Lafayette Jefferson scores 45 in first half en route to second sectional title in three years
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The Kokomo Wildkats knew they had an uphill battle competing for a football sectional title on Nov. 8. They had to travel to Lafayette Jefferson to face the undefeated Bronchos on their home turf. What they experienced upon arrival was an avalanche of scoring.
Jeff found the endzone early and often in the first half, putting 45 points on the board. The 45-14 result ended the Wildkats’ dream of a championship with an efficiency that demonstrated the clear difference between a team focused on a state title as opposed to one chasing a dream.
The Wildkats fought hard to get to the sectional championship game. They entered postseason play with a .500 record, and already had been handed one defeat by the Bronchos. But they rose up to defeat McCutcheon a second time in three weeks to punch their tickets to the final game.
It was an opportunity for redemption. The 38-23 loss suffered on Sept. 20 could be erased by a sectional win. Kokomo was riding on hope, grit, and luck. It wasn’t enough.
Lafayette Jeff scored on the opening kickoff as sophomore Bryce Vanostran ran it 85 yards for a touchdown. It was all downhill from there for the Kats. Bronchos wide receiver Omar Williams Jr. put on a show, hauling in four touchdown passes in the first half and single-handedly dashing Kokomo’s dreams. The athletic junior had nine receptions for 182 yards that generated those scores.
By contrast, Kokomo completely abandoned the passing game and tried to grind out a win on the ground. Junior Baris Moore led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 11 carries; 80 of those yards coming on a breakaway sprint to the endzone. Moore scored both of the Wildkats’ touchdowns.
Junior Brixton Morris managed 45 yards on 12 carries, but the highlights ended there. Sophomore quarterback Hagen Smith spent his evening in a mad scramble anytime he wasn’t handing the ball off to a rusher. He went 0-5 on pass attempts, though he did find Lafayette Jeff defenders twice for interceptions; one for a touchdown. He also was sacked once and hurried on each of his pass attempts.
Defensively, Kokomo struggled against the Bronchos’ high-octane passing game. Sophomore Ben Carey did force a fumble, which was recovered by junior Marcus Noy. And senior Buddy Love nearly hauled in an interception in the second quarter. Unfortunately, the ball was snatched from his hands by Williams who completed the play by running 21 yards to the endzone.
In Kokomo’s defense, Lafayette Jeff is in the middle of a football renaissance. The win brought it a second sectional title in three years. Eight of its 11 wins were accomplished by scoring more than 40 points. The Bronchos will face No. 10 Warsaw (7-3) on Nov. 15, fighting for its first regional title.
Kokomo finishes the season with a 5-5 record and a 3-2 North Central Conference record, good for fourth place.
See additional photos from this game, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.