.png)
Quinn Donoghue
quinn.donoghue@elgincourier.com
November 22, 2022
The chase for another six-man state championship has officially begun.
The Bastrop Tribe Warriors pummeled Founders Classical Academy on Nov. 19 with a score of 64-6, advancing them to the semi-finals where they will take on Bryan Christian Homeschool.
Junior standout Josh Mcalister kicked things off for the Warriors by zooming down the right sideline for a 16-yard score on their opening possession. A fourth down sack by defensive end Mikey Bowlin quickly gave the ball back to Bastrop with great field position.
Mcalister shook off a tackler on his way to his second touchdown of the game, this time from 19 yards out.
The Tribe Warriors defense repeatedly overwhelmed Founders. Bowlin, who practically lived behind the line of scrimmage all game, strip-sacked the quarterback and dove on the loose ball for a defensive score, giving Bastrop an early 24-0 lead.
Mcalister showcased his two-way abilities by intercepting a pass over the middle and taking it to the house. As time expired in the first quarter, Bowlin had yet another tackle for loss, resulting in a safety and a 34-0 advantage.
Quarterback Chandler Golemon joined the party as he sped past the defense for a 40-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Defensively, the inevitable continued to occur. A holding penalty and then a first down sack by Bowlin put Founders 33 yards back from the first down marker. Two plays later, Golemon picked off a pass and had a nice return as well.
Golemon capped off the next drive with his second rushing score of the game, and the score was 48-0.
Founders finally got on the board when a ball carrier broke loose for a long touchdown run. But Mcalister quickly squashed any sort of excitement on the opposing sideline by returning the ensuing kickoff all the way for a score. Another Mcalister touchdown in the final minutes of the first half gave the Tribe Warriors a 64-6 lead.
The game was declared over as the first half concluded due to a “mercy rule,” stating that if a team is up by 45 points or more at halftime, the contest must end.
The Tribe Warriors have a much taller task this week in their matchup against Bryan Christain Homeschool, who are coming off a dominant performance of their own. The battle between two great teams kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. The game will be played at Allen Field, 901 NE Sixth St., in Smithville.
