Rossville Advances To Semi-Finals With 48-0 Romp

From the Capital Journal

CHERRYVALE — The Rossville Bulldogs seem to be about as consistent as a team can be.

Led by Tucker Horak’s 303 total yards and five total touchdowns, the Bulldogs routed Cherryvale 48-0 on the road Friday night in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

“Over the last four or five weeks we’ve been playing pretty good football,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “And tonight was just another step in the right direction for us.”

The Bulldogs (12-0) jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Jack Steckel scored first on a 5-yard run, and Horak followed with a 77-yard run. He then hit Corbin Horak for a 12-yard touchdown pass, and the game was essentially over.

Tucker Horak finished with 157 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and was 8 of 11 for 146 yards and three scores through the air.

“Tucker did a nice job, and I think Jack Steckel stepped up and had a good football game,” Hammes said. “He did a nice job, but everything starts with the offensive line up front, and I think they blocked well tonight.”

Hammes said getting an early lead was critical, especially on the road.

“As a coach, you always worry when you take them on the road and you have a longer road trip than normal,” he said. “And I was pleased we were able to get some stops early and score touchdowns, and it really set things up for us the rest of the night.”

The Horak-Steckel connection began the second-quarter scoring with a 10-yard strike, and Steckel scored his third touchdown on a 25-yard pass in the third quarter.

Facing Cherryvale’s (8-4) option, Rossville defensive ends Terrance Sowers and Marcus Karton were a force from the start.

“That offense tries to put a lot of stress on the ends, and they did a good job of changing things up and making plays. They are a good option football team, so that means we had to have some discipline on defense, and we controlled the run and made things difficult on them. They had a lot of three-and-outs, and we sustained drives on them.”

Rossville will play rival Silver Lake next week in the semifinals.

“We’re excited for the opportunity,” Hammes said. “We also know that team will be ready for the challenge and there will be a lot on the line. Both communities will be ready for this, and we have to put a good week of practice together. This game will be extra big.”

Rossville (12-0)     21     20     7     0   =   48
Cherryvale (8-4)     0        0     0     0   =     0

Rossville  scoring:
Steckel (3), 10 pass from Tu. Horak, 5 run, 25 pass from Tu. Horak
Tu. Horak (2), 13 run, 77 run
Th. Horak 12 pass from Tu. Horak
Morris 59 run.
PAT — Reesor 6 Kicks