Bourbon’s record night helps Potosi remain perfect

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

BONNE TERRE — Potosi senior Brandon Bourbon brought the Homecoming celebration at North County to an abrupt halt with explosive scoring runs on the first two plays from scrimmage on Friday night.

It was only the beginning of a remarkable performance by the all-state tailback, who compiled a school-record 451 yards with six touchdowns on just nine carries, as the unbeaten Trojans rolled to a 47-19 victory.

Bourbon jaunted 54 yards on the initial snap with an elusive cut near the sideline, then scored on his second touch when the Raiders failed to field a kickoff at their own 19-yard line.

Potosi (6-0), currently ranked fourth in the state among Class 3 teams, enjoyed a commanding 27-6 lead despite running only eight offensive plays during the opening quarter.

North County (1-5) had early success throwing the football, as quarterback Jake Smith connected on five passes to favorite target Seth Caldwell. A 14-yard touchdown strike capped the Raiders’ opening possession.

But Potosi gambled on fourth-and-1 from its own 29 moments later, and the offensive line created a huge hole through the middle that enabled Bourbon to sprint untouched from 71 yards out.

Matt Long would recover a fumble on the ensuing North County drive, and Bourbon raced 60 yards down the left sideline. Tanner Glore used second effort to convert the subsequent two-point run.

Glore caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Matt Marler that eventually made it 40-6 late in the half, but not before Bourbon erupted for an 80-yard scamper and his fifth touchdown of the night.

North County executed a successful trick play on the final snap before intermission. Caldwell took the hand-off from Smith and found Caleb Boyer in the corner for a 33-yard option toss.

Smith completed 9-of-17 passes overall for 119 yards, but was intercepted twice by Potosi cornerback Garth Rogers as North County ended the game with four turnovers.

Bourbon added a 42-yard touchdown during the third quarter, but perhaps his most impressive effort of the night occurred minutes later. After spinning away from an initial hit in a crowd of players, Bourbon reversed directions toward the opposite sideline for a sensational 52-yard gain.

Senior linebacker Brad Wright had a superb game with 22 tackles, while Robert King made 13 stops including a 5-yard sack. D.J. Greer also recorded a sack and Andre Douthit had a fumble recovery.

Andrew Ross tallied 85 rushing yards to pace the Raiders, and Malachi Crump completed the scoring on a 7-yard run with 14 seconds remaining. Ryan Gibson contributed a fumble recovery on defense.

Potosi will host Festus next week while North County entertains Fox.

Potosi  27  13  7  0 - 47

North County   6  7  0  6 - 19

First Quarter:

POT (7-0) - Bourbon 54-yd run (Marler kick), 11:43

POT (13-0) - Bourbon 19-yd run (Kick missed), 11:34

NC (13-6) - Caldwell 14-yd pass from Smith (Kick blocked), 9:45

POT (19-6) - Bourbon 71-yd run (Pass failed), 5:53

POT (27-6) - Bourbon 60-yd run (Glore run), 1:15

Second Quarter:

POT (33-6) - Bourbon 80-yd run (Kick missed), 9:20

POT (40-6) - Glore 12-yd pass from Marler (Marler kick), 3:17

NC (40-13) - Boyer 33-yd pass from Caldwell (Parker kick), 0:00

Third Quarter:

POT (47-13) - Bourbon 42-yd run (Marler kick), 8:05

Fourth Quarter:

NC (47-19) - Crump 7-yd run (Run failed), 0:14