Tigers lead repeatedly, but fall to Ray South
For two-plus quarters on the night of Oct. 13, Excelsior Springs was in position to get its first win this season in varsity 11-man football.
The Tigers and visiting Raytown South were tied at 14 at halftime. Early in the third quarter, Excelsior Springs went up 20-14.
And then, the Cardinals scored 22 unanswered points, handing the Tigers a 36-20 Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division loss.
The Tigers (0-8 overall, 0-4 Blue Division) scored their touchdowns on runs by senior Rhys Guthrie, junior Dawson Claypole and senior Jason Starchman Jr. After Ray South had taken a 6-0 lead on a touchdown, Guthrie tied it with his 4-yard, first-quarter TD run. An extra-point kick made it 7-6 Excelsior Springs.
Claypole broke free for a 95-yard TD run and the Tigers converted their pointafter attempt to extend their lead to 14-6 in the first quarter. The Cardinals knotted it with a second-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion.
Starchman capped the first drive of the second…