By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
In the previous three meetings between Topeka High and Washburn Rural, the Trojans won all three games and outscored Rural, 164-73.
Before Friday the last time the two collided was in 2019, with Topeka High defeating the Junior Blues, 42-28.
Friday was a different a story from years past, however, as Rural thwacked the Trojans, 42-13.
Washburn Rural’s special teams set the tone early that carried them to success for the entire four quarters.
Senior Austin Fager forced three blocked punts on the night, sigh two of his blocked punts resulting in Rural touchdowns and the other block going for a safety.
“We realized the center had his head down the whole time, so we had to shoot the left gap since they were blocking heavier on the right side,'' Fager said. "It was wide open the whole time.”
Austin Fager
The defense played a crucial part in the decisive victory for Washburn Rural, with just two of the Junior Blues' touchdowns coming on offense
Coach Steve Buhler said he was “proud of the staff and the defense for having an excellent week of practice.” “Coach Smith and the defensive coaches did a really good job prepping the defense. There wasn’t anything new from Topeka that we didn’t see on tape. What benefited us was that our guys were playing really hard and really fast all night long.”
Washburn Rural and Topeka High go through the handshake line after Friday's 42-13 Rural win at Bowen-Glaze Stadium. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Blues running back Ma’kenttis Adams broke off a 31-yard rushing touchdown at the 4:26 mark of the second quarter to give Rural its first offensive touchdown, putting the Junior Blues up, 22-7. Rural's other offensive touchdown came on a dart from Aiden Boleski to Adrian Tibbetts for a 13-yard touchdown at the furthest left corner of the end zone.
Topeka High put together some solid drives over the course of the game, but incurred penalties in crucial situations.
The Trojans accumulated nine penalties and gave the Blues 79 free yards.
Leading the charge for the Trojan offense was senior running back Tylan Alejos, who had 25 carries for 140 yards and both Topeka High touchdowns.
Washburn Rural (2-0, 2-0) will travel to Pittsburg for a non-league game next Friday while Topeka High (0-2, 0-2) will host Emporia next Thursday at Hummer Sports Park.
WASHBURN RURAL 42, TOPEKA HIGH 13
Washburn Rural (2-0, 2-0) 7 21 4 10 -- 42
Topeka High (0-2, 0-2) 0 7 0 6 -- 13
First quarter
Washburn Rural -- MacEwan blocked punt recovery from Fager (Frederickson kick)
Second quarter
Washburn Rural -- Bettis 20 fumble recovery (Frederickson kick)
Topeka High -- Alejos 4 run (Thomas kick)
Washburn Rural -- Adams 31 run (Bolin 2-point conversion)
Washburn Rural -- Fager 26 fumble return (kick failed)
Third quarter
Washburn Rural -- Safety
Washburn Rural -- Safety
Fourth quarter
Washburn Rural -- Frederickson 35 FG
Washburn Rural -- Tibbetts 13 pass from Boleski (Frederickson kick)
Topeka High -- Alejos 1 rush (kick failed)
Individual statistics
Rushing -- Topeka High: Aleijos 25-140, Wheat 12-13, Brown 6-37, Washburn Rural: Adams 12-44, DeWeese 4-7, Heim 5-(minus)-3, Keller 2-6, Boleski 1-3, Williams 1-(minus)-1.
Passing -- Topeka High: Wheat 3-7, 32 yards. Washburn Rural: DeWeese 14-24, 159; Boleski 2-3, 32.
Receiving -- Topeka High: Alejos 1-18, Williams 1-8, Kincade 1-6. Washburn Rural: Tibbets 5-44, Hanks 3-30, Sabbarini 2-36, Smoot 2-30, Bolin 1-21, Hayes 1-10, Adams 1-9, Heim 1-6, Carcamo 1-4.
