Mid-East League Preview

From the Capital-Journal:

 

Riley County Falcons

Coach: Steve Wagner (34th year).

Last year’s record: 5-5

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Postseason: lost in 3A first round.

Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (5).

Top returners: Tyler Halstead, RB/DB, 175, Sr.; Nathan Rignell, C, 185, Sr.; Ty Nelson, WR/DB, 180, Sr.; Trystin McCoy, OG/DT, 200, Jr.; Brett Halstead, OT, 210, Jr.; Westyn Claar, WR, 180, Jr.; Tregan Thomas, OLB, 175, Sr.; Mikey Waggoner, LB, 175, Jr.

Outlook: Wagner won 225th career game last year as Falcons went 5-5 for third time in last five years. … Graduation claimed bulk of skill players with no returning player having more than 139 yards rushing and or 131 yards receiving with Halstead leading both categories. … Three starters return on line, but graduation claimed two-way first-team all-leaguer Clay Reed. … Waggoner led team with 101 tackles and Halstead had 69.

Rock Creek Mustangs

Coach: Mike Beam (26th year).

Last year’s record: 2-7

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (8), Defense (7).

Top returners: Skyler White, RB/DB; Taybor Vetter, RB; Will Dulohery, OL; Josh Feldkamp, OL; Tucker Gehrt, LB/FB; Sam Ringering, DB; Trevor Henning, TE/LB; Alan Castaneda, DL; Joe Goodmiller, OL; Kadin Neimeyer, OL; Patrick Geyer, OL; Alan Bojorques, DL; Caden Churchman, DE; Logan Streit, DE.

Outlook: White ran for 624 yards and also led the Mustangs in receiving with 174 yards on 13 catches. … Gehrt was leading tackler, but will be coming off a knee injury suffered during baseball.

Rossville Bulldawgs

Coach: Derick Hammes (5th year).

Last year’s record: 13-1

Postseason: Won 3A state championship.

Returning starters: Offense (1), Defense (3).

Top returners: Perry Foster, RB/DB, 6-0, Sr.; Reed Miller, LB, 5-10, Sr.; Nathan Dohrman, OL/DL, 5-11, Sr.; Sheldon Hulbert, LB, 6-2, Sr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs captured third straight Class 3A state title, beating Hesston 48-42 in overtime in championship game. … Only loss came to Silver Lake, denying Rossville fourth straight Mid-East League title. … Graduation claimed bulk of starters, including All-State Top 11 quarterback Jacob Bradshaw (4,508 total yards, 56 touchdowns) as well as All-3A first-teamers Dawson Hammes (172 tackles) and Cole Schumacher (1,158 yards, 21 TDs). … Foster emerged in the backfield and ended up rushing for 724 yards and nine scores. … Hulbert racked up 129 tackles and could take over as quarterback.

Silver Lake Eagles

Coach: CJ Hamilton (42nd year).

Last year’s record: 10-1

Postseason: lost in 3A second round.

Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (6).

Top returners: Josh Boyd, LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Keenan Baird, WR/S, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Mason Jones, RB/S, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Josh Dallman, OT, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Jordan Priddy, LB, 5-6, 140, Sr.; Will Boyd, LB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Trent Byers, CB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Tyler Griffin, OG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Wyatt Heiman, WR, 6-2, 160, Jr.; Dillon Byrne, WR, 6-2, 170, Jr.

Outlook: Hamilton became 20th high school coach in nation to win 400 games, hitting the milestone in a playoff win over Mission Valley. … Only loss was 21-14 to 3A semifinalist Nemaha Central and Eagles handed arch rival and state champion Rossville its only loss. … Giffin will take over at quarterback for the departed Dalton Dultmeier (2,714 yards of total offense, 30 TDs) and threw for 364 yards and nine touchdowns in backup role last year. … Baird (42 catches, 554 yards, 6 TDs) and Heiman (31 catches, 605 yards, 9 TDs) return as top targets. … Josh Boyd had 127 tackles and led Eagles in tackles for second straight year. … Baird and Byers each had five interceptions.

St. Marys Bears

Coach: Myron Flax (3rd year).

Last year’s record: 4-5

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (7), Defense (6).

Top returners: David Hutley, OL/LB, 5-9, 183, Sr.; Peter Trausch, OG/DE, 6-1, 183, Sr.; Jonathan Brase, TE/LB, 5-11, 182, Sr.; Mitchel Flanagan, QB, 5-11, 176, Sr.; Taegan Schoenfeld, RB/FS, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Trevor Acker, WR/SS, 5-9, 167, Sr.; Austin Rieschick, WR/K, 5-9, 176, Sr.; Matthew Cruickshank, NG, 6-0, 197, Sr.

Outlook: Bears made three-win improvement last year in Flax’s second season as coach. … Bears were 4-1 in non-league play and 0-4 in league. … Schoenfeld rushed for 1,041 of the team’s 1,435 yards and scored 11 of its 15 touchdowns on the ground. … Flanagan missed two games and threw for 429 yards and 4 TDs. … Five of top-seven tacklers return, led by Acker, who had 91 tackles. … Schoenfeld (60), Jonathan Brase (48), Matthew Cruickshank (38) and David Hutley (33) all had at least 30 tackles with Schoenfeld also picking off three passes.

Wabaunsee Chargers

Coach: Brian Henry (10th year).

Last year’s record: 4-5

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (4), Defense (4).

Top returners: Kolby Droegemeier, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Chase Nelson, TE/S, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Noah Mills, C/DE, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Josh Wurtz, TE/CB, Sr.

Outlook: Chargers posted most wins since 2013, but missed out on making playoffs for second straight year. … Four of five starters on offensive line graduated with Mills the lone returner to a unit which helped clear the way for more than 2,000 rushing yards. … Droegemeier, a four-year starter, ran for 1,230 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. … No other back who had more than two carries returns and the Chargers must also replace quarterback Kameron Wurtz, who threw for 565 yards. … Leading tackler and two-time All-Class 2-1A pick Mitchell Wertzberger graduated after having a team-high 118 tackles last year. … Droegemeier is tops among the returners with 69 tackles.

Brent Maycock

MID-EAST LEAGUE

2016 Standings

League Overall

*Silver Lake … 5-0 … 10-1

Rossville … 4-1 … 13-1

Riley County … 3-2 … 5-5

Wabaunsee … 1-3 … 4-5

Rock Creek … 1-4 … 2-7

St. Marys … 0-4 … 4-5

*—Champion

Returning all-leaguers

Offense

Running back — Kolby Droegemeier, Wabaunsee (1st); Perry Foster, Rossville (1st); Taegan Schoenfeld, St. Marys (1st); Skyler White, Rock Creek (1st).

Line — Josh Dallman, Silver Lake (1st); Will Dulohery, Rock Creek (1st).

Specialist — Trent Byers, Silver Lake (1st).

Defense

Linebacker — Trevor Acker, St. Marys (1st); Josh Boyd, Silver Lake (1st); Tucker Gehrt, Rock Creek (1st); Mikey Waggoner, Riley County (1st).

Secondary — Keenan Baird, Silver Lake (1st); Tyler Halstead, Riley County (1st).

Punter — Ty Nelson, Riley County (1st).

Free Polka Lessons

Free Polka Dance Lessons

3 p.m., Sunday Aug. 20

Rossville Community Building, 

407 Main St., Rossville. 

Sponsored by Rossville Moravan (Bohemian) Hall. 

Open to all.

Nancy Wishkeno Llamas Passes Away

    Nancy Bea “Nezat” Wishkeno Llamas, 64, of Topeka, KS passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Rossville Nursing Home. She was born June 2, 1953 in Holton, KS, the daughter of Wesley and Nettie Keesis Wishkeno.

    Nancy graduated from Rossville High School and attended Haskell Indian Junior College. She lived most of her life in the Topeka Community. Nancy retired from the State of Kansas.

    She was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and volunteered at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

    Nancy married Henry Llamas; he preceded her in death in December of 1992.

    Survivors include a brother, Lance Wishkeno (Lucy) of Rossville, KS; 4 sisters, Camilla Chouteau and Audrey Simon of Topeka, KS, Gloria Keesis of Moore, OK and Bernadine Wishkeno of Albuquerque, NM; a son, Wesley Llamas of McKinney, TX and 7 grandchildren.

    Graveside Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Wishkeno Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

Willard Bridge Under Budget

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The road is about to be smoother for Kaw Valley Schools students and parents, along with others in the Rossville area.

Public Works Director Tom Vlach told 13 NEWS Thursday the new Willard Bridge will be open August 28th. The old bridge closed in June as part of a new project to replace it. Construction crews are in the final phase of connecting roads from the old bridge to the new bridge.

Vlach said the new bridge is just a touch lower than the old bridge, keeping the original height over the railroad tracks on the south and lowering as it goes north.

Vlach said the new bridge is three months ahead of schedule and will finish $5 to $6 million under budget.

For dramatic aerial views of the bridge,  go to:  http://www.wibw.com/content/news/New-Willard-Bridge-opening-ahead-of-schedule-and-under-budget-440945803.html

Biggest Powerball Winner

   The biggest Powerball jackpot won by a Kansas was won by  Donald Damon of  Great Bend.  He picked up   $96.6 million, before taxes, in  November 2009 
    In 2009, Donald Damon had hit hard times. The 70-year-old Great Bend resident had been forced to retire from his job as a truck driver after 27 years. His wife, Kathleen, had to take on three jobs. He bought his winning ticket at Dillons in Great Bend seven hours before the drawing. He and his wife, who earned $33.8 million after taxes, gave $1.1 million to the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville to go toward building a new church.

Gloria Engle Passes Away

Gloria Priscilla Williams Engle 1925-2017

Gloria was born on November 5^th, 1925 in Cape Charles, Virginia to Nelson and Eva Coates Williams.  Due to the handwritten nature of birth certificates of the era it was later discovered that her birthdate was actually November 6,1925 and as of 1980, both days were celebrated as her birthday.

In 1948, Gloria married the love of her life, Harry Bell Engle.  They lived in the Stoneybrook development of the Denbigh area in Newport News, Virginia for their entire married life.  Gloria was the manager of the Stoneybrook pool for many years and was an assistant swimming coach for her daughter's team.  She also served on the Stoneybrook Women's club where she hosted many dinners for foreign dignitaries from the Fort Eustis Army base.  She and Harry had two children, William Engle who died in infancy and Susan Engle who preceded her in death.

Gloria enjoyed playing cards with friends and was a Life Master at Bridge.  She enjoyed cooking and crossword puzzles and was a dedicated Bingo player.

Gloria developed Alzheimers and lived the last ten years of her life at the Rossville Health and Rehab Facility in Rossville, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her son William and her daughter Susan.  She is survived by four granddaughters, Tara Convery (Maple Hill, Kansas), Lara Convery (Grants Pass, Oregon), Megan Hewitt (Topeka, Kansas) and Katie (Steve) Johnson (Newport News, Virginia) as well as four great-grandchildren:  Brendan, Zion, Kiah and Koda.

The family would like to thank each and every member of the staff of Rossville Health and Rehab that have become family to "Nana" over the years.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimers Association.

Rossville Police In Drug Round-up

The Rossville Police Department recently conducting a several month investigation in the Rossville and Silver Lake areas which resulted in 14 arrests and 8 search warrants.

One of arrests lead to the search warrant of the supplier in Colorado who turned out to be a felon in possession of multiple firearms. The supplier was running a large marijuana grow operation where authorities seized 115 marijuana plants.

In total authorities seized over 10 pounds of marijuana, 1 ounce of cocaine, 50 firearms, and 300 pounds of precious metals.

The Rossville Police Department would like to thank the Silver Lake Police Department, Junction City Police Department, Huerfano County Colorado Sheriff's Department and the KBI for their active role and assistance in this investigation.

Identity Theft In Rossville

On 07/24/2017, the Rossville PD was contacted by a citizen of Rossville and advised that their identity had been used to purchase satellite service. During the investigation, the suspect was found, along with multiple victims. The suspect was booked into Shawnee County Jail.

Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends Near Silver Lake

The Shawnee Co. Sheriff's Office says Vincent Gonzalez-Rook, 19, was booked on a felony warrant, and charges including fleeing, obstruction and possession of stolen property.

The Sheriff's Office says a corporal on patrol spotted a stolen vehicle driving on Hwy. 24 near Goodyear Rd. around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The deputy tried to pull over the vehicle, but the driver, who was identified as Gonzalez-Rook, fled. The pursuit ended about 10 minutes later, when the car went through a field at Hwy. 24 and Landon Rd., stopped at a tree line and the driver got out and ran.

Authorities say two passengers were immediately taken into custody. They were questioned at the scene and released.

Deputies set up a perimeter and used a K-9 to track Gonzalez-Rook. They say he surrendered about an hour later, as he heard the K-9 approaching near NW 17th St. and Countryside Rd., west of Lower Silver Lake Rd.

The Shawnee Co. Sheriff's Office says Silver Lake and Rossville Police, Kansas Highway Patrol and KS Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism assisted in the pursuit, search and arrest.

Latest Willard Bridge Photos

Tall Corn Festival Pictures

http://beta.spotted.cjonline.com/galleries?groupId=686080

Logan Mize At Rossville Sat. Night

    Logan Mize will be the featured attraction at the 2017 Tall Corn Festival performing at the street dance on Sat. night.
    His web site is at:  http://www.loganmize.com/

Latest Willard Bridge Photos

Tall Corn Festival Flyer

Click on below images to enlarge.