Carl Searcy (45) Passes Away

Carl Roy Searcy,  88, of Willard, KS passed away at home November 22, 2016. He was born January 22, 1928 near Paxico, KS, the son of Roy W. and Emma Ruth Trostle Searcy. He graduated from Rossville High School in 1945 and joined the Navy in June. He was a Sea-Bee in the US Navy from 1945-1946. After leaving the Navy, he married Elberta Viergever, who preceded him in death in 2008, and worked at Goodyear until moving to Wichita, KS where he began working for KG&E. Carl and his wife were known for working with the Methodist youth group in Valley Center, KS for many years. After retiring Carl and his wife returned to Topeka, KS to be closer to family. Carl enjoyed watching KU sports and vacationing in Colorado with his family.

Together, they had two children; a son, Carl Dean Searcy who preceded him in death in 1972, and a daughter, Cynthia of Willard, KS.

Survivors include his daughter, Cynthia S. Miller; three granddaughters, Tonya Miller, Olathe, KS, Tishelle Miller, Los Angeles, CA; Tianna Miller and her children, Noah and Marlee Spencer of Lenexa, KS, as well as his brothers, Ray and Edward Searcy and sister, Pearl Wood and their families. One brother, Glenn Searcy, and six sisters, Thelma Stoneberger, Lucille Hosler, Dorothy Wright, Golda Plumly, Eileen Creveling, and Mary Miller preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 2nd at Dove Cremation & Funeral Service, 4020 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka. Private inurnment will be at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Flowers are welcome. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

Roger Perry Passes Away

Roger K. Perry, 84, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the Oakley Place in Rossville.

He was born September 8, 1932 at St. Clere, the son of Joseph and Ethel Littwin Perry.  Roger was raised in the St. Clere and St. Marys communities.  He graduated from St. Marys High School in 1950.  Mr. Perry served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Roger lived in California for nine years moving back to St. Marys in 1959.  He worked for the United States Postal Service for 35 years, serving as Postmaster for 31 years before his retirement.  Roger was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  He was a member of Aubert-Walls FVW Post NO. 7796 in St. Marys and Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31, of the American Legion, in Rossville.  Roger was a prominent and active member of NAPUS where he served in both state and national positions. Roger served several terms on the city council and also served as mayor of St. Marys.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Louis, an infant son, David, son, Jeffrey Perry, daughter, Tricia Garver and son-in-law, Roy Darting.

On March 5, 1952 he was united in marriage to Mary Beth Muckenthaler in St. Marys.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Keith Perry and Andy (Donna) Perry all of St. Marys; two daughters, Nancy Darting and Janet (Vern) Sumner all of Rossville; a brother, Don Perry, CA; two sisters, Ada (Bob) Heemstra and Sharon (Chris) Couchois all in CA; 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Roger Garver.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Mr. Perry will lie in state from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.  Memorial contributions may be made to Oakley Place and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536

Announcements for 11-28-16

Here are Trey and Malcolm with the video of announcements  for 11/28/16, including video of the State Champion Trophy presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3bNqwpp2Wk

Another Article About Title Game

From the Capital-Journal:

HUTCHINSON — In the week leading up to Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game, Rossville coach Derick Hammes heard from plenty of Bulldawg alumni, wishing him and his team the best as it went after a title three-peat.

But one group of Dawg supporters had even more invested in their desires for another Rossville celebration on the field at Hutchinson’s Gowans Stadium. For the members of the 1992 Rossville team, Saturday was a bit about payback.

You see, standing in Rossville’s way for the three-peat was the same team that denied the 1992 Bulldawg team from becoming the program’s first state championship squad. That year, Hesston nipped Rossville 3-0 for the Class 3A state title at Wichita’s Cessna Stadium.

Hesston did its best to play the spoiler again Saturday, but Rossville mounted a furious comeback and pulled out the 48-42 overtime win to complete the three-peat and give the past Dawgs a bit of redemption.

“I’m in a group text that gets kind of wild sometimes, but I definitely heard from them,” Hammes said. “But this is true, there is a genuine interest and care in the program from the community to the alumni. And that’s a pretty neat deal.”

The manner in which Rossville got redemption almost came in the most fitting ways, even if the means of getting there was drastically different. The 1992 title game was decided on a 39-yard field goal by Hesston’s Ryan Achilles in the first quarter in a defensive slugfest where the teams combined for just 304 total yards.

After an offensive shootout that produced 1,070 yards of total offense, Saturday’s title game nearly came down to a field goal as well with Rossville’s Freddie Andresen lining up for a 43-yard attempt on the final play of regulation with a chance to break a 42-42 tie. With the wind at his back, Andresen got plenty of leg on the kick, but it sailed just wide right, forcing Rossville to win it in overtime.

“That would have been ironic and he gave it a run,” Hammes said. “It was on line and if that’s a high school goal post, maybe we would have got it.”

Instead, Rossville made the plays in overtime to deliver the crown. Sheldon Hulbert and Cole Schumacher combined on a tackle of Hesston quarterback Zach Esau at the 1 to force a fumble recovered by Bulldawg senior Jordan Johnston in the end zone. One play later, Jacob Bradshaw capped a monstrous performance with a 10-yard scamper to the same northwest corner of the end zone where a year ago he had come up with the title-clinching interception in a 20-19 win over Wichita Collegiate.

“That fumble was huge for us,” Hulbert said. “Our defense had kind of been lagging most of the game, but we stepped up when we needed to.”

A junior, Hulbert will be part of the cast of Bulldawgs who next year will be asked to step up and try to carry on the streak Rossville is riding. After graduating stellar senior classes the previous two seasons off title teams, Rossville will once again have some major holes to fill.

For starters, there’s Bradshaw, who in his first year at quarterback taking over for two-time All-State selection Tucker Horak did a pretty good impression of his former teammate. Bradshaw ran for 281 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 147 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s title game, capping a season that saw him amass more than 4,500 yards of total offense.

That job will fall to Hulbert, who took only a handful of snaps at quarterback this year, completing 1 of 3 passes for four yards and rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown.

“I’m going to have to step up a lot next year and put in a lot of work and try to get as good as I can,” said Hulbert, who started at linebacker all season on this year’s title team. “This year’s senior class had a good class to replace and next year’s will be the same way. It’s going to be a big push for us to try to keep this going. We’re going to work hard and try to get it again.”

There’s also the likes of Schumacher, linebacker Dawson Hammes, linemen Jackson Reeves and Malcom Gillum and receiver/backs Trevor Balch, Wyatt Dyche and Bryce Gfeller from a class of 11 seniors who did their part to keep Rossville atop Class 3A.

“The players at the school, when we get up here we expect to win,” Bradshaw said. “That’s huge for us. We knew we were capable enough to be in this position, but to win it three years in a row, that just continues our dynasty. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the guys perform next year.”

“The bar’s been set pretty high, but our expectations are always high,” Hammes said. “That’s how you build these things. We will do the same things it takes in the offseason and prepare for the games the same way next year.”

State Championship Game Video

WIBW has video of the Hesston-Rossville game at:
http://www.wibw.com/content/news/Three-peat-Rossville-wins-state-title-again-403174606.html

KSNT has video at:
http://ksnt.com/2016/11/26/rossville-three-peats-as-state-champions/

Capital Journal Game Article

HUTCHINSON — The weather was a far cry from the wintry, tundra-like conditions Rossville endured to pull out its Class 3A football championship repeat a year ago.

But on Saturday at Gowans Stadium, the Bulldawgs showed they still had ice in their veins.

Down 15 points to Hesston early in the second half and trailing by a touchdown with four-plus minutes to play in the 3A title game, Rossville showed its championship composure once again. The Bulldawgs calmly drove for the game-tying touchdown with 1:22 left, nearly won it on a field goal as time expired and then delivered the knockout punch in overtime, securing the 3A three-peat with a 48-42 victory over the Swathers.

“I’m just extremely pumped right now,” said Rossville senior quarterback Jacob Bradshaw, whose 10-yard run on the Bulldawgs’ first offensive play of overtime was the game-winner. “We didn’t panic at all and we knew we could get it done.”

Rossville capped a 13-1 season with its third straight state title and avenged the program’s 3-0 1992 state championship game loss to Hesston. The Swathers (10-4) saw their late-season surge which saw them upset two straight unbeatens to get to the title game end in heart-breaking fashion after fumbling the ball at the 1 on their overtime possession.

“This is our third year here and we never give up no matter what happens,” Rossville senior linebacker Dawson Hammes said. “Coach always talks about poise and you just can never forget that.”

As much confidence and poise as Rossville has shown late in tight games — particularly in Hutchinson where both previous state titles were come-from-behind wins in the fourth quarter — the Bulldawgs’ mettle was being pushed to the limit by a Hesston team which had little trouble moving the ball against the Bulldawg defense. The Swathers racked up 509 yards of total offense and every time Rossville seemed to grab a bit of momentum, the Swathers snatched it right back.

Whether it was sophomore Parker Roth in the run game (135 yards, 2 TDs) or senior quarterback Zach Esau with the run (112 yards, 2 TDs) or pass (238 yards, 2 TDs), the Swathers had an answer for everything Rossville came up with, making one wonder just what it would take for the Bulldawgs to get title No. 3.

“This one was tougher because we were down early in the football game and throughout and weren’t doing much right,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “We dug ourselves a hole and credit to them, they made plays and have some great players. We had to fight and scratch to get back in this thing and every little thing mattered. We just made the play at the end when we needed to.”

What Rossville needed was a stop from its defense after Dawson Hammes’ 7-yard touchdown run with 1:22 left in the game forced overtime. Rossville actually got the ball back with 15 seconds left and attempted a 43-yard field goal as time expired, but Frederik Andresen’s kick was just wide right.

Hesston got the ball first in overtime and 4-yard runs from Esau and Roth put the Swathers in prime position to do what it had done all game, convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns. But on third down, Esau lost the ball as he was driving toward the end zone and Rossville senior Jordan Johnston fell on the loose ball.

“I just saw the ball come out and I sprinted to it,” Johnston said. “Our defense was struggling, but we stepped it up when we had to.”

Esau was brilliant otherwise in the game, and Hesston coach Clint Rider wasted no time defending his senior quarterback’s effort.

“He’s going to feel really bad, but we wouldn’t be in this game without Zach Esau,” Rider said. “We wouldn’t have been in the position we were today if it wasn’t for Zach Esau. My heart hurts for that kid.”

Given its shot at victory, Rossville wasted no time capitalizing. Bradshaw, who finished with a monster performance in his final game, sprinted around the left side untouched for a touchdown to the northwest corner of the end zone on the Bulldawgs’ first play, sealing the victory. It was the same corner where he clinched last year’s championship win over Wichita Collegiate, pulling down an interception in the final seconds to preserve the Bulldawgs’ 20-19 win. “We had four plays and we knew we’d get it on one of them,” Bradshaw said of the winning touchdown. “I must really like that end zone.”

Bradshaw finished with 423 yards of total offense, rushing for 275 yards and two touchdowns and throwing for 148 yards and three touchdowns — all three to Cole Schumacher, who had 148 yards receiving. Rossville racked up 561 yards of total offense and 33 first downs with Hammes adding a 106 yards and two scores rushing.

Despite all that offense, Rossville spent much of the game playing catch-up as Hesston struck for 20 first-quarter points behind a punishing ground game for a 20-7 lead. After Rossville closed to 20-13 at halftime on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Bradshaw to Schumacher, Hesston smacked the Bulldawgs right after halftime as Esau hit Zach Vogt for a 61-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second half for a 28-13 lead.

“There was some urgency on our part to start making some plays,” Coach Hammes said. “I have all the faith in the kids and certainly wouldn’t turn my back and panic on them. We knew it was going to be a tough one.”

Rossville methodically climbed back. Bradshaw had a touchdown pass (15 yards to Schumacher) and run (50 yards) in the third quarter and the Bulldawgs finally tied the game 35-35 when Bradshaw hit Schumacher for a 14-yard touchdown with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter and then Trevor Balch for the two-point conversion.

But Hesston came right back and needed just 2:12 to reclaim the lead on Esau’s 2-yard run with 4:38 left. That put the burden back on Rossville’s offense and the Bulldawgs quickly drove from their own 30 and got the score on Hammes’ run with 1:22 left.

With as much trouble as Rossville had had stopping Hesston, Hammes said he considered going for the two-point conversion after the touchdown. Instead, he opted to kick for the tie and take his chances with his team holding Hesston in the final minute-plus and in overtime.

“I did (think about it), honestly,” Hammes said. “But when you think you have the better team, the longer you play, the better chance you have. And I trusted my kids and that the longer this thing went, something would break for us. And it certainly did.”

Rossville (13-1) 7 6 14 15 6 — 48

Hesston (10-4) 14 6 15 7 0 — 42

Hess — Esau 2 run (kick failed)

Ross — Hammes 1 run (Andresen kick)

Hess — Roth 7 run (Vogt pass from Cox)

Hess — Roth 27 run (kick failed)

Ross — Schumacher 44 pass from Bradshaw (kick failed)

Hess — Vogt 61 pass from Esau (Roth pass from Esau)

Ross — Schumacher 15 pass from Bradshaw (pass failed)

Ross — Bradshaw 50 run (Bradshaw run)

Hess — Cox 31 pass from Esau (Whitsitt kick)

Ross — Schumacher 14 pass from Bradshaw (Balch pass from Bradshaw)

Hess — Esau 2 run (Whitsitt kick)

Ross — Hammes 7 run (Andresen kick)

Ross — Bradshaw 10 run

GAME IN FIGURES

Ross Hess

First downs 33 20

Rushes-yards 66-413 41-271

Passing 148 238

Comp-Att-Int 11-16-0 15-26-1

Punts 1-32.0 2-32.5

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 0-0 4-42

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Rossville: Bradshaw 40-275, Hammes 16-106, Foster 5-19, Balch 4-10, Dyche 1-3. Hesston: Roth 19-135, Esau 19-112, Vogt 2-25, Hostetler 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Rossville: Bradshaw 11-16-0, 148. Hesston: Esau 15-26-1, 238.

RECEIVING — Rossville: Schumacher 9-135, Balch 1-9, Dyche 1-4. Hesston: Cox 9-124, Vogt 4-107, Bachman 2-7.

Hutch News Game Article

Rossville quarterback Jacob Bradshaw took the ball and ran left. He ran 10 yards to the front left corner of the north end zone at Gowans Stadium. As soon as he crossed the goal line, Bradshaw flung the ball toward the stadium track.

The threepeat was complete.

That touchdown came in overtime Saturday, and Rossville claimed its third straight Class 3A state title with a pulsating, take-your-breath-away 48-42 win against Hesston.

It was the kind of game that left even the victors breathless. Bradshaw ran 40 times for 275 yards and also threw for 148 yards. He was spent, but he also is finishing his high-school career a three-time state champ.

"I'm physically exhausted right now," Bradshaw said. "That was the toughest game we've played all year, and I'm sure they would say the same about playing us."

Hesston just missed out on its second state title. The Swathers won the 1992 3A title.

Hesston, which started the season 1-3 before winning nine straight, led most of the game. Only once in regulation did Rossville have the lead, and that came midway through the first quarter, when the Bulldawgs led 7-6. That lead barely lasted two minutes.

The Swathers nearly saw their state-championship dreams die at the end of regulation. Rossville's Frederick Andresen's last-second 43-yard field goal had the distance but was barely wide right.

The Swathers had the ball first in overtime. On third down, quarterback Zach Esau, who like Bradshaw collected yards like a lawn mower collects grass clippings, got inside the 1-yard line but fumbled when Sheldon Hulbert hit him. Jordan Johnston recovered the fumble for Rossville.

The next play, Rossville ended the game.

"He's going to feel really bad, but we wouldn't be in this game without Zach Esau," said a sullen Hesston coach Clint Rider. "We wouldn't have been in the position we were today if it wasn't for Zach Esau. My heart hurts for that kid."

Esau threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 112 yards. His 2-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left in the fourth quarter gave Hesston its final lead at 42-35.

Esau's touchdown passes measured 61 and 31 yards.

"His arm is something you don't get a lot at the 3A level," Rider said. "He can hit a guy 50 yards on a dime, running at full speed. We wouldn't have been here today if it wasn't for him."

Rossville could say the same about Bradshaw, who made a crucial interception that clinched last year's state win against Wichita Collegiate.

But Rossville had two other offensive stars who shouldn't be overlooked. Running back Dawson Hammes rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, and Cole Schumacher snagged nine passes for 135 yards and three scores.

"We knew all year long that our offense can put up numbers," Bradshaw said. "They can obviously put up points, too, but we got the stops when it really mattered."

Especially in overtime.

Rossville is the first 3A team to win three straight state titles since Conway Springs won four in a row from 2001-2004.

"This one," Rossville coach Derick Hammes said when asked which state title meant most. "They all feel good. This one was a barn burner, down to the finish. This one is fresh in my mind, so I'm going with it. It's kind of like picking your favorite kid, you know? You can't really do it."

THE QUICK HIT     --    ROSSVILLE 48, HESSTON 42, OT

KEY STAT: The teams combined for 1,070 yards and 53 first downs. Yes, it was an offensive showcase.

THE TURNING POINT: It's easy to point to Hesston's overtime fumble, but let's go back to midway through the fourth quarter. Rossville's Cole Schumacher caught a touchdown pass, which cut Hesston's lead to 35-33. Rossville went for the two-point conversion, and Trevor Balch caught a pass from Jacob Bradshaw. If Rossville doesn't convert there, Hesston goes up by nine points with 4:38 left. It's pretty much over then.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: The quarterbacks were phenomenal. Rossville's Jacob Bradshaw rushed for 275 yards and threw for another 148 while accounting for five touchdowns. Hesston's Zach Esau rushed for 112 yards and threw for 238 while accounting for four touchdowns. Hats off to these kids.

HE SAID IT: "It was amazing. You can't put it into words. It was difficult what they went through to start the season, and to end up where they ended up is incredible. I'm so proud of the kids. They had an incredible season." Hesston coach Clint Rider on the Swathers going from 1-3 to a team that played for a state championship.

SEASON WRAP: Hesston earns a state runner-up trophy with a 10-4 record. Rossville is the champ with a 13-1 mark.

Rossville Wins 3A Title For Third Time

Tied at 42 all at the end of 4 quarters,  the Dawgs scored 6 in OT to get a 48-42 win.

More Info will be added when available.

Photos from computer screen after game.

Trophy Presentation

Photos by Shari Gentry

For additional game photos,  go to:

http://rossvilleksphotos.blogspot.com/2016/11/pictures-at-2016-3a-championship.html

2016-17 Wrestling Schedule

Dec.
3      @ Mission Valley Tournament
10    @ Clay Center Tournament
16    Kaw Valley Duals at Rossville

Jan
6      Rossville Double Duals
13    @ Bobcat Classic Tournament
14    @ Bobcat Classic Tournament
20    @ Holton Tournament
21    @ Holton Tournament

Feb
4      @ Silver Lake Tournament
10    @ Mid East League Tournament at Riley Co.
17    @ 3A Regionals
17    @ 3A Regionals
24    @ 3A State
25    @ 3A State

Girls Basketball Schedule

Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule.

Dec.
2      V Wamego
6      @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
9      @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
10    @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
16    @ Frankfort
20    @ Perry Lecompton

Jan
3      V Silver Lake
6      @ Riley Co.
10    @ Rock Creek
13     V St. Marys
24    @ Valley Falls  Tournament
27    @ Valley Falls  Tournament
28    @ Valley Falls  Tournament

Feb
3      V Wabaunsee
7      V Osage City
10    @ Silver Lake
14    @ Wabaunsee
17    V Riley Co.
23    V Rock Creek
27    3A Sub State Tournament

Boys Basketball Schedule

Boys Varsity Basketball Schedule.

Dec.
2      V Wamego
6      @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
9      @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
10    @ Irish Classic Tournament, Chapman
16    @ Frankfort
20    @ Perry Lecompton

Jan
3      V Silver Lake
6      @ Riley Co.
10    @ Rock Creek
13     V St. Marys
17    @ Jeff Co. North Tournament
20    @ Jeff Co. North Tournament
21    @ Jeff Co. North Tournament

Feb
3      V Wabaunsee
7      V Osage City
10    @ Silver Lake
14    @ Wabaunsee
17    V Riley Co.
23    V Rock Creek
27    3A Sub State Tournament

Boys Basketball Outlook

Boys Basketball Outlook from the Capital-Journal:

Coach: Derek Dick (9th year).

Last year’s record: 14-9 (6-4, 3rd in league).

Postseason: lost in 3A sub-state final.

Returning starters: (3) Cole Schumacher, G, 6-2, sr.; Dawson Hammes, F, 6-1, sr.; Jacob Bradshaw, G, 6-1, sr.

Other returners/newcomers: Wyatt Dyche, G, 5-10, sr.; Trey Anderson, F, 6-4, sr.; Caiden Musick, F, 6-6, jr.; Andrew Hudson, F, 6-1, sr.; Jared Morris, G, 5-10, jr.; Sheldon Hulbert, F, 6-1, jr.; Hunter Quiett, G, 5-10, jr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs’ bid to return to state tourney for first time since 2011 ended with sub-state championship game loss to eventual state champion Osage City. … Schumacher averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds per game despite missing time with thumb injury. … Hammes added 6 ppg and 6 rpg, while Bradshaw had 5 ppg, 3 rpg and 3 apg. … Morris averaged 5 ppg off the bench.

A look at the rest of the Mid-East League teams can be read at:

http://cjonline.com/sports/2016-11-25/prep-tip-2016-mid-east-league-capsules

RHS Seniors Leading The Way

From the Capital Journal:

HUTCHINSON — They aren’t exactly the forgotten ones.

After all, how does anyone overlook a group boasting the star talent found in Rossville’s 11-member senior class? But coming on the heels of two of the best senior classes arguably ever to step foot on the gridiron for the Bulldawgs, the Class of 2017 perhaps hasn’t been held in the same esteem.

That could all change Saturday.

Winners of two straight Class 3A state championships, Rossville (12-1) is back in Hutchinson for a three-peat. And a victory in Saturday’s 1 p.m. contest at Gowan Stadium over Hesston (9-3) would go a long way toward cementing the legacy for this year’s team, and in particular the senior class.

“This group has never really been given a chance,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said following the Bulldawgs’ heart-stopping 27-22 win over Nemaha Central in last Friday’s semifinals. “We lost a lot of star power the past couple years. They just wanted to prove their place in the program. They’ve done a great job of doing that so far and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

As star power goes, it’s hard to knock the abilities of Rossville’s leading men.

Senior quarterback Jacob Bradshaw leads the state in total offense, amassing more than 4,000 yards and 51 touchdowns. Taking over for Tucker Horak, Bradshaw has done a pretty good impression of the two-time All-Stater, rushing for 2,453 yards and 29 touchdowns while throwing for 1,627 yards and 22 scores.

Receiver Cole Schumacher has defined the term go-to target for Bradshaw, catching 52 of his 108 completions for 1,024 yards and 18 touchdowns — two coming in the win over Nemaha, including a 52-yarder to start the scoring. Senior linebacker Dawson Hammes, meanwhile, has battled back from an early-season thumb injury to rack up 156 tackles in 10 games.

The supporting cast has been more than solid enough to carry Rossville through a difficult path back to the state championship game — one that included wins over a trio of Big Seven League teams in the playoffs.

“To go through all the challenges we had — replacing four offensive linemen and on the defensive side of the ball we had one of our front seven back,” Hammes said. “The sense of accomplishment, well, we’ll get into that after this weekend. But it’s definitely significant that this group was not only able to piece together what’s turned into a good lineup on both sides of the ball, but they also did it early in the season in the face of adversity.

“It’s come together nicely and the kids’ effort has been a big part of that. Every challenge along the way, we’ve been able to find the answer and we want to do that for another week.”

Hesston will be yet another challenge for the Bulldawgs, who have used fourth-quarter comebacks in each of the previous two title games to deliver the program’s first two state championships. The Swathers entered 2016 with high expectations and promptly got off to a 1-3 start.

It wasn’t a complete early-season collapse. All three of the losses were by nine points or less to playoff teams and in each, Hesston had its chances to win.

“That was the hardest thing to drill into our kids’ heads was we were OK because our kids aren’t used to starting that way,” Hesston coach Clint Rider said. “In the Garden Plain game (33-27 loss) we were inside the 20 four times and couldn’t punch it in. Against Halstead (26-24 loss) we were up 10 with seven minutes to go and have them at third-and-16. I don’t know if we felt like, ‘We’re Hesston. We’re up. We should win.’ It was really, really tough.”

Instead of letting the season get away, Hesston has bounced back in a big way. The Swathers haven’t lost since a 36-27 defeat to Nickerson in Week 4 and have taken things to another level in the playoffs.

In the past three weeks, Hesston has picked off Chaparral (35-20), Phillipsburg (38-26) and Hoisington (35-19). Both Phillipsburg and Hoisington were undefeated before losing to Hesston with Phillipsburg last year’s 2-1A state champion and Hoisington ranked No. 2 in The Capital-Journal’s final rankings.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence and you need that to compete at this time of year,” Rider said. “We’re not a team that’s so talented that we can’t be stopped. We have to rely on each other for every play. Playing the two-time defending champion, we need to be confident, but we have to keep ourselves humble and keep our preparation the same. But I don’t think you can get to this point without being confident.”

You don’t get there without talent, either, and like Rossville, Hesston has plenty of star power.

Senior quarterback Zach Esau has enjoyed nearly as big of a season as Bradshaw, accumulating more than 3,600 yards of total offense, throwing for 2,688 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushing for 962 yards and 19 scores. Senior receiver Zach Vogt has 50 catches for 903 yards and 10 touchdowns and sophomore back Parker Roth has added 1,135 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing.

“He’s good in every way and makes those throws that typical high school kids don’t make,” Hammes said of Esau. “The deep out, the throw under pressure and he’s athletic to find time and a threat in the running game. He’s the catalyst for what they do and they’ve got nice pieces to go with him. They’re regarded as a passing team, but they’re willing and able to run it and have a very active defense.

“It’s a good football team and I’m not surprised they’re there. In a lot of ways, they’re a lot like us in that they got everybody pointed in the right direction and have made a tough run. They have some of the intangibles we’re talking about on our side, or they wouldn’t be here.”

There is a bit of history between the two programs. Hesston is making its first state championship game appearance since 1992. That year, the Swathers won the Class 3A state title with a 3-0 victory in the title game over … Rossville.

Title Game Preview

From the (Newton) Kansan:

HESSTON — In 1992, John Gotti was sentenced to life in prison for Mob activities, the Soviet backed government in Afghanistan is overthrown, the Summer Olympics are held in Barcelona, and at Cessna Stadium in Wichita, Ryan Achilles hit a 39-yard field goal in the first quarter to lead the Hesston Swather football team to a 3-0 win over Rossville in the Class 3A state finals.

Fast forward 24 years later and the two teams will meet again in the state finals — only instead of a sloppy grass field on a cold and rainy day — they will play on the turf at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson.

Hesston enters the game 10-3, stopping Hoisington 35-19 in the semifinals. Rossville is entering the game 12-1, downing Nemaha Central 27-22 in the semifinals.

Hesston coach Clint Rider said he doesn’t expect such a low-scoring game this time, but said if the game is on the line this year, junior kicker Matt Whitsitt is ready to go.

“There’s no doubt, this is a big moment for us,” Rider said. “It’s a chance for us to win a state title. There are a lot of nerves, but we just have to stay focused on whatever the situation may be. Matt’s ready to go. I don’t think it will be a 3-0 game, but if the game is on the line, he’s made a field goal or two for us. Both teams are too good on offense for the game to be low scoring.”

Rossville is led by senior quarterback Jacob Bradshaw, who has 1,627 yards passing and 2,453 yards rushing. Rider expects a lot of four- and five-wide receiver sets from the Bulldogs on offense.

“They are a lot like us,” Rider said. “They may be a bit smaller, but they are a very quick team. They have some size, but they are pretty quick. Bradshaw is a quality quarterback. Our defense is going to have to play a great game to contain him. We will have to keep moving our feet. He makes cuts you just don’t see at this level.”

Hesston comes into the game with strong second half play in all four playoff games to date.

“We’ve managed to keep our turnovers down the last two games,” Rider said. “We’ve played outstanding defense. We’ve given up some yards, but we’ve gotten a lot of stops near the goal line and in the red zone. We’ve forced some turnovers and gotten good field position in the second half. I thought our first couple playoff games, we didn’t play as well as we could have in the the first half, but came back with strong second halves. We held Hoisington to 19 points, and that was a very good team. We’re going to have to get off to a good start in this game.”

This will be the Swather’s first game of the season on artificial turf, which Rider said shouldn’t be a problem. He said the team played both Hillsboro and Smoky Valley on turf last season.

“We practiced at Bethel today to get ready for it,” Rider said.

Hesston enters the game on a nine-game winning streak after a 1-3 start.

“We’ve tried to take the season on a one-game-at-a-time approach,” Rider said. “We’ve tried to keep our focus on where we are. Our three losses all came on the road against good teams. Our confidence wasn’t very high at that point. Then we got wins against Smoky Valley and Nickerson. That got us over .500 and got our confidence up. When we beat Southeast of Saline in the eighth week of the season, that’s when we really started to turn around. That was an undefeated team on the road. That really lifted our confidence.”