The Cardinals bounced back from a tough loss to Piper last week by going on the road in Bonner Springs and showcasing its offensive prowess.

Senior quarterback Gage Hayden was responsible for five touchdowns on the night, throwing for two and rushing for three. Sophomore wide receiver Adrion Seals scored two. 

While the first quarter remained competitive with Eudora leading 14-7 at the end, the second quarter is when Eudora started to pick up the intensity on all three phases of the game when they scored 20 points in under three minutes.

Eudora marched down the field near the end of the second quarter, converted a fourth-and-1, and Hayden capped off the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the night bringing the score to 21-7 with 2:47 left. 

“It all starts up front,” Hayden said. “Our team keeps poised, the line blocks their butts off, but I just find a way to run.” 

Bonner Springs answered on the next drive with a 62-yard pass. Two plays later they punched in a 10-yard rushing touchdown with 48 seconds left. 

On the ensuing kickoff, Seals was patient as he caught the ball, stutter-stepped and waited for a hole to open when he returned it 75 yards for a touchdown with 38 seconds remaining.

“When I got the ball, I was just reading my guys, I saw a gap and I shot through,” Seals said. 

Bonner Springs fumbled the ball on its first play of the next drive leaving Eudora with excellent field position with 31 seconds left in the half. Hayden would find junior wide receiver Jaden Hamm in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown as time expired in the first half extending the lead to 34-14.

Bonner Springs made adjustments on special teams in the second half and they no longer kicked to Eudora’s returners, instead opting to kick it short to prevent another kickoff return for a touchdown. 

The adjustments by Bonner Springs weren’t enough though as Eudora scored two more times in the second half. The Cardinals’ offense gave the team life Friday night, but they will look to improve on the defensive end going forward.

The Cardinals improve to 2-1. They will play 7 p.m. Friday at home against Tonganoxie.

Reach reporter Chris Fortune at [email protected].

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