The Emporia State Hornets defeated the Fort Hays State Tigers 42-14 at the 2022 homecoming football game Saturday at Welch Stadium. Hornet fans filled the stadium in a sea of black and gold, cheering as the Hornets advanced to a 7-2 record for the season.
Many ESU students and alumni attended the game including Camila Garcia, senior elementary education student and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha (ASA) sorority.
“I’m always here for ASA, we love homecoming,” Garcia said. “I just love the (ESU) community. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I came to ESU, it’s just amazing.”
Zach Torg, a senior at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, traveled to Emporia to visit his significant other. Torg appreciated the atmosphere of Welch Stadium.
“I love the environment, everyone is so involved,” Torg said. “Everyone coming together, even the alumni, just to watch the homecoming game, I love it.”
After just 10:18 in the first quarter, ESU had scored three times, bringing the score 21-0 in favor of the Hornets. After a hail mary inspired 60 yard pass, the Tigers got on the scoreboard with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The second quarter was eventful for the Hornets. Running back Billy Ross Jr., a junior from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, scored twice, keeping the Hornets on top at halftime with a score of 35-7.
The marching band stormed the field at halftime, playing their renditions of “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas, “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO and the ESU fight song.
Following homecoming tradition, royalty was crowned at halftime. Out of the 11 candidates, Ana Daniela Valdez Saravia and Claire Crawford came out on top as the homecoming queens.
The Hornet’s started the third quarter by scoring with 13:19 left in the quarter, bringing the score to 42-7. This touchdown was answered by the Tigers who scored with 7:38 left in the quarter bringing the score to 42-14, Hornets ahead.
The fourth quarter was a stalemate, neither the Hornets nor the Tigers made it to the end zone. The final score was Hornets 42, Tigers 14.
The next home football game is November 12th against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. This game will be the last regular season football game for the Hornets.
