University of Kansas junior and Sumner Academy alum Anthony Johnson will be honored Tuesday for his involvement with the Dean's Scholars Program.

Johnson is one of just a few students involved in the program.

More information, courtesy of a press release:

Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, director of the honors program, will welcome returning and newly selected Dean’s Scholars. Greg Simpson, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will offer remarks on the importance of the program in building diversity within the talent pool available for liberal arts and science faculties.

Established in 1992, the Dean’s Scholars Program is part of the University Honors Program and is geared for academically talented students in the liberal arts and sciences who are interested in pursuing graduate study and who represent groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education.

Dean’s Scholars receive annual $1,000 scholarships, are matched with distinguished faculty mentors and are required to complete special seminars designed to build skills necessary for graduate study. Students are selected as sophomores and juniors and must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Through the first half, the Sumner Academy Sabres were in a back and forth battle with Topeka Seaman on the road Friday night.

But a 21-0 third quarter for Seaman carried them to a 53-34 victory against the Sabres, who conclude the season 6-4.

Seaman's Spencer Vanderbogart kicked off the scoring quickly, scoring from eight yards out.

Sumner responded the quickest way possible – returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. As he has most of the season, returner Benny Parker provided Sumner a spark with a 92-yard kickoff return.

Sumner would take its first lead of the game after Eli Alexander scored on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Armand Brisbane. Brisbane was 18-32 for 338 yards and three touchdowns.

Trailing 12-7 after Sumner failed to convert on both two-point conversion attempts, Seaman's Nathan Stanley scored from 23 yards out.

Sumner would punch back one more time.

Running back Torrel Saffold scored from seven yards out, giving Sumner its last lead at 20-15 following a two-point conversion from Vernon Vaughn.

From there, Seaman scored 28 unanswered points.

Kyle Dunham was on the receiving end of a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Hurla. Seaman's Stanley punched it in from three yards, providing Seaman its first two possession lead at 29-20.

An interception return from Hurla added to the lead at 36-20.

Sumner's Vaughn scored the Sabres' final touchdown, narrowing Seaman's lead to 50-34.

The high school football season in Wyandotte County is officially over.

After Piper was eliminated on Tuesday, Turner, Schlagle and Sumner Academy were all defeated.

Turner lost a tough thriller to Shawnee Heights 14-10 at Piper High School. The Sabres of Sumner Academy lost a shootout with Topeka Seaman 53-34. Schlagle, meanwhile, was banked 49-0 by Gardner-Edgerton.

Recaps soon.

 

Three Wyandotte County teams will be playing this Friday in the opening round of the Kansas 5A State playoffs, while Piper begins its 4A state journey tomorrow.

The Turner Golden Bears, finishing the regular season at 8-1, will host the 3-6 Shawnee Heights team in the first round in a 2-7 seed matchup. If they win, the Bears will take on the winner of the Mill Valley-St. Thomas Aquinas game on Friday, Nov. 13.

Meanwhile, two teams from the Kansas City, Kan., League have advanced to the 5A state playoffs.

The league-winning Sumner Academy Sabres (6-3) will take on Topeka Seaman this Friday. The Sabres are the #5 seed in the bracket, with Topeka Seaman the #4 seed.

Perhaps the greatest challenge any local team will face involve the Schlagle Stallions.

Finishing at 6-3 and second in district play, Schlagle will take on perennial power Gardner-Edgerton, who finished the regular season undefeated.

If Sumner and Schlagle both win, they'll renew their KCK rivalry next week.

Piper, 6-3, will take on the 9-0 Holton team tomorrow at 7 p.m. in 4A play.

The 4A bracket half with Piper:

The 5A bracket portion with the three KCK schools:

The Sumner Academy Sabres and Schlagle Stallions each wrapped up 6-3 records and 3-1 Kansas City, Kan., League records Thursday night.

• The Sabres defeated Wyandotte 37-6 after a quick start in the game.

The Sabres scored all 37 of their points in the first half. Armand Brisbane scored from seven yards out to give Sumner an 8-0 lead.

Benny Parker's 36-yard touchdown run and Brisbane's touchdown pass to Vernon Vaughn provided Sumner with a 22-0 first quarter lead.

Eli Alexander was on the receiving end of a 27-yard touchdown from Brisbane to give Sumner a 30-0 lead. Torrel Saffold scored Sumner's final touchdown of the game late in the second quarter from eight yards out on the ground.

Wyandotte's Alex Hamilton provided the Bulldogs their only touchdown in the fourth quarter. Hamilton scored from 75 yards out.

Wyandotte finishes 1-8.

• The Stallions defeated city rival Washington 22-7 at Washington High School Thursday.

The tandem of Schlagle quarterback Herman Ming and running back Jeff Jones provided Washington too much of a challenge.

Jones ran for 120 yards on just 13 carries, scoring a touchdown. Ming scored two on the ground, from 13 yards out and 21 yards.

Ming gave Schlagle the first score of the game, as he carried the ball from 13 yards out. Jones' 55-yard touchdown run in the second and Ming's 21-yard touchdown run in the third gave Schlagle a 22-0 lead.

Washington's Jeremy Simmons delivered a touchdown pass to Tim Goode in the third to put the Wildcats on the board.

Washington finishes 1-8 and 0-4 in KCK League play. 

Sumner Academy's offense capitalized off of three forced turnovers deep in Harmon territory to give the Sabres their second consecutive league title.

Sumner defeated Harmon 30-14 to improve to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the Knasas City, Kan., League.

After a shaky start on offense, the Sabres defense picked it up early in the first quarter. Harmon quarterback John Zeno (pictured right) was stripped of the ball by a maul of Sumner defenders. Many on the Hawks' sideline felt Zeno had established forward progress before the ball was ruled a fumble.

From there, Sabres quarterback Armand Brisbane converted a touchdown after a designed run play allowed him to cross the end zone from 11 yards out.

Both defenses played well on a cold night, holding each offense off the scoreboard during most of the second quarter. Each defense held the other's offense on fourth and short.

It was Zeno's second turnover inside his own 25 that gave Sumner its second golden opportunity to score. Zeno was picked off around his own 15-yard-line.

After penalties sent the Sabres offense back to Harmon's 22-yard-line, Brisbane connected with Marcus Allen on a 22-yard touchdown pass, providing the Sabres a 14-0 lead.

But Harmon struck back through its special teams early in the second half.

Zeno returned a punt 55 yards for a score, picking up the ball and alluding multipe Sabres defenders. A failed conversion left the score 14-6.

It appeared the Hawks would have a great opportunity to tie the game. Harmon defenders charged in and blocked a punt. But the officials again provided bad news for the Hawks, calling the punt block back after a chop-block was called.

Without the penalty, the Hawks would have taken over on Sumner's 22-yard-line.

With the Sabres driving, Jervon Hooks picked off his first of two Brisbane passes in the game. However, three plays later, Zeno caughed up the ball and Brisbane would make the Hawks pay on an ensuing drive to give Sumner a 22-6 lead.

Sumner's running game helped put the game away. Torrel Saffold (pictured top) rushed for 177 yards on just 23 carries, with many of the yards coming late in the game to help grind the clock out.

Sophomore Benny Parker put the dagger in the heart with a 57-yard touchdown run.  Shaquille Simmons would score a late touchdown for Harmon.

Just about everything imaginable that can happen in a high school football game did happen in tonight's affair between Turner and Sumner Academy at Wyandotte High School.

A big lead was lost. Multiple fourth down attempts failed. Key turnovers. Great plays. Overtime. And a recognizable star taking over when his team needed him to.

The Golden Bears defeated Sumner 28-22 in an overtime classic, sending Turner to 6-1 and Sumner to 4-3.

Rashon Thames, who was contained by Sumner Academy's defense in the first half, carried Turner to the tune of 285 yards on the ground on 42 carries. He scored three touchdowns in the game, two coming in Turner's comeback effort in the second half.

However, it was Sumner who brought the big plays early on.

Armand Brisbane put the Sabres on the board with a quarterback sneak touchdown. Sumner led 8-0 after the first.

Thames scored his first from nine yards out, but a missed conversion left the Sabres leading at 8-6.

Sumner would quickly expand their lead by 14 points to close out the first 24 minutes.

Running back Torrel Saffold scampered 46 yards down the sideline to give Sumner a 16-6 lead. On Turner's next possession, Garrett Mumphrey intercepted a Nick Bloomer pass and took it to the house, providing the Sabres a 22-6 halftime lead.

But Turner wasn't done, nor did they panic, said head coach Allen Terrell.

"I have a lot of sayings but one of them is plan your work and work your plan," he said. "Sometimes I tend to get away from it. We didn't work our plan in the first half but we didn't change a thing. The kids worked our plan out in the second half. They were winners."

The Golden Bears did what they normally have done in the third quarter this season– scoring first.

Thames dominated the opening drive of the half, culminating in his second score from four yards out. A failed two-point conversion left Sumner up 10 points.

After multiple stops from both defenses, Turner went back to work.

A mid-fourth quarter drive ended in a 28-yard Nick Rodriguez field goal, bringing Turner to within 22-15.

Then, a game-changing fumble from Sumner's Benny Parker provided the Bears a golden opportunity to tie the game.

Thames and crew took advantage, as he scored his third touchdown, this time from the seven-yard line.

"Thames goes as our front line goes," Terrell said. "Both sides were getting in trouble up front throughout the game. It's hard to run open field on them as their linebackers are very fast and they tackle well."

Sumner would fumble on the ensuing ensuing kickoff. But the defense stepped up, stopping the Bears on a fourth-and-one.

Turner was unable to cash in a final Sumner turnover in the fourth, as Rodriguez missed a late field goal to win the game.

In overtime, Sumner's Brisbane was picked in his end zone, giving Turner its first opportunity to take the lead.

They did and won, this time on the back of running back David Bernal. Bernal scored from 10 yards out, giving Turner another close victory against Sumner Academy.

Now 6-1 on the season, Terrell said this team has heart.

"This isn't a game we would have won in years past," he said.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS, more photos hopefully soon.

Kansas City Wizards star midfielder Davy Arnaud will speak at the Human Rights Awareness Evening at Sumner Academy tonight.

The event, sponsored and hosted by the Sumner Academy's People to People International Chapter organization, will be held at the school's auditorium from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight.

Arnaud will speak to the crowd the Major League Soccer WORKS initiative "Right to Play," an initiative dedicated to showing how human rights can be supported through sport.

Arnaud, despite spending time with the United States National Soccer Team earlier this summer, is still one of the leading scorers for the Wizards, putting home five goals so far this season.

The University of Kansas Department of Student Housing has named its 2009-10 student leaders, including resident assistants for KU’s eight residence halls, proctors and food board managers for 12 scholarship halls and top officers for the five university housing organizations.

“We are pleased that these students have stepped up to fill important leadership roles,” said Diana Robertson, director of the Department of Student Housing. “At a time when KU housing has received national attention for its student programming and its facilities, we can’t forget the day-to-day leadership that these students contribute. For them to balance academic achievement plus this leadership role is indicative of their character and personal achievements.”

For the students chosen as live-in resident assistants, proctors, desk managers and food board managers, duties include serving as role models, handling administrative and programming duties and performing paraprofessional advisory functions for residents. Food board managers also coordinate menu planning and food purchasing for their assigned halls.

Housing organization officers are elected to represent their fellow student residents and organize and facilitate shared social, intellectual and cultural concerns and activities.

A handful of the students graduated from Wyandotte County schools:

• Cherika Melinda Marie Boyd, daughter of  Denise DePriest and Reginald Boyd,  Sumner Academy Arts & Science

• Maximilliano Sylvester Ayalla, son of  Monique and Sylvester Ayalla, Sumner Academy Arts & Science

• Amber Lynn Jackson, daughter of  Mack and April Jackson, Piper High School

• Mark Anthony Marquez, son of  Aileen Buchanan, Sumner Academy Arts & Science

• James M McIntosh, son of  Marvin and Deborah McIntosh, Sumner Academy Arts & Science

• Anthony Matthias Johnson, son of  Jeffrey and Antrina Johnson, Sumner Academy Arts & Science Kansas City

The Sumner Academy Sabres snapped a two-game losing streak, defeating Washington 40-0 Friday.

Armand Brisbane pass for two touchdowns and scored two more on the ground, improving Sumner to 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in Kansas City, Kan., League play.

Brisbane opened the scoring with a seven yard run in the first. He scored again later in the quarter from nine yards out.

Torrel Saffold was on the receiving end of Brisbane's first touchdown pass from 24 yards, providing Sumner Academy a 20-0 lead. Benny Parker tallied the half's final eight points, scoring on a 42-yard pass from Brisbane.

Washington falls to 1-5 on the season.

Here are video highlights from last night's Bishop Ward-Sumner Academy game.

In the battle of the wishbone offense and spread offense, the 'bone won this time.

Ward prevailed over Sumner 31-13 on homecoming at Bishop Ward High School. Alex Orel and Cole Muder led the Cyclones again, improving the team to 4-1 on the season.

Orel carried the ball 24 times for 168 yards, with a score. Muder added 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Early on, it appeared Ward would run away with the game. After a Muder one-yard score, the Cyclones fumbled the ball inside Sumner's 10 and Garrett Mumphrey returned the ball 90 yards for a score, tying the game at 7.

Ward's defense scored two points early in the second, as Armond Brisbane was sacked in the end zone after escaping from trouble twice earlier in the play.

The defense was the game's key for Ward, said head coach Greg Duggins.

"The defense has been great for us all season," he said. "It was one of our best performances tonight. Sumner's a really good offense and team. We tried hard to take them out of their game."

Ward's next score would be another safety. Brisbane picked off a pass in the end zone. However, he stepped out of the end zone and returned to the end zone, being tackled for two points.

A 12-yard sweep run for Orel pushed Ward's lead to 18-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Benny Parker (right) scampered 98 yards on a return to narrow the gap to 18-13.

But that's as close as Sumner got.

Early in the second half, Brisbane was picked off by Alfred Rangel deep in Ward territory on a drive that would have given Sumner the lead.

From there, Muder scored from three yards out to give Ward a 25-13 advantage.
Quarterback Peter McKiernan would deliver the dagger late in the third, connecting with fullback Michael Golubski on a beautiful play-action fake and pass.

Still, it was the running game that led Ward to the victory.

"Alex and Cole are unbelievable," Duggins said. "They block for each other and counteract well. You can't say enough for what they've done this season so far."

After starting off 3-0, the Sabres have lost two consecutive games on the road.

The Bishop Ward Cyclones and Sumner Academy Sabres, each entering 3-1, will clash this week at Bishop Ward High School.

The two schools, who used to be in the Huron League, have both jumped out to impressive starts and have done it in different ways.

The Cyclones have used a very successful running game, led by Alex Orel and Cole Muder. The team's defense has also stepped up in a big way for Ward.

Meanwhile, the Sabres have done it with a speed and a complete effort on offense. Benny Parker has proven to be a great weapon on both the ground and in the air, as he's compiled big play after big play this season. Wideouts Eli Alexander and Marcus Allen have fueled an impressive attack from the air.

Last week, the Cyclones earned an impressive victory on the road against Lansing, while Sumner dropped its first game at Piper High School.

The game kicks off at 7 p.m.

OTHER WYANDOTTE COUNTY GAMES

• Wyandotte at Newton: The Bulldogs nearly pulled off another upset last week against Tonganoxie. The Bulldogs enter the game 1-3.

• Mill Valley at Turner: Turner, 3-1, looks to rebound after its first loss of the season with league rival Mill Valley coming to town. Both teams are 2-1 in Kaw Valley League play and both are among the favorites to win the league this season.

• St. James Academy at Harmon: Harmon has dropped three games in a row after defeating Washington to begin the season. The Hawks nearly defeated Schlagle last week at Washington High School.

• Basehor-Linwood at Washington: The Wildcats look to make it two games in a row, while Basehor comes off a very impressive victory against Turner last week.

• Pembroke Hill at Schlagle: The Stallions evened their record at 2-2, defeating Harmon last week. Pembroke Hill comes in with a winning record.

• Piper at Bonner Springs: The Pirates are coming off their most impressive victory of the past two seasons, defeating Sumner 47-32. Piper enters the game at 3-1, while Bonner is 1-3. Piper enters the game 3-1 in Kaw Valley League play.

The Piper Pirates issued a statement tonight as Jasper Sanders nearly rushed for 400 yards against the Sumner Academy Sabres.

Piper defeated the previously undefeated Sabres 47-32 at Piper High School Friday night. The Pirates improve to 3-1 on the season, as Sumner drops to 3-1.

Sanders (pictured above) carried the ball for 30 times, rushing for nearly 400 yards in the game. He scored five touchdowns as he scrambled for 397 yards in the game.

Sanders scored the game's opening touchdown, a one-yard carry to give Piper a 6-0 lead. Sanders scored from 32 yards, 49 yards, four yards out and a two-yard touchdown run for his other touchdowns.

Sumner quarterback Armand Brisbane passed for 297 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Eli Alexander on a 25-yard pass to conclude the first half.

Piper jumped out to a 25-13 halftime lead. Behind a 56-yard touchdown reception from Benny Parker, the Sabres narrowed the gap to 39-32.

However, Sanders' last touchdown gave Piper a 15-point cushion, which they wouldn't relinquish. Sanders explodes in Piper victory

Thanks in part to private fundraising and help from the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education, it's already a busy year for the renown F.L. Schlagle Marching Stallions band.

The board approved two out of district travel memorandum's last night to allow the band to travel outside of Kansas City, Kan.

The Marching Stallions will perform in the Veterans Day Parade in Branson, Mo., on Nov. 11 and will perform in the 2010 Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C., as a guest of U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts.

Along with practicing, members of the band have been fundraising to help in travel. So far, $10,000 of revenue has been generated by those efforts.

"The kids have been working hard to start the year," said Reginald May, the band's director. "We've been hustling and selling trash bags and they've raised over $10,000. "

The upcoming Veterans Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. In previous years, the marching band has performed in parades in St. Louis, Alabama and recently traveled to California to take part in a national festival.

• The board also approved out of district travel for the Sumner Academy Chorale and Women's Ensemble. The students from Sumner Academy will perform at the Heritage Musical Festival on Thursday, March 25.

Students will fundraise for the event.

Here's a video of the Schlagle band from a performance last year in Indianapolis.