KSNT Football Article

 ROSSVILLE, K.S. (KSNT) – The Rossville Dawgs won the 1A state title in 2021, but last season left much to be desired.   (Rossville is 2A not 1A

The Dawgs lost core players up front on both sides of the ball after last season, including three skilled offensive linemen. The quest to replace them is already underway, but luckily for the Rossville, head coach Derick Hammes said there are plenty of new Dawgs in the house this year. 

“We’ve got a lot of names that maybe folks aren’t familiar with yet,” Hammes said. “We’re trying to develop those guys and develop depth around them.” 

Coach Hammes told 27 News the story of this year’s team is that several offensive assets are returning this season; and many of them are taking on leadership roles. Senior quarterback Camden Horak and senior offensive/defensive lineman Barrett Lietz are two of those returners. They’ve been tasked with integrating the younger players into the system and helping the squad gel during camp. 

“You’ve got to lead by example and also kind of guide the other guys into what they need to be doing,” Lietz said. 

Both Lietz and Horak started for the Dawgs last season. 

“You’ve just got to step into that role,” Horak said. “[I] followed up my cousin Torrey [Horak]. He was a big leader; it was a big class. We just had to fill spots.” 

In 2023, all eyes are on bouncing back from last season. After finishing 2022 with a 5-5 record and a playoff loss at the hands of the Nemaha Central Thunder, Lietz and Horak agreed on one goal for this year: posting a better record. 

Whether they’re veterans like Lietz and Horak, or rookies like other members of Rossville’s team, one thing always remains the same each season. 

“End goal is always state,” Lietz said. 

Horak said he thinks the Dawgs have the guys to go the distance this season. 

“This year, expectations are high, high at Rossville,” Hammes said. “And that never changes with the group that we have. That’s what for, that’s what we’re excited about with this group and we’re just eager to keep working at it and see how far we can get this group to go.” 

The Dawgs face the St. Marys Bears in their season opener at home on Sep. 1. 

Back The Dawgs Night Aug. 24

 The Back The Dawgs night will be Aug 24 from 5:30-8:00 PM.

2023 RHS Football Roster

1 Andre Johnson 10 6' 204 RB/LB
2 Kameron Badura 11 6'3 171 WR/DB 
3 Camden Horak 12 6' 181 QB/LB
5 Conner Bush 10 5'11 164 RB/DB
6 Cael Horgan 9 5'11 156 QB/LB
7 Gabe Fund 10 5'6 121 WR/DB
8 Ke'San Whayne 9 5'8 181 RB/LB
9 Kelton Lacock 9 5'7 136 WR/DB
10 Mason Broce 12 5'10 146 WR/DB
12 Tayson Horak 11 5'9 156 Slot/DB
14 Canann Mitchell 10 5'9 141 QB/DB
15 Mahki Jackson 11 5'10 161 Slot/DB
16 Cameron Miller 10 6'4 171 WR/DB
17 Hayden Salmon 11 5'9 156 WR/DB
18 Remi Droegemeier 9 5"8 136 RB/LB
20 Logan Kufahl 11 6' 161 Slot/DB 
21 Jack Donovan 10 5'11 171 WR/DB
22 John Robb 11 5'10 151 RB/LB
23 Seth Catron 11 5'7 146 Slot/DB
28 Paxton Willett 10 6' 189 RB/LB
34 Gunnar Webb 10 5'8 136 Slot/DB
35 Drake Robb 9 5'9 146 RB/LB
50 Brock Bush 11 6'2 186 OL/LB
51 Barrett Leitz 12 6'2 232 OL/DL
52 John McGrath 12 5'10 186 OL/DL
53 Ayden Crosswhite 10 6'3 204 OL/LB
55 Avery Crosswhite 12 6'3 236 OL/LB
56 Jared Cunningham 11 6'2 171 OL/LB
58 Saint Mildren 11 6'4 201 OL/DE
62 Caleb Lehman 10 6'2 198 OL/DL
64 Jordan Johnson 11 5'8 171 OL/DE
65 Will Koch 11 5'10 191 OL/DL
70 Easton Webb 9 5'9 189 OL/DL
72 Charlie Chance 10 5'10 181 OL/DL
76 Austin Cummings 10 5'9 286 OL/DL
78 Leo Wehrli 11 6'3 286 OL/DL
80 Bogdan Mihajlovic 11 5'9 156 WR/DB 

2023 Cross Country Schedule

Aug

31            At Mission Vallley

Sep

7            At Wamegoi
14          At Onaga
21          At Royal Valley
28          At Horton

Oct

5          At  Osage City
12        MEL meet
21        3A Regional
28        3A State

 

Tall Corn Festival 2023

 TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - People of all ages celebrated the community and agriculture as Rossville held the second day of their annual Tall Corn Festival on Saturday.

People of all ages were enjoying vendor booths, bounce houses, and train rides.

With tons of handmade crafts and delicious food — there was something for everyone.

One group of kids said that they started their vendor booth to work on social skills and show that you are never to young to start your own business.

“You can go out and talk to people and actually do stuff in business,” said Trent.

“So they don’t feel like they can’ t and just so they know that everybody from any background can do this,” said Jax.

The celebration included live music, food trucks, and even a firework show.

Carly said that this opportunity allowed her to bond with her friends prior to the start of the new school year.

“I get to hang out with my friends and do some stuff that I like doing and I get to learn while I do it and also just hang out with them,” stated Carly.

Corn is a staple in the Rossville community and President of the Rossville Community Development Committee, Morgan Hansen, said they are proud to hold this event year after year.

“We’re a small town, we love our farmers. So, corn is almost ready, not quite. We like to focus around it because it’s a big part,” said Hansen. “If you’ll notice, when you come into Rossville, we’re surrounded by it. It’s a big piece of who we are.”

Albert Seitz Passes Away

     Albert James Seitz, 85, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, at Rock Creek of Ottawa.
     Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, August 14, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa, Kansas.  Rosary will be said at 10:00 A.M., prior to Mass. Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M., Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.  Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas.
     Albert was born on Wednesday, October 6, 1937 in St. Marys, Kansas, the son of Bernard and Lena (Pageler) Seitz.    He lived in St. Marys, Kansas moving to Ottawa in 1968. He then lived in Lake St. Louis, Missouri from 1989 to 1991 before returning to Ottawa.
    Albert graduated from St. Marys High School with the class of 1955.  On April 11, 1959, Albert was united in marriage to the love of his life Linda Ann McCoy (RHS 1958) in St. Mary's, Kansas. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2013.
    Albert served in the United States Army and Kansas National Guard from 1959 to 1967. He served in California and transferred to the Kansas National Guard.    His freshman year in high school he took a job peeling potatoes and later working at the St. Marys Coop gas station to help his family pay bills. He then began his career in the telecommunications industry with various jobs from lineman to work with McGrath Engineering Company converting telephones from crank to dial. He worked his way up to customer service manager with Contel and retired in 1998. Once retired, he worked at Prestige Real Estate.
    Albert was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish; Warren Black Post 60, American Legion of Ottawa; Ottawa Lodge 803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Knights of Columbus Council 657 of St. Marys.    He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, camping, Kansas State Wildcats, watching kids' sports and traveling with family. He especially loved spending time with family and friends.
    Albert was preceded in death by his parents; wife Linda; brother William Seitz; and sister Mary Denton.     Survivors include daughters, Sharon Van Horn and husband Gene of Wellsville, Kansas, Ronda Seiwert and husband Paul of Colwich, Kansas, and Brenda Wray and husband John of Ottawa; sister Joan Sebring of Rossville, Kansas; sister in law Lois Lacock (Tom) (RHS 62) of Rossville, Kansas; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
    The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School, Ottawa Optimist Junior Golf, or Santa Maria del Mexicano (granddaughter Katie's mission work) c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Donald Eugene Harmon Passes Away

Donald Eugene Harmon (Gilligan) 77, of Topeka, sadly passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023. He was born April 17, 1946 the son of Joseph and Irene (Van Roekel)Harmon. He attended Rossville High School.

Donald was employed at Shawnee County Recycling for many years, before retiring in 2016.

He was a member of the Abate and of the American Legion Post 31 of Rossville. He enjoyed working on wood projects, riding his motorcycle, spending time with family and friends and having a nice cold red beer at the bar. He loved being outside and had a love for animals. He always enjoyed helping others, even if he didn’t know them.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Irene Harmon. Siblings Joseph Harmon Jr,Mary Jane Gus, Thelma Page, and his twin brother Ronald Harmon.

Survived by sister Wanda Lee Harmon of Hawthorne, California and his son Dallas Harmon of Colorado, and two daughters Dawn Irene Cox of Topeka and Bobie (Barry) Cleghorn of Missouri. Four grandsons Wyatt and Waylon Harmon and Malakhi and Abel Cleghorn.Also survived by his good friend Pam Wilburn and her son Shawn of Topeka, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Donald Dean Adams Passes Away

Donald Dean Adams, 80, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus in Topeka.

Dean was born June 28, 1943, in Wamego, the son of T. Vernon and Ruby E. (Maes) Adams. Dean was raised and lived in the Maple Hill community. He graduated from Maple Hill High School in 1961.

Dean was a sheet metal worker who worked for Kansas Sheet Metal in Topeka for 18 years and Stevenson Sheet Metal in Topeka about 21 years and was a member of Sheet Metal Union Local 77.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, John, and a sister, Melba Jo Raine.

Dean and Theresa Ferguson were married on November 29, 1963, in Topeka.  She survives at their home.

Other survivors include his children: Scott (Julie) Adams, Overbrook; Cindy (Rex) Kraus, Topeka; and Joni Adams, Wichita; a brother, Paul Adams, Topeka; four sisters: his twin, Jean (Dan) Pipkins, Wiggins, MS; Eula (Dale) Schneider, Topeka; Beulah (Jerry) Grant, Hoyt; and Gayle (Steve) Schultz, Topeka; Ten grandchildren:  Mallory, Chelsa, Paris, Korey, Kasi, Kameron, Breanna, Rickey, Olivia, and Lucas; five great-grandchildren: Keagan, Karsyn, Hayden, Maelyn, and Emmett, with a sixth one due to arrive in October.

Memorial Graveside services and inurnment will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 18, 2023, at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Maple Hill, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.  To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

 

Girls Golf 2023 Schedule

 Aug

31    At Jeff West Jamboree

Sept

5          At West Franklin Inv.
7          At  Wamego Inv.
14        At Osage Vity Inv.
19        At Jeff West Inv.
21        At Osage City Inv.
25        At Jeff West Inv.

Rossville 2023 Volleyball Schedule

 Aug    26     @   Burlingame

Sep      7             Rossville Triangular

            14     @  Jeff West

            15           Rossville Trnmt

            16           Rossville Trnmt

            19     @   Silver Lake

            21     @   Holton

            26     vs   Rock Creek

            30      @  Silver Lake

        

Rossville 2023 Football Schedule

 Sept 

1    vs    St Marys

8    vs     Riley Co

15   vs    Hayden

22    @    Atchinson Co.

29    vs    Silver Lake 

Oct

6       at    Holton

13     at Pleasant Ridge

20     vs Maur Hill

Hawgball Tournament Raises Record Amount

 For 43 years “HOGball” has combined softball and motorcycles to fundraise for children with neuromuscular diseases.

Camp Milton gives kids with neuromuscular diseases a chance to experience the same summer camp fun as their able-bodied counterparts.

The Hawgball tournament played at Joe Campbell Stadium this past weekend  in Rossville raised around $60,000 this year, reported to be a record amount.

For a nice aricle and video,  go to:

 https://www.wibw.com/2023/08/07/43rd-annual-hogball-tournament-raises-record-amount/

Verlon Cress Passes Away

 Verlon Ralph Cress

July 31, 1939 - July 20, 2023

Delia – Verlon R. Cress (83) of Delia, KS was born July 31, 1939 in Horton, KS to Joseph & Geneva (Christ) Cress. Verlon passed away at his home on the morning of July 20, 2023 with his loving wife by his side.

Verlon married the love of his life, Judy F. Spetter on June 19, 1967. They just celebrated 56 years of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents and identical twin brother, Vernon J. Cress.

He is survived by his wife; daughters Sharlene, Tabetha, Sarah, Autumn, Jennifer, Kristina and Nellie; his sons Josh and Brian; his foster sons Aaron and Julio. Numerous Grandkids, Great Grandkids and his brother Donald.

Verlon was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years. After release from the Army he worked for Massey Ferguson for several years until he began his career with KPL/Westar at Jeffries Energy Center in 1979 where he worked until his retirement.

Verlon served on the Delia Volunteer Fire Department and as a Delia Councilman.

Verlon loved kids. All kids. And kids loved him. He loved playing with the grandkids, pulling them behind the lawnmower in a wagon. Every kid in town knew where they could go to get their bicycles fixed if they broke or had a flat tire. He always kept spare tire tubes of different sizes on hand to accommodate. The yard was always full of kids even after his own kids were gone.

Verlon’s celebration of life will be held at the Delia Grade School on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from Noon to 3:00 pm

His wings were ready but we were not. He will be forever in our hearts.

Verlon and his family danced with the Twilight Twirlers in St Mary’s. Verlon and his wife also served as officers in the club and Northeast district dancers association as historian.

Tall Corn Festival Aug 8-13