All Emporia needed to do to clinch their district championship was go up against a struggling Valley Center team. A team who was already eliminated from playoff contention with losses against Andover and Newton.
Emporia shutout the Hornets 34-0 to win the 5A District No. 5 title for the third straight year.
The Spartans came out striking as Braxton Marstall connected to J.L. Savage for the first of three touchdowns scored by Savage in the game, this one a 37-yard pass. After a Hornet turnover the Spartans turned it into six more points when Marstall connected with Jerel Morrow for a 55-yard pass.
After Dylan Jackson, the leading rusher for the Spartans got injured in the game; Cody Swanson answered the call with a 3 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 in favor of the Spartans.
Savage got his second touchdown of the night on a 25-yard pass from Marstall. Marstall again connected to Savage for the score from 28 yards.
Valley Center got as close as the Emporia 20-yard line, but could not convert.
Coach Dustin Delaney said he’s really proud of his team.
“We threw the ball well, they took away our running game,” Delaney said.
“Coach called my number and I capitalized on plays,” Savage said.
Indvidually for Emporia Swanson was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. Marstall was 14 of 19 for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Savage was the leading receiver with seven catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns
For Emporia, a district title is in the books, now it is time for a run for a 5A State Championship.
Emporia (8-1) will be the 3 seed in the 5A West Bracket and will host Andover Central (3-5), the runner-up in 5A District No. 6. This will be a rematch from last season’s opening round of the 5A State Playoffs.
“Every opponent from here on out it’s going to be tough,” Marstall said. “It’s win or go home.”
Emporia shutout the Hornets 34-0 to win the 5A District No. 5 title for the third straight year.
The Spartans came out striking as Braxton Marstall connected to J.L. Savage for the first of three touchdowns scored by Savage in the game, this one a 37-yard pass. After a Hornet turnover the Spartans turned it into six more points when Marstall connected with Jerel Morrow for a 55-yard pass.
After Dylan Jackson, the leading rusher for the Spartans got injured in the game; Cody Swanson answered the call with a 3 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 in favor of the Spartans.
Savage got his second touchdown of the night on a 25-yard pass from Marstall. Marstall again connected to Savage for the score from 28 yards.
Valley Center got as close as the Emporia 20-yard line, but could not convert.
Coach Dustin Delaney said he’s really proud of his team.
“We threw the ball well, they took away our running game,” Delaney said.
“Coach called my number and I capitalized on plays,” Savage said.
Indvidually for Emporia Swanson was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. Marstall was 14 of 19 for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Savage was the leading receiver with seven catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns
For Emporia, a district title is in the books, now it is time for a run for a 5A State Championship.
Emporia (8-1) will be the 3 seed in the 5A West Bracket and will host Andover Central (3-5), the runner-up in 5A District No. 6. This will be a rematch from last season’s opening round of the 5A State Playoffs.
“Every opponent from here on out it’s going to be tough,” Marstall said. “It’s win or go home.”
