The Junction City Blue Jays ( 3-0 ) scored 34 points in the first quarter and moved on to a 56-0 victory over the Topeka West Chargers ( 0-3 ) on Tribute to the Troops night at Al Simpler Stadium.

There was a running clock for the entire second half of the ballgame, meaning it only stopped on team timeouts, during an injury timeout, or on scoring plays.

Aided by three Charger turnovers the Blue Jays got the scoring going early on a 3-yard touchdown run by Jovon Baldwin with 8:55 remaining in the first quarter, on a 56-yard touchdown pass play from Ryan Hennington to Baldwin with 7:33 remaining in the period, and on a 4-yard touchdown run by Baylor Wilkey with 6:07 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Blue Jays, who used a number of substitutes, had a 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Donald, and a 59-yard touchdown run by Johnnie Jones. Junction City capped the scoring by recording a two-point safety with 10:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Jays play at Washburn Rural next Friday.

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During the Tribute to the Troops night activities longtime Junction City community member and Army Lt. Colonel (Ret. ) , Dennis ( Buzz ) Bruzina was honored through a new program at Blue Jay varsity home football games, “Salute to Our Heroes.” The recognition occurred between the first and second quarter with Bruzina walking out to the 20-yard marker on the west side of the field.

 

Bruzina was surprised at the recognition, and appreciative. On walking out onto the field and receiving applause, Bruzina said it was ” emotional, choked me up.”

 

 

The Friday night high school football schedule finds:

–Topeka West at Junction City

–Manhattan at Highland Park

–Emporia at Topeka High

–Shawnee Heights hosts Washburn Rural

–Hayden hosts Seaman

–Wamego hosts Marysville

–Concordia goes to Chapman

–Clay Center hosts Goodland

–Rock Creek is at Wabaunsee

–Rossville is at Riley County

–Centre travels to Herington

–Rural Vista plays at Onaga

–Solomon is at Goessel

–Blue Valley Randolph hosts Tescott

–Wakefield hosts Little River

 

 

Just a reminder….the canned food drive to benefit the Geary County Food Pantry is being held at Junction City High School at Al Simpler Stadium at all Blue Jay varsity home football games. Football fans may deposit non-perishable food donations in collection boxes at Gate 2 at the stadium.

The Junction City Lady Jay tennis team competed in Manhattan in a quadrangular on Tuesday against Manhattan, Marysville, and Washburn Rural.

The number two doubles team of Brianna Talley and Anne Kim came the closest for Junction City to earn a victory. They dropped a pair of tiebreakers against Washburn Rural and Manhattan. The number one doubles team of Alexis Cruz and Jordan Dombrowski gave Washburn Rural’s top team a scare, but lost a close match 8-6.

The Lady Jays play in Manhattan again next Monday against both Manhattan and Shawnee Mission East.

Two varsity runners for the Blue Jay boys cross country team placed in the top 20 at the Emporia Invitational.

Jacob Lovell finished 16th in 17:57 and Kody Westerhaus 20th in 18:21.

In the JV race Isaiah Galicia was 10th in 18:58 and Juan Tovar 14th in 19:05.

A pass interception with 17-seconds remaining the fourth quarter helped preserve a 26-21 Blue Jay win over the Topeka High Trojans.

Junction City led 26-21 late in the fourth quarter, but there was a fumble with 24-seconds remaining as the Blue Jays were trying to snap the ball to take a knee and run out the clock. The Trojans recovered and had one last chance to try and drive down the field, but on the very next play Blue Jay linebacker Tim Bell picked off a Corey Thomas pass and that sealed the victory.

Junction City coach Randall Zimmerman said the Blue Jays made the game too close. “I’m proud of our kids. They really competed hard.” But after scoring two early touchdown passes on pass plays from Ryan Hennington to Jovon Baldwin and jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Blue Jays struggled to score once they were deep inside the Trojans territory.

“Got up on a very good team. We get the ball inside the 40 the next two possessions and don’t get points out of it.” Zimmerman added when his team gets good field position they have to find a way to get the ball in the end zone.

Hennington completed 10 of 26 passing, but it was his running that stood out in the game. He rushed 18 times for 216 yards for Junction City including a 70-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

The Blue Jays held the Trojans to 82 yards rushing, while quarterback Corey Thomas was 13-25 passing with one touchdown.

Junction City, 2-0, hosts Topeka West next Friday while Topeka High hosts Emporia.

Coach Matthew Micheel he Lady Jay tennis team traveled to Topeka to play in the Washburn Quadrangular on Thursday.  The team was only able to complete two of the rounds since rain forced cancellation of the last round.

Junction City faced Marysville to start off the meet.  Codi Post was the lone winner at the number 2 singles spot defeating her opponent 8-5.  Ally McKenzie dropped a close match 8-6 at the top singles spot and neither doubles teams were able to pick up a victory against the Marysville teams.  In round two, Kansas City Christian showed their strength by sweeping the Lady Jays in all four matches.  The third round briefly got started against Washburn Rural before rain forced the quad to be cancelled.

The Lady Jays travel to Chapman for a varsity quad on Monday, September 12 at 3 pm.

The Junction City Lady Jay volleyball team defeated Highland Park this week 1-0 in the capitol city.

The Lady Jays are 3-1 on the season.