The Emporia Gazette

February 12, 2012

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The lesson of Friday night — if you hadn’t learned it by now — is to never, ever count this Emporia High team out.

Staring an early exit from the Class 5A playoffs straight in the face, the Spartans pulled off their latest, most staggering and most important comeback, pouncing on two McPherson fumbles in the second quarter and turning them into touchdowns to erase a 20-0 deficit. Emporia controlled the game in the second half and put it away with a Mark Kolmer touchdown — and 2-point pass — with 1:18 remaining, beating the Bullpups 35-33.

It couldn’t have been a more dramatic way to end a 19-year drought between State playoff victories for EHS, which advanced to a quarterfinal game at Bishop Carroll next Friday. But the Spartans have erased deficits all season long, and with their knack for forcing the big turnover and the Welch Stadium crowd behind them, they did it once more.

“When we get down, we never give up,” said quarterback Brandon Gentz, who led the Spartans (8-2) with 142 rushing yards and scored two TDs. “We know if we just make a few plays here and there, and our offense is clicking, we’re always in the game. And fortunately, our offense got clicking when we caused a few turnovers, and that really just changed the game.”

A McPherson offense that has plenty of weapons — a speedy running back, a tall quarterback with arm strength and three good receivers — flashed its playmaking ability at the start of the game, making it look like a great season for the Spartans might end in dismal fashion.

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