The Stanley County Buffaloes would drop a heartbreaker to the Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy Phoenix in a 32-28 loss on Thursday in the first round of the 9AA playoffs.
After the Phoenix would score its first touchdown of the game, Stanley County would be able to answer with a Colton Brady touchdown run, but the two point conversion was unsuccessful and the Buffs would be down 8-6 until late in the first half. With just two and a half minutes to go Stanley County would take the lead 14-8 with a Brendon Bothwell jet sweep touchdown run. But the lead would be short lived as the Phoenix would score and lead 16-14 at the half.
In the second half the Buffs would reclaim the lead as Brady would carry it in from three yards out and go up 22-16. But the Phoenix, would always have the answer scoring again to go back up 24-22. Stanley County’s final score came with eight and a half minutes to go up 28-22 on Brady’s third touchdown carry. The Phoenix had one last score with five minutes left and would withhold one more Buffs drive to pick up the upset.
Stanley County’s season ends at 7-2 while the Phoenix will travel to Platte-Geddes in the 9AA quarterfinals next Thursday.
