Thayer, Mo. – The Thayer Bobcats football team went up against the Tipton Cardinals in the Class 1 Quarterfinals on November 22, 2025, at Thayer High School. Despite Thayer’s best efforts, their season came to an end with a 22-14 loss to Tipton.
Defense Shines
The first quarter was all defense from both teams. Not even 30 seconds into the game, Cordell Washington (#1 for Thayer) made an interception. Neither team was able to score any points in the first quarter.
Tipton Leads
Right off the bat in the second quarter, Tipton got on the scoreboard first with a touchdown from Tyler Rivera (#44 for Tipton). The Cardinals also got the extra point. Later in the second quarter, Tipton found the endzone again with Will Cashman (#3 for Tipton). The score at that point was 16-0.
Thayer was determined to score some points before the half ended. With less than a minute left in the half, Washington scrambled on the field, dodging tackles as he went, before he was tackled right past the goal line, getting the first Bobcat touchdown. The score at the half was 16-6, with Tipton in the lead.
Slow Quarter
The quarter was also a show of defense from both teams, with only one touchdown being scored. In the second half of the game, Tipton capitalized on long passes. On one of those passes, Cahsman made a 25-yard sideline catch running into the endzone.
A Last Effort
Nearing the end of the game, the tide seemed to go to Thayer when Zeb DuBois (#40 for Thayer) made an interception and returned it for a touchdown. Riley White (#9 for Thayer) made a catch to get the two-point conversion. The score at that point was 22-14.
The Bobcats went for an onside kick and recovered the kick. Thayer continued to advance down the field, getting close to the endzone. On what was to be the Bobcats last play of the game, the Tipton’s defense covered all the receivers leading Dawson Harris (#7 for Thayer) to scramble, and, eventually, get sacked. The final score was 22-14 with Tipton taking the lead. Thayer ends their season as Class 1 District 3 champions, as well as with a 10-2 record.
