Concordia Panthers Score Road Playoff Win Over Colby, Seek Measure of Revenge Against Riley County

The Concordia High School Football team put forth a narrative-changing performance on Friday, October 29th, emerging from Colby with a 52-20 victory over the Eagles to advance in the 2021 KSHSAA Class 3A State Football Playoffs.

It was the second playoff victory for the Panthers under third year Head Coach Jordan Echer and the fourth playoff victory for Concordia in the last 10 years.

Concordia, which dropped back-to-back games at Riley County and Chapman to conclude the regular season, quieted a small circle of critics by becoming the only team in Class 3A to capture a road playoff win.  Out of 123 first round playoff games across eight classifications in Kansas, only 13 teams traveled and won -- Bishop Miege, Blue Valley Southwest, Concordia, Garden Plain, Gardner Edgerton, Hanover, Hoxie, Humboldt, Norwich, Oakley, Troy, Valley Heights and Winfield -- illustrating how much more difficult winning on the road is than winning at home.

Colby entered the game with a 4-4 record but was 3-1 at home during the regular season.  The Eagles had averaged 41 points per contest in their last two games against Scott City and Goodland to lock up a home playoff game.

Concordia didn't waste any time making a statement as Senior Tailback Keyan Miller took the first play from scrimmage 68 yards for a touchdown.

Miller also scored on a two point conversion run to give Concordia an early 8-0 advantage.

Colby struggled to move the ball early with only one first down on their first two drives, while they were penalized six times for 43 yards in the first half.

Facing a 3rd-and-34, Colby Junior Quarterback Hunter Vaughn was under pressure and underthrew Senior Zane Betz downfield and the pass was intercepted by Panther Senior Cornerback Alexis Garcia at the Eagle 46.

The takeaway marked the first career interception for Garcia, who is starting in the place of the injured Alec Francis.

The Panthers' ensuing drive consisted of an 18-yard run from Senior Quarterback Cav Carlgren, a 25-yard catch and run by Miller and a 3-yard run by Miller to cap the drive.

Sophomore Running Back Cameron Cleveland added the two-point conversion score to give Concordia a 16-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Colby managed to get on the scoreboard early in the second frame when Betz hit an open lane and sprinted into the end zone for a 36-yard score to end a 10 play, 65-yard drive.

Concordia answered with a 4 play, 55-yard scoring drive when Miller hauled in a pass from Carlgren and took it to the endzone on a 25-yard catch and run.

Miller has recorded touchdown receptions in back-to-back weeks and has snagged three touchdown grabs this season.

Miller's two-point conversion score on a pitch play made it 24-6 with 9:56 to go in the first half.

The Eagles scored for the second time in the first half when Vaughn made a great throw on the run to Senior Wide Receiver Bryce Myers for a 16-yard touchdown.

The Panthers then ended the first half with a 12 play scoring drive.  After Miller picked up a 4th down conversion to set up first and goal, the senior easily got into the end zone on a two-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a three-score lead at the halftime break.

Colby climbed back into the game when Sophomore Returner Isaiah Rosales scooped up the opening kick-off of the second half at the 26-yard line, found an opening, brushed by a few would-be tacklers and returned the kick 74-yards for a touchdown.

The Eagles, trailing 32-20, were then able to force a key turnover on downs, yet the Panthers' defenders dug in and forced a three-and-out.

Junior Stryker Hake then broke a big run, ripping through the Eagles' defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 38-20 lead in the third quarter.

Hake ended the night with 5 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Colby then committed three turnovers on their next four drives and was held without an offensive touchdown in the second half.

Senior Aidan Poore was able to turn a Tyler Voss fumble into a 48-yard scoop-and-score in the third period.

Four plays later, Colby attempted a trick play with Vaughn lined up at wide receiver.  The combination of a jet sweep and lateral led to Vaughn targeting Senior Tight End Colin Carroll on an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by Poore.

Poore, recipient of our H&R Block of the Game, later recorded his third interception of the season when he undercut Vaughn's heave to Carroll for a goal-line interception.

Miller then ended the scoring with an 11-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, marking his 34th career rushing TD.

Miller then posted his third two-point conversion to put the Panthers up 52-20.

Miller, our Nex-Tech Wireless MVP of the Game, finished with 20 carries for 214 yards and four touchdowns.  He also had 3 receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.  Miller's five touchdown night matches his career high when he scored five touchdowns against Council Grove on September 24, 2021.  Miller also posted his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season, his 14th in his career, and his sixth game with multiple touchdowns this season.

Miller also became the third player in school history to crack the career 3,000-yard rushing plateau.  Miller upped his career rushing total to a whopping 3,123 yards, trailing only Drake Hake (3,963) and Travis Esslinger (3,309) on the all-time rushing list.

Miller's 22 rushing touchdowns this year are three shy of tying Hake (2014) and Josh Williams (1999) for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season at 25.

Concordia outgained Colby 490 to 317 in total yards.  The Panthers finished with 358 rushing yards and 132 passing yards.  Carlgren completed 6-of-10 passes for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.  Sophomore Backup Quarterback Braeden Primeaux was 1-of-1 throwing the ball for 10 yards, while he also had 5 rushes for 41 yards.

Concordia and Riley County will square off in the Class 3A State Football Playoffs on Friday, November 5th.  Earlier this season, Riley County topped Concordia 48-7 in Class 3A District 5 play.

The Falcons are undefeated and are coming off an 18-15 home win over Russell on Friday night.  Senior Tailback Blake Brokenicky rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns and the Falcons staged a nail-biting late defensive stand to pick up the victory.  The Falcons recorded four interceptions in the game.

Brokenicky posted four scores on the ground and rushed for 120 yards in the team's earlier win over Concordia on October 15th.

Kick-off is set for 7 pm from Riley, Kansas.  Live coverage of the game can be heard on 1390 KNCK, 98.3 FM and NCKToday.com, beginning with the Panther Pregame Show at 6:30 pm.