Buhler, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The McPherson Bullpups wrapped up the regular season with a 49-6 victory over the Buhler Crusaders.

The game took place at Crusader Stadium in Buhler. The home team won last year’s matchup 42-30.McPherson won the toss and deferred to the second half. Buhler took the ball and got the first down but their opening drive sputtered.

The Bullpups took over but went three and out.

The McPherson defense then held Buhler to only three plays before they punted it away.

McPherson started their next drive on their 35-yard line. After quarterback Hunter Alvord kept the ball for an eight-yard rush, Dawson Gottwald took the next handoff to the Buhler end zone. Gottwald carried the ball for 57 yards for the night’s first score.

After a Blaise Hoover extra point, McPherson led 7-0.McPherson found the end zone on their very next possession. On the first play, Hunter Alvord hit Tucker Pelner for a 65-yard completion. Hoover connected for another PAT and the lead stood at 14-0 Bullpups.

Buhler faced fourth and 10 from their 15-yard line at the start of the second quarter. Quarterback Jeffery Neill dropped back to punt but was rushed by Bullpup defenders. Neill attempted to get the first down by running the ball. McPherson forced him out of bounds at the 15-yard line.

The Bullpups took over on downs. On fourth and eight from the 13, Hunter Alvord found an open Blaise Hoover in the end zone for the third touchdown of the evening. Hoover then went and kicked another successful point after the touchdown. McPherson led 21-0.Midway through the second quarter, McPherson quarterback Hunter Alvord tossed the ball to Jaytin Gumm. Gumm then wound up and threw a 24-yard pass to Logan Roth. Roth made it to the Buhler five-yard line.

Three plays later Gumm finished the drive with a one-yard dive to score a touchdown. Hoover once again made the extra point. The Bullpup lead was now 28-0.McPherson ended the scoring in the first half with an Alvord to Mason Miller five-yard pass play. Blaise Hoover made the score 35-0 with 2:12 left in the second quarter.

After halftime, McPherson took the ball. Two plays in, Buhler’s Alex Lee recovered a fumble at the Bullpup 32-yard line.

Buhler took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown. Jeffery Neill passed the ball to Brayden Gentry in the end zone. Gentry was shaken up on the play. Neill attempted the PAT kick, but it was blocked by Jayce Schriner of McPherson.

The score stood at 35-6 McPherson.

McPherson went three and out on their next possession. Buhler took over at the McPherson 42 after Matthew Eddy returned the punt for 24 yards.

On the second play of the drive, Jeffery Neill threw the ball and it was intercepted by Jaret Myers. Myers quickly turned up the field and found some blockers. He made the 65-yard trip to score a pick-six. Hoover again made the extra point to extend the lead to 42-6.The final score of the night came with 5:21 left in the game. After a Buhler punt and two flags against the Crusaders on a rushing play, McPherson found themselves at the 18-yard line.

Hadlee Backhus threw a pass to Logan Roth who finished the drive with a touchdown. After the Blaise Hoover extra point, McPherson led 49-6.Hunter Alvord threw for 100 yards on five of 12 passes. He threw for three touchdowns also. Backhus had the other passing TD. Alvord also ran for 65 yards on 12 carries.Dawson Gottwald had the most yards with 77 on 10 carries and a touchdown. Jaytin Gumm scored the other touchdown on seven carries for 21 yards.

”Offensively we played well in the first half,” said McPherson Head Coach Jake Pavlovich. “In the second half, we sputtered and made mistakes.

”We weren’t sharp up front. We’ll fix those mistakes and execute better.”

McPherson rolls past Buhler, 49-6 to close regular season