Prairie View running back Parker Schwarz runs through a Raven defender during Saturday's game against Saint Louis Priory School. The junior gained 263 yards on 11 carries in the game. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)
By David Heidrick, special to the Journal
After a lot of drama surrounding the Osawatomie Trojans’ decision to cancel their varsity schedule, eight teams were left scrambling to find an opponent to fill that vacancy. Prairie View had the unenviable task of finding an opponent first.
Prairie View Activities Director Mark Hough worked around the clock, and his efforts were rewarded when Priory School, an all-boys parochial school out of Saint Louis, agreed to meet up at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, in a rare daytime game.
Priory had an open weekend when the team they were scheduled to play forfeited because of a lack of players.
In a message to Hough and head coach Kyle Littrel, Ravens head football Coach Jake Parent thanked the staff at Prairie View and the community for making the game happen.
"It was a lot of extra work for a lot of people, and it was much appreciated by our coaches, parents and players," he wrote. "Other than losing the game, we had a great time at your school. The hospitality shown by you and your community was incredible. The coaches and players on the Prairie View team were tough competitors and demonstrated a high level of character."
A couple of high profile juniors led the way for the Buffalos. Parker Schwarz has been garnering statewide recognition after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a state powerlifting title. Along with fellow state powerlifting champion Josh Goodwin and quarterback Jay Muse, the ground game smashed the Ravens with well over 400 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
The Buffaloes moved the ball with relative ease, scoring touchdowns in each of the first three quarters without throwing a single pass the entire game.
Priory started the game with a 16-play, 65-yard drive, moving all the way down to the Buffalo 5 yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
The Buffs needed just six plays to put the ball in the end zone, with Schwarz gaining most of the yardage and Muse charging up the middle for a 23-yard touchdown run. Priory went four and out on their next possession.
Schwarz followed up with a 36-yard scamper that resulted in the turnover through the end zone. Priory then went 3-and-out and punted away. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Josh Goodwin took it to the house from 50 yards out.
Priory answered with a kick return for touchdown to make the score 14-7. The Buffaloes ran six plays and gave the ball on downs.
The Buffalo defense swarms the Ravens' quarterback. Prairie View allowed the Ravens only 229 yards of total offense in the game. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)
Prairie View intercepted the ball to regain possession after just seven plays. The very next play, Schwarz made his presence known, outrunning everybody without being touched for 80 yards and an exclamation touchdown. After a couple of short drives that resulted in very little for both teams, halftime was upon them. Prairie View held a 20-7 lead.
The home team had possession to start the third quarter. Muse led the drive with several good runs, Schwarz picked up 35 on his only carry, and Goodwin bulled his way in from 6 yards out to put the Buffaloes up 28-7.
The rest of the game was fairly lackluster. The Buffalo offense did not score again, running out the clock with long, methodical drives.
The Ravens went to the air to try and catch up with moderate success. They were able to tack on a fourth-quarter touchdown and then recover the onside kick. The final score ended up 28-14 in favor of the Buffaloes.
Looking to go 2-0, Prairie View will visit Santa Fe Trail in Carbondale on Friday, Sept. 13. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
Prairie View Stats
Rushing: Schwarz 11-263-1, Goodwin - 10-72-2, Muse - 13-75-1, Eli Williams 3-15-0, Wyatt Attebery 2-9-0, team lost 2 fumbles
Defense: Grant Steenburgen - 4 solo tackle, 8 assists; Joseph Sramek - 1 solo, 8 assists; Ethan Gray - 10 assists; Josh Goodwin - 7 assists; Carter Browning - 2 solo, 5 assists, 1 sack; Parker Schwarz - 1 Interception, Wyatt Attebery - 2 fumble recoveries
Priory - Rushing - 25-76-0 and Passing - 18-30-153-1-2
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