The rivalry has been rekindled.
St. Mary’s-Colgan will make the short trip to Frontenac for a battle of undefeated Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League teams at 7 p.m. today.
“I believe it has been rekindled,” Frontenac coach Mark Smith said. “The best part is that both teams are 4-0. This is a big game for the CNC race. It should be very competitive. Like the old Colgan and Frontenac games, the team that plays the best defense and takes care of the ball is going to win the game.
“Both sides are very passionate about the rivalry. Both teams look forward to it. This is why the kids put in all that time during summer weights. This is going to be a good game.”
The rivalry, which dates back to the 1930s, is between two of the historically-best programs in the state. When Colgan and Frontenac were both in Class 2-1A it was one of the more fierce rivalries in Kansas as they were in the same district and only one could advance to the playoffs.
In the late 1990s, the Panthers and Raiders no longer played in the same class. Then Colgan began to dominate. The Panthers won four consecutive Class 2-1A state championships from 2000-03, advancing to seven consecutive state championship games and winning 66 games in a row.
Colgan defeated Frontenac in 15 consecutive games, and the rivalry was diminished.
But then Mark Smith, a former all-state quarterback at Colgan who helped the Panthers to the four straight state titles, was hired to coach the Raiders before the 2012 season.
In his first season, he directed Frontenac to a thrilling 26-25 victory over his alma mater, which is coached by Mark Smith’s father Chuck Smith.
Chuck Smith, who has a 324-70 record in his 36th season as a head coach, led the Panthers to a 26-7 win over Frontenac last season.
Now, the father and son will face each other for a third time with two 4-0 teams ready to face off.
“It’s not big because I’m coaching against him,” Chuck Smith said. “It’s big because it’s the Colgan-Frontenac game.
“I think there is a little more fire to it. It used to be such a big game, because the teams were in the same district and the loser stayed home. A lot of the fire was because it was such a big game. Now, it’s just the Colgan and Frontenac rivalry, but it’s still a big game.”
The game no longer as playoff implications as Frontenac is in Class 4A Division II and Colgan is in Class 3A. However, Colgan (4-0, 4-0 CNC) and Frontenac (4-0, 3-0 CNC) join Columbus as the only unbeaten teams in the league.
Tonight’s game should play a big role in shaping the CNC race.
The Panthers have defeated Galena, Baxter Springs, Riverton and Southeast. Colgan breezed past Baxter Springs, but the other three wins were by six points combined.
Colgan quarterback Ryan Cedeno has passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 140 yards and six touchdowns.
“Ryan’s had a nice year,” Chuck Smith said. “He’s having a big year. He’s making nice throws. Ryan is a natural leader.”
Andrew Stewart leads the Panthers with 294 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Ian Duncan leads Colgan’s receivers with eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
The Raiders are led by quarterback Austin Seward. He has completed 71 percent of his passes for about 425 yards, while rushing for about 225.
“Austin has had an unbelievable season,” Mark Smith said. “He’s a field general. He makes us pretty hard to stop when we’re running on all cylinders. We have lots of good players, but it all starts with him.”
Running backs Ryan Menghini and Keaton Bolinger have rushed for about 225 and 200 yards, respectively.
Both coaches expect a close game and a big crowd.
“It’s two 4-0 teams,” Mark Smith said. “I hope there are three or four thousand at the Frontenac complex to watch a good game. I think this rivalry is a great thing for both communities.”
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