The Emporia Spartans went on the road to Coffeyville Friday night and used stifling defense and strong rushing attack to shut out Field Kindley 50-0 to earn their second win of the season, the most in a season since 2022. Emporia’s defense was dominant throughout, forcing a Field Kindley 3 and out on their first drive and scoring a touchdown on their opening drive with this five yard run from Rylan Crowell, to give the Spartans a 6-0 lead with 7:43 left in the first quarter.
Emporia would get another stop on defense and Crowell would add another touchdown in the 1st quarter as Emporia led 12-0 after the first quarter, but things got dicey in the 2nd quarter with two Spartans turnovers to give the ball back to Field Kindley. Emporia’s defense continued to shut the door on the Golden Tornados as Crowell added another score to make it 20-0, and Garrett LeBlanc interception, Crowell found the endzone late in the 2nd quarter to give Emporia a 28-0 lead at halftime.
The Spartans did not let the foot off of the gas in the 2nd half as Crowell collected his fifth rushing touchdown of the game, the most for a Spartan since 2022 when Bobby Trujillo scored 9 touchdowns against Highland Park. The play of the game came later when Brody blocked this punt to seal the game.
Freshman Jerald Cliftin found the endzone for the first time in his career to finish the game to help give Emporia the 50-0 win.
Crowell finished the night with 15 carries for 163 yards, while quarterback Micah Gray and a strong game on the ground with 9 runs for 102 yards. Ben Collins had 8 rushes for 43 yards helping Emporia to over 300 rushing yards.
The Spartans defense had a night to remember, allowing just 88 yards of offense in their first shutout win since 2019.
Emporia improved to 2-1 for the first time since 2019 as they now shift their focus to 2-1 Topeka, who lost to Wichita Southeast 6-0 on Thursday. Coverage will begin Friday at 6:30 and kickoff at 7 on KVOE.
