By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
In their first time to qualify for the Eight-Man football playoffs (and just their second year of eligibility as a KSHSAA member), the Cair Paravel Lions advanced to the state semifinals with a 48-23 road victory over Chase County Friday night.
Cair Paravel junior quarterback Jase Pavlik scores one of his four touchdowns in Friday's 48-23 playoff win at Chase County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Cair Paravel senior Jesiah Bonura, who rushed for 159 yards on 31 carries, picks up a first down in Friday's 48-23 playoff win at Chase County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
To describe the significance of the accomplishment was a test for Cair Paravel coach Doug Bonura.
“I don’t know how to sum it up. I’m really speechless in that aspect. In some ways, this doesn’t feel real,” Bonura said. “We just focus so much on what it takes to get to the next step. But I’m really proud of the boys for their focus on ‘What do we got to do to get the job done?’ ”
The Lions got the job done Friday by hammering the running game at Chase County. The Lions ran the ball 55 times for 344 yards. Typically a dynamic team through the air, the Lions attempted just 15 passes, netting 63 yards.
Chase County, which lost earlier in the season 52-16, muddied up the game and forced the Lions into a few turnovers and penalties.
“It’s hard to beat a team twice. We knew they were going to come out and fight,” Bonura said. “Chase County is always scrappy, and they never give up. That’s what causes mistakes. So, kudos to them. They pushed us. I’m not disappointed that it was a bad game. You know, this is the state playoffs. So, it’s a relief to get through it.”
Lions quarterback Jase Pavlik spearheaded the offense, rushing for 164 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries. Coach Bonura’s son, Jesiah Bonura, was a workhorse, carrying 31 times for 159 yards.
“This is a great feeling,” Pavlik said. “We’ve never been here before, this being only our second year in KSHSAA. It’s just an amazing feeling. Give Chase County credit. They don’t know quit. They are very hard working and play the game well.”
Cair Paravel's football team poses for a picture with its Eight-Man Division I sectional trophy after Friday's 48-23 win at Chase County. [Photo by Jan Pabitzky/Special to TSN]
Just a few weeks ago, Cair Paravel had never played in a KSHSAA playoff game. Now they’ve defeated Sedan, Central-Burden and Chase County in consecutive weeks to reach the semifinals.
Before the Lions left the Chase County field, they knew their next opponent would be the undefeated Lyndon Tigers, who handled Cair Paravel 58-30 early in the season.
“They have a lot of good athletes. They’re not ranked high in the polls for no reason,” Doug Bonura said. “That’s the challenge of coming in and seeing us again. They did a good job of managing us last game. So, we’ve got to learn from those mistakes and figure out how to get through them. It’s going to be a challenge for sure.”
“I’m very excited to face them again,” Jesiah Bonura said. “The last time we had a couple of people out. I think we have a real chance. We’ve put ourselves together since then. If we play the best we can and as hard as we can, we represent the school and the players who went before us, and we represent God. That’s the best thing we can do.
“We have a lot to work on if we’re going to beat (Lyndon). We’re very hyped, so we’ve got to be contained but physical. We’ve got to find a balance there. Keeping our cool but playing with our pads.”
CAIR PARAVEL 48, CHASE COUNTY 23
Cair Paravel (9-2); 14 14 14 6 -- 48
Chase County (7-4) 6 6 8 3 -- 23
Chase County – W. Griffin 34 run (pass failed)
Cair Paravel – Will 15 run (run failed)
Cair Paravel – Pavlik 2 run (Will pass from Pavlik)
Cair Paravel – Collins 23 interception return (Pavlik run)
Chase County – Groh 26 pass from W. Griffin (pass failed)
Cair Paravel – Pavlik 2 run (pass failed)
Cair Paravel – J. Bonura 5 run (Bonura run)
Cair Paravel – Pavlik 28 run (pass failed)
Chase County – B. Griffin 55 run (Budke pass from W. Griffin)
Cair Paravel – Pavlik 5 run (run failed)
Chase County – Zuniga 28 FG
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- Cair Paravel: J. Bonura 31-159, Pavlik 17-164, Will 6-23, T. Bonura 1-(minus)2. Chase County: B. Griffin 15-179, W. Griffin 2-32, Groh 1-2, Budke 2-(minus)2.
Passing -- Cair Paravel: Pavlik 10-15-1 63 yards. Chase County: W. Griffin 3-13-2 50 yards.
Receiving -- Cair Paravel: Everhart 2-19, Will 5-25, J. Bonura 3-23. Chase County: B. Griffin 1-7, Groh 2-43.
Punting -- Cair Paravel: none. Chase County: W. Griffin 2-27.0.
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