LEAVENWORTH — For the first time in more than half a century, Leavenworth football is moving into the second round of the state playoffs with serious momentum. 

The Pioneers used a dominant defensive effort and a bruising second-half ground game to earn a 32-22 victory over Pittsburg in their Class 5A playoff opener Friday night at Pioneer Stadium. The win pushed Leavenworth to 8-1 — its best start since 1972 — and continued a season that’s rewriting the program’s recent history. 

“This whole season has just been amazing,” Leavenworth coach Sean Sachen said. “We haven’t done anything like this in decades. We have a great group of kids that have grown up together and love each other. We just find ways to win.” 

Leavenworth’s defense — which forced three turnovers — held Pittsburg’s offense in check for most of the night, allowing just two touchdowns on gadget plays: a halfback pass from Landen Proffitt to Malakai Meadows in the third quarter, and a reverse touchdown run by Meadows in the fourth. 

“Our defense just bowed up tonight,” Sachen said. “They did what we needed them to do while we figured some things out on offense. Only giving up scores on trick plays and a short field, I couldn’t be prouder of them.” 
 

Tyreck Wyche was a one-man wrecking crew for the Pioneers as he forced two fumbles, recovered one and also had a sack. Grayson Cline led the team with 11 tackles, while Gabe Eddins and Will Dales each had eight.  

After trailing 14-12 midway through the third quarter, the Pioneers’ offense began to click behind quarterback Braden Bridger, who threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Dy’Vair McCray hauled in a 49-yard score in the second quarter, and Julian Simon added a 7-yard TD reception and later broke loose for a 51-yard touchdown run that gave Leavenworth the lead for good. 

Running back Trey Brockington, who finished with 105 rushing yards a touchdown and eight tackles on defense, came alive in the second half as the Pioneers wore down the Purple Dragons’ defense 
 

“That is Trey,” Sachen said with a grin. “He does run hard and he likes to run into stuff. Sometimes I wish he’d try to make somebody miss a little bit more, but he’s a great kid. He’s worked his tail off for four years, and I’m happy he’s having the success he’s having.” 

Leavenworth’s fourth-quarter surge was capped by Ja’Marion Jefferson’s 16-yard touchdown run to seal the win. 

With the victory, Leavenworth advances to face Blue Valley North in next week’s regional round. 

“They’re ecstatic,” Sachen said. “Pittsburg didn’t want their season to end, and nobody does this time of year. The east in 5A is just brutal. Any win in the bracket is a good one. Now we move on, get back to work, and try to get better.” 
 

LV 0 6 6 20 — 32 

PIT 0 7 7 8 — 22 

SCORING SUMMARY 

Second Quarter

P: Malcolm Riley 7 run (kick good) 

L: Dy’Vair McCray 49 pass from Braden Bridger (kick failed) 

Third Quarter 

P: Malakai Meadows 35 pass from Landen Proffitt (kick good) 

L: Julian Simon 7 pass from Bridger (2-point fails) 

Fourth Quarter 

L: Trey Brockington 12 run (2-point fails) 

L: Simon 51 run (kick good) 

P: Meadows 65 run (Dawson Hall run) 

L: Ja’Marion Jefferson 16 run (kick good) 

Other football standouts:  

• Spring Hill used a monster first quarter to record a 74-0 victory last Friday over Harmon in the first round of the state playoffs. The Broncos scored 47 first quarter points to earn their eighth win for the season. They scored on seven straight offensive plays and never looked back. The first quarter points were the most in school history and have accumulated 403 total points this season through nine games, which is also a school record. 

• St. Mary’s Colgan running back Klayton Adamson had a monster game in the Panthers’ week nine contest against Doniphan West. Adamson scored seven touchdowns in the first half and recorded 260 yards on the ground in their 63-0 victory.  

• Lawrence Free State Maddon Brittingham had a similar game against Olathe East in the first round of the playoffs. Brittingham also had a school record 7-touchdown performance in the Firebirds’ 61-47 shootout victory over the Hawks. He led Free State with 283 yards rushing on 21 carries. That put him over 1,000 yards rushing for the season. 

• On the opposite side of that game, Olathe East quarterback Milo Burton put on a show of his own. Burton had 444 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the loss. Burton, who is a University of Missouri commit for baseball, finished the season with 1,652 total yards after only playing in six-and-a-half games.  

• Shawnee Mission Northwest quarterback Trai Woodruff had a big performance in the Cougars’ 50-40 playoff win over Lawrence. Woodruff rushed for 308 yards and six touchdowns in his best performance of the season. 

• Chanute quarterback Kris Harding led the Blue Comets in a wild 29-28 victory over Louisburg. Harding ran for 178 yards and led them back after facing a 14-0 deficit.  

• Bishop Miege running back Vinny George scored four first half touchdowns to help the Stags to a first round playoff victory over Atchison.  

• Basehor-Linwood quarterback Carson Dixon racked up more than 270 total yards in the Bobcats’ 28-10 win over Blue Valley Southwest. Dixon also scored a pair of touchdowns.  

• Gardner-Edgerton running back Syre Padilla ruashed for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the Blazers’ 56-21 win over Shawnee Mission West in their playoff opener.  

• Marmaton Valley quarterback Tyler Lord had 12 carries for 200 yards and four touchdowns in its 48-0 win over Hartford in week 9.