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The Basehor-Linwood football team saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion on Friday evening, falling to Eudora 60-59 in double overtime in the Class 4A-I sectional playoffs.

The homestanding Bobcats (6-5) trailed 35-14 in the third quarter, but coach Rod Stallbaumer’s squad rallied back to tie the contest at 47 to force overtime. Basehor-Linwood outscored the Cardinals (8-3) 26-12 in the final period of regulation.

“I could not be more proud of the effort and heart that our guys played with tonight,” Stallbaumer said. “Down 21 with four minutes to go, they didn't give up and left everything on the field. This is the most resilient group of young men that I have ever coached.”

Eudora got the ball first in overtime and scored on a 10-yard run by Austin Downing. The point-after attempt, however, was blocked, leaving the door open for Basehor-Linwood to win the game with a touchdown and successful conversion.

The Bobcats completed the first phase of that task, finding paydirt on a six-yard pass from Justin Phillips to Jackson Brimblecom. Eudora returned the favor, however, and blocked the Bobcats' attempt at a game-winning extra point.

Basehor-Linwood got the ball to start the second overtime and scored on an eight-yard pass from Phillips to Jackson Sherley. The two-point conversion attempt came up empty, however. The Cardinals then tied the game at 59 with a one-yard touchdown run by Grant Elston and won the contest on Elston’s successful extra-point kick.

“We had our opportunities tonight, but we made a few crucial mistakes,” Stallbaumer said. “We have stressed all year that the little things are what make the big difference. I think they can serve as a learning experience for our guys going forward.”

Phillips led the way for the Bobcats, completing 30 of 45 passes for 354 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 57 yards and another score on the ground.

Brimblecom was the team’s leading receiver, catching 10 passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson Sherley caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, and Nick Fisher hauled in six catches for 80 yards and a score.

Eric Scott also caught a touchdown pass from Phillips, reeling in the game-tying grab with eight seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He contributed in a big way on defense as well, returning a first-quarter interception 80 yards for a touchdown.

James Wilson also scored a touchdown for the Bobcats, reaching the end zone on a two-yard run in the third quarter.

“This senior group has done a tremendous job of raising expectations for this football program,” Stallbaumer said. “ I can't thank them enough for all they have done. It was an honor to get to coach them. If they can show the same resiliency in the face of adversity in life that they displayed this season, they will all be very successful.”

Jon Poorman is the sports editor at The Sentinel. Follow him on Twitter at @JonPoorman for all of the latest community sports news.

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