This blog is for posting all news of Rossville residents and Rossville High alumni. Bookmark this page and send any appropriate news (births, deaths, engagements, marriages, anniversaries, job changes, honors, etc.) items to: Frank.Ruff@juno.com . Feel free to add comments to any of the articles. Check this site often because I sometimes delete items. There are SEARCH (top left of page) and LINK (bottom of page) features. For photos, see link at bottom.
Friday, November 13, 2020
Dawgs Face St. Marys-Colgan
Rossville will face #9 St. Marys-Colgan this week (Nov 13). The following week, the Dawgs (assuming a victory on Fri) will face the winner of the game between #3 Nemaha Central and #6 Osage City, which has won their last 9 games this year. You can read about the upcoming Nemaha/Osage game at: https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20201112/osage-city-welcomes-opportunity-against-defending-2a-champion-nemaha-central
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Merle Bird Passes Away
Rossville—Merle E. Bird, 81, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at Lexington Park in Topeka.
He was born December 24, 1938, at Alva, OK., the son of William and Eva May Bird. His parents were teachers, and he had lived in different places growing up. Merle was stationed in Thule, Greenland while serving in the United States Army. He moved to Emporia, where he received a Masters Degree in Education from Kansas State Teacher’s College. He taught at Roosevelt High School on the campus and later worked at the Emporia Gazette.
In 1972 he and his family moved to the Rossville community. Merle was a journalist at the Topeka Capital-Journal for many years. He was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Topeka St. Patricks Day Committee. Merle was passionate about cooking and food. He had a love for music and writing.
Mr. Bird was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Allen, and a sister, Carol.
Merle E. Bird and Jeanne Hull were united in marriage on September 27, 1963, at Amarillo, TX. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include three sons, Sean (Brooke) Bird, Rossville, Michael (Cori) Bird, Topeka and Daniel (Shana) Bird, Paxico; his daughter, Katherine (Jaycee) Haynes, Rossville; two sisters, Mary Kay Bibb, NM., and Jeanie Wade, Alva, OK; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with one on the way.
Graveside services will be private in the Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville United Methodist Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
James Adkins Passes Away
James Louis (Lou) Adkins, 83, died peacefully Thursday October 22, 2020 at Mercy Regional in Springfield, MO.
He was born August 28, 1937 in Topeka, Kansas. The son of James Preston Adkins and Viola Thompson Adkins. He grew up in the Rossville/Dover area and graduated from Rossville High School.
Lou was loving father, grandfather and brother. Lou was a devote Christian and was always there when someone needed a helping hand, He will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched.
Lou was preceded in death by his daughter Valerie Eastman; his brother Otis Reed; his sister LaVerne Hoffman: and his sister Lorraine Adkins.
Survivors include his children: Janet Adkins, Barnes, KS; Jim Adkins, Topeka, KS and Margaret Shelman, Berryville, AR; grandchildren: Chris Adkins, Barnes, Ks; Michelle Brammer, Barnes, KS; Chance Eastman, Overbrook, KS; Christi Eastman, Michigan Valley, KS; Heather Spencer, Berryville, AR; Jenna Stum, Delia, KS; Shawna Isakson, Topeka, KS, and Shane Shelman, Berryville, AR. and over 20 great grandchildren.
Lou had a passion for hunting, fishing, traveling and playing his guitar. He loved his blue grass music. He was always quoting phrases from John Wayne movies, his favorite quote was “never apologize, it’s a sign of weakness” which he told to anyone who apologized to him. He loved to pass out gold dollars to little kids and pretty ladies, he found joy in the way the kid’s eyes would light up. He was also a beekeeper
Lou got his passion for refrigeration work while working alongside his best friend Dean Smith, when they were younger, working on the ice cars on the trains in Topeka. He later worked at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, retiring from there in the late 1970’s. In 1981 he moved to Eureka Springs, AR starting his business Adkins Refrigeration, which he managed until his retirement in 2010.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Dover, Kansas
Lou was a member of First Christian Church in Eureka Springs. He enjoyed serving his church as a deacon/elder and Sunday school teacher. Lou started the annual fish fry several years ago for the congregation that continues to this day.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church, 763 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
A memorial service is planned in Eureka Springs at First Christian Church for November 21, 2020 at 10:00 am.
Amanda Hill At Kansas Wesleyan
KWU came up short on Tue. night against KCAC leading Sterling. KWU is now 2-1 in the KCAC. No player stats were listed, but Amanda Hill was mentioned at the team's leading scorer. You can read all the game details at:
https://www.ksal.com/kansas-wesleyans-rally-against-rv-sterling-comes-up-just-short/
Stats For Maur Hill Game
Rossville football stats for the Maur Hill football game on Nov. 6
Passing
# | Athlete Name | Comp | Att | Yds | C % | Avg | TD | Int | Lng | QB Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team Totals | 7 | 11 | 134 | .636 | 19.1 | 2 | 34 | 145.5 | ||
4 | Parker Kenney (Sr) | 2 | 39.6 | |||||||
6 | Torrey Horak (Jr) | 7 | 9 | 134 | .778 | 19.1 | 2 | 34 | 158.6 |
Rushing
# | Athlete Name | Car | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team Totals | 51 | 390 | 7.6 | 70 | 6 | |
2 | Corey Catron (Jr) | 12 | 47 | 3.9 | 11 | 2 |
6 | Torrey Horak (Jr) | 18 | 127 | 7.1 | 26 | 1 |
8 | Tyree Sowers (Sr) | 5 | 33 | 6.6 | 17 | |
14 | Kaiden Brown (Sr) | 3 | 7 | 2.3 | 4 | |
17 | Woodrow Rezac (Sr) | 13 | 176 | 13.5 | 70 | 3 |
Receiving
# | Athlete Name | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team Totals | 7 | 134 | 19.1 | 34 | 2 | |
2 | Corey Catron (Jr) | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 23 | |
3 | Austin Klesath (Sr) | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | |
8 | Tyree Sowers (Sr) | 2 | 43 | 21.5 | 27 | 1 |
17 | Woodrow Rezac (Sr) | 2 | 46 | 23.0 | 34 | 1 |
COVID 19 Restrictions Upped To Blue Status
Kaw Valley USD321 has upgraded their COVID 19 Status to Blue beginning Nov. 16.
The Kaw Valley website shows that Blue Status restrictions include the following:
- Limited face to face instruction
- Remote instruction
- No extracurricular activities for students attending remotely
- Students will be confined to one classroom and group
- Teacher and staff movements will be kept to a minimum
- No contact between groups
- Elementary specials teachers will teach remotely
- Staff interaction will be limited
- Students riding buses will be to one per seat unless in the same household, limited dictating additional routes and trips
- Only employees and students will be allowed in buildings
- Masks must be worn at all times
- Staff and students will sanitize or wash their hands every hour
- Temperature checks will be given when entering buildings and buses
- Drive through meals and classroom meals will be served
- Breakfast will be picked up on the way to classrooms
- All surfaces to be cleaned using registered disinfectants
- All buses and vehicles will be disinfected after routes
For more information on Kaw Valley COVID-19 statuses, click here.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Amanda Hill KCAC Player Of Week
Kansas Wesleyan’s Amanda Hill (SR/Rossville, Kan.) and Kelcey Hinz (JR/Whitewater, Kan.), have earned the KCAC Women’s Basketball Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively, the conference office announced Monday. The two student-athletes were selected for their performances from Nov. 2-8 by a vote of conference sports information directors.
The duo helped the Coyotes go 2-0 on the week, beating Southwestern in the Kansas Conference opener in Winfield, and then beating Ottawa last Friday in Salina.
Hill was phenomenal for the Coyotes in the two games, helping KWU go 2-0 on the week to start conference play. Against Southwestern, Hill scored 17 points and had eight rebounds, helping KWU rally from a deficit to come back and win the game. Against Ottawa, it was a career night for Amanda. She scored a career-high 30 points and equaled her career high with 11 rebounds in KWU’s victory. For the week, Hill shot 51.4 percent from the field, including going 7-of-16 from 3-point range for 43.8 percent. She nearly averaged a double-double, with 23.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She also averaged 3.5 assists per game for the week.
Defensively, Hinz was a force for the Coyotes. She helped KWU pick up two big wins, including on the road at Southwestern and at home against Ottawa. Hinz averaged 14 rebounds for the week, which included 9.5 defensive rebounds per game. She also averaged 2.5 blocks per game for the Coyotes. Hinz was a dominating presence in the block for the Coyotes, making any attempt at a basket a challenge.
The Coyotes are back in action with a pair of games this week. KWU is on the road at Sterling on Tuesday night, then hosts McPherson on Friday inside Mabee Arena.
2A Football Rankings
CLASS 2A Football Rankings by Wichita Eagle
1. Rossville (10-0)
Last week: 53-21 win vs. Maur Hill-Mount Academy (8-1). Next week: at No. 9 St. Mary’s-Colgan (7-2). Last ranking: 1.
2. Hoisington (10-0)
Last week: Forfeit win vs. Cimarron (6-4). Next week: vs. No. 5 Garden Plain (9-1). Last ranking: 2.
3. Nemaha Central (7-2)
Last week: 40-30 win vs. No. 3 Silver Lake (6-2). Next week: at No. 6 Osage City (9-1). Last ranking: 4.
4. Silver Lake (6-2)
Last week: 40-30 loss at No. 4 Nemaha Central (7-2). Next week: Eliminated. Last ranking: 3.
5. Garden Plain (9-1)
Last week: 25-20 win vs. No. 10 Hillsboro (6-4). Next week: at No. 2 Hoisington (10-0). Last ranking: 7.
6. Osage City (9-1)
Last week: Forfeit win vs. Fredonia (5-4). Next week: vs. No. 3 Nemaha Central (7-2). Last ranking: 8.
7. Haven (8-2)
Last week: 26-6 win at No. 6 Hutchinson Trinity (8-2). Next week: vs. Beloit (4-6). Last ranking: 9.
8. Maur Hill-Mount Academy (8-1)
Last week: 53-21 loss at No. 1 Rossville (10-0). Next week: Eliminated. Last ranking: 5.
9. St. Mary’s-Colgan (7-2)
Last week: 24-0 win vs. Wellsville (4-5). Next week: vs. No. 1 Rossville (10-0). Last ranking: UR.
10. Hutch Trinity (8-2)
Last week: 26-6 loss vs. No. 9 Haven (8-2). Next week: Eliminated. Last ranking: 6.
Monday, November 9, 2020
MEL Volleyball Player Honors
Individual Honors:
Kinsey Perine All Mid-East LeagueDestiny Bergstressor All Mid-East LeagueBriar Gillum All Mid-East LeagueBreck McCrory All Mid-East League Honorable Mention
First team—Destiny Bergstresser, Rossville; Grace Fitzgerald, Silver Lake; Grace Gehl, Rock Creek*; Briar Gillum, Rossville; Daigen Griffin, Silver Lake; Ellington Hogle, Silver Lake*; Ashtyn Kulp, Riley County; Olivia Lubbers, Rock Creek; Kinsey Perine, Rossville*; Jaci Schindler, St. Marys; Lauren Schutter, Wabaunsee*; Jenna Weers, Rock Creek*. Honorable mention—Leah Cook, Silver Lake; Lauren Gill, Rock Creek; Jordan Harrison, St. Marys; Jordan Magette, Wabaunsee; Breck McCrory, Rossville; Maddy Wertzberger, Wabaunsee.
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Amanda Hill, 30 Pts & 11 Rebounds
“Been in the gym with my sister (Caila),” Hill said following the Coyotes’ 74-53 Kansas Conference victory over Ottawa Friday night inside Mabee Arena.
The extra shooting paid huge dividends. Hill scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as KWU and improved to 3-2 on the season, 2-0 in the conference. She scored 16 points the first half and 10 in the fourth quarter as the Coyotes pulled away for their third consecutive victory.
“It’s really exciting,” said Hill, who was 13 of 22 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range and also had five assists. “My shot has definitely been off for a couple of games, so I’m excited that a few of them fell for me.”
She wasn’t alone in her excitement.
“We knew the way Ottawa executed their (2-3) zone defense that she was going to get opportunities in the high post,” KWU coach Ryan Showman said of Hill. “I trust Amanda with so much in this program, I trust her with everything off the court, everything on the court. We wanted to get her the ball and let her go make a play. She was just special tonight.”
Hill has survived and thrived during a rigorous fall semester while playing basketball and keeping up the demands of being a senior in KWU’s nursing program. It isn’t easy, but she has persevered.
“Sometimes I may be a little tired, but I’ve always got my friends to bring energy in practice and get me hyped up,” Hill said. “I try to separate the two. When I’m in nursing I focus on nursing and when I’m in basketball I focus on basketball.”
Hill was dialed in Friday. She scored 10 points the first quarter as KWU took a 23-11 lead into the second quarter. Ottawa, though, charged back with a 12-3 run and trailed 30-27 with 1½ minutes left in the half. Hill scored with 1:09 left and the Coyotes took a 32-27 advantage into the locker room at the break.
Leading 33-29 with under 7 minutes left in the third quarter KWU scored eight straight and led 51-39 entering the final 10 minutes.
The Coyotes quickly pulled away by scoring the first 14 points of the final quarter that was part of a 20-2 run and led 69-41 with just under 5 minutes left.
“(Showman) said defense is pretty much going to win this game,” Hill said of her coach’s halftime message. “We came out and knew we had to get stops and that the offense was going to follow.”
Another key factor was Kelcey Hinz (JR/Whitewater, Kan.). After going scoreless the first half Hinz scored eight the third quarter as KWU looked inside to their All-America post player.
“We got paint touches,” Showman said. “We did a real great job working inside-out. I know we made a lot of 3-pointers (10), but those 3s in the first quarter (five of them) were inside-out after we got it into the paint. We didn’t do that the second quarter.”
Hinz finished with another double-double – 12 points and 15 rebounds – and also had four blocks and two assists. Point guard Gabby Mureeba (SO/Allen, Texas) continued her strong play with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Wesleyan was 10 of 21 beyond the arch for the game. Mia Needles (JR/Highland Ranch, Colo.) hit three treys and the perimeter scoring helped ease the pressure on Hinz inside.
“With everyone keying on Amanda and Kelcey early we knew we had to hit some shots,” Showman said. “They started spreading out because you’ve got to come guard us and that opened everything else up.
“We can’t win with just two people and we know that. They’re going to be a big part of our success, Kelcey and Amanda, but we need others to step up and I think five games in our success – we’ve won three in a row – is coming from other people settling into roles, people getting comfortable, getting more confident.”
KWU shot 50 percent for the game (30 of 60), outscored Ottawa 40-26 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 41-37. The Braves shot just 26.2 percent (21 of 71) from the field.
“I tell my girls every day we’re going to have opportunities to score enough points to win,” Showman said. “This is high level defense right now, five games in, and it’s going to be important for us as we get into the semester.”
The Coyotes have a huge game Tuesday when they play preseason conference favorite Sterling at 6 p.m. in Sterling. The Warriors are 3-0, but haven’t played a conference game. They defeated Northwestern (Iowa) 78-71 Friday in Orange City, Iowa, and play Dordt on Saturday.
Capital Article On Maur Hill Game
From the Capital-Journal:
ROSSVILLE — A self-described “defensive guy at heart,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes was no doubt pleased with the outing his run stoppers put together Friday night against Maur Hill.
Led by a 13-carry, 171-yard eruption by senior Woodrow Rezac, Rossville piled up 359 rushing yards in its 52-21 victory over Maur Hill, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt on the ground. Not to be outdone, the Bulldawg defense suffocated what had prior to Friday been a potent Raven run game, limiting the visitors to just 2.5 yards per carry.
This Capital article is very long. To read the complete article, go to:
https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20201107/strong-ground-game-carries-rossville-past-maur-hill-52-21
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Maur Hill: Schwinn 22-36, Caudle 9-23, Korbelik 1-22, Shaw 1-4, Kocour 1-4, Pound 1-(minus) 1. Rossville: Rezac 13-171, Horak 18-118, Catron 12-49, Sowers 4-18, Kai. Brown 3-8.
PASSING — Maur Hill: Caudle 14-30-2, 207 yards, Schwinn 1-1-0, 4 yards. Rossville: Horak 6-10-0, 111 yards.
RECEIVING — Maur Hill: Korbelik 4-95, Mispagel 2-30, Sachse 2-38, Kocour 4-23, Schwinn 3-15. Rossville: Rezac 2-45, Sowers 2-45, Catron 1-13, Klesath 1-8.
PUNTING — Maur Hill: Caudle 4-28.5.
Saturday, November 7, 2020
A Football Player Positive For COVID-19
ROSSVILLE, Kan. (WIBW) - As Rossville prepares for a playoff football game, the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the undefeated Bulldogs team.
Athletics Director Curt Brecheisen confirmed with 13 News that a Rossville football player has tested positive for COVID-19.
Brecheisen wouldn’t comment further on how many other football players came into close contact with the athlete. They also wouldn’t mention how many athletes are in quarantine.
USD 321 Schools Superintendent Kerry Lacock also confirmed this is the first positive case of COVID-19 the school has seen. He went on to say that the school has performed the proper contact-tracing protocols and all student-athletes and faculty members that were in close contact with this positive COVID-19 case will not participate in tonight’s game.
All individuals who were said to have been in close contact with this positive case have entered quarantine for 14 days. Lacock also confirmed that no member of the coaching staff will be quarantining.
Superintendent Lacock said Rossville has notified the team the Bulldogs are playing, Atchison-Maur Hill, and the game will go on as scheduled.
“I’d like to ask for help from the community in making sure that we are lowering the spread in the community," Superintendent Kerry Lacock said. "Because eventually community spread comes into the school and affects our staff and our students. If we want to keep our kids going to school and participating, we need to be responsible.”
Rossville is undefeated on the football season and is the top-ranked team in the Class 2A State football players.
This is a developing story and this story will continue to be updated as more information is made available.
2A Football Playoff Bracket and Schedule
You can view the 2A playoff bracket and results at; http://www.usd321.com/schools/rjshs/athletics/football.html