By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Locked in a three-point game at halftime Friday night, Washburn Rural dominated the second half on the way to a 37-10 non-league win over Piper at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.
Rural, which improved to 3-0 on the season, led by just a 13-10 count at the half but broke the game open with 21 third-quarter points while the Junior Blue defense pitched a second-half shutout.
Piper jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 77-yard fumble return but Rural pulled even on a 1-yard plunge by freshman TJ Minikwu.
Rural went in front to stay on an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior Branton DeWeese to junior Titan Osborn (extra point blocked) before Piper cut its deficit to 13-10 with a 20-yard field goal.
Senior Ma'kenttis Adams opened the second-half scoring with a 19-yard TD run and and DeWeese connected with senior Lukas Hanks for a 2-point conversion to give Rural a 21-10 advantage.
DeWeese then connnected with Osburn for a 46-yard TD strike (conversion failed) and Adams capped a big night with a 58-yard touchdown run.
Adams finished the night with 179 rushing yards and two TDs on 16 carries as Rural topped the 300-yard rushing mark as a team.
DeWeese completed 13 of 20 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns and added 79 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Osburn caught three passess for 66 yards and two touchdowns while junior Calvin Hayes had four catches for 34 yards and senior Amr Sabarrini two catches for 31 yards.
Washburn Rural travels to Manhattan next Friday for a key Centennial League game.
HIGHLAND PARK 63, KANSAS CITY-SUMNER ACADEMY 36 -- Tre Richardson had a hand in six touchdowns -- now 20 on the season -- and also scored a pair of 2-point conversions and picked off a pass as Highland Park improved to 3-0 overall and in the league with a 63-36 Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Sumner Academy at Hummer Sports Park.
Highland Park will be at home again next Thursday, hosting KC-Harmon in a Meadowlark Conference contest.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN 60, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY 8 -- Cair Paravel Latin posted its second straight victory, improving to 2-1 with a 60-8 romp past Marais des Cygnes Valley in a game that ended at halftime due to the 45-point spread rule.
The Lions scored 30 points in each of the first two quarters while MdCV scored its lone touchdown in the second quarter on a kickoff return.
Jase Pavlik completed three of four passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns while Evan Will was two of three passing for 20 yards and a TD and also rushed for 71 yards and a score on four carries. Will also scored on an interception return.
Jachin Bonura had a 35-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught a 23-yard TD pass from Pavlik.
MJ Donaldson was in on six tackles to lead the Lions.
SILVER LAKE 43, ST. MARYS 16 -- Silver Lake broke open a close game with a 22-0 second half, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Silver Lake led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and by just five points at the half, 21-16, but the second half was all Eagles on a night when legendary retired Silver Lake coach CJ Hamilton was honored.
Kaden Walker had a pair of rushing touchdowns for Silver Lake while Trenton Rollenhagen also had a rushing TD annd Tanner Martin connected with Troy Heiman for a score and Martin also scored a rushing TD.
Silver Lake will travel to Rock Creek next Friday.
LIBERAL 27, TOPEKA HIGH 0 -- Topeka High was within striking distance at the half, trailing 8-0, before host Liberal, which improved to 2-1, took control with 19 second-half points.
Topeka High, which fell to 0-3 on the season, will return to Centennial League competition next Friday, hosting Emporia at Hummer Sports Park.
DE SOTO 63, TOPEKA WEST 20 -- Topeka West is still looking for its first win as a United Kansas Conference member after dropping a 63-20 league game at De Soto Friday night.
Topeka West will be at home next Saturday at Hummer Sports Park to host Piper in a UKC contest.