Tribe Warriors dominate in playoff opener

Quinn Donoghue

quinn.donoghue@elgincourier.com November 22, 2022

The chase for another six-man state championship has officially begun.

​The Bastrop Tribe Warriors pummeled Founders Classical Academy on Nov. 19 with a score of 64-6, advancing them to the semi-finals where they will take on Bryan Christian Homeschool.

​Junior standout Josh Mcalister kicked things off for the Warriors by zooming down the right sideline for a 16-yard score on their opening possession. A fourth down sack by defensive end Mikey Bowlin quickly gave the ball back to Bastrop with great field position.

​Mcalister shook off a tackler on his way to his second touchdown of the game, this time from 19 yards out.

​The Tribe Warriors defense repeatedly overwhelmed Founders. Bowlin, who practically lived behind the line of scrimmage all game, strip-sacked the quarterback and dove on the loose ball for a defensive score, giving Bastrop an early 24-0 lead.

​Mcalister showcased his two-way abilities by intercepting a pass over the middle and taking it to the house. As time expired in the first quarter, Bowlin had yet another tackle for loss, resulting in a safety and a 34-0 advantage.

​Quarterback Chandler Golemon joined the party as he sped past the defense for a 40-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Defensively, the inevitable continued to occur. A holding penalty and then a first down sack by Bowlin put Founders 33 yards back from the first down marker. Two plays later, Golemon picked off a pass and had a nice return as well.

​Golemon capped off the next drive with his second rushing score of the game, and the score was 48-0.

​Founders finally got on the board when a ball carrier broke loose for a long touchdown run. But Mcalister quickly squashed any sort of excitement on the opposing sideline by returning the ensuing kickoff all the way for a score. Another Mcalister touchdown in the final minutes of the first half gave the Tribe Warriors a 64-6 lead.

​The game was declared over as the first half concluded due to a “mercy rule,” stating that if a team is up by 45 points or more at halftime, the contest must end.

​The Tribe Warriors have a much taller task this week in their matchup against Bryan Christain Homeschool, who are coming off a dominant performance of their own. The battle between two great teams kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. The game will be played at Allen Field, 901 NE Sixth St., in Smithville.