(Cover photo: Leavenworth Times)

After waiting his turn, Jekai Harris finally got his chance to carry the load.

And the Basehor-Linwood senior did not disappoint, finishing with 192 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries to lead the Bobcats to a 47-42 victory Friday at home over Tonganoxie.

“It felt great. It felt amazing,” Harris said. “I love running the ball. I finally got my time to show everybody what I’ve got. It was my time. I got to show out.” 

Harris did most of his damage in the second half, especially the fourth quarter.

After Tonganoxie took a 35-34 lead on a pick-6 by Isaiah Holthaus with 9:59 remaining in the game, Harris carried the ball four straight times, the last, a 46-yard touchdown to put the Bobcats back on top, 40-35, with 8:34 to go.  

“Jekai was an absolute workhorse and our offensive line paved the way,” Basehor-Linwood head coach Rod Stallbaumer said. “That’s three years of pent-up waiting for my opportunity. And he absolutely made the most of it. That’s what we want him to be. We want him to be that guy to close it out.”

The Bobcats followed Harris’ go-ahead score by recovering an on-side kick, but then found themselves facing a fourth-and-long with their backup quarterback, Brock Jones, after starter Brady VanDonge went down with cramps.

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