Camden Beebe, junior lineman at Piper High School. Beebe is one of ten semi-finalists for the 2021 Bobby Bell Award for outstanding linebackers and linemen. (File photo)
by Brian Turrel
Camden Beebe, a junior offensive and defensive lineman at Piper High School, and Daniel Brown, a senior linebacker at Bishop Ward High School, have been announced as top 10 semi-finalists for the 2021 Bobby Bell Award.
The award, named after the 12-year Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, is presented annually to the Kansas City area’s most outstanding lineman or linebacker as part of the Thomas A. Simone awards.
Semi-finalists were chosen by the Simone award committee, and Kansas City area coaches will vote for the winner. Top four finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 28, and the winner will be announced on Nov. 30.
Daniel Brown, senior linebacker at Bishop Ward High School. Brown is a semi-finalist for the Bobby Bell Award. (File photo)
The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. The team finished fifth in Class 5A. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Piper and Bonner Springs high schools competed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday class 5A cheer competition on Saturday in Topeka. The event is the state-level competition for cheerleading.
Teams competed in preliminary rounds performing a fight song, band chant and crowd cheer. The top six teams after preliminaries advanced to the finals where they performed a game situation cheer and an open routine.
After preliminaries, Piper sat in fifth place, and made it through to the final round, while Bonner Springs was in ninth place.
Piper also finished fifth in the final round and the squad received medals for its performance. Blue Valley Southwest was the winner in Class 5A.
Piper’s dance team finished third in the dance competition held on Friday.
With football season complete, the Bonner Springs and Piper cheerleading squads are preparing for basketball season starting in the first week of December.
The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Piper cheerleading team received its fifth place medals. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)Head coach Morgan Kolenda and the team reacted with joy when they were announced as finalists. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
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)
