Hutch News Game Article

Rossville quarterback Jacob Bradshaw took the ball and ran left. He ran 10 yards to the front left corner of the north end zone at Gowans Stadium. As soon as he crossed the goal line, Bradshaw flung the ball toward the stadium track.

The threepeat was complete.

That touchdown came in overtime Saturday, and Rossville claimed its third straight Class 3A state title with a pulsating, take-your-breath-away 48-42 win against Hesston.

It was the kind of game that left even the victors breathless. Bradshaw ran 40 times for 275 yards and also threw for 148 yards. He was spent, but he also is finishing his high-school career a three-time state champ.

"I'm physically exhausted right now," Bradshaw said. "That was the toughest game we've played all year, and I'm sure they would say the same about playing us."

Hesston just missed out on its second state title. The Swathers won the 1992 3A title.

Hesston, which started the season 1-3 before winning nine straight, led most of the game. Only once in regulation did Rossville have the lead, and that came midway through the first quarter, when the Bulldawgs led 7-6. That lead barely lasted two minutes.

The Swathers nearly saw their state-championship dreams die at the end of regulation. Rossville's Frederick Andresen's last-second 43-yard field goal had the distance but was barely wide right.

The Swathers had the ball first in overtime. On third down, quarterback Zach Esau, who like Bradshaw collected yards like a lawn mower collects grass clippings, got inside the 1-yard line but fumbled when Sheldon Hulbert hit him. Jordan Johnston recovered the fumble for Rossville.

The next play, Rossville ended the game.

"He's going to feel really bad, but we wouldn't be in this game without Zach Esau," said a sullen Hesston coach Clint Rider. "We wouldn't have been in the position we were today if it wasn't for Zach Esau. My heart hurts for that kid."

Esau threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards. His 2-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left in the fourth quarter gave Hesston its final lead at 42-35.

Esau's touchdown passes measured 61 and 31 yards.

"His arm is something you don't get a lot at the 3A level," Rider said. "He can hit a guy 50 yards on a dime, running at full speed. We wouldn't have been here today if it wasn't for him."

Rossville could say the same about Bradshaw, who made a crucial interception that clinched last year's state win against Wichita Collegiate.

But Rossville had two other offensive stars who shouldn't be overlooked. Running back Dawson Hammes rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, and Cole Schumacher snagged nine passes for 135 yards and three scores.

"We knew all year long that our offense can put up numbers," Bradshaw said. "They can obviously put up points, too, but we got the stops when it really mattered."

Especially in overtime.

Rossville is the first 3A team to win three straight state titles since Conway Springs won four in a row from 2001-2004.

"This one," Rossville coach Derick Hammes said when asked which state title meant most. "They all feel good. This one was a barn burner, down to the finish. This one is fresh in my mind, so I'm going with it. It's kind of like picking your favorite kid, you know? You can't really do it."

THE QUICK HIT     --    ROSSVILLE 48, HESSTON 42, OT

KEY STAT: The teams combined for 1,070 yards and 53 first downs. Yes, it was an offensive showcase.

THE TURNING POINT: It's easy to point to Hesston's overtime fumble, but let's go back to midway through the fourth quarter. Rossville's Cole Schumacher caught a touchdown pass, which cut Hesston's lead to 35-33. Rossville went for the two-point conversion, and Trevor Balch caught a pass from Jacob Bradshaw. If Rossville doesn't convert there, Hesston goes up by nine points with 4:38 left. It's pretty much over then.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: The quarterbacks were phenomenal. Rossville's Jacob Bradshaw rushed for 275 yards and threw for another 148 while accounting for five touchdowns. Hesston's Zach Esau rushed for 112 yards and threw for 238 while accounting for four touchdowns. Hats off to these kids.

HE SAID IT: "It was amazing. You can't put it into words. It was difficult what they went through to start the season, and to end up where they ended up is incredible. I'm so proud of the kids. They had an incredible season." Hesston coach Clint Rider on the Swathers going from 1-3 to a team that played for a state championship.

SEASON WRAP: Hesston earns a state runner-up trophy with a 10-4 record. Rossville is the champ with a 13-1 mark.