Monroe City, Bowling Green Lose, Hannibal Advances

Saturday was not a good day for a couple of northeast Missouri football teams in state quarterfinal action.

In Class 1, the Monroe City Panthers traveled to the bootheel to face the Hayti Indians, and lost 26-22.

The contest was a tale of two halves, as Monroe City went into the locker room at halftime with a 22-0 lead. But, Hayti came roaring back, taking their first lead of the game in the final minutes.

The Panthers had one last chance, starting on their own ten yard line with less than two minutes to go. They got to the Hayti 30 with about half-a-minute to go, but an interception in the end zone ended the season for Monroe City, with only their second loss of the season.

Meanwhile, in Higginsville, Missouri, the Bowling Green Bobcats lost in the Class 2 quarters to Lafayette County, 52-32.

The second half also proved to be the difference in that game. Bowling Green trailed by only six at the half, but the Huskers took charge in the second half, outscoring the Bobcats 26-6 down the stretch, ending the visitors' unbeaten season.

Hayti will face Marceline in the Class 1 semifinals next Saturday, while Lafayette County meets Lutheran St. Charles in the Class 2 final four.

The Hannibal Pirates punched their ticket to the Class 4 semis Friday with their toughest test of the season, hanging on to beat West Plains 35-26. They will face North County next Saturday.