McPherson ends Circle’s undefeated start with a big rushing night

WICHITA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - Friday night the Circle Thunderbird’s cinderella undefeated start came to a close, being outmatched by McPherson in a 4A top-10 battle.

The Bullpups offense flexed their muscle and scored 35 points, largely leaning on their run game. Quarterback Hunter Alvord got the Bullpups started on the first play of scrimmage, running one in himself 69 yards. But the biggest performance for McPherson was senior Jaytin Gumm. Gumm rushed for 152 yards and posted four touchdowns in the win.

“I think I had a really good performance but it also starts with the line,” Gumm said. “They definitely had a very good game up front. That’s what helps me. They create the holes and I run through them.”

Last week McPherson was handed their first loss of the year to 6A Junction City, so tonight was a must-win for the Bullpups in the eyes of head coach Jace Pavlovich.

“It was critical for us to bounce back like this,” he said. “The first half of Junction City we had them on the ropes and had a good lead. We fell apart in the second half and we started pressing a little bit when things got tight. We did tonight too but when we settle down we’re a pretty good football team.”

Although it was McPherson that walked away with the win, Pavlovich had praise for the new look Circle Thunderbirds team.

“Circle reminds us a lot of a McPherson [team from] back in the day when no one really thought we were a serious program and look at where we’re at right now,” Pavlovich said. “I think that’s what they have going for them moving forward.”

McPherson now moves to 3-1 on the year and look to stay in the win column next week on the road at Winfield.

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