Buhler holds off Mulvane in low scoring bout

BUHLER, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - After a first half where neither side could quite get get going, an early second half score proved to be all that was needed for Buhler to advance to the 4A semifinals.

Both teams carrying excellent defenses, the two units showed out in keeping the opening half scoreless, highlighted by a late interception for Mulvane that ended a Buhler drive inside the 10 yard line.

But on the opening drive of the second half, Sam Elliott broke free for a 68 yard run, just getting tripped up at the 2 yard line. The Crusaders would not be held out of the endzone this time, with Bradley Neill converting a QB sneak from inches out for what turned out to be the game’s only score.

The Wildcats nearly found an immediate answer when Mason Ellis hit Hunter Seier on a quick slant, but Matthew Eddy chased him down and punched the ball out, forcing a fumble that swung the momentum back in Buhler’s favor.

That led to what was mostly a stalemate until the final Mulvane drive. Ellis this time on 3rd and long converted it with a pass to Ian Comer for a big gain to get the Wildcats inside the Buhler 30, but they would face a 4th down where the pass just fell incomplete, Mulvane turning it over on downs. Buhler then iced it with another big gain out of Elliott, part of a 249 yard performance for the senior that put him over 2,000 yards for the year.

The Crusaders will now host Andover Central, a rematch of a week two contest that saw the Jaguars hand Buhler their lone loss in 2021, a 21-19 contest.

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