Piper sophomore running back La’James White (12) eluded the Eudora defense on a run around the right side in Friday night football action. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Piper Pirates won their inaugural Frontier League game, 28 – 7, over the Eudora Cardinals on Friday night.
Behind the persistent running of quarterback Dalton White and running back La’James White, the Pirates were able to string together long drives and maintain control of the game.
Piper’s ability to score consistently in short-yardage situations was also due to the strength of the offensive line, led by senior linemen Cooper Beebe and Lemoses White.
The Pirates struck early in the first quarter, turning a Cardinals turnover into a touchdown on their first possession, capped by La’James White’s 2-yard run into the end zone. The Cardinals followed with a long touchdown drive of their own, twice kept alive by Pirate penalties, that evened the score at 7.
The Cardinals also got a key stop at the end of the first quarter, allowing Piper to cover the length of the field before they forced a Pirate fumble at the 1-yard line.
Piper scored twice in the second quarter. La’James White scored on another short run to make the score 14 – 7. Dalton White scored on a two-yard run to close out the first half with a 21-7 lead. Piper nearly posted a touchdown on a Hail Mary pass in the closing seconds of the half, but it was waved off due to a penalty.
Piper closed out the scoring in the third quarter on another short run, a 1-yarder by Anthony Ferguson.
Piper’s new head coach Rick Pollard has made his mark early with the team, introducing a platooning scheme that rotates players more frequently with the goal of playing at a faster pace. He also introduced in-game video technology that lets coaches and players review the previous possession while the game is still in progress.
Piper will play on the road next Friday at Baldwin.
New head coach Rick Pollard received the game ball in recognition of his first Piper victory. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Senior quarterback Dalton White (10) cut back through a hole in the Eudora defense on a run in the 1st quarter. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) The Piper student section kept chants going throughout the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Players on the sideline raised their helmets waiting for the kickoff. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Sophomore receiver Malakhi Kennon (15) took a short pass for a gain. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Senior offensive lineman Cooper Beebe held back the Eudora defense. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts at halftime. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Junior wide receiver Jack Robinson (87) hauled down a pass across the middle. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Junior defensive back Brandon Ahart got congratulations on the sideline after his interception in the third quarter. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) Sophomore running back La’James White (12) ran through a tackle. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) The Piper marching band performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel) The Piper dance team performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Renaissance Festival opens Sept. 1
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival opens on Saturday, Sept. 1, and continues on weekends through Oct. 14 at the festival grounds at 130th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. It also will be open on Labor Day and Columbus Day. The festival is a celebration of medieval life, with such activities as jousting, contests, a royal parade, music, entertainment and food. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $22.95 per adult, $13.95 for children 5-12, $20.25 for seniors and students, and free for children 4 and younger. Discounts are available for advance tickets and group rates are available. The theme of the first weekend, Sept. 1-3, is the Buccaneer Beer Fest. For this weekend, those who donate five nonperishable food items for Harvesters at the festival gates will receive a buy one, get one ticket on a regular-priced adult admission. The festival is open, rain or shine. For more information, visit http://www.kcrenfest.com/ or call 913-721-2110.
Family story time planned
Family story time is planned from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, in the craft room at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. This event is geared to children ages 2 to 6. For more library events, visit www.kckpl.org.
S.T.E.A.M. story time to be at Main Library
The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) story time will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. There will be stories, songs, science and art. The theme this month is “Apples.” The program is geared to kindergarten through fifth grade.
KC Irish Fest continues
The annual KC Irish Fest continues Saturday and Sunday at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri. The event features seven stages with more than 30 bands, with activities promoting cultural heritage. It runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. The Elders, Eddie Delahunt, Gaelic Storm and The High Kings are just a few of the musical groups that will perform. Besides music, there will be performances by dance groups and also, comedy acts. Wyandotte County residents will be participating in a Driscoll School of Irish Dance performance on Sunday. Also, some Wyandotte County residents are participating by staffing a fundraising booth at the event. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase, and there will be activities for children, as well as booths offering items for sale. For more information, including ticket information, and a schedule of events, visit https://kcirishfest.com/.
