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The Rossville Bulldogs, undefeated at 12-0, are seeking to become a dynasty, as they head to Salina in search of their fifth state title in school history, all in the past 9 seasons under Derick Hammes.
Standing in their way – the Beloit Trojans (9-3), coached by Brad Gober, also seeking their fifth title in school history, but their first since 1996.
The Trojans won three consecutive Class 2A titles from 1975-77. The Bulldogs’ other titles prior to last season also came in a three-year run, from 2014-2016.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Salina’s USD-305 District Stadium.
Rossville is the clear favorite as the defending 2A state champions carrying a 25-game winning streak, but Hammes knows it won’t be easy.
“We usually get everyone’s best shot,” Hammes said. “Saturday will be no different.”
Both teams enter the games with senior-laden squads that are used to success. The Bulldogs seniors have been to the playoffs every season, with a record of 40-6 entering the title game.
The Trojan seniors have also been to the playoffs every season with a 27-18 record in four seasons. The most successful team before this season for that crew was last year, and don’t let that 5-7 final record fool you.
Sure, they entered the 2020 postseason 3-6, but because of a tough regular-season slate, they advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Hoisington 26-0. Hoisington lost to Rossville in the title game.
Beloit had a similar difficult schedule this season, starting off 1-2 against Marysville (W 24-12), Southeast of Saline (L 36-6) and Concordia (L 33-14), all 3A schools.
“Those programs usually have a lot more kids, and bigger kids,” Gober said. “It was a tough gauntlet of games with SE-Saline and Concordia, but it was good to play those games early; they showed us where our deficiencies are, some things that might remain hidden if you played just 2A schools. It really showed our kids where we’ve got to get better if we want to do well in 2A.”
And while Rossville has outscored its opponents by almost 40 points a game, Hammes stated the Bulldogs’ schedule has been no slouch either.
“Our margin of victory makes it seem like our schedule is soft,” he said. “It’s not; the Mideast League is the best small class league in the state.”
It’s hard to argue his point. All four Mid-East League teams made the playoffs – Riley County and St. Marys both reached the second round their respective classifications, Rock Creek reached the 3A quarterfinals, and Silver Lake was eliminated by Rossville in the 2A semifinals last week.
To win a fifth state title, Hammes knows his team needs to shut down the Trojan rushing attack, averaging nearly 300 yards a game on the ground (3,592 yards and 42 touchdowns in 12 games).
“Everyone know Beloit is running the football and they still can,” Hammes said. “That’s a mark of a good team. Winning first down and forcing third-and-long will be key.”
Rossville brings in a more balanced offensive attack, but still favors the run. The Bulldogs put up 3,260 yards and 57 touchdowns on the ground, compared to 1,647 yards and 15 scores through the air. Senior Corey Catron (1,242 yards and 25 TDs) leads the ground attack, while dual-threat senior quarterback Torrey Horak (1,112 yards and 9 TDs through the air, 980 yards and 13 TDs on the ground) leads the offense as a whole.
“We feel like we’re balanced,” Hammes said. “Balanced to me means our offense is equipped for all situations not just being 50/50 run pass.”
Gober’s Trojans have won the ground game by winning the battle in the trenches. They’ve allowed only eight sacks all season and only lost nine fumbles while finding the end zone 46 times, 42 of those coming via the ground game.
And controlling the trenches will be key if Beloit is to pull off the upset, as the Trojans could be without their top three rushers due to injuries, Benson Berndt (1,832 yards and 25 TDs) and Branson Hiserote (452 yards and 4 TDs) are out for the game. Berndt suffered a broken ankle in the first half of last week’s semifinal win over Kingman and Hiserote has been out since Week 5 with a torn ligament in his knee. Logan Arasmith (416 yards and 6 TDs) is also a game-time decision.
That puts a lot of stress on the offensive line and several players with limited carries this season.
“We have a great offensive line and some really good blocking tight ends,” Gober said. “We’ve been able to win in that 3-5 yard range most nights. For the most part this year, we’ve worn teams down as the game has progressed. We’re a little beat up at running back, but the offensive line is intact.”
Gober also knows his defensive line will have to slow down the high-powered Rossville offense. That starts with Braden Burks, who leads the team with 85 tackles, one of six Trojans with over 50 tackles on the season.
“The key to the game for us is keeping their offense off the field, controlling time of possession.” Gober said. “The more we do that, the better off we’ll be. They have speed at multiple positions and they’ll stretch you.”
Both teams hope to come home with their fifth title, which would mean a lot to their programs and towns.
“A win would be tremendously important to our kids,” Hammes said. “They buy into our message and work as hard as anyone. Winning would reward the effort they put into this season.”
“Hopefully, we win our fifth state title, Gober added. “It would be so special for our program and the entire community.”
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