By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Plattsburg built a 34-14 lead with senior quarterback and defensive back Isaia Howard in the game, and then had to fight to protect it with him out of it.
Howard was ejected from Friday's game at Bishop LeBlond midway through the third quarter following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty near the LeBlond bench.
Sophomore Jaiveon Grayson subbed in and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to junior Gavin Boyle to end the third, and that was enough for the Tigers (6-0) to hold on for a 40-34 win at Eagle Stadium in St. Joseph Friday.
LeBlond (3-3) got off to a great start, recovering a fumble on Plattsburg's opening possession and jumping out to a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter.
The Tigers responded to knot the game at 6, but on the second play from scrimmage in the second quarter, a pass by Howard got tipped at the line by LeBlond's Finn Sullivan and picked off by Carson Staggs.
The Eagles scored six plays later on a 20-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Cooper Tabor to junior Jacob Winkelbauer, and the successful two-point try made it 14-6 LeBlond with 8:53 left in the second.
The floodgates then opened for Plattsburg.
The Tigers scored touchdowns on each of their next four possessions to eventually go up 34-14 with 7:36 left in the third.
Howard was tossed from the game on LeBlond's ensuing possession with about 6:19 to go in the third. Howard allegedly threw a punch below the belt on the LeBlond sideline, prompting his ejection.
With Plattsburg's starting quarterback, best defender and all around best athlete sidelined, LeBlond scored back-to-back touchdowns late in the third quarter, including a 50-yard scoop-n-score by junior Trey Icke, and the Eagles closed to within 34-26 with 2:36 to go in the third.
Plattsburg extended the lead to 40-26 with 15 seconds left in the third, and then leaned on their defense for the final 12 minutes.
LeBlond had three fourth quarter possessions where they were driving into Plattsburg territory. They only scored on one of them.
A lost fumble and a turnover-on-downs in the fourth ultimately preserved a Tiger victory.
LeBlond punched one in with 1:56 left on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tabor to Jackson Sigrist, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Plattsburg, and a first down run by Grayson in the final minute sealed the deal.
Howard, despite only playing for 2.5 quarters, completed 12-of-23 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. He also carried the ball six times for 52 yards and two scores.
Howard also recovered a fumble and picked off a pass. Rylan Langton hauled in six passes for 135 yards to lead the Tigers in both of those categories.
Boyle caught four passes for 64 yards and a game-high three touchdowns. Boyle also recovered a fumble and caught an interception.
Donte Bingham finished with 15 carries for 103 yards and a second quarter touchdown.
For LeBlond, Tabor completed 13-of-23 passes for 111 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Staggs ended up with 18 carries for 116 yards.
Icke finished with 16 carries for 113 yards and two scores. Sigrist finished with four catches for 39 yards and the final touchdown.
The Golden Eagles turned the ball over four times, resulting in 20 Plattsburg points. Three Tiger turnovers also led to 20 LeBlond points.
Plattsburg stays on the road next week to face Concordia (7-0). LeBlond will be home next Saturday to host Greenfield (2-4) at 1 p.m.
LeBlond and Plattsburg play again on October 20 at Plattsburg High School to round out the regular season.
Postgame interviews
Full game broadcast
Photos by Matt Pike
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.