East Loses to Rockhurst, 26-20

Photo by Kaitlyn Stratman

The Shawnee Mission East Lancers were bested by the Rockhurst High School Hawklets 26-20 this Friday in a non-conference game that will not affect either team’s record. Instead, it was a game that came down to a great rivalry and school pride.

It was a heavily defensive-minded, well-fought game by both teams. There was a two to six point margin throughout the majority of the game despite East’s six turnovers to Rockhurst’s zero.

Running backs junior Milton Braasch, senior Nigil Houston and senior Carl Young ran the show for the Lancer offense, each rushing for 100 plus yards.

Despite success on the ground, turnovers proved to be East’s downfall. On the second play of the game, the Lancers set the tone by fumbling on their own 15 yard line, which led to a Rockhurst touchdown by quarterback Chance May.

Senior quarterback Luke Kaiser threw two interceptions in the first half, one leading to a 97-yard pick six by Rockhurst.

Thanks to the defense, however, East was able to stay in the game with touchdown from junior fullback Milton Braasch and a long catch for a touchdown by senior Trevor Thompson.

The third quarter was scoreless as both team’s defenses were playing at the top of their. But May broke the scoring drought in the fourth quarter with a QB sneak, capitalizing off of a Kaiser fumble.

Then East attempted an onside kick, which did not work, but the East defense stopped the Hawklets once again, giving the offense one last chance.

Luke Kaiser was passing to Thompson and Tate left, right and center as they moved up the field. However, the offense was stopped on a 4th down by senior cornerback Josh Moore of the Hawklets.