OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Jamaal Charles tied a franchise record with five touchdowns in a game, Alex Smith threw five TD passes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Raiders 56-31 on Sunday to clinch at least a wild-card spot.

The Chiefs (11-3) became the fourth team ever to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 14 games. Kansas City is tied for first place in the AFC West with Denver but needs help to win the division because the Broncos swept the season series.

Charles gained 215 yards from scrimmage as the Chiefs put up the highest point total allowed in Raiders’ history.

Matt McGloin threw four interceptions and lost a fumble while sharing time with Terrelle Pryor. Oakland (4-10) lost its fourth straight game.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Will Spradling had a season-high 14 points and Marcus Foster also scored 14 points as Kansas State defeated Troy 72-43 on Sunday evening.

It is the ninth time in 10 games that Foster has reached double figures for the Wildcats.

Despite its undersized roster Kansas State dominated the Trojans on the boards grabbing 17 rebounds on the offensive end and 44 total.

Antoine Myers had 12 points and Wes Hinton added 10 points to pace the Trojans.á

áKansas State entered the game with the Big 12’s best scoring defense at 61.2 points while also holding opponents to 26 percent shooting from 3-point range.

The Trojans finished at 36.2 shooting while converting on just 3-19 from 3-point range.

The Wildcats left little doubt from the start. Seven points from Foster backed an opening 14-2 run by the Wildcats over the first four minutes of the first half.

 

The Junction City Blue Jays enjoyed a weekend road trip to Great Bend and Dodge City.

The Blue Jays came away with a 50-15 win over the Great Bend Panters, and defeated the Dodge City Red Demons 47-33.

In the contest against the Panthers Junction City held Great Bend to just four field goals in the entire game.   In the matchup with Dodge City the Blue Jays held the Red Demons to just 27.9% shooting from the field, while Junction City turned in a field goal percentage of 60.6%.

Blue Jay coach Pat Battle stated Saturday after the Dodge City it was a big win for his team. “I think coming out and holding a pre4tty good team, a team that usually shoots really well, holding them to 33 points, boxing out the way we did….big win, big win!

Junction City improved to 2-1, while Dodge City fell to 1-2 on the season.

The Blue Jays will host Hays Tuesday night.

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In girls basketball Junction City tried to rally in the fourth quarter Friday night against Great Bend after trailing by 18 points, but in the end came up short 57-49.  The Lady Jays cut the lead to seven, but couldn’t make up the entire difference.

On Saturday in Dodge City Junction City led 42-38 after three quarters, and the game was tied in the final minute at 46-46.  Brianna Bradshaw of Dodge City missed a free throw but got her own rebound and scored to give her team what proved to be the winning basket. Dodge City tacked on another late game basket by Bailey Shelor to help secure the victory. Junction City fell to 1-2 on the season, while Dodge City is 2-1.

Junction City coach Nate Parks will now prepare his team to host Hays on Tuesday. “‘I expect for us to be able to come out with a lot of effort. We’re going to try to clean up as much as we can on Monday what I think our faults are, which is our rebounding and again some of our defensive assignments. I look to put on a good show for the home fans, and hopefully everybody comes to support us.”

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster has been ruled out for Sunday’s game in Oakland after developing an infection in a small cut on his ankle.

The Chiefs were wary that McCluster may have developed MRSA, but trainer Rick Burkholder said tests came back negative for the serious strain of staph infection. McCluster has been receiving antibiotics to treat the infection.

McCluster, who’s returned two punts for touchdowns this season, had been listed as questionable for the Raiders. A team spokesman said Saturday he will not make the trip.

He sustained the cut last week in the mud and snow at Washington.

The Chiefs had already ruled out left tackle Branden Albert with a hyperextended knee, tight end Anthony Fasano with a concussion and linebacker Justin Houston with a dislocated elbow.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Wide receiver Tyler Lockett and defensive back Ty Zimmerman were named Kansas State’s 2013 offensive and defensive MVPs, while Weston Hiebert and Tramaine Thompson took special teams MVP honors as the Wildcat football program held its annual awards ceremony Friday night at McCain Auditorium on the K-State campus.

A product of Tulsa, Okla., Lockett led the Big 12 during the regular season with 151.4 all-purpose yards per game, an astonishing 22.3 yards per game better than the player in second place. His average ranks 14th nationally and is a product of a 104.2 receiving yards-per-game average, which ranks second in the conference and 11th in the nation.

A three-time All-Big 12 pick, Lockett sits in the school’s top 10 in six single-season receiving categories and four career receiving categories, while he produced the top two single-game receiving outputs in school history this season (278 vs. Oklahoma, 237 vs. Texas) and tied the school record with three receiving touchdowns on two occasions (West Virginia and Oklahoma). He also owns the school record for career kickoff-return yardage (1,760), and he ranks second in school history in career kickoff-return average (30.9) and touchdowns (4).

A two-time team captain, Zimmerman logged 69 tackles in 10 games in 2013 to go along with three tackles for loss and three interceptions. He returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns to lead the Big 12 and tie for second nationally in that department. He has 13 career interceptions to tie for third in school history, while his 221 career interception-return yards rank second.

Earlier this week, Zimmerman was named an All-Big 12 First Team performer by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press. His designations made him the first player in school history to garner four-straight all-conference accolades, while he is one of just four Big 12 defensive backs to earn four All-Big 12 honors with at least one of those being a first-team designation.

A starting safety since his freshman season in 2010, Zimmerman made 45 tackles, including three for losses, while he picked off a career-best five passes in just 10 games. His five interceptions lead the Big 12 and are tied for sixth nationally. The Junction City, Kan., product recorded an interception in four-straight games (Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa State, West Virginia), the longest streak by a Wildcat since at least 1989. He improved his career interception total to 10, which ranks seventh in school history.

Hiebert and Thompson were honored on special teams for their play in 2013. Hiebert collected 10 tackles and blocked one kick on special teams, while Thompson helped the Wildcats to a No. 3 national ranking in punt returns with his 20.2 average.

Defensive end Ryan Mueller garnered Defensive Front Seven Player of the Year after a record season in 2013. He leads the Big 12 with 18.5 tackles for loss and is second in the league with a school-record tying 11.5 sacks. A former walk-on who has at least a half tackle for loss in every game this year, Mueller enters the postseason a half sack away from entering the Big 12’s single-season top 10 and 1.5 away from appearing on the school’s career top-10 list.

On the academic side, Academic All-Big 12 selection Stanton Weber received the program’s Scholar-Athlete award.

K-State will face Michigan in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on December 28. Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. CT at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Fans can order tickets in great locations through the K-State Athletics Ticket office online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS. Fans are strongly encouraged to order through K-State’s official allotment to ensure that all Wildcat fans are seated in the official K-State sections of the stadium.

2013 K-State Football Team Awards
Overachiever Award (top freshman in strength and conditioning) – Will Geary (DL)
Red Raider Award (top contribution on scout squad) – Jesse Ertz (QB)
Scholar-Athlete Award – Stanton Weber (WR)
Purple Pride Award (walk-on displaying quality play, leadership and work ethic) – Dylan Schellenberg (DB)
Ken Ochs Courage Award – Boston Stiverson (OL)
Kevin Saunders (Never Give Up) Award – Daniel Sams (QB) and Tre Walker (LB)
Bob Cope Memorial Award – Stephen Johnson (WR)
Nancy Bennett Memorial Award (representing fight, spirit and positive nature) – Jonathan Truman (LB)
Anthony A. Bates Memorial Award (promoting team unity and unselfishness) Blake Slaughter (LB) and Taylor Godinet (DE)
Joan Friederich Award (representing team concept through unselfishness and commitment) – B.J. Finney (OL) and Cornelius Lucas (OL)
Jim “Shorty” Kleinau Award (representing loyalty, hard work and commitment) – Jake Waters (QB)
Most Improved Defense Player – Dante Barnett (DB) and Chaquil Reed (DL)
Most Improved Offensive Player – Curry Sexton (WR) and Tavon Rooks (OL)
Outstanding Offensive Lineman – B.J. Finney and Cody Whitehair
Defensive Front Seven Player of the Year – Ryan Mueller (DE)
Special Teams Player of the Year – Weston Hiebert and Tramaine Thompson
Most Valuable Player-Defense – Ty Zimmerman (DB)
Most Valuable Player-Offense – Tyler Lockett (WR)

The Junction City Blue Jays go to the Clay Center Invitational on Saturday.

Coach Bob Laster said Junction City will be against some highly ranked teams including the top ranked team in Class 6A Garden City. Norton and Beloit are two other squads.

Laster reported that Junction City  will be without wrestler Micah Felton at 170 pounds. “Got his knee hurt wrestling against a kid from Gardner-Edgerton. His knee swelled up pretty badly so we’re going to hold him out.” Laster is hopeful Felton can return when the Blue Jays wrestle in Emporia next weekend. Felton had his knee checked, and they’re waiting to learn more information.

 

 

The Junction City Blue Jay and Lady Jay basketball teams make a weekend road trip to western Kansas.

Junction City teams will be at Great Bend Friday night and Dodge City on Saturday afternoon.

Looking ahead at the matchup with Great Bend Blue Jay boys basketball coach Pat Battle wants to see better rebounding by his basketball team. Junction City was out rebounded in their season opening loss at Lawrence. “We need our guys to not settle for one shot, to go in their and get a second, a third shot.”

In the girls contest Lady Jay coach Nate Parks relied on his memory from games against Great Bend and Dodge City last season. “It’s going to be a contrast of styles. One is going to be fast, and Dodge City is going to be big wanting to slow the ball down a little bit more.”

You can hear all the games on the Talk of JC.

The varsity girls game at Great Bend is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. and the boys at 7:30. The starting times at Dodge City are one p.m. for the varsity girls and 2:45 for the varsity boys.

Kansas State senior defensive back Ty Zimmerman has been named to the USA Today All-America team, the publication has announced.

Zimmerman, who earned second team honors, picked up All-America honors for the second straight season. Last year, the Junction City produc was a Second Team All-American by CBSSports.com, recorded third team honors from the Associated Press and was an honorable mention selection by Sports Illustrated.

Zimmerman logged 69 tackles in 10 games for the Wildcats in 2013 to go along with three tackles for loss and three interceptions.

Earlier this week Zimmerman was named an All-Big 12 First Team performer by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.  His designations made him the first player in KSU history to garner four-straight all-conference accolades.

The Junction City Blue Jay boys swimming team finished seventh out of ten teams in the Topeka West Invitational.

Coach Beth Schlesener reported that Washburn Rural finished first with 472 points. Junction City finished with 177.  The Blue Jays finished ahead of Lansing, Shawnee Heights, and Topeka West.

In the event competition Brett Magee finished fourth in the 50 yard freestyle in 24.00, and second in the 100 freestyle in 53.75.  The 200 yard freestyle relay team of Jason Carter, Gavin Carey, Blake Nimmo, and Brett Magee finished third in 1:39.95. Magee is under consideration for the state meet in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and so is the  200 freestyle relay team.

In an invitational at Great Bend Junction City finished third out of eight teams. The Blue Jays finished with 282.5 points.  Great Bend captured first place with 326 followed by Hutchinson with 320, and Junction City. The Blue Jays finished ahead of Hays, Wichita Collegiate, McPherson, Wichita Independent, and Central Christian.

In the 50 freestyle Brett Magee finished first in 24.49, and he was third in the 100 yard freestyle in 54.36.  Also 100 yard freestyle competition Chris Hogue was fifth in a personal record time of 1:16.54, and AJ Nelson was sixth in a personal record time of 1:19.05.

In the 200 yard freestyle relay Jason Carter, Gavin Carey, Blake Nimmo, and Brett Magee finished second in 1:42.38.

Blake Nimmo was second in the 100 yard backstroke in 1:09.64.

 

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) – The Division II football championship game is leaving Alabama after 28 years.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that the game will move to Kansas City, Kan., starting next season.

Florence has hosted the championship game since 1985 with the last set for Dec. 21.

It is the second-longest continuous period for any NCAA championship venue, behind the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Kansas City will host the games from 2014-17.

The championship had been played in five different locations under four bowl names in its first 13 years. It was renamed the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game when Florence won the bidding to host.