A COVID-19 outbreak has been traced to the Piper High School homecoming dance on Sept. 18, according to the Unified Government Health Department.
The Health Department stated today on social media that anyone who attended the dance should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible and monitor for symptoms. If they develop any symptoms, they should stay home, according to the Health Department.
COVID symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of taste and smell, according to the Health Department. Symptoms may be mild, and even if the symptoms are mild, individuals should stay home and get tested, according to the Health Department.
In a letter to Piper school officials, Juliann van Liew, Health Department director, stated that anyone at the dance should be tested before being allowed to return to school.
A number of Piper High students attended classes while infectious with COVID following the homecoming dance, according to the Health Department letter.
The Health Department recommended that Piper High students and staff continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID and get promptly tested if symptoms develop, according to the letter.
Any students or staff identified as contacts within the classroom setting by the school nurse should get tested five to seven days after exposure and quarantine, according to the Health Department.
The Health Department also recommended that the district have COVID testing readily available to offer students and staff. The KDHE’s statewide testing plan is available to all school districts free.
Junior quarterback Logan Ladish, right, handed off to sophomore Jamar ReAir Jarrett before he ran the ball through Leavenworth’s defense. Leavenworth won the game 25-23. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
by Lexi Miles
After coming off a close last-play win last week, Piper was left with a familiar feeling at the end of the game, rushing to top its opponent. Piper fell to Leavenworth 25-23 on homecoming night. Piper held its homecoming parade and crowning prior to the game.
In the first quarter, Piper was quick to start as they scored the first points of the night by senior Logan Ladish. Blake Porter scored the extra points, putting Piper up 8-0 with nearly 11 minutes to go in the first quarter.
The second quarter started with the same score until Leavenworth scored a touchdown with a minute until half, and scored the extra points. This made the score 8-8 at half.
Midway through the third quarter, Leavenworth started the half first after it ran 3 yards to score a touchdown and the 2-point conversion. Piper responded with a 9-yard touchdown throw, tying 16-16 at the end of the quarter with the extra points scored.
Leavenworth then threw another touchdown, but failed to score the two points. Piper quickly followed after inching closer to the end zone. Piper made the kick, leading 23-22 with 4 minutes left in the game.
On fourth down, Leavenworth scored a 37-yard field goal with a minute left in the game. The score was 25-23 with Piper being in a familiar area again with a minute left to go.
After several plays, Piper couldn’t complete another last-minute win. Leavenworth won 25-23, making it Piper’s first loss of the season.
Piper will be on the road at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, against Louisburg.
Seniors Adam Novak and Abby Cahill celebrated as Cahill was announced homecoming queen. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
The Piper student section cheered as it threw purple powder before kickoff. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Senior Jaylon Pride cut back on a Leavenworth defender in the fourth quarter before he ran down the field. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Junior Cameron Rogers blocked Leavenworth’s defense as Logan Ladish looked down the field for a pass. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Logan Ladish looked for a pass in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Junior Logan Ladish punted the ball after Piper was unable to make a first down. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Sophomore Lamar Lynch celebrated after he sacked Leavenworth’s quarterback. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
Junior Colin Vigil and senior Dominique Herrig-Brittian celebrated with senior Ethan Walker, right, after he scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
by Lexi Miles
“Adversity” was the theme of the week as Piper headed into a game Friday against Eudora, which had knocked them out of playoffs the previous year. Redemption was on the mind of several players.
The Pirates won a nerve-racking final second 26-23 win against Eudora. The “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere was finally back as the stands were packed with students, band, parents, cheerleaders and dancers in Piper High School Stadium after almost two years.
Eudora scored first after tackling Piper’s quarterback for a safety in the second quarter, followed by a 35-yard touchdown throw making the score 9-0 at the half.
After halftime, Piper turned around to score a 20-yard touchdown run by junior running back Miguel Martin. Junior Logan Ladish then threw the two-point conversion to senior Blake Porter, making the score 9-8 early in the second half.
At the end of the third quarter, Eudora scored another touchdown to go into the fourth quarter up 16-8. Frustration arose among the Pirates, and play went back and forth until a little over midway through the fourth quarter.
Ladish threw an amazing 35-yard throw to senior Divante Herrig-Brittian who reached for the ball for the touchdown, but the Pirates couldn’t capitalize on the two-point conversion.
Ladish then followed minutes later with another throw to Herrig-Brittian, and also scored the two-point conversion. The score was 20-16 with 5:29 left in the game.
As the clock ran down, Eudora scored, and played it safe to make the extra point. With 53 seconds left in the game, Eudora was up 23-20.
The clock was ticking, it was fourth and long. The Pirates went for it and were successful as Ladish ran for the first down. With 4 seconds left with the ball in the hands of Ladish, he threw a 53-yard throw to senior Ethan Walker, scoring. The Pirates won the game 26-23.
Excitement was around as the team stormed the corner of the endzone where Walker was. After the game, head coach Rick Pollard expressed his excitement knowing the team would only get better with plenty of time until playoffs in November.
Piper will face off against Leavenworth on Friday, Sept. 17, for its homecoming game.
Piper cheerleaders celebrated after senior Ethan Walker’s game-winning touchdown. Piper beat Eudora 26-23. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Piper defensive players celebrated after a fumble recovery. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Junior quarterback Logan Ladish tried to gain some extra yards with the help of senior lineman Chris Craig. Ladish threw for two touchdowns during the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Senior Jaylon Pride ran the ball to the outside in the first quarter against Eudora. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Juniors Miguel Martin, front, and Logan Ladish celebrated after Martin scored a touchdown. The touchdown made the score 9-6, followed by a completed 2-point conversion. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)In the third quarter, Jaylon Pride ran the ball as a Eudora defender attempted to tackle. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Senior Kieran Kirwan cheered on the Pirates in the fourth quarter as they were down 23-20 against Eudora. The game was Piper’s first home game in almost two years. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)Junior Camden Beebe (70) lined up for defense against Eudora’s offense. Beebe is a prospect for Kansas State University. (Photo copyright 2021 by Lexi Miles)
