Burlington scores late to overcome Girard

STAFF REPORTS

The Girard Trojan football team lost Friday, Oct. 21, against the Burlington Wildcats 43-41 after a late Wildcat touchdown.

The first half was a showcase for the defenses as the score at halftime was 7-7, with Girard’s touchdown coming off of a 41-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Fisher.

In the second half, it was a different story. Trojan running back Camden McFarland left the game early due to a knee injury. This was an opportunity for Fisher to step up, and he did just that.

Along with fellow senior Eric Wilson, Fisher would lead the Trojans in an offensive surge. He would score three consecutive touchdowns for the Girard offense.

However, the Girard defense was not able to figure out how to stop the Wildcat offense and struggled to keep points off of the Burlington side of the scoreboard.

Multiple touchdowns by both teams made the score 29-28 with a Girard advantage heading into the final quarter.

Wilson found the endzone on a 15-yard quarterback touchdown run to make the score 35-28 after a missed two-point conversion. The Trojans had normally been kicking PATs, but with the injury to McFarland, who is also Girard’s kicker, the Trojans had to rely on two-point plays.

On the next possession, the Burlington quarterback scampered

for a 46 yard touchdown run and took the lead 36-35 after a successful two-point conversion.

Now, Girard received the ball in the middle of the final quarter and looked to chew some clock on their way to the endzone.

With just under two minutes remaining, Wilson found fellow senior Shane Redfern on a 30-touchdown pass to make the score 41-36 after another failed two-point conversion.

The game looked to be in the Trojans favor, but on the ensuing kickoff, Burlington returned it all the way to the endzone for a touchdown, making the score 43-41.

A late Trojan possession started at the 6-yard line and they were not able to convert on fourth down. The Wildcats took over and ended the game with a knee.

Fisher had the game of his life, gathering 257 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries. Wilson also added 68 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Wilson threw for 78 yards and one touchdown on four completions. Josiah Thomason, Redfern and Jordan Hopson all recorded 20, 30 and 28 receiving yards, respectively.

This heartbreaking loss dropped the Girard record to 3-5 and a district record of 1-1. This was also the first district loss for Girard since the 2013 season.

Two teams will advance out of the four team district to the playoffs. Girard’s district includes 0-2 Anderson County, 1-1 Burlington and 2-0 Iola.

The Trojans will play Iola Thursday, Oct. 27, in Iola. If Girard wins by 12 or more points, they will advance as the number one seed in the district and will play a home playoff game the following week.

If the Trojans win by less than 12 points, they will advance as the two seed and play an away playoff game. If Girard loses, their season will be over.

The fate of this Trojan team lies on their play Thursday night in Iola. Look for the Girard team to bounce back rejuvenated and looking for a crucial win against the Mustangs.