EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo., Oct. 17, 2025 — There was another big night on the ground for freshman running back Nick Mubanga, but it wasn’t enough for the Tigers in a 48-14 Homecoming loss to St. Joseph Central last Friday night. Mubanga rushed for 139 yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown against the Class 6 school. The rest of the Tiger running game struggled throughout the night, but Mubanga was able to find or create holes en route to averaging six yards per carry.
The Indians got on the scoreboard first with a 7-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the game. The Tigers struck back with a long drive capped off by a 1-yard run from senior running back Gaige Carr. The Indians took the lead late in the first quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass but missed the extra point, taking a 13-7 lead into the second quarter.
A 47-yard touchdown run and an 81-yard touchdown pass for the Indians stretched the lead to 27-7 heading into halftime. During the halftime break, lightning in the area forced officials to clear the stands and delay play for about 30 minutes before the game resumed.
The Indians added a 57-yard touchdown run and an 8-yard touchdown run before the Tigers were able to find the end zone again on a 9-yard run by Mubanga later in the third quarter. A 34-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter ended the scoring on the night, sealing the 48-14 final.
Sophomore Landon Marcum completed nine passes for 68 yards, with his longest going for 13 yards. Sophomore Dalton Guy led the Tiger receiving corps with three receptions for 32 yards. Junior Owen O’Dell had two catches for 15 yards, and Mubanga added two catches for 14 yards.
The Tigers are now 2-6 on the season and will face the Kearney Bulldogs this week in their regular-season finale before opening Class 4 District 8 play next Friday night.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
