Tucker Horak, son of Terry and Wendi Horak of Rossville is a 6th year student at Pittsburg State and is on their football team. He is pursueing a masters degree and has a 4.0 grade point average. His bio can be read at: https://pittstategorillas.com/sports/football/roster/tucker-horak/5478
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
2A Football Rankings For Sept. 19
The Wichita Eagle and the Topeka Capital have identical high school football polls. Maybe because they are both owned by Gannett. They used to have their own polls.
1. Rossville (3-0, LW: 1)
Last week: 44-20 win vs. St. Mary’s. This week: vs. McLouth (0-1).
2. Nemaha Central (2-1, LW: 3)
Last week: 19-7 win at Sabetha. This week: vs. Atchison County (3-0).
3. Osage City (3-0, LW: 4)
Last week: 45-8 win vs. Mission Valley. This week: vs. West Franklin (0-2).
4. Silver Lake (2-1, LW: 2)
Last week: 22-14 loss vs. Riley County. This week: at Oskaloosa (0-3).
5. Garden Plain (2-1, LW: 5)
Last week: 34-7 loss at No. 4 3A Cheney. This week: vs. Douglass (0-3).
John Blackard Passes Away (updated)
Rossville – John D Blackard, 85, passed away from lung cancer September 16 in Billings, MT at home and surrounded by family.
He was born October 24, 1935 in Clarksville, Arkansas, the son of George and Maggie (Middleton) Blackard. John attended many schools during his childhood due to his dad’s occupation. Although he graduated from Belton High School in Texas, Clarksville High School class of ’53 was always near and dear to his heart, he traveled back for many class reunions and kept in touch with classmates over the years. He received a Bachelors degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State and a Masters in Education from Kansas State University.
John suffered a crippling injury in a hay truck accident at fourteen years of age but a few years later when he received a draft notice from the U.S. Army, he proudly answered the call. His service was brief but honorable.
John began his employment with USD 321 in 1961 in Delia, KS where he was immediately welcomed with open arms and became part of the Delia family. He served as Math and Science teacher, principal, bus driver and basketball, track, and baseball coach over the years. He built special, strong, and long-lasting relationships during his tenure at Rossville, St. Mary’s, and Delia where he retired as principal in 1997. He treasured all those relationships and memories.
He married Wanda N Walker in 1968 in Delia, KS where they started a family and raised 4 children. To supplement his income as a teacher, he sold Kirby Vacuums, Salad Master Cookware, and painted houses. They enjoyed card games, dominoes, and parties with friends. John especially enjoyed fishing local farm ponds with family, friends and former students and cherished many fond memories of those trips.
In 1985 John married Virginia “Gini” Parr Gentry in Rossville, KS. They loved to travel, taking the scenic route around the states playing golf and taking beautiful pictures of their surroundings. They loved one another dearly until he lost her to cancer in 1991.
John was a member of the St. Mary’s Golf Course for many years and later joined Wamego Country Club. His love for golf took him to many places and different courses but usually not without someone in his “noon group”. He traveled to Bella Vista twice a year with these guys for 30+ years and looked forward playing in the Hi-Cal tournament in Vegas every year. He loved the game, but it was the friendships and relationships made along the way that made it so special to him.
John was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas for 59 years, he belonged to Delia Lodge 419 which consolidated with Dover Lodge 138 in 2018. He was also a member of American Legion Post 117 in Billings, MT.
For the past 7 years, John dated Glenna Machin who lives in Wamego. Much time was spent enjoying the company of their friends, seeing the sights of Kansas, going to museums, trying new restaurants, and shopping at unique places together. Plays, musicals, and concerts were favorites of theirs. They shared a special, loving relationship that brought much joy to the last years of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Maggie Blackard and older brother, Oral George “Slug” Blackard. He is survived by younger brother Bert Blackard of Independence KS. John’s children, George (Amy) Blackard of Billings, MT, Brandi Blackard of Topeka, KS Jennifer (Warren) Wilson of Topeka, KS, Rob Blackard, JoAnna (Dave) Cowser of Topeka and Jim (Shari) Gentry of Rossville. He had 10 grandchildren; Elizabeth, Emma, Abby, Dane, Megan, Taylor, Elise, Jacob, Derek, Trent and 7 great grandchildren; Allie, Jaylie, Paislee, Elliette, Brooks, Brinley and Elaina.
John was a man of integrity who loved his family, friends, and community well. He was kind and always had a story or joke to tell. His influence on others cannot be measured but he made a difference in this world and will be missed by many.
A Celebration of John’s life will be on Saturday, November 13th at 3pm at Rossville Grade School. Dinner will be served in the cafeteria afterward. We also invite everyone to the Rossville Legion at 6pm to tell stories, share memories and raise a glass in honor of John Blackard and a life well-lived.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John D. Blackard Memorial Scholarship Fund (for a Rossville and St. Marys senior that will be majoring in Education) and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.
Lynne (Eakin) (75) Krische Passes Away
Lynne (Eakin) Krische, age 63, of Topeka, KS, passed away, on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at her home in Topeka.
She was born the daughter of Edward E. and Marilyn (Haag) Eakin in Wamego, KS on October 8, 1957.
Lynne graduated from Rossville High School in 1975. She worked for National Reserve Life
Insurance Company and GMAC.
On October 19, 1985, Lynne married Robert (Bob) E. Krische. Together, they spent 35 wonderful years of marriage.
Survivors include her husband, Bob Krische; son, Darren Krische and his wife Amanda of Littleton, CO; step-daughter, Julie Albin and her husband Michael of Leawood, KS. She has four grandchildren that include, Jaxon and Alexa Krische, Henry and Cecelia “Cece” Albin. Three brothers survive that include, Tony Eakin and his wife Barb of Rossville, KS, Doug Eakin and his wife Jean of Rossville, KS and Dennis Eakin and his wife Carol of Delia, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Lynne will lie in state on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 9:30-10:30 A.M., followed by a rosary at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., at the church. Family kindly requests casual attire for the visitation and services. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to an organization of the donor’s choice. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
To share a memory or to leave a condolence, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.
Rossville Invitational Volleyball Tournament
The Rossville Inv. volleyball tourney was held at Rossville Sept 18 with The Lady Dawgs only losing one game finishing third.
Team Tonganoxie Wamego Hayden Holton Silver Lake Tonganoxie * 3rd Place | Scoring 25-13, 25-15 25-18, 25-19 25-12, 25-14 25-12, 25-17 17-25, 25-20, 23-25 25-18, 25-15 | W W W W L W | Record 6-2 7-2 8-2 9-2 9-3 10-3 |
Onaga Cross Country
The womens cross country team finished first out of the four teams competing on Sept 16 at Onaga.
Amelia Foster 4
Cassie Fund 11
Audrie Davis 16
Keera Lacock 17
Reagan Wonnell 18
The men's team finished fourth of eleven teams competing.
Sam Twombly 5
Colby Hurla 6
Hayden Sanders 34
Wade Twombly 35
Tres Faith 62
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Kinsey Perine Leads Lady Dawgs Volleyball
Kinsey Perine was an impact freshman for Rossville last season, helping the Bulldawgs to a 25-10 record. A 5-foot-7 outside hitter, Perine packed a lot of punch in her first season, leading Rossville in kills with 263. She also ranked second on the team with 37 blocks and added 34 aces and 241 digs, earning unanimous first-team All-Mid-East League honors
MEL Football Standings (updated)
School League Overall
Rossville 2-0 3-0
Silver Lake 2-1 2-1 lost to Riley Co.
Riley Co, 2-0 3-0
Wabaunsee 0-0 2-1 lost to Troy
Rock Creek 0-2 0-2 week 3 game canceled
St. Marys 0-3 0-3
Jeff West and Rossville Volleyball
Rossville easily defeated the Jeff West volleyball team twice on Thursday, Sept 16. They first won 25-15 & 25-8, and then 25-15 & 25-9. The Lady Dawgs are now 5-2.
Football Scores Of Interest (updated)
Rossville 44
St. Marys 20
Osage City 45
Mission Valley 8
SE of Saline 72
Ellsworth 6
Pleasant Ridge 42
Maur Hill 28
Centrailia 36
Jackson Hts 12
Rock Creek Canceled
Marysville
Wabaunsee 8 late addition to list
Troy 10
Friday, September 17, 2021
St Marys At Rossville Football
Rossville 10 13 14 7 44
St. Marys 12 8 0 0 20
1st Qtr
8:11 Tagen Kippes 12 yd pass from Horak PAT Arantes kick
5:42 Gomez 20 yd pass from Hurla PAT Two point try failed
2:43 Hurla 6 yd pass PAT Two point try failed
0:08 22 yd FG by Arentes
2nd Qtr
7:10 Horak 6 yd run PAT Two point try failed
3:09 SM 7 yd run PAT Hurla 3 yd pass complete
1:59 Catron 5 yd run PAT Arantes kick
3rd Qtr
10:13 Catron 1 yd run PAT Arantes kick
1:45 Catron 32 yd run PAT Arantes kick
4th Qtr
6:10 Catron 1 yd run PAT Arantes kick
WIBW has some nice video of the game at:
https://www.wibw.com/2021/09/18/kpz-week-3-st-marys-20-rossville-44/
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Monday, September 13, 2021
Wamego Inv. Cross Country
Below are the standing of the 20 boys teams in the event. The best Rossville finishes were Colby Hurla (31st) and Sam Twombly (33rd).
1 Christ Preparatory 50 1-4-10-13-22(25)(31) 1:32:54
2 West Franklin 93 5-6-14-32-36(37)(116) 1:35:50
3 Bennington 171 19-21-23-46-62(69)(103) 1:40:51
4 Marysville 181 2-34-41-43-61(76) 1:40:25
5 Sabetha 184 7-8-27-58-84(94) 1:40:15
6 Riley-Riley County 199 12-18-45-51-73(102)(113) 1:41:54
7 St. George-Rock Cre 247 29-47-48-49-74(85)(96) 1:44:03
8 Hutchinson-Trinity 253 17-39-54-66-77(120) 1:44:44
9 Silver Lake 257 11-26-42-87-91(101) 1:44:31
10 Republic County 269 40-50-57-59-63(83)(127) 1:45:34
11 Ellinwood 273 20-44-55-75-79(100) 1:45:28
12 Osage City 278 15-52-60-70-81(108) 1:45:26
13 Wellsville 319 9-64-72-82-92(106) 1:47:14
14 Santa Fe Trail 327 35-65-68-71-88(97) 1:47:52
15 Northern Heights 331 16-67-78-80-90(104)(121) 1:48:03
16 Rossville 370 28-30-93-109-110 1:51:35
17 Eskridge-Mission Vall 376 3-56-98-105-114(122) 1:50:41
18 Lebo 387 24-38-95-112-118(123) 1:53:33
19 St. Marys 397 33-53-89-107-115(119) 1:53:31
20 Alma-Wabaunsee 537 86-99-111-117- 2:02:43
The RHS girls team finished 5th out of 13 teams. The best results were Amelia Foster (25th) and Alexis Zabala (40th)
1 Christ Preparatory 44 1-6-8-9-20(21)(22) 1:52:04
2 Whitewater-Remingto 63 2-4-15-16-26(60) 1:54:55
3 Santa Fe Trail 111 10-18-19-28-36(51) 2:01:57
4 Alma-Wabaunsee 137 3-11-34-35-54(71) 2:04:32
5 Rossville 165 12-23-38-42-50(57) 2:09:37
6 Norton Community 167 7-14-45-46-55(63) 2:08:53
7 Hutchinson-Trinity 171 25-32-33-37-44(59)(75) 2:09:14
8 Bishop Seabury 176 13-29-31-41-62(78)(79) 2:11:53
9 Osage City 187 17-24-43-47-56 2:11:22
10 Bennington 222 5-39-52-61-65(66) 2:18:27
11 Clifton-Clyde 255 30-48-49-58-70 2:23:35
12 Republic County 298 27-64-67-68-72(73)(77) 2:33:46
13 Ellinwood 312 40-53-69-74-76 2:37:16
For complete results, go to: http://www.usd321.com/schools/rjshs/athletics/cross-country.html
KPreps Article: Rock Creek Vs Rossville
Rossville rolled over Rock Creek, 56-14, and won its 15th straight contest. Rock Creek had played Silver Lake to a one-score game in Week 1. Rossville led 10-0 after the first quarter and 31-7 at halftime. Overall, quarterback Torrey Horak completed 16 of 26 passes for 239 yards and two scores. He rushed 19 times for 163 yards and a TD. Senior Corey Catron delivered 16 carries for 106 yards and a score.
Next: vs. St. Marys (0-2)