Oh what could have been.

Junction City ( 2-2 ) moved the ball well in the first half against an extremely talented Topeka High Trojan and had a chance to go in ahead at the halftime break, but mistakes in the form of penalties and fumbles proved costly. The Trojans ( 3-1 ) grabbed a 21-14 first half lead before Junction City tied it 21-21 all in the third quarter. From that point on the Trojans took control of the game to win 56-28.

Junction City had two fumbles including on a punt return, and a costly penalty that resulted in a touchdown pass play being called back.  Blue Jay coach Randall Zimmerman referred to a punt return where Junction City had the ball near the 50-yard line with a 7-0 lead but fumbled and lost the football. “That was a tough one. That was a great effort on our returner and they just got it out. We had a lot of momentum right there, moving the ball offensively, getting stops defensively. ”

Zimmerman referred to another key stretch where it was 14-14 and the Blue Jays had driven near the Trojans 20-yard line before fumbling. “They hadn’t stopped us in the first half and we fumble the football.
A short time later the Trojans had two big plays and went up 21-14 at the intermission.

It was Tribute to the Troops night at Al Simpler Stadium. The 97th Military Police were represented and supported the Blue Jays during the game.