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By VINCE LOVERGINE
TopSports.news
Friday's Highland Park Meadowlark Conference football game against Kansas City-Schlagle ended with 1:17 left in the third quarter due to a series of on-field fights at Hummer Sports Park.
Highland Park was in control 36-18 at the time of the altercation, but now it will be up to the Kansas State High School Activities Association to determine whether that score will stand as a final and if any sanctions will be levied against the Scots and Stallions.
Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery (35) had his helmet yanked off during Friday's game-ending altercation with KC-Schlagle. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park coach Jermaine Monore said he didn’t want something like Friday's fight to happen.
During the Scots' postgame huddle, he told his team, ‘We will be better from this and we’re not that type of program.’ ”
He went on to say that Friday is a learning lesson when speaking with TopSports.news.
Friday's Highland Park-Schlagle game ended due to an altercation late in the third quarter with the Scots leading 36-18. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“We actually practice this in practice… I teach my players that if a player gets into a scuffle, 'You go in, grab your player, turn your back and if the other team is throwing blows, they’re punching you in the back of the shoulder pads and get them out of the situation. That just got out of control really fast,” Monroe said.
Highland Park quarterback Dontrail Fox threw for three TDs and ran for a score against KC-Schlagle Friday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park kicked off the double-header at Hummer Sports Park on Friday with a conference tilt against Schlagle.
The Scots jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter when senior quarterback Dontrail Fox hooked up with junior Joseph Kingcannon on a 30-yard touchdown, to lead 6-0 after a failed two-point conversion.
Shortly after, Kingcannon would intercept Schlagle quarterback Josiah Evans late in the first quarter but nothing came of that drive for the Scots.
Highland Park struggled to get anything going on offense with several penalties and fumbling snaps in the second quarter, but the defense held their own to keep it 6-0 most of the way through.
The Stallions would capitalize on a turnover on downs from Highland Park on a six-play drive, Evans connected with senior Bre’Naj Price for six yards to make it 6-6 with 2:37 left before the half.
Highland Park junior JoJo Kingcannon had a huge night in Friday's Highland Park-Schlagle game, having a hand in five Scot touchdowns. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Highland Park would then regain the lead on a Fox to Kingcannon 60-yard touchdown snag, 12-6 after another failed two-point try.
The Scots tried an onside kick but the ball went out of bounds which moved Schlagle into their territory on the penalty. Soon after, senior Cincerce Lewis went straight up the gut for a one-yard score, tying the game 12-12 with 11 seconds before halftime.
The Scots could’ve kneeled it and headed to the locker room but Monroe was aggressive and it paid off.
Starting at the Scots' 45-yard line, senior Tremaine Savage came up huge with a 20-yard catch to set Hi Park up at its own 35. Two plays later, a roughing the passer penalty was called to move Highland Park to the 20-yard line with .2 seconds left on the clock.
The Scots ran the Wildcat to Kingcannon who lobbed it to Savage for the 20-yard touchdown. Highland Park would take the lead 18-12 at the break.
“We’re one of the powerhouses of the league and if we go into half tied, that’s a win for them,” Monroe said. “We have to have the upper hand walking into that locker room. Otherwise, we’re going to be flat in that locker room… we live by the sword, die by the sword and it worked out for us.”
Fox was 7-12 in that first half with 154 yards and one touchdown, Kingcanonn had 90 yards alone on two catches before the break, but the run game struggled mightily, totaling just eight yards on the ground.
The Scots made a statement to begin the second half as Kingcannon returned the kickoff 94 yards to the house and the Scots led 24-12 14 seconds into the third quarter.
“JoJo is a weapon I can move to multiple different spots and if you put too much focus on him, that’s where you have G’Honi (Montgomery). Tremaine comes in, we got plenty of players that can make big plays,” Monroe said.
Then Highland Park found their groove there after, Montgomery picked off Evans which led to another Kingcannon touchdown, 16 yards on the ground to make it 30-12.
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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Legendary Silver Lake football coach CJ Hamilton was honored prior to the Eagles’ home game Friday for his induction to the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame.
Silver Lake legend CJ Hamilton was officially inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame Friday night by KSHSAA former executive director Gary Musselman (left) and current executive director Bill Faflick. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Standing on the sideline of the field named in his honor, where he guided the Eagles for 47 years, Hamilton was presented a plaque by KSHSAA executive director Bill Faflick and former executive director Gary Musselman.
“I’m deeply honored, primarily because I’m representing my former players who are loyal to our program, and the great assistant coaches, and a community that was committed and sacrificed for those kids,” Hamilton said. “There are a lot of great coaches (in the KSHSAA Hall of Fame) and to be put in the category with all those other great coaches is just a great honor. I’m happy to represent this community and this school in the hall of fame.”
Hamilton was one of five individuals selected for induction to the hall of fame last December. The Eagles took advantage of their first home game of the season to celebrate Hamilton’s induction, with a number of his former players, as well as family and friends, on hand.
“It is special for the Silver Lake community, where many former players are in attendance, to be able to be a part of CJ’s induction into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame,” said Silver Lake Athletic Director David Schooler. “Hosting this event on the field that he coached for so many years is extra special.”
Hamilton’s resume is unmatched. He retired in 2021 with a football coaching record of 447-98. No coach in Kansas history has approached the 400-win mark. He led the Eagles to 39 league titles and 18 appearances in the state championship game, winning eight – the most titles by any coach in Kansas history.
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By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
On a night when CJ Hamilton was honored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for building Silver Lake into a football powerhouse, the Eagles picked up their first win of the season, defeating Perry-Lecompton 19-6 on the field named for the legendary coach.
Legendary Silver Lake coach CJ Hamilton was welcomed into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame Friday by former KSHSAA executive director Gary Musselman (left) and current executive director Bill Faflick. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Silver Lake spent all night in the red zone, while Perry-Lecompton ran just one play in their opponent’s territory all night. Yet the game remained in doubt until late in the fourth period because the Eagles just couldn’t deliver the knockout punch. The home team saw four drives end on fourth-and-goal situations at the 1, 9, 3 and 6-yard lines.
“I’ve got to be better in the red zone as a play caller, so that’s nothing on the kids,” said Silver Lake coach Logan Pegram. “There’s no reason we should be able to walk down the field and then get inside the red zone and not be able to move them. So that’s on the (offensive) line coach, and that’s me.”
The Silver Lake defense more than made up for the offense’s struggles in the first half. Defensive end Jayden Waterer was a one-man wrecking crew. The senior blocked a Kaw punt at midfield on the first drive of game, recovered the ball and returned it to the Perry-Lecompton 13-yard line. The Eagles took advantage of the short field to punch in a 2-yard touchdown run by Bryson Burgos.
Later in the first period, Waterer sacked the Kaw quarterback in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing possession, a long Silver Lake drive culminated with a Dayne Johnson touchdown on a jet sweep. The Eagles led 16-0 early in the second period and appeared on their way to a blowout.
The Kaws punted on their next possession, but were helped by Silver Lake penalties to continue the series at the Eagle 43-yard line. On the only play the Kaws ran in Eagle territory all game, quarterback Garrett Metcalfe connected with Kayden Baker on a bomb that gave the visitors their only score.
The Eagles did not reach the end zone again, but moved the ball freely up and down the field behind freshman quarterback Kip Kruger.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After graduating several talented senior off last season's 8-3 team and losing returning standout running back Kaden McKinney in the opening game for an extended period with an injury, Seaman football has had to rely on several newcomers to step up this fall.
Junior quarterback Cale Ketter threw for five first-half TDs in Seaman's 61-0 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sophomore Quentin Moravec rushed for 196 yards and two TDs in Seaman's 61-0 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
A couple of those first-year varsity starters, junior quarterback Cale Ketter and sophomore Quentin Moravec, filled that bill in a big way Friday night, leading the way as the Vikings picked up up their first win of the season in a 61-0 United Kansas Conference romp past Topeka West at Hummer Sports Park.
Ketter completed 12 of 15 passes for 278 yards and five first-half touchdown passes while Moravec carried the ball 17 times for 196 yards and a pair of TDs.
Ketter set the stage for the night with his first-half TD barrage as the Vikings opened up a 34-0 first-half cushion.
"I counted up the first two and then I didn't lose track, but I just stopped thinking about it and just played ball after that,'' Ketter said.
Senior tight end Noah Kobuszewski caught a 78-yard TD pass in Seaman's 61-0 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Ketter, 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, connected with junior Josh Brown for 18 and 32-yard scores and also hit senior Noah Kobuszewski for a 78-yard touchdown, junior Coy Barta for 27 yards and senior Jayden Evans for 39 yards as Seaman got back on track after losses to Piper and Shawnee Mission East to open the season.
"It feels great,'' Ketter said. "We had a rough couple of weeks, but we all know the team and I love these guys to death and we just keep coming back every week and getting better every week. Tonight's a great confidence boost and we've just got to carry it into next week.''
Moravec, 6-foot, 180, scored touchdowns on 39 and 44-yard runs and was just under the 200-yard mark for the night.
"I just want to thank the guys on the line for helping me through all of this,'' Moravec said. "I also want to thank Kaden for building me up to this point and getting me to where I am right now.
"I would not be in this situation without him. He taught me so much over the summer and I just want to thank all the coaches, the O-line, Kaden and everybody. I want to thank this whole organization.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn football team is back on the road for the second straight week as the Ichabods will face the Central Oklahoma Bronchos at 7 p.m. Saturday night in Edmond.
Washburn Rural product JC Heim (9) and L.J. Minner rank one-two in the MIAA in tackles after three games for WU. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods are 1-2 this season after dropping their final non-conference matchup of the season with Colorado School of Mines 41-27 in a game that took 7 hours, 39 minutes to complete due to multiple lightning delays.
After spotting the Orediggers a 34-7 halftime lead, Washburn scored 20 points in the second half.
"I was real proud of the guys for their focus during the lightning delays and during the up and down first half,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins said. "I think that kind of speaks to our team leaders and our culture that we're going to keep playing and we're going to fight and be mentally tough enough to keep fighting and we're going to finish the game no matter what.''
The Bronchos are 1-1 this season and have been idle since a 27-24 over then No. 13-Pittsburg State on Sept. 6 with a bye week this past weekend.
WU sophomore JC Heim leads the MIAA in tackles with 43 and L.J. Minner Jr. is second with 35.
Minner has recorded double-digit tackles in each of his last six games, dating back to last season.
Quarterback Logan Madden, playing near his hometown of Arvada, Colo., completed 11 of 17 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in his first action as an Ichabod. Justin Lewis added 106 yards through the air on 9 of 20 passing with two scores of his own. Combined, the duo accounted for all four Ichabod touchdowns, throwing passes to eight different receivers.
Central Oklahoma moved up in one of two national polls Monday, with the Bronchos No. 8 in the D2Football.com Media Poll, up from 12th last week. The Bronchos remained at No. 15 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll.
Jaylen Cottrell leads the team in rushing with 181 total yards and 90.5 yards per game while averaging 10.1 yards per carry.
Jett Huff is 18 of 40 passing with three touchdowns and 106.5 yards per game.
Johnny Wilson leads the team with 13 total tackles adding three tackles for loss and one sack.
