The Emporia State football team closed the season with a 42-0 loss at Washburn last weekend, their fourth straight loss. ESU struggled all day to get anything going offensively and had trouble stopping Washburn quarterback Dane Simoneau as he accounted for five touchdowns against the Hornets. The loss ends the Hornets’ season at 5-6, a three game improvement from last year.

“It’s definitely a bad way to end the season,” said head coach Garin Higgins. “But take away the last two weeks, and I told this class of seniors I am proud of some of the things we accomplished this year. We just need to learn how to finish better.”

ESU would start the game off by forcing the Ichabods to a three and out on their first series. However, Emporia State would do the same, and after a short Tyler Chilson punt, Washburn got possession at the Hornet 32 yard line. It was from here that Washburn would start their scoring run.

Washburn would score three plays later on a two yard run to take an early 7-0 lead with 13:06 left in the first quarter. After a three and out by Emporia, Washburn would drive 87 yards on the Hornet’s defense that concluded with Simoneau throwing his first of four touchdowns to make it 14-0 with about five minutes in the first.

“We just couldn’t make the stops we needed to,” Higgins said.

A failed fourth and one attempt in the Washburn red zone and an interception by Sheldon Smith on the Washburn 17 yard line resulted in two more touchdowns for Washburn to take a 28-0 lead into the half.

The second half was more of the same as the ESU defense allowed a touchdown on the Ichabods first drive of the half. The 35-0 lead seemed to take a toll as the Hornets would struggle offensively much like the first half. One late touchdown in the third would seal the deal as the Ichabods handed ESU their worst loss of the season, 42-0.

“Today was rough, but these younger guys need to take something from it,” said senior defensive end Daniel Webb. “They can still build from this for next year.”

The Hornets are set to return eight starters on offense and eight on defense which includes a group of 26 seniors. ESU is scheduled to open the 2011 season at Ft. Hays State on September 3. They will play a schedule made up completely of MIAA schools next season with games against conference newcomer Lincoln and the first meeting with Southwest Baptist since 2007.

Chris Hopkins

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Defensive end Daniel Webb’s family is hardly one that lacks an athletic background.

Defensive end Daniel Webb’s family is hardly one that lacks an athletic background. Both his father, a linebacker for Stephen Austin University, and his grandfather, a high school coach in Texas, have ties to football. Now, Webb is a big reason why ESU is enjoying one of the best seasons in years.

“I grew up playing all kinds of sports, but hockey was always the biggest one for me,” said Webb, a senior integrated studies major. “It wasn’t until eighth grade that I turned more to football, and it’s been that way ever since.”

Webb was born in Greenville, Texas, but was raised from third grade on in Fort Collins, Colo. In high school, Webb participated in both football and track. During his senior season, Webb won several awards, including his team’s awards for MVP, defensive MVP and inspirational player.

Senior defensive tackle Casey Finlayson said that Webb has been a big reason for the change in mindset on defense this season.

“The guy is just constantly making plays,” Finlayson said. “He is a great leader both on and off the field that always puts the team first.”

Defensive line coach Matt LoPorto has seen Webb grow since arriving in 2006 when LoPorto was still playing. LoPorto has seen Webb grow from a great role player to a fifth year senior leader of this team.

“He was a crazy little kid coming in,” LoPorto said. “It’s amazing how much better he understands the game now. The guy just has a non-stop motor, has as much heart as any player, and plays every snap like it’s his last. A guy like that is irreplaceable because he is such a great example of why you play football.”

Currently Webb leads all MIAA players in tackles for a loss and sacks. However, Webb said that he doesn’t focus on personalize accolades, and the success of the season will only be measured by how the team ends the season.

“I just want to go out with a bang for my senior season whether it be by a bowl game or the playoffs,” Webb said.

Webb, who plans on moving back to Fort Collins as a fire fighter or smoke jumper, is planning on attending Hutchinson Community College after graduation.

As for football, Webb hasn’t ruled out playing after this year.

“It’s something where if the right situation presented itself, I definitely would at least be interested,” Webb said. “Right now we are just taking it one game at a time to hopefully make a postseason push.”

Chris Hopkins

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Defensive Lineman Harold Ayodele takes a Fort Hays State University runner Saturday afternoon at Welch Stadium. Ashley Wells/ The Bulletin

The Emporia State football team is 4-1 for the first time since 2002 after defeating conference opponent Fort Hays State last Saturday 19-6. With a 9-6 game, the Hornets used 10 unanswered points and a 1:20 rain delay to get the win.

“No doubt we had many things that worked out in our favor,” defensive end Daniel Webb said. “Our offense controlled the clock which gave us time to breathe. When the defense was out there, the defensive backs did a nice job with coverage that allowed us extra time to apply pressure.”

The Tigers came into the game second in the conference in total yardage, and averaging over 40 points per game. However, the defense of the Hornets held the Tigers to 200 yards of total offense and a mere six points.

Perhaps the biggest group contributor on defense for the Hornets was the ESU offense. Controlling the line of scrimmage on Saturday helped the offense keep possession for well over half the game. Quarterback Tyler Eckenrode was 15-24 for 184 yards and had one touchdown for the game. ESU had three scoring drives over 70 yards the contest.

Late in the first quarter, Emporia State put together a 12 play, 80-yard drive with Kevin Smart scoring a touchdown. On the next drive, ESU ate up more clock with another long drive, but would have to settle for a field goal to take the lead 9-0.

After two field goals by Fort Hays and a 1:20 rain delay, the Hornets added a field goal right before the half to take a 12-6 lead at the break.

“It was very difficult for them to gain momentum, especially after having such a long, weather delay,” Webb said.

The score held until wide receiver Shjuan Richardson scored a touchdown on a 67-yard pass play from Eckenrode in the fourth quarter. The Hornets would hold up the 19-6 lead thanks to an interception by safety Derek Lohmann with five minutes left in the ballgame. His five interceptions on the year (three in the last two games) lead all MIAA players.

“For the first time all year, we put a complete game together against a very good Fort Hays team,” said Head Coach Garrin Higgins. “I am really proud of the way our kids played today.”

The Hornets travel to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for a tough, conference showdown this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Caniglia Field.

Chris Hopkins

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Finlayson is the anchor for the defensive line at Emporia State. Photo by Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

In summer 2004, Burlington High graduate Casey Finlayson was elected to play in the 2004 Kansas Shrine Bowl as a defensive end. After a player profile from the Emporia Gazette and despite many offers, Finlayson had decided that the upcoming game would be his last.

But he was wrong.

At 24, Finlayson is the anchor for the defensive line at Emporia State.

After graduation, Finlayson attended Flint Hills Technical College where he aspired to work with technology at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington. During that time, Finlayson  spent many hot days roofing houses when most were taking the summer off.

“I decided roofing houses wasn’t for me in the long-run, and I wanted to push myself at the next highest level of football,” said Finlayson, a senior environmental biology major.

During the 2006 season, Finlayson walked on for the Hornets and was a full-time starter last year, missing only one game due to a sprained shoulder. Finlayson believes the defensive line should be a point to watch this season, as should the entire team, with many returning players. This should lead to more consistent play not just on the defensive line, but across the board, he said.

Defensive Line Coach and former Hornet linebacker Matt Loporto has seen the transition from the player Finlayson started as, to the leader that he is today.

“Casey is a wily old vet, not the biggest, not the most skilled, but does the dirty work, everyday,” Loporto said.“He is the epitome of what being a defensive lineman is all about.”

Loporto recalls that since the day Finlayson came in, he has strictly led by example and work, and despite putting on 50 pounds, Finlayson has not lost his athletic ability.

“Those two years were probably the best thing for him at the time because it allowed Casey to mature as a football player and as a person. In return, he has came to work harder than ever, and it has been fun to watch him transition from a good to a great player,” Loporto said.

Senior defensive lineman Daniel Webb has been able to see the leadership role Finlayson has taken.

“Everyone respects him as a player and person, and knows that he will be a big part of success this season,” Webb said.

When asked if this really is his last season this time, Finlayson said,“This is my last year for sure this time. The body has one more season in it.”

Chris Hopkins/The Bulletin

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