Volleyball Team Gets Two Wins Tue.

    The RHS Varsity volleyball team won against the Olathe Metro Academy on Aug. 29 by scores of 25-21, 25-9 and 25-19, 25-21.
    The team is 5-2 for the season.    The two losses were to Burlington in their tournament where the Dawgs finished second to Burlington.

Cross Country Team At Mission Valley

The Rossville Cross Country competed in their first meet at Mission Valley on Aug. 31.  There were solid performances from all runners to start the season.  Amelia Foster (7th Grade) brought home the only medal of the day for Rossville, placing 4th out of 76 7th & 8th grade boys AND girls in the 2-mile, with a time of 13:43.

Rossville Results:

Boys 5k (94 Runners) - Zach Archer (33rd) - 21:35; Ben Price (39th) - 21:55; Marvin Cummings (82nd) - 26:13; Justin Jordan (85th) - 27:18

Girls 5k (54 Runners) - Meagan Huston (20th) - 25:03; Emma Streit (38th) - 28:04

7th/8th Boys & Girls 2-mile (76 Runners) - Amelia Foster (4th) - 13:43; Bronc Reser (22nd) - 15:33; Tres Faith (32nd) - 16:21; Cassie Fund (47th) - 18:02; Wade Twombly (55th) - 18:48; Hayden Sanders (62nd) - 19:56

Garrett Jones

Rossville Jr/Sr High School

Band & Choir Director

Head Cross Country Coach

Assistant HS Track Coach

Blossers Have A Boy

Kayla and Robert Blosser of  Rossville are the proud parents of a baby boy born Aug. 30.

Article On Marysville Game

From the MARYSVILLE ADVOCATE:

Marysville showed athleticism and a variety of options on the field Friday night for its Gatorade scrimmage, which was more like a series of offensive executions from the 40-yard line than a mock game.

“I thought our effort was great and we think we can have a very athletic team this season,” said Bulldog coach Dustin Heuer. “We just need to clean up some little things.”

The little things that cause penalties. There were a handful of times plays came back, yardage was lost, but in the end senior quarterback Jack Blumer was good with keepers, scoring on a run or passing to senior wide receiver Gabe Pieschl for other touchdowns.

The backfield was primarily a rotation of junior running backs Derek Roever and Raudy Latta.

“I thought the scrimmage went pretty well,” Heuer said. “We were a little sloppy from a penalty standpoint but I thought from an assignment perspective we were relatively solid. Offensively we are always striving to be more consistent and to not force ourselves backwards into difficult situations. It was a great learning opportunity to be on the field with officials to get a better simulation of a game.”

Heuer said he loved the pursuit he saw on defense and he thinks this group will be athletic.

“We need to make sure to trust each other and make sure all 11 bodies are where they need to be,” he said.

Marysville kicks off the season at 7 p.m. Friday at No. 4 Rossville. It’s a confrontation between the MHS Bulldogs and the Rossville Bulldawgs that kpreps.com considered a top 3A game. Last year’s game was a 28-21 win late for Rossville. The Bulldawgs didn’t string together an undefeated season, but it was a third straight state championship run.

“Rossville will have an almost entirely new cast of players, but coming off their success the past few seasons, I am sure we will get nothing but the best effort from their kids,” Heuer said. “They aren’t overly complicated but they are good at what they do. I think this is a great measuring stick going forward for our team. I feel like playing a great team right out of the gate helps us prepare for our North Central Kansas League schedule.”

The Dogs open league at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 against visiting Abilene, the only team Marysville lost to last fall. That 14-12 outcome is very much remembered. The loss kept Marysville from winning the league title, which the Bulldogs haven’t done since the 2008 season.

“We’re all ready to play Friday but being excited doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of things to continue to work on this week,” Heuer said. “These guys have worked extremely hard this offseason and I think they really want to continue to move the program forward and accomplish more than last year. This game is big for our program going forward. Even last year, despite the outcome, I thought that opening game really showed our kids we belong with the top teams. These guys really want to take the next step.”

Dawgs Open FB Season At Home

    The Dawgs start the football season at home against the Marysville Bulldogs on Friday night,  Sept. 1.  With the Dawgs ranked #4 by the Capital,  and Marysville ranked among the "others" it should be a good game and good test to see if the Dawgs can repeat what they have done the last 3 years.
    At half-time,  the 1992 football team will be honored.
    There will be Indian Tacos for sale from 6:00 on with proceeds going to Cody Lambotte who is fighting ALS..

Sheldon Hulbert Player To Watch

 RHS QB/LB Sheldon Hulbert has been selected by the Capital-Journal 

as one of the 25 players to watch in 3A-1A football this year.  

http://cjonline.com/slideshow/sports/prepkickoff2017/highschools/2017-08-30/25-area-prep-football-players-know-2017-0#slide-29

Jeff West Golf Scramble

The results of the girls golf four team scramble on Aug 29 at the Village Greens in Meridan is as follows:

Silver Lake    175
Rossville        177
Jeff West        179
Tonganoxie    185

Indian Taco Benefit

Burlington VB Tournament (Updated)

Prairie View Central Heights Burlington Wellsville Burlington * 2nd  Place

25-10, 25-13 25-12, 25-21 17-25, 19-25 26-24, 15-25, 25-21 25-22, 20-25, 23-25

New Willard Bridge Opens

Commissioner Shelley Buhler Speaking at bridge opening

Public Works director Tom Vlach speaking

Ribbon cutting

New bridge looking south

From the Capital Journal:

Shawnee County Commissioner Shelly Buhler recalled Monday how uncomfortable she felt driving over the old Willard Bridge.

“I know I, for one, will not miss the hum of tires on those steel grates, nor the uneasiness while driving across during slick conditions,” the Shawnee County commissioner said at opening ceremonies for the bridge built to replace it.

Buhler, who represents the commission district involved, became the first person following Monday’s ceremony to drive over the new bridge across the Kansas River. She described it afterward as “sturdy and smooth.”

Buhler joined Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and county public works and solid waste department director Tom Vlach in speaking at Monday’s event, which began just after noon. She then drove over the two-lane bridge, which includes a walkway, at 12:29 p.m.

Colyer was among about 40 people who walked across.

Between 250 and 300 people attended Monday’s ceremony, estimated Betty Greiner, the county’s administrative services director.

Skies were partly cloudy and temperatures in the middle 70s as participants gathered at the north end of the new bridge for a ceremony in which Buhler joined fellow commissioners Bob Archer and Kevin Cook in cutting the ribbon.

The project was completed three months early and about $6.6 million under budget, Vlach said.

“I could not imagine this project having gone any better,” he said.

The replacement bridge is roughly the same length as its predecessor, which is about 2,300 feet. The old bridge was built in 1955 and widened in 1983.

The new bridge has been constructed at a lower elevation. It is about 13 feet lower than the old bridge on its north end, about 5 feet lower toward the middle and roughly the same height at the south end.

The replacement bridge and its predecessor both stand almost 3 miles north of Interstate 70 on N.W. Carlson Road, the boundary between Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. Wabaunsee County contributed several hundred thousand dollars to the replacement project, Vlach said.

Those present Monday also included Kansas Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson; former Shawnee County commissioners Vic Miller and Mary Thomas; Wabaunsee County commissioners Jim Suber, Rodney Allen and Ervan Stueve; and staff members representing Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

Vlach went to the lectern first. He recalled the various steps toward replacing the old bridge that had been taken since 2007, when he became public works director and learned its safety was a “large, looming issue.”

After the bridge’s condition was found to have worsened in 2015, Vlach said he thought it was a “complete longshot” when he asked former KDOT transportation engineer Jerry Younger — who was also present Monday — if the state could provide Shawnee County a low-interest loan for the project.

But the state came through, loaning the county more than $8 million. Without the loan, Vlach said, “we would at least be a year behind where we are.”

Colyer said the project’s completion “shows the power of all of us working together here in Kansas.”

He joked about potential uses for the old bridge, including it being the site of a “great Fourth of July explosion” or being used as a launching pad for Topeka’s new Evel Knievel Museum.

Workers have begun to dismantle the old bridge, which will be imploded on a date that’s yet to be determined, Vlach told commissioners at their morning meeting Monday. The new bridge will be closed for roughly 30 minutes when the implosion takes place, he said.

Those in the audience Monday included Melvin Sage, mayor of the city of Willard, located just south of the bridge. The bridge is the only direct route between Willard and Rossville.

Sage said the bridge’s opening would greatly benefit his city’s residents because now they’ll be able to use it to go to Rossville to buy needed items rather than having to drive all the way to Topeka.

Also present was Bill Wagnon, professor of history emeritus at Washburn University, who said the place where the Willard Bridge crosses the Kansas River was a critical crossing for users of the Oregon Trail.

An estimated 300,000 immigrants, traders, gold hunters and missionaries used the 2,170-mile trail to travel between the Missouri River and the Pacific Ocean between 1840 and 1869.

Shorty (59) and Carol (Adams)(63) Celebrate 50th

     Shorty "Leroy" Dick and Carol Sue (Adams) Dick are celebrating the 50th Wedding Anniversary.  They were married September 8, 1957 in Rossville, KS and to this union they welcomed three children:  April Dick, Lee's Summitt, MO., Heath Dick  and Susan, Blaine, KS, and Alan Dick and Kim, Blaine, KS and four grandchildren.
    Please join in honoring them with a card shower.  Cards may be send to Shorty and Carol Dickm, 11095 Highway 16, Blaine, KS 66549

CatchItKansas FB Rankings

CatchItKansas football rankings for pre-season.
Class 3A:
1) Rossville
2) Hesston
3) Silver Lake
4) Nemaha Central
5) Norton
6) Conway Springs
7) Garden Plain
8) Chaparral
9) Hoisington
10) Phillipsburg

Cross Country Schedule For 2017

Aug.

31  4:30    Mission Valley Invitational

Sept.

9    9:00    Wamego Invitational
14  4:00    Onaga Invitational
21  4;00    Royal Valley Invitational
28  4:00    Horton Invitational

Oct

5    4:00    Sabetha Invitational
12             MEL at Alma
28             3A State at Lawrence

Cross Country Roster For 2017

High School Football Records

    For a complete list of Kansas high school football records,  go to the below site which has them all.
http://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/varsity-football/article168725362.html

Capital-Journal Preseason FB Poll

CLASS 3A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS

Team … 2016 record

1. Nemaha Central … 12-1

2. Phillipsburg … 11-1

3. Silver Lake … 10-1

4. Rossville … 13-1

5. Hesston … 10-4

Others — Caney Valley 9-3, Chaparral 9-2, Conway Springs 7-2, Galena 8-3, Garden Plain 10-2, Halstead 9-2, Hoisington 12-1, Marion 7-2, Marysville 7-3, Maur Hill 7-3, Norton 7-4, Sabetha 9-2, Wellsville 10-2.

Silver Lake Football Article

    Today's Capital-Journal has an article about Silver Lake football.  Of course you can't talk about Silver Lake football without mentioning Rossville.
    Reat the article at:
http://cjonline.com/sports/highschools/prepkickoff2017/2017-08-25/prep-kickoff-2017-silver-lake-finds-motivation-early

2017 Volleyball Schedule

The Varsity volleyball schedule is as follows
Aug.

26            @ Burlington Tournament

Sept.

16             @ Rossville Tournament
19             @ Silver Lake

Oct.

3               @ St. Marys
10             Rock Creek
14             @ Abilene Tounament
12             @ Wabaunsee
21             3A Regional
27             3A State at Salina

Silent Auction For Cody Lambotte

Volleyball Roster For 2017

Girls Golf Schedule for 2017

Aug

29    8:30 At Jeff West Quad at Village Greens, Meridan
31    1:00 At Jeff West Open at Lake Perry Country Club

Sept.

5      1:00 At West Franklin Tournament at Lake Perry Country Club
7      3:00 At Wamego Tournament at Wamego Country Club
14    3:00 At Osage City Invitational at Osage City Country Club
21    3:00 Council Grove Invitational at Council Grove Country Club
26    9:00 Jeff West Invitational at Village Greens, Meridan
28    3:00 Clay Center Invitational at Clay Center Country Club

Oct.

2      3:00 Silver Lake Invitational at Western Hills Golf Club
5      1:00 Rossville Invitational at No. Topeka Golf Course
9              3A Regional at Lake Shawnee Golf Course
16            3A State at Hays, KS.

2017 Girls Golf Roster

Back The Dawgs Aug. 25

Click on below image to enlarge:

Volleyball Tourney Aug. 26

Volleyball @ Burlington Tournament

WhenSat, August 26, 8am – 3pm

WhereBurlington High School, 830 Cross St, Burlington, KS 66839, USA 

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Shed Burns In Rossville

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (KSNT)- Fire threatened a Rossville church after a nearby shed caught fire.

It happened on the 400 block of Pearl Street Monday night.

The fire broke out in a shed right next to the Rossville Presbyterian Church.

The shed burned to the ground, but the church was only slightly damanged.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but neighbors say no one was hurt and church services weren’t affected.

Bulldawgs On KSNT

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – Another chance at history awaits the Rossville Bulldawgs in 2017. They will try to win their fourth-consecutive Class 3A State Championship.

Rossville has been a powerhouse in the Mid-East League for a handful of years, and since head coach Derick Hammes arrived in town in 2013, the Dawgs have lost just one game.

This year’s senior class is (43-1) during their first three seasons. The lone loss came to Silver Lake last year.

The Bulldawgs will also be featured in our 30-minute high school football preview show that will air on Saturday August 26 at 6:30 p.m. on KSNT.

KSNT has a video of the team with views of practice and interviews that can be seen at:
http://ksnt.com/2017/08/22/h-s-football-preview-rossville-bulldawgs/

2017 Football Schedule

Sept. 1   Marysville
Sept. 8   at Rock Creek
Sept. 15 Riley County
Sept. 22 at Wabaunsee
Sept. 29 at Silver Lake
Oct. 6     at Burlington
Oct. 13   Mission Valley
Oct. 20   at St. Marys
Oct. 26   Council Grove

A Glance At Bulldawgs Football

Coach — Derick Hammes, 5th year

Last year’s record — 13-1, 4-1 in Mid-East League

Top offensive returners — RB Perry Foster, sr.

Top defensive returners — LB Sheldon Hulbert, sr.; DL Nathan Dohrman, sr.; LB Reed Miller, sr.

Schedule — Sept. 1 Marysville, Sept. 8 at Rock Creek, Sept. 15 Riley County, Sept. 22 at Wabaunsee, Sept. 29 at Silver Lake, Oct. 6 at Burlington, Oct. 13 Mission Valley, Oct. 20 at St. Marys, Oct. 26 Council Grove

Rossville Reloads For 2017

From the Capital-Jouirnal:

ROSSVILLE — In many respects, Rossville is a lot like many football programs across the state of Kansas.

 

After graduation claimed a huge, talented senior class, fifth-year coach Derick Hammes has spent the offseason trying to figure out which pieces will fit where.

“We’re working with the group that we have and trying to get these kids as good as we can get them, maximize their talent,” Hammes said.

Where Rossville is unlike most programs, however, is the Bulldawgs have made good on making those pieces fit together and maximizing the results. Rossville enters the 2017 season working on a streak of three straight Class 3A state championships, capturing last year’s title with a thrilling 48-42 overtime win over Hesston.

Each of the last two title defenses have come after having to replace key personnel from the previous championship squad. Last year, the task was filling the monstrous void left by two-time Top 11 All-State quarterback Tucker Horak, as well as four starting offensive linemen and the entire defensive front.

Rossville preseason video.

The job of stepping into Horak’s shoes fell to Jacob Bradshaw, who merely responded with a pretty darn good impression of his former teammate. All Bradshaw did in his only year as starting quarterback was rush for 2,734 yards and 31 touchdowns and throw for 1,774 yards and 25 scores, earning Top 11 All-State honors as well.

His graduation leaves an equally large void for new signal caller Sheldon Hulbert. The senior has served as backup to both Horak and Bradshaw the past two seasons, and though he’s only attempted five passes and logged 16 carries, he said doesn’t feel a lot of pressure to continue Rossville’s recent run of stellar quarterback play.

“Obviously, there’s going to be a little bit of pressure,” Hulbert said. “But Jake came in and handled it well and I just plan on coming in and doing as well as Jake did. Asking them questions helped a lot and just being able to watch them and see how they did things helped out quite a bit.

“Just in being a leader. The quarterback calls all the plays and really gets the team going. He’s the one that makes the offense go.”

Hammes said he fully expects Hulbert to be up to the challenge, whether that means duplicating the eye-popping seasons turned in by Horak and Bradshaw or not.

“I think he’s got a good understanding of what we do,” Hammes said. “His talents are different and we said the same thing last year about Jacob. Every kid we have is going to bring something different to the table, and what I like about him is he understands what we want to do and has a grasp what leadership is supposed to be about, and to me that’s awfully important. He’s been around our program a while and it just feels like we’ve got a new guy ready to give it a shot and give teams something different to prepare for.”

Whereas Bradshaw had a handful of known offensive commodities to help his transition — namely the likes of All-3A receiver Cole Schumacher, 1,000-yard rusher Dawson Hammes and standout lineman Jackson Reeves — Hulbert takes over an offense that returns just one starter. Senior back Perry Foster stepped in when Hammes suffered an early season injury and finished with 724 yards and nine touchdowns.

Beyond that, there are mostly unknowns, as Rossville graduated its entire offensive line and everyone but Foster who had a reception a year ago. Defensively, Hulbert was the team’s second-leading tackler behind Hammes, making 129 tackles, but lineman Nathan Dohrman (33 tackles) and linebacker Reed Miller (three starts) are the only other returning starters.

“This group is more similar to last year’s group,” Hammes said. “There were some key components returning from (2015) that had a lot of talent, but there was a lot of turnover and we had a lot of question marks last year.”

Rossville answered them well, losing only to Silver Lake during the regular season, ending a string of three straight Mid-East League titles. But as the Bulldawgs got healthy late in the season, they hit their stride and pulled out tight wins against Sabetha (34-28) and Nemaha Central (27-22) to return to the state championship game.

Down 15 to Hesston in the second half and trailing by a touchdown with less than four minutes to go, Rossville rallied to force overtime and won the title on Bradshaw’s 10-yard run on its first offensive play after the defense forced a Swather fumble at the 1. Each of the Bulldawgs’ three state titles have come after facing fourth-quarter deficits, showing the program’s resolve.

“The difference is the faces,” Hammes said. “The similarity is the belief is still there. There’s a confidence there, and with the turnover we’ve had, there’s probably teams that wouldn’t have the confidence we’ve had and have. I’m not going to put a damper on that. I want us to be confident, that we’ve been here before. The names and faces are different, but the attitude we have in our program hasn’t changed, and that’s priceless.

“There’s high expectations, but there are always high expectations for our program. We’ll have a target on our back, but we’ll be used to that.”

Mid-East League Preview

From the Capital-Journal:

 

Riley County Falcons

Coach: Steve Wagner (34th year).

Last year’s record: 5-5

---

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.

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Tall Corn Festival Pictures

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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