By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights' defensive clinic and Allen Baughman’s 279-yard performance on the ground led to a 27-0 shutout win over powerhouse Basehor Linwood Friday night at Wetter Field.
The complete team effort from the Thunderbirds on Friday night stunned the Bobcats of Basehor-Linwood and Shawnee Heights didn’t hand the Bobcats its first regular season loss since September 25th, 2020 by accident.
Every aspect of the game was controlled by the dominance of Shawnee Heights.
Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift talks to his team after Friday's 27-0 win over Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Shawnee Heights junior Allen Baughman (5) rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 27-0 win over Basehor-Linwood. [File photo/TSN]
T-Bird junior running back Baughman had a career-defining night in front of the home faithful.
Baughman carried the ball 28 times for 279 yards and found the end zone three times as Shawnee Heights’ offensive line cleared the way with wide open alleys for Baughman all night long.
Baughman punished Bobcat defenders for a full 48 minutes. Through four games, Baughman has rushed for 776 yards and has found the end zone 10 times.
“Our offensive line’s pride that they carry in themselves and this brotherhood is truly amazing,” Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said. “There are not very many teams that carry that much unity within the offensive line. Our offensive line's blocking for a great running back. Allen’s a phenomenal running back who runs hard and punishes people.”
It’s no secret that Shawnee Heights’ defense has been stellar lately. The Thunderbirds have allowed just seven points in the last eight quarters.
The T-Birds stopped Basehor-Linwood on fourth down in the red zone twice. Shawnee Heights pressured the quarterback all night long, forcing three interceptions and disrupting any rhythm that the Bobcats were trying to create. The run defense was just as terrific.
“The Legion of Thunder stepped up tonight,” Swift said. “Basehor drove the ball and moved the ball, but our defense was able to not allow any points. Our defense gave us plenty of breathing room which allowed our offense to operate. Just a phenomenal night for our defense.”
The first touchdown of the game was by the Heights defense. Linebacker Sean Wunder intercepted Basehor-Linwood and took it 67 yards to the house. Wunder was able to out-run two offensive linemen and three skill players to find the sweet nectar of the end zone in the second quarter with 7:39 left on the clock.
Wunder’s touchdown silenced any momentum that Basehor-Linwood was gaining after driving the football deep into Thunderbird territory.
The Bobcats would get a turnover back on Shawnee Heights before the halftime break. With 0:28 left before halftime, Garrett Pierce would get a goal line interception on Shawnee Heights, preventing the Thunderbirds from going up two scores before the half.
The T-Bird offense would match the defense’s intensity right away in the second half. In the first offensive drive, Baughman would carry the ball four times for 70 yards leading to a touchdown.
After the Thunderbirds’ successful offensive drive, the defense would add to the excitement, with Taylen LeClere-Bryant getting an interception off of Basehor-Linwood. The pressure provided by the imposing Heights defensive line gave Shawnee Heights its second interception of the day.
The defense set up the Heights offense perfectly. Baughman would get his second touchdown of the night from six yards out, giving Shawnee Heights a 20-point lead with 2:48 left in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Baughman would get his third touchdown of the night on a 57-yard touchdown run. At this point, the Bobcats were rattled.
Shawnee Heights would seal its remarkable night with an interception by Jayden Berry with 2:46 left in the contest.
The Thunderbirds proved to the United Kansas Conference that they're a legitimate contender in a tough conference.
Shawnee Heights (3-1, 3-1) will host the De Soto Wildcats next Friday.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 27, BASEHOR-LINWOOD 0
Basehor Linwood (3-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0
Shawnee Heights (3-1) 0 7 20 0 – 27
Shawnee Heights – Wunder 65 interception (Christian kick)
Shawnee Heights – Baughman 1 run (Christian kick)
Shawnee Heights – Baughman 7 run (Kick failed)
Shawnee Heights – Baughman 57 run (Christian kick)
Individual statistics
Rushing -- Shawnee Heights: Baughman 28-279, Holly 7-24, Freeland 4-18, Malcom 2-14, Busenitz 4-13. Basehor Linwood: Harris 19-49, VanDonge 2-7, Wilson 2-(minus) 9.
Passing -- Shawnee Heights: Freeland 5-6 26 yards. Basehor Linwood: VanDonge 22-47 295 yards.
Receiving -- Shawnee Heights: Moore 2-14, Malcom 2-6, Baughman 1-6. Basehor Linwood: Hinkle 10-134, Wilson 7-120, McCarty 3-26, Adair 2-15.
