Friday, October 31, 2014 | The Topeka Capital-Journal
Junior Blues ready for state Seven-time state champs Washburn Rural back at state meet after rare absence in 2013. VOLLEYBALL | PAGE 7C Spiker packs a punch By Brent Maycock brent.maycock@cjonline.com When Alyssa Schultejans rst started playing volley- ball in second grade, she admits she wasnt exactly a natural at the sport. I was pretty awkward back then, Schultejans said. It was basically be tall and hit the ball. Thats good enough to get things done at the parks and rec level. But even then, it still wasnt good enough for Schultejans. I was determined to be that person where theyre like, Watch out for her, SPIKER continues on 6C SEPTEMBER 2014 FILE PHOTO/THE C-J Silver Lakes Alyssa Schulte- jans is closing in on becom- ing the states all-time single-season kill leader. Eagles Schultejans preparing to cap her record career By Dave Skretta The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. The emotions were still raw, the sting of defeat still fresh from Game 7 of the World Series when Billy Butler stood in front of his locker and spoke in a voice full of conviction. They would be back, this scrappy bunch of kids. Their return to the playofs after 29 years was just the beginning, their 3-2 loss on Wednesday night hardly the end. The same team that swept through the playofs before falling to the San Francisco Giants has brighter days ahead. We have so many guys up here that are young, tal- ented, Butler said. You saw some young guys take that next step in the post- season, and its an exciting thing to see, and for the future of this organiza- tion. The future couldnt be brighter. The whole nu- cleus is extremely young, and I think theyre going to build of it. I just hope Im part of that process. Thats the kicker: Butler may not be part of it. The Royals must decide by Monday whether to ex- ercise his expensive club option for next season, and most expect them to decline. That would make Butler a free agent for the rst time in his career and leave Kansas City in search of a new designated hitter. Even if they decline it, you can still talk, Butler said. If its not here, its somewhere else, but Id rather it be here. Thats the way it is. Were a small mar- ket. Business is business, but I feel like its a little bit more than that here. ROYALS continues on 4C THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Royals must decide by Monday if they will exercise Billy Butlers club option for next season. KCs future unclear Butler, Shields among core players team could lose in the ofseason RIVALRY RENEWED: THE WAR ON 24 CHRIS NEAL/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL Rossvilles Dawson Hammes battles his way through the Silver Lake defense while playing in Thursday nights War on 24 in Rossville. The Bulldogs defeated Silver Lake, 24-14, their second win over the Eagles in the last three meetings. Rossville gets physical, knocks of Silver Lake Bulldogs rise to occasion on defense, stymie No. 1 Eagles By Brent Maycock brent.maycock@cjonline.com ROSSVILLE There have been times this sea- son when the Rossville de- fense has had issues. Nothing major, mind you. The Bulldogs didnt get to 8-0 entering Thurs- days War on 24 showdown with Silver Lake having se- rious deciencies on that side of the ball. Whatever minor trou- bles the Bulldogs have had, when the stakes have been highest the Rossville defense has more than an- swered the bell. They did it against Centralia midway through the season and were arguably even better in the Class 3A No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash with arch rival Sil- ver Lake. Rossville held the visit- ing Eagles to zero points and just ve rst downs through three quarters. By the time Silver Lake found some ofensive rhythm, the Bulldogs were in full con- trol on their way to a 24-14 victory. I denitely say we stepped it up this week, Rossville senior line- backer Nick Reesor said. Throughout the year, weve had our lapses where everything wasnt clicking right. It all came together tonight. Coach (Derick) Hammes put a great defen- sive scheme in and we got the job done. Rossville (9-0) wrapped up its second straight Mid- East League title and the 3A District 4 crown and will play host to Pleasant Ridge (5-4) in Tuesdays playof opener. Silver Lake (8-1) fell for the rst time and takes on Maur Hill (7-2) in the rst round. Physical dominance has been Silver Lakes calling card in its domination of the series in recent years, but on Thursday night, Rossville was not only the Eagles match, but perhaps even more. After yielding a pair of rst downs on Silver Lakes opening drive of the game, the Bulldogs buckled down and Reesor knocked down a fourth-down pass ROSSVILLE continues on 5C ROSSVILLE TURNING TIDE Silver Lake has been a powerhouse for much of the last decade, winning 3A state cham- pionships in 2006, 10 and 13. But with Fridays 24-14 win, rival Rossville has now won the last two regular-season matchups with the Eagles. Here are the last 10 regular-season results from the War on 24: 2005 SILVER LAKE 24-21, OT 2006 SL 20-10 2007 SL 46-6, 2008 SL 47-0 2009 SL 35-3 2010 SL 34-28 2011 SL 20-18 2012 SL 32-12 2013 ROSSVILLE 27-21 2014 RV 24-14 LB set to face former team By Dave Skretta The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. Finally healthy and given a shot to start, veteran line- backer Josh Mauga sud- denly leads the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs in tackles near- ing the mid- way point of the season. Never heard of him? The New York Jets can give you a primer. When they visit Arrow- head Stadium on Sunday, they will gaze across the eld at the very same line- backer that they decided was washed up. Mauga struggled with so many in- juries the past couple sea- sons that the Jets nally let him go, only for him to nd a home in Kansas City. Not only did Mauga earn a job in training camp, he quickly became the starter when Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson tore his Achilles tendon in the sea- son opener. Whirlwind? You bet. But in the best way possible. Absolutely, Mauga said. CHIEFS continues on 5C Veteran played for Jets before joining Chiefs Mauga Seaman, Heights to clash for title By Rick Peterson rick.peterson@cjonline.com Both Seaman and Shaw- nee Heights have already clinched Class 5A playof berths, but theres still plenty to play for in Fridays 7 p.m. Dis- trict 2 nale at Shawnee Heights. First and foremost, Friday nights winner will win the dis- trict championship and get a home game in the rst round of the playofs while the Vikings and T-Birds, both 4-4 overall and 2-0 in district play, are in the midst of three-game win- ning streaks and will be looking to continue build- ing momentum. Our goal was to make it to the playofs, but cer- tainly it is a big advantage to be able to play a home game and we know how important winning district is, Seaman coach Blake Pierce said. We have been getting better every week and were exactly where we want to be at the end of the year. 5A continues on 5C Pierce Vikings, T-Birds already assured of 5A playof berths Blues soccer advances in 6A playofs By Todd Fertig Special to The Capital-Journal It took Washburn Rural just two minutes to claim a lead in its state regional battle with W i c h i t a North. The Junior Blues never relin- quished that a d v a n t a g e and avenged a disappoint- ing exit from regionals a year ago. Goal-scorer extraordi- naire Austin Halsey boot- ed home a header pass from BLUES continues on 7C Halsey