Hillsboro hammers Haven by 35

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 13 September 2007 05:10

HHSfbYoderP9070003.jpg Click to buy photo Jacob Yoder breaks the grasp of a would-be Haven tackler during Fridat’s game. The senior halfback compiled 94 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns in the 48-13 win. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press

A three-touchdown explosion in the second quarter turned a potential repeat into a rout as Hillsboro rolled to a 48-13 win at Haven on Friday.

The Trojans actually trailed 7-6 after the first quarter in a game that was following an eerily similar storyline to last week’s overtime loss at Nicker­son.

As then, Hillsboro scored easily and quickly in the opening minutes. Jacob Yoder, who returned Haven’s punt to the Wildcat 20-yard line after a three-and-out on the opening possession, raced in two...

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McMillen second, HHS boys CC 4th at Wamego meet

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 13 September 2007 04:54

The Hillsboro boys placed fourth as a team at a tough cross-country meet Saturday in Wamego.

Competing against some of the top Class 3A teams on the course that will host the state meet at the end of the season, Hillsboro finished with 134 points to finish behind Wichita Trinity (85), Southeast of Saline (102) and Norton Community (106), and ahead of Pretty Prairie (166), Olpe (182), Silver Lake (186), Kansas City Chris­tian (190) and Allen-Northern Heights (196).

Cody McMillen led the Trojans with a second-place finish in 17 minutes, 52 seconds over the 5-kilometer route. Nicholas Mueller was close behind in fourth with a time of 18:46.

Following them were Nathan Vogel (25th, 19:54), Matthew Klenda (43rd, 20:49), David Ratzloff...

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Marion tips Ellinwood 28-6, now 2-0

Written by Andrew Ottoson Thursday, 13 September 2007 04:51

MHSfbPitchP9072730.jpg Click to buy photo Marion quarterback Mitchell Leppke pitches to Sheldon Boone on Friday. Leppke chalked up 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Warriors rolled to a 28-6 win, their second of the season. Andrew Ottoson / Free Press

With two touchdown runs from both Austin Hager and Mitchell Leppke, the Marion Warriors built an early lead into a 28-6 win at Ellinwood Friday.

Now 2-0, the Warriors have already matched their 2006 win total.

Leppke helped get the Warriors out of the gate in a hurry. On Marion’s first play from scrimmage, he connected with Chase Carlson for a 64-yard gain. Carlson was brought down by a desperation dive at the 2-yard line.

Hager rumbled into the end zone two plays later. The...

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Derrick Ward has come a long way from his days at Ottawa

Written by Andrew Ottoson Thursday, 13 September 2007 03:28

If you stayed up to watch the Cowboys/ Giants game on Sunday night, you probably saw Derrick Ward score on a pass from Eli Manning. That Derrick Ward is the same Derrick Ward who, while playing for Ottawa in 2003, came into Hillsboro averaging 175 rushing yards per game in the KCAC.

He’s the guy who scored four touchdowns against an undefeated Bluejay team that November. He’s the guy who piled up 236 yards on 36 carries.

I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the sight of him impersonating Superman, jumping completely over a stacked-up line of scrimmage to score a touchdown from three yards out.

Saying that he was—and still is—an über-talented football player is probably an understatement.

Anyway, I only mention him here because...

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HHS tennis team 7th at Hesston

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 13 September 2007 03:25

The Hillsboro tennis team capped a challenging week with a seventh-place finish at the eight-team Hesston Invitational on Friday.

Wichita Independent, with three championships in four categories, took first with 50 points. Hesston scored 36, Smoky Valley 30, Claflin 22, Wichita Collegiate 18, Sacred Heart 15, Hillsboro 14 and Andover 12.

“There were some good teams there,” coach Lynn Wiebe said. “Wichita Independent is very strong and Hesston continues to play well.”

The tournament followed a two-pool format, with crossover matches for final placing.

In No. 1 singles, Lauren Just lost in pool play to Sarah Hickel of Claflin (1-8), Caroline Lincoln of Independent (8-0) and Kristin McKee of Andover (1-8).

In the match for...

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