It only took a few plays in Saturday’s Emporia State Spring Game for Sean Partridge to catch his first touchdown.
And also have his last dance.
The Emporia State receiver caught the Black team’s first score in its 21-17 victory, celebrating after the 19-yard catch with a few jukes and dance steps in the end zone.
“I had a feeling you might ask about that,” Partridge said with a smile. “I just told everybody I was going to do it. I had to stick to my word.”
The fun wouldn’t last too long.
The junior couldn’t avoid new ESU football coach Garin Higgins on the sidelines, who made sure to let him know that the excessive celebration would only be allowed once.
“He knew when he came running off,” Higgins said, “I’m sure he was kind of looking for me anyway.”
With or without dance moves, Partridge was the highlight for the Hornets on Saturday.
Already looking like a No. 1 receiver, Partridge brought in six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns as the Black rallied for the victory.
“It was good to see him come out today,” Higgins said, “and let us know that he is a guy we can depend on to make some plays when we need him to.”
Made up of mostly first-teamers on the depth chart, the Black team started the game down 17-0 to make things more even.
Partridge hauled in the game-winning catch in the fourth quarter — a 13-yard strike from quarterback Andre Sloan El with 5:34 remaining — to complete the comeback.
“I just want to be a leader out there,” Partridge said. “If that means being a No. 1 receiver, then that’s it.”
The other offensive standout was running back Justin Wieser, who finished the game with seven carries for 111 yards and a score.
His breakout play came in the second quarter, as he bounced off two would-be tacklers and sprinted 65 yards for the second Black touchdown.
“I had a little balance drill, then I just tried to run as fast as I could and not get caught from behind,” Wieser said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do a lot more — trying to make moves in the open field. With our offense now, coach (Gary) Manuel has been preaching to make one guy miss. I’ve been working a lot of moves and making one guy miss.”
In the ongoing quarterback competition, both Sloan El and Ben Purkeypile ended with nearly identical numbers.
Sloan El — who was in on the Black squad’s first possession — finished 6-of-10 for 68 yards with a touchdown. He also rushed six times for 21 yards.
Last year’s starter Ben Purkeypile ended his day 6-for-12 for 59 yards with a touchdown.
Neither quarterback threw an interception.
“I think it’s a good battle going on,” Higgins said. “Both guys have done a great job. I think you saw today they both bring a couple different things to the table.”
The Black squad defense also held its own, as the Gold went scoreless and only advanced past midfield twice.
There were many familiar faces on the sidelines for Higgins, as former ESU coach Larry Kramer attended along with a number of Higgins’ former football teammates at ESU.
“I was nervous,” Higgins said. “My dad, he told me, ‘Look, it’s just a Spring Game. You don’t need to get nervous. You need to get nervous when Northwest Missouri’s over there or Pittsburg State. That’s when you’re going to be nervous. (Today) just relax and have fun.’”
The two teams competed in front of an estimated 750 spectators at Welch Stadium.
“It just shows that people are excited for the season,” Wieser said. “We’re ready to put on a show and have everybody get excited for Emporia State football again.
Partridge said the work was just beginning for the players. In his case, he would be training in the offseason to increase his speed.
“We don’t want to be 3-8 no more,” Partridge said. “We’ve got to work hard.”
On everything but dancing, that is.
“Nothing in the regular season,” Partridge said with a laugh. “You don’t have to worry about any penalties from me.”
ESU Spring Football Game Stats
Rushing
Black Team: Weiser,Justin 7-111 yds TD; Sloan El,Andre 6-21 yds; Ko,Seville 4-7 yds; Sullivan,Lucas 1-(-2 yds); Purkeypile,Ben 1-(-3 yds). Gold Team: Rainey,Colby 8-12 yds; Lynch,Jacob 1-2 yds; Mirocke,Dominic 1-(-1 yds); Aubrey,Jason 1-(1-4 yds); Runge,Eric 2-(-13 yds).
Passing
Black Team: Sloan El,Andre 6 of 10, 68 yards, TD; Purkeypile,Ben 6 of 12, 59 yards, TD. Gold Team: Runge,Eric 6 of 15, 54 yards; Aubrey,Jason 1 of 3, 8 yards.
Receiving
Black Team: Partridge,Sean 6-103 yds, 2 TD; Larkins,Katrel 2-15 yds; Wieser,Justin 1-5 yds; Sparling,Jerrod 1-4 yds; Ko,Seville 2-0 yds. Gold Team: Mirocke,Dominic 3-30 yds; Aubrey,Jason 1-26 yds; May,Wesley 1-5 yds; Lynch,Jacob 2-1 yd.
Scoring
Second Quarter
Partridge,Sean 19 yard TD from Purkeypile,Ben (PAT Kick Good)
Wieser,Justin 65 yard TD (PAT Kick Good)
Fourth Quarter
Partridge,Sean 13 yard TD from Sloan El,Andre (PAT Kick Good)