DODGE CITY – The Cunningham Wildcats claimed the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s first-ever 6-Player state football championship defeating Ashland, 38-16, on Saturday at Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium.
The state football title was also the first in Cunningham school history, having finished as runner-up in its previous championship game appearances in 1975 and 2021.
The Wildcats (12-0) used a pair of short touchdown runs by Jack Ruckle in the third-quarter to extend a 14-8 halftime lead into a 30-8 advantage.
Ashland (9-2) narrowed the gap to within 30-16 on the second touchdown pass of the afternoon from Britt Grigsby to Landen McPhail.
But as they have all season, Cunningham would respond. Trey DeWeese connected with Will Wegerer for a touchdown pass – his second touchdown reception of the game – to extend the Wildcat lead to 38-16.
Cunningham, which defeated Ashland 38-30 in the season-opener, scored quickly on Saturday on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Luke McGuire to Lane Halderson. In the second quarter, Wegerer hauled in his first touchdown reception – a 26-yard strike from McGuire for a 14-0 lead.
Ashland got on the board before halftime with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Grigsby to McPhail.
McGuire completed 11 of 16 passes for 174 yards and two scores. He also added a game-high 61 rushing yards on 16 attempts.
Halderson hauled in six receptions for 127 yards, while Wegerer had four catches for 70 yards and those two scores.
Grigsby passed for 223 yards for Ashland, while McPhail had 151 receiving yards on five catches. Overall, the Blue Jays were limited on the ground as Kale Harris had 25 yards on 12 attempts and McPhail was held to nine yards on six carries.
Three Cunningham seniors finished out their career with a state championship; DeWeese, Halderson, and Leo Hageman.
Cunningham fell in last year’s 6-Man Association Wild West Bowl (state title game) 60-12 to Natoma.
CUNNINGHAM 38, ASHLAND 16
Cunningham (12-0): 8 -- 6 -- 24 -- 0 | 38
Ashland (10-2): 0 -- 8 -- 8 – 0 | 16
FIRST QUARTER
Cunningham — Lane Halderson 69-yard pass from Luke McGuire (Dagim Reed kick)
SECOND QUARTER
Cunningham — Will Wegerer 26-yard pass from McGuire (kick failed)
Ashland — Landen McPhail 73 yard pass from Britt Grigsby (McPhail kick)
THIRD QUARTER
Cunningham — Jack Ruckle 1-yard run (Reed kick)
Cunningham — Ruckle 1-yard run (Reed kick)
Ashland -- McPhail 25-yard pass from Grigsby (McPhail kick)
Cunningham — Wegerer 13-yard pass from Trey DeWeese (Reed kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
Cunningham Ashland
First Downs 12 7
Rushes-Yards 27-52 21-44
Passing Yards 234 224
Passes (Com-Att-Int) 18-37-0 11-30-2
Plays-Total Yards 64-286 51-268
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-43 4-34
Punts-Avg. 4-36.0 3-22.7
Possession Time 23:25 16:35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING:
Cunningham: McGuire 16-61, Ruckle 5-12, Wegerer 2-0, DeWeese 1-(-6).
Ashland: Harris 12-25, Grigsby 4-20, McPhail 6-9, Gus Hink 1-(-10).
PASSING:
Cunningham: DeWeese 6-20-0, 60 yards, McGuire 11-16-0, 174 yards.
Ashland: Grigsby 10-17-1, 223 yards, McPhail 1-3-1, 1 yard.
RECEIVING:
Cunningham: Halderson 6-127, Wegerer 4-70, Albers 4-53, Reed 3-8.
Ashland: McPhial 5-151, Hink 2-14, Vera 2-22, Kale Harris 1-36, Grigsby 1-1.
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