Month: November 2022

Sabres fail to slay Dragons, finish season 7-3

Senior lineman Nathan Rios blocked and recovered a punt in the third quarter of Sumner Academy’s 28-0 loss to Pittsburg in the 5A KSHSAA playoffs. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Sumner Academy Sabres concluded the 2022 season with a 28-0 5A regional playoff loss to the Pittsburg Dragons. A bone-chilling rain soaked players and fans, with a gusty wind and temperatures at 40 degrees and under at game time.

The Dragons dominated from the opening drive, marching confidently down the field with big gains from running back Wyatt Rink for an early touchdown.

Sabres speedy running back Antonio Harrison, averaging over 200 yards per game coming into the contest, was stymied by the Pittsburg defense, which clogged the middle and prevented Sumner’s offensive line from sealing the edge. Harrison was more often than not met in the backfield by Dragons’ defenders.

The visitors repeated their drive twice more in the first half, opening up a 20-0 lead, but Sumner’s defense denied a fourth score at the end of the second quarter, making tackles for short yardage and running out the clock.

Sumner got a great punt to back Pittsburg up on its second half opening drive, and a bad snap and defensive stop forced the Dragons to punt.

Sabres senior Nathan Rios made the play of the game on the Dragons’ fourth down, busting through the line to block the punt. Rios recovered the loose ball on the Pittsburg 9-yard line to set up Sumner’s best scoring chance of the game, but the offense was not able to convert the opportunity to points.

Pittsburg scored again in the fourth quarter, with a two-point conversion to give a 28-0 final margin.

Sumner Academy finishes the season with a 7-3 record. The Sabres finished third in the Meadowlark League at 4-2, behind Atchison (6-0) and Highland Park (5-1).

In the 4A playoffs, the Piper Pirates beat previously undefeated Chanute 48-47 in a double overtime thriller. The Pirates were down by 14 with five minutes left in regulation, but a perfectly executed onside kick from Zane Busick gave his team the opportunity for a late comeback.

The Pirates, now 7-3, are scheduled to play the sectional championship game at Bishop Miege next Friday.

In the 3A playoffs, Bishop Ward was blanked 56-0 on the road by the Holton Wildcats. The Cyclones finish the season at 7-3.

Senior running back Antonio Harrison carried the ball. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior tight end Javeare Akande made a block to open a hole for junior running back Deavon McWashington. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior quarterback Camron Johnson was caught in the backfield. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Sumner offensive line set up for a snap. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Marco Contreras broke a tackle and made good yardage on a kick return. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Sumner cheerleaders did their best to stay dry in the soaking rain. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

BPU exec’s salary boosted, contract extended

Bill Johnson, Board of Public Utilities’ general manager, will be receiving a two-year contract extension and a raise.

The BPU board voted 4-2 to approve the contract extension Wednesday.

It will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

David Haley, a board member, said Johnson currently is thought to be the highest paid public employee in Wyandotte County, at upwards of $300,000 a year currently plus perks, with the raise around $35,000. The original proposed raise was 8 percent, with some board members advocating 5 percent.

Jeff Bryant, board member, at the meeting moved to extend the general manager’s contract for two years, effective Jan. 1, 2023. The vote was 4-2 with David Haley and Rose Mulvany Henry voting no.

The board did not discuss the issue in open session, but went into a closed executive session to discuss it before voting in open session Wednesday.

Haley explained his vote after the meeting by saying the amount of the increase approaches what the average Wyandotte County resident makes in a year. He said he hears from customers who say their utility bills are too high.

While he values Johnson’s work, Haley said it was not a good financial fit for the BPU.

Johnson has been with the utility 43 years. He became general manager in April 2019. He was manager of electric operations and technology prior to becoming general manager. In September, Johnson was named to Ingram’s Magazine list of the 250 most powerful business leaders in the Greater Kansas City area.