by Brian Turrel
The Sumner Academy Sabres kicked off the 2022 football season with a 21-0 win over the Washington Wildcats. Fans packed the stands on a balmy evening at Schlagle Stadium, making a festive atmosphere.
The Sabres’ strong running attack was led by senior Antonio Harrison, who scored all three touchdowns in the game. Harrison ran for 208 yards in the game on 29 carries.
Sumner got on the board in the first quarter. Backed up beyond midfield by a penalty, the Sabres sprung Harrison free around the right end, and he outpaced the secondary in a race to the end zone.
Washington nearly evened the score in the second quarter, converting a fourth-and-five with a fake punt, but a fumble on the play handed the ball back to the Sabres on their own 13-yard line.
The Sabres added on to their 7-0 halftime lead midway through the third quarter. Sumner kept a long drive going with passes from quarterback Camron Johnson to Howard Peoples and Javeare’ Akanda.
With the ball at the Washington 14-yard line, Harrison broke through the middle of the Wildcats’ defensive line for a touchdown.
The Sabres scored again on their following drive, with Harrison plowing through on a short run set up by an Akande reception.
Washington ran the ensuing kickoff back to the end zone, but a downfield penalty cost them the touchdown, and a fumble on the following play ended the opportunity.
Johnson was 9-for-17 for a total of 98 passing yards, connecting best on mid-range passes to the boundaries. Marco Contreras converted all three extra point opportunities, but was short on a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Sumner and Washington are now playing in the Meadowlark Conference, a rebranded version of the Kansas City – Atchison League with the addition of Topeka’s Highland Park High School.
