Dawgfeed 2 On-line

DAWGFEED 2 is now available at:

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Tucker Horak Profile

From the Capital Jouirnal:

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

-MARK TWAIN

As clichés go, Twain’s quote has long been the mantra for the underdog. The little guy trying to prove he’s more than meets the eye.

At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Rossville’s Tucker Horak certainly would seem to fit that mold.

The Bulldawg senior hardly boasts the dimensions of your prototypical quarterback, even at the high school level. He doesn’t have blazing speed or freakish strength, his numbers in the weight room and on the stopwatch good but not attention-grabbing.

Instead, the X-factor for Horak is a trait belied in Twain’s quote, which tweaked with a “Dawg” flavor holds a prominent place on the exterior wall of the concessions building at Rossville’s home field.

It’s heart. It’s determination. It’s want-to.

“With my size, there have just been so many people who have doubted what I can do,” Horak said. “And that’s just extra drive I have, extra motivation. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

After two prolific high school seasons, the only doubters left are at the next level — the college recruiters trying to decide just where, or even if, Horak might fit in at the Division I level. Even though the questions are legitimate, they’d be wise to listen to Rossville coach Derick Hammes.

“He’s motivated to (play Division I football) and if the kid’s motivated to do that, that’s going to work well for them,” Hammes said. “You can’t measure that heart and he loves to play. We had some schools come through in the spring and when they’re trying to fit him into their recruiting profile, they ask about his competitiveness. I simply say I’ve run across very few that have the competitive will he has.”

* * * * *

If there’s one instance that sums up Horak’s fierce competitiveness, it came at arguably the biggest moment of his prep career.

Early in the fourth quarter of last year’s Class 3A state championship game against Scott City, Horak fumbled at the Beaver 17-yard line in a tie ball game. Scott City took advantage and converted the turnover into a go-ahead touchdown.

For the first time all season, Rossville was behind in the fourth quarter. An offense that had been as prolific as any in the state was sputtering and had just wasted a golden opportunity.

At a time of seeming desperation, Horak delivered a huge dose of confidence and determination in an impromptu speech to his teammates in the huddle.

“We kind of started freaking out a little bit, not having been on the big stage before,” Horak said. “We’d been in that situation, being down, and we just had to keep it together. I just said, ‘If you boys trust in me, I’ll trust in you and let’s go out and get this done.’”

Then Horak put the Bulldawgs on his back and delivered on his promise. Rossville scored twice in the game’s final 7:15 with Horak’s 5-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds left delivering a 21-14 victory and Rossville its first state football title.

“At the end of the game, I don’t think there was any doubt we were going to score on that last possession,” Horak said. “We got to show what we were all about; that we were made of something.”

Horak ran for 61 of the 78 yards Rossville needed on its final drive for the game-winning score, capping a championship game where he ran for 212 yards and accounted for all but 71 yards of the Bulldawgs’ 337 total yards.

* * * * *

If ever there was a player on whom Hammes could put the entire burden of his team’s offense, Horak would be that guy.

“He’s got the ability to do that,” Hammes said of his senior quarterback. “He can put the team on his back and make plays and help us win.”

The numbers back it up. His two seasons as the Bulldawgs’ starting quarterback have produced almost mind-boggling numbers — 3,357 yards passing. 3,896 yards rushing. 97 combined touchdowns.

Only here’s the catch. That’s the last thing Hammes wants to see happen this year as Rossville begins defense of the Class 3A state title it captured a year ago.

In each of the past two seasons, Horak thrived being a focal point off the offense, yet playing off the plethora of weapons he had at his disposal. Guys like older brother Thatcher Horak, cousin Corbin Horak, Nick Reesor, Christian Roduner and Jack Steckel, a quintet of skill players who combined for 1,700 rushing yards, 1,650 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns last year alone.

“We had a whole bunch of weapons the past couple years — my brother and cousin, Jack, Christian and Nick. It was just kind of hard to game-plan against us because we had so many people out there you had to worry about. If you wanted to defend the pass, that was fine because we could run it at any time. If you stacked up the box, we could drop back and throw it to all of our speedsters on the edge. Plus, my front five didn’t get enough credit for what they did either. They put in a lot of work and time and it showed how they physically dominated people day-in, day-out. Having all those weapons definitely helped out quite a bit.”

Entering the 2015 season, only Roduner from that group returns. Graduation claimed the bulk of Horak’s complementary weapons, though Roduner was the Bulldawgs’ leading receiver and junior fullback Dawson Hammes saw his role grow as last year went along.

The natural tendency might be to tweak the offense to put even more on Horak’s shoulders this year, particularly behind a veteran offensive line which Horak has praised as critical to his success. But that’s the last thing Hammes wants to happen.

“My challenge to him is not to do that,” Hammes said. “What I’m asking for him is to have a little bit of patience in the early going and develop trust in the kids we do have. It’s going to be different, but that’s what it’s going to take for us to have a successful team, for him to find his new go-to guys and have trust in kids that maybe weren’t on the field as much for us last year. We know what his ability is, but we’ve got to bring some of these other guys along.”

Just as Horak asked his teammates to trust in him during crunch time a year ago, so must he trust in the new faces to step into their new roles.

“It will be different not having those guys I’ve played with since my sophomore year,” Horak said. “I developed a big-time trust with them. It’s something we’ll have to work on and that’s what we had all summer for. We can develop that trust and bond with each other and that will be the toughest part, establishing that brotherhood that we had. I think just being together all summer out on the grind with each other, it will just come naturally instead of having to force it on ourselves.

“I do feel a little more responsibility, not so much because we’re losing so many weapons, but because it’s just the fact that it’s going to be my senior year. All through high school and growing up, this is the year everyone looks forward to. I do feel a little more pressure, but I know we’ve got guys around me that will make big plays when that needs to happen.”

* * * * *

Horak began his high school career playing a utility role for the Bulldawg offense. With Dalton Catron firmly entrenched as Rossville’s starting quarterback, Horak lined up just about everywhere in the backfield and amassed a combined 650 yards passing, rushing and receiving.

Given the reins to the Rossville offense as a sophomore, Horak burst upon the high school scene. He ran for a school-record 1,807 yards, scoring 33 touchdowns, and also threw for 1,706 yards and 14 scores.

As good as that year was, he was even better last year as a junior. He shattered his school rushing record, finishing with 2,089 yards and 28 touchdowns, increasing his yards per carry to 12.8. Though he threw for fewer yards — 1,651 yards and 22 touchdowns — his completion percentage shot up to 70 percent and his interceptions decreased.

“Obviously he’s made all of our jobs a lot easier,” Hammes said. “On his part, what we do with our system has allowed him to show off all of his abilities. It’s been a great match. He’s made coaching easier, our football program a lot better and having an offense where he can run, throw and make plays, it’s been great for him as well.”

Such numbers carry little weight in the eyes of recruiters, however. Instead, it’s the ones that no offensive system can ever enhance.

“My size definitely doesn’t make it too easy for me to get looks, but I try not to let it slow me down too much,” Horak said. “There are times it gets frustrating when a coach calls me and says we like everything about you and they’ve watched my film, but they want me to grow a little bit. I’m not really sure what to say to that because there’s not really much I can do about that. I just try to work on the things I can affect — my strength, speed, everything I do on the field, vision, my reads trying to perfect them — pretty much everything I can do on my own. Hopefully the rest will work itself out in the end.”

Horak has received interest from locals Kansas and Kansas State, but likely would be considered little more than a walk-on candidate. The most serious Division I pursuer has been Wyoming and Horak performed well at the Cowboys’ camp this summer, one of four he attended along with Kansas State, Emporia State and South Dakota.

“I loved everything about (Wyoming), except the altitude,” Horak said. “I love their facilities, their field was nice and their coaches were super-easy to work with. I really liked it there. ... Overall, I think I was pretty happy with how I competed and performed at their camp.”

Wherever he ends up, Horak knows his days at quarterback will end with his final high school game. And that’s fine with him.

“I don’t want to play quarterback too bad. There aren’t too many offenses at the D-I level where I can do what I like to do, which is get out and run a little, get to the edge and make someone miss. I think slot is definitely the best fit for me. I like that spot a lot.”

And wherever Horak ends up, Hammes is confident he’ll succeed.

“He’s got a chance,” Hammes said. “He’s going to make somebody a really good player.”

TUCKER HORAK’S CAREER STATS AT ROSSVILLE

Rushing

Year Att. Yards Y/C TDs

Fr.          26       189        7.3      3

So.        205  1,807        8.8    33

Jr.          163 2,089      12.8    28

Career 394 4,085      10.4    64

Passing

Year Comp-Att. Yards Pct. TDs Ints

Fr.              5-10             83      .500    1        0

So.        120-205     1,706     .585   14      11

Jr.          110-156      1,651     .705   22       8

Career 235-371     3,440    .633   37     19

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Harry and Pat Adams 50th Ann.

Harry and Pat Adams are celebrating their 50 wedding anniversary.

Shawnee Co. Requests $10 Million Loan

From the Capital-Journal:

      Shawnee County commissioners will formally approve a letter requesting the Kansas Department of Transportation grant the county a $10 million no-interest loan for the aging Willard Bridge.

      That item and others are on the agenda for Thursday when Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer meet at 9 a.m. in their chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th.

      KDOT verbally agreed to advance the county between $7 million and $10 million to help finance the $24.7 million reconstruction project of the bridge on N.W. Carlson Road, about 2.7 miles north of Interstate 70. The letter serves as a formal request so KDOT officials can grant the advancement in writing, said Tom Vlach, public works director.

      The loan will be paid back over a 10-year period from 2017 to 2027. If the county receives part or all of the requested $16.7 million in a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant, the need for the KDOT loan will likely be reduced or eliminated, he said.

      According to the letter to KDOT, the county will also rely on $6 million to $7 million in unused funds from the 2005 county sales tax, between $850,000 and $1.15 million for Wabaunsee County and other funding sources.

      Vlach told commissioners last week the condition of the bridge hasn’t changed and construction is set to begin in February.

Third at Central Heights

    The RHS varsity volleyball team competed in the Central Heights Tournament and came home with third place.
    The Lady Dawgs beat Central Heights 25-19, 28-26 and then Iola 25-21, 25-18.  They then lost a 3 game match to Burlington 15-25, 25-17, 16-25.  Next was a loss to Wellsville 18-25, 23-25.  Their final match for thrid place was against Waverly and the Lady Dawgs prevailed 25-22, 256-17 to run their season record to 3-2..

Annette Peel Celebration Of Life

Annette (Alvord) Peel died August 4th, 2015. She was born August 30th, 1957. A celebration of her life will be September 4, 2015, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in City Park in Rossville, Kansas, then from 6 p.m. to close at the American Legion Hall in Rossville.

To read Annette's obituary,  go to:

http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2015/08/annette-peel-57-of-silver-lake-passed.html

Vickie (Fryman) (64) Ketter Passes Away

      Vicki Jo Ketter, 69, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2015 at a Brookdale of Topeka.
      She was born October 9, 1945 in Topeka, the daughter of Jess and Maxine Marney Fryman.
      Vicki graduated from Rossville High School in 1964.  She graduated from the Stormont Vail School of Nursing in Topeka. She worked as a RN at Stormont Vail Hospital for over 35 years.  Vicki received her BSN from Ottawa University.  She was a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church in Topeka and had been a member of ASPAN.
      On February 4, 1967 she was united in marriage to Louis Joseph Ketter at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  He preceded her in death on December 28, 2011.  She was also preceded in death by her parents.
      Survivors include her son, Joseph Jay (Cindy) Ketter and their children, Jacelyn and Ian, Topeka; her daughter, Darcy Anna (Jeff) Bluma, and their children, Brett, Brady and Bryce, Wichita; a brother, Dudley (Pansey) Fryman, Garden City.
      Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Topeka.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Mrs. Ketter will lie in state after 6:00 P.M. Monday, August 31, 2015 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys, where the family will receive friends until the Rosary at 7:00 P.M.
      Memorial contributions may be made to the Central and Western Kansas Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
      The family would like to give a special thank you to St. Jude Hospice for the loving care they gave to Vicki.

      You can leave condolences at:  http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/vicki-jo-ketter/

Dawgfeed 1 Now On Line

Dawgfeed 1, the first of this year,  is now available for viewing at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gcoo2iWJiQ&feature=em-subs_digest

Back The Dawgs Night--Aug. 28

BACK THE DAWGS NIGHT 2015
Friday August 28th

Main Gym: New Gym:
5:00 H.S Volleyball Introductions Jr. High Volleyball Introductions
5:10 H.S Volleyball Scrimmage Jr. High Volleyball Scrimmage

On the Football Field:
6:00 National Anthem
6:05 Jr High Scrimmage (Jr High Introductions)
6:10 Band, Cross Country, Girls Golf, & Cheer (Jr. High) Introductions
6:30 Jr. Dawgs Introductions
6:45 High School FB Stretch (High School FB Introductions)
6:55 High School Cheer Introductions & Routine
7:00 High School FB Scrimmage
7:20 Dance Team Performance & Introductions
7:30 High School FB Scrimmage

Orville Johnson Passes Away

    Below is a link to Orville Johnson's obituary.  I have no idea when,  or for how long,  but the obituary mentions that he worked in Rossville.   Did he live in Rossville?   Does anyone remember him?
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=M-ORVILLE-JOHNSON&pid=175560460

KSNT Dawg Football Preview

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – Fresh off the programs first state championship in football history, the Rossville Bulldawgs are locked and loaded as they get ready to defend their title.

The Dawgs finally climbed to the top of the podium last season by knocking of rival Silver Lake in the state semifinals, and then rallying to beat Scott City in the Class 3A state championship game.

Head coach Derick Hammes is entering his 3rd season at Rossville. He’s 26-1 in his first two years.

This year’s ‘War on 24’ against rival Silver Lake falls on Thursday, October 29th at Silver Lake, the final game of the regular season.

“We reflect back on last year’s team and we’ve got a lot of good players,” said Hammes. “So it’s going to be replacing those guys. We’ve got to develop a new identity, and our senior class, they’ve got to take the reigns and they’ve got to lead.”

“It was by far the best experience this town has ever been through,” said senior wide receiver/strong safety Christian Roduner. “We got some transfers coming in to fill the spots really nicely, and I think we’ll be just as good, maybe a little better than last year.”

“It’s obviously a great feeling at the end of the year, but we’ve just got to focus up in the offseason and kind of ignore that kind of stuff because we’ve got a brand new team, a brand new people,” said senior offensive/defensive lineman Gabe Marney. “We’ve just got to focus up and work hard.”

“We really focus on our preparation,” said Hammes. “We like to tell the kids that if we handle the process, then they’re going to be ready for games that we need them to be ready for.”

Rossville opens the season on September 4th at Clay Center.
You can see the KSNT video of the team at:  http://ksnt.com/2015/08/20/rossville-bulldawgs-h-s-football-preview/

WIBW Football Team Preview

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (WIBW) -- The Rossville Bulldogs had a season to remember last year going 14-0 and capturing the schools first ever 3A State Championship.

Rossville doesn't want to get too complacent though after going 26-1 over the last two seasons.

"It feels good and we can't have too much confidence but we have to have a little bit. We have a good team this year," said Rossville senior offensive lineman Kole Davoren. "It's going to be a good season."

"Well we definitely have a big target on our back but you know we just have to face it like we did last year," said Rossville senior offensive lineman/linebacker Zach Jensen. "Nothings changed."

Derick Hammes is entering his third season as Rossville's football coach, and he's confident even with a target on their back his team can answer any challenge.

"I think that's going to be different. People will be shooting for us. We will have that target as you say and it will be different but it is a challenge for us, and our kids for the two years that I've been here have rose to the challenge," said Hammes. " I think they'll be up for it."

The Bulldogs boasted a juggernaut on offense last season scoring more than 40 points a game running and passing their way through the Mid-East League.

Although a handful of people on last year's offense graduated the team knows they can use their experience to build up the depth.

"We have to keep working on developing our depth because obviously like you said we lost some kids," said Davoren. "We just got to keep getting the younger guys better so we can keep the tradition going."

The Bulldogs do have senior quarterback Tucker Horak who had 50 combined touchdowns through the air and on the ground last year, but it's the guys who protect him that will be key.

"Obviously having an All-State quarterback returning is going to be what a lot of people look at, but we might have as deep and talented offensive line that you could have in 3A football, said Hammes. "So I think that's kind of a hidden secret for us. We got some kids up front that are battling for positions right now but we really have some kids that can block, and that's going to help everybody offensively."

For video,  go to:

http://www.wibw.com/sports/headlines/Kansas-Prep-Zone-Preview-Rossville-Bulldogs-322354592.html

Trans Sec. Meets About Willard Bridge

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW)- The top transportation officials in the U.S. was in Kansas Wednesday talking to aviation leaders, and also about the failing Willard Bridge.

Senator Jerry Moran hosted U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx in Park City, that is near Wichita.

Foxx spoke and met the the president of Wichita State University and officials from the National Institute for Aviation Research. He also met privately with Shawnee County officials. They are seeking federal funding to replace the Willard Bridge south of Rossville.

"The commissioner made a very compelling case," said Foxx. "But we have to work through our process and it's obviously very important, we're talking about a bridge project, very important in a part of the state west of Topeka and I look forward to working through the process."

Moran has shown his support for getting federal funds to replace the bridge, and says that it highlights a need on the national level.

"It highlights the need for Congress to get a long term transportation bill in place and to have other sources of support. State, local and federal projects are of significance, such as the Willard Bridge."

Foxx says that TIGER grant recipients will most likely be announced sometime in October. 

Connor Bush Wins Condiment Race

 (KCTV)-- It started out innocent enough but at just over four seconds into the race.

Down went Ketchup! And he took Mustard with him during the Sunday Kansas City Royals game!

Jack Grimes of Lawrence was "Mustard" and said the "...bad thing about the costumes is you can't look down so if someone falls, which happened to me, I tripped over the guy and I couldn't see where he was."

The "guy" or "Ketchup" who took him out was Conner Bush of Rossville.

Conner Bush told the media that, "I fell down and I was landing and then he tripped and then he fell down and when I tried to get up, my costume was falling off and then I just slipped out of it and just ran.

When 'The Ketchup Kid' came out of his suit he continued running at the end, Conner took a flying Superman leap across the finish line, for the win!

Unfortunately for Brock, getting beat by his kid brother is "not anything new".

No matter who won or lost, the experience for the three Royals fans, was one they'll always remember for better or worse.

You can see video of the event at:
http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Rossville-kids-make-it-big-during-KC-Royals-game-322168411.html