The Blue Springs Wildcats made a statement Friday night at Peve Stadium – a bold statement with a multitude of exclamation points.

After taking the opening drive 80-yards in eight perfectly executed plays, to make it a 7-0 game at 8:47 of the first quarter, the Wildcats ran away from crosstown rival Blue Springs South to claim a 35-17 Class 6 District 3 championship victory.

That sets the stage for a rematch with Park Hill next Friday at Peve Stadium. The winner of that game heads to state.

“They dominated us in all three phases of game,” South coach Jon Oyler said after his 5-7 team rebounded from an 0-4 start this season to reach the district title game. “We just couldn’t get over the hump tonight and they had a lot to do with that.

“They’re a very good team.”

Junior linebacker Anthony Orlando, who was the anchor of the South defense against the Wildcats, agreed with his coach.

“They’re a tough team,” Orlando said as he consoled his teammates at midfield. “They had that good opening drive and really played well tonight. I hope they go all the way and do a great job representing Blue Springs. We have a lot of respect for the guys on that team.”

The Wildcats dominated every phase of the game.

• Quarterback Chase Donohoe was brilliant in running the offense – going 9 of 10 for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including a 21-yard pass to Tre’ Wheaton for the first score of the game.

For more, read the Examiner.net