Hays Post Sports
EMPORIA — The East defense came up with three fourth-down stops in the second half and capitalized on three first-half West turnovers to claim a 14-7 victory in the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl before 6,035 fans Saturday at Welch Stadium.
Despite being outgained 277-218 and running 18 more offensive plays, the West was undone by three first-half turnovers and failed to score an offensive touchdown. The victory cut the East's deficit in the all-time series to 30-19-2 and marked its third straight Shrine Bowl win in Emporia.
The East opened the scoring after Quenten Stark (Osage City) intercepted a pass from Daxon Minton (Great Bend) deep in East territory and returned it near midfield. Aiden Scott (Shawnee Heights) then connected with Alec Jett (St. James Academy) on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the East with a 6-0 lead.
The West answered late in the opening quarter when Houston Bowlin (Derby) recovered a fumble in the end zone for the team's only touchdown. Brody Haskell (Augusta) added the extra point to give the West a 7-6 lead with 2:54 remaining in the period.
The West threatened again after recovering a fumble and advancing to the East 4-yard line, but Hayden Heller (Mill Valley) intercepted a pass on the third play of the second quarter to end the drive.
The East regained the lead for good with 1:13 remaining in the first half after Austin Zeller (Jackson Heights) recovered a West fumble near midfield. Savion Stone (Kansas City-Washington) threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Blake Jay (Mill Valley), then ran in the two-point conversion to give the East a 14-7 halftime advantage.
The West mounted several fourth-quarter drives but was turned away three times on fourth down inside the East 35-yard line.
Cooper Reves (Salina Central) rushed for 91 yards on 14 carries and was named the West's Most Valuable Player. Hays High's Holden Lind added 22 yards on seven carries. Carter Hajek (Nemaha Central) led the East with 59 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Jay finished with four receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Stone was named the East's Most Valuable Player.
Cael Frazier (Holton) led the East defense with seven tackles, while Landon Steven (Bishop Carroll) recorded six tackles for the West.