Pleasanton downs rivals

Herald-Tribune

PLEASANTON, Kan. -- Pleasanton recorded its first 11-man football victory in nearly seven years when it beat Linn County rival Jayhawk-Linn, 13-8, in Three Rivers League play Friday night.

The Blu-Jays, who moved back up to 11-man this year after playing the eight-man version of the game since 2000, recorded their first 11-man win since defeating Lyndon, Kan., 41-16 on Oct. 5, 1999.

Elijah Barber put the Jays on the board quickly when he returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown just 1:10 into the contest. The PAT kick was good.

In the third quarter, Jeff Fairbanks' four-yard run with 2:49 to go made it a 13-0 game after the PAT failed.

Clint Johnson, who had four touchdowns in the first half of last week's game with Oswego, Kan., got the Jayhawks on the board with 7:15 left in the game on a one-yard run. He also scored the two-point conversion.

Johnson gained 162 yards on 29 carries for Jayhawk-Linn but the 'Hawks had only five yards from other players. Derek Endecott completed four of nine passes for 36 yards.

Fairbanks led Pleasanton with 55 yards rushing on 13 carries. Barber had 50 yards on 12 rushes while Josh Scritchfield and Kodee McKee each gained 35 yards.

Fairbanks also completed two of three passes for 21 yards. Both completions went to McKee.

Barber was credited with 12 tackles for Pleasanton while McKee and Chris Duggins each had 10.

Pleasanton is 1-0 in the TRL and 1-2 overall. The Jays host Sedan Friday in their Homecoming game.

Jayhawk-Linn fell to 1-1 in the league and 1-2 overall. They will host Uniontown in a TRL contest Friday night.