Tigers pay for ‘self-inflicted mistakes’ in gridiron opener

Tigers pay for ‘self-inflicted mistakes’ in gridiron opener

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BELTON – Excelsior Springs could move the football against Belton, but the Tigers couldn’t score. Or at least not often enough. Twice, for example, Excelsior Springs varsity coach Mark Faubion’s veer offense got inside the Belton 10-yard line and failed to score. The result of those missed opportunities and others, along with big plays by Belton: a 21-11 Aug. 26 season-opening road loss. “We had so many self-inflicted mistakes tonight that cost us throughout the night,” Faubion said. Those mistakes included 11 penalties for 65 yards. Those penalties, in turn, stalled multiple drives. Excelsior Springs’ opening drive stalled after 30 yards and seven plays. Senior Andrew DeOrnellis’ punt pinned the Pirates at their own 1, but Belton responded with a 13-play, 99-yard drive, capped by Javon Minor’s 36-yard TD run and Zach Lattimer’s extra-point kick with 1 minute, 6 seconds left in the first quarter....

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