The Emporia State football team fell to the Washburn Ichabods on Saturday, 56-35. The match between the inter-state rivals marked the 106^th meeting of the two teams, which currently ranks as the most played active rivalry in NCAA Division II.

The first few possession for the Hornets would prove counterproductive. A punt by sophomore computer science major Tyler Chilson was blocked and then returned for a touchdown by Washburn fullback Brad Haug. On the ensuing kickoff, freshman wide receiver and undecided major Shjuan Richardson fumbled the ball – Washburn recovered and in two plays scored from a touchdown pass from quarterback Dane Simoneau to wide receiver Brad Cole.

The score, however, was not indicative of how the rest of the first half of the game played out. The Hornets would battle back with key offensive efforts by sophomore quarterback and recreation major Sheldon Smith and senior wide receiver and social science major Danny McEvoy. Smith would hook up with McEvoy on a 68-yard juggling touchdown catch that would put the Hornets on the board with seven.

“The first one, I knew they threw a flag so I knew we were going to get something out of it. He (the defensive back) made a hell of a jump on the ball, tried to tip it from my hands and it just kind of bobbled forever,” McEvoy said. “I just caught it and cruised into the endzone.”

The scoring would continue for the Hornets. A 50-yard interception return by senior defensive back and sociology major Shaunquez Powell that set up another McEvoy score, a 23-yard touchdown run by junior running back and physical education major La’Darrian Page and a 4-yard touchdown run by Smith gave the Hornets the share of the lead at 28-all to end the first half.

“The second one (touchdown pass) was a gift from God,” McEvoy said. “I didn’t see it until the very last second.”

Powell took pride in his team’s effort to reduce the Ichabods’ lead.

“We fought back, that’s what I’m proud of the most,” Powell said.

The Hornets’ offensive would become stagnant in the third quarter, which proved to be quite the opposite for the Ichabods as they scored 28 unanswered points to bring the score to 56-28 in favor of Washburn.

“I wish we would have never had halftime,” said head coach Garrin Higgins. “I wish we could have said, ‘Hey look, let’s just line up and play on,’ but you have to have a halftime. We just came out and did not play very well that third quarter. That was a big momentum shifter when they scored…they scored in three plays to start the third quarter. And then we come back and we get a delay of game and then we put ourselves in a long yardage situation and we kind of lose a little gas in the third quarter. I think Sheldon got a little tired…I thought he played well, but he got a little bit tired there in the second half.”

The fourth quarter held the remaining 7 points for the Hornets, which occurred on a 2-yard touchdown run by junior running back and business major Kevin Smart, which was the result of a 13 play, 84-yard drive. The Hornets would successfully attempt an onside kick, but to no avail as time expired.

Powell hopes that next year’s team can learn from the trails and tribulations that the Hornets faced this season.

“Overall as a season I think we learned a lot, we’ve got a lot of young guys,” Powell said. “I hope this is a stepping stone in the foundation that we’ve built so we can learn from those mistakes.”

Smith led the game in passing and rushing for the Hornets, totaling over 312 yards of offense on 7 of 13 passing for 176 and 136 yards on 34 carries, with 4 total touchdowns. McEvoy led in receiving with 3 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.

McEvoy, who was among nine seniors who played their last game as a member of the Hornets, had some advice for the younger players on the team.

“They have to buy into Coach Higgins’ plan,” McEvoy said. “If they buy into it better than we did this year, they can do really good. There’s a lot of talent on that team, there’s no question. They can win a lot of games next year.”

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A glow rose from Welch Stadium at Emporia Sate as students gathered last night at a candlelight vigil in memory of junior business marketing major Samuel Williams. Williams was found dead on Wednesday as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Over 150 students came to the candlelight vigil held for Williams last night. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

His former track coach, John David Harris, said that the autopsy report showed no evidence of alcohol or drug use.

As an All-American track athlete with a personal best time of 20.99 seconds for 200 meters, Williams undoubtedly contributed to the team, but his teammates said his talent surpassed athletic ability.

“The guy was a world class athlete, I had no doubt in my mind that he would have been in the Olympics one day if he wanted to, he had that kind of talent,” said Kent Lonberger, junior communication major and member of the track team. “But he was also a great teammate. He led by example, and had very few words, but when he spoke, he meant it and you could always get a good laugh out of Sam.”

A starting block was set up on the track in memory of Williams. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

Harris recalled an example of Sam’s sportsmanlike attitude.

“Last year after the outdoor championships, it was my last year coaching,” Harris said. “He gave me his All-American award, and he was just very grateful. I was just a provider of workouts and here he is showing me his gratitude.”

Williams was determined and confident in his athletic ability even before he had the support of the coaching staff, which he showed when he first approached Harris.

“The first time he walked into my office, he asked if he could run track,” Harris said. “When you hear somebody say they can run 10.3 seconds in the 100 meter, you kind of laugh it off, but the first time I saw him at practice, he took about three steps and I looked at the other coaches and just smiled.”

Jennifet Baldwin/ The Bulletin

At that same practice, Williams made a first impression on teammate Derwin Hall, sophomore pre-physical therapy major.

“I remember the first time I met Sam, I was actually intimidated,” Hall said. “But once you talk to him, or he cracks a smile, or you get to know his personality, you just see that he’s the sweetest guy.”

Lonberger said that he will remember Williams for his character.

Track coach David Harris stands next to the illuminated finish line during Thursday night's candlelight vigil. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

“Sam had the biggest smile ever, he was a great friend and loyal,” Lonberger said. “He was there for you whenever you needed it. He was just a great guy.”

His personality was one that Lonberger said will not soon be forgotten.

“It’s amazing to me, all of the people that showed up,” Lonberger said. “He was only here two years, but he affected a lot of people and changed a lot of lives. As a team, we are going to do whatever we can to honor him in our lives and on the track.”

Brooke Kent, senior psychology major, said that Williams will remain an inspiration for the team.

“I think everybody on this team is going to miss him,” Kent said. “But I know our team is going to be stronger because of this.”

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The Emporia State volleyball team came out victorious over the #4 University of Central Missouri Jennies last night, winning a close bout in five matches, 3-2. The last time the two teams met was on Sept. 23 of this season – when UCM walked away the victor with a decisive 3-0 win over the Hornets. ESU was out for revenge and took care of business, taking the match to five sets and winning 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 17-25 and 15-11

In the first set, the Hornets started off hot with a 5-2 lead. UCM battled their way back to eventually lead by two points, 14-12, when ESU head coach Bing Xu called a timeout. After the timeout, the Jennies continued their dominant play, but the Hornets would not throw in the towel. A pivotal kill by freshman setter/outside hitter and undecided major Katelyn Schmidtberger brought the team back into the lead at 20-18 – timeout was called by UCM first-year head coach Flip Piontek to regroup his squad.

Right Side Hitter Brittney Miller and Middle Hitter Katelyn Kaiser jump to block a spike sent by UCM’s Kelsey Ellis Wednesday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets beat the #4 Jennies 3-2 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 17-25, 15-11). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

A four point swing in favor of Central Missouri would force Xu to call his final timeout of the set with the score 22-20, UCM. ESU would eventually win the set, 25-22, due largely in part to a high energy, psyched-up Hornet squad that set out to take care of business after the Xu timeout.

The second set was a bizarre one. ESU jumped out to an 8-1 lead early in the set with the help of strong defense and several critical errors by the Jennies. After a UCM timeout, a successful comeback effort was made by Central Missouri, tying the game at 9-9.

The Jennies came out strong, leading by as much as four, but the Hornets stayed disciplined and brought the score back to a tie at 17-17. Points were traded back and forth, until great defense and a service error helped the Hornets take the lead at 22-20 – timeout was taken by UCM.

Another service error, a heads-up play by junior setter and business major Ting Liu, and a final kill of the set by senior outside hitter and marketing major Arica Shepard sealed the deal for the Hornets, as they took the set, 25-21. Xu could tell the stark difference in the Hornets play from the last meeting with UCM to this one.

“The last time we played so poorly, and this time they were so ready,” said Xu. “The first two games you could tell.”

The third set looked easy for the Hornets until the very end. At one point, a 5-5 tie turned into a 9-5 ESU lead, thanks to smart playing by the Hornets. A definitive and dominant showing by ESU forced a Jennies timeout at 20-14, Hornets lead. A late surge by UCM turned the game into a 21-18 ESU lead, followed by a Xu timeout. Two more points for the Jennies forced another Xu timeout to regroup the Hornets.

Xu believed his team lacked some qualities that are usually present in most matches.

“We have to play consistently,” Xu said. “From the third game you could tell, they picked up their serving…they tried to go after us every single point.”

A rare service error by Liu and solid offensive output by Central Missouri set the score at 24-22 UCM – the Jennies would go on to win the set 25-23.

Shepard thought that team spirits weren’t in check.

“We weren’t believing in ourselves as much as we should have, and we just can’t do that,” Shepard said.

Set number four started slow for the Hornets, falling to a 5-1 UCM lead. After an unproductive couple of sets for ESU, an extremely rare substitution was made – Shepard left the game. The Hornets were trailing as much as seven before a determined Shepard returned to the game. Shepard knew that her play wasn’t up to par.

“Tonight, I definitely deserved to be taken out,” Shepard said. “It wasn’t my best game, by any means, and I kind of knew it was coming. He was just trying to get, I think, some motivation back out there and motivate me, too.”

Key efforts, both on offense and defense, led the Hornets to take the lead at 13-12, followed by a Jennies timeout. An ESU timeout gave the team a quick break as UCM led, 20-16. Shepard was again subbed out of the game and would not return, as the Hornets dropped the fourth set, 25-17.

The fifth and final set of the evening started off with a 3-0 Hornets lead. Central Missouri would fight back, but it wouldn’t be enough before a timeout was called by Piontek with the Hornets leading, 7-4. Another UCM timeout would come after the Jennies fell down by 4 to the Hornet lead, 11-7. The match rounded off with a victory for the Hornets, winning the fifth set 15-11.

During the match, junior middle hitter and chemistry major Brianne Boner became Emporia State’s all-time leader in block assists.

“It’s something that’s nice,” Boner said. “I’m not really about records, but it’s nice to know that I can help my team out in that way, and that’s really an honor.”

Xu noted the positives of Boner’s presence on the court.

“She brought a lot of fire on the court,” Xu said. “You can tell after she blocks how excited she was, and that pumps the whole team up.”

After the match, Shepard commented on how important the win was for her and her team.

“(I feel) happy and relieved,” Shepard said. “I don’t know why we put that much pressure on ourselves…getting a win like that, that was huge. We needed that so bad.’

Boner also commented on how she felt after the big win.

“It feels great, because we know they’re a really good team,” Boner said. “It feels great to beat a team this good.”

Freshman setter/right sight hitter and undecided major Katelyn Schmidtberger led the Hornets with 18 kills on the night, followed by Shepard with 15, junior right hitter and nursing major Brittney Miller with 12, and Boner with 11. Junior setter and business major Ting Liu added 54 assists, and senior libero and health promotion major Amy Byfield chipped in with 23 digs.

Up next for the Hornets will be a Saturday afternoon match against MIAA opponent Nebraska-Omaha. First serve is set for 4 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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Illness and injury set back the already struggling Emporia State Hornets as they fell to the #5 ranking Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, 45-12. Freshman quarterback and business major Tyler Eckenrode and junior running back and physical education major La’Darrian Page were absent from the game due to a shoulder injury and a hamstring injury, respectively.

Quarterback Sheldon Smith breaks for the side line Saturday afternoon at Welch Stadium. The Hornets lost to the No. 5 ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats 12-45. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin

With the absence of Eckenrode, senior quarterback and communication major Andre Sloan-El got the starting nod from head coach Garrin Higgins. Higgins said he was fairly pleased with Sloan-El’s performance.

“I thought (Sloan-El) did okay…he was told he was going to be the starter about an hour before game time,” Higgins said.

The game started off well enough for the Hornets, as they received the kickoff and methodically drove down the field and scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Sloan-El to senior wide receiver and social science major Danny McEvoy.

“We had some guys step up and make some plays…it was good,” Higgins said. “It was good for our morale, and I always say that for us, right now, there’s good things that have to happen early and that was a good thing that happened early that got us through that first half.”

Quarterback Andre Sloan-El looks down field for an open receiver Saturday afternoon at Welch Stadium. The Hornets lost to the No. 5 ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats 12-45. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

Northwest answered and, subsequently, never looked back.

The only bright spot early on for the Hornets, save for the opening drive touchdown, as a 23-yard interception return by senior linebacker and business major Blake Ringwall. Unfortunately for the Hornets, the turnover was not capitalized.

“Whenever we get an opportunity, especially against a team like Northwest, there’s no room for error, no margin for error,” Higgins said. “They tightened up defensively…we had a tough time moving the football on them today, we really did.”

Northwest would almost double the offensive output of the Hornets, 514-268. Katrel Larkins, senior linebacker and business major, thought that the defense should have been able to minimize some of those yards and the big plays. He also emphasized that the team will earn another W soon.

“We prepared for them,” Larkins said. “We knew everything they were running, but they’re the type of team that they don’t care if we know what the plays are that they’re running, they’re just going to come at us. It was just us. We couldn’t make the plays…that’s what always happens – we always give up the big plays… we’re going to win us a game before the season is over.”

Wide Receiver Danny McEvoy sprints for the end zone Saturday afternoon at Welch Stadium. The Hornets lost to the No. 5 ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats 12-45. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

The last thing on Sloan-El’s mind was the difficulty of playing a nationally ranked powerhouse like Northwest.

“They put their pads on just like us, so you have to come out here and execute,” Sloan-El said. “They did some things that were unexpected, but that’s part of the game.”

McEvoy thought that the Hornets had every chance in the world to defeat the Bearcats at the start of the game, given the right circumstances.

“When we’re all healthy, we’ve got the talent to (play with Northwest),” McEvoy said. “We didn’t have any depth, we have guys sick, we have guys hurt – I saw surgical masks on three players. A lot of injuries, especially this past week just in practice. Yeah, we felt like we could play with them, it’s just they’re a good team; you can’t make any mistakes, ever. We made a few mistakes early and that kind of helped them build their momentum.”

McEvoy had a career game, gaining 142 yards on six receptions, along with two touchdowns. Big plays early helped the Hornets keep the game somewhat even, for the time being.

“We just outplayed them, I guess, those two plays,” McEvoy said. “We didn’t outplay them too much throughout the game…they kind of gave us something we liked, and Dre (Sloan-El) hit me.”

Higgins believes that the Hornets’ fortunes will turn around sooner rather than later.

“The football gods, they’ll turn around and smile on us here sometime,” Higgins said.

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The stakes were high for the #8 Emporia State Hornets as they hosted the #7 Washburn Lady Blues last Friday night. The Hornets walked away with a pivotal victory in five sets, 3-2.

Middle Hitter Brianne Boner blocks a spike by Washburn’s Hillary Hughes Friday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets won the “Turnpike Tussle” taking down the No. 7 ranked Lady Blues 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 26-28, 15-13). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin

The significance of the match was well known by the over 2,000 fans in attendance, along with freshman setter and undecided major Katelyn Schmidtberger.

“I knew this game coming in was going to be a great one for our team to win just to keep us in the running for the MIAA, and my team did a great job,” Schmidtberger said. “I have to fill in to just play the position, and they’re behind me 100 percent, so I have to have confidence in myself.”

Upon learning that Washburn leaped ESU in the AVCA poll, senior outside hitter and marketing major Arica Shepard felt that the team had some business to take care of.

“We always try not to look at the rankings, but when we did see them above us we were kind of just like, ‘OK, we have to do something about this.’…this game meant a lot to us,’” Shepard said.

The first two sets proved to be great successes for the Hornets, winning 25-23 and 25-21.

The last three were a bit more challenging. Already high in spirits due to the fast start, the Hornets saw two straight sets taken by Washburn because of defensive breakdowns and a general lack of focus.

“Washburn is a tough team,” said Head Coach Bing Xu. “Nationally, they’re one spot ahead of us, and at the start of the third game we could tell they wanted to bring their game back, so we kind of backed off a little bit and started questioning our ability a little bit instead of hanging with them…we lost our composure.”

After Washburn captured the fourth set, Shepard said that she started having recollections of losses during the current season.

Outside Hitter Arica Shepard spikes the ball past Washburn’s Kate Hampson Friday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets won the “Turnpike Tussle” taking down the No. 7 ranked Lady Blues 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 26-28, 15-13). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

“I don’t know if we got too comfortable or we maybe thought we had it or something,” Shepard said. “I kind of had a flashback to West Texas A&M right after we lost that fourth game, I was like, ‘Oh no, we can’t do this again.’”

In the potential midst of another loss to a top 10 opponent, the Hornets tightened up their defense and minimized errors to win the final set, 15-13. Xu noted what the importance of a win against rival Washburn meant for his program and the rest of the season.

“This game will really keep our confidence up and our momentum going to carry to the postseason,” Xu said. “We need to kind of learn from it and bring this momentum and go to the next game.”

Junior right side hitter and nursing major Brittney Miller noted the games high and low points and the importance of finishing.

“I think we played hard,” Miller said. “We need to still do a little better, win the first two sets, come out and win the third, so we’re going to continue to work at that. Big net game, big defense…It was definitely a big one to finish – we knew we needed to do it. We still need to work to go a little harder and not let that halftime give us a little downtime. We’ll continue to work. I think we played well.”

A point of surprising significance at the game was the crowd – more than once did the noise created by the fans affect on the opposing team’s server.

“This game’s huge,” Shepard said. “The outcome here, I think that helped so much – I’ve never seen it so filled.”

Schmidtberger shared the sentiment.

“The crowd was great,” Schmidtberger said. “I’m glad everyone came out and supported (the team).”

Setter Ting Liu and Middle Hitter Brianne Boner jump to block a spike by Washburn’s Jessica Kopp Friday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets won the “Turnpike Tussle” taking down the No. 7 ranked Lady Blues 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 26-28, 15-13). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

Miller led the team with 20 kills, followed closely by Shepard with 17. Junior setter and business major Ting Lui added 54 sets.

Shepard, in her senior season, was happy to defeat Washburn, not only for the team’s interest, but for her own, special interest as well. Shepard’s twin sister, Ashley, plays for the Lady Blues.

“Winning this game feels awesome,” Shepard said. “Hopefully we’ll continue this success.”

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