What a weekend for football
Playoffs start tonight for EHS
By Michael Ashford
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Emporia High School football team is headed back to the State football playoffs for the first time since 2002 and for the first time under third-year head coach Bill Lowe.
The Spartans, thanks to their 34-33 upset victory over third-ranked Junction City last Friday, won the Class 6A District 5 title, and as such, EHS will play host to a playoff game tonight against Wichita Southeast.
The playoff berth has sparked a wave of Spartans spirit in Emporia.
The Emporia High students have deemed tonight’s game a “Black Out,” with all fans asked to wear black to the game.
The Emporia High Football Boosters also will be holding a Spartan Fest Tailgate before the game tonight. From 5-6:30 p.m., all fans are invited to come to the tennis courts across from Welch Stadium for $1 hot dogs or $3 combo meals.
The tailgate also will serve as an impromptu pep rally, as the Spartan cheerleaders, dance team and marching band each are expected to perform.
The trip to the State playoffs gives Emporia High the chance to win seven games in one season for the first time since the 1998 team went 9-0 during the regular season before losing in the first round of the playoffs.
In his time at EHS, Lowe has gradually brought improvement from the Spartans each season. In his first season, EHS went 1-8. Last year, the Spartans finished 6-3 but did not make the playoffs.
The Spartans enter tonight matchup against Southeast (5-4) with a 6-3 record.