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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Regardless of what happens this weekend in the Class 6A state tournament, Washburn Rural's soccer team has turned in an outstanding 2021 season, posting a perfect 18-0-0 record heading into Friday's state semifinal matchup with Blue Valley Northwest at Olathe's College Boulevard Activity Center.
But senior captain Joe Morse said the Junior Blues know there's still work to be done.
"There's always work to do,'' Morse said. "I'm just happy to keep playing with these guys. I just want to go out with my team and lets show the world what we've got.''
Washburn Rural's soccer team will try to put the capper on a perfect season in the Class 6A state tournament Friday and Saturday at Olathe's College Boulevard Activity Center. [File photo by Doug Walker/TSN]
Kaden Hill is one of 10 Washburn Rural seniors who will close out their high school careers in this weekend's Class 6A state tournament. [File photo by Doug Walker/TSN]
Washburn Rural, which made it to the 6A final four for the 14th time in school history, will take on 8-10-1 Blue Valley Northwest in Friday's 5 p.m. semifinal, followed by a 7 o'clock semifinal between Olathe West (11-7-1) and Wichita North (17-1-1).
The semifinal winners will advance to Saturday's 2 p.m. championship game, which will follow the 12 p.m. third-place game.
Washburn Rural advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 quarterfinal win over Derby, never trailing after Morse scored 22 seconds into the game.
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THE PENNANT PLAYER PROFILE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
There were some stops along the way, but junior receiver Peter Afful is thankful that he eventually found his way to Washburn University.
After playing for Dirk Wedd at Lawrence High, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Afful had brief stops at Hutchinson Community College and Baker University and played a season for Coffeyville Community College before finding a home with the Ichabods.
After biding his time on the scout team in his first season at Washburn in 2019 and having the 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19, Afful has made up for lost time this season for the 7-2 Ichabods.
"It was a great decision,'' Afful said about coming to Washburn. "It was actually between Central Arkansas and here and Central Arkansas ended up keeping their walk-on receiver, so the decision was going to be of course Washburn after that.
"Coming in, Coach (Craig) Schurig gave me an opportunity to earn a spot and I earned it and I'm just running with it now.''
Peter Afful has become a big-play receiver for the 7-2 Ichabods, turning seven of his 21 receptions into touchdowns. [FIle photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Afful is part of a talent Ichabod receiving corps that includes standouts James Letcher Jr. and Jace Williams, but Afful has 21 catches for 426 yards and leads the team with a 20.3-yard average per catch and is tied with Letcher for the team lead with seven receiving touchdowns. He also has 82 yards on just four rushing attempts.
"When you're on a team filled with great receivers such as Jace (Williams) and JJ Letcher your opportunities are somewhat limited and when you get those opportunities you've got to be sure to make the most of them and that's what I try to do,'' Afful said.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
In an emotional, physical Class 6A quarterfinal that included seven yellow cards and a red card, Washburn Rural's soccer team was able to keep its focus on the task at hand Tuesday night, advancing to the state semifinals with a 6-1 victory over Derby at McElroy Field.
The Junior Blues, now 18-0-0 on the season, led by just a 2-1 margin at the half but scored four goals over the final 15:59 as Derby (15-2-2) played much of the second half a man down after a Panther player received a red card (ejection).
Washburn Rural's soccer team celebrates after Tuesday's 6-1 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Derby. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural senior captain Joe Morse was proud of the way the Junior Blues were able to keep their cool when things got a little chippy in the first half and a lot chippy after halftime.
"That was the most cards I've ever seen in a game in my life,'' Morse said. "It was pretty scary, but I'm very proud of how we handled the physicality and I'm very proud of how we kept our heads. We just kept going.''
Rural coach Brian Hensyel agreed.
"In my mind, part of what has been great about our program is that we're able to play the game and stay level-headed at all times and not let other things that aren't the game control whether we win or lose,'' Hensyel said. "Our mindset always is we don't get involved in any of the extra stuff. We play the game.
"I'm extremely proud of the boys because when you're the favorite and you're at home people try to rattle you and we just didn't let it happen.''
Morse put the Junior Blues ahead to stay with a goal just 22 seconds into the game off an assist from senior Ashton Rake and Rural made it 2-0 at the 16:43 mark of the opening half on a goal from sophomore Devon Rutschmann off an assist from junior Easton Bradstreet.
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THE PENNANT PLAYER PROFILE
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Zach Willis will go down in history as one of Washburn University's all-time best running backs, currently ranking 11th all-time in career rushing yards.
It turns out that the 5-foot-8, 210-pound senior is just as talented in an art studio.
And although football-toting art majors may be a rarity, the Belton, Mo. native has an equal appreciation and love for both.
"When I was in elementary school I was already thinking critically about art and what people might like,'' Willis said. "Throughout the years I kind of got away from it and then when I got into college I started thinking, 'Get back to your roots and what really made you who you are,' and here I am today.''
WU standout running back Zach Willis stands in front of one of his favorite art prints, which are currently on display in Washburn's art building. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
A lot of Willis' Ichabod teammates may not understand his attraction to art, but Willis, the second-leading rusher for the 7-2 Ichabods, feels like his two passions are a perfect complement for each other.
"It's really cool how they both relate because I'm always thinking critcally on, 'What could I have done better with this or that?' '' said Willis, who will graduate in December. "They go hand in hand for me, just making sure I'm always creating my best work. I'm always trying to be creative on the football field and in the classroom.''
Willis' art is currently on display on campus in his "Layout to Super Structure'' exhibition and Willis said it's been a thrill for him to see how his teammates and coaches have reacted to seeing his art -- both prints and sculptures -- for the first time.
"No one really understood why I was in art, so when they came in here and got to see things that I created and seeing what kind of career paths you can get into with art, they were like, 'Oh wow! You can do a lot with that,' '' said Willis, who wants to be an architectural illustrator and drafter. "It's funny to see how people don't really think that much of art until they're actually in here.
"Just seeing how big their eyes got and how they gained a whole new appreciation for art was really cool to me.''
Willis was particularly pleased with how his football coach, Craig Schurig, reacted to seeing Willis' work off the gridiron.
"When he walked in it kind of looked like Christmas morning to him,'' Willis said with a big smile. "He was not expecting there to be that many pieces and he was really supportive. When he saw it he was just telling everybody about it afterwards.''
Washburn running back Zach Willis currently has his art projects on display in the Washburn art building. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Willis' exhibit contains a wide variety of works, but he said they all also have a common theme.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Emporia State linebacker, a former Rossville standout, has earned MIAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play in the Hornets' 15-12 come-from-behind win at Fort Hays State last Saturday.
Emporia State's Dawson Hammes, a Rossville product, has been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after registering 12 tackles in the Hornets' 15-12 win over Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of ESU Photography]
Hammes led Emporia State's defense with 12 tackles against Fort Hays State, with two of his tackles coming on the Tigers' final drive while they were driving for a potential game- tying or winning score.
Hammes had a touchdown-saving tackle after a 29-yard gain on second down with under a minute left and then was in on the third down stop with 25 seconds left.
As a team the Hornets held the Tigers, the second-ranked passing team in the MIAA, to under 150 passing yards.
Northwest Missouri’s Mike Hohensee was named the offensive athlete of the week and Pittsburg State’s Cross Holmes was named the special teams athlete of the week.
Hohensee passed for 270 yards (14 of-18, three touchdowns) and rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown as he led Northwest to a 66-13 Homecoming win over No. 17 Nebraska-Kearney.
Holmes tied the Pittsburg State single-game record for the second time this season by booting four field goals in Pitt State’s 26-20 victory over Central Oklahoma. The freshman kicker matched his season long kick by connecting on a 54-yard field goal with 2:24 to play in the first quarter. He converted four of five field goals on the day, also making kicks from 25, 35 and 49 yards in the game.
