By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's soccer team will play for third place in the Class 6A state tournament at 12 p.m. Saturday at Wichita's Stryker Complex after a tight 1-0 semifinal loss to Mill Valley Friday night.
Jaxon Padilla (6), Easton Bradstreet (13) and Cayden Lee (3) are part of a six-member Washburn Rural soccer senior class that will close out their high school career in Saturday's Class 6A third-place game at Wichita. [File photo/TSN]
The Junior Blues, now 16-4, will play previously-unbeaten Dodge City in the third-place match after the Red Demons (19-1-0) dropped a 3-2 semifinal decision to Olathe West in Friday's first semifinal.
Olathe West (18-2-0) will face off with Mill Valley (16-1-1) for the state championship at approximately 2 p.m. Saturday.
Washburn Rural was in the hunt throughout its semifinal contest with Mill Valley, but the Jaguars made a goal with 2:46 remaining in the first half hold up the rest of the game, which was played indoors due to inclement weather.
The Junior Blues are making their third straight appearance in the 6A final four, finishing second in 2021.
Washburn Rural's six-member senior class of Easton Bradstreet, Cayden Lee, Jaxon Padilla, Rishi Sandir, Ty Stead and Aaron Tinajero will close out their high school career in the third-place game.
