The 17-hour lightning delay of the 2013 Homecoming game didn’t stop the Jaguars from becoming 5-0 after a 23-9 win against the Bonner Springs High School Braves. The lightning delay on Friday, Oct. 4 caused both teams to return on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. to finish the final 9:37 left in the game.

The game started with punts by both Bonner Springs High School and Mill Valley.

After a punt return by the Jaguars and multiple carries by sophomore quarterback Logan Koch, the Jaguars were inside the Braves 40-yard line. In the middle of the run, Koch left of the game injured. Junior quarterback Ty Bruce took his place for the remainder of the night.

Bruce started with an 11-yard carry, and a 23-yard pass thrown for a touchdown, caught by junior wide receiver Zach Hanna. After the extra point was good by senior kicker Connor Mills, the Jaguars took the lead 7-0, with 4:16 left in the first quarter.

After multiple incomplete passes, the Braves, settled for a field goal, making the score 7-3 with three seconds to go in the first quarter.

A punt by Mills led to a second field goal by the Braves, putting the Braves right behind the Jaguars 7-6 with 4:32 left in the half.

The half ended with a field goal attempt by Mills, which was blocked by Bonner Springs, ending the first half with a score of 7-6.

Homecoming coronation took place during halftime.

The queen candidates were Gabrielle Fangman, Hope Riedel, Lexi Riedel, Brittany Rouse and Abby Sieperda. The king Candidates were Davis Cantwell, Connor Mills, Patrick Tapang, Joe Vincent and Nick Wilson.

Fangman and Cantwell were crowned the king and queen. Cantwell felt a sense of pride as his name was called.

“I looked at my mom and then the crowd and then I turned to Gabby,” Cantwell said. “I was extremely excited and thrilled and honored to be Homecoming king.”

Fangman said when Cantwell was crowned all she focused on was standing up straight. When her name was called she had a whole new state of mind.

“I was really surprised and I couldn’t believe it,” Fangman said. “I just looked at (former king and queen) Molly and Andrew and focused on walking.”

Friends and parents hugged the new royalty in congratulations. Tears of joy filled senior Amanda Dotts eyes as Fangman was crowned queen.

“When I saw her with that big crown on her head, I couldn’t help but smile,” Dotts said. “She looked gorgeous. Gabby is one of my best friends and truly deserved it.”

After the coronation, the second half began, Jaguars up 7-6. The team knew they had to stay ahead and couldn’t let the lead go.

“We had to keep playing physical and fast, and stay ahead of Bonner,” Mills said.

The Jaguars started the second half, with a field goal by Mills. This put the score at 10-6 with 4:43 remaining in the third quarter.

The Jaguars quickly took back possession of the ball after the kickoff, with an interception by senior linebacker Micah Clarke, who then ran 14 yards to the Braves 18-yard line. After two carries by Bruce, the ball was at the one-yard line, and junior linebacker Tyler Garrison, ran it in for a touchdown making the score 17-6 after the extra point by Mills, with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.

The night ended with a punt by Mills with 9:37 left in the game. The rest of the game was postponed to Saturday, Oct. 5.

On Saturday, the game resumed, starting with Bonner Springs possession, second and 14 at the 15-yard line.

Playing on a Saturday was weird, but Mills and the team knew they had to seal the win.

“[Playing on Saturday,] it was weird, but we had to play with the same mindset as a Friday night game,” Mills said.

After a fumble recovery by the Braves, the Jaguar defense held Bonner Springs causing them to attempt a field goal. The field goal was good making the score 17-9 with 5:26 left in the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Mills attempted a field goal, and after a penalty on the Braves, the Jaguars were given a first down at the eight-yard line. After two carries, sophomore wide receiver Christian Jegen finished the game with a four-yard run for a touchdown, making the score 23-9.

The Jaguars will travel to Piper High School to take on the Pirates this Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.