By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Rossville’s pursuit of a Class 1A state football title came up just short in a dramatic battle, with Sterling defeating the Bulldawgs 35-34 at Hutchinson Community College Friday.
Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for three touchdowns and threw for a TD in Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
The Bulldawgs battled back when they were on the verge of getting blown out in the second period. Trailing 21-6 and unable to stop the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville turned the game around in the final two minutes of the first half. An 11-play drive ended with a touchdown pass from Canann Mitchell to Connor Bush to cut the deficit to 21-14.
The Bulldawgs took the second half kickoff and marched down the field to tie the game. Seizing the momentum, Rossville’s defense throttled Sterling’s rushing attack – which had accounted for 235 yards in the first half – forcing Sterling’s lone punt of the game.
Just as the second half ended with a Rossville touchdown, the third period ended with Mitchell running in from 2 yards out to give the Bulldawgs their first lead of the day, 28-21.
“We got together at halftime and went over some things that we needed to do better,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “We didn’t change anything. We just did better at what we originally planned to do. We put a hat on them and we blocked them. We didn’t turn the football over and we had some rhythm offensively. It gave us a chance to win.”
Sterling senior Zane Farney rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 35-34 win over Rossville in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Suddenly in danger, Sterling put the ball in the hands of Zane Farney, who had accounted for more than 2,000 rushing on the season. A couple of long carries by the senior quickly tied the game. By the time the day was over. Farney had rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.
Rossville responded to Sterling’s quick strike with a methodical drive. The Bulldawgs chewed up half of the fourth period on a march that ended with Mitchell’s third touchdown run of the game.
The Bulldawgs led 34-28 and had a decision to make. As Mitchell crossed the goal line, his facemask was grabbed by a Sterling defender. With the option to attempt a two-point conversion from inside the 2-yard line, Rossville decided to kick the point-after and assess the penalty yards to the kickoff. But Sterling’s Jacob Lewis leaped high to block the kick, freezing Rossville’s lead at six with 6:36 left.
Having been gashed for much of the day by the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville limited the Black Bears to short runs. But Sterling converted three fourth-down attempts to keep the drive going.
Having advanced to the Rossville 24-yard line with just one minute remaining, Sterling shocked the Bulldawgs by sending its quarterback back to pass for just the second time of the game. Logan Isaac floated a pass over the middle which Lewis – the man who blocked the Rossville PAT – leaped to corral at the goal line. It was just Sterling’s 10th pass completion of the season.
“I think every time I call a pass play, my kids look at me a little bit funny, and they’re like, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “But we practice throwing the ball. We have confidence in our guys, and we’ve got playmakers.”
“We talked about (Sterling attempting a pass), but it was executed really well, and it was thrown into a crowd, so their kid made a play,” Hammes said. “That’s what you’ve got to do to win championships, make a play down the stretch.”
Sterling’s kicker punched the ball through the uprights to give the Black Bears a 35-34 lead.
Rossville had 52 seconds to respond, but only reached the Sterling 29 before a sack, a penalty and a short pass ended the Bulldawgs’ season.
“It was a good football game,” Hammes said. “Congratulations to Sterling. They made a play or two down the stretch that was the difference maker. I felt like our kids made some plays throughout the game as well, but it didn’t work out for us today.”
“We said at halftime it was going to be a dogfight,” Schneider said. “(Rossville) made some great adjustments. They put some stuff together They’re a great program with a great coaching staff. I talked to them before the game and I said, ‘I look up to you guys.’ They’ve got great tradition and we’re starting some tradition.”
Mitchell ran for 149 yards and threw for 193 to lead Rossville. The Bulldawgs finished the season 11-2, the only other loss coming to Nemaha Central, which goes for a 2A title on Saturday.
Rossville senior Andre Johnson reacts during Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
“These kids have battled. Especially these seniors in their career here. They gave us a chance to win,” Hammes said. “Gutty, classy. We did things the right way and they cared about each other. It’s just a special group, and I’ll remember them just like a champion.”
STERLING 35, ROSSVILLE 34
