WIBW Video Of Dawgs

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (WIBW) -- The defending champions Rossville Bulldawgs are primed for their second-straight Class 3A State Championship game on Saturday.

The 'Dawgs are riding a 27 game win streak into their title game against Wichita-Collegiate.

Whatever the end result in Hutchinson might be the back-to-back state championship appearances have been important for the Rossville community.

"I'm happy for the community. We've got people in the Rossville area and even Rossville alums that take a lot of pride in the football program," said Rossville High School football coach Derick Hammes.

"It means so much our community has been waiting for this for a long time," said Rossville senior quarterback Tucker Horak. "We got it back when the first team ever made it and then last year we actually finished it and won."

"It's a great feeling to go back-to-back to Hutch since last year was our first time it was obviously one of the biggest things to ever happen to this school," said Rossville senior wide receiver and defensive back Christian Roduner. "To win one was the biggest probably."

As a team Rossville has put up some big numbers besides the obvious 27 game winning streak. The offense is averaging 55.6 points a game and the defense has held nine opponents to 14 points or less.

The biggest numbers jump off the paper when you look at Horak. He is the first Kansas high school athlete to rush for 2,000 yards and throw for 2,000 yards in the same season. Horak has 2,043 passing yards with 30 touchdowns through the air and 2,705 yards rushing with 45 touchdowns on the ground.

"Just reflecting on his accomplishments, I'm sure when it's all said and done we'll really appreciate it but we're in the moment right now and we're trying to win this last game," said Hammes. "When it's all said and done we'll be able to sit back and appreciate everything he's done."

Also Horak sits at 183 career touchdowns headed into his final game (182 on offense) which breaks Wichita Collegiate's DeAngelo Evans' record of 131 career touchdowns scored from 1992-95.

On a national level according to the National Federation of State High School Associations Horak's 182 touchdowns on offense would rank him third nationally for most career touchdowns on offense.

"I would say it's kind of cool to do that and to see those numbers a little bit. But I try not to look into that too much because overall this is really the ultimate team sport," said Horak. "You've got five guys blocking and you got a good snap and you got people blocking on the perimeter and catching balls. so it's to get to do this for the team i think is the best thing."

Rossville plays Wichita Collegiate Saturday at 1:00 P.M. in Hutchinson.

To see a 2 minute video about the Dawgs, go to:   http://www.wibw.com/sports/headlines/Tucker-Horaks-succesful-career-only-part-of-the-success-for-the-Rossville-Bulldawgs-353397341.html