Sheets of rain showered down on Gardner-Edgerton’s stadium as the Blue Valley’s varsity football team entered the field hand-in-hand. Fighting remnants of Hurricane Isaac, the game started like a bolt of lightning for the Gardner-Edgerton Blazers as one of their players ran back the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion. Although this was the only time the Blazers would score, it was enough to end up winning them the game.
“We played the best we could,” said quarterback Logan Brettell. “We lost a lot of guys this year and we are still trying to build chemistry.”
A fierce battle between two evenly-matched teams, the game was filled with dropped passes, intercepted throws and constant fumbles. With torrential rain and winds of more than 30 miles per hour, BV linebacker Henry McGrew was only able to locate the end zone once. Following the touchdown, the decision was made to go for a two-point conversion as McGrew attempted to run the ball over the left tackle, but with a questionable call, he came up short. While the team continued to battle the harsh weather, BV fans huddled together to watch the outcome of the game. With neither team being able sustain a drive, it quickly became apparent that field position and turnovers would play a key role in the game, leaving the score 8-6, Gardner.