By Blake Chadwick
Class 5A
Salina Central and Baeshor-Linwood matched up Saturday in the Class 5A championship game, a matchup that went the distance before Salina Central won 51-34. It is Salina Central’s first title since 2005.
Basehor-Linwood led the Mustangs 14-10 at the half before disaster struck in the third quarter.
Salina Central was able to force three key turnovers in that third to flip the game on its head with a 37-14 lead at the end of the period.
Basehor-Linwood bounced back with two quick scores after a successful onside kick to get the lead to 37-27 when Salina Central senior running back Cooper Reves scored yet again to move the score to 44-27 with five minutes left.
The Bobcats answered extremely quick, with a one play touchdown to make it a 10-point deficit. – until Reves finally put the nail in the coffin with his fourth touchdown run of the half.
Reves rushed for 250 yards, 208 of them and all four of his touchdowns in the second half.
“It felt great to achieve the goal we’ve had in mind the whole year,” Reves said. “It was also an amazing experience to cap off the end of the year surrounded by all my guys.”
Class 3A
It was Andale domination once again as the Indians completed a second straight undefeated season with the 38-6 victory over Topeka Hayden.
The Indians held Topeka Hayden scoreless for the whole first half as they jumped out to a 16-0 lead before Hayden finally scored to cut the lead to 16-6.
That momentum wouldn’t go far for Hayden, though, as Andale got right back on schedule – dominating both sides of the ball.
Class 1A
In Class 1A, Sterling and Rossville squared off in a game that started with Sterling jumping out to a 21-6 before hanging on to win 35-34.
Right before half, Rossville cut that lead to 21-14 then took over the momentum by scoring on the next two possessions to take a 28-21 lead.
Sterling had a quick answer to tie the game 28-28 thanks to an insane run by senior running back Zane Farney with 11 minutes left in the game.
After some back and forth between both teams, Rossville would break the tie to go up 34-28 with under a minute left.
Sterling once again scored instantly, this time to take a one-point lead 35-34. That passing touchdown was only their 19th pass attempt all year.
The Black Bears completed their undefeated season to win their first state championship in 43 years.
“The feeling (of winning) is unexplainable,” quarterback Logan Isaac said. “I love this team, and to do something that hadn’t been done in 43 years is an amazing feeling. This community has been with us since day one, and now we’re here. This was for them.”
Friday’s scores
Class 5A
Salina Central 51, Basehor-Linwood 34
Salina Central wins its first title since 2005 while ending Basehor-Linwood’s perfect season.
Class 3A
Andale 38, Topeka Hayden 6
Andale finishes its second straight season with an unbeaten record.
Class 1A
Sterling 35, Rossville 34
Sterling caps a perfect season.
Saturday’s schedule
Class 6A
Olathe Northwest (9-3) vs. Manhattan (10-2), 1 p.m. at Emporia State
Class 4A
Kapaun Mount Carmel (11-1) vs. Bishop Miege (7-5), 7 p.m. at Emporia State
Class 2A
Nemaha Central (12-0) vs. SE-Saline (12-0), noon at Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson
8-Player I
Lincoln (11-1) vs. South Central (11-0), 11 a.m. at Kiowa County High, Greensburg
8-Player II
Hanover (12-0) vs. Victoria (11-0), 7 p.m. at Kiowa County High, Greensburg
6-Player
Cunningham (11-1) vs. Weskan (11-1), 3 p.m. at Kiowa County High, Greensburg
