By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

With the high school football season getting underway in earnest this evening, one of the most intriguing matchups in the state will take place in St. George, as Rock Creek gets set to host Southeast of Saline.

Both of these squads put together tremendous 2022 campaigns, with the Trojans finishing 11-1 with a trip to the 2A state semis, and the Mustangs concluding the year at 9-2 with a berth in the 3A state quarterfinals.

While each side is expected to reload and make another run this season, many questions linger about both programs ahead of Friday night’s matchup, and many of those answers will be found when the teams kick things off at 7:00.

Last season, this contest featured one of the best quarterback duels in the state of Kansas, but with the graduation of both Dalton Whitworth (Rock Creek) and Luke Gebhardt (SES) over the offseason each team will debut a new gunslinger this week.

For the Mustangs, the new signal caller comes in the form of junior Mack Lee, who led the Rock Creek JV to an undefeated season in 2022.

“Mack is a great player and he’s a hard-nosed kid,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “His grandpa was a legendary coach at Onaga for a number of years and football is in his blood. He’s a great leader and he can beat you with his arms or his legs.”

For the Trojan’s part in all of this, they will debut their own dual-threat QB in senior Danny Kejr, who will have a familiar face in the backfield, joined by 1,000-yard rusher Nathan Friesen.

With so much youth on both sides of this contest, the focus early on will be on the fundamentals as new starters get to grips with the brightness of the Friday night lights.

“We need to see good physicality out of our guys early in this one,” Trojan head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “We’ve got some guys that haven’t played much in a varsity game and we have to see where we’re at in terms of physical play. It’ll also be important for us to mesh together as a team especially here in these first couple of games.”

While many of the faces on both sides of this matchup have changed, the philosophies of two of the best coaching staffs in the state have not, and both teams will keep a heavy emphasis on maintaining and even attack on offense.

“You’ll see a very similar balance on offense from us as what you can expect from Southeast of Saline,” Sieben said. “We both attack what you give us. We want to run the football against light boxes but if you pack it in on us we feel like we can attack you on the edge. We feel like we can exploit both things and our O-Line has looked good so far.”

Unlike many of the 2 and 3A opponents on Southeast’s schedule, the Mustangs aren’t shy about attacking teams relentlessly through the air, and a young Trojan secondary will receive an early test here in week one.

“We know they throw the ball more than most teams do and they’re very efficient at it,” Gebhardt said. “They do a good job of coaching that and their kids have bought into it but they have a good run game also. They play physical on defense and they do an awfully good job of defending the pass. It’s a great program and we know what we’re up against.”

Kickoff between the Mustangs and Trojans is set for 7 pm at “The Rock” in St. George.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostWith the high school football season getting underway in earnest this evening, one of the most intriguing matchups in the state will take place in St. George, as Rock Creek gets set to host Southeast of Saline.Both of these squads put together tremendous 2022 campaigns, with the Trojans finishing 11-1 with a trip to the 2A state semis, and the Mustangs concluding the year at 9-2 with a berth in the 3A state quarterfinals.While each side is expected to reload and make another run this season, many questions linger about both programs ahead of Friday night’s matchup, and many of those answers will be found when the teams kick things off at 7:00.Last season, this contest featured one of the best quarterback duels in the state of Kansas, but with the graduation of both Dalton Whitworth (Rock Creek) and Luke Gebhardt (SES) over the offseason each team will debut a new gunslinger this week.For the Mustangs, the new signal caller comes in the form of junior Mack Lee, who led the Rock Creek JV to an undefeated season in 2022.“Mack is a great player and he’s a hard-nosed kid,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “His grandpa was a legendary coach at Onaga for a number of years and football is in his blood. He’s a great leader and he can beat you with his arms or his legs.”For the Trojan’s part in all of this, they will debut their own dual-threat QB in senior Danny Kejr, who will have a familiar face in the backfield, joined by 1,000-yard rusher Nathan Friesen.With so much youth on both sides of this contest, the focus early on will be on the fundamentals as new starters get to grips with the brightness of the Friday night lights.“We need to see good physicality out of our guys early in this one,” Trojan head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “We’ve got some guys that haven’t played much in a varsity game and we have to see where we’re at in terms of physical play. It’ll also be important for us to mesh together as a team especially here in these first couple of games.”While many of the faces on both sides of this matchup have changed, the philosophies of two of the best coaching staffs in the state have not, and both teams will keep a heavy emphasis on maintaining and even attack on offense.“You’ll see a very similar balance on offense from us as what you can expect from Southeast of Saline,” Sieben said. “We both attack what you give us. We want to run the football against light boxes but if you pack it in on us we feel like we can attack you on the edge. We feel like we can exploit both things and our O-Line has looked good so far.”Unlike many of the 2 and 3A opponents on Southeast’s schedule, the Mustangs aren’t shy about attacking teams relentlessly through the air, and a young Trojan secondary will receive an early test here in week one.“We know they throw the ball more than most teams do and they’re very efficient at it,” Gebhardt said. “They do a good job of coaching that and their kids have bought into it but they have a good run game also. They play physical on defense and they do an awfully good job of defending the pass. It’s a great program and we know what we’re up against.”Kickoff between the Mustangs and Trojans is set for 7 pm at “The Rock” in St. George.

Trojans and Mustangs Each in search of Answers Ahead of Heavyweight Week One Bout

The Southeast of Saline Trojans travel to Rock Creek to take on the Mustangs Friday night. If you can't make it to the game, we have some options for you!

You can listen to it on KINA (910 AM and 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the game on Salina Post thanks to L&amp;L Advisors!

Click the link below to watch the game Friday at 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693506406072.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Southeast of Saline Trojans travel to Rock Creek to take on the Mustangs Friday night. If you can't make it to the game, we have some options for you!You can listen to it on KINA (910 AM and 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the game on Salina Post thanks to L&amp;L Advisors!Click the link below to watch the game Friday at 7 p.m.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bwPiGt8hKNU?si=IUV8jYSs3KI7-iIp" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Video by Bryan Dennett

🖥️ Watch Southeast of Saline takes on Rock Creek 

The Friday night high school football schedule finds:

--Hays at Junction City. The game can be heard on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK with the pregame show at 6:30 and kickoff at 7 p.m.

--Manhattan Flint Hills Christian plays at Kansas City East Christian

The Friday night high school football schedule finds:--Hays at Junction City. The game can be heard on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK with the pregame show at 6:30 and kickoff at 7 p.m.--Derby visits Manhattan--Dodge City goes to Wichita West--Washburn Rural hosts Wichita East--Topeka High visits Maize--Emporia hosts Pittsburg--Abilene travels to Marysville--Concordia goes to Chapman--Wamego travels to Clay Center--Hayden goes to Olpe--Council Grove is at Central Heights--Riley County plays at Silver Lake--Wakefield goes to Herington--Rural Vista travels to Solomon--Manhattan Flint Hills Christian plays at Kansas City East Christian

Friday night football schedule

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's fight song begins, “There is no place like Nebraska.” When it comes to volleyball, those words never rang more true than Wednesday night.

The Cornhuskers laid claim to the world record for largest attendance at a women's sporting event with 92,003 filling Memorial Stadium for their volleyball match against Omaha.

The university took aim at the record last spring when it announced it would hold a daylong celebration of a sport that enjoys immense popularity in this state of fewer than 2 million.

“We took a chance by playing in Memorial Stadium, and to go for the record and break it. ... I don’t think anybody could have envisioned that when this whole thing started,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “It feels like a great accomplishment for this sport called volleyball played by women. It’s a state treasure. We proved it.”

The event began with an exhibition between in-state Division II powers Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State and was followed by the Huskers' three-set sweep of Omaha in a regular-season match. Country artist Scotty McCreery performed afterward.

The previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-soccer-sports-soccer-barcelona-0abf21b88c76e5183fda8cc4ac03244a">attendance record was 91,648, set during a Champions League soccer match</a>&nbsp;when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 at the Camp Nou Stadium in 2022.

Memorial Stadium's official capacity is just over 85,000 for football, but that number was higher for this event because there were seats and standing room on the field.

Fans in red and white started their tailgate parties outside the stadium hours before first serve of an exhibition Wayne State won in three sets. The stadium was one-quarter full at the start of that match and gradually filled to capacity as players for Omaha and Nebraska were warming up.

There was a flyover during the national anthem and, minutes before first serve, Cook led his Huskers into the stadium to the Tunnel Walk, the longtime tradition of the football team. Synchronized chants of “Go Big Red!” were heard all around.

Conditions were 83 degrees, clear skies and a south wind listed at 4-mph at court level with gusts that sometimes moved the ball in unpredictable ways.

Though 91,648 was widely acknowledged as the women’s sports attendance record, at least one match at the unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mundo-women71.html">1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico City reportedly drew 110,000 people.</a>

The American record attendance for a women’s sporting event had been 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup soccer final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California — the game where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/sports/soccer/23seconds.html">Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt</a>&nbsp;after scoring the decisive penalty shot for the U.S. win.

The NCAA does not track attendance across all sports, but associate director of media coordination and statistics Jeff Williams said a crowd of 90,000-plus was easily among the largest for a non-football game. A 2010 outdoor&nbsp;<a href="https://collegehockeyinc.com/stats/boxes11.php?mmicmsu1.d11">hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor drew more than 113,000 fans.</a>

A message seeking comment from officials of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/">Guinness World Records</a>&nbsp;was not immediately returned.

Nebraska has sold out 306 consecutive regular-season matches. (Wednesday's event won't count toward the streak because it is not being held on the team's Devaney Center court.) The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since 2013, and eight of the top nine crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved Nebraska.

Nebraska has won five national championships in volleyball, and its program is one of the few in Division I women's sports that turns a profit — $1 million last year, according to athletic department CFO Doug Ewald.

“This is a statement on Title IX, and having two daughters of my own, what Title IX has done for women's sports is huge,” fan Troy Pfannenstiel of Omaha said before the matches.

Chancellor Rodney Bennett canceled classes for the day. NCAA President Charlie Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti were on hand, as was Gov. Jim Pillen. So were Husker volleyball players who were part of iconic coach Terry Pettit's teams over four decades. High school teams from across a state stretching 430 miles border to border were excused from classes to attend.

There are 75 women from the state of Nebraska who are on Division I volleyball rosters this season. At 44 players per million in population, the state trails only Hawaii (67 per million) in Division I players produced per capita, according to volleyball statistician and historian Rich Kern of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richkern.com/vb/FreePage.asp">RichKern.com.</a>

“You don’t think you’re going to be part of a world record event, and seeing how much everyone supports volleyball and wanted to be part of that record is awesome to see,” Omaha's Shayla McCormick said.

Volleyball has surpassed basketball as the No. 1 girls high school team sport in the United States. It’s long been No. 1 in Nebraska.

About 7,000 girls play high school volleyball in the state. Volleyball has been played in varying forms in Nebraska since the early 1900s. For many years, girls volleyball matches were warmup acts for boys basketball games. Volleyball became a sanctioned sport in 1972 and took off in the late 1970s when Pettit invited many of the state’s high school coaches to work at his camps in Lincoln.

Pettit also conducted so-called “satellite” clinics in small towns across the state. In a place where boys grow up dreaming of becoming Cornhusker football players, many girls are equally passionate about some day playing volleyball for a Nebraska team that annually ranks among the nation’s elite.

Ella Beck, 10, came with a group from tiny Pierce to see her first college volleyball match and root for her favorite player, setter Lexi Rodriguez.

Neveah Kehr, 10, came with her mom, Nicki, from Bismarck, North Dakota, to be part of the event. Nicki graduated from Nebraska, and she brought up her daughter watching the Huskers on television.

Neveah wore the No. 5 jersey of middle blocker Bekka Allick at a pep rally before the matches and, with more than 1,000 fans cheering, was invited to walk to where the players stood and was introduced to the woman she called her idol.

Neveah teared up, and Bekka gave her a hug.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693453778144.jpeg" alt="Nebraska and Omaha play a college volleyball match Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Eric Olson)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska and Omaha play a college volleyball match Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Eric Olson)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC OLSON AP Sports WriterLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's fight song begins, “There is no place like Nebraska.” When it comes to volleyball, those words never rang more true than Wednesday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">😌😌😌 <a href="https://t.co/KyQCRk99A5">https://t.co/KyQCRk99A5</a>&mdash; Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUVolleyball/status/1697082227476107476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Cornhuskers laid claim to the world record for largest attendance at a women's sporting event with 92,003 filling Memorial Stadium for their volleyball match against Omaha.The university took aim at the record last spring when it announced it would hold a daylong celebration of a sport that enjoys immense popularity in this state of fewer than 2 million.“We took a chance by playing in Memorial Stadium, and to go for the record and break it. ... I don’t think anybody could have envisioned that when this whole thing started,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “It feels like a great accomplishment for this sport called volleyball played by women. It’s a state treasure. We proved it.”The event began with an exhibition between in-state Division II powers Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State and was followed by the Huskers' three-set sweep of Omaha in a regular-season match. Country artist Scotty McCreery performed afterward.The previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-soccer-sports-soccer-barcelona-0abf21b88c76e5183fda8cc4ac03244a">attendance record was 91,648, set during a Champions League soccer match</a>&nbsp;when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 at the Camp Nou Stadium in 2022.Memorial Stadium's official capacity is just over 85,000 for football, but that number was higher for this event because there were seats and standing room on the field.Fans in red and white started their tailgate parties outside the stadium hours before first serve of an exhibition Wayne State won in three sets. The stadium was one-quarter full at the start of that match and gradually filled to capacity as players for Omaha and Nebraska were warming up.There was a flyover during the national anthem and, minutes before first serve, Cook led his Huskers into the stadium to the Tunnel Walk, the longtime tradition of the football team. Synchronized chants of “Go Big Red!” were heard all around.Conditions were 83 degrees, clear skies and a south wind listed at 4-mph at court level with gusts that sometimes moved the ball in unpredictable ways.Though 91,648 was widely acknowledged as the women’s sports attendance record, at least one match at the unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mundo-women71.html">1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico City reportedly drew 110,000 people.</a>The American record attendance for a women’s sporting event had been 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup soccer final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California — the game where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/sports/soccer/23seconds.html">Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt</a>&nbsp;after scoring the decisive penalty shot for the U.S. win.The NCAA does not track attendance across all sports, but associate director of media coordination and statistics Jeff Williams said a crowd of 90,000-plus was easily among the largest for a non-football game. A 2010 outdoor&nbsp;<a href="https://collegehockeyinc.com/stats/boxes11.php?mmicmsu1.d11">hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor drew more than 113,000 fans.</a>A message seeking comment from officials of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/">Guinness World Records</a>&nbsp;was not immediately returned.Nebraska has sold out 306 consecutive regular-season matches. (Wednesday's event won't count toward the streak because it is not being held on the team's Devaney Center court.) The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since 2013, and eight of the top nine crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved Nebraska.Nebraska has won five national championships in volleyball, and its program is one of the few in Division I women's sports that turns a profit — $1 million last year, according to athletic department CFO Doug Ewald.“This is a statement on Title IX, and having two daughters of my own, what Title IX has done for women's sports is huge,” fan Troy Pfannenstiel of Omaha said before the matches.Chancellor Rodney Bennett canceled classes for the day. NCAA President Charlie Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti were on hand, as was Gov. Jim Pillen. So were Husker volleyball players who were part of iconic coach Terry Pettit's teams over four decades. High school teams from across a state stretching 430 miles border to border were excused from classes to attend.There are 75 women from the state of Nebraska who are on Division I volleyball rosters this season. At 44 players per million in population, the state trails only Hawaii (67 per million) in Division I players produced per capita, according to volleyball statistician and historian Rich Kern of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richkern.com/vb/FreePage.asp">RichKern.com.</a>“You don’t think you’re going to be part of a world record event, and seeing how much everyone supports volleyball and wanted to be part of that record is awesome to see,” Omaha's Shayla McCormick said.Volleyball has surpassed basketball as the No. 1 girls high school team sport in the United States. It’s long been No. 1 in Nebraska.About 7,000 girls play high school volleyball in the state. Volleyball has been played in varying forms in Nebraska since the early 1900s. For many years, girls volleyball matches were warmup acts for boys basketball games. Volleyball became a sanctioned sport in 1972 and took off in the late 1970s when Pettit invited many of the state’s high school coaches to work at his camps in Lincoln.Pettit also conducted so-called “satellite” clinics in small towns across the state. In a place where boys grow up dreaming of becoming Cornhusker football players, many girls are equally passionate about some day playing volleyball for a Nebraska team that annually ranks among the nation’s elite.Ella Beck, 10, came with a group from tiny Pierce to see her first college volleyball match and root for her favorite player, setter Lexi Rodriguez.Neveah Kehr, 10, came with her mom, Nicki, from Bismarck, North Dakota, to be part of the event. Nicki graduated from Nebraska, and she brought up her daughter watching the Huskers on television.Neveah wore the No. 5 jersey of middle blocker Bekka Allick at a pep rally before the matches and, with more than 1,000 fans cheering, was invited to walk to where the players stood and was introduced to the woman she called her idol.Neveah teared up, and Bekka gave her a hug.

🏐 Nebraska volleyball stadium event draws 92,003 to set women's world attendance record

On the heels of a historic 2022 campaign, the Wabaunsee football team will be eager to get back under the Friday night lights when the 2023 season kicks off this week.

A year ago, the Chargers took their program to new heights, rounding out their campaign with a 9-2 record and punching their first-ever ticket to the Class 1A state quarterfinals.

While many teams in Wabaunsee’s situation would be content with a very impressive flash in the pan, the Charger's focus is on building a lasting tradition of excellence on the gridiron, one this year’s class will look to take up and continue.

“These players know that we want to continue raising the standard of our program,” Charger head coach Jess Rutledge said. “It’s been a great climb, and we still have a long road ahead of us, but I can say this with certainty: this is not the program it used to be and people have taken notice, now it’s time to keep grinding.”

Wabaunsee returns a little over half of their starting lineup from that record-setting team, with six starters back on each side of the ball.

The centerpiece on offense will be the return of senior signal caller Wyatt Wurtz, who became the second Charger quarterback in as many years to collect all-league honors.

Wurtz threw for just shy of 1,500 yards and racked up 19 touchdowns, adding another 594 yards and 13 more scores on the ground.

Filling out the all-senior backfield is running back Zach Frank, who averaged over six yards per carry for Wabaunsee in 2022.

Wurtz will also have several of his favorite targets back as the Chargers retain the services of a pair of all-league wideouts in Miguel Hernandez and Wyatt Gehrt, and add junior Carson Reves back from injury.

In the trenches, Wabaunsee will see their O-Line anchored by a trio of multi-year starters in Tate Deever, Jude Meseke, and Brody Drogemeier, who will slot in alongside senior Blake Murphy, also making his return from a season-ending injury.

On defense, the Chargers will be led up front by returning defensive end Alex Beggs and DT Jude Meseke, while Zach and Cole Frank anchor the linebacking corps alongside Tate Deever.

And finally patrolling the secondary are Wyatt Gehrt, Miguel Hernandez, Carson Reves, and Wyatt Wurtz, who will look to employ his knowledge of the quarterback position against opponents from his spot at cornerback.

Despite returning so much talent, several newcomers will have a big role to play on this team, especially amidst a schedule that features several heavy hitters like Troy and Smith Center.

Wabaunsee will kick off the new campaign on Friday, September 1st when they host Troy, seeking revenge on the Trojans.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostOn the heels of a historic 2022 campaign, the Wabaunsee football team will be eager to get back under the Friday night lights when the 2023 season kicks off this week.A year ago, the Chargers took their program to new heights, rounding out their campaign with a 9-2 record and punching their first-ever ticket to the Class 1A state quarterfinals.While many teams in Wabaunsee’s situation would be content with a very impressive flash in the pan, the Charger's focus is on building a lasting tradition of excellence on the gridiron, one this year’s class will look to take up and continue.“These players know that we want to continue raising the standard of our program,” Charger head coach Jess Rutledge said. “It’s been a great climb, and we still have a long road ahead of us, but I can say this with certainty: this is not the program it used to be and people have taken notice, now it’s time to keep grinding.”Wabaunsee returns a little over half of their starting lineup from that record-setting team, with six starters back on each side of the ball.The centerpiece on offense will be the return of senior signal caller Wyatt Wurtz, who became the second Charger quarterback in as many years to collect all-league honors.Wurtz threw for just shy of 1,500 yards and racked up 19 touchdowns, adding another 594 yards and 13 more scores on the ground.Filling out the all-senior backfield is running back Zach Frank, who averaged over six yards per carry for Wabaunsee in 2022.Wurtz will also have several of his favorite targets back as the Chargers retain the services of a pair of all-league wideouts in Miguel Hernandez and Wyatt Gehrt, and add junior Carson Reves back from injury.In the trenches, Wabaunsee will see their O-Line anchored by a trio of multi-year starters in Tate Deever, Jude Meseke, and Brody Drogemeier, who will slot in alongside senior Blake Murphy, also making his return from a season-ending injury.On defense, the Chargers will be led up front by returning defensive end Alex Beggs and DT Jude Meseke, while Zach and Cole Frank anchor the linebacking corps alongside Tate Deever.And finally patrolling the secondary are Wyatt Gehrt, Miguel Hernandez, Carson Reves, and Wyatt Wurtz, who will look to employ his knowledge of the quarterback position against opponents from his spot at cornerback.Despite returning so much talent, several newcomers will have a big role to play on this team, especially amidst a schedule that features several heavy hitters like Troy and Smith Center.Wabaunsee will kick off the new campaign on Friday, September 1st when they host Troy, seeking revenge on the Trojans.

Wabaunsee Looks to Continue Building Program After Historic Season

These are uncertain times for the world of Champions Indoor Football.

The league that has served as the home of the Salina Liberty since 2016 was supposed to enter its ninth season in 2024, but doubt has begun to loom large as teams have abandoned the league in droves.

Earlier this offseason the Omaha Beef, Sioux City Bandits, and Topeka Tropics announced they would be the first to desert, with Omaha and Sioux City quickly finding a home in the National Arena League for the 2024 season.

On Monday, the CIF announced the addition of a new expansion team from Park City, Kansas in the ICT Regulators, but no sooner was the ink dry on the paperwork before the Billings Outlaws were confirmed as the newest member of the prestigious AFL (Arena Football League) just a day later.

These moves left the CIF with just five member teams for 2024 (Salina Liberty, Gillette Mustangs, SW Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, and ICT Regulators), but the chaos may not be done yet, as on Wednesday it was announced in a statement that the Gillette Mustangs were being put up for sale by owner Steve Titus.

While a return to the Champions Indoor Football League is not impossible for the Tropics, who have, as of Wednesday, August 30th, not yet found a home for 2024, many are left to ponder the fate of a league that in eight seasons has never seen its membership dip below six teams.

For more on this developing situation, stay tuned to the Salina, Little Apple, and JC Posts.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThese are uncertain times for the world of Champions Indoor Football.The league that has served as the home of the Salina Liberty since 2016 was supposed to enter its ninth season in 2024, but doubt has begun to loom large as teams have abandoned the league in droves.Earlier this offseason the Omaha Beef, Sioux City Bandits, and Topeka Tropics announced they would be the first to desert, with Omaha and Sioux City quickly finding a home in the National Arena League for the 2024 season.On Monday, the CIF announced the addition of a new expansion team from Park City, Kansas in the ICT Regulators, but no sooner was the ink dry on the paperwork before the Billings Outlaws were confirmed as the newest member of the prestigious AFL (Arena Football League) just a day later.These moves left the CIF with just five member teams for 2024 (Salina Liberty, Gillette Mustangs, SW Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, and ICT Regulators), but the chaos may not be done yet, as on Wednesday it was announced in a statement that the Gillette Mustangs were being put up for sale by owner Steve Titus.While a return to the Champions Indoor Football League is not impossible for the Tropics, who have, as of Wednesday, August 30th, not yet found a home for 2024, many are left to ponder the fate of a league that in eight seasons has never seen its membership dip below six teams.For more on this developing situation, stay tuned to the Salina, Little Apple, and JC Posts.

Uncertainty Looms Large as CIF Continues to Shed Members

After making their first state championship appearance in program history to cap off a historic 12-1 2022 campaign, Boom Town is back and ready to rumble for what should be another thrilling season of football in Wamego.

Under head coach Weston Moody, the Raiders return a great deal of talent from their watermark-setting squad, especially on defense, where Wamego retains the services of six heavy hitters.

“Our defensive guys that are coming back have the most experience out of anybody,” Moody said. “I feel comfortable with where we’re at on both sides of the ball but it does help to have so many snaps back on defense.”

That unit will be anchored by Jackson Ziegler and Jake Meyer in the trenches, with a trio of linebackers returning in Wyatt Burgess, Gannon Couture, and Aidan Hefley, and Drew Pettay leading the patrol in the secondary.

Offensively, the Raiders will have to replace the all-league backfield of Colin Donahue and Hayden Oviatt, as well as a few of their favorite targets in Chase Cottam and Hagan Johnson, but the next man up mentality is strong in Boom Town, and concerns are at an all-time low.

“People will look at us and say that our offense is an unknown with several big guys not coming back but not a lot of people knew who Collin [Donahue] was last year either,” Moody said.

The biggest of those aforementioned holes will be filled by senior quarterback Pruitt Nolan, who brings a steady sense of veteran leadership in addition to his capabilities under center.

“Pruitt has been our JV quarterback in the past and he has a good deal of experience himself,” he said. “He’s every bit of 6-4, athletic, has a good arm, and understands our offense. He’s not going to have to learn on the job and as a senior, he knows what our expectations are.”

Nolan will be joined in the backfield by a stable of running backs, led by Thomas McIntyre, who finished just shy of 1,000 yards in 2022, Porter Smith, and Tate Warren, who differ enough in style to keep defenses guessing.

The receiving corps will see several new faces as well, as guys like Brock Weeks and Treytan Boekman look to step up and make an impact in the passing game right away.

The Raiders also return most of their offensive line from a season ago, with both tackles (Cooper Dow and Cody Mayer) back alongside their center (Brayden Fulton).

While Wamego will enter the 2023 campaign with high expectations, ranked fourth in the K-Preps preseason poll, the Raiders may find themselves in more real battles this year, after winning all eight of their regular season games by 27 or more points in 2022.

“Like with any season, the challenges will come when we face adversity which is something we didn’t really do until the last two weeks of the playoffs last season,” Moody said. “Our guys will have to get used to that as we figure out who slides into what role but everyone has a part to play and we’ll be able to adapt throughout the season.”

While some of the faces around Wamego have changed, the expectations have not, and the Raiders will be looking for an encore performance after shattering expectations a season ago.

“Every year these guys set out to reach the top and that hasn’t changed for us,” he said. “They know what they need to do to get there and that’s to take things one practice at a time, one play at a time, and one game at a time. We know we can’t get days back so we have to make the most of each and every one.”&nbsp;

The Raiders will kick off their 2023 season on Friday, September 1st when they travel to Clay Center to take on the #5 team in Class 3A at 7:00.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostAfter making their first state championship appearance in program history to cap off a historic 12-1 2022 campaign, Boom Town is back and ready to rumble for what should be another thrilling season of football in Wamego.Under head coach Weston Moody, the Raiders return a great deal of talent from their watermark-setting squad, especially on defense, where Wamego retains the services of six heavy hitters.“Our defensive guys that are coming back have the most experience out of anybody,” Moody said. “I feel comfortable with where we’re at on both sides of the ball but it does help to have so many snaps back on defense.”That unit will be anchored by Jackson Ziegler and Jake Meyer in the trenches, with a trio of linebackers returning in Wyatt Burgess, Gannon Couture, and Aidan Hefley, and Drew Pettay leading the patrol in the secondary.Offensively, the Raiders will have to replace the all-league backfield of Colin Donahue and Hayden Oviatt, as well as a few of their favorite targets in Chase Cottam and Hagan Johnson, but the next man up mentality is strong in Boom Town, and concerns are at an all-time low.“People will look at us and say that our offense is an unknown with several big guys not coming back but not a lot of people knew who Collin [Donahue] was last year either,” Moody said.The biggest of those aforementioned holes will be filled by senior quarterback Pruitt Nolan, who brings a steady sense of veteran leadership in addition to his capabilities under center.“Pruitt has been our JV quarterback in the past and he has a good deal of experience himself,” he said. “He’s every bit of 6-4, athletic, has a good arm, and understands our offense. He’s not going to have to learn on the job and as a senior, he knows what our expectations are.”Nolan will be joined in the backfield by a stable of running backs, led by Thomas McIntyre, who finished just shy of 1,000 yards in 2022, Porter Smith, and Tate Warren, who differ enough in style to keep defenses guessing.The receiving corps will see several new faces as well, as guys like Brock Weeks and Treytan Boekman look to step up and make an impact in the passing game right away.The Raiders also return most of their offensive line from a season ago, with both tackles (Cooper Dow and Cody Mayer) back alongside their center (Brayden Fulton).While Wamego will enter the 2023 campaign with high expectations, ranked fourth in the K-Preps preseason poll, the Raiders may find themselves in more real battles this year, after winning all eight of their regular season games by 27 or more points in 2022.“Like with any season, the challenges will come when we face adversity which is something we didn’t really do until the last two weeks of the playoffs last season,” Moody said. “Our guys will have to get used to that as we figure out who slides into what role but everyone has a part to play and we’ll be able to adapt throughout the season.”While some of the faces around Wamego have changed, the expectations have not, and the Raiders will be looking for an encore performance after shattering expectations a season ago.“Every year these guys set out to reach the top and that hasn’t changed for us,” he said. “They know what they need to do to get there and that’s to take things one practice at a time, one play at a time, and one game at a time. We know we can’t get days back so we have to make the most of each and every one.”&nbsp;The Raiders will kick off their 2023 season on Friday, September 1st when they travel to Clay Center to take on the #5 team in Class 3A at 7:00.

Class 4A On Notice: Boom Town is Back

Following the best year yet of the Shane Sieben era (9-2 with a trip to the 3A state quarterfinals), the Rock Creek football team will look to reload and run it back for what should be another exciting campaign.

While many in the community and around the state have their concerns about the group of stars the Mustangs graduated in 2022, this program is still brimming with talent and should be in reloading mode as opposed to rebuilding mode.

“Yes, we lost some crucial pieces but we return a lot of pieces compared to what we brought back two years ago,” Sieben said. “Our juniors have really stepped up and become vocal. They’ve taken on that leadership role and they’ve grown tremendously as they’ve been given new opportunities.”

One of the most notable holes the Mustangs will have to fill comes at quarterback in the size and shape of Dalton Whitworth, who led the whole state of Kansas with 3,233 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022.

Whitworth’s replacement is no slouch, however, as Rock Creek turns over the keys of the offense to junior Mack Lee, who led the Mustang JV to an undefeated season last year.

Lee will be joined in the backfield by senior tailback Trevor Christensen and will have several veteran targets to throw to as Rock Creek returns the trio of Daegen Vinduska, Brandon Krainbill, and Dawson Rankin.

The trenches will also be anchored by a pair of veteran returners, as all-league tackle Mason Faith and all-league center Malachi Bell both reprise their roles.

On defense, Vinduska headlines another veteran-heavy group of returners, as the Mustang DB terrorized opposing quarterbacks in 2022, racking up six picks from his spot at free safety.

The D-Line will also be in good hands led by Kade Wellfringer and 2-way sensation Mason Faith, while Payton McCarn, the team’s leading tackler from 2022, returns to anchor the linebacker core alongside Trevor Christensen.

While all of this looks great on paper, the Mustangs are eager to see their squad under the Friday night lights and will be tested right away as they host Southeast of Saline to open their season.

“Everybody looks great in the offseason when you’re running against your scout team and things are going well but we want to see how these kids handle adversity and how they respond when the bullets start flying and things aren’t going their way,” he said. “We also need to see if our leadership brings us together in those moments or if it tears us apart.”

The philosophy that has led Rock Creek to back-to-back winning seasons and two deep playoff runs will also remain unchanged, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and steady improvement instead of flashy goals on a whiteboard.

“We truthfully just want to get better every single day,” Sieben said. “We try not to limit our guys by placing set expectations on them, we’re going to take things week by week, try to go 1-0 every time we take the field, and look to play our best football at the end of the year.”

The Mustangs open their 2023 season at home against Southeast of Saline, another program looking to reload after losing a big senior class, at 7:00 on Friday, September 1.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostFollowing the best year yet of the Shane Sieben era (9-2 with a trip to the 3A state quarterfinals), the Rock Creek football team will look to reload and run it back for what should be another exciting campaign.While many in the community and around the state have their concerns about the group of stars the Mustangs graduated in 2022, this program is still brimming with talent and should be in reloading mode as opposed to rebuilding mode.“Yes, we lost some crucial pieces but we return a lot of pieces compared to what we brought back two years ago,” Sieben said. “Our juniors have really stepped up and become vocal. They’ve taken on that leadership role and they’ve grown tremendously as they’ve been given new opportunities.”One of the most notable holes the Mustangs will have to fill comes at quarterback in the size and shape of Dalton Whitworth, who led the whole state of Kansas with 3,233 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022.Whitworth’s replacement is no slouch, however, as Rock Creek turns over the keys of the offense to junior Mack Lee, who led the Mustang JV to an undefeated season last year.Lee will be joined in the backfield by senior tailback Trevor Christensen and will have several veteran targets to throw to as Rock Creek returns the trio of Daegen Vinduska, Brandon Krainbill, and Dawson Rankin.The trenches will also be anchored by a pair of veteran returners, as all-league tackle Mason Faith and all-league center Malachi Bell both reprise their roles.On defense, Vinduska headlines another veteran-heavy group of returners, as the Mustang DB terrorized opposing quarterbacks in 2022, racking up six picks from his spot at free safety.The D-Line will also be in good hands led by Kade Wellfringer and 2-way sensation Mason Faith, while Payton McCarn, the team’s leading tackler from 2022, returns to anchor the linebacker core alongside Trevor Christensen.While all of this looks great on paper, the Mustangs are eager to see their squad under the Friday night lights and will be tested right away as they host Southeast of Saline to open their season.“Everybody looks great in the offseason when you’re running against your scout team and things are going well but we want to see how these kids handle adversity and how they respond when the bullets start flying and things aren’t going their way,” he said. “We also need to see if our leadership brings us together in those moments or if it tears us apart.”The philosophy that has led Rock Creek to back-to-back winning seasons and two deep playoff runs will also remain unchanged, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and steady improvement instead of flashy goals on a whiteboard.“We truthfully just want to get better every single day,” Sieben said. “We try not to limit our guys by placing set expectations on them, we’re going to take things week by week, try to go 1-0 every time we take the field, and look to play our best football at the end of the year.”The Mustangs open their 2023 season at home against Southeast of Saline, another program looking to reload after losing a big senior class, at 7:00 on Friday, September 1.

Rock Creek Reloading, not Rebuilding Ahead of 2023 Campaign

K-State opens their 2023 football season

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Deshaun Watson led Cleveland on back-to-back touchdown drives, capping one with a toss to tight end David Njoku, before the Kansas City Chiefs' backups overcame two pick-6s from their quarterbacks and rallied for a 33-32 victory over the Browns on Saturday in the exhibition finale for both teams.

Browns kicker Cade York, whose job could be on the line after a tough preseason, gave them the lead with a 40-yard field goal with 4:23 to go. But the Chiefs quickly drove the other way, and Harrison Butker hit from 44 yards to regain the lead.

York had another chance with less than a minute left, but his 43-yard attempt was partially blocked and never had a chance.

Watson played sparingly in the Browns' first three preseason games, so coach Kevin Stefanski gave him the entire first quarter against Kansas City (2-1). There were plenty of miscues, including a pair of fumbled handoffs, but the $230 million quarterback also provided some highlights once he settled into the game.

Watson, who was disappointing in six starts after serving an 11-game suspension last season, was 5 of 10 for 92 yards on Saturday. But after his first two drives ended with a lost fumble and a three-and-out, the next two made the end zone, including an eight-play, 80-yard drive that Watson highlighted with a 53-yard toss to Amari Cooper on a broken play.

Juan Thornhill picked off Chiefs backup Shane Buechele and returned it 34 yards for a score against his former team, then Caleb Biggers added a 27-yard interception return off Blaine Gabbert as Cleveland (1-2-1) built a 29-16 lead by halftime.

Both teams rested many of their stars — Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce did not play for Kansas City, and Myles Garrett sat out for Cleveland — leaving a collection of backups to decide the outcome.

Despite the precautions, the game proved costly for Cleveland on the injury front.

Jakeem Grant Sr., who had returned after tearing his Achilles tendon last summer, was carted off with a knee injury on the opening kickoff. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott hurt his hip, linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk his knee and fellow linebacker Tony Fields II was evaluated for a concussion but cleared to return to the game.

Buechele, who has been in a tight competition with Gabbert for the Chiefs' backup QB job, was just 8 of 17 for 89 yards with two picks and a touchdown.

Gabbert fared marginally better, going 10 of 18 for 169 yards with two TD passes and an interception.

Justyn Ross and Ihmir Smith-Marsette had touchdown catches for Kansas City. La'Mical Perine was another other bright spot, potentially locking up a backup job by running for 32 yards while catching three passes for 44 yards and a score.

Browns: Garrett did not suit up for any of the Browns' preseason games. RB Nick Chubb, who had a career-best 1,525 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns last season, and All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio also sat our Saturday.

Chiefs: Mahomes was 12 of 17 for 120 yards with a TD pass during his preseason work. Other starters joining the league MVP and Kelce on the sideline included linebacker Nick Bolton, who had 180 tackles in a breakout season a year ago.

Browns: RT Jack Conklin (concussion) did not play despite returning to practice this week. RB Jerome Ford (hamstring), SS Grant Delpit (arm) and WRs Marquise Goodwin (illness) and Anthony Schwartz (hamstring) also did not play.

Chiefs: LB Leo Chenal left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, and WR Kadarius Toney (knee) and CB L'Jarius Sneed (knee) did not play. RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) made his preseason debut, running once for no gain.

Browns: Open the season against AFC North rival Cincinnati on Sept. 10.

Chiefs: Play the Lions on Sept. 7 in the NFL's regular-season opener.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686767718163.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Deshaun Watson led Cleveland on back-to-back touchdown drives, capping one with a toss to tight end David Njoku, before the Kansas City Chiefs' backups overcame two pick-6s from their quarterbacks and rallied for a 33-32 victory over the Browns on Saturday in the exhibition finale for both teams.Browns kicker Cade York, whose job could be on the line after a tough preseason, gave them the lead with a 40-yard field goal with 4:23 to go. But the Chiefs quickly drove the other way, and Harrison Butker hit from 44 yards to regain the lead.York had another chance with less than a minute left, but his 43-yard attempt was partially blocked and never had a chance.Watson played sparingly in the Browns' first three preseason games, so coach Kevin Stefanski gave him the entire first quarter against Kansas City (2-1). There were plenty of miscues, including a pair of fumbled handoffs, but the $230 million quarterback also provided some highlights once he settled into the game.Watson, who was disappointing in six starts after serving an 11-game suspension last season, was 5 of 10 for 92 yards on Saturday. But after his first two drives ended with a lost fumble and a three-and-out, the next two made the end zone, including an eight-play, 80-yard drive that Watson highlighted with a 53-yard toss to Amari Cooper on a broken play.Juan Thornhill picked off Chiefs backup Shane Buechele and returned it 34 yards for a score against his former team, then Caleb Biggers added a 27-yard interception return off Blaine Gabbert as Cleveland (1-2-1) built a 29-16 lead by halftime.Both teams rested many of their stars — Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce did not play for Kansas City, and Myles Garrett sat out for Cleveland — leaving a collection of backups to decide the outcome.Despite the precautions, the game proved costly for Cleveland on the injury front.Jakeem Grant Sr., who had returned after tearing his Achilles tendon last summer, was carted off with a knee injury on the opening kickoff. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott hurt his hip, linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk his knee and fellow linebacker Tony Fields II was evaluated for a concussion but cleared to return to the game.Buechele, who has been in a tight competition with Gabbert for the Chiefs' backup QB job, was just 8 of 17 for 89 yards with two picks and a touchdown.Gabbert fared marginally better, going 10 of 18 for 169 yards with two TD passes and an interception.Justyn Ross and Ihmir Smith-Marsette had touchdown catches for Kansas City. La'Mical Perine was another other bright spot, potentially locking up a backup job by running for 32 yards while catching three passes for 44 yards and a score.SITTING STARSBrowns: Garrett did not suit up for any of the Browns' preseason games. RB Nick Chubb, who had a career-best 1,525 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns last season, and All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio also sat our Saturday.Chiefs: Mahomes was 12 of 17 for 120 yards with a TD pass during his preseason work. Other starters joining the league MVP and Kelce on the sideline included linebacker Nick Bolton, who had 180 tackles in a breakout season a year ago.INJURIESBrowns: RT Jack Conklin (concussion) did not play despite returning to practice this week. RB Jerome Ford (hamstring), SS Grant Delpit (arm) and WRs Marquise Goodwin (illness) and Anthony Schwartz (hamstring) also did not play.Chiefs: LB Leo Chenal left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, and WR Kadarius Toney (knee) and CB L'Jarius Sneed (knee) did not play. RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) made his preseason debut, running once for no gain.UP NEXTBrowns: Open the season against AFC North rival Cincinnati on Sept. 10.Chiefs: Play the Lions on Sept. 7 in the NFL's regular-season opener.

🏈 Chiefs rally late to beat Browns in final preseason game

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals unveiled plans for two dramatically different locations for a replacement to the aging Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, calling them on equal footing even as the team-issued date for a decision looms next month.

The first location, called the East Village, would consist of a ballpark anchoring a 27-acre development just blocks away from the thriving Power &amp; Light District, where T-Mobile Center already exists. The second location is a 90-acre tract across the Missouri River in Clay County, where the Royals would have more ability to develop commercial and residential properties.

Both plans were produced by Populous, the Kansas City-based sports architecture giant, which has been responsible for renovation or construction of more than 20 stadiums currently in use across Major League Baseball.

“We knew we were engaged in a generational decision. The K has been the home to the Royals for 50-plus years — been a great home — but it's time for a new one,” said Brooks Sherman, the Royals' president of business operations. “It's actually incredible that we have these two locations to even consider as a future home and sustain ourselves as a Major League city.”

The Royals announced plans to leave Kauffman Stadium about two years ago. But progress has been slow in deciding on a path forward, given the myriad factors involved in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-stadium-kansas-missouri-ddd25487770de16bcb48595a0eea550d">the proposed $2 billion-plus ballpark and entertainment district</a>.

The Royals have long shared with the Kansas City Chiefs sales tax revenue from Jackson County for the upkeep of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums, both of which reside in the Truman Sports Complex. But while the Royals intend to build elsewhere, the preference of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is to remain at Arrowhead Stadium and renovate the existing NFL venue.

Further complicating matters is the fact that the Royals and Chiefs are both tied to a lease with Jackson County that does not expire until 2031. If the Royals decide on the downtown location, they would remain in Jackson County and the teams could seek to extend the lease; if they move to Clay County, some tricky politicking and negotiation would be necessary.

Regardless of the site, Sherman reiterated that the Royals are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-owner-mlb-stadium-acea912fb6286f7ae928c9eab40d82fe">prepared to spend about $1 billion in private funds on the project</a>, and they intend to move into their new stadium for opening day of the 2028 season.

“That's part of the equation is to ensure we're negotiating properly and having the proper back and forth with each set of governing bodies — the elected leaders — and we're doing that with both Clay County and Jackson County,” Sherman said.

The downtown site, which has long been viewed as the frontrunner, would lean into commercial and business possibilities to help drive the revenue that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-mlb-baseball-stadium-7047da4fe44b5425b61c74c0a7bec8e4">MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said is necessary</a>&nbsp;for a small-market club to compete.

The proposed stadium, which Populous founder Earl Santee warned is not a final design, features swooping roof lines that are reminiscent of Kauffman Stadium. There is a homage to the fountains for which the existing park is known in right-center field and what Santee called “one of the most intimate seating bowls in all of baseball.”

Yet the stadium comes with drawbacks. Ingress and egress is already a challenge in the downtown corridor, and parking could be difficult, particularly for day games when existing parking is already taken up by those working in the area.

The location in North Kansas City would continue the revitalization of what was once a rundown industrial neighborhood.

The ballpark is meant to feel more “gritty,” Santee said, to better fit within the existing area. But a large number of buildings would be razed to make room for hotels and conference centers, residential buildings and parking pavilions, and a large park and lake that could serve as a year-round gathering space. There is even a proposed 4,000-seat performance venue.

Imran Aukhil with the economic advisory firm HR&amp;A said both projects would have about a $320 million impact on the region, not including the construction itself, which would spur at least 20,000 jobs and $2.8 billion in total economic output.

As the late-September date for a decision nears, the Royals are continuing to negotiate with political and business leaders involved with both proposed locations. They also are soliciting feedback from fans, many of whom have been lukewarm about the prospect of building a new ballpark for a team that is once again on pace to lose more than 100 games.

“We've got work to do on a number of fronts," Sherman said, “to get to our decision on this.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692787120337.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals unveiled plans for two dramatically different locations for a replacement to the aging Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, calling them on equal footing even as the team-issued date for a decision looms next month.The first location, called the East Village, would consist of a ballpark anchoring a 27-acre development just blocks away from the thriving Power &amp; Light District, where T-Mobile Center already exists. The second location is a 90-acre tract across the Missouri River in Clay County, where the Royals would have more ability to develop commercial and residential properties.Both plans were produced by Populous, the Kansas City-based sports architecture giant, which has been responsible for renovation or construction of more than 20 stadiums currently in use across Major League Baseball.“We knew we were engaged in a generational decision. The K has been the home to the Royals for 50-plus years — been a great home — but it's time for a new one,” said Brooks Sherman, the Royals' president of business operations. “It's actually incredible that we have these two locations to even consider as a future home and sustain ourselves as a Major League city.”The Royals announced plans to leave Kauffman Stadium about two years ago. But progress has been slow in deciding on a path forward, given the myriad factors involved in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-stadium-kansas-missouri-ddd25487770de16bcb48595a0eea550d">the proposed $2 billion-plus ballpark and entertainment district</a>.The Royals have long shared with the Kansas City Chiefs sales tax revenue from Jackson County for the upkeep of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums, both of which reside in the Truman Sports Complex. But while the Royals intend to build elsewhere, the preference of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is to remain at Arrowhead Stadium and renovate the existing NFL venue.Further complicating matters is the fact that the Royals and Chiefs are both tied to a lease with Jackson County that does not expire until 2031. If the Royals decide on the downtown location, they would remain in Jackson County and the teams could seek to extend the lease; if they move to Clay County, some tricky politicking and negotiation would be necessary.Regardless of the site, Sherman reiterated that the Royals are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-owner-mlb-stadium-acea912fb6286f7ae928c9eab40d82fe">prepared to spend about $1 billion in private funds on the project</a>, and they intend to move into their new stadium for opening day of the 2028 season.“That's part of the equation is to ensure we're negotiating properly and having the proper back and forth with each set of governing bodies — the elected leaders — and we're doing that with both Clay County and Jackson County,” Sherman said.The downtown site, which has long been viewed as the frontrunner, would lean into commercial and business possibilities to help drive the revenue that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-mlb-baseball-stadium-7047da4fe44b5425b61c74c0a7bec8e4">MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said is necessary</a>&nbsp;for a small-market club to compete.The proposed stadium, which Populous founder Earl Santee warned is not a final design, features swooping roof lines that are reminiscent of Kauffman Stadium. There is a homage to the fountains for which the existing park is known in right-center field and what Santee called “one of the most intimate seating bowls in all of baseball.”Yet the stadium comes with drawbacks. Ingress and egress is already a challenge in the downtown corridor, and parking could be difficult, particularly for day games when existing parking is already taken up by those working in the area.The location in North Kansas City would continue the revitalization of what was once a rundown industrial neighborhood.The ballpark is meant to feel more “gritty,” Santee said, to better fit within the existing area. But a large number of buildings would be razed to make room for hotels and conference centers, residential buildings and parking pavilions, and a large park and lake that could serve as a year-round gathering space. There is even a proposed 4,000-seat performance venue.Imran Aukhil with the economic advisory firm HR&amp;A said both projects would have about a $320 million impact on the region, not including the construction itself, which would spur at least 20,000 jobs and $2.8 billion in total economic output.As the late-September date for a decision nears, the Royals are continuing to negotiate with political and business leaders involved with both proposed locations. They also are soliciting feedback from fans, many of whom have been lukewarm about the prospect of building a new ballpark for a team that is once again on pace to lose more than 100 games.“We've got work to do on a number of fronts," Sherman said, “to get to our decision on this.”

⚾ Royals unveil proposed ballpark and entertainment district plans for 2 locations

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Available tickets for Kansas State football games are declining as the season approaches, as K-State Athletics officials announced Monday that three games are down to standing-room only tickets.

SRO tickets are now being sold for next Saturday’s season opener against SEMO and the September 9 contest against Troy for $47 apiece, while SRO tickets for the October 21 contest against TCU are $67.

Additionally, there are less than 200 seats remaining for the Big 12 opener on September 23 against new conference foe UCF. There are fewer than 1,500 seats remaining for the Houston and Baylor games, and fewer than 2,000 seats remaining for the Senior Day game against Iowa State.

Coming off a 2022 Big 12 Championship, K-State football tickets are in high demand as public season ticket sales are up nearly 3,600 and are at their highest total in more than five years. Also, student passes are up by 740 tickets with less than 200 football-only passes remaining. Students are reminded that passes do not guarantee entry and are encouraged to arrive early for games.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 16 in the AP Preseason Top 25, take on SEMO in a 6 p.m., contest next Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. SRO tickets to the opener – in addition to SRO tickets for Troy and TCU, and remaining seats to the other four home games – can be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Available tickets for Kansas State football games are declining as the season approaches, as K-State Athletics officials announced Monday that three games are down to standing-room only tickets.SRO tickets are now being sold for next Saturday’s season opener against SEMO and the September 9 contest against Troy for $47 apiece, while SRO tickets for the October 21 contest against TCU are $67.Additionally, there are less than 200 seats remaining for the Big 12 opener on September 23 against new conference foe UCF. There are fewer than 1,500 seats remaining for the Houston and Baylor games, and fewer than 2,000 seats remaining for the Senior Day game against Iowa State.Coming off a 2022 Big 12 Championship, K-State football tickets are in high demand as public season ticket sales are up nearly 3,600 and are at their highest total in more than five years. Also, student passes are up by 740 tickets with less than 200 football-only passes remaining. Students are reminded that passes do not guarantee entry and are encouraged to arrive early for games.The Wildcats, ranked No. 16 in the AP Preseason Top 25, take on SEMO in a 6 p.m., contest next Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. SRO tickets to the opener – in addition to SRO tickets for Troy and TCU, and remaining seats to the other four home games – can be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

K-State Football Tickets Selling Fast; Three Games Down to Standing-Room Only

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know as well as any team in the NFL the importance of backup quarterbacks, and that makes the fact that coach Andy Reid called the competition for the spot too close to call after Monday's practice noteworthy.

The Chiefs signed veteran Blaine Gabbert to fill the role of Chad Henne, who retired last season after five years as the primary backup to Patrick Mahomes.

But Gabbert has been pushed throughout camp by Shane Buechele, a former undrafted free agent and practice squad staple, and the duo continues to go back and forth heading into the Chiefs' preseason finale.

Buechele got most of the work with the No. 2 offense on Monday. Gabbert has worked in that role as well.

“Those two are real close. Real close,” Reid said. “We'll just let it play out here. See how it goes. But that's good competition.”

The Chiefs have other spots still to be decided heading into Saturday's game against the Browns, including the last couple of wide receiver jobs and spots along the defensive line.

But those aren't nearly as important as the quarterback, where the backup can go from holding a clipboard to having an entire season resting in his hands in an instant.

That was the case twice for Henne during his time in Kansas City.

The first time against the Browns during the divisional round of the 2020 playoffs, when Mahomes was knocked from the game with a concussion early in the second half. Henne led the Chiefs the rest of the way, completing an audacious fourth-and-1 throw to Tyreek Hill near midfield in the final minutes to put away a 22-17 victory.

The Chiefs beat the Bills for the AFC title before losing to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.

The second time came last season, when Mahomes sprained his ankle late in the first half against Jacksonville. The Chiefs led 10-7 when Henne trotted onto the field, with Kansas City backed up to its 2-yard line, and led the Chiefs 98 yards with a short touchdown throw to Travis Kelce finishing off another superb emergency appearance.

Mahomes finished out the 27-20 victory, then led Kansas City past the Bengals in the AFC title game before beating the Eagles in the Super Bowl — when Henne was still at the ready as Mahomes played through his injury.

So yes, the backup quarterback job certainly matters in Kansas City.

“That's what makes a great team," Buechele said, "is when guys are competing for a spot.”

Not just any competition, though. Quality competition.

Gabbert has the benefit of experience, entering the league as a first-round pick in 2011 and playing for five different teams over the past 11 seasons. He's appeared in 67 games, making 48 starts, and thrown for more than 9,300 yards. And all of that is a big reason why the Chiefs signed him to a $1,317,500 contract for this season.

“We were watching film," the 33-year-old Gabbert said, recalling a moment from a meeting earlier in camp, “and there’s a play we put in at the end of the game and it was from 2011 in Jacksonville, and they were like, ‘That was you at quarterback? We couldn’t even see you the film was so grainy.’ So that really made me feel old.”

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Buechele has never thrown a regular-season NFL pass. But he does have the benefit of experience in what can be a complicated system, spending the past two seasons on the Kansas City practice squad.

“This is the first time that I’ve ever been in the same offense for three years in a row,” Buechele said. “I feel confident in my ability and my preparation and knowing this offense in and out. Obviously we can keep getting smarter, but just the confidence I have and the preparation in knowing this offense has really helped me be successful on the field.”

It just might earn him the Chiefs' backup job, too.

NOTES: RB Isiah Pacheco was out of the yellow no-contact jersey for the first time in camp on Monday. Reid said it's possible he could play against the Browns. ... The Chiefs moved practice indoors and earlier than scheduled because of temperatures that hit triple digits in Kansas City. The heat index was 110 when the late-morning workout finished. ... DE Matt Dickerson missed practice with turf toe. OL Nick Allegretti (shoulder), CB Nic Jones (hand), WR Nikko Remigio (shoulder), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (knee) and DT Turk Wharton (knee) also missed the workout. ... DT Chris Jones continued his holdout. He skipped the entire camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, and now the first workout at the team's practice facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690884338994.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass during NFL football training camp Friday, July 28, 2023, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass during NFL football training camp Friday, July 28, 2023, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know as well as any team in the NFL the importance of backup quarterbacks, and that makes the fact that coach Andy Reid called the competition for the spot too close to call after Monday's practice noteworthy.The Chiefs signed veteran Blaine Gabbert to fill the role of Chad Henne, who retired last season after five years as the primary backup to Patrick Mahomes.But Gabbert has been pushed throughout camp by Shane Buechele, a former undrafted free agent and practice squad staple, and the duo continues to go back and forth heading into the Chiefs' preseason finale.Buechele got most of the work with the No. 2 offense on Monday. Gabbert has worked in that role as well.“Those two are real close. Real close,” Reid said. “We'll just let it play out here. See how it goes. But that's good competition.”The Chiefs have other spots still to be decided heading into Saturday's game against the Browns, including the last couple of wide receiver jobs and spots along the defensive line.But those aren't nearly as important as the quarterback, where the backup can go from holding a clipboard to having an entire season resting in his hands in an instant.That was the case twice for Henne during his time in Kansas City.The first time against the Browns during the divisional round of the 2020 playoffs, when Mahomes was knocked from the game with a concussion early in the second half. Henne led the Chiefs the rest of the way, completing an audacious fourth-and-1 throw to Tyreek Hill near midfield in the final minutes to put away a 22-17 victory.The Chiefs beat the Bills for the AFC title before losing to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.The second time came last season, when Mahomes sprained his ankle late in the first half against Jacksonville. The Chiefs led 10-7 when Henne trotted onto the field, with Kansas City backed up to its 2-yard line, and led the Chiefs 98 yards with a short touchdown throw to Travis Kelce finishing off another superb emergency appearance.Mahomes finished out the 27-20 victory, then led Kansas City past the Bengals in the AFC title game before beating the Eagles in the Super Bowl — when Henne was still at the ready as Mahomes played through his injury.So yes, the backup quarterback job certainly matters in Kansas City.“That's what makes a great team," Buechele said, "is when guys are competing for a spot.”Not just any competition, though. Quality competition.Gabbert has the benefit of experience, entering the league as a first-round pick in 2011 and playing for five different teams over the past 11 seasons. He's appeared in 67 games, making 48 starts, and thrown for more than 9,300 yards. And all of that is a big reason why the Chiefs signed him to a $1,317,500 contract for this season.“We were watching film," the 33-year-old Gabbert said, recalling a moment from a meeting earlier in camp, “and there’s a play we put in at the end of the game and it was from 2011 in Jacksonville, and they were like, ‘That was you at quarterback? We couldn’t even see you the film was so grainy.’ So that really made me feel old.”Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Buechele has never thrown a regular-season NFL pass. But he does have the benefit of experience in what can be a complicated system, spending the past two seasons on the Kansas City practice squad.“This is the first time that I’ve ever been in the same offense for three years in a row,” Buechele said. “I feel confident in my ability and my preparation and knowing this offense in and out. Obviously we can keep getting smarter, but just the confidence I have and the preparation in knowing this offense has really helped me be successful on the field.”It just might earn him the Chiefs' backup job, too.NOTES: RB Isiah Pacheco was out of the yellow no-contact jersey for the first time in camp on Monday. Reid said it's possible he could play against the Browns. ... The Chiefs moved practice indoors and earlier than scheduled because of temperatures that hit triple digits in Kansas City. The heat index was 110 when the late-morning workout finished. ... DE Matt Dickerson missed practice with turf toe. OL Nick Allegretti (shoulder), CB Nic Jones (hand), WR Nikko Remigio (shoulder), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (knee) and DT Turk Wharton (knee) also missed the workout. ... DT Chris Jones continued his holdout. He skipped the entire camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, and now the first workout at the team's practice facility.

Backup job to Mahomes remains tight as preseason finale nears

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City's first-team offense didn't play well during its first few series Saturday night, dropping a few passes, committing a few penalties and coming up well short of the end zone.

An expected light preseason night for the starters was suddenly becoming a little longer. Before the third drive, MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a message for his teammates.

“If we don't want to keep playing, we'd better score," Mahomes said.

The Chiefs responded with a 10-play, 92-yard drive&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1693060892248932792?s=20">that ended in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Justin Watson</a>&nbsp;and Kansas City was on its way to a 38-10 victorty over the Arizona Cardinals.

It was the first extended preseason action for Mahomes, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, playing the entire first quarter. The defending Super Bowl champs never trailed and outgained the Cardinals 504 yards to 286.

Kansas City rookie receiver Rashee Rice — a second-round pick out of SMU — caught eight passes for 96 yards.

“You can see the talent,” Mahomes said. “He makes a lot of tough catches. He had a drop early and then responded well. I think that's just the jitters of being in your first few NFL games. I've got a lot of trust in him that he'll make those catches in tough spaces.”

Kansas City (1-1) is expected to be among the NFL's best teams again this year, while Arizona (1-1) is a popular pick to be among the worst. Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is likely out for the first several weeks of the season while he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last year.

Veteran Colt McCoy is the expected starter until Murray returns. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 25 yards. Rookie Clayton Tune — a fifth-round pick out of Houston — completed 12 of 24 passes for 133 yards. He also ran for 35 yards.

The Chiefs built a 17-0 lead by late in the second quarter following Harrison Butker's 28-yard field goal. The Cardinals cut it to 17-7 just before halftime on Keaontay Ingram's 5-yard touchdown.

Arizona's Matt Prater made a 54-yard field goal with 9:33 left in the third to make it 17-10, but Kansas City would finish the game with 21 straight points.

Kansas City's backup quarterbacks both had strong performances. Shane Buechele was 10 of 10 for 105 yards, while also running for a 15-yard touchdown. Blaine Gabbert was 7 of 8 for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was a good effort, all the way around,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Defensively, I thought we started fast, which is what we needed to do. Offensively, we had a few hiccups early. We've got to take care of business with that. But all in all, the groups came out and played good, respectable football.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692505726045.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws as he is pushed out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws as he is pushed out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports WriterGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City's first-team offense didn't play well during its first few series Saturday night, dropping a few passes, committing a few penalties and coming up well short of the end zone.An expected light preseason night for the starters was suddenly becoming a little longer. Before the third drive, MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a message for his teammates.“If we don't want to keep playing, we'd better score," Mahomes said.The Chiefs responded with a 10-play, 92-yard drive&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1693060892248932792?s=20">that ended in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Justin Watson</a>&nbsp;and Kansas City was on its way to a 38-10 victorty over the Arizona Cardinals.It was the first extended preseason action for Mahomes, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, playing the entire first quarter. The defending Super Bowl champs never trailed and outgained the Cardinals 504 yards to 286.Kansas City rookie receiver Rashee Rice — a second-round pick out of SMU — caught eight passes for 96 yards.“You can see the talent,” Mahomes said. “He makes a lot of tough catches. He had a drop early and then responded well. I think that's just the jitters of being in your first few NFL games. I've got a lot of trust in him that he'll make those catches in tough spaces.”Kansas City (1-1) is expected to be among the NFL's best teams again this year, while Arizona (1-1) is a popular pick to be among the worst. Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is likely out for the first several weeks of the season while he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last year.Veteran Colt McCoy is the expected starter until Murray returns. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 25 yards. Rookie Clayton Tune — a fifth-round pick out of Houston — completed 12 of 24 passes for 133 yards. He also ran for 35 yards.The Chiefs built a 17-0 lead by late in the second quarter following Harrison Butker's 28-yard field goal. The Cardinals cut it to 17-7 just before halftime on Keaontay Ingram's 5-yard touchdown.Arizona's Matt Prater made a 54-yard field goal with 9:33 left in the third to make it 17-10, but Kansas City would finish the game with 21 straight points.Kansas City's backup quarterbacks both had strong performances. Shane Buechele was 10 of 10 for 105 yards, while also running for a 15-yard touchdown. Blaine Gabbert was 7 of 8 for 120 yards and two touchdowns.“It was a good effort, all the way around,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Defensively, I thought we started fast, which is what we needed to do. Offensively, we had a few hiccups early. We've got to take care of business with that. But all in all, the groups came out and played good, respectable football.”The Chiefs' four quarterbacks — Mahomes, Buechele, Gabbert and fourth-stringer Chris Oladokun — combined to complete 31 of 38 passes for 393 yards and three touchdowns.“All three phases, we've got to get cleaned up or that is what going to happen against a good football team,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “You’re going to get beat pretty good. It will be very black and white to our guys what we need to improve in a hurry.”STRUGGLING SIMMONSArizona's Isaiah Simmons has made the move to safety from linebacker as the Cardinals try to unlock the potential of the former No. 8 overall pick of the 2020 draft.The first preseason game went OK. The second one was a little rougher.Simmons appeared to get beat on multiple plays in the first half as the Chiefs built their 17-0 lead. He finished with two tackles. Gannon said the entire defense gave up too many explosive plays.“I obviously need to play better,” Simmons said. “I feel that each and every game. Explosives definitely are something we need to tone down.”HOME AWAY FROM HOMEIt was the third time in less than a year that the Chiefs have played at State Farm Stadium.Kansas City beat Arizona 44-21 in last year's season opener before returning before returning to the desert for their Super Bowl win over the Eagles in February. Six months later, they were back in Glendale for the preseason game.Kansas City won all three games.UP NEXTChiefs: Host the Cleveland Browns in their final preseason game next Saturday.Cardinals: Travel to face the Minnesota Vikings in their final preseason game next Saturday.