RAYTOWN, Mo. (Sept. 20, 2024) — In a game that displayed the heartbreak and drama of high school football, the Excelsior Springs Tigers were edged out by the Raytown Bluejays, 19-13, in a late-game defeat on Friday night. With the Tigers battling to the final whistle, it was a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Raytown that ultimately sealed their fate.
The Tigers came out strong, setting the tone early. Dawson Claypole pushed through the Bluejays’ defense with a 1-yard touchdown run, capping off an impressive first-quarter drive that included a key 14-yard reception from Brant Cashett. Carson Gholson added the extra point, giving Excelsior Springs a 7-0 lead that would hold through halftime as both defenses tightened up.
The third quarter saw Raytown begin to find their rhythm. Quarterback Geguieffa Williams, the Bluejays’ offensive spark, engineered a methodical drive before handing the ball off to Kaden Cannon for a 2-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7 after Sevauhn Rushing‘s extra point. Despite the setback, Excelsior Springs continued to pound the ball on the ground, amassing 317 rushing yards, with Claypole (117 yards) and Gaige Carr (112 yards) leading the charge.
In the fourth quarter, the game erupted into a dramatic back-and-forth contest. With 8:56 left to play, Raytown’s Williams connected with wide receiver Jaeden Davis for a spectacular 60-yard touchdown pass, putting the Bluejays up 13-7. The Tigers, however, were undeterred. Claypole again found the end zone, this time on a 9-yard jet sweep, tying the game at 13-13. A crucial missed PAT from Gholson would loom large as the clock ticked down.
With the game hanging in the balance, Williams struck again, delivering a 35-yard touchdown strike to Larry Porter IV, reclaiming the lead for Raytown at 19-13. Excelsior Springs mounted a valiant final drive, but a sack on quarterback Marquez McCant stymied their hopes of a last-minute comeback.
Despite the loss, the Tigers showcased their grit, controlling possession for much of the game and converting five crucial third downs. McCant, while held to just 43 passing yards, added 66 rushing yards, grinding out critical first downs. The defense, led by Claypole and Cashett (6.5 tackles), forced one turnover, including a key interception by Carr.
Penalties proved costly for the Tigers, however, with 110 yards in infractions, many of which extended Raytown drives and put Excelsior Springs on the back foot. The Bluejays took advantage of these moments, with Williams’ pinpoint passing and the Tigers’ inability to convert key fourth downs sealing their fate.
With this hard-fought loss, the Tigers drop to 1-3 on the season, but they will look to regroup and carry the positives forward as they prepare for next week’s matchup at home versus Smithville.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Excelsior Springs:
Dawson Claypole 1-yard rush (Touchdown)
Carson Gholson PAT
Excelsior Springs 7, Raytown 0
2nd Quarter
No scoring
3rd Quarter
Raytown:
Kaden Cannon 2-yard rush (Touchdown)
Sevauhn Rushing PAT
Excelsior Springs 7, Raytown 7
4th Quarter
Raytown:
Jaeden Davis 60-yard pass from Geguieffa Williams (Touchdown)
PAT blocked
Raytown 13, Excelsior Springs 7
Excelsior Springs:
Dawson Claypole 9-yard rush (Touchdown
PAT missed
Excelsior Springs 13, Raytown 13
Raytown:
Larry Porter IV 35-yard pass from Geguieffa Williams (Touchdown)
PAT blocked
Raytown 19, Excelsior Springs 13
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