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Staley Fends Off Fort, 28-14

By Todd Engle, Kansas City Star, 11/11/17, 8:45AM CST

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Falcons advance to Class 5 semis

Staley found itself 99 yards away from the end zone late in the third quarter of Friday night’s Missouri Class 5A quarterfinal at Fort Osage, and one bad play away from maybe seeing a perfect season fall apart on a frosty evening.

The Falcons didn’t hesitate. They hit the throttle, drove down the field and punched in the go-ahead score in what turned into a 28-14 victory.

The nine-play drive showcased a bit of everything Staley (12-0) does well, starting with a 47-yard pass from John Raybourn to Rod Criss II.

“We knew we were going to take our shot,” Criss said. “I didn’t know it was going to be to me. We were all running verticals, and as soon as I saw it up in the air, I knew I had to go up and get it. It’s what sparked us.”

Aaron Keast plowed ahead for 5 yards, followed by a 13-yard run by Raybourn, who finished with 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He also threw for 187 yards and a touchdown.

JD Benbow turned a simple catch in the flat into a 21-yard gain to get the ball in the red zone for Staley.

And it was only fitting that Raybourn willed his way into the end zone from 5 yards out on 4th-and-2.

For more, visit KansasCity.com

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