Category: Bonner Springs

Braves survive rough start, win 41-21

Senior running back Keyon Thomas (3) tried to slip the grasp of an Ottawa defender. Thomas scored two touchdowns, grabbed an interception, and was named homecoming king. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs Braves overcame a rocky first quarter, coming from two touchdowns behind to overtake the Ottawa Cyclones for a 41-21 victory on the Braves’ homecoming night.

A large, loud, orange-clad crowd filled David Jaynes Stadium, but they were quickly hushed when the Braves’ first two possessions ended in interceptions. Ottawa used the short field to run up two scores, leaving the Braves 14 points down.

Bonner quarterback Noah Villareal steadied the offense in the second quarter, and his pass selection became more controlled, choosing swing passes and sideline routes instead of throwing over the middle. The Braves offensive line also loosened up the running lanes to get backs Keyon Thomas and Bryce Krone consistent yardage.

Villareal connected with Ethan Byers in the corner of the end zone for the Braves first score with 9 minutes left in the second quarter. After a defensive stop, the Braves scored again, with Keyon Thomas running in a toss from Villareal, to make the score 14-12.

With less than a minute left in the half, receiver A.J. Watson took a pitch 61 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion put the Braves ahead 20-14.

The Braves played prevent defense to run out the half, but Ottawa still retook the lead on a controversial play. Cornerback Nasjon Porter intercepted a last-second Ottawa pass, but he was stripped of the ball, which Ottawa ran in for a touchdown, giving them a 21-20 halftime advantage. The Braves’ sideline insisted the pass was incomplete to no avail.

Bonner’s defensive line clamped down in the second half, getting several tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Braves also upped the pressure on the return game, trying multiple times for an onside kick, and recovering one midway through the third quarter.

Ethan Byers pulled in his second touchdown early in the third quarter to pull the Braves back in front for good.

Keyon Thomas scored on a 59-yard pass play with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Bryce Krone followed up an 18-yard run with a 2-yard touchdown carry to top off the scoring. Late interceptions from Keyon Thomas and Noah Villareal kept the Cyclones’ offense from mounting a late challenge.

The victory takes Bonner Springs’ Frontier League record to 2-4. They play at Baldwin next Friday evening at 7 p.m.

Junior running back Bryce Krone turned the corner for a big gain. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior quarterback Noah Villareal fired a touchdown pass to Byers in the corner of the end zone. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior wide receiver Ethan Byers (14) pulled down the first of his two touchdown receptions. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Keyon Thomas was named homecoming king and embraced last year’s king Alonzo Hokes. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleaders performed in front of the large homecoming crowd. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior defensive end Dominick Jennings (9) narrowly missed a sack when Ottawa quarterback Elias White (5) managed to throw the ball away. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior offensive lineman William Johnson (75) set up protection for the quarterback. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior kicker Sydni Bolewski (25) kicked an extra point in the second half. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs head coach Chad Eaddy ran onto the field with his team before the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs High School marching band performed after the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
The drill team and band performed on the field after the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Senior receiver A.J. Watson (1) cut back against the Ottawa defense. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

Saturday events

Edwardsville plans Autumnfest celebration
Edwardsville plans Autumnfest on Saturday, Sept. 22, near the Community Center located at 696 S. 3rd St., Edwardsville, Kansas. On the schedule for Saturday are a craft fair beginning at 10 a.m., performance by Edwardsville Elementary Choir at 11 a.m., free face painting at noon, free kids bounce house and game village at noon, food truck vendors at noon, mouse races at 1 p.m., free balloon artist at 2 pm., performance by Premiere Dance Studios at 3 p.m., performance by Mike Wheeler Band at 4 p.m., beer garden at 5 p.m., Saturday night concert featuring Matfield Green, the Dirt Bourbon Band and Canaan Cox at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.edwautumnfest.com/.

Renaissance Festival continues
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival continues on weekends through Oct. 14 at the festival grounds at 130th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. The festival is a celebration of medieval life, with such activities as jousting, contests, a royal parade, music, entertainment and food. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $22.95 per adult, $13.95 for children 5-12, $20.25 for seniors and students, and free for children 4 and younger. Discounts are available for advance tickets and group rates are available. It is open on weekends only. For more information, visit http://www.kcrenfest.com/ or call 913-721-2110.

Art program planned Saturday
An hour of drawing and coloring is planned from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the West Wyandotte Library craft room, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. The program for children and teens will include the materials for coloring pages and mandalas.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated at South Library
The South Branch Library, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, is sponsoring a Hispanic Heritage Month program from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, with food and information about cultural heritage. For more information, visit https://kckpl.librarymarket.com/hispanic-heritage-celebration.

Storytelling around the campfire planned Saturday at Grinter Place
An evening of storytelling around a campfire is planned at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Grinter Place, 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The event will feature a historical character portrayal of Wilbur Wright, aviation pioneer, by Bill Nicks, the site director of Grinter House. Pat Spencer of the Grinter Place Friends said the group will furnish hot dogs, and those who attend may roast hot dogs and make s’mores. The storytelling event is free to the public. Those attending may bring their own lawn chairs. After the storytelling event, the public may tour Grinter House, the oldest home in Wyandotte County, and the admission charge is $6 for adults and $3 for students. The next event for Grinter Place will be the Autumn Art event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6, Spencer said. For more information, call 913-334-2500 or visit https://www.facebook.com/Grinter-Place-Friends-Inc-560554977327335/.

10th annual Slovenefest to be Saturday at Holy Family
Holy Family Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold its 10th annual Slovenefest on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the school grounds and at Monsignor Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kansas. The event begins after the 4 p.m. Mass at the church, 274 Orchard St.,, Kansas City, Kansas. Hours of the festival are 5 to 10 p.m. Activities include a Slovenian dinner, food and entertainment, with booths, a silent auction and music by Hrvatski Obicaj and the Brian McCarty Band. Food will include stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers, sausage, potica and strudel, The money raised will support Holy Family Catholic Church.

Church plans ice cream social Saturday
St. Patrick Catholic parish, 1086 N. 94th St., is sponsoring an ice cream social at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. The social starts at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. There will be a Mexican dinner, Burmese Chin dinner, burgers, hot dogs, bingo, children’s games, music and other activities.

Two dead in fatal accident on K-32

Two persons died in an accident at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the 11500 block of K-32 Highway in Bonner Springs.

The victims were identified as Anthony Eisele, 34, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Amy Toth, 29, also of Kansas City, Kansas, according to police.

In the single-vehicle accident, a vehicle struck a tree and caught on fire, according to a news release from the Bonner Springs police.

Witnesses told officers they saw a black vehicle traveling westbound on K-32 highway that veered off the roadway and struck a tree. No other vehicles were involved.

Officers arrived and were able to put out the vehicle fire, the spokesman stated. With the assistance of the Edwardsville Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol, officers began investigating the crash.

They determined the occupants of the vehicle were deceased prior to the arrival of the officers.

Further investigation is now underway, according to a spokesman.