Dawgs Overcome Adversity To Win Title

From CJOnline:

No matter how easy Rossville had made things look on its way to Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game in Hutchinson, Bulldawgs coach Derick Hammes knew his team’s road had been anything but a completely smooth one.

Rossville began the season without starting senior fullback-linebacker Nick Reesor, who missed two games with torn meniscus in his knee. Then senior receiver-corner Corbin Horak dislocated his elbow in the opener and missed two games. Then senior back Jack Steckel was lost for five games with a Lisfranc foot sprain that initially was feared to be season-ending, though he returned in the playoff quarterfinals.

“We just had to learn from that adversity,” Hammes said. “Last year, we never really had that challenge. We needed to be challenged in that way and overcome it.”

Rossville answered the challenge to take a 13-0 mark into the championship showdown with fellow unbeaten and No. 2 Scott City. The top-ranked Bulldawgs answered an even bigger one in Saturday’s title game to capture the program’s first state title with a 21-14 victory over the Beavers.

Just three plays into the game, the electricity surging through the Bulldawgs players and fans was almost completely zapped. Junior defensive lineman Isaac Luellen was down on the field for an extended time, eventually taken off on a cart and to the hospital with a dislocated elbow.

Not long after, Rossville suffered an even bigger blow though the injury was far less obvious to the crowd. Senior standout Thatcher Horak suffered a hip bruise that knocked him out of the game for several series.

Just like that, the Bulldawgs were without their second-leading rusher, second-leading receiver, top return man and best combo cornerback. Horak, who had 1,874 all-purpose yards and four interceptions, never returned defensively and was limited to just three touches for 22 yards on offense.

Needless to say, their absences were noticeable as Scott City rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit to take a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter on a pair of long pass plays.

“They were big losses and it took some of our options away from us,” Hammes said. “I thought the guys filling in did a good job, but you don’t just replace a guy like Thatcher. He’s been so big for us this year.”

The confidence Hammes had in his team’s depth was mirrored by his players.

“I was a little worried, but I knew we had guys that were going to step up and do good things for us,” said senior linebacker Lake Schultz-Pruner, who had a first-half fumble recovery and game-clinching interception in the final seconds to go with 15 tackles. “We just had to do our jobs we’re supposed to do every play and things worked themselves out when we worked together as a team.”

There was still the matter of overcoming the first fourth-quarter deficit Rossville had faced all season, and doing it without Horak at full strength. Another new challenge for the Bulldawgs and another one they met head on.

Rossville scored twice in the final 7:14 with Tucker Horak delivering the win on a 5-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left in the game. The junior quarterback finished the game with 212 yards rushing and two touchdowns, putting the final touches on a monster season that saw him rush for 2,089 yards and 28 touchdowns and throw for 1,651 yards and 22 touchdowns.

“We got to show what we were all about, show that we were made of something,” Horak said of overcoming the injuries. “We’ve had people stepping in all year and I was impressed by that — underclassmen, upperclassmen, anyone we needed to did it.”

Rossville’s 14-0 season ended a number of near-misses for the program.

The 1992 Bulldawg squad reached the state championship game before falling 3-0 to Hesston. The 1979 squad gave up just three points all season — a state record — yet didn’t make it to the championship game, falling 3-0 to Smith Center in the playoffs.

And in eight of the previous 12 seasons, Rossville’s season had ended in the state semifinals at the hands of archrival Silver Lake.

Saturday’s title was for all those teams, Tucker Horak said.

“To finish off just feels amazing,” he said. “I’ve had some of the guys who were on both of those teams (1979, 1992) come up and talk to me today and it’s just an outstanding feeling knowing we finished something that they started long ago.”

Rossville Wins State!!!!

From CJOnline:
HUTCHINSON — The situation seemingly was anything but a comfortable one for Rossville.
For the first time all season, the top-ranked Bulldawgs were behind in the fourth quarter of a game. Not just any game, mind you, but Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game, trailing undefeated and No. 2 Scott City by a touchdown with eight minutes to play.
    One key starter was out with an injury. Another was limited by injury as well.
    And the offense that had put up the most points in 3A all season was finding yards almost as tough to get as points.
    Tough spot, right? Well, not exactly.
    “It was kind of a good feeling,” Rossville quarterback Tucker Horak said. “We got to show what we were all about and that we were made of something.”
    Given the opportunity, Rossville proved it had the makeup of a champion. The Bulldawgs scored the game’s final 14 points, rallying past Scott City for a 21-14 victory on Horak’s 5-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds to play at Hutchinson’s Gowans Stadium. The win capped a 14-0 season for Rossville and delivered the program’s first state football championship.
    “The thing I’ve loved about Rossville from the get-go was the simple fact that they have a passion for football,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “Gosh dang it, that’s what a coach wants. He wants to go somewhere where they love football and don’t run away from challenges and hard work. This just means so much to me and them.”
    Rossville had to face a challenge square on almost immediately from the start of Saturday's title contest. In the span of a few plays, the Bulldawgs lost starting lineman Isaac Luellen to an elbow injury that required him to be carted off the field, and then Thatcher Horak — the Bulldawgs’ second-most productive offensive player and standout defensive back — to a hip bruise.
Luellen didn't return and Horak was available only on a limited basis and their absence was noticeable, particularly when Scott City used a pair of second-half touchdown passes to erase Rossville’s 7-0 halftime lead.
    Trey O’Neil hit Chantz Yager behind the Rossville secondary for a 30-yard score to tie the game late in the third quarter. After Rossville fumbled it away at the Scott City 17 on its next possession, the Beavers marched down the field and O’Neil hit Sloan Baker all alone for a 34-yard strike with 8:45 left in the game that gave Scott City a 14-7 lead.
Trailing for the first time in the fourth quarter all year, Rossville had met its ultimate challenge.
    “What I saw in the kids in a couple timeouts was I saw them get determined,” Hammes said. “When I saw that, I knew we were going to be OK. It was kind of calming for everybody that, ‘Hey, we’re going to be OK. We’re still in this.’ We weren’t playing our best, but we were still in position and they believed in each other. Ultimately, that got it done for us.”
    The Bulldawgs answered Scott City’s go-ahead score almost immediately. Tucker Horak hit Christian Roduner for a 25-yard gain and then busted runs of 14 and 16 yards to set up Nick Reesor’s 2-yard touchdown plunge, capping a drive that took just 1 minute, 25 seconds. After holding on defense, Rossville got the ball back with 4:24 left and 78 yards from paydirt and a state title. Horak covered 23 on Rossville’s second play and the Bulldawg march was on.
    Methodically, the Bulldawgs moved closer and closer and time ticked off the clock. Runs of 16, 10, 3 and 4 by Horak got the ball to the Scott City 14 and a 1-yard gain by Steckel set up a fourth-and-2 at the Scott City 13.
    Instead of putting the game immediately on the foot of kicker Paul Steinke, the state’s most accurate kicker this year, the Bulldawgs lined up to go for it and Scott City jumped offsides. After a 3-yard run by Reesor, Horak scored up the middle on a 5-yard run and Steinke booted the PAT to cap a year where he went 101 of 101 on kicks.
    “Our line has been dominating all year and I just trusted them,” said Horak, who finished with 212 yards rushing and two touchdowns. “We stuck to our system and pulled it out in the end. ... I knew they had a good defense, but there was really no doubt in my mind we were going to go down and score.”
    There was still the matter of stopping Scott City in the final 28 seconds. O’Neil had thrown for 179 yards, but hurt his right arm on a defensive play on Rossville’s first scoring drive of the quarter.
The Beavers completed a reverse pass from Brett Meyer to Yager for 21 yards on first down, but O’Neil’s next pass was picked off by Lake Schultz-Pruner, sealing the victory.
    “I knew it was the last 20 seconds I was ever going to play football so I was going to give it my all, and it might have been the best feeling I’ve ever felt,” said Schultz-Pruner, who also had a fumble recovery and 15 tackles in the game. “It’s about as big of a defensive performance as it gets. State championship game, and we held them to 14, that’s pretty good. I’m proud of our effort.”
    Both Rossville and Scott City entered the game with high-powered offenses, but defense ruled the opening half. The only score of the half came after Schultz-Pruner recovered a fumble at the Bulldawg 18 and Rossville went 82 yards in 14 plays with Horak scoring from three yards out.
Even though the Bulldawgs had struggled the rest of the half to move the ball, Hammes felt at ease.
    “I felt like we weren’t doing things as well as we could have and didn’t execute like we could, but we’re still up 7-0,” Hammes said. “I told the guys at that point, we were in a good spot. And then again at the quarter. It just seemed like toward the end when we needed the focus the most and make some plays when we needed to, we did it.”
    Scott City lost for the first time after a tough playoff run. O’Neil was 16 of 21 passing for 179 yards and also ran for a team-high 41. But Rossville bottled up the Beavers’ tandem of 1,000-yard rushers as Wyatt Kropp and Cooper Griffith managed just a combined 63 yards as Reesor finished with 17 tackles, Ethan Woodcock added 12 and Roduner and Dawson Hammes each had 10.
    “It was two very good teams,” Scott City coach Glenn O’Neil said. “We knew Rossville was very good and we went through some good teams to get here. I’m proud of our effort, but we were just a little short.”

Rossville (14-0)    0 7  0 14 — 21
Scott City (13-1)   0 0  7   7 — 14

Ross — Tu. Horak 3 run (Steinke kick)
SC — Yager 30 pass from O’Neil (Portes kick)
SC — Baker 34 pass from O’Neil (Portes kick)
Ross — Reesor 2 run (Steinke kick)
Ross — Tu. Horak 5 run (Steinke kick)

GAME IN FIGURES
                               Ross          SC
First downs              17            20
Rushes-yards        49-283     42-120
Passing                    54             211
Comp-Att-Int       4-14-0      18-26-1
Punts                    4-38.8       5-36.4
Fumbles-Lost         1-1            3-1
Penalties-Yards      0-0           3-15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Rossville: Tu. Horak 27-212, Reesor 10-43, Steckel 6-13, Th. Horak 2-11, Hammes 2-6. Scott City: O’Neil 11-41, Kropp 16-38, Griffith 9-25, Yager 6-16.
PASSING — Rossville: Horak 4-14-0, 54. Scott City: O’Neil 16-21-1, 179, Meyer 2-3-0 32.
RECEIVING — Rossville: Roduner 2-33, Th. Horak 1-11, Reesor 1-10. Scott City: Baker 7-99, Meyer 5-35, Yager 4-64, Kropp 2-13.

Dawgs Ready For Championship Game

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – Last week, Rossville held on to beat Silver Lake 21-14 in the Class 3A state semifinals. It marked the first time that Rossville knocked out the Eagles in the postseason.
    “For us it’s just business as usual,” Rossville head coach Derick Hammes said.    The Bulldawgs certainly have taken care of business in 2014. Other than the two meetings with Silver Lake, Rossville won every game by at least three touchdowns.    “It’s honestly indescribable,” Rossville senior running back/linebacker Nick Reesor said. “Seems like the whole town of Rossville has been congratulating us. Feels great to finally get it done. It’s been a while since Rossville’s been there.”    Rossville hasn’t played for a state championship since 1992. The Bulldawgs lost that lone title appearance against Hesston.    “The reception has been amazing,” Rossville senior wide receiver/defensive back Corbin Horak said. “Pretty much after every game the whole town goes together at the (American) Legion. Hangs out, talking, loving all the players.”    Saturday’s opponent Scott City is also undefeated and beat Halstead in overtime last week.    “It’s an amazing feeling knowing the whole town will be down there to support us,” Horak said.    Rossville’s season is already memorable. Now the Bulldawgs want to add once more victory to make 2014 truly special.    “Come Saturday it should be fun,” Reesor said. “Last game with the boys so we’ll give it our best.”    “I think it would be awesome for those guys to really make their mark on a program with a big victory,” Hammes said.     To see the video that goes with this story,  go to:   

http://kansasfirstnews.com/2014/11/27/rossville-football-aims-for-perfection-in-class-3a/

RHS To Tackle Scott City For 3A Title

From CJOnline

HUTCHINSON — It’s just another week.

That’s the message Rossville football coach Derick Hammes has preached to his team from the start of the season. Set a routine, follow it, and win or lose move on to the next game.

“We tried to establish that a long time ago,” Hammes said. “We just emphasize that process that if we do the things the right way each week when you do have a big football game there’s a business-as-usual atmosphere.”

But this isn’t just another week. This is a week where Rossville is coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, a 21-14 victory over rival Silver Lake in last Friday’s Class 3A state semifinals — something the Bulldawgs had never done.

That makes this week an even bigger game, another opportunity to do something no other Rossville football team has ever done and that’s win a state championship.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, No. 1 Rossville (13-0) will meet No. 2 Scott City (13-0) at Hutchinson’s Gowans Stadium for the Class 3A state title. The only other time the Bulldawgs have played for a championship, it ended with a 3-0 loss to Hesston in the 1992 3A title game.

“We definitely understand what’s on the line,” Hammes said, “and there’s definitely an excitement among the players to see if we can get this done.”

Clearing last week’s hurdle was obviously huge for the Bulldawgs. Eight times in the previous 12 years, Rossville had made it to the brink of championship weekend. Eight times in the previous 12 years, Silver Lake had blocked that path and made the trek to the title game.

Following Friday’s win, several Bulldawg players fell to their knees, partially in exultation and partially in relief after the victory was secured on Thatcher Horak’s 85-yard touchdown run with two and a half minutes left in the game.

It was a victory the program had waited a lifetime for.

“Ever since I can remember, honestly,” Bulldawgs senior Corbin Horak said.

Such victories demand so much focus and energy that a letdown is natural. Only there’s no time for that with Scott City just as big of a test in Saturday’s final.

Hammes doesn’t believe there’s a danger of it happening, either.

“I think our group has a combination of experience and confidence and that’s huge,” Hammes said. “Number one, through the experience factor, they’re not going to let it happen. And they have the confidence in their ability and each other that we’re going to prepare and do everything necessary to win that next game like we have all year.

“The fact that we had (beaten Silver Lake) in two other regular-season games helps us a lot. If this would have been our first victory, it might be a different story. But the fact that we had some recent success against those guys really helped in that game and should help in moving on to the next one.”

While Rossville is making its first trip to the finals in more than 20 years, Scott City is back in the championship game for the second time in three years. The Beavers captured the 2012 state title with a 28-21 overtime victory over Silver Lake in Hutchinson.

In fact, Hutchinson has become sort of a home away from home for the Beavers. In addition to the 2012 football crown, the Scott City boys basketball team won three straight 3A state basketball titles from 2011-13 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, which is right across the parking lot from Gowans Stadium.

“We’ve been very fortunate to go there so many times,” said Scott City coach Glen O’Neil, who coaches both sports. “It helps with the sense of being comfortable with what they’re going to see on Saturday. They’ve been there before and the basketball kids have been there a number of times. Being in Hutchinson it’s pretty familiar. But at the same time, once you get between the lines, it doesn’t matter where you are.

“It is a sense of comfort, but we know Rossville can knock that sense of comfort right out of us.”

Scott City earned its spot in the title game with a 20-14 overtime win over Halstead in the semifinals. The Beavers’ path has been littered with tough outs — undefeated Norton in the second round and powerhouse Wichita Collegiate in the quarterfinals — after a demanding regular season that included the likes of 4A Division II semifinalist Holcomb and perennial playoff contender Ulysses.

“We’ve had a tough schedule, and we’ve seen a different variety of offenses that has prepared us for whatever we might see,” O’Neil said. “The guys have had to come in every Monday and had to get ready for a different wrinkle — a spread, a wing-T, a power I. They know they’ve got to bring their thinking caps to prepare.”

Rossville’s path, meanwhile, has been equally as tough. After cruising in the playoff opener against Pleasant Ridge, the Bulldawgs have knocked off three straight teams with traditions as rich as any in the state in recent history. Wins over Centralia, Colgan and Silver Lake in three straight weeks gave Rossville victories over programs that have combined for 18 state titles, including 10 since 2000 with a total of 23 title game appearances in that same span.

“We recognize that Scott City, Conway Springs, Beloit and the teams out west have been tough for a lot of years and then it’s been mostly Silver Lake and Rossville on the east side,” Hammes said. “Then you put two tradition-rich programs that moved up from 2-1A in Centralia and Colgan and you’ve got to face one in the regular season, and then for a second time in the playoffs. And you go up against (Colgan coach) Chuck Smith and all the games he’s won and then coach (C.J.) Hamilton and your rival (Silver Lake). I think we’ve had an extremely challenging road to get to where we’re at and we’re awfully proud of what we’ve accomplished. Now we’re ready to see if we can take it one more game.”

Both teams have potent offenses led by outstanding quarterbacks.

Rossville junior Tucker Horak has run for 1,878 yards and 26 touchdowns on just 135 carries (13.9 ypc), breaking his own school record for single-season rushing yards. He’s also passed for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns, completing 74.6 percent of his passes.

His counterpart, Trey O’Neil, is the lone holdover starter from the 2012 title team and has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 1,868 yards and 21 touchdowns, while throwing just two interceptions.

Both have plenty of weapons around them as well. Thatcher Horak has run for 981 yards and 14 touchdowns while also adding 531 yards receiving and eight touchdown grabs. Nick Reesor adds 476 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, while Christian Roduner (524 yards, 6 TDs) and Corbin Horak (385 yards, 3 TDs) are also threats in the passing game.

Scott City features a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Cooper Griffith (1,181 yards, 18 TDs) and Wyatt Kropp (1,051 yards, 17 TDs). Brett Meyer (598 yards, 7 TDs) and Sloan Baker (562 yards, 7 TDs) are O’Neil’s top targets.

“If you look at them offensively, they throw a lot at you in terms of schemes and formations,” Hammes said of the Beavers, who have racked up 576 points, second only to Rossville’s 656 in 3A. “You have to be on top of your game so you can handle those things. ... You’re defending a team that can run the ball very deliberately and then you’re defending a team that can spread you out. Most nights, you’re defending a team that can really run the ball or a team that can pass it. With these guys, they have the ability to do both and do both within a series of plays. That’s a challenge.”

Dawgfeed 11 On Line

Dawgfeed 11 is now on-line.  You can watch it at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a79YXinMkfo

John Wehner Passes Away

    John Alfred Wehner, 86, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at his home.   
    He was born October 21, 1928 at Delia the son of John J. and Mary E. Stallman Wehner.
    John graduated from Delia High School in 1947.    Mr. Wehner worked for the Union Pacific Railroad about 10 months then at his father's grocery store in Delia. John A. and Esther Wehner purchased the Delia store on February 19, 1949 and operated it until January 1, 1957. He moved to Rossville and bought Wehner's IGA from his brother Clarence. They added Western Auto in 1959. In 1969 they built the grocery store in Silver Lake and changed from Western Auto to True Value. The new store in Rossville was built in 2001 and Johnny Dollar was opened on July 7, 2006. John was looking forward to the Wehner family celebrating 100 years of business on April 15, 2015. John was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.   
    Mr. Wehner was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Irene Doyle, Florence Simecka, Clarence Wehner and Kathryn Rezac.    On October 10, 1945 he was united in marriage to Esther Horak in Delia. They celebrated 69 years of marriage. She survives of the home.    Other survivors include three children, John L. (Peg) Wehner, St. Marys, Bob (Jolyne) Wehner, Rossville and Debbie (Rocky) Taylor, Topeka; two brothers, Melvin Wehner, Eudora and Francis (Mary C.) Wehner, Colorado Springs, CO; 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild on the way.   
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 1, 2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville.    Mr. Wehner will lie in state after 6:00 P.M. Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the church where there will be a Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.    Interment will be in the Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com

Hildegard Pearl Passes Away

Hildegard J. Pearl, 80, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Hildegard will lie in state on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the church after 4:00 P.M. where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.

Her complete obituary can be read at:  http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/hildegard-j-pearl/

Community Rally and Dinner

The Rossville Booster Club would like to invite All Students, Faculty, Alumni, and Community Members to Join Us for a Community Pep Rally!

Friday November 28, 2014 Rossville High School Doors Open at 5:30 pm Meal Served at 6:00 pm (Commons Area)  Free Will Donation We ask that everyone bring a side dish or dessert to share Fried Chicken With Fixing Drinks and Place Setting Provided Pep Rally at 6:45 pm (Gym) RHS Pep Band with RHS Cheerleaders & Dance Team Video Highlight Reel by Mr. Woodcock  Guest Speakers: Coach Hammes, Senior Football Players There will also be additional speakers including: Mark Luedtke, Jason Broaddus, & Monte McGinnis.

Come Show Rossville High School Your School SPIRIT!! Rossville Booster Club

Community Pep Rally Flyer

Click on  fllyer to enlarge and print

State Bound T-shirts For Sale

Rossville Dawgs STATE BOUND T-shirts for sale!  Short sleeve T $8 Long Sleeve T $12 Crew Neck Sweatshirt $15   Hoodie $20 Please text 640-1667 or 554-8071 Or email twhorak@yahoo.com or shari_gentry@yahoo.com to place your order.  BLACK SHIRTS WITH RED/WHITE LETTERING! Youth sizes S, M, L and adult sizes available. Need orders by 4 pm Tuesday.  Please pass the word!

Silver Lake-RHS 3A Semi-final Photos

    Photos of the RHS-Silver Lake 3A semifinal game can be seen at:
http://rossvilleksphotos.blogspot.com/2014/11/below-are-photos-of-silver-lake.html

Dawgs To Play Scott City In 3A Final

    Rossville will play Scott City for the 3A state championship on Sat., Nov. 29, at 1:00 in Hutchinson at Gowan Stadium at the Hutchinson Community College.
    You can watch the game on-line at:
http://www.ihigh.com/rossville/

Land Auction on Dec. 9

    There will an auction at 10 AM on Dec. 9 at the Rossville Community Center for 155 acres of farmland near Rossville.  The details are at:
http://www.landsofkansas.com/kansas/land-for-sale/155-acres-in-Shawnee-County-Kansas/id/2033651

Dawgs Defeat Eagles 21-14

From CJOnline:
SILVER LAKE — Well after the scoreboard hit 0:00 in Friday night’s War on 24 Class 3A state semifinal, Rossville players and fans remained on Silver Lake’s C.J. Hamilton Field not quite ready to leave.
    So many times before, the hugs being shared were those of condolences after the Bulldawgs’ season had come to an end at the hands of their archrivals.
    Not this time.
    This time — and for the first time in program history — Rossville was able to enjoy the moment and celebrate it to the fullest, knowing its season wasn’t done. After losing eight semifinal games to Silver Lake in the last 12 years, the Bulldawgs finally turned history on its head, pulling out a nerve-wracking 21-14 victory.
    “It’s always in doubt when you play these guys,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “For our community, this is big. Over the years, we’ve had so many good players and coaches. To get the program over the hump, I’m just thrilled and proud of the guys.”
    No. 1 Rossville (13-0) will play in the 3A state championship game for just the second time in program history, the only other appearance ending with a 3-0 loss to Hesston in the 1992 title game.      The opponent next week in Hutchinson is still yet to be determined with No. 2 Scott City (12-0) and Halstead (10-2) meeting the other semifinal at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Halstead.
Silver Lake has had Rossville’s number in the playoffs — the Bulldawgs had never beaten the Eagles in the postseason — and the longer Friday’s game stayed tied, the longer it looked like the Eagles were going to get it done again. Silver Lake locked up the Bulldawgs defensively in the second half and the moment appeared to be engulfing Rossville.
    Instead, the Bulldawgs were merely biding time until they could seize the moment, and when Thatcher and Corbin Horak got it in their clutches, they didn’t let go.
    Two weeks ago, Thatcher had “The Catch,” an acrobatic touchdown grab that sparked the playoff win over Centralia. Friday night, he delivered “The Run.”
    With Rossville’s offense sputtering in the second half after scoring on two of three possessions in the first half, the Bulldawgs hardly appeared ready to break out taking over at their own 15 with 2:31 left.
     Instead, Horak took the handoff, cut inside and then bounced outside. Sprung by a block from Corbin, he sprinted down the Bulldawg sideline, shedding a tackle attempt by Silver Lake’s Cody Renfro near midfield and going 85 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
“I give it to my guys, they blocked the heck out of it,” said Thatcher, who had just five carries, but ran for 101 yards. “If Corbin doesn’t have that block on the edge, I wouldn’t have scored. I saw that green grass and I was like, ‘I’m not going down.’ ”
There was still the matter of coming up with a defensive stand to preserve the win, however, and Silver Lake had had plenty of success moving the ball under the direction of backup quarterback Cole Baird.
    Baird’s 19-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2 earlier in the quarter had tied the game and the junior, filling in for injured Ryan Matzke, finished the night with 132 yards rushing.
After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the kickoff following Horak’s run set Silver Lake up at the Rossville 46, the Eagles were in business.
    But one play after an 11-yard run by Baird, he lofted a pass to the Rossville 2 that Corbin Horak and Silver Lake receiver Logan Wolfley battled for. Horak won the battle, yanking the interception down to deny the Eagles.
    “I just saw him scrambling and I knew he was going to throw to the left,” Horak said. “I saw the guy over there and got under it. I was nervous at first, but I thought I had the ball first.”
Rossville was able to run out all but seven seconds and Silver Lake’s final play from its own 46 fell incomplete, setting off Rossville’s long-awaited celebration.
“I thought our kids stepped up and played well,” Hamilton said. “We had opportunities to score right before the half and right at the end of the game at the 2-yard line and they made plays. That’s what the game’s about. It was a great high school football game. I’m proud of this group, and I’m proud of them (Rossville).”
    Both teams scored on their first possessions of the game with Tucker Horak scoring from 13 yards out for the Bulldawg touchdown and Zach Boyd getting the answer for the Eagles on a 4-yard run. Rossville added a second touchdown on a Tucker Horak-to-Nick Reesor 10-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 halftime lead, preserved when the Bulldawgs stopped Baird at the 2 as the half expired.
The defenses took over in the second half before Thatcher Horak sent the Bulldawgs home with a season sweep of the Eagles — a first for Rossville. Silver Lake, which had played in 11 of the last 12 state championship games, finished 11-2, its only losses to the Bulldawgs.
    “We just needed to make a play and that was my thought going into the week,” Hammes said. “We have a talented team and we just needed to put ourselves in a position to make a play when we needed to do it. We kept sawing wood and popped the big one that was the difference in the game.”

Rossville (13-0)          7 7 0 7 — 21
Silver Lake (11-2)       7 0 0 7 — 14
Ross — Tu. Horak 13 run (Steinke kick)
SL — Boyd 4 run (Klein kick)
Ross — Reesor 10 pass from Tu. Horak (Steinke kick)
SL — Baird 19 run (Klein kick)
Ross — Th. Horak 85 run (Steinke kick)

GAME IN FIGURES
                                 Ross            SL
First downs                 11             15
Rushes-yards            32-219     47-201
Passing                        92             41
Comp-Att-Int          7-11-2       9-13-2
Punts                       3-29.0        3-29.0
Fumbles-Lost               0-0         0-0
Penalties-Yards          7-61         4-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Rossville: Reesor 6-18, Tu. Horak 14-85, Th. Horak 5-101, Hammes 1-12, Steckel 6-3. Silver Lake: Renfro 11-38, Baird 26-132, Boyd 10-31.
PASSING — Rossville: Tu. Horak 7-11-2, 92. Silver Lake: Baird 9-13-2, 41.
RECEIVING — Rossville: Roduner 2-14, Th. Horak 3-62, Reesor 1-10, C. Horak 1-6. Silver Lake: Byers 8-33, Freeman 1-8.