2nd Playoff Win in School History

The KSHSAA football playoffs commenced in 1969, and, until 2022, the Braves had failed to secure a single playoff victory in over 50 years. However, they have now achieved their second-ever playoff win, marking back-to-back seasons of playoff success. In the previous year's regional championship, Council Grove faced a formidable challenge, resulting in a 16-3 loss to Caney Valley, which marked the conclusion of a special season. The loss served as a poignant motivator for the Braves heading into a rematch on Friday night against Caney Valley. This time, the Braves claimed victory with a commanding 32-14 score. The defense effectively stifled Caney Valley's offense for the majority of the game, while the offense executed opportunistic plays in both the passing and running game. This helped the team maintain a comfortable lead through much of the night.

The first quarter began as a defensive battle, but a subpar punt by Caney afforded the Braves prime field position inside the 35-yard line. A lengthy pass from Luke Stewart to Kolby Rose advanced the ball to the 3-yard line, where Holden Ziegler successfully scored, granting Council Grove a 6-0 lead. On the subsequent possession, the Bullpups decided to challenge the CG secondary. Dillon Ellenson intercepted the pass skillfully and returned it 56 yards to Caney Valley's 20-yard line. A swift 15-yard pass to Landon Dody from Stewart set the stage for a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Cade Goodell. The Braves' 2-point conversion attempt succeeded with a catch by Rose in the endzone.

Midway through the second quarter, a long punt return by the Bullpups positioned their offense well, setting up a 9-yard touchdown rush and an extra point, narrowing the gap to 14-7. However, the Braves responded promptly, with Stewart connecting with Dody on a 58-yard vertical pass for a touchdown, extending the CG lead to 20-6. A defensive 3-and-out, combined with a 28-yard punt return by Dody, presented the Braves with an opportunity to score once more before halftime. A 29-yard pass from Stewart to Ellenson set the Braves up inside of the 10-yard line. Then, Ziegler found the end zone with a 9-yard rush, concluding the first half with a score of 26-7 in favor of Council Grove.

The onset of the third quarter witnessed Caney advancing deep into Braves' territory. Inside the 20, the defense stepped up and forced a field goal attempt from the 16-yard line. Cole Wilson blocked the kick, returning possession to the Braves. Council Grove achieved success in the running game on the ensuing drive, but a fumble briefly returned the ball to Caney. The Braves defense swiftly regained control, setting up an offensive drive that spanned 67 yards. This drive extended into the fourth quarter and culminated with Cade Goodell scoring once again on a 5-yard rush. Key blocks by Jayden Moseley-Cannon and Gunner Gleason paved the way for the touchdown, increasing the score to 32-7. The final points of the game came on a 9-yard rush by the Bullpups in the closing minutes, following an interception. Statistical leaders can be found in the box score.

The Braves will travel to Osage City next Friday for a chance at a regional championship. The two teams played just over a week ago at Legion Stadium. Osage won the matchup 29-28 in a back-and-forth game.