Kirkwood stuns Blue Springs 31-14 in Missouri Class 6 title game

There was plenty of credit spread across the Blue Springs offense, with coaches and players listing a handful of tailbacks and a stout offensive line. Whatever the reasoning, the Wildcats were rolling, totaling nearly seven touchdowns per game over a four-week postseason run.

On Friday, they finally met their match.

Kirkwood struck early, and the defense made it stick, combining to stun Blue Springs 31-14 in the Missouri Class 6 state championship game Friday.

In the first football state title game played at Memorial Stadium on the Missouri campus since 1994, Kirkwood prevented Blue Springs from claiming its third championship in five seasons.

Instead, the Pioneers are the kings of Class 6 for the first time in program history.

“We usually are able to make a lot of big plays. They just weren’t there tonight,” Blue Springs senior Tyree King said. “And when we made a big play, it got called back. It killed us.”

An omen arrived early. On Kirkwood’s first offensive play, actually.

Operating out of the spread offense, Kirkwood quarterback Reece Goddard dropped back and completed a deep ball down the sideline. Over the next two drives, Goddard used the same fade route for a pair of touchdown passes to give Kirkwood a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Tahj Telfair was the recipient of the initial throw. Joe Jordan hauled in the latter. Telfair added another touchdown on a slant pattern to extend the Kirkwood lead to 21-0 two minutes into the second quarter.

In addition to his three passing touchdowns, Goddard rushed for 140 yards and a score.

“We made mistakes, but that didn’t cost us the game. The thing that cost us the game was that quarterback and a whole bunch of good players that executed really well all night,” Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe said.

“I wish we would’ve played our best game, but the reason we didn’t was because of those guys.”

Blue Springs cut the margin to 21-7 before halftime on Jaylen Ivey’s 8-yard touchdown run. But the deficit was too large. And for a run-heavy offense, the time was too little.

The Blue Springs comeback attempt was further hindered without one of its biggest offensive weapons. Ivey, who has battled a high ankle sprain during the postseason, stepped onto the field for the first time with fewer than six minutes left in the opening half. Four plays later, he drove a pile into the end zone.

Another injury, however, beckoned on the ensuing drive. And Ivey’s next appearance came on crutches on the sideline.

The rushing game, which had accounted for 3,381 yards in 2016, marched on without him. It accounted for 237 yards in 44 carries. But Blue Springs lacked the big play.

Actually, it did find one.

On a reverse wide receiver pass, Tanner Taula connected with Caleb Marquez for 49 yards. Two minutes before halftime, Blue Springs sat 13 yards from the end zone, ready to pull within one possession.

A yellow flag negated the play.

“Every time it seemed like we got a little momentum, something happened to take it right back,” Donohoe said. “All night long.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 9:48 PM with the headline "Kirkwood stuns Blue Springs 31-14 in Missouri Class 6 title game."