Blair Oaks reaches fourth state title game in seven seasons

WARDSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Blair Oaks overcame the elements and a tight battle with Maryville to punch its ticket to the Class 3 State Championship Game.

The Falcons (12-1) scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Spoofhounds 28-14 at a snowy Falcon Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

This game marked the second meeting between Maryville and Blair Oaks this season. The Falcons cruised past the Spoofhounds by 49 points in Week 1, but this contest was much closer. Maryville put the first points on the scoreboard with a short 2-yard touchdown run from Sadler Viau in the final stages of the first quarter.

However, Blair Oaks responded to quickly tie the game. Toby Edler crossed the goal line from two yards out to finish off a long touchdown drive for the Falcons, knotting the game 7-7 with about eight minutes left until the break. Neither Blair Oaks or Maryville found the end zone again in the first half.

Snowy conditions returned for the majority of the second half, but it did not slow down head coach Ted LePage's group. Bax broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run, just two minutes into the third quarter, to give his team its first lead of the afternoon 14-7.

Maryville made this contest interesting by re-tying the game on Viau's second touchdown of the contest to close out the third quarter, but the Falcons soared in the final 12 minutes of action. First, Edler rushed for his second touchdown to regain the lead for Blair Oaks. Then, Bax connected with Vander Halford for a 24-yard score to put the Falcons ahead by two possessions, leading to a trip to the state championship stage.

Up next - Blair Oaks will search for its 6th state title in program history when it meets undefeated Seneca at Faurot Field on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m.