Standout Performers From Tonganoxie vs. Basehor

What a way to kickoff the 2022 campaign! This 4A rivalry matchup had everything and more. There were several highlight worthy plays, and many anxious moments for both sidelines. But for fans of Basehor-Linwood and Tonganoxie, this type of environment is nothing out of the ordinary when these two schools meet. Both squads gave everything they had to pick up that first win of the season in yet another classic battle.   The game was tight through most of the first half as the Bobcats led 14-13 late into the 2nd quarter. This is when momentum would begin to shift. With a late score before halftime, and an opening kickoff returned for a touchdown to start the second half; the Bobcats would stretch their lead to 15 points. But just when Basehor thought they had a comfortable lead, the Chieftains would come storming back to tie the game at 28, and would eventually lead the Bobcats by one early in the 4th quarter. However, the Bobcats would outlast Tongie, and spoil their comeback in a final score of 47-42.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/santinobernal1/status/1565907093886042114?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww </div></figure>   Here's a recap of the Standout Performers from this exciting Week 1 matchup (Unofficial Stats).   Offense:   [player_tooltip player_id='170113' first='Brant' last='Wilson'] – Basehor, 6'0”, 165, WR, Class of '23   Wilson walks away from this high-scoring affair with the Offensive MVP. It appeared the senior was battling cramps throughout the contest, but still managed to put together a very impressive performance. He was arguably the most explosive prospect on the field, as he'd score on a 64-yard catch and run, and he took a kickoff 95 yards to the house. Wilson could have possibly done more damage had it not been for multiple visits with the team trainer.   <a href="https://twitter.com/colton_brusven?s=21&t=VbMYr2nbezcEGl9rY4bEhA" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/colton_brusven?s=21&t=VbMYr2nbezcEGl9rY4bEhA">Colton Brusven </a>– Tonganoxie, 5'10”, 175, RB, Class of '24   <a href="https://twitter.com/colton_brusven?s=21&t=VbMYr2nbezcEGl9rY4bEhA" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/colton_brusven?s=21&t=VbMYr2nbezcEGl9rY4bEhA">Colton Brusven</a> would have taken home the Offensive MVP had it not been for Wilson's performance. Brusven played out of his mind in this one. The junior set career-high marks in carries and rushing yards, as he'd rush for 270 yards on 40 attempts with one touchdown in the 3rd quarter. This performance makes him a strong candidate to be a new addition in the next Class of '24 rankings update.   Jekai Harris – Basehor, 5'11”, 200, RB, Class of '23   The Chieftains controlled the time of possession through a majority of the first half, which would limit Harris' touches. But the senior came on strong when it mattered most. Harris scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter, with one of his scores being a 46-yard scamper. He'd go on to finish with 28 carries for 188 yards and three touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='334729' first='Brady' last='VanDonge'] – Basehor, 5'11”, 175, QB, Class of '24   VanDonge's highly anticipated first game as Basehor's starter had it's ups and downs, but overall he put together a solid performance. His improvising skills came up huge on a few crucial plays, and he looked poised through most of the contest. VanDonge ultimately helped get the job done; completing 11 of 19 passes for 128 yards with two touchdowns, and rushed for 31 yards with one score.   Tyler Pankey – Tonganoxie, 6'2”, 190, ATH, Class of '24   Pankey was on his way to having a huge night before exiting the game with an injury. Tongie's offense didn't seem to have the same spark after he went down in the 3rd quarter. The junior did impress though, rushing for 70 yards on 12 attempts for three scores, and punched in a two-point conversion as well.    Defense:   <a href="https://twitter.com/isaiahholthaus?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/isaiahholthaus?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww">Isaiah Holthaus</a> – Tonganoxie, 6'3”, 180, ATH, Class of '24   Holthaus picks up the Defensive MVP of the game, but really he had a great all-around performance. The junior came up with two huge plays in the 4th quarter that kept the Chieftains in the ballgame. He picked off a screen pass from VanDonge and took it 45 yards for a touchdown, and he also hauled in a clutch 33-yard touchdown reception late in the game. Holthaus would add a sack and multiple tackles to his final totals as well.   <a href="https://twitter.com/masonlmorgan?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/masonlmorgan?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww">Mason Morgan</a> – Basehor, 6'0”, 155, DB, Class of '23   Trying to slow down the Chieftains' ground game was truly a collective effort for Basehor's defense, but <a href="https://twitter.com/masonlmorgan?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/masonlmorgan?s=21&t=BiXvxepxIiTCS5gBdBTfww">Mason Morgan</a> was able to limit Tongie's passing game. He helped set up the Bobcats' first score with an interception he took down to the 1-yard line in the 1st quarter. Morgan would go on to breakup a few passes and accumulated four total tackles.

What a way to kickoff the 2022 campaign! This 4A rivalry matchup had everything and more. There were several highlight worthy plays, and many anxious moments for both sidelines. But for fans of Basehor-Linwood and Tonganoxie, this type of environment is nothing out of the ordinary when these two schools meet. Both squads gave everything they had to pick up that first win of the season in yet another classic battle.