I had a few different thoughts for this week’s On The Dotte and didn’t want to let some top stories go by.
This week we named Jaylin Richardson of Turner our SHUKC player of the week and for good reason. Richardson carried the ball 20 times for 240 yards, 3 TD’s and caught two passes for 69 yards and another TD. All-purpose yards of 332 and 4 TD’s is certainly a worthy stat line for the recognition.
I have found that athletes that successfully cross a line to another sport and dominate are the ones to keep an eye on. Jaylin who also made All SHUKC honors as a freshman in basketball is now making hay on the football field. I saw him late last year in a game against Piper. In transition he drove the lane and went up and dunked the ball. It caught me off guard because it was unexpected but this young man has a load of potential and athleticism. Turner faithful is likely thinking back to the day of SHUKC Offensive POY Paul Berry.
Ivan Webb was at it again last week with 35 carries 231 yards and 3 TD’s. Webb has a dominant stat line after two games with 66 carries 579 yards and 5 TD’s to be among Kansas state leaders in rushing. The healthy 8.8 yards per carry shows the home run hitter that he is out of the Stallion back field. He will face league rival Atchison this week with a chance to make a statement at home. The Redmen have won three straight league titles and are determined to make it four. This game is vital in the league race and one to follow Friday night.
Speaking of Atchison how about their performance Friday night against Sumner Academy. Another athlete who has made a name for himself on the basketball court has burst onto the scene on the football field. Taye Helms rushed for 205 yards and 3 TD’s against the Sabres. The scary thing for the rest of the KCAL is that his partner Sercey Duncan went for 139 and a pair of TD’s of his own. Schlagle vs Atchison should be a battle of running backs. Perhaps a quick game with both teams working on the ground.
I didn’t say a whole lot about the passing of former Schlagle and Bishop Ward coach Tim Dorian. Any news like this is obviously tough to swallow because of how supportive he was of SHUKC. Schlagle will be honoring Coach Dorian Friday night in their home opener. Classy move by Schlagle.
One last item for this week is my trip to see Tonganoxie dominate Eudora. Al Troyer has not gotten enough credit for the strategy he has used to build winners in a small-town school like Tonganoxie. In 2012 he was loaded with seniors and the following year he went very young. He is doing a hell of a job at grooming kids by playing them young and prepping for a run during a big senior class and that is what he has now. He has about 20 seniors on this squad and most of the play makers have logged a lot of varsity time over their careers. LeeRoi Johnson is tipping the scales at 280+ and scary enough catching the ball and running. He is going to demand double teams all year as he is playing DT for the Chieftains. They have a senior QB and skill players that will challenge in the last year of the KVL.
David Brox covers the KCAL and Kaw Valley League and runs Sports Highlights Unlimited Kansas City. You can see all of his work at www.shukc.com.
