Baxter Football Falls to Moravia 54-32; Playoff Hopes End
UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the Baxter football team faced a crushing defeat against Moravia, losing 54-32 on Friday night. This loss, occurring during their Homecoming game on October 13, 2023, eliminates Baxter from contention for a top-three finish in Class 8-man District 7, which is vital for securing a spot in the state playoffs.
Despite a record-breaking performance from both Stadan Vansice and Eli Dee, the Bolts could not overcome the Mohawks. Vansice threw for a season-high 306 yards, completing 22 of 35 passes and matching a career-best with five touchdown passes. He also rushed for 83 yards on 19 carries. This performance places Vansice eighth in 8-man with 1,029 passing yards and seventh with 18 passing touchdowns.
Eli Dee shined in what was the best game of his career, recording 13 catches for 214 yards and scoring four receiving touchdowns. Dee leads the class with 43 catches, 738 yards, and 15 touchdowns. The Bolts also saw contributions from Colten Damman, who caught four passes for 53 yards and one touchdown, while Hayden Burdess added four catches for 31 yards.
Defensively, Vansice led with 10 tackles, but the team’s efforts fell short against Moravia’s powerful offense, which rushed for 258 yards on 51 carries. Moravia’s Kale Moore threw for 105 yards, rushed for 36 yards, and scored two touchdowns, while Blake Ewing contributed 99 rushing yards and two scores along with eight tackles.
The Mohawks’ victory marks their first win over Baxter since at least 2007, making this a significant moment in their program history. This matchup was the first between the two teams since 2019, highlighting a renewed rivalry.
As the Bolts reflect on this disappointing outcome, all eyes will be on their next steps as they regroup for the remainder of the season. Fans and players alike will be eager to see how the team can bounce back from this setback. For Moravia, this victory not only boosts their record to 4-2 (2-2 in the district) but also sets them on a path toward potential playoff contention.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the implications for both teams as the season progresses.
