OAK GROVE, Mo. - The Oak Grove Panthers rushed for 532 yards and seven touchdowns Friday night in a 49-14 victory against the California Pintos in a Class 3 semifinal game.
The Panthers got on the board on their second play from scrimmage on a 79-yard run by Darren Graham. Scott Jones booted the first of his seven PATs and it was 7-0.
California appeared to get on the board on the ensuing kickoff when Walker Borghardt returned the kick 98 yards to the end zone, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. On the ensuing drive, the Pintos drove deep into Panther territory before missing a field goal.
The Pintos did tie the game with 1:29 to go in the first quarter on a 2-yard run by Borghardt. Jose Magana kicked the PAT.
Oak Grove scored twice in the second quarter. Quarterback Austin Blackston scored on a 10-yard run with 8:40 remaining before halftime before Landon Cairer took it over from 4 yards out with 1:11 left to make it 21-7.
With time running down before intermission, the Pintos drove deep into Panther territory. With :02 left on the clock, California had the ball at the Oak Grove 1. But a running play was ruled just short of the end zone as time expired.
Cairer scored his second touchdown of the night with 7:53 remaining in the third quarter on a 67-yard run. Aaron Graham then scored from 1 yard out with 4:09 on the clock and Oak Grove led 35-7.
California then got on the board with 3:03 left in the third quarter. Barr tossed a 5-yard pass to Landon Mouse, who then lateraled to Borghardt. Borghardt took it 50 yards for a touchdown and it was 35-14.
Jake Harrenstein scored on a 43-yard run for Oak Grove with 1:33 left in the third quarter to make it 42-14.
Oak Grove's final touchdown came on an 11-yard run by Graham with 8:20 left in the game.
Graham finished with 220 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Cairer had 15 carries for 126 yards, while Harrenstein totaled 117 yards on seven rushes.
Oak Grove was just 2-of-4 passing for 12 yards.
Barr finished with 10 carries for 89 yards to lead California. He also was 18-of-33 passing for 239 yards and one touchdown.
California, ranked No. 2, ends its season at 13-1. It's the third straight year the Pintos have advanced to the semifinals.
Oak Grove (12-2, ranked No. 10) advances to face either John Burroughs or Monett for the state title at 1 p.m. Friday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
Read followup game coverage and statistics in Sunday's News Tribune newspaper and e-newspaper and in Wednesday's California Democrat.