The North Shelby Raiders will play for an 8-Man state championship after a 32-30 win over the Braymer Bobcats. It came down to the final play.
It was a tipped pass helmet catch for Gannon Bowen. The pass was thrown by backup quarterback Bo Bacon, who led the game-winning drive with no timeouts and under a minute to play after starter Jade Daniel went out with injury on the previous drive.
The final play capped a big comeback for the Raiders. Braymer had a 51-yard passing touchdown from Jamesyn Haley to Carter Shoe to put the Bobcats up 30-12 with 7:10 to play.
North Shelby stayed in it on the first play of the ensuing drive.
The Raiders turned Braymer over on downs on the next drive, then again struck on one play.
It seemed like Braymer was in prime position after converting on 4th down on the following drive.
The Raiders couldn’t take advantage, though, as Daniel went down with his injury then Bacon lost possession on a sack fumble. North Shelby used all of its timeouts in turning Braymer over on downs to lead to the game-winning drive.
Gannon Bowen was our Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game. He unofficially had six receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns along with 52 rushing yards, including a first half 41-yard touchdown.
Braymer starting quarterback Jordan Haley, who is the nation’s all-time leader in career touchdown passes, was injured on the Bobcats’ first play from scrimmage and didn’t return after the opening drive. The defeat ends a previously unbeaten season.
9-4 North Shelby will play 13-0 and defending state champion Archie in the state title game Saturday at 1 from Spratt Memorial Stadium in St. Joseph.
North Shelby coach David Stuckey Postgame:
