Leyton-Banner County Loses To Paxton

The Leyton/Banner County WarCats entered Thursday's Homecoming contest against Paxton winless, and the inability to stop the big play again sent the WarCats down to defeat. After the opening Homecoming festivities, the Tigers received the kickoff and junior Remington Schimonitz returned it right up the middle of the WarCats coverage for a touchdown and a quick 8-to-0 lead.

After going three-and-out, Leyton's Zac Henke boomed a punt all the way down to the Paxton 8 yard line. But the Tigers went on a drive, picking up first downs until junior quarterback Keegan Schow scored on a sweep run to extend the Tiger's lead to 16-to-0. The WarCats started deep in their own territory on the next drive and had success moving the ball until sophomore Scout Gamble's pass was tipped and intercepted.

Paxton was in scoring position, but the WarCats defense held, turning the Tigers back on a fourth down to take the ball back. Leyton had momentum on their next drive with KJ Bush ripping off big runs, and Gamble found Henke deep with a pass near the end zone. Henke was being pulled down by one defender, and dove to cross the goal line, but he bobbled the football and it ended up in the hands of Paxton's Schow for a touchback.

Paxton again went on a long drive, and again scored on a run by Schow to extend their lead to 22-to-0. After a good return, the WarCats were finally able to score on a rollout pass by Gamble to Henke. On Paxton's next drive, the WarCats were able to recover a fumble on fourth down to keep the score at 22-to-6 going into the half. Leyton received the opening kickoff, and Henke was again able to take off on a good run, streaking down the left sideline for Leyton's second touchdown, and the score was now 22-to-12.

Paxton again started to drive, but again lost the handle on the ball and turned it over to Leyton deep in their own territory. Bush was then able to run up the middle from the Leyton 25 for another score, and the WarCats had closed to within 22-to-20 with momentum in their direction. But Schimonitz again received the kickoff and took it right down the sideline for another score, breaking the WarCat's momentum and ptting Paxton up 36-to-20. The WarCats could not muster any more offense for the rest of the game while giving up big plays to the Tigers. Paxton continued to score, and the final score of 50-to-20 did not indicate how close the game was in the third quarter.

Gamble went 5-for-14 passing with 62 yards and a touchdown while KJ Bush had 15 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense. Sophomore Braydon Haley led the defense with 13 total tackles and a fumble recovery in the loss. The WarCats finish their season on the road against Wauneta-Palisade on Friday.