The Sabetha Bluejays and Silver Lake Eagles played a wild game on Friday night in the Regional round of the Class 2A playoffs. 

The future Big East League opponents combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense but it was Sabetha who was able to pull out the 45-34 win to advance to the Sectional round. 

Both teams had no issues moving the ball but the difference in the game as Sabetha's defense forced six Silver Lake turnovers with five interceptions and one fumble on a muffed punt. 

Sabetha scored touchdowns on their first two touches on offense. Colin Menold's monster night began with a 43-yard burst to give the Bluejays a 7-0 lead. After a second interception by Silver Lake in the endzone, Chase Frey busted an 80-yard run to make it 14-0 not even seven minutes into the game. 

The Eagles would respond and tie the game 14-14 at halftime. The first touchdown was from Tanner Martin to Brody Deiter on an 8-yard pass late in the first quarter and then Martin would add a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. 

Sabetha's first drive of the second half covered 72 yards in less than two minutes with Frey finishing off the drive with a 15-yard run to give the Bluejays the lead back at 21-14. They would add a Nate Menold 25-yard field goal which gave them a 24-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

Silver Lake would score the first of six total touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Martin to get the Eagles within 24-21 but that they were never able to get any closer the rest of the game. 

Menold broke away for a 48-yard touchdown run on Sabetha's next drive to give them a 31-21 advantage. Another Sabetha interception would lead to an Aidan Lang 23 yard touchdown run which gave the Bluejays their largest lead at 38-21 with over four mintues left. 

Silver Lake would respond quickly with a three-yard touchdown run by Martin to make it 38-28 but Colin Menold provided the dagger with a 52-yard run to make it 45-28. The Eagles would add one more touchdown in the final minute to make the final score 45-34. 

Sabetha rushed for 566 yards and averaged nearly 12 yards per carry. Colin Menold finished the night with 31 carries for 382 yards and three touchdowns. Chase Frey added seven carries for 108 yards and two scores while Aidan Lang finished with four carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. 

Silver Lake finished the game with 505 yards of total offense with 358 passing yards and 147 rushing yards. Eagles quarterback Tanner Martin completed 25 of 35 passes for 358 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. Martin also led the Eagles with 84 rushing yards and three scores. 

Sabetha's defense got interceptions by Marcus Bauman, Nekoda Nieheus, Dalton Rokey, Kyler Wenger, and Brody Deters. 

Silver Lake ends their season with an 8-2 record. The two teams will be league members of the Big East League beginning of the 2024-2025 seasons. 

Sabetha improves to 9-1 and will host Humboldt in the sectional round of the playoffs next Friday night.