Senior quarterback Blake Porter ran in for a touchdown in Piper’s playoff loss to St. James Academy. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Pirates ended their 2021 season with a 31-7 loss to the St. James Academy Thunder in the sectional round of the 4A KSHSAA football playoffs.
The Pirates trailed by only 3 points in the fourth quarter when the Thunder scored three touchdowns in less than ninety seconds to end Piper’s hopes of advancing. Piper conceded a fumble and then an interception deep in its own end, and both were followed by quick strikes from the St. James offense.
Piper quarterback Blake Porter scored the Pirates’ touchdown in opening moments of the fourth quarter, running the ball in from a half yard out through a gap carved out by lineman Cam Beebe. The score was set up by a 20-yard catch-and-run over the middle from Porter to Colin Vigil.
St. James went ahead 10-0 in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal. The Thunder started at their own 10 and drove the length of the field. They had a first and goal at the Piper 8, but the Piper defense clamped down and limited the damage.
On Piper’s previous drive, a bad snap put the Pirates in a precarious 2nd down and 41 to go. A 50-yard pass from Porter to Divante Herrig-Brittian saved the drive, though it sputtered out deep in Thunder territory.
The Thunder opened the scoring in the closing minutes of the first quarter, with a 1-yard run up the middle by Tyler Claiborne, and St. James held a 7-0 lead at halftime.
The stands on both sides of the field were packed and loud, despite the bitingly cold wind. St. James will move on to play Bishop Miege in the 4A semi-final next Friday. Piper finishes its season with a 7-4 record and the 4A regional championship.
Assistant coach Chris Brindle, left, was recognized on-field before the game. Brindle, who served as head coach from 2010 to 2017, has announced his retirement. Brindle is also credited with starting the school’s power-lifting program. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior lineman Cameron Rogers held his block at the line of scrimmage. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Ethan Walker and Colin Vigil upended a St. James receiver. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore defensive back Zane Pudenz stretched out to prevent a touchdown by St. James receiver John Niesen. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper dance team performed at half time. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior receiver Divante Herrig-Brittian hauled in a 50-yard pass from Porter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Jamar Jarrett ran around the left side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Head coach Rick Pollard talked with senior receiver Ethan Walker after the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore kick returner Jamar Jarrett jumped on a loose ball. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior receiver Ethan Walker cut back on a run up the left side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleaders kept the chilly crowd fired up throughout the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior defensive back Miguel Martin knocked away a pass late in the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior lineman Cam Beebe gathered with his teammates on the field after the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The annual Legendary Tree Lighting ceremony will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at The Legends Outlets. A 45-foot synchronized Christmas tree will be lit. The event is free and open to the public. (File photo from 2018)
Legends Outlets is welcoming another holiday season with its 16th Annual Legendary Tree Lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.
The free tree lighting ceremony is in the Legends civic courtyard fountain area, near the AMC Legends Theaters. The ceremony is centered around a 45-foot Christmas tree.
There will be holiday entertainment and activities, including a live holiday concert, text-to-win prize giveaways, complimentary hot cocoa, and photos with Santa.
This year, the lighting of the tree will take place between 6 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Live music and activities will continue until about 8 p.m.
Upgraded with new lights and the addition of more than 2,000 ornaments, the Christmas tree, which is synchronized to music, will continue to brighten spirits until early January 2022.
Parker 3D, an international holiday design company based in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is the producer of the holiday lighting show.
This year’s official tree lighting emcees are Adriana Davalos and Toni Talley, hosts of Great Day KC on FOX 4 News. They will take center stage at 5 p.m. to kick off the event, introduce musicians throughout the evening, and then lead the ceremonial countdown to the tree lighting. Great Day KC is a new, weekday lifestyle show dedicated to all things Kansas City. It airs from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, on FOX 4 News.
Families can create special memories from the evening as they enjoy free activities throughout the center. Activities include:
Center Courtyard and surrounding area: • Live holiday concert • Face painting • Balloon twisting • Prize wheel • Text-to-win prize giveaways • Complimentary hot cocoa • Giant snow globe photo op
The Lawn: • Holiday movie screening • Fun photo opportunities o Santa’s Sleigh o Giant “I heart Santa” LED Letters • Yard games • Santa Mailbox
Characters including KC Wolf, The Grinch, and more, will be roaming around the center for photo opportunities starting at 5:30 p.m.
Live concert: 5-8 p.m.
Throughout the tree lighting ceremony, local musicians from various bands will perform classic holiday music that the whole family can enjoy. Musicians include:
• Rusty Laffoon • Nick Nave • Jaclyn Bell • Nicole Springer • Miguel
Photos with Santa: 5:15-8 p.m.
Santa will visit Legends Outlets to welcome guests to the 16th Annual Legendary Tree Lighting. After his welcome remarks, Santa will be stationed just west of the center courtyard, between Francesca’s and Converse Factory Store, for family photos. Photos are free, and guests will receive a shareable digital copy and print-out of their photo.
Text-to-win giveaways: 5-7:45 p.m.
Guests can text the word holidaycheer to Legends Outlets’ mobile VIP line at 877-321-2951 for their chance to win various prizes on Saturday, Nov. 13. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7:44 p.m. All prize winners will be notified via text message at 7:45 p.m. with instructions on how to claim their prize. Winners must be present to win and must claim their prizes in-person at the Legends Outlets’ VIP tent by 8:15 p.m. Prizes include a Vera Bradley throw blanket, a $50 Puma gift card, a Chiefs cooler bag stuffed with Beef Jerky goodies, as well as other prizes from various Legends Outlets merchants like Tory Burch, Demdaco, Dave & Buster’s, and more.
Shopping: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Legends Outlets will be open current, normal operating hours on Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., for all-day shopping and savings at its nearly 75 leading designer and favorite brand-name outlet stores. Shoppers can enjoy numerous pre-Black Friday sales and special discounts at various retailers. To view a list of sales and promotions happening at Legends Outlets, visit https://legendsshopping.com/hot-deals/. Individual store hours may vary.
The Downtown KCK Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be Friday, Dec. 3.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, visited the Kansas City, Kansas West Kiwanis Club on Thursday to discuss issues including veterans’ topics. The meeting was held at the Wyandotte County Museum, Bonner Springs. They discussed their gratitude for men and women who have served and their work to ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. They also discuss President Biden’s withdrawal strategy from Afghanistan and the impact it has had on veterans who served in Afghanistan as well as mental health resources that are available for veterans. They also discussed the federal, state and county partnership supporting the completion of the Turner Diagonal interchange and the businesses that have sprung up since its opening a few years ago. Sen. Moran thanked Joe Vaught for inviting him to speak, and also thanked Unified Government Commissioner Jane Philbrook, Sheriff-Elect Dan Soptic and Kiwanis President Sandy McMillian for joining the event. (Submitted photos) U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, center, discussed several issues on Thursday with the Kansas City, Kansas, West Kiwanis Club. The meeting was at the Wyandotte County Museum, Bonner Springs. (Submitted photo)
