Bishop Ward junior running back Jayvion Braden scored a touchdown in the third quarter of Bishop Ward’s 35-0 win over Turner. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Bishop Ward Cyclones are off to a hot start in 2022, beginning the season with a 3-1 record, including their latest win Friday over the Turner Golden Bears at the Turner District Athletic Complex. The Cyclones turned a 9-0 halftime advantage into a 35-0 triumph with a strong second half.
Five different Cyclones found the end zone. Brice Johnson Jr. scored a rushing touchdown in the first half to get Bishop Ward on the board, and kicker Juan Delgado Medina converted a 33-yard field goal just before the half to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 9-0.
In the second half, Jayvion Braden, Roderick Strong and Jashaun Holliday scored on the ground, and Jalen Pickens caught a touchdown pass from Holliday.
The Golden Bears offense struggled to get going, but defense kept them in game in the early stages, forcing two fumbles in the first half.
Defensive back Erickson George made a third-quarter interception and stripped the quarterback for a fumble. Defensive end Xavier Ramirez had a first-quarter sack and a second-quarter fumble recovery.
The Cyclones and Golden Bears have a long history. This is the 35th meeting of the teams, dating back to 1956. Turner has dominated the series recently, winning nine of the previous 10 contests, but Bishop Ward leads overall, now with 19 wins against Turner.
Bishop Ward now heads into four straight 3A district matches that will determine its playoff destiny. The next game is at home against Wellsville next Friday, kicking off at 7 p.m.
Turner is 0-4 for the season. The Golden Bears will play at Piper High School next Friday.
Bishop Ward senior receiver Jalen Pickens snared a pass in the end zone. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward senior Brice Johnson Jr. leaped a couple of would-be tacklers. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The Turner Goldenetts dance team performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The Turner marching band performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward senior running back Brice Johnson Jr. dived into the end zone in the first quarter. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward junior quarterback Jashaun Holliday threw down field. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)The Bishop Ward defense closed on Turner sophomore running back Kaden Roebuck. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Participants in Turner Cheer’s Li’l Leaders clinic performed on the field during the game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Bishop Ward junior quarterback Jashaun Holliday got loose for a long run. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior quarterback Xavier Wimer launched a throw down field. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Turner senior running back Donovan Moore slipped a tackle in the backfield. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Turner junior Diego Castillo returned a kickoff in the second half. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)Nearly a reception and then an interception, as Bishop Ward junior Dinero Jones and Turner junior Diego Castillo dived for the ball. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)With the help of his friends, Juan was able to secure a homecoming date with Angie. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs senior quarterback Kahliek Rainey tried to stiff-arm his way past Washington senior Amarion Womack. Rainey had one running and one passing touchdown in the 31-12 win by the Braves. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Bonner Springs Braves overcame early turnovers to earn a 31-12 win over the Washington Wildcats in Bonner Springs on Friday. The win is the first in head coach Byron Mays’s tenure with the team and moves Bonner to 1-2 on the season.
The Wildcats scored first, taking advantage of a short field and scoring on a strike from Ja’Quarey Williams to Jeremiah Miller for a 6-0 lead. The Wildcats got an interception and drove down to the Bonner Springs 15-yard line on their next possession but weren’t able to convert the opportunity.
The Braves moved into the second quarter with a 6-0 deficit, but quickly got back on top with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kahliek Rainey to Dainan Whetstone. Whetstone was nearly tackled at the 5-yard line but with a second and third effort willed himself into the end zone.
Desmon Williams ran in the 2-point conversion for an 8-6 Bonner Springs lead.
The Braves got into an offensive rhythm, running Peyton Parks behind the left side of the offensive line for consistent gains and first downs. The Braves finished the drive on a 1-yard quarterback sweep from Rainey.
Rainey connected with Bryce Wendt on the 2-point conversion for a 16-6 advantage.
Kicker Hayden Hernandez set the Braves on a short field with a well-executed on-side kick on the ensuing kickoff. Parks gave the Braves a three-score lead on a 2-yard scoring run, set up by a long run from Rainey. The Braves converted the 2-point conversion for a 24-6 lead that they held to the half.
The third quarter saw the teams battle for position, with neither getting the upper hand.
In the fourth quarter, Washington took advantage of a short punt to start on the Bonner Springs 44-yard line. A few plays later, a 20-yard pass to Amarion Womack set up a 5-yard touchdown run by JohVonte’ Ross.
Bonner Springs hit back with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Starting at the Washington 45-yard line after a penalty, Rainey hit Wyatt Caldwell for a 30-yard gain, followed by a 6-yard touchdown run from Parks. Hernandez converted the extra point attempt for the final 31-12 score.
The end of the game was marred by an injury to Washington’s Chaddrick Jones, who was hit under the chin on the final touchdown play. Jones was tended by paramedics, and the teams and spectators spent several anxious and helpless minutes before Jones was transported by ambulance for treatment.
The game resumed, and finished uneventfully.
Bonner Springs is now 1-2 for the season. The Braves play a Frontier League game at Louisburg next Friday evening. After the loss, Washington is also 1-2. The Wildcats play Wamego at home on Friday.
Washington junior receiver Amarion Womack hauled in a 20-yard pass, as Bonner Springs senior defensive back Mason Freese closed in. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs sophomore lineman Drake DeLeon blocked on a run by senior running back Peyton Parks. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs Dazzlers dance group performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs head coach Byron Mays warmed up the team before the start of the second half. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Washington junior quarterback Ja’Quarey Williams got some sideline instruction from Washington head coach Camron Smith. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs defensive back Desmon Williams defended a pass to Washington junior receiver Amarion Womack. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Washington senior receiver Jermiah Miller leaped to bring down a pass then turned and ran for a touchdown. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Washington senior Chaddrick Jones slipped a tackle from Bonner Springs senior linebacker Brenden Graham. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Bonner Springs sophomore defensive back Desmon Williams grabbed an interception in the first half. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleaders performed during a break in the action (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
The Washington cheerleaders led the visiting fans in the Wildcat Rumble. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Senior kicker Hayden Hernandez was all smiles as he came off the field after the Braves covered an on-sides kick. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
Junior quarterback Ja’Quarey Williams threw down field as senior lineman Dmytro Maslak closed in. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs marching band performed at halftime. Sophomore lineman Maddox Clary did double duty as drum major. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
The Kansas State Board of Education voted in favor of the KSHSAA classification proposal on Wednesday with a 6-4 vote. The favorable vote moves the proposal to the Kansas State Legislature for consideration.
A process that began in 2019 with an independent survey given to member schools showed that a multiplying factor for private schools was the most desirable factor regarding a change in classification, according to a news release from the KSHSAA. With that direction, a classification work group was constructed of representatives from both public and private schools tasked to develop a proposal centered on the directive.
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year the proposal was discussed and deliberated among member schools at various meetings, including regional administrative meetings, governing board meetings and special meetings with other stakeholders.
During the April KSHSAA Board of Directors meeting in 2022, the members voted in favor. 43-21 to move the proposal on to a whole member school vote eventually passing the proposal to the Kansas State Board of Education for their consideration.
With the proposal passing the Kansas Board of Education, the KSHSAA will work with state lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session to amend Kansas Statute, K.S.A. 2014 SUPP. 72-711, according to the proposal.
