Rossville Girls Golf Outlook for 2020

From the Capital-Journal:

Coach: Eric Anderson

Top returners: Kayla Davis, sr.; Hailey Steele, sr.; Jessica Thompson, so.; Jenna Thompson, so.; Abigail Broughton, so.

Outlook: Dawgs have just five players out.

Rossville Football Outlook For 2020

From the Capital-Journal:

Coach: Derick Hammes (8th year).

Last year’s record: 7-3

Postseason: lost in 2A playoffs second round.

Returning starters: Offense (8), Defense (9).

Top returners: Bryson Balch, C/DE, Sr.; Kris Brown, OG, Sr.; Tyree Sowers, RB, Sr.; Kaiden Brown, RB/LB, Sr.; Bo Reeves, WR/CB, Sr.; Torrey Horak, QB/CB, Jr.; Woodrow Rezac, SB, Sr.; Joe McGrath, OL, Sr.; Jacob Carver, OL, So.; Corey Catron, LB, Jr.; Brody Lietz, DL, Jr.; Layne Hurla, DB, Sr.; Austin Klesath, DB, Sr.; Mshewe Hale, DL, Jr.

Outlook: After reaching 2A quarterfinals in 2018, Bulldawgs were bounced in the second round by eventual state champion Nemaha Central 29-21 in overtime. ... Only other losses came to 2A semifinalist Riley County and arch rival Silver Lake. ... Graduation only claimed handful of seniors, but replacing All-2A lineman Kody Davoren will be challenge. ... Bulk of skill players return led by Horak, who threw for 1,007 yards and 17 TDs and ran for 1,214 yards and 16 TDs as sophomore starting QB. ... Rezac added 828 yards and 10 TDs rushing and Sowers had 636 yards and 7 TDs. ... Reeves led receivers with 26 catches for 512 yards and 8 TDs and Sowers and Kaiden Brown combined for seven TD catches. ... Hurla led team in tackles with 90, while Brown added 77 and Catron had 71. ... Hammes is one win from 100 in his career.

Dawgs Ready For Run At 2A Title

From the Capital-Journal:
Like many young kids in Rossville, Bo Reeves vividly remembers looking up to the Bulldawg football teams that captured three straight Class 3A state championships from 2014-16.

“Those guys were our idols,” Reeves said of a group that included not only Reeves’ older brother, Jackson, but also the likes to two-time All-State quarterback Tucker Horak, Cole Schjmacher, Jacob Bradshaw and Dawson Hammes. “We always talked about how it was something to look forward to when we got up there and it would be our turn. We watched them so closely so that we could do exactly what they did.”

The production and level of success those championship teams enjoyed were staggering. The Horak-led undefeated title teams in 2014 and 2015 averaged 447 and 520 yards per game, respectively, while also putting up 48.4 and 53.1 points a contest.

When Bradshaw took over for Horak at quarterback in 2016, the production hardly diminished with the Bulldawgs averaged 42.9 points and 462 yards per game on a way to a third straight crown. While in the three years since the title run ended, it’s been tough to duplicate those gaudy numbers, this year’s edition of the Bulldawgs could very well come the closest to matching the skill set displayed by the title teams.

Rossville returns every key weapon from last year’s 7-3 team that averaged 37.8 points and 417 yards per game. That makes the prospects for the Bulldawgs’ potential in 2020 very tantalizing.

“I think we definitely have what it takes this year,” Reeves said. “We’ve got all the pieces to the puzzle. We’ve just got great chemistry out there. The sky’s the limit for us.”

Rossville coach Derick Hammes agrees with the assessment of his senior standout receiver.

“The similarities we have with some of those teams we had is we have multiple guys that can get things done and the focus of the defense can’t be to take one person away,” Hammes said. “There are some differences. We’ve got a little bit of speed in this group and a little size with what Bo brings to the table. Weve got depth and we’re somewhat interchangeable in some of our spots. That’s what excites me.”

The basis of Rossville’s successful offenses have revolved first and foremost around a playmaker at quarterback and returning starter Torrey Horak showed he was ready to fill that role a year ago. The younger brother of Tucker — who is the only player in state history to rush and throw for 2,000 yards in the same season — expectations have been high for Torrey since Day One and he’s answered the call.

Stepping in as starting quarterback as a sophomore and ran for 1,214 yards and 16 touchdowns and threw for 1,0007 yards and 17 touchdowns.

What the title teams had that its successors have somewhat lacked, however, was playmakers to surround the quarterback and Rossville has those as well.

In rushing for 316 yards per gam last year, Rossville got 828 yards and 10 touchdowns from Woodrow Rezac and another 636 yards and seven TDs from Tyree Sowers. As seniors this year, both are strong backfield complements to Horak.

Reeves, a four-year starter, led the receiving corps with 512 yards and eight touchdowns grabs, but Rezac, Sowers and Kaiden Brown each added more than 100 yards and combined for eight touchdowns as well.

“We just have to get them in position to do what they do well,” Hammes said. “When we have a quarterback in the system for multiple years, there’s so much decision-making that goes into that position for us that it’s more of a mental thing than physical thing. I think that experience bodes well for us to use the strengths we’ve got around him.”

The key to Rossville’s success likely hinges on the development of the guys clearing the way for the many playmakers. Graduation claimed All-2A lineman Kody Davoren, but three starters do return led by seniors Joe McGrath and Kris Brown.

In going 7-3 last year, Rossville opened the season with a 28-8 win over eventual Class 1A state champion Centralia, which didn’t lose again after the loss. After suffering Mid-East League setbacks to rival Silver Lake (14-13) and Riley County (34-15), the Bulldawgs ran off five straight wins before falling 29-21 in overtime in the playoffs to Nemaha Central.

Central went on to win the Class 2A state championship, leaving Rossville with the knowledge it was right on the cusp of perhaps doing the same.

“We were disappointed obviously, not that we were a young team but with a lot of these guys being juniors last year, I saw us getting better as we played,” Hammes said. “That’s what stings the most is I know we were going to get better the longer we went.”

Nemaha Central graduated several key players off its title team, as did runner-up Norton and many of last year’s top Class 2A teams. It’s been a revolving door of title teams in the classification since Rossville’s run and this year appears to be as wide open as any.

With its pieces in place, Rossville feels it has as good of a chance as any.

“When I look back the past few years, the teams that have made the run, at least on our side of the bracket were senior-dominated,” Hammes said. “They had a lot of upperclassmen on their team and that was a strength they had that we didn’t. That’s not an excuse for us any more. We’ve got kids that have playing experience and hopefully the 17-, 18-year-old in their senior year brings the intangible we didn’t have the past few years.”

A Look At The 2020 Bulldawgs

Coach — Derick Hammes, 8th year.

Last year’s record — 7-3

Top offensive returners: OG Kris Brown, sr.; RB Tyree Sowers, sr.; RB Kaiden Brown, sr.; WR Bo Reeves, sr.; QB Torrey Horak, jr.; SB Woodrow Rezac, sr.; OL Joe McGrath, sr.; OL Jacob Carver, so.

Top defensive returners: DE Bryson Balch, sr.; LB Kaiden Brown, Sr.; CB Bo Reeves, sr.; CB Torrey Horak, jr.; LB Corey Catron, jr.; DL Brody Lietz, jr.; DB Layne Hurla, sr.; DB Austin Klesath, sr.; DL Mshewe Hale, jr.

2020 Rossville High Girls Golf Roster

Kayla Davis             12
Hailey Steele           12
Taylor Williams        12
Abigail Broughton    10
Jenna Thompson     10
Jessica Thompson   10

Rossville High 2020 Volleyball Roster

2020 Rossville High Football Roster

Duane Melvin Among Top 125

Duane "Blackie" Melvin,  former Rossville High coach in the late 50s and early 60s and later coach at Seaman High is among the 125 best athletes in Shawnee County per the Capital-Journal.

70. DUANE MELVIN, Seaman

All-around athlete in the 1940s lettered multiple times in three sports at Washburn and played minor league baseball.

Varsity Girls Golf 2020 Schedule

Aug   26     1:00    @ Jeff West Inv.
Sep      2     9:00    @ Jeff West Scramble
          10     3:00    @ Wamego Inv.
          17     3:00    @ Osage City Inv.
          24     3:00    @ Council Grove Inv.
          28     9:00    @ Jeff West Inv.
Oct      5     3:00    @ Silver Lake Inc.
            8     1:00    @ Rossville Inv.
          12                3-2-1 A Refional
          19-20           3-2-1 A State 

2020 Varsity Volleyball Schedule

Aug    29  8:30    @ Prairie View Tournament
Sep       3  5:00    @ Mission Valley Triangular
           17  6:00    Rossville Double Dual
           19  9:00    Rossville Tournament
           22  5:00    @ Riley Co.
           29  5:00    Vs St. Marys

Oct       3  8:00    @ Silver Lake Tournament
             6  5:00    Vs  Wabaunsee
           13  5:00    Vs  Silver Lake
           15  5:00    @Maur Hill Tournament
           17  9:00    @Abilene Tournament
           20  5:00    @ Rock Creek
           24              2A Sub State
           30-31         2A State Tournament at Dodge City

Steve and Shelly Buhler Had Covid-19

From the Capital=Joournal:

Former Rossville High and veteran Washburn Rural football coach Steve Buhler confirmed Wednesday that he and his wife, Hayden president Shelly Buhler, both tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month and said both are on the road to recovery.

Steve Buhler said he started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms about Aug. 4-5.

“It was chills, with a fever, cold, sinus, all the things they talk about with the COVID,″ Buhler said. “There were quite a few of them at the beginning.″

Buhler went in to be tested for the coronavirus almost immediately after the symptoms began.

“Part of that was because Shelly had tested positive like the day before,″ Buhler said. “When I woke up that morning with the chills and everything I had a pretty good idea.″

Buhler did experience complications a short time later, but said he is starting to show daily improvement.

“They found a spot of pneumonia and that kind of blossomed into having pneumonia in both lungs,″ he said. “The medical people put me on some medication for the pneumonia and, other than still having a cough, I’m up moving around and I’m working from home right now.

“Most of this week I’ve been doing stuff online for classes, getting ready like everybody else. It was a rough couple of days with the pneumonia part, but I’m hoping that when I have my doctor’s visit (Thursday) everything will be just fine.″

Steve said that Shelly is also recovering and has been working from home.

“She had a pretty mild case of it,″ Steve said. “She’s been up and around taking care of me. Within three days she was up working and back at it again for the most part here at home, doing her isolation stuff that she was supposed to do.″

Steve said that he and his wife have also been trying to do their due diligence as far as following through with proper COVID-19 protocols.

“We’ve been through all the tracing and followed through with the county and all of those kinds of things and we honestly couldn’t tell you where it came from,″ Buhler said.

Mary (Mattan) Cowan Passes Away

Mary was born on May 12, 1923 to Emil and Mary VandeVelde Mattan, She was born at home on the family farm northeast of Delia, Kansas where she was raised. She was the seventh of eight children.

Mary attended grade school at Adrian Public School District 65, a one-room schoolhouse two miles west of the family farm home. She was a 1941 graduate of Delia High school. In 1942 Mary moved to Topeka, Kansas and worked at Capper’s Weekly Publication in the advertising and subscription department. While in Topeka she was courted by Kenneth Vincent Cowan and they were married February 12, 1943 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Delia, Kansas.  

Six days after their wedding Kenneth joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in Pennsylvania for training. Mary traveled by train from Topeka, Kansas to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in May 1943 to visit him. She stayed on base and in Jonestown, Pennsylvania for one month until Kenneth was sent to California for deployment to New Guinea. After which Mary returned home to stay with her parent’s and in-law’s until Kenneth returned in February 1946.

After Kenneth returned from World War II they settled in Rossville, Kansas where they lived until 1984. There they raised four children – Diana born in 1947, Vicki born in 1950, Denise born in 1956 and Mark born in 1959. In 1984 Kenneth and Mary moved to Silver Lake, Kansas. Kenneth passed away in 2003. In 2017 Mary moved to The Healthcare Resort of Topeka.

Mary was a member of the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (Rossville) since 1947 and a former member of the church council, lay minister and lecture. She was a member of the Silver Lake Senior Citizens and a former board member. Mary was also a former member of the Silver Lake Community and XYZ clubs.

In addition to being a wife, mother and homemaker Mary provided childcare for several years.  Throughout her life she enjoyed dancing, card playing, gardening, and tending her flowers. Mary was a lady and the ultimate housewife, yet she could paint, refinish, upholster, ride a horse bareback, drive a team of horses, milk cows, feed livestock and perform many a household and farm chore.  

Most important to Mary was family and faith. She was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, sister, and niece.

Survivors include her children, Diana Elevier and Denise (Tom) Denton, Silver Lake, Vicki (Michael) Wilson, Holton, and Mark (Jackie) Cowan, Kansas City, Missouri; 5 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and husband; brothers, Remi, August, Albert and Henry Mattan; sisters, Ann Tholl, Elizabeth Tholl and Louise VanDeWoestyne; and son-in-law, Fred Elevier.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, everyone attending will need to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Services are pending.

Mark Jontra Passes Away

Willard - Mark Aaron Jontra passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Rossville, Kansas. He was 91 years of age.  He was born in Frankfort, Kansas, on May 2, 1929, the son of Arley Ernest Jontra and Violet Theresa (Fagan) Jontra.

He grew up in the area of Emmett, Kansas, and attended school there. When he was young he worked on the family farm. He served in the Korean War, in the Army Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1953.  Mark was a charter member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion at Rossville.

He was married to Kay Ann Sheets on May 7, 1960. They were married for 40 years. She preceded him in death on October 26, 2000. They had one child, a daughter, Carole.

He worked for many years as a Division Lineman in the Communications Department of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. He preferred to be outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and boating when he was younger and was an avid fisherman. He also liked to keep a large garden and did so for many years.

He was preceded in death by both parents, his wife, Kay, and his brother, Melvin Jontra.

Survivors include his daughter, Carole Jontra; two brothers, Marlin Jontra and Larry Van Horn; a sister, Millie Dravo; a sister-in-law, Mary Kay Jontra; two stepsisters, Sue Adams and Kay Williams; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A public visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2020, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536, (785) 437-2222. A private graveside service with military honors will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rossville American Legion Post No. 31 of Rossville, Kansas, may be sent in care of Piper Funeral Home. To leave online remembrances and condolences to the family please visit www.piperfuneralhome.com.

All-State Dawg XCountry Runners.

Sports in Kansas 

Returning Girls All-State Cross Country Runners from 2019 season

12. Julia Streit (sr)

17. Amelia Foster  (soph)