By Brad Hallier
BUHLER, Kan. – Buhler wasn’t caught looking forward to a rematch with McPherson on Friday, although after the second-seeded Crusaders whipped Ulysses 62-16 on Friday in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs, they can now officially prepare for the rematch.
Buhler (7-2) scored on their first four drives, and nine of their openings 10 drives. Ben Clouse led the strong start with a 6-yard touchdown run on the game’s first drive, part of Clouse’s 146-yard game.
Mitchel McDaniel followed that with a 14-yard touchdown grab from Jeffrey Neill, and then Clouse had touchdown runs of 2 and 6 yards. Cash Carson and Quentin Pisano added touchdown catches, as Buhler led 42-8 at halftime.
Buhler finished with 445 yards of offense compared to 161 for Ulysses.
Buhler will now get a highly-anticipated rematch with McPherson in the second round, which will be played Friday in Buhler. McPherson won a thriller at Wichita’s Riverfront Stadium on Oct. 20, 28-26.
