Quarterback Jake McEnaney comes around the end and is set to pitch the ball.

Caden Linthicum breaks free down the sideline for a touchdown.

Quentin Carder catches the ball and works to get free from defensive back Jake McEnaney.

Runningback Ian Hedlund gives defensive back Caden Linthicum a stiff arm, as he gets upfield.

Atchison County’s two undefeated football teams met up in Rock Port Friday, Sept. 15.
East Atchison kicked off to start the game. Senior Caden Linthicum caught the kick and returned it to the Blue Jay 30 yard line. The Jays moved the ball to the Wolves’ 24 yard line before quarterback Jase Hughes threw a pass up the middle that was picked off by junior defensive back Gage McAdams. EA would take possession on their own  five yard line. After a false start penalty moving the Wolves back to the two and a half yard line. Quarterback Jake McEnaney tried to hit Briacin Bywater on a quick bubble route from the back field. Next play McEnaney handed off to Bywater, who was met in the back field by defensive lineman Dalton Brake for a safety, making the score 2-0. The kick-off was taken by Linthicum, who returned it for a touchdown, but it was called back for an illegal block. The Jays would take possession on their 9 yard line. Two plays later Hughes would hit tight end Ryan Dewhirst who took it 68 yards for the touchdown. The two point conversion was no good, making the score 8-0.
Freshman Joey Herron kicked off to back man Briacin Bywater, who took the ball out to the Wolves’ 36 yard line. After a penalty and two good runs by Ian Hedlund the Wolves elected to punt. The Jays would take possession on the 15 yard line. The next play from the line of scrimmage Hughes hit Dewhirst for a 65 yard touchdown. The two point conversion was no good, making the score 14-0. The Wolves would cover the squib kick on their 30 yard line. The Jays’ defense would take advantage of a bad toss to Bywater who picked the ball up and scrambles around until he was brought down on the 15 yard line. McEnaney would attempt three passes before Gage McAdams punted the ball. Two plays later Hughes gave a quick pitch to Linthicum who took it 27 yards for a touchdown. The two point conversion was no good, making the score 20-0.
With another short kick the Wolves would take over on their own 37 yard line. McEnaney attempted three passes before the Wolves punted the ball. The Jays would run nine plays, moving the ball down to the Wolves’ 19 yard line before quarterback Hughes hit Dewhirst for a one-handed touchdown grab. Hughes’ two point conversion was good, making the score 28-0. Following the kick-off and then a personal foul, the Wolves moved the ball to the Jays’ 25 with a quarterback keeper before ending the first quarter.
Five plays later, second and 19, Hughes hit Quentin Carder for a 20 yard pass to give the Jays a first down. This was followed by two penalties. Five plays later Hughes hit Dewhirst for his fourth touchdown on the night. The two point conversion was no good, making the score 34-0.
The Wolves moved the ball to the Jays’ 34 yard line before being forced to punt the ball.
Three plays later Hughes gave a quick pitch to running back Caden Linthicum who would take it 63 yards for the score. Quentin Carter’s two point conversion was good, making the score 42-0.
Starting on their own 25 yard line quarterback Jake McEnaney hit Briacin Bywater who moved the ball to the 40 yard line. Four plays later on a fourth down and four McEnaney would hand off the Bywater who was met in the back field and the Jays would take over on downs. Three plays later Hughes would hit Linthicum for the final touchdown on the night. Gavin Abbott’s two point conversion was good making the final score 50-0.
East Atchison’s Stats: Jake McEnaney went two for 11 with 29 passing yards and also had 11 rushing yards in the loss. Briacin Bywater had 10 rushing yards, as well as Ian Hedlund with 7. Hedlund also had 15 receiving yards and Bywater had 14.
Leading tacklers:
Shae DeRosier had seven tackles and three assists. Other EA tackles included: Gage McAdams with four and two assists; Hedlund with three and two assists; McEnaney with two and two assists; Garrett Meyer with one and one tackle for loss; Conner Marshall with one; Andrew Gibbons with two assists, and Ashton Yeary with one assist. McAdams had one interception.
Rock Port Stats:
Jase Hughes had 27 yards rushing and was 11 for 16 passing and 289 yards. Quentin Carder had 17 yards rushing and had two receptions for 27 yards. Caden Linthicum had 88 yards rushing, two receptions for 32 yards and three touchdowns. Gavin Abbott had 38 yards rushing and one PAT. Ryan Dewhirst had 6 receptions for 222 yards and four TDs. Brock Martin had 19 yards rushing and one reception for 8 yards.
Leading tacklers:
Gavin Abbott with 6 and a forced fumble. Quentin Carder with 6. Ryan Dewhirst with 2 and a sack. Carter Ottmann with 4 and a fumble recovery. Dalton Brake with 5 and a safety. Caden Linthicum with 4. Brett Gayler with 4 and a forced fumble. Joey Herron, Alex Burke, Aaron Lawrence with 1 each.