Festus Defense and Offense Too Much for DeSoto as Tigers Advance to C4 D1 Semis

(FESTUS) Four interceptions and five offensive touchdowns tonight on KJFF led to a 41-7 Festus Tigers rout of the DeSoto Dragons in the opening round of the Class 4 District 1 playoffs.

Collin Doyel scored on the ground from 11 yards out at the 3:57 mark of the first to give Festus the jump on the Dragons. That came after a Jaden Rystrom interception. It was the 2nd Festus interception of the night that led to another Tiger TD.

That would be the first of three interceptions for Austin Coale. Later in the 1st half, the Tigers got another pick and marched 98-yards in 14 plays for another 6 points behind a 2-yard touchdown run from Jack Robinson. Festus pushed its lead up to 28-0 before the break with quarterback Cole Rickerman getting to throw.

Festus added a 77-yard touchdown run by Cayden Glaze and a 17-yard run by Robinson in the 2nd half to make it 41-0. Briar Fischer connected with Ethan Reissing from 33-yards out in the 4th for a consolation touchdown for the Dragons.

DeSoto Head Coach Chris Johnson alluded to how far the seniors have come and the good things they have done for the program.

DeSoto’s season ends at 4-6.

Festus Head Coach Russ Schmidt complimented his staff and players on executing the game plan.

Festus improves to 5-5 and will make the trek to Farmington next week to face the Knights on AM 800 KREI in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 1 playoffs. The KJFF game next week will be Hillsboro at Cape Central, another Class 4 District 1 semifinal.

Full Russ Schmidt Postgame