Rivals Compete for Wagon Wheel
by THS Media Kane Mobley
In high school sports, not much is better than the rivalry game under the Friday night lights, and on Oct 10, people were given a show.
The Truman Patriots who had a record of 6-1 coming into the game versus their longtime rival William Chrisman. The Bears had a 2-5 record coming into the game, and were definitely the underdog. Truman was coming into the game on a six-game win streak after losing their first game of the season to Lee’s Summit.
Both student sections were rowdy and eager for kickoff, and the atmosphere was unlike anything else. The game started with a rushing touchdown from senior QB Dean Clemons to put the Patriots up 6-0. The rest of the half included only one more score; a touchdown pass from Clemons. The Patriots led 12-0 at half, due to Chrisman’s special teams efforts, Truman denied of any points after the touchdowns.
After the third quarter, the score read 20-7. The fourth quarter is where Chrisman averaged most of their points on the season. With Chrisman down 13, they knew they needed to break out in the fourth quarter, and did just that.
The Truman defense seemed almost stumped on how to stop Chrisman running back D’Vontae Brown who added two touchdowns and 61 rushing yards to his name for the night. Another Chrisman touchdown made it 20-14 Patriots. Truman was looking to go back up two scores however they were forced to punt. Chrisman marched down the field and had their first lead of the game, 21-20.
Pressure on Truman. With about five minutes left to go in the fourth quarter, senior running back Jordan Salima ran it in the endzone for a touchdown, and after a successful 2-point conversion the Patriots led 28-21. The Bears were set to get the ball back with a little over four minutes to go in the quarter. The atmosphere was intense to say the least. Both student sections cheering as loud as they could. Chrisman methodical in their way up to around the 15 yard line where they found themselves with a fourth and three situation.
They need to get this first down or Patriots would line up in victory formation. Before Bears QB senior Grady Ogle could snap the ball, flag on the play, the call was encroachment on the defense which meant an automatic first down for the Bears. With about a minute to go, the Bears found their way into the endzone. The Bears just needed to kick the extra point to tie it up, but instead they went for two. Gutsy call that didn't pay off as the Bears came up a half yard short, and the Patriots win, maintaining the Wagon Wheel for the second year in a row, this time by a score of 28-27.
“It’s really just our attitude. In the past, Truman teams would just quit and whine about it,” Salima said. “But we’ve been in that situation before, and took care of business. That’s how we were able to overcome their late comeback.”
Salima broke Truman history for the second year in a row with his big game against the Bears. He rushed for 204 yards on 21 carries, and had a couple of rushing touchdowns on the day. Salima’s 204 yards put him at 1,525 for the year, breaking his own rushing record he set last year of 1508.
“Thanks to God, and a special shout-out to my teammates, coaches, and trainers," Salima said. They helped me get this again.”
With Salima being a senior, it was his last Truman vs. Chrisman game for the Wagon Wheel trophy. However, Truman might end up playing Chrisman again in the playoffs.
"If that time comes, we'll be ready, " Clemons said.
A matchup that all of Chrisman would be itching to redo.
The Truman Patriots who had a record of 6-1 coming into the game versus their longtime rival William Chrisman. The Bears had a 2-5 record coming into the game, and were definitely the underdog. Truman was coming into the game on a six-game win streak after losing their first game of the season to Lee’s Summit.
Both student sections were rowdy and eager for kickoff, and the atmosphere was unlike anything else. The game started with a rushing touchdown from senior QB Dean Clemons to put the Patriots up 6-0. The rest of the half included only one more score; a touchdown pass from Clemons. The Patriots led 12-0 at half, due to Chrisman’s special teams efforts, Truman denied of any points after the touchdowns.
After the third quarter, the score read 20-7. The fourth quarter is where Chrisman averaged most of their points on the season. With Chrisman down 13, they knew they needed to break out in the fourth quarter, and did just that.
The Truman defense seemed almost stumped on how to stop Chrisman running back D’Vontae Brown who added two touchdowns and 61 rushing yards to his name for the night. Another Chrisman touchdown made it 20-14 Patriots. Truman was looking to go back up two scores however they were forced to punt. Chrisman marched down the field and had their first lead of the game, 21-20.
Pressure on Truman. With about five minutes left to go in the fourth quarter, senior running back Jordan Salima ran it in the endzone for a touchdown, and after a successful 2-point conversion the Patriots led 28-21. The Bears were set to get the ball back with a little over four minutes to go in the quarter. The atmosphere was intense to say the least. Both student sections cheering as loud as they could. Chrisman methodical in their way up to around the 15 yard line where they found themselves with a fourth and three situation.
They need to get this first down or Patriots would line up in victory formation. Before Bears QB senior Grady Ogle could snap the ball, flag on the play, the call was encroachment on the defense which meant an automatic first down for the Bears. With about a minute to go, the Bears found their way into the endzone. The Bears just needed to kick the extra point to tie it up, but instead they went for two. Gutsy call that didn't pay off as the Bears came up a half yard short, and the Patriots win, maintaining the Wagon Wheel for the second year in a row, this time by a score of 28-27.
“It’s really just our attitude. In the past, Truman teams would just quit and whine about it,” Salima said. “But we’ve been in that situation before, and took care of business. That’s how we were able to overcome their late comeback.”
Salima broke Truman history for the second year in a row with his big game against the Bears. He rushed for 204 yards on 21 carries, and had a couple of rushing touchdowns on the day. Salima’s 204 yards put him at 1,525 for the year, breaking his own rushing record he set last year of 1508.
“Thanks to God, and a special shout-out to my teammates, coaches, and trainers," Salima said. They helped me get this again.”
With Salima being a senior, it was his last Truman vs. Chrisman game for the Wagon Wheel trophy. However, Truman might end up playing Chrisman again in the playoffs.
"If that time comes, we'll be ready, " Clemons said.
A matchup that all of Chrisman would be itching to redo.