Eleven years ago, I was a nervous wreck.

I had just been laid off from my newspaper job, one where I had spent seven years covering Louisburg. Like so many others in this profession, I suddenly found myself staring at an uncertain future as newspapers continued to disappear. Jobs were scarce. Stability was gone. And I had a family to support.

I knew I was probably going to have to take a job I didn’t want — something far from journalism — just to make ends meet.

Then an idea hit me.

With news media shifting more and more online, I wondered: Would Louisburg support something like this? Would the community care enough about local sports to follow an independent site dedicated solely to their athletes?

As it turned out, the answer was an overwhelming yes.

Because of the relationships I had built during my first seven years here, there was an appetite from local businesses to support the idea — and many of them never wavered. Eleven years later, a lot of those same businesses were still standing beside Louisburg Sports Zone, believing it was an important piece of the community.

They were right — and I couldn’t agree more.

This past decade-plus has been some of the best years of my life. Through Louisburg Sports Zone, I formed incredible relationships with coaches, athletes, administrators, parents and community members. Even as a graduate of rival Paola, the Louisburg community adopted me as one of their own.

For those of you around my age or older, this might resonate.

I often felt like Norm from Cheers.

Every time I walked into a gym, stadium or field, I’d hear, “Hey Andy!” or “Thanks for coming!” or “We appreciate you.” So many people knew my name — even people I didn’t know — simply because they appreciated what I did.

Instead of an icy cold glass in my hand, I carried a camera. My barstool wasn’t at a counter — it was on the sideline, capturing moments as they happened. And there were plenty of them.

State championships. State tournament appearances. Individual champions and medalists. Record-breaking performances.

I was lucky enough to see it all.

But my favorite part was always watching kids grow — seeing freshmen mature into seniors and leave as confident, capable young adults. That transformation never got old.

My very first event as Louisburg Sports Zone was a home basketball game. I was only a couple months removed from being laid off and still unsure if this idea would work or if anyone would even care.

Those worries disappeared quickly.

As I walked into the gym, Natalie Moore, Kirstin Lowry and Kallie O’Keefe stopped their warmups to smile and wave. Coach Shawn Lowry walked clear across the court to shake my hand and welcome me back.

More than a decade later, I still get those same smiles from athletes and handshakes from coaches and parents alike. Those connections are what made this decision so difficult.

Six months ago, I was offered a position with KSHSAA Covered and the Kansas High School Activities Association. Honestly, I never thought I’d have another writing job outside of Louisburg Sports Zone. I fully intended to keep doing this until the appetite for it simply wasn’t there anymore.

But the opportunity was too good to pass up — and it was the right move for my family.

I knew the connections wouldn’t be the same. Starting over is hard, especially when you know what you’re leaving behind. My favorite part of this job was feeling the appreciation from the community and knowing I was giving people something positive to read.

I wasn’t perfect. I made mistakes along the way. But this community allowed me to grow — as a writer, photographer and a person. I always tried to do the best I could and to cover every sport as fairly and equally as possible.

The last five or six years put me in an interesting position, as my own kids were playing varsity sports. How do you balance being a supportive dad and a journalist at the same time? I hope I did it right.

One of the biggest perks of this job was getting to write about my kids — their first varsity goal, first basket, first shutout or a big volleyball performance. I know how lucky I was to experience that.

None of this would have been possible without my family — especially my wife, Jennifer. I wasn’t home much in the evenings, especially with young kids, and that wasn’t easy. She never stopped supporting me.

To my kids — Jordan, Ally and Carter — thank you for understanding the crazy hours and for supporting me even when I couldn’t be at everything like other parents. I love you more than you know.

I also want to thank all of my advertisers, past and present. Louisburg Sports Zone doesn’t exist without you. Craig Holtzen and Edward Jones, Dixon Contracting Services, White’s Automotive, Prime Accounting Services, Amborn Stone, Wildcat Vet Clinic, Dr. Andy Hill, Destination Fun Travel, Vance Brothers, Go Brolly, First National Bank, First Option Bank, Landmark Bank, Dr. Laura’s Orthodontics, IronHorse Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Louisburg Family Dental, Vohs Pharmacy, Elliott Insurance, Magnum Equipment, Louisburg Athletic Club, Louisburg Library, Tri-County Pest, Midwest Collision — and so many others along the way.

I also wanted to give a big shoutout to a Louisburg graduate – Kenneth Sweeney. He has been my “web guy” this whole time. He helped design the site and has also been there to help me troubleshoot what problems have come up since then. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Thank you to every coach I’ve worked with. Getting to know you and promote your programs has truly been an honor. I appreciate you enduring my countless emails that I send out every week. You have helped make Louisburg Sports Zone what it is as well. I will miss you all.

And finally, the student-athletes — you are the reason this worked. Thank you for letting me into your lives and giving me so many incredible stories to tell. And consider this a long-overdue apology to anyone I ever did “dirty” with an unfortunate action photo.

So here I am, 11 years later, feeling some of those same nerves as I move into something new. The last six months with KSHSAA Covered have been great, and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.

Still, walking away from something I built was not easy.

I only hope that Louisburg Sports Zone has been as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me. These have been some of the best times of my life — and I will treasure them always.

Thank you, Louisburg.

Louisburg boys soccer continued its rise in the Frontier League this fall, and the Wildcats’ progress showed in the postseason honors. After a 9-6-1 campaign that pushed them into the Class 4A regional championship match, Louisburg landed nine players on the All-Frontier League teams — the program’s highest total since 2021.

“Our league is always tough, so I’m really proud of how our players were recognized this year,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Getting nine players recognized is the most all-league selections we’ve had since 2021, and it’s a testament to their hard work all season. We had a lot of close games — three 1-0 losses and tight wins over strong teams like Bonner Springs and Eudora — so it’s great to see our players get the recognition they’ve earned.”

Senior captain Owen Marsh headlined the group as a first-team selection and was named the co-Midfielder of the Year after erupting for one of the most productive offensive seasons in the league. Marsh finished with 17 goals, three assists, 43 shots on goal, five game-winners and three hat tricks.

“Owen is a relentless competitor and emotional leader,” Bovaird said. “He set the tone for our entire program with his intensity, drive, and standard of excellence. He’s a dynamic scorer with a natural instinct to attack goals, unpredictable in his movements and fearless in big moments. As a captain, he led by example and left a lasting mark on our program.”

Louisburg’s second-team selections included junior winger Brody Bovaird and senior center back Ryan Barberich, two players who shaped the Wildcats’ identity on opposite ends of the field.

Bovaird supplied creativity and pace on the right side, totaling three goals, five assists and 10 shots on goal while leading the team in assists and producing nearly 50 crosses.

“Brody uses his fast pace, precision on the ball, and field vision to create scoring opportunities for teammates,” coach Bovaird said. “His composure on the ball and ability to deliver dangerous crosses made him one of our most consistent offensive weapons this season. He is the team leader in assists, but also contributed to many other scoring attacks.”

Barberich led a defensive unit that produced seven shutouts and allowed only 10 goals in league play, using his leadership and poise to stabilize the back line.

“Ryan anchored our back line with poise and leadership, organizing our defense and commanding the air on set pieces,” coach Bovaird said. “His combination of physical strength, communication, and soccer intelligence made him the steadying presence behind seven shutouts and one of the best defensive units in the league.”

Six Wildcats earned honorable mention, beginning with sophomore midfielder Ryder Erickson, who delivered four goals, four assists, 13 shots on goal and two game-winning goals.

“In many ways, Ryder was the heartbeat of our midfield, and he could dictate the tempo of play and connect all phases of our attack,” coach Bovaird said. “His technical touch, spatial awareness, and field vision made him a consistent playmaker and key transition player in our system. He’s a young player with instincts and maturity beyond his years.”

His older brother, senior midfielder Renner Erickson, added experience and composure to the middle of the field, finishing with three assists and seven shots on goal. His season ended in the regional semifinals with a leg injury.

“A vocal leader and steady presence in the middle, Renner brought composure, experience, and a deep understanding of the game,” Bovaird said. “His communication and support for teammates were vital to our team chemistry and success in controlling possession.”

Senior winger Caleb Feldkamp brought explosive speed to the attack and totaled four goals, one assist and nine shots on goal.

“Caleb is an explosive winger whose speed changes games, and he may be one of the fastest forwards I’ve seen,” Bovaird said. “He stretched defenses and constantly pressured the back line. This season, he elevated his play with a new edge and leadership presence, setting the tone for our wide attack. A quiet but respected leader who let his play speak for itself.”

At striker, senior Tanner LaBrie added power and production with five goals, two assists and 29 shots on goal, delivering one game-winner while consistently generating chances.

“Tanner brought energy and finishing ability every time he stepped on the field,” Bovaird said. “Whether starting or coming off the bench, he consistently made an impact with his runs, movement, and ability to create danger around goal.”

Sophomore center back Conner Marsh emerged as a key defensive piece alongside Barberich, contributing three blocked shots while helping the Wildcats secure seven shutouts.

“Conner emerged as a key defensive force this season, combining patience and discipline with impressive physicality and awareness,” Bovaird said. “He worked seamlessly with our goalkeeper and fellow center back to anchor the defense and consistently shut down top opposing attackers.

The Wildcats’ final honoree was senior goalkeeper Evan Moreland, who turned in a strong season with 50 saves, seven shutouts, nine victories, one goal and one assist.

“Evan was the emotional core of our team,” Bovaird said. “He led with passion and intelligence both on and off the field. His leadership, composure, and decision-making in goal anchored our defense, and his versatility and athleticism allowed him to contribute in the field when needed. A true captain and tone-setter for our program

With a large senior class and several sophomores already playing at an all-league level, Bovaird believes this year’s group helped strengthen the foundation for future success.

“These guys earned everything they got,” he said. “It speaks to their growth, their work ethic, and where our program is headed.”

Honors didn’t stop there as several Wildcats were also named to the all-state team by the Kansas High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Marsh earned first team honors, while Feldkamp, Bovaird, Barberich, Ryder Erickson and Conner Marsh were all honorable mention selections.

2025 All-Frontier League Soccer Team

FIRST TEAM – FIELD PLAYERS

Cooper Carr, Baldwin

Leo Schoenberger, Baldwin

Owen Marsh, Louisburg

Lachlan McRae, Tonganoxie

Oscar Ceballos, Bonner Springs

Beckham Erpelding, Eudora

Jameson Breitzmann, Tonganoxie

Jordan Jaworski, Ottawa

Ethan Smasal, Baldwin

Carter Wilson, Spring Hill

Aidan Odell, Spring Hill

FIRST TEAM – GOALKEEPER

Jose Vazques-Torres, Bonner Springs

SECOND TEAM – FIELD PLAYERS

Jack Hawkins, Eudora

Rylan Howard, Bonner Springs

Drew Bragg, Bonner Springs

Caden Dunback, Eudora

Brody Bovaird, Louisburg

Camden Cox, Baldwin

Jeg Randol, Ottawa

Ryan Barberich, Louisburg

Keldyn Cox, Baldwin

Ryder Erickson, Louisburg

SECOND TEAM – GOALKEEPER

Ivan Franco, Tonganoxie

HONORABLE MENTION – FIELD PLAYERS

Cruz Guzman, Paola

Cody Lobb, Tonganoxie

Caleb Feldkamp, Louisburg

Harrison York, Spring Hill

Nick Odor, Bonner Springs

Trenton Ridinger, Eudora

Ayden McArthur, Paola

Chase Powell, Ottawa

Troy Leonard, Paola

Alan Calderon, Bonner Springs

Owen Bryant, Paola

Antonio Vaca, Bonner Springs

Bryan Flores, Bonner Springs

Tanner LaBrie, Louisburg

Grant Hurla, Eudora

Jose Rivera, Eudora

Ethan Musick, Eudora

Jude Whalen, Eudora

Conner Marsh, Louisburg

Renner Erickson, Louisburg

HONORABLE MENTION – GOALKEEPERS

Evan Moreland, Louisburg

Cason Dick, Baldwin

Kaden Applegate, Spring Hill

Cort Wilson, Ottawa

ROELAND PARK — Louisburg’s postseason run came to an end against one of the state’s most decorated programs, but not before the Wildcats showed once again how far they’ve come.

Facing perennial Class 4-1A contender Bishop Miege on Oct. 30, the Wildcats trailed just 2-0 at halftime before the Stags pulled away for a 6-0 win in the regional championship match. Miege went on to finish third at the state tournament after falling to eventual champion Rose Hill in the semifinals.

Louisburg’s trip to the regional final was hard-earned. Two nights earlier, the Wildcats outlasted Eudora in a dramatic shootout at home in cold, windy, and rainy conditions. The 5-4 (3-1) win in penalty kicks sent Louisburg back to the regional title match for the second straight season.

The Wildcats got goals from Caleb Feldkamp (2) and Tanner LaBrie, along with an Eudora own goal. Grant Cannon tallied two assists, and Owen Marsh added another.

That victory, however, came at a cost. Senior defender Renner Erickson tore his ACL during the match, while LaBrie and Cody Courtney were also banged up. Despite the injuries, the Wildcats regrouped quickly and gave Miege a strong first half.

“It was a tough game against a really talented Bishop Miege team,” Louisburg head coach Bobby Bovaird said. “We were hanging right with them for most of the first half before they finally broke through with a late goal, and then they added another right before halftime. We were missing Renner, and Cody and Tanner got banged up, so we had some adversity before the game even started. But the guys stepped up, played their hearts out, and competed hard.”

Bovaird said the Wildcats’ determination in the face of challenges defined their season.

“Miege is one of those programs that’s always in the mix for a state title, and our guys went toe-to-toe with them,” he said. “Being regional finalists is something to be proud of, even if we were hoping to take that next step.”

Louisburg closed the season with a 10-7-1 record — a strong campaign for a team that had to replace eight starters from last year’s group that made a deep postseason run.

“I’m especially proud of how the team responded after the Eudora game,” Bovaird said. “The weather was miserable — cold, wet, and windy — and after a game in those conditions, you might expect the team to lag a little, but we adapted and left it all on the field against Miege.”

For Bovaird, the 2025 Wildcats will be remembered for their perseverance.

“We had a lot of new faces stepping into key roles, and they rose to the challenge,” he said. “When injuries hit, guys stepped up. That next-man-up mindset really defined our year. Our seniors led the way, and our younger players grew tremendously. It was a season full of heart, growth, and resilience.”

The Louisburg boys soccer team closed out its regular season in dominant fashion — and in perfect Senior Night style.

The Wildcats cruised to an 8-0 victory over Fort Scott last Thursday, wrapping up a stretch in which they won three of their final four matches heading into postseason play.

Before kickoff, the Wildcats honored their 14 seniors — Ryan Barberich, Grant Cannon, Renner Erickson, Caleb Feldkamp, Wyatt Guetterman, Canton Klugman, Tanner LaBrie, Owen Marsh, Luis Mendez, Evan Moreland, Keegan Rogers, Wyatt Tharp, Carlos Villar-Martinez and Guillermo Villar-Martinez.

Those seniors made sure the night belonged to them on the field, too. Six of Louisburg’s eight goals came from upperclassmen, with Marsh (2 goals) opening the scoring and Feldkamp finishing it early in the second half. Klugman, Villar-Martinez and LaBrie also found the back of the net along with Ryder Erickson and Brody Bovaird. Villar-Martinez, LaBrie, Guetterman (twice) and Renner Erickson all recorded assists.

Moreland earned his third shutout in the last four matches, thanks to a sturdy defensive line anchored by Barberich, Cannon, Guetterman and Tharp.

“It was a great night for our seniors and for the Wildcat soccer program,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “We were able to start 11 of our 14 seniors and get the rest in shortly after kickoff, so everybody got their moment. A lot of those guys who don’t normally get big varsity minutes got to play a ton, which was awesome to see.”

Bovaird said the senior class holds special meaning for him personally.

“This senior class means a lot to me, and it’s been a great learning experience for everyone involved,” Bovaird said. “They were freshmen when I took over, so I’ve seen them grow up through the program. They’ve come a long way — on the field and off — and they’ve set a strong example for our younger guys. Every group of players brings its own mix of personalities, and one of the best things about high school sports — for players, coaches, and parents alike — is learning how to handle challenges, stay accountable, and keep perspective. At the end of the day, we’re all working toward the same goal, and hope the boys know how proud I am of the way they’ve faced adversity and grown through it.”

The Wildcats’ strong finish included decisive wins over Paola (6-0) and Leavenworth (1-0) earlier in October. Marsh recorded a hat trick against Paola, while Cody Courtney scored twice and Klugman added one. Brody Bovaird assisted on two goals.

“That game was all about building confidence,” Coach Bovaird said. “The guys were really visualizing success and trusting their instincts, and you could see it from the opening whistle.”

Against Leavenworth, Ryder Erickson’s early goal — assisted by Feldkamp — proved to be the difference.

“That one wasn’t flashy, but the boys stayed composed,” Bovaird said. “It was gritty soccer that helped us focus on what we need to tighten up for the postseason.”

Louisburg (9-6-1) will now look to extend its season when it opens regional play Tuesday at home as the No. 8 seed, facing No. 9 Eudora at 6 p.m. The winner advances to Thursday’s regional final to face either No. 2 Bishop Miege or No. 15 Parsons.

“The guys are fired up,” Bovaird said. “We’ve grown a lot since the first time we saw Eudora, and the seniors especially are hungry to make a run. You can feel the energy — they know what’s at stake and they’re ready to go after it.”

The Louisburg boys soccer team experienced a mix of highs and lows over a busy three-game stretch last week, starting with an impressive 6-0 victory over Parsons on Oct. 6.

The Wildcats, unfortunately, suffered a pair of back-to-back one-goal losses to Baldwin and Tonganoxie later in the week.

“It was definitely a real mix of a week for us,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “The Parsons win was great — it took us a bit to find our rhythm, but the second half showed how well the team can adjust and finish strong, with multiple players contributing goals. Then, the back-to-back league games against Baldwin and Tonganoxie were tough. Those games challenged us physically and mentally, and we were dealing with some injuries and position adjustments.”

The Wildcats came out firing against Parsons, with senior Owen Marsh leading the charge by recording a hat trick. All three of Marsh’s goals were set up by Ryder Erickson, who also found the back of the net himself on a goal assisted by Parker Powers.

Cody Courtney and Ethan Kuhlman each added scores to round out the dominant offensive showing, while goalkeeper Evan Moreland earned the shutout in net.

Louisburg’s offense was held in check the following night against Frontier League champion Baldwin. The match remained scoreless deep into the second half until Baldwin’s Cooper Carr broke through with the deciding goal in the final three minutes, handing the Wildcats a tough 1-0 defeat.

Two days later, Louisburg faced another defensive battle against Tonganoxie. The Chieftains struck early and managed to hold off several Wildcat chances to secure a 1-0 win.

“Against Baldwin, we played to our standard, stayed disciplined, and showed a lot of resilience,” Bovaird said. “Against Tonganoxie, we faced a lot of adversity. Both games highlighted and reinforced areas we need to keep improving on, like finishing and defending set pieces, but the effort and focus were there throughout.”

The Wildcats now sit at 6-5-1 on the season and will look to bounce back today as they host Paola in a Frontier League matchup.

Overall, it was a week that highlighted both our strengths and the work ahead,” Bovaird said. “We’re still poised for a strong run here at the end of the regular season and getting ready for the postseason.”

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week five of the fall sports season, sponsored by IronHorse Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

EVAN MORELAND, SENIOR, SOCCER

Louisburg senior Evan Moreland reached a big milestone last week for the Wildcat soccer team. The Wildcat goalie recorded his 250th career save last week at Ottawa and has earned four shutouts this season, including wins over Chanute last week and Parsons on Monday.

Moreland currently has 19 career victories, which is third in program history and is third in program history with 12 career shutouts.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the fall season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.

Previous winner:

Week 1: Owen Marsh

Week 2: Caileigh Kilgore

Week 3: Maddox McGhee

Week 4: Blaise Vohs

The Louisburg boys soccer team showed both its firepower and resilience last week, starting with a commanding 8-0 road win at Chanute last Tuesday before narrowly falling 1-0 to Ottawa two days later.

Against Chanute, the Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board. Owen Marsh opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a through ball from Ryder Erickson. The floodgates soon opened. Tanner LaBrie doubled the lead with a composed finish off a one-touch setup from Brody Bovaird.

Bovaird then took over the scoring duties, netting twice in impressive fashion. His first came after a quick throw-in from Caleb Feldkamp, which Eamon Grove flicked into Bovaird’s path for the finish. Moments later, Bovaird split three defenders on a perfectly timed pass from LaBrie to make it 4-0.

Erickson added his name to the scoresheet next, slotting home from an assist by Wyatt Tharp. Marsh notched his second of the night with a rocket into the upper 90 after regaining possession in the attacking third.

The goals kept coming as Grove chipped in a 30-yard shot that dipped just under the bar.

The highlight of the match came in the final seconds as goalkeeper Evan Moreland pushed forward and scored his first career goal thanks to an unselfish pass from Canton Klugman. Moreland and Fritz Meyer shared the clean sheet in a match Louisburg dominated from start to finish.

“I was really proud of how the guys competed last week,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Against Chanute, we showed great composure and execution — our movement, decision-making, and finishing were some of the best we’ve had all season. Owen and Brody both stepped up with two goals apiece, and it was awesome to see senior goalkeeper Evan score his first varsity goal late in that match.”

Two days later, the Wildcats faced a much tighter contest at Ottawa, falling 1-0 despite controlling nearly 60% of possession—marking their best ball control performance of the season. Louisburg outshot the Cyclones 9–4, delivered 12 crosses, and earned five corners while maintaining a 58% pass success rate.

But for all their creativity and pressure, the Wildcats couldn’t find the back of the net. Ottawa’s back line was disciplined, cutting out through balls and crowding shooting lanes. The decisive goal came late, after a no-call on a potential foul in the midfield led to a quick turnover, cross, and a close-range tap-in for the Cyclones.

Despite the loss, it was a memorable night for Moreland as he notched his 250^th career save.

“That is a huge milestone and is a testament to his consistency over four years,” coach Bovaird said of Moreland. “Against Ottawa, we controlled possession and created chances but just couldn’t find the finishing touch. Even in the loss, our effort, organization, and poise were strong, and we’ll keep building on that as we head into a big stretch this week.”

With the split results, Louisburg moves to 5-3-1 on the season and 2-2 in Frontier League play. The Wildcats are back in action tonight, kicking off a three-game week with a home matchup against Parsons.

The Louisburg boys soccer team continued their strong start to the season with a pair of 1-0 victories last week, shutting out both Eudora and Lansing behind a strong defense and timely goals.

The Wildcats capped off their perfect week on Thursday at home, edging out Eudora thanks to a first half goal that proved to be the game winner. Midway through the half, defender Wyatt Guetterman launched a long throw-in, where Tanner LaBrie was perfectly positioned to slot the ball into the net for the game’s lone goal.

It also gave the Wildcats some revenge after they fell to the Cardinals the last two seasons and it kept them undefeated in Frontier League play.

“That win was huge for us,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Eudora has beaten us the past two seasons, so to come out on top in a tight Frontier League battle was a big step forward for the guys. What stood out to me was the trust and leadership the guys showed. This season, we’ve talked about sharpening one another through unity, and you could see that on the field.”

Louisburg’s defense took care of the rest, limiting the Cardinals to just two shots on target. The back line of Conner Marsh, Ryan Barberich, Grant Cannon, and Guetterman held strong, with key contributions off the bench from Brayden Stringfield and Wyatt Tharp. Senior goalkeeper Evan Moreland recorded his second clean sheet of the week and continues to be a steady presence in net.

The Wildcats (4-1-1) had one scary moment in the first half where the Cardinals had an apparent open net and took a shot. However, Tharp read the play and knocked the ball out at the last second to preserve the lead.

“Our defense has been outstanding,” Bovaird said. “We’ve had two straight clean sheets, and that comes from more than just the goalkeeper — it’s the whole group buying into the press, staying connected through communication, and just flat-out being tough as nails. Evan made some key saves, and our back line of Conner, Ryan, Grant, and Wyatt has been rock solid. Conner and Ryan especially have stepped into starting roles this year after being reserves last season, and they’ve really risen to the challenge. We’ve limited both Lansing and Eudora to very few shots on goal, which shows the discipline and toughness of our defensive unit.”

Earlier in the week, the Wildcats traveled to Lansing on Sept. 16 and returned home with another 1-0 victory. Sophomore Parker Powers notched his first varsity goal off a long pass from Owen Marsh midway through the second half. The defense again proved dominant, holding Lansing to just three shots on goal.

“Definitely a great feeling,” Bovaird said. “Lansing is always a tough team to play, and they had more possession of the ball than we did, but our guys showed real physical and mental toughness. We pressed well, created chances in transition, and capitalized when Parker Powers scored his first varsity goal off a great sequence starting with Grant Cannon’s interception. Then our defense and Evan closed it out. We’d lost to Lansing the past two seasons, so to go there and grind out a 1-0 win showed how much this team has grown.”

The Wildcats will look to extend their shutout streak when they host Spring Hill this Thursday and stay atop the league standings.

“Overall, last week was about proving to ourselves how far we’ve come,” Bovaird said. “In the past two seasons, we were outscored 13-1 by these same two teams, and this year we flipped that to two clean-sheet wins. That speaks to the work these guys have put in and the culture we’re building together. Going 2-0 in the league to start is huge, but we know it’s just the beginning — we’ve got Spring Hill coming up and it will be a big test.”

Looking to bounce back after a loss earlier in the week, the Louisburg boys soccer team roared back into Frontier League play.

The Wildcats got the start they were hoping for with an electric first half against Bonner Springs, powered by a four-goal performance from senior striker Owen Marsh.

Marsh wasted no time setting the tone, scoring all four of his goals in the opening 40 minutes. He opened the scoring by finishing off a long throw-in from Grant Cannon.

The Louisburg senior followed it up by converting a pass from Ryder Erickson, who sparked the play with a midfield recovery. A few minutes later, he struck again as Marsh curled in a free kick to complete the hat trick.

Marsh’s fourth goal came after he chased down a long ball from Brody Bovaird, outrunning the defense and slotting it past the keeper.

Louisburg entered halftime with a commanding 4-1 lead. But Bonner Springs battled back — converting a penalty kick after a handball and adding another goal to make it a close finish.

Despite the pressure, the Wildcats held firm to secure their first league win of the year and are now 2-1-1 on the early season.

Just days earlier, on Sept. 9, Louisburg suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to a Class 5A Pittsburg team, conceding the game-winning goal in the final 28 seconds of regulation.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Cody Courtney netted his first goal of the season. The play started with a long punt from goalkeeper Evan Moreland, which Courtney controlled and lofted over the onrushing keeper.

Pittsburg responded late in the second half after forcing a turnover in the midfield and threading a pass into the box for the equalizer. The winning goal came in similar fashion — a midfield takeaway followed by a long ball that found the back of the net in the closing seconds.

Louisburg will try and make it two straight wins on Sept. 16 as the Wildcats travel to Lansing for match, before returning home on the Sept. 18 against Eudora.

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week one of the fall sports season, sponsored by IronHorse Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

OWEN MARSH, SENIOR, SOCCER

Louisburg senior Owen Marsh played a big role in the Wildcats’ first win of the season last Thursday against Independence. Marsh scored a pair of goals and had an assist in the Wildcats’ 3-1 victory. He scored on a penalty kick and then added a goal late on an assist from Ryder Erickson. Marsh assisted on the team’s other goal to Tanner LaBrie.

Earlier in the week, the Wildcats tied Basehor-Linwood 1-1 in their home opener, and Marsh took six shots on the night. The Louisburg senior was an all-league performer a year ago and is the team’s leading returning scorer.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the fall season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.