By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Shawnee Heights outlasted Topeka West in a wild romp Friday at Heights that saw 16 touchdowns and 111 total points scored. The T-Birds picked up their first victory of the season, 76-35 over the Chargers.
Senior quarterback Aiden Scott threw for three touchdowns and ran for two TDs in Shawnee Heights' 76-35 UKC win over Topeka West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Every time Shawnee Heights appeared to gain a commanding lead, the Chargers seemed to hit for a big play that kept the fires burning on both sides. The T-Birds continued to attack, even once reserves were inserted in the lineup. Eight different T-Birds found the end zone in the game.
“The whole sideline was going crazy as some of those guys who don’t get to play got out there,” senior quarterback Aiden Scott said. “Just seeing their faces light up when everyone scores. It’s amazing – our team atmosphere. We’re all for each other.”
David Wakes scored the first two touchdowns of the night in Shawnee Heights' 76-35 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Shawnee Heights took a 22-0 lead in the first period. But the Chargers took to the air in the second period and made things interesting. Quarterback Josiah Wilkie directed a touchdown drive to cut the T-Bird lead to 22-8. Later in the quarter, Topeka West took advantage of an interception deep in Shawnee Heights territory to convert a second touchdown drive, making the score 28-14.
Shawnee Heights junior Christian Labrador scored two touchdowns, including a 50-yard interception return, in Shawnee Heights' 76-35 UKC win over Topeka West Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Shawnee Heights responded with 20 unanswered points in the final 3:16 of the period to go up 48-14 at the intermission. But even then, the Chargers didn’t fold. Wilkie hit on two long scoring passes to receiver Jayden Lindsay, and Nas Williams-Brown scored on a 72-yard scamper.
Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift praised the Chargers for their effort, and said there was plenty for his team to like as well.
“I saw a lot of kids get a chance to play,” Swift said. “We had some injuries coming into tonight. So, a lot of kids were, hey, this is your first night playing Friday night football. And I thought they did well. Did we make some mistakes? Yeah, we did. That’s part of being a kid. On Friday nights, the game goes a lot faster than it does on any other day. But our kids never quit. So, sure, we can improve on some stuff, but, you know, anytime you win a football game, it’s great.”
The T-Birds, who never punted, were only prevented from reaching the end zone on two possessions. Scott threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more.
For the Chargers, Wilkie completed 19 of 46 passes for 323 yards. Lindsay accounted for 155 yards receiving while Gad Munganga added 125 yards receiving.
“They put a lot of pressure on us,” Swift said of the Chargers’ passing attack. “One hundred percent it’s a concern. It’s something we’ve got to work on, and we will.”
Shawnee Heights rebounded for its first victory – a United Kansas Conference win – after falling 51-41 to Washburn Rural last Friday.
“It was tough,” Swift said of the loss. “You never know how a team’s going to respond. Our team’s resilient and credit to the boys.”
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 76, TOPEKA WEST 35
Topeka West (0-2, 0-2) 0 14 13 8 -- 35
Shawnee Heights (1-1, 1-0) 22 26 21 7 -- 76
Shawnee Heights – Wakes 2 run (Granado kick)
Shawnee Heights – Wakes 41 pass from Scott (Daniels run)
Shawnee Heights – Williams 1 pass from Scott (Fisher kick)
Topeka West – Webb 1 run (Webb pass from Emerson)
Shawnee Heights – League 25 pass from Scott (kick failed)
Topeka West – Munganga 15 pass from Wilkie (kick failed)
Shawnee Heights – Labrador 2 run (Fisher kick)
Shawnee Heights – Labrador 50 interception return (Fisher kick)
Shawnee Heights – Daniels 1 run (kick failed)
Topeka West – Lindsay 69 pass from Wilkie (Hitch kick)
Shawnee Heights – Scott 2 run (Fisher kick)
Shawnee Heights – Scott 3 run (Fisher kick)
Topeka West – Lindsay 56 pass from Wilkie (kick failed)
Shawnee Heights – Owens 2 pass from Haverkamp (Fisher kick)
Shawnee Heights – Phelps 13 run (Fisher kick)
Topeka West – Williams-Brown 72 run (Williams-Brown run)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Topeka West: Webb 14-70, Williams-Brown 2-74. Shawnee Heights: Wakes 6-41, Labrador 11-71, Purvis 8-88, Scott 3-25, Daniels 2-2, Wallace 6-35, Phelps 1-13.
Passing – Topeka West: Wilkie 19-46-3, 323 yards. Shawnee Heights: Scott 13-21 1, 157. Haverkamp 2-2-0 32 yards.
Receiving – Topeka West: Munganga 9-125, Emerson 1-11, Webb 2-9, Lindsay 4-155, Lassiter 2-20, Davis 1-3. Shawnee Heights: Owens 8-60, Wakes 1-41, Kamanda 2-37, Williams 2-10, League 1-25, Blackwell 1-30.
Punting – Topeka West: Emerson 2-28.5.
