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Playoffs begin this week for Tonganoxie

By Shawn Linenberger - | Oct 29, 2003

A four-game losing streak is a hard way to end the regular season.

But for Tonganoxie, at least the final game signaled indications of improvement. Taking on Ottawa last Thursday at Chieftain Park, OHS jumped on the scoreboard first with 27 minutes left in the first half on a penalty kick.

THS would hold its own into the second half.

From the left wing, junior Kirk Rodell dropped in a shot that found the very lower right corner of the net and suddenly the Chieftains were tied in the opening minutes of the second half.

THS had 10 shots to Ottawa’s nine on the night, while the Cyclones had to make 11 saves to Tonganoxie’s eight.

Ottawa, however, made an unassisted goal 15 minutes into the second half and the Chieftains couldn’t respond.

Still, the 2-1 defeat against the 14-2 Cyclones was encouraging for THS coach Luke Denney, who said his team hadn’t played with as much intensity in its other losses, especially a 4-1 loss to KC Christian on Oct. 20.

“Where the mind goes, the body follows,” Denney said.

At 7-8-1, THS drew a Northeast Regional game against Hayden. THS traveled Tuesday to Topeka to take on the Wildcats. The conclusion of that game didn’t make The Mirror’s deadline, but a game story can be found on the newspaper’s Web site, www.tonganoxiemirror.com.

With a win, the Chieftains likely would face Maranatha Academy (14-2) in Shawnee at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.