The Emporia Spartans went on the road to Topeka on Friday night and fell one point short, losing to the Trojans 13-12. Emporia got on the board first when Rylan Crowell had a 75 yard run to set up this touchdown pass.
The throw and catch from freshman Cael Claibourn to Oliver Klein gave Emporia a 6-0 lead after the two point conversion failed. Topeka answered in the 2nd quarter with a rushing touchdown, with the extra point failing to make it 6-6 at halftime.
Topeka took their first lead in the 3rd quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-6. The Spartans would answer in the 4th with a long drive capped off by this touchdown run.
After scoring the touchdown with 4 minutes to play, the Emporia ensuing two point conversion failed to keep the score 13-12 and give the ball back to Topeka, who ran out the rest of the clock to escape with the 1-point victory.
Rylan Crowell finished the night with 24 carries and 158 yards in the loss. Emporia falls to 2-2 and hosts Manhattan next week.
