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Atchison topples Chieftains

By Shawn Linenberger - | Nov 6, 2002

The namesake of Atchison High’s football stadium didn’t really fit the mood in a 4A bi-district game Tuesday.

At least in the first half.

With Atchison playing host to Tonganoxie, the teams stayed on the ground at Amelia Earhart Field in the first half. The Chieftains controlled the game throughout the first and second quarters, charging for a touchdown on quarterback Justin Walker’s 18-yard run.

But then came the second half. Atchison found that the city’s native daughter had a better form of travel. The Redmen connected on four passes that set up touchdowns and escaped with a 28-14 bi-district win.

Atchison (7-3) couldn’t get much going in the first half, but 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter spelled doom for the Chieftains who ended the season 5-5.

“I don’t think there were any downfalls at all,” THS coach Mark Elston said. “I think we played fine.

Our guys played with their hearts and gave everything.”

For three quarters, Tonganoxie looked to be in good shape to advance in the playoffs, as they took a 14-7 lead into the final stanza.

But the late surge by Atchison proved to be too much for Tonganoxie.