KPREPS 3A Football Outlook For 2016

Class 3A

      Plenty of questions surround the landscape of Class 3A football, but maybe none loom as large as how Rossville will replace Tucker Horak.  Horak’s career has been well-documented and rightfully so, but the Bulldawgs must move on in order to try and win a third consecutive 3A title.  Dawson Hammes rushed for more than 1,000 yards last fall and is Rossville’s leading tackler.
      Norton begins the season ranked second in the 3A poll.  The Bluejays are extremely talented with quarterback Jace Ruder and lineman/linebacker Jacob Green.  Even better, Norton returns an experienced offensive line that helped the Bluejays average more than 34 points per game. Tradition-rich
      Silver Lake starts the 2016 season ranked No. 3 after a second-round playoff loss to Sabetha.  The Eagles return 12 total starters including quarterback Dalton Dultmeier who is poised for another big season.  Hoisington checks in at No. 4 in the rankings.  The Cardinals return all-state running back Hunter Hanzlick after his 1,949-yard junior season among 12 other starters. Rounding out the 3A top five is the defending 2-1A state champion Phillipsburg Panthers.  The Panthers move back up to their typical classification and return 13 starters from last year’s title run, including backfield brothers Kirk and Mark Coomes.

Bradshaw and Hammes In Top 25

The Capital-Journal featured the top 25 players in   3A, 2A and 8 man football.  Two Rossville players were in that top 25.

DAWSON HAMMES, ROSSVILLE
6-1, 197 SENIOR LB/RB
Son of Rossville coach Derick Hammes, Dawson has more than made a name for himself as a starter for both of the Bulldawg championship squads. Hammes led the Rossville defense with 159 tackles last year and established himself in the offensive backfield as well, rushing for 1,111 yards and 10 touchdowns.

JACOB BRADSHAW, ROSSVILLE
6-0, 169 SENIOR QB/DB
Bradshaw did a little bit of everything for the Bulldawgs last year, finishing with a combined 932 rushing, receiving and passing yards and 11 touchdowns, while also picking off five passes for the defense. All eyes will be on Bradshaw as a senior as he has the huge task of taking over at QB for departed two-time All-Stater Tucker Horak.

Farmland Auction Sept. 8

APPROXIMATELY 80 ACRES 

SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS.
WEST ½ OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼, SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 14,
SHAWNEE COUNTY KANSAS

This farm is located at the southeast corner of 35th and Docking Road. (Approximately 1 ½ miles west of Silver Lake, Kansas on Highway 24 to Docking Road then south approximately ¼ mile).

This farm has approximately 75 tillable Acres of dry land River Bottom farmland. There are roads on North and West sides of the property. There is a small drainage ditch running across the property. Great opportunity to buy a good productive farm.

Buyer to pay 5% down day of Auction with the balance due on or before October 10, 2016. Possession of farm upon harvest of the 2016 fall harvest. Cost of Title Insurance to be divided equally between Buyer & Seller. Taxes for 2016 and prior years to be paid by Seller. STATEMENTS MADE DAY OF AUCTION TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ANY OTHER INFORMATION. To view property or any other information contact Vern Gannon Auctioneer/Broker 785-770-0066 or Gannon Real Estate and Auctions 785-539-2316.

ROBERT S. REID TRUST

My Little Valentine

 (WIBW)  "My Little Valentine" is the true story of a woman’s life-long desire to find her birth mother. Wanda was born on Valentine’s Day 1925 at a home for unwed mothers called The Willows Maternity Sanitarium in Kansas City where she was given up for adoption.

She was adopted and raised by a loving Kansas farm family. Wanda loved her parents and family dearly, but she always wanted to know who she was and why she was given up for adoption. (Watch the video of Ralph's interview with Mr. Parr from Friday's 4:30 red couch show.)

Knowing how badly his mother wanted to learn about her background, KelLee began a secret search of his own in 1991 to find information about his birth grandmother. With what he believes was divine intervention and some extremely good luck, KelLee found his mother’s birth mother.

Join him on the journey in the search as he uncovers the secrets of the woman who had to promise at the age of 17 to never look for her baby girl. Discover what life was like in rural Kansas in the 1920s for two young women with very different destinies and the baby girl they shared.

http://www.wibw.com/content/news/My-Little-Valentine-spans-decades-to-tell-a-true-Kansas-story-391465771.html

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Rossville Library Art Class

Click on below to enlarge

Lance Lenard (87) Obituary

      Lance Jason Lenard, 47, of Rossville, Kansas, passed away on August 18, 2016.
      Lance was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Paul Lenard and Wilma (Skidmore) Lenard on June 18, 1969. He went to high school at Rossville High School and graduated in 1987. He attended Highland Community College for two years. He went on to earn a degree in Communications from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He had worked as a salesperson for Standard Beverage for 16 years. Lance had coached Track & Field at Rossville Middle School and he was currently an Assistant Coach at Wamego High School. Lance was in his 18th year as head coach for Northeast Kansas Track Club, a program which he started and dedicated countless hours to over the years. He had been the Meet Director for Sunflower State Games for many years and volunteered with the Kansas Senior Track & Field Olympics. He also had assisted in coaching kids football & wrestling throughout the years. Lance was a caring & loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. He had a larger than life personality and his real passion was track & field. He left a mark in the track world that will always be undeniable. He was an incredible man who had a pure love of the sport and his athletes. Lance showed such a love for track& field and helping all kids. His passion and spirit will be missed. He had such a positive impact on so many athletes. Lance Lenard was a coach, a mentor, and a friend to countless people. He was a man who gave so much to hundreds of athletes without asking for a single thing in return.
      Lance is preceded in death by his father, Paul Lenard; his mother, Wilma Lenard Yount; and stepmother, Pat Lenard. Lance is survived by his wife, Delaina Lenard of Rossville, Kansas; his daughter, Keara Lenard; his sons, Kade Lenard and Drake Pino; and granddaughter, Lotyss Riley Pino. He is also survived by sister, Julie Smith (Walt); brother, Mark Lenard (Lynn); sister, Teresa McLinn (Phil); nieces, Melissa Ohmie (Brandon), Miranda Russell (Jake), and Savannah McLinn; and nephew, Zachary McLinn.
      A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Fellowship Bible Church, 6800 SW 10th Street, Topeka, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lance Lenard Athletic Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3908, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Dove Cremation & Funeral Service is assisting the family and condolences may be left online at www.dovecremation.com. 

Mid-East League Football Outlook

From  CJ Online: 

Rossville Bulldogs

Coach: Derick Hammes (4th year).

Last year’s record: 14-0

Postseason: Won 3A state championship.

Returning starters: Offense (5), Defense (5).

Top returners: Dawson Hammes, RB/LB, Sr.; Cole Schumacher, WR/DB, Sr.; Jackson Reeves, OL/DL, Sr.; Jacob Bradshaw, QB/DB, Sr.; Trevor Balch, DB/RB, Sr.; Wyatt Dyche, WR/DB, Sr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs captured second straight Class 3A state title, rallying in fourth quarter for 20-19 win over Wichita Collegiate in championship game. ... Bulldawgs now 40-1 in Hammes’ tenure and enter season on 28-game winning streak. ... Graduation hit hard, claiming two-time All-State quarterback Tucker Horak, who became the first player in state history to rush and throw for 2,000 yards in the same season, as well as All-3A picks Gabe Marney and Christian Roduner. ... Dawson Hammes also was All-3A pick and led defense with 159 tackles, while also rushing for 1,111 yards and 10 TDs. ... Bradshaw had combined 932 yards rushing, receiving and passing and takes over for Horak. ... Schumacher led Dawgs with 682 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. .... Reeves is lone returning starting lineman.

Riley County Falcons

Outlook: Falcons had rare season where they missed the playoffs, a loss to Marysville keeping them home for the postseason. ... Staten has rushed for at least 1,000 yards the past two seasons and leads a strong cast of returning skill players. ... Passing game will miss leading receiver Jackson Wagner. ... Reed is lone returning starting lineman.

Rock Creek Mustangs

Outlook: Mustangs missed out on playoffs for fourth straight year, following each win with two losses. ... Defense gave up at least 27 points in all six losses. ... Graduation claimed All-3A defensive end Carson Becker, who also was Mustangs’ leading rusher after making move in from tight end. ... Ebert is line returning skill player ... Rock Creek returns to Class 4A Division II for first time since being 4A in 2008-09, making the playoffs both of those seasons.

Silver Lake Eagles

Outlook: Eagles haven’t missed playoffs since 2000, but failed to reach the state semifinals last year for just the second time in 14 years. ... Season ended with 34-28 loss to Sabetha and only other loss came to 3A champ Rossville. ... Dultmeier stepped in at quarterback after the opener and threw for 2,172 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also rushing for 491 yards and eight TDs. ... Baird (667 yards, 8 TDs) and Wagner (372 yards, 4 TDs) return as top targets in the passing game, but no other returner had more than 125 rushing yards. ... Boyd led defense with 122 tackles and Baird added 79. ... Hamilton is just 10 wins from 400 in his career.

St. Marys Bears

Outlook: Injuries kept Bears from fielding full lineup most of last season. ... Lone win came against Wabaunsee (14-8). ... Schoenfeld split time between tailback and quarterback and finished with 510 yards rushing, 106 receiving and 69 passing. ... He’s also leading returning tackler with 65, while Acker had 62 and Gallegos added 58. ... Flanagan takes over at quarterback and hopes to help offense which scored more than 20 points just once last year.

Wabaunsee Chargers

Outlook: Chargers bounced back from winless 2014 season to make 2-1A playoffs again. ... Biggest strides came offensively where Chargers nearly tripled 2014 scoring total (60) with 171 points. ... Droegemeier led Chargers with 684 rushing yards and Tubbs added 591 on the ground. ... Imthurn added 433 yards and the trio combined for 12 touchdowns. .. Wurtz threw for 672 yards and five scores. ... Wertzberger is two-time all-league pick and had 89 tackles last year. ... Imthurn led Chargers with 103 tackles, while Swicegood (62), Droegemeier (57) and Tubbs (53) all had at least 50.

MID-EAST LEAGUE

2015 Standings

League Overall

*Rossville 5-0 14-0

Silver Lake 3-1 9-2

Riley County 3-2 5-4

Rock Creek 2-3 3-6

St. Marys 1-4 1-8

Wabaunsee 0-4 3-7

*—Champion

Returning all-leaguers

Offense

Running back — Dawson Hammes, Rossville (1st); Taegan Schoenfeld, St. Marys (1st); Garrett Staten, Riley County (1st).

Receiver — Keenan Baird, Silver Lake (1st); Cole Schumacher, Rossville (HM).

Line — Jackson Reeves, Rossville (HM); Mitchell Wertzberger, Wabaunsee (HM).

Defense

Linebacker — Josh Boyd, Silver Lake (1st); Hammes, Rossville (1st); Wertzberger, Wabaunsee (1st).

Secondary — Jacob Bradshaw, Rossville (HM); Tyler Halstead, Riley County (1st).

Frank Dedonder Passes Away

”Francis M. "Frank" DeDonder, 72, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2016 at his home near St. Marys.

He was born April 12, 1944 at home in the Sandy Hook Community, the son of Philip V. and Louise C. Zeller DeDonder.    Frank graduated from St. Marys High School in 1962.  He served in the Army National Guard.

Frank was a carpenter.   He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in St. Marys.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Christopher and Robert.

On November 27, 1965 he was united in marriage to Marsha Scott at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka..  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his son, Jim (Lisa) DeDonder, St. Marys; three daughters, Tamara (Tim) Fulmer, Flagler, CO., Lori (Tom) Hutley and Sarah (Marc) Carlson all of St. Marys. six brothers, Dick DeDonder, St. George, Joe, Bill, Greg and Tim DeDonder all of St. Marys and Andy DeDonder, Wetmore; three sisters, Karen Mulligan and Peggy Smith, St. Marys and Mary Ann Davis, Silver Lake; 17 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter with one due in September.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 29, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.    A rosary will be recited at 4:00 P.M. Sunday August 28, 2016 at the church.  Mr. DeDonder will lie in state and the family will receive friends after the rosary until 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Food For The Poor or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Latest Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by George Brown

Adrienne Olejnik--Top 20 Under 40

From CJOnline.com

Topeka's Top "20 Under 40"

Adrienne Olejnik Library Director - Rossville Community Library

Managing the Rossville Community Library is a blend of several areas - running a small business, managing a non-profit, and sound fiscal management of an organization funded by taxpayer dollars. Adrienne’s work encompasses broad strategy functions from policy formation and budget to the daily tasks of assisting customers at the frontdesk and cleaning up after a successful preschool story time.

As if her day to day job at the library doesn’t keep her busy enough, Adrienne is also a Councilwoman for the Rossville City Council, is a Board Member of the Rossville Community Foundation and is currently on the campaign trail as she runs as a candidate for the Kansas Legislature for District 51.

“While on the campaign trail, I hear much frustration with state government, and people like to blame “Topeka.” I have taken an active, positive voice when I hear this and share how I am proud of Topeka and how instead, I choose to say “Statehouse” when referring to state government. This seems like a small thing to do, but words matter, and intuitively if we can start to change the mindset toward our capital city, perhaps those who live here will start to look more positively on our community as well. The Topeka area is on the cusp of making significant progress in quality of life by engaging new voices to step up and be champions for our community, and I want to play a leading role in this exciting time to be present in Shawnee County.” Adrienne is a member of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, is the Co-Chair of the Leadership Greater Topeka Planning Committee, and was in the Leadership Greater Topeka class of 2015. Adrienne also received the Rossville Safe Streets Youth Community Champion Award presented by Rossville Safe Streets, is a Certified Fraud Examiner and is a narrator for the Think Big Start Small advocacy campaign for the Kansas Action for Children and Partnership for Early Success.

Please join us in congratulating Adrienne Olejnik, 2016 Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40.

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Wamego Coach Remembers Lance

http://ksnt.com/2016/08/19/wamego-track-coach-remembers-victim-of-fatal-crash/

Sharon Downey Passes Away

Sharon Downey was born on November 17, 1943 and passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

Sharon was a resident of Rossville, Kansas.

No services are planned at this time.

Silver Lake Students Grieving

Silver Lake students, staff grieving after Thursday's fatal wreck on US-24

Former AAU coach Lenard, also killed in wreck, remembered for touching lives of youths in area

Posted: August 19, 2016 - 6:09pm

• Four people, including three Silver Lake students, killed in US-24 highway crash

By Angela Deines

Special to The Capital-Journal

Gregarious, quirky and a constant smile are just some of the words used Friday to illustrate the unique personalities of the Silver Lake students who died Thursday in a two-vehicle wreck on US-24 highway on their way to school.

“The first thing that comes to mind is the smile that was always on her face,” said Ronda Pegram, principal of Silver Lake Elementary — where Gaby Greeve, 11, was a sixth-grader who wanted to someday become a pediatric nurse. “From the time we got her in second grade and throughout, that smile is just the first thing you think of.”

Brad Womack, principal of Silver Lake Junior High-High School, said Tyler Crouse, 14 — Gaby’s step-brother who had just started his freshman year on Tuesday — loved playing percussion instruments, photography and had an infectious personality.

“You knew when Tyler was in the room,” Womack said. “Tyler brought energy to any room he was in, whether that was the lunchroom, the gym, the classroom. You never knew if Tyler was having a bad day.”

Devin Greeve, 17, Gaby’s older brother, had just begun his senior year on Tuesday. He was more reserved but had a definite sense of humor, Womack said. He said Devin was always willing to try something new, having tried wrestling as a freshman and then later taking up the saxophone. He also had completed his certificate at Washburn Tech for computer repair, Womack said.

Michelle Taylor, Silver Lake High School’s debate and forensics coach, said she was going to be relying on Devin to be a mentor to the nine freshmen novices on this year’s squad.

“He was my only senior,” she said, adding that Devin participated in the humorous solo, informative speaking and prose forensic events. “Devin could connect with anyone.”

Further describing someone who “lived life at his own pace” and would launch into “random stories” in class, Taylor said Devin will always be “one of my favorites.”

“There is going to be a gaping void in my squad and in my heart this season,” she wrote on her personal Facebook page on Thursday, “and I’m not sure how to fill it.”

Silver Lake Unified School District 372 superintendent Tim Hallacy said he is proud of the response by teachers, staff, community members and others to Thursday’s tragedy. He said the way in which counseling services are provided depends largely on the relationships the students and staff had with those whose lives were lost.

“When we put supports together, it’s not just with the students in mind,” Hallacy said. “It’s also with the staff, because they need support, too. They’re going through the grieving process just like everyone is.”

In between talking about the emotions they and their teachers were experiencing, Pegram and Womack also expressed their sadness for the death of Lance Lenard, 47, of Rossville, the driver of the other vehicle who died in Thursday morning’s crash. Pegram said she and Lenard were in the same Rossville High School graduating class. Womack said Lenard touched the lives of many Silver Lake, Rossville and northeast Kansas children as an Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, summer track coach.

Lenard’s son, Kade Lenard, 13, also of Rossville, was in the vehicle his father was driving Tuesday morning. As of Thursday afternoon, he was listed by the Kansas Highway Patrol as injured but stable at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Tim Winter, superintendent of Wamego USD 320, said Lance Lenard had also been an assistant track coach at Wamego High School since 2012.

“Lance was always a very positive and upbeat person,” he said. “He was respected by students and staff and had a passion for working with student-athletes. We’ll miss him. It makes you reflect on how important every day is and how you should let those around you know you love them.”

Hallacy said an account to help the families of Devin, Tyler and Gaby has been set up at the Silver Lake Bank branch in Silver Lake. He said questions can be directed to Kathy Richards. Accounts on the GoFundMe website have also been established for the three children’s families, as well as for the Lenard family.

Four Killed In Accident (CJ)

From the Capital-Journal

SILVER LAKE — Four people were killed and a fifth person was critically injured in a two-car crash Thursday morning on a two-lane highway just northwest of Topeka.

Of the four killed, three were students from Silver Lake schools.

Kansas Highway Patrol identified the fatality victims as Gaby Greeve, 11, a sixth-grader at Silver Lake Elementary School, Tyler Crouse, 14, a ninth-grader at Silver Lake High School, Devin Greeve, 17, a 12th-grader at Silver Lake High School, and Lance Lenard, 47, of Rossville.

All three of the student fatality victims, Gaby and Devin Greeve and Tyler Crouse, all of Topeka, were passengers in the same car, a white 1999 Subaru Impreza that Devin Greeve was driving. The fourth fatality victim, Lenard, was the driver in a gray 2007 Pontiac Vibe.

Kade Lenard, 13, of Rossville, also in the Vibe, was listed by KHP on Thursday afternoon as injured but stable at Stormont Vail Hospital.

In a statement released early Thursday afternoon, Silver Lake superintendent Tim Hallacy said students in grades six to 12 and their parents were notified of the tragic news on Thursday morning.

“We have provided extra counseling support for students and staff today and will tomorrow, as well,” Hallacy said. “Please keep all the families involved in your thoughts and prayers as we all work through this difficult and sad time together.”

The crash between the Impreza and the Vibe occurred about 7:20 a.m. in the 8400 block of N.W. US-24 highway, about 50 yards west of Humphrey Road.

According to a news release from KHP, the crash occurred when the Impreza, which was westbound on US-24, dropped off the right shoulder and overcorrected.

Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Jory Custar said the Impreza then was hit on its passenger side by the eastbound Vibe.

Sideway skid marks could be seen from the Impreza on the eastbound lane of the highway.

It took first responders approximately 30 minutes to extricate the first occupant of the Vibe before that person was transported to a local hospital. It took another 45 minutes to get the second occupant out of the car.

Devin Greeve, Lance Lenard and Kade Lenard were taken by American Medical Response ambulance to a Topeka hospital, the Kansas Highway Patrol crash log indicated. Gaby Greeve and Crouse were declared dead on the scene.

The Impreza came to a rest facing northeast in the eastbound side of the two-lane highway, while the Vibe ended up facing north in the ditch on the south side of the road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol took control of the investigation. Troopers mapped out the crash scene on the ground, with a KHP airplane assisting from overhead.

According to the KHP crash log, all of the occupants except for Crouse were wearing seat belts.

US-24 was closed for about a mile in either direction immediately after the crash, and was closed until 12:12 p.m.

Traffic was diverted onto surrounding gravel roads until the scene was cleared.

In addition to the Kansas Highway Patrol and AMR ambulance, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Silver Lake Fire Department responded to the scene.

“The patrol extends our sincere condolences to the families of those who were involved in the crash, and to the local communities, who we know will be impacted,” KHP said in a news release.

See a video interview with Custar here: http://cjon.co/2bi99AD.