Sweet Springs football: 'Hounds squeak by St. Paul

CONCORDIA -- The Sweet Springs football team recorded its first win of the season Friday, but blew enough opportunities to make the final minutes of its 20-18 I-70 Conference victory at St. Paul anxious.

During the first quarter, an interception by senior Tyler Dohrman set the Greyhounds up 20 yards away from the goal, but inches from the line a snap was fumbled at the Saints recovered it.

Sweet Springs got a 65-yard touchdown run from senior Tyler Armstrong and had another chance to score later in the half when a receiver was wide open when a cornerback fell, but dropped the ball.

The 'Hounds went into the break with a 6-0 lead, but St. Paul tied it on senior Jordan Bredehoeft's 5-yard run. A 45-yard Armstrong run led to Dohrman's 6-yard trip into the end zone and Armstrong broke off a 33-yard dash for a 20-6 cushion at the end of the third period.

However, the Saints passed their way back into the game. Bredehoeft hit junior Lennel Barksdale for 55 yards, then took it in from 5 yards out, and connected with Barksdale again for a 93-yard TD moments after Sweet Springs was stopped on downs at the 7.

With less than five minutes remaining, the 'Hounds were able to keep St. Paul (1-2, 0-1 I-70) in check the rest of the way.

Bredehoeft completed 11 of 21 passes for 278 yards, but was intercepted three times and suffered five sacks -- two each by junior Bryan Catron and sophomore Colby Dohrman.

Armstrong rushed for 169 yards and Tyler Dohrman gained 148 on the ground for the 'Hounds (1-2, 1-2), who play Friday at Concordia.