Welcome to Top Sports News
Bulldawgs drop 35-34 heartbreaker to Sterling in Class 1A championship game
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Rossville’s pursuit of a Class 1A state football title came up just short in a dramatic battle, with Sterling defeating the Bulldawgs 35-34 at Hutchinson Community College Friday.
Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for three touchdowns and threw for a TD in Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
The Bulldawgs battled back when they were on the verge of getting blown out in the second period. Trailing 21-6 and unable to stop the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville turned the game around in the final two minutes of the first half. An 11-play drive ended with a touchdown pass from Canann Mitchell to Connor Bush to cut the deficit to 21-14.
The Bulldawgs took the second half kickoff and marched down the field to tie the game. Seizing the momentum, Rossville’s defense throttled Sterling’s rushing attack – which had accounted for 235 yards in the first half – forcing Sterling’s lone punt of the game.
Just as the second half ended with a Rossville touchdown, the third period ended with Mitchell running in from 2 yards out to give the Bulldawgs their first lead of the day, 28-21.
“We got together at halftime and went over some things that we needed to do better,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “We didn’t change anything. We just did better at what we originally planned to do. We put a hat on them and we blocked them. We didn’t turn the football over and we had some rhythm offensively. It gave us a chance to win.”
Sterling senior Zane Farney rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 35-34 win over Rossville in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Suddenly in danger, Sterling put the ball in the hands of Zane Farney, who had accounted for more than 2,000 rushing on the season. A couple of long carries by the senior quickly tied the game. By the time the day was over. Farney had rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.
Rossville responded to Sterling’s quick strike with a methodical drive. The Bulldawgs chewed up half of the fourth period on a march that ended with Mitchell’s third touchdown run of the game.
The Bulldawgs led 34-28 and had a decision to make. As Mitchell crossed the goal line, his facemask was grabbed by a Sterling defender. With the option to attempt a two-point conversion from inside the 2-yard line, Rossville decided to kick the point-after and assess the penalty yards to the kickoff. But Sterling’s Jacob Lewis leaped high to block the kick, freezing Rossville’s lead at six with 6:36 left.
Having been gashed for much of the day by the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville limited the Black Bears to short runs. But Sterling converted three fourth-down attempts to keep the drive going.
Having advanced to the Rossville 24-yard line with just one minute remaining, Sterling shocked the Bulldawgs by sending its quarterback back to pass for just the second time of the game. Logan Isaac floated a pass over the middle which Lewis – the man who blocked the Rossville PAT – leaped to corral at the goal line. It was just Sterling’s 10th pass completion of the season.
“I think every time I call a pass play, my kids look at me a little bit funny, and they’re like, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “But we practice throwing the ball. We have confidence in our guys, and we’ve got playmakers.”
“We talked about (Sterling attempting a pass), but it was executed really well, and it was thrown into a crowd, so their kid made a play,” Hammes said. “That’s what you’ve got to do to win championships, make a play down the stretch.”
Sterling’s kicker punched the ball through the uprights to give the Black Bears a 35-34 lead.
Rossville had 52 seconds to respond, but only reached the Sterling 29 before a sack, a penalty and a short pass ended the Bulldawgs’ season.
“It was a good football game,” Hammes said. “Congratulations to Sterling. They made a play or two down the stretch that was the difference maker. I felt like our kids made some plays throughout the game as well, but it didn’t work out for us today.”
“We said at halftime it was going to be a dogfight,” Schneider said. “(Rossville) made some great adjustments. They put some stuff together They’re a great program with a great coaching staff. I talked to them before the game and I said, ‘I look up to you guys.’ They’ve got great tradition and we’re starting some tradition.”
Mitchell ran for 149 yards and threw for 193 to lead Rossville. The Bulldawgs finished the season 11-2, the only other loss coming to Nemaha Central, which goes for a 2A title on Saturday.
Rossville senior Andre Johnson reacts during Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
“These kids have battled. Especially these seniors in their career here. They gave us a chance to win,” Hammes said. “Gutty, classy. We did things the right way and they cared about each other. It’s just a special group, and I’ll remember them just like a champion.”
STERLING 35, ROSSVILLE 34
Wildcats' quest for Class 3A title ends in 38-6 loss to perennial state champ Andale
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
For the third year in a row, the Hayden Wildcats came up short in the state championship game at Hutchinson. And for the second consecutive year, the Wildcats hung close with Andale, only to see the game turn into a double-digit defeat late.
Kade Mitchell (25) scored Hayden's lone touchdown on a pass from Connor Hanika (3) in the Wildcats' 38-6 loss to Andale Friday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hayden fell to the Indians by a score of 38-6 in Friday's Class 3A championship game Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium, a rematch of the Wildcats' 36-19 loss to Andale a year ago.
The game got away from the Wildcats late, but the final score is misleading.
“Until the very end, we felt like we had a shot,” Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. “I felt like we would do really well defensively, and then we would give up a big play. We had opportunities early on. We didn’t capitalize on them.”
Hayden stopped Andale’s long opening drive at the 4-yard line. The Wildcats then ran off 16 plays, burning up the rest of the first period, flipping the field, but failing to produce points. Hayden was forced to punt, pinning the Indians at the 9-yard line. A couple of big plays brought Andale to the doorstep, where Indian quarterback Samuel Harp plunged in from the 1-yard line.
The Indians scored again just before the half and led 16-0 at the intermission.
The Wildcats temporarily took the momentum following the break, marching 69 yards on 11 plays and finishing the drive with a 7-yard scoring pass from Connor Hanika to Kade Mitchell.
Despite a failed attempt for two points, the scoring drive breathed life into the Wildcats. Three plays into the ensuing Andale drive, Hayden defensive back Mason Becker intercepted an Andale pass, giving the Wildcats the ball at midfield trailing by just 10 points.
But after moving to the Andale 35, Hayden mishandled a reverse, turning the ball over and squandering the momentum.
“We got a nice interception there and then we just turned the ball right back over,” Arnold said. “It’s uncharacteristic of our kids because we didn’t fumble the ball this year. I think (we had) maybe two fumbles the entire year.”
Hayden seniors Andrew Rohr (52), Jackson McGivern (36) and Xander Blasing (6) react at the end of Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state title game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
From that point on, it was all Andale. The Indians hammered out three quick touchdowns, turning a 16-6 struggle into a 38-6 rout as Andale won its sixth state crown over the past seven seasons.
Miscues foiled the Wildcats’ chances. Hayden turned the ball over twice on interceptions in addition to the lost fumble. The Wildcats generated just 245 total yards and were penalized for 55 yards.
“We played too inconsistent,” Arnold said. “We had some really good sets and some really good plays, and then we come back and fumble the ball here, or we’re slow getting in and out of the huddle, getting the calls. I don’t know exactly what happened there. But at the same time, you’ve got to tip your cap (to Andale). They’ve got a good program.”
Hayden junior Mason Becker (4) tackles Andale quarterback Samuel Harp in Friday's Class 3A state championship game at Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
The Indians capped their second straight undefeated season with a win over Hayden. And for the second year in a row, the Andale attack featured quarterback Harp. The senior raced for 144 yards on 17 carries and added three touchdowns to his total of 30 going into Friday. Andale outrushed Hayden 330 yards to 104.
Hayden senior Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards in Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hanika threw for 133 yards to lead senior-laden Hayden. Mitchell returned from a recent injury to provide 60 yards from scrimmage and several long kickoff returns. Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards.
“We’ve got a great group of seniors and it’s sad that we weren’t able to finish off the right way for them tonight,” Arnold said. “This group of seniors, they work hard. They showed good leadership all year long, and we just came up short for them tonight.”
ANDALE 38, HAYDEN 6
Trojan boys open Robbie Sanders era with dominating 82-54 romp past Wamego
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Topeka High graduate Robbie Sanders, a longtime assistant at Topeka High and Shawnee Heights, recorded his first victory as a head coach Thursday as his alma mater ran away from guest Wamego, 82-54.
Former Topeka High star Robbie Sanders notched his first win as a head coach Thursday night, with the Trojans rolling to an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Trojans demonstrated some firepower they didn’t have a year ago when they won just one game against 19 losses. Thursday, Topeka High exploded out of the gate for 26 first-quarter points, then put up another 26 in the second period to lead 52-29 at the half.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I’m just so happy and proud to lead these guys in this program,” Sanders said. “I was emotional. I feel like I put a lot of work in over the years, and I’ve prepared for this moment. But my emotions… I struggled. I saw my dad. I saw my mom up there, and I almost lost it. I had to go back in the office and sit down for a little while.
“But I knew the guys were ready. I knew we would play pretty well, but they surprised the heck out of me by how hard they competed tonight.”
In the locker room, Sanders was presented the game ball by Topeka High administrators in recognition of his first victory. And he had some familiar faces – the Shawnee Heights team – in the stands behind him. Sanders even paused at halftime to shake the hands of the T-Birds in attendance and thank them for being there.
“That’s my family. I love those guys at Shawnee Heights, coach (Ken) Darting and all the players, and I was really happy to see them,” Sanders said. “It feels a little weird not coaching them anymore. But I love the guys that I got right now.”
Senior Bryson McComas scored a game-high 24 points Thursday as Topeka High opened its season with an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sanders started five seniors who combined for 69 of the Trojans’ 82 points. Bryson McComas led the team with 24 points, with Elisha Guest and Jalen Aldridge tossing in 16 and 15, respectively.
“These seniors believed. They never gave up,” Sanders said. “Any of them could have tried to quit, transfer, go somewhere else and see greener pastures. They believed in each other. They believed in me.”
