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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.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural and Hayden will be out to turn good 2021 boys soccer seasons into great ones Tuesday night.
Unbeaten Rural (17-0-0) will host Derby (15-1-2) in a 6 p.m. Class 6A state quarterfinal at McElroy Field, while Hayden (13-6-0) will go on the road for a 6 p.m. 4A-1A quarterfinal at Augusta (16-2-0).
With wins the Junior Blues and Wildcats will advance to the final four in their respective state tournaments Friday and Saturday at Olathe's College Boulevard Activity Center (6A) and Hummer Sports Park (4A-1A) and assure themselves of top-four state finishes.
Coming off an uncharacteristic 5-11-0 season a year ago, Klaus Kreutzer's Wildcats have bounced back this season to earn a berth in the state quarters with a 4-0 win over Independence last Thursday at the Sunflower Soccer Complex.
"It's a tribute to (the team),'' Kreutzer said. "We had a really tough year last year and I think they've worked hard and have been aggressive about it. Hopefully we can go make it count.''
Junior Chris Hayes scored a pair of goals in Hayden's win over Independence, while the Wildcats also got goals from juniors Jake Muller and Nick Padilla and senior Gabe Rankey recorded the shutout in goal.
Other 4A-1A state quarterfinals include Wichita Trinity (13-5-0) at Coffeyville (14-4-0), Bishop Miege (10-8-0) at Kansas City Christian (13-4-1) and Tonganoxie (11-6-1) at Eudora (13-4-1).
Washburn Rural is in familiar territory after finishing fourth at state last season.
The Junior Blues got a tough battle from Wichita East in their regional final, but advanced on an own goal and a dominating defensive effort. Senior Wyatt Arnold recorded the shutout in goal.
Washburn Rural coach Brian Hensyel was not surprised that Thursday's game was a nail-biter.
"Once you get past the first round the games are going to be tight and everybody who's left has found ways to win games,'' Hensyel said after Thursday's win. "We expected a tough game (Thursday) and we're just glad to advance. We didn't play our best but we played good enough to win.''
Senior Porter Schafersman leads undefeated Washburn Rural in goals and assists heading into Tuesday's state quarterfinal against Derby. [File photo by Doug Walker/TSN]
Senior Porter Schafersman leads the Junior Blues with 23 goals and 13 assists while Arnold has posted nine shutouts.
Other 6A quarterfinal matchups include Blue Valley Northwest (7-10-1) at Olathe Northwest (14-3-1), Olathe West (10-7-1) at Shawnee Mission West (11-4-3) and Wichita North (16-1-1) at Dodge City (17-0-1).
State tournament semifinals will be played at 5 and 7 p.m. Friday followed by the third-place and championship games at 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Five Shawnee Heights volleyball players have earned All-United Kansas Conference recognition for the 2021 season, led by junior first-team selection Emily Loy.
Shawnee Heights seniors Kali Henry and Taryn Dial were named to the All-UKC second team and juniors Ellie Curry and Taylor Rottinghaus earned honorable mention.
Class 5A state champion Lansing put three players on the first team, including UKC player of the year Caitlin Bishop, a senior.
Lansing's Lindsay Zych was named the coach of the year.
ALL-UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL
