Rossville edges Hesston 48-42 in OT to three-peat in 3A

Rossville players celebrate winning a third consecutive 3A state title in Hutchinson. (Shari Gentry)
By: Brad Hallier (The Hutchinson News) special for Kpreps.com
Nov 26, 2016

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HUTCHINSON - Make three straight Class 3A state titles for Rossville.

Quarterback Jacob Bradshaw scored on a 10-yard run in the first overtime Saturday, lifting Rossville to a thrilling 48-42 win against Hesston at Gowans Stadium.

Rossville's three straight state titles have all been won after trailing in the fourth quarter.

The teams combined for 1,069 yards of offense and 53 first downs.

Rossville nearly had it won in regulation, but kicker Frederik Andresen's last-second 43-yard field goal just missed wide right. 

Right before that, Hesston tried a fake punt but Rossville sniffed it out, giving the Bulldawgs a chance to win it.

Dawson Hammes' 7-yard touchdown run with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter tied it 42-42 It answered Zach Esau's 2-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left, which gave Hesston its final lead at 42-35.

Bradshaw and Esau put on a showcase. Bradshaw threw for 148 yards and three touchdowns, all to Cole Schumacher. He also ran for 275 yards.

Esau threw for 238 yards and two scores while rushing for 111 yards and two scores.

There were plenty of other offensive stars. Hammes rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns for Rossville, while Schumacher had 148 yards receiving.

Cameron Cox snagged nine passes for Hesston, measuring 124 yards, while Zach Vogt added 107 yards and a score on four catches.

Hesston dominated the first quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs on Rossville's first drive, Hesston scored on Esau's 2-yard touchdown run, capping an eight-play, 63-yard drive. The extra-point kick missed.

Rossville answered on a Hammes 1-yard run, and Andresen's extra-point kick gave Rossville a 7-6 lead. It would be Rossville's only lead until overtime.

But Hesston would score twice in the final three minutes on a pair of Parker Roth touchdown runs. His first came on a 7-yard run when he steamrolled a Bulldawg at the 5, and then carried another Bulldawg into the end zone.

Roth's 27-yard score with eight seconds left in the first quarter gave Hesston a 20-7 lead, and unlike the previous jaunt, Roth was untouched on this run as he finished the half with 117 rushing yards.

The game continued to indicate a high-scoring shootout early in the second quarter, as Rossville cut the deficit to 20-13 61 seconds in. Schumacher hauled in a long Bradshaw pass, and completed the 44-yard touchdown.

Hesston led by as many has 15 points in the second half, but Rossville kept answering. Both of Rossville's fourth-quarter touchdowns tied the game.

Hesston had the ball first in overtime. On third down from 2-yard line, Esau nearly got in, but he was hit by Sheldon Hulbert and fumbled. Jordan Johnston recovered in the end zone.

Rossville needed just one play to secure its third title.

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