WRITER: Shane Jackson

Preps notebook: FSHS volleyball has 'unfinished business' for Class 6A state tournament

All in or all out. That has been the motto of the Free State volleyball team since the first day of summer workouts. It is a slogan that was introduced by head coach Jayme Savage when she took over the program after being the team's assistant coach for nine years. And it has helped define the Firebirds all year en route to their first state berth since 2016. “It is just a way to develop that athlete on the ...

'I was playing for him': Kansas defense steps up following Bryce Torneden's ejection

Kansas senior safety Mike Lee didn’t agree with the call, but there was no looking back after it happened. With 7:21 left in the first quarter, senior Bryce Torneden was ejected for targeting with his helmet while in punt coverage. The officials sent Torneden to the locker room after a lengthy review, ending his night early. Torneden could only watch, as Kansas eventually claimed a 37-34 win on a last-second ...

Area football roundup: Tonganoxie finishes off undefeated regular season with 62-7 win

Tonganoxie’s football team capped off an undefeated season Friday night with a 62-7 thrashing of Ottawa at THS. The Chieftains (8-0) scored 35 points in the first quarter alone and never looked back. Cooper Cunningham led the way with 159 yards and five scores on 13 attempts. Blake Poje went 5-for-10 for 105 yards and one score through the air. Dallas Bond caught three balls for 92 yards. Tonganoxie allowed ...

Preps notebook: FSHS gymnastics nets 3rd at state meet; LHS individual claims 5th in all-around

Free State’s gymnastics team came home with some hardware to finish off the 2019 season. The Firebirds placed third at the state gymnastics meet Saturday afternoon at Olathe South after entering the meet in second place. FSHS finished finished inside the top three in all but one meet this year, which was a fifth-place finish at the Sunflower League Invitational. Junior Talia Gay, who was limited due to a ...

Shane Jackson: KU’s depleted defense records crucial stops in 37-34 win over Red Raiders

An already shorthanded Kansas defense lost an integral player within nine minutes Saturday night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. After a lengthy review, senior Bryce Torneden was called for targeting with the helmet after making a play in punt coverage. He was ultimately ejected at the 7:21 mark in the opening period. In the end, though, KU’s defense made enough plays when it mattered most en route ...

City gymnastics teams pushing through injuries ahead of state meet

Regardless of what happens this weekend, head coach Katrina Farrow wants both her teams to be proud of what they accomplished in 2019. Entering the state gymnastics meet, which will be held at Olathe South on Saturday, Free State is ranked second in the team standings. Lawrence High, meanwhile, is listed eighth out of as many teams. The meet also features the top-five individuals of each event who did not ...