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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

The Washburn Rural special teams were really special Friday night at Bowen-Glaze Stadium, powering the Junior Blues to a 35-6 Homecoming win over Centennial League and city rival Topeka High.

The Junior Blues, who improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the league, were in front 14-0 before the Rural offense ever touched the ball as senior Elijah Gaines got the Junior Blues on the board when he returned a blocked punt 33 yards for a touchdown at the 6:09 mark of the opening quarter and then added a second TD with 45 seconds left in the quarter when he scooped up a blocked field goal attempt and rambled 74 yards to the end zone.

Washburn Rural blocked a first-quarter Topeka High field goal, resulting in an Elijah Gaines touchdown. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Washburn Rural senior Elijah Gaines returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown in Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

"We watched a lot of film on them and we felt like the line up front was a little soft, so we just wanted to rush through there and try to get blocks as soon as possible,'' said Gaines, who now has three defensive/special team TDs in his career.

"I feel like we take pride in all three levels -- offense, defense and special teams -- and we just want to be the best in eveything we do.'' 

The Junior Blue special teams struck again on the ensuing kickoff after Gaines' second TD when Rural recovered an onsides kick at the Trojan 48-yard-line.

Finally getting a chance to get on the field, the Junior Blues' offense drove the remaining 48 yards in eight plays, with a 20-yard pass play from senior quarterback John Hoytal to senior Nate Selm setting up a 13-yard touchdown run by junior Jadyn Baum that put Rural in command 21-0 with 9:50 left in the first half.

"The special teams were huge for the defense and for us,'' Hoytal said. "We didn't get the ball until 32 seconds left (in the first quarter) and we're up 14-0, so it was kind of a relief.

"It also kind of threw off our momentum, but I'm super happy, super glad for the guys.''

It took Topeka High (3-2, 1-1) just two plays to find the end zone on its ensuing possession, with Trojan senior quarterback Zane Smith hooking up with junior Courtney Sanders for a 76-yard TD strike with 8:41 left in the half (kick blocked).

Washburn Rural added to its 21-6 lead late in the half when Hoytal broke loose for a 53-yard QB keeper and hit junior Peyton Glaze for a 32-yard pass play to set up a 4-yard Baum touchdown that put Rural up 28-6 with with 38 seconds left before halftime. 

The Junior Blues and Trojans continued to move the ball in the second half, but the scoring pace slowed drastically, with Baum's third TD of the night on a 6-yard run with four seconds remaining in the third quarter the only score of the half.

Senior John Hoytal (10) rushed for 144 yards and passed for 131 yards in Washburn Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Junior Jadyn Baum rushed for 101 yards and three TDs in Washburn Rural's 35-7 win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Hoytal finished the night with 144 rushing yards on just eight attempts while Baum added 101 yards on17 carries.

Hoytal also passed for 131 yards on a 12 of 17 night.

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

No. 10-ranked Washburn University volleyball posted a second straight MIAA sweep Friday, taking care of Newman in three sets in Wichita.

After taking the first set 25-15, Washburn (14-1 overall, 3-1 MIAA) improved in each of the next two sets, defeating Newman (2-13, 0-4) 25-13 and 25-12 to close out the match.

No. 10-ranked Washburn volleyball improved to 14-1 with Friday's sweep at Newman. [File photo/TSN]  

The Jets hung close to begin the first set, with both sides splitting the first 20 points.

Alex Dvorak slammed down a kill from Corinna McMullen, which opened a 7-0 Washburn scoring run capped off by an ace from Taylor Rottinghaus. The Ichabods held onto the advantage, finishing off the set with a 5-0 run and an ace by Kali Henry. 

In the second set Washburn jumped out to an 8-3 advantage that quickly grew to 15-6 after a block by Bella Limback and Brynne Topolski. After hitting under .200 in the first set it was the offense that led the charge, hitting .370 as a team in the second to take the 12-point win. 

The momentum continued into the third set, with the Ichabods leading 7-2 after a kill by Emery Keebaugh. Newman pulled back within three points before Washburn responded with a 5-0 run. The Ichabods kept the Jets out of arms reach the rest of the way, finishing the set off with four points and a kill by Layla Collins to end the match.  

Washburn out-hit Newman in the match .286 to -.009 while recording 41 kills to just 22 for the Jets with 23 errors. Digs went in favor of the Ichabods 52-39 as did assists, 38-19.  

It was a balanced effort offensively for the Ichabods with 10 players recording kills led by eight from Austin Broadie while hitting .375. Limback, Keilah Rivers and Keebaugh all had seven kills. McMullen registered a double-double with 20 assists and 10 digs while Rottinghaus led the defensive effort with 13 digs.  

Washburn volleyball coach Chris Herron reached 1,100 career wins with Friday's sweep at Newman. [File photo/TSN]

With the win, WU coach Chris Herron reached 1,100 career coaching victories between his time coaching in high school and college.

The Ichabods will wrap up their road trip on Tuesday against Emporia State.   

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University soccer team rolled to a 3-0 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Friday in Yager Stadium in the Ichabods' MIAA home opener.

"From minute 1 to minute 90, we played the way we want to play," Washburn coach Davy Phillips said.

Washburn freshman Leah Henke had a goal and an assist in Friday's 3-0 MIAA win over Nebraska-Kearney. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn improved to 5-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the MIAA while Nebraska-Kearney fell to 2-4-2, 0-1-2.

Washburn picked up a goal in the eighth minute from freshman Kate Hinck, who scored her second goal of the season as fellow freshman Leah Henks assisted her.

The Ichabods would continue their pressure on the Loper's goal and in the 34th minute senior Shaye Taylor headed a shot home for her second goal of the year and her college career, assisted by freshman Lydia Keller.

Washburn would continue its pressing style and would find its third goal in the 54th minute when Aubree Tanksley found Henke, who would bury her shot in the bottom left corner for her fifth goal of the season.

Freshman Lili Everley posted her her fifth straight clean sheet in goal for the Ichabods.

Washburn has won 10 straight matches over the Lopers.

Washburn will be on the road against Missouri Southern on Friday, October 10th, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.