Wins Championships
While both offenses’ grab the headlines, the defensive units have been just as impressive.
Coming into Saturday’s contest, Mid-Buchanan is allowing just eight points per game. The highest total they allowed in a game this season was 21.
Junior linebacker Cage Burns sets the tone for the Mid-Buchanan defense, leading the team in tackles with 94. Senior Butch Walters has 76 tackles this season while Lane Ellison has 73.
The Dragon defense have been ball hawks all season with 17 interceptions, eight of which coming from Caiden Bailey.
In total, they have caused 35 turnovers this season.
The Mid-Buchanan defense is giving up only eight points per game and has caused 35 turnovers.
Adrian’s defense, which is allowing only 13 points per game, is spearheaded by a trio of talented linebackers.
Korbin Kisner leads the team in tackles with 83 while senior sophomore Jence Griffith has 74 and senior Kenton Cook has 71.
Much like the Dragons, the Blackhawks are a very opportunistic defense, having caused 25 turnovers of their own.
The Adrian defense is allowing just 13 points per game this season and have caused 25 turnovers. Photo submitted by the Adrian News Leader.
Game Time
At 1 p.m. tomorrow, two teams will step on the field in Faucett, Missouri with the same goal in mind, but with different motivations.
Adrian is looking to return to past glory and make it to their third State Championship game in school history and first in over a decade.
Mid-Buchanan looks to erase the semifinal heartbreak of the past two seasons and reach the State Championship for the first time in school history.
No matter the winner, this game is shaping up to be a classic.
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