Emporia High returns home for week four of the football season Friday night, welcoming Junction City to Welch Stadium for homecoming.
The Spartans enter Centennial League play at 2-1 after suffering their first loss of the season last week, falling to Labette County 29-28. Junction City is 0-3 on the season.
While the Blue Jays have yet to pick up a win, Emporia head coach Daniel Goodman says their record doesn’t tell the whole story. He also points to a Junction City defense led by returning Centennial League MVP Khaliel Walker.
Goodman says the Spartans aren’t letting the homecoming festivities distract them from the task at hand.
The Black and Red defense has been a major factor early this season, scoring a touchdown in each of the Spartans’ first three games.
Most recently, sophomore Jerald Clifton returned a fumble for a touchdown in last week’s loss to Labette County. Clifton has been one of the many bright spots for the EHS defense early in the season and says the unit views itself as the strength of the team.
The Spartans will also be looking to end a long Centennial League drought. Emporia hasn’t won a league game since 2019, when the Spartans defeated Junction City 14-13.
Kickoff for Friday night’s homecoming game is at 7 p.m. at Welch Stadium.
The RV Doc Pregame Show gets underway at 6:45 on AM 1400 and 96.9 FM KVOE.
