WIBW Football Preview & Video

That record has led them to three-consecutive state championships.

"You can do anything with some belief and hard work, and I think our kids are doing that," Rossville head coach Derick Hammes said.

The Bulldogs captured the 2016 title with a 48-42 overtime victory against Hesston.

"In all of our state championships, it's taken a little luck," Hammes said. " We've had adversity, but we've remained pretty healthy."

This year, the Bulldogs have a young team with just four returning starters. The team has to replace quarterback Jacob Bradshaw, who ran for more than 2,700 yards while throwing for more than 1,700 yards. He was responsible for 56 total touchdowns.

"Rather than maybe one person replacing Jacob, maybe two or three of us can make up for the things that he was able to do," Hammes said. "Hopefully what you do as a coach is develop a system where you can bring kids along where they are ready to jump in."

Another position the Bulldogs will focus on is the offensive line. There are no returning starters.

"We're all really close friends," senior lineman Nathan Dohrman said. "We're going to plan on working two times as hard as the line did last year because we're so much smaller."

The only hiccup during last year's state title run was a loss in the War on 24, a rivalry game with Silver Lake.

The Eagles beat the Bulldogs 36-28 to claim the Mid-East League title.

"Rivalry games are important," Hammes said. "t's meaningful when you win, and when you don't, it stings a little bit."

"It's definitely that one game sticks out whenever we bring up the state championship," Dohrman said. "13-1 is not as good as 14-0."

If Rossville can pull off a perfect season for the third time in four years, the senior class will graduate with a record of 55-1.

The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 1 hosting Marysville.

Rossville state title run

2014

Record: 14-0
Points scored: 711
Points per game: 50.7
Points allowed: 159
Scoring differential: +552

2015

Record: 14-0
Points scored: 743
Points per game: 53.0
Points allowed: 202
Scoring differential: +541

2016

Record: 13-1

Points scored: 601

Points per game: 42.9

Points allowed: 302

Scoring differential: +299

For WIBW video with coach and player interviews,  go to:

http://www.wibw.com/content/news/KPZ-Preview-Rossville-High-School-442315103.html