Ann Brosterman Passes Away

 Ann E. Broxterman (Rossville, Kansas), born on June 1, 1935, passed away on September 16, 2026. 

She was predeceased by: her parents, Lawrence Koelzer and Anna Koelzer; her husband Robert Broxterman; her son Daniel Broxterman; her siblings, Margaret Koelzer, Dorothy Koelzer, Clara Niehues, Rita Eisenbarth, Lorene Olberding, Mary Haverkamp, George Koelzer, Andrew Koelzer, Melvin Koelzer and Sylvester Koelzer; her children-in-law, Augie Meier Jr. and Chanelle Broxterman; and her granddaughter Belinda Meier.

She is survived by: her children, Joyce Rakestraw (Terry), Jeanette Bouzianis (Paul), Janice Taylor (Bill), Andrew Broxterman (Carina), Nancy Pletcher (Brand), James Broxterman (Monica), Connie Fischer (Daniel), David Broxterman (Jess), Bradley Broxterman (Michelle) and Christopher Broxterman (Amanda); her grandchildren, Jeremy Rakestraw (Christina), Jessica Rakestraw (Morgan), Jared Rakestraw (Michele), Augie Meier III (Nicole), Bridget Meier, Steven Bouzianis (Jessica), Gregory Bouzianis (Ashley), Nicholas Bouzianis, Michelle Taylor (Andrew), Lindsay McCrary (Coty), Ben Broxterman, Jill Broxterman, Josie Broxterman, Tyler Pletcher (Megan), Jacob Pletcher (Shelby), Sara Thielenhaus, Josh Thielenhaus (Mindi), Karlee Fischer, Samantha Fischer, Alexis Broxterman, Ashley Johnson (Derek), Emily Broxterman, Clara Connell (Brodrick), Michael Broxterman, Caleb Broxterman, Sydney Broxterman and Makayla Broxterman; her great grandchildren, Kayla Williams (Judson), Jonathan Rakestraw, Kristen Rakestraw, Justin Rakestraw, Ellis Rakestraw, Beckett Rakestraw, Campbell Rakestraw, Ryker Rakestraw, Brexli Rakestraw, Augie Meier IV, Elizabeth Meier, Grace Bouzianis, Rachel Bouzianis, Miriam Bouzianis, Hope Bouzianis, Matthew Bouzianis, Christian Bouzianis, Brody McCrary, Blair McCrary, Jack Taylor-McNeive, Lena Taylor-McNeive, Joey Pletcher, Hank Pletcher, Rusty Pletcher, Clayton Pletcher, Piper Pletcher, Carson Pletcher, Delilah Thielenhaus, Bruce Thielenhaus, Norah Thielenhaus, Hazzel Johnson and Harper Connell; and her great great grandchild Leo Williams.

A rosary will be held on Monday, September 21st 2026 from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (703 Main St, Rossville, KS 66533). Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21st 2026 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the same location. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd 2026 at 10:00 AM at the same location.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Stanislaus in Ann's memory and sent to Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Mary's, KS 66536.

Frank Ruff Back From Hospital

 I had a serious operation on Sept 2.  I have been recovering and fighting minor infections until Sept 19 with no computer access.  I will attampts to post some of he news that occurred druing that time. 

Kenna Perine Has 1000 Assists

Rossville setter Kenna Perine surpassed the 1,000-assist milestone for her career in the first match of her sophomore season in Saturday's Wellsville tournament.

Perine now has 1,063 career assists after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a 4-1 record on the day.

The Bulldawgs beat Baldwin, Prairie View, Burlington and Humboldt before dropping a three-set match to Wellsville in the championship match.

 

June (Hartzell) Shull Passes way

 Born May 28, 1933 to Allyn and Beth Hartzell in Rossville, Kansas. She graduated from Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas in 1951 where she met the love of her life, John R. "Jack" Shull. They were married in Topeka, Kansas on June 13, 1953.

June moved with Jack to Ft. Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska in 1954 for his military service until 1956. She worked during this time in the depot. Upon returning to Topeka in 1956 she enrolled at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1958.

In 1962 June and Jack adopted their infant son Christopher and then a year later their infant daughter Angela. In 1966 the family moved from Kansas City to Dallas, Texas where Jack joined the medical staff at Methodist Hospital in Dallas.

Music was an important part of June's life having started playing the piano when she was six years old. Over the years she played the piano as an accompanist for countless soloists, choirs, and ensembles in the community. June was also involved in producing musical programs and pageants at her church and the local schools.

June loved her prized Steinway piano, which incidentally was the first piece of furniture that they bought for their new house in Dallas, before beds, chairs, and tables. She played her piano daily, filling the house with music from the classical masters to every Christmas melody ever written.

In 1987 June and Jack moved from Dallas to Tyler, Texas where Jack opened a private medical practice. June worked in the medical office managing the business end of his practice. Over the years she continued her piano engagements and enjoyed time with her granddaughters and a great-grandson.

June is preceded in death by her husband John R. "Jack" Shull, son Christopher, parents Allyn and Beth Hartzell, and brother Kay Hartzell. She leaves her daughter, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews.

TopSports.News has Elly Sanders on Golf Watch List

 ELLEY SANDERS, Rossville

A senior, Sanders posted an eighth-place finish in Class 3A-1A regional competition last season, earning the top individual qualifying berth for the state tournament. Sanders tied for 36th at state with a 36-hole total of 193 (95-98).

TopSportsNews Picks 2026 Rossille FB Stars

 CALE HORAK, Rossville

Horak, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horak caught 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 21 tackles (16 solo).  

CAEL HORGAN, Rossville

A senior, Horgan earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horgan caught seven passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 37 tackles (21 solo) with three interceptions.   

CHARLIE CHANCE, Rossville

A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Chance was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year last season for the Bulldawgs, who posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning second-team all-county and All-Big East honors. 

Second Place at Wellsville Inv.

 The Rossville Varsity Volleyball Team finished second t the WSellsille Inv. folling to Wellsville 25-27, 25-19, 18-25The Lady Dawgs had wins over Baldin,  Burlington, Prairie View and Humboldt.

1A Football Ranking By Max-Preps

1	Rossville	0-0	56.25
2	St. Mary's-Colgan	0-0	54.78
3	Sterling	0-0	54.10
4	Jackson Heights	0-0	52.80
5	Smith Center	0-0	48.88
6	Olpe	0-0	48.36
7	St. Marys	0-0	47.80
8	Inman	0-0	47.61
9	Trinity	0-0	46.04
10	Centralia	0-0	45.87

2026 Football Outlook

 The Rossville football community will never completely forget last season's heartbreaking 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A championship game, with the Bulldawgs coming within two points and 52 seconds of a sixth state title under veteran coach Derick Hammes since 2014.

Derick Hammes has led Rossville football to a 125-30 record, seven state title games and five state championships. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

But now Hammes, who is 125-30 at the school, is counting on his Bulldawgs to use last season's disappointment as motivation this fall as they take aim on another title shot.

"We always try to go back and look at our past experiences and use that as motivation going forward,'' Hammes said. "So with this team, the kids that had a big part in our season last year, they definitely want to get back, they want another chance.

"But there's a lot of hard work that goes into that and there's a lot of folks throughout the state that want the same thing that we do. That's what makes athletics great is you don't get to just press re-wind or fast forward, you've got to go through the process all over again.'' 

Rossville graduated an outstanding senior class, including TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 picks Canann Mitchell, Conner Bush and Andre Johnson and Second 22 selections Jack Donovan and Cameron Miller, from last season's 11-2 team.

But the cupboard is far from bare, with the Bulldawgs returning 2025 Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year Charlie Chance, a senior offensive lineman/defensive end, and senior all-county honorable mention honorees Cael Horgan (running back/linebacker) and Easton Webb (offensive/defensive line) and junior honorable mention picks Cale Horak (wide receiver/defensive back) and Landen Lewis (quarterback/linebacker). 

Other top returners include senior wide receiver/defensive back Kelton Lacock and junior offensive lineman Cooper Meyer and junior offensive/defensive lineman Jordan Martinek.

Top newcomers include running back/linebacker Remi Droegemeier, wide receiver/defensive back Ryder Foster, wide receiver/defensive back Austin Dohrman, quarterback/defensive back Cole Graves, wide receiver/defensive back Dalen Dick, running back/linebacker Lakin Gentry, wide receiver/linebacker Michael Cooney, offensive lineman/defensive end Evan Thompson, offensive lineman/defensive end Eleazar Hersh, offensive/defensive lineman Imiah January and offensive/defensive lineman AJ Chance.

Football Team Is Shooting For State Title

 ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – The standard remains the same for Rossville football entering a new season: compete for championships.

The Bulldawgs came about as close as possible to adding another trophy to the program’s collection in 2025. Rossville reached the Class 1A state championship game before falling to Sterling, 35-34.

Rossville finished the season 11-2, making its sixth state championship appearance under head coach Derick Hammes.

Now, that one-point loss is serving as motivation for the players returning in 2026.

Junior quarterback Landen Lewis and senior running back/linebacker Cael Horgan are among the Bulldawgs looking to use last year’s finish as fuel for another run. The goal isn’t simply to get back to the title game; it’s to finish the job differently this time around.

“It’s on our mind. That’s our ultimate goal to win state,” Lewis told 27 Sports. “We have a good shot if we limit our mistakes this year.”

“It’s in the back of our minds, and we’re using it as motivation,” Horgan said. “We’re using it to get back to the title game, but this time change the result.

While the ending will stick with the returning Bulldawgs, Hammes wants the identity of this year’s team to be about more than what happened last November.

“I want fans to see we play the game in the right way and that’s with their assignments, the way they play physically and hard,” Hammes said. “Having that identity is important to us, and a good hard-nosed football team is how I want to be described.”

Rossville opens its 2026 campaign on Sept. 4 against Perry-Lecompton.

Dawgs 2026 Football Schedule

 ROSSVILLE Football Schedule for 2026

Last Year   11-2 

Coach:  Derick Hammes

S  04   Perry-Lecompton

S  11   at Silver Lake

S  18   Riley County

S  25   Reno County Homeschool

O  02   at Royal Valley

O  09   Wabaunsee

O  16   at Mission Valley

O  23   at St. Marys

Madelyn Wonnell Leads RHS Girls Track

 MADELYN WONNELL

Wonnell, a senior, placed 14th in Class 2A regional competition to earn a second straight individual berth for the 2A state meet and placed 67th at state. Wonnell was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection in wrestling last season, earning her second 3A-1A state medal with a third-place finish.

 

Preseason KVA Ranking for 2A Volleyball

1.  Ellinwood
2.  Valley Heights
3.  Rossville
4.  Jeff Co.West
5.  Oakley  

Henry and Perine Provide Quality Experience

 ADY HENRY and KENNA PERINE add quality experience

Henry, a senior libero, helped Rossville reach the Class 2A state tournament last season while earning second-team TopSportsNews All-Shawnee County and third-team All-Big East League recognition. 

Perine, a sophomore setter, was one of just two freshmen on the TopSportsNews  All-Shawnee County first team last fall after helping lead Rossville to a Class 2A state tournament appearance. Perine finished the 2025 season with 982 assists, 288 digs and 64 kills for the Bulldawgs. Perine was a second-team All-Big East League selection.