Greeley County 46, Western Plains-Healy 0

Silver Lake 54, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 14

PREP FOOTBALL=Abilene 35, Augusta 14Andale 32, Cheney 0Andover Central 38, Andover 14Atchison County 18, Jackson Heights 6Axtell 62, Frankfort 14BV Randolph 56, Doniphan West 8BV Southwest 48, KC Wyandotte 0Basehor-Linwood 47, Topeka Seaman 32Beloit 42, Concordia 0Bishop Miege 48, BV West 13Bucklin 54, Central Plains 22Buhler 21, Rose Hill 3Burlington 34, Osawatomie 14Centralia 26, Riverside 20Chanute 40, Coffeyville 26Chase County 54, Cair Paravel 8Cheylin 60, Triplains-Brewster 0Cimarron 51, Southwestern Hts. 22Clifton-Clyde 46, Rock Hills 0Colby 22, Lakin 20Columbus 33, Baxter Springs 26Conway Springs 35, Inman 14Crest 64, Marais des Cygnes Valley 0Cunningham 72, Burrton 0Derby 55, Maize South 7Dighton 46, Satanta 0Ellis 16, Republic County 0Ellsworth 37, Halstead 19Eudora 45, Tonganoxie 7Flinthills 58, Yates Center 8Frontenac 27, Parsons 21Galena 38, St. Mary's Academy 0Garden Plain 49, Douglass 10Gardner-Edgerton 41, Olathe East 14Girard 47, Anderson County 7Goddard-Eisenhower 42, Salina South 7Great Bend 27, Ulysses 22Greeley County 46, Western Plains-Healy 0Hanover 62, Linn 12Hays 56, Liberal 12Hesston 43, Chapman 22Highland Park 63, KC Northeast, Mo. 0Hill City 1, Stockton 0Hoisington 52, Larned 6Holcomb 24, Hugoton 17Holton 37, Topeka Hayden 13Hoxie 47, Quinter 22Humboldt 46, Cherryvale 0Hutchinson Trinity 21, Sterling 0Junction City 54, Topeka 12KC Bishop Ward 26, Baldwin 6KC Piper 34, Leavenworth 0Kingman 42, Haven 0Kinsley 50, St. John 0Labette County 30, Independence 23Lakeside 70, Wakefield 40Lawrence Free State 28, Lawrence 26Lincoln 40, Bennington 20Little River 54, Pretty Prairie 0Louisburg 44, Ottawa 0Macksville 50, Pratt Skyline 0Maize 41, Hutchinson 13Manhattan 65, Lansing 0Marion 70, Bluestem 6Marysville 43, Hiawatha 13McPherson 46, Mulvane 21Meade 64, Spearville 14Minneola 44, Hodgeman County 30Moundridge 48, Goessel 40, 2OTNemaha Central 34, Riley County 12Ness City 62, Kiowa County 14Newton 42, Wichita Campus 6Northeast-Arma 30, Northern Heights 28Norton 20, Hays-TMP-Marian 14Oakley 1, Syracuse 0Olathe North 20, Mill Valley 16Olathe South 56, SM South 7Olpe 49, Jayhawk Linn 0Osage City 42, West Franklin 0Oxford 66, Udall 20Pittsburg Colgan 55, Erie 0Plainville 60, Stanton County 18Pleasanton 12, Central Heights 0Prairie View 32, Iola 13Pratt 55, Nickerson 14Rawlins County 66, Oberlin-Decatur 6Riverton 36, Neodesha 16Rock Creek 42, Clay Center 21Rossville 56, Pleasant Ridge 0Russell 7, Phillipsburg 0SM Northwest 38, SM East 28Salina Central 47, Goddard 42Scott City 57, Goodland 14Sedan 56, Cedar Vale/Dexter Co-op 0Sedgwick 49, Belle Plaine 14Silver Lake 54, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 14Smith Center 35, Salina Sacred Heart 7Smithville, Mo. 35, Pittsburg 7Smoky Valley 50, Hillsboro 6South Central 68, Wheatland-Grinnell 20Southeast Saline 94, Lyons 0St. James Academy 31, Kapaun Mount Carmel 29St. Paul 56, Hartford 48St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Blue Valley 14Stafford 68, South Barber 54Tescott 40, Natoma 6Thunder Ridge 50, St. Francis 0Troy 42, Onaga 13Valley Center 31, Arkansas City 21Victoria 44, Sylvan-Lucas 14Wabaunsee 56, Valley Heights 8Wamego 48, Clearwater 0Washburn Rural 49, Emporia 14Waverly 38, Peabody-Burns 34Wellington 45, Circle 35Wellsville 48, Santa Fe Trail 8West Elk 58, Oswego 8Wetmore 79, Centre 29Wichita County 60, Sublette 0Wichita East 58, Wichita North 0Wichita South 30, Wichita Southeast 29Winfield 34, El Dorado 12

Friday night football results

Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame reliever and the 1979 Cy Young winner, has died. He was 69.

Sutter
 was recently diagnosed with cancer and died Thursday night in hospice, 
surrounded by his family, one of Sutter's three sons, Chad, told The 
Associated Press. The Baseball Hall of Fame said Bruce Sutter died in 
Cartersville, Georgia.

“All our father ever wanted to be 
remembered as was being a great teammate, but he was so much more than 
that,” the Sutter family said in a statement Friday. “He was also a 
great husband to our mother for 50 (years), he was a great father and 
grandfather and he was a great friend. His love and passion for the game
 of baseball can only be surpassed by his love and passion for his 
family.”

Sutter is considered one of the first pitchers to throw a
 split-finger fastball. The right-hander played 12 seasons in the major 
leagues, was a six-time All-Star and ended up with 300 saves over his 
career.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was “deeply saddened" by the news.

“Bruce
 was the first pitcher to reach the Hall of Fame without starting a 
game, and he was one of the key figures who foreshadowed how the use of 
relievers would evolve,” Manfred said in a statement. “Bruce will be 
remembered as one of the best pitchers in the histories of two of our 
most historic franchises.”

Sutter debuted with the Chicago Cubs in
 1976. The reliever won the Cy Young in 1979 in a season where he had 37
 saves, 2.22 ERA and 110 strikeouts.

He joined the St. Louis 
Cardinals and played with them from 1981 to 1984. There, he won a World 
Series in 1982, ending Game 7 against the Brewers with a strikeout.

“Being
 a St Louis Cardinal was an honor he cherished deeply,” the Sutter 
family's statement said. “To the Cardinals, his teammates and most 
importantly to the greatest fans in all of sports, we thank you for all 
of the love and support over the years.”

His last save, No. 300, came with the Atlanta Braves in 1988. Sutter was <a href="https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/sutter-bruce">inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006</a>.

“Bruce
 was a fan-favorite during his years in St. Louis and in the years to 
follow, and he will always be remembered for his 1982 World Series 
clinching save and signature split-fingered pitch," Cardinals owner and 
CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. "He was a true pioneer in the 
game, changing the role of the late inning reliever.”

Sutter was 
born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in January 1953. The Baseball Hall of 
Fame said in a release that he learned the split-finger fastball from a 
Cubs minor-league pitching instructor while recovering from surgery on 
his right elbow.

The Cardinals said Sutter is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter-in-law and six grandkids.

“I
 feel like a brother passed away,” Hall of Famer Jim Kaat said. “I knew 
Bruce deeper than just about any other teammate. We spent a lot of time 
together, and as happens when your careers end, you go your separate 
ways. But we stayed in touch and considered each other great friends."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665770624696.jpeg" alt="St. Louis Cardinals ace reliever Bruce Sutter celebrates after the last out in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series at St. Louis, Oct. 20, 1982. Hall of Fame reliever and 1979 Cy Young winner Bruce Sutter has died. He was 69. Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals announced Sutter’s death on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The Baseball Hall of Fame says Sutter died Thursday in Cartersville, Georgia. (AP Photo/File)" />
 <figcaption>St. Louis Cardinals ace reliever Bruce Sutter celebrates after the last out in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series at St. Louis, Oct. 20, 1982. Hall of Fame reliever and 1979 Cy Young winner Bruce Sutter has died. He was 69. Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals announced Sutter’s death on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The Baseball Hall of Fame says Sutter died Thursday in Cartersville, Georgia. (AP Photo/File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressBruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame reliever and the 1979 Cy Young winner, has died. He was 69.Sutter
 was recently diagnosed with cancer and died Thursday night in hospice, 
surrounded by his family, one of Sutter's three sons, Chad, told The 
Associated Press. The Baseball Hall of Fame said Bruce Sutter died in 
Cartersville, Georgia.“All our father ever wanted to be 
remembered as was being a great teammate, but he was so much more than 
that,” the Sutter family said in a statement Friday. “He was also a 
great husband to our mother for 50 (years), he was a great father and 
grandfather and he was a great friend. His love and passion for the game
 of baseball can only be surpassed by his love and passion for his 
family.”Sutter is considered one of the first pitchers to throw a
 split-finger fastball. The right-hander played 12 seasons in the major 
leagues, was a six-time All-Star and ended up with 300 saves over his 
career.MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was “deeply saddened" by the news.“Bruce
 was the first pitcher to reach the Hall of Fame without starting a 
game, and he was one of the key figures who foreshadowed how the use of 
relievers would evolve,” Manfred said in a statement. “Bruce will be 
remembered as one of the best pitchers in the histories of two of our 
most historic franchises.”Sutter debuted with the Chicago Cubs in
 1976. The reliever won the Cy Young in 1979 in a season where he had 37
 saves, 2.22 ERA and 110 strikeouts.He joined the St. Louis 
Cardinals and played with them from 1981 to 1984. There, he won a World 
Series in 1982, ending Game 7 against the Brewers with a strikeout.“Being
 a St Louis Cardinal was an honor he cherished deeply,” the Sutter 
family's statement said. “To the Cardinals, his teammates and most 
importantly to the greatest fans in all of sports, we thank you for all 
of the love and support over the years.”His last save, No. 300, came with the Atlanta Braves in 1988. Sutter was <a href="https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/sutter-bruce">inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006</a>.“Bruce
 was a fan-favorite during his years in St. Louis and in the years to 
follow, and he will always be remembered for his 1982 World Series 
clinching save and signature split-fingered pitch," Cardinals owner and 
CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. "He was a true pioneer in the 
game, changing the role of the late inning reliever.”Sutter was 
born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in January 1953. The Baseball Hall of 
Fame said in a release that he learned the split-finger fastball from a 
Cubs minor-league pitching instructor while recovering from surgery on 
his right elbow.The Cardinals said Sutter is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter-in-law and six grandkids.“I
 feel like a brother passed away,” Hall of Famer Jim Kaat said. “I knew 
Bruce deeper than just about any other teammate. We spent a lot of time 
together, and as happens when your careers end, you go your separate 
ways. But we stayed in touch and considered each other great friends."

Hall of Famer, Cy Young winner Bruce Sutter dies at 69

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatelax">K-State Men's Lacrosse</a> will host teams from the University of Kansas, Missouri State University and the University of Missouri for their Donnie Tillar Tournament.

The tournament is named to honor former K-State Lacrosse Head Coach, Donnie Tillar.

<a href="https://www.steel-hearts.org/usma-1988/1lt-donnie-preston-tillar-iii">1LT Donaldson "Donnie" Preston Tillar III</a> was the Head Lacrosse Coach at Kansas State University, while stationed at Fort Riley, prior to being deployed during Operation Desert Storm.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalDesertStormWarMemorial/posts/1lt-donnie-tillar-iii-pictured-here-died-on-feb-27-1991-during-operation-desert-/1134338160029542/">Tillar</a> was was killed in action on February 27, 1991, while serving the US Army as a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot.

Following a nearly 2 year shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatemenslax/">K-State Lacrosse</a> team has spent the last 18 months rebuilding the team.

The team had six players remaining when they returned to practices, and they have grown to nearly 30 team members.

The K-State Lacrosse program is a club sport, which means it is affiliated with the University, but receives no direct funding or support from the University.

The student-athletes will spend the day playing in matches and at the end of the tournament the team will be going through the stands cleaning up before they get to call it a night.

The first match in the Donnie Tillar Tournament starts at 10:30 am on Saturday at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/East+Memorial+Stadium/@39.1873462,-96.584923,411m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87bdcd88b2b2b649:0xf1e1bf8c610b6e3e!8m2!3d39.187475!4d-96.5837992">Memorial Field between the intersections of Anderson Avenue with Denison Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.</a>&nbsp;

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatelax">K-State Men's Lacrosse</a> will host teams from the University of Kansas, Missouri State University and the University of Missouri for their Donnie Tillar Tournament.The tournament is named to honor former K-State Lacrosse Head Coach, Donnie Tillar.<a href="https://www.steel-hearts.org/usma-1988/1lt-donnie-preston-tillar-iii">1LT Donaldson "Donnie" Preston Tillar III</a> was the Head Lacrosse Coach at Kansas State University, while stationed at Fort Riley, prior to being deployed during Operation Desert Storm.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalDesertStormWarMemorial/posts/1lt-donnie-tillar-iii-pictured-here-died-on-feb-27-1991-during-operation-desert-/1134338160029542/">Tillar</a> was was killed in action on February 27, 1991, while serving the US Army as a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot.Following a nearly 2 year shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatemenslax/">K-State Lacrosse</a> team has spent the last 18 months rebuilding the team.The team had six players remaining when they returned to practices, and they have grown to nearly 30 team members.The K-State Lacrosse program is a club sport, which means it is affiliated with the University, but receives no direct funding or support from the University.The student-athletes will spend the day playing in matches and at the end of the tournament the team will be going through the stands cleaning up before they get to call it a night.The first match in the Donnie Tillar Tournament starts at 10:30 am on Saturday at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/East+Memorial+Stadium/@39.1873462,-96.584923,411m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87bdcd88b2b2b649:0xf1e1bf8c610b6e3e!8m2!3d39.187475!4d-96.5837992">Memorial Field between the intersections of Anderson Avenue with Denison Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.</a>&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665690324370.jpeg" alt="2022 Donnie Tillar Tourney Schedule" />
 <figcaption>2022 Donnie Tillar Tourney Schedule</figcaption>
 </figure>

K-State Lacrosse to host Donnie Tillar Tournament

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior quarterback&nbsp;Adrian Martinez&nbsp;has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list as a midseason addition, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday. He is the second K-State player up for the award, as running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;was on the initial watch list in July.

Martinez was one of 13 midseason additions to the watch list on Wednesday for the award that is presented to the most outstanding player in college football. His inclusion on the list marks the third-straight season a K-State signal caller has been in the running for the award, as Skylar Thompson was a preseason watch list member each of the previous two seasons.

In six games this season, Martinez has thrown for 900 yards and four touchdowns on 86-of-138 aim with no interceptions, and he has been stellar rushing the football by accounting for nine touchdowns and 546 yards on the ground.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665608884710.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State senior quarterback&nbsp;Adrian Martinez&nbsp;has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list as a midseason addition, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday. He is the second K-State player up for the award, as running back&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;was on the initial watch list in July.Martinez was one of 13 midseason additions to the watch list on Wednesday for the award that is presented to the most outstanding player in college football. His inclusion on the list marks the third-straight season a K-State signal caller has been in the running for the award, as Skylar Thompson was a preseason watch list member each of the previous two seasons.In six games this season, Martinez has thrown for 900 yards and four touchdowns on 86-of-138 aim with no interceptions, and he has been stellar rushing the football by accounting for nine touchdowns and 546 yards on the ground.

K-State’s Martinez Added to Maxwell Award Watch List

K-State’s Klieman Addresses Media During Bye Week

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20865&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-press-conference-october-11-2022/4760" target="_blank">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a> MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;met with members of the media on Tuesday inside the Vanier Family Football Complex during K-State’s lone bye week of the 2022 season. Links to video and audio of Klieman’s press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above, and a transcript of Klieman’s opening statement is below.

“Good afternoon, everyone. Hard fought win on Saturday. Tremendous environment, great atmosphere. Nothing came easy, that's for sure. Talked to the guys about that at length yesterday about the resolve and toughness and grit that we showed for 60 minutes. I think our guys knew going in it was going to be a fist fight and everything was going to be difficult to get. So, pleased with how we handled it.

 The first half, I think we got outplayed and had a 7-6 lead. We weren't stopping them on defense until they got in the red zone. Then we were able to get some good stops, which we talked about. I thought they did some really good things against us defensively. Then at halftime, made some adjustments, but the biggest thing is we needed to get off the field on defense and try to stay on the field on offense. We were able to do that, (but) didn't capitalize with a lot of points. We're able to get the one field goal with Chris (Tennant) and hold those guys a couple times when they got into our territory. 

So, great credit to our players for staying the course for four quarters. We got beat up pretty good from the game. Just an injury report – we had a handful of guys that would probably be questionable if it were a game this Saturday, but nobody that get injured on Saturday would be out significant amount of time. I think the closest guy would be Khalid (Duke). We would vision everybody practicing, probably not this week, but next week for sure. We didn't lose anybody long term.”

Associate Athletics Director for Communications

K-State’s Klieman Addresses Media During Bye Week<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20865&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-press-conference-october-11-2022/4760" target="_blank">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a> MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;met with members of the media on Tuesday inside the Vanier Family Football Complex during K-State’s lone bye week of the 2022 season. Links to video and audio of Klieman’s press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above, and a transcript of Klieman’s opening statement is below.CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACHOpening Statement…“Good afternoon, everyone. Hard fought win on Saturday. Tremendous environment, great atmosphere. Nothing came easy, that's for sure. Talked to the guys about that at length yesterday about the resolve and toughness and grit that we showed for 60 minutes. I think our guys knew going in it was going to be a fist fight and everything was going to be difficult to get. So, pleased with how we handled it. The first half, I think we got outplayed and had a 7-6 lead. We weren't stopping them on defense until they got in the red zone. Then we were able to get some good stops, which we talked about. I thought they did some really good things against us defensively. Then at halftime, made some adjustments, but the biggest thing is we needed to get off the field on defense and try to stay on the field on offense. We were able to do that, (but) didn't capitalize with a lot of points. We're able to get the one field goal with Chris (Tennant) and hold those guys a couple times when they got into our territory. So, great credit to our players for staying the course for four quarters. We got beat up pretty good from the game. Just an injury report – we had a handful of guys that would probably be questionable if it were a game this Saturday, but nobody that get injured on Saturday would be out significant amount of time. I think the closest guy would be Khalid (Duke). We would vision everybody practicing, probably not this week, but next week for sure. We didn't lose anybody long term.”RYAN&nbsp;LACKEYAssociate Athletics Director for Communications

K-State’s Klieman Addresses Media During Bye Week

Congratulations to Ron Heller of Abilene, the Week 5 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!

Ron, who scored 14 of 16 points, wins four passes to Zombie Expedition at Elite Sports.

Although the season has begun, you still have time to win!

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Sign up today</a>&nbsp;to make your picks for a chance to win great weekly prizes, including cash,&nbsp;gift cards, concert tickets, and Chiefs tickets.&nbsp;If you pick well, you'll also be in the running for the local season prize of $1,000 and a national season prize of a trip to Hawaii!

Don't miss out on the state's best pro football pick'em contest!&nbsp;

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Click here to register for Gridiron Glory</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662062091203.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to Ron Heller of Abilene, the Week 5 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!Ron, who scored 14 of 16 points, wins four passes to Zombie Expedition at Elite Sports.Although the season has begun, you still have time to win!<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Sign up today</a>&nbsp;to make your picks for a chance to win great weekly prizes, including cash,&nbsp;gift cards, concert tickets, and Chiefs tickets.&nbsp;If you pick well, you'll also be in the running for the local season prize of $1,000 and a national season prize of a trip to Hawaii!Don't miss out on the state's best pro football pick'em contest!&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Click here to register for Gridiron Glory</a>

Gridiron Glory: Congratulations Ron Heller!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs headed off to the locker room facing a big hole against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, everything from the big plays to the officiating calls going the way of their longtime AFC West rivals.

One call in particular lit a fire under them.

It was a dubious penalty on Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for roughing Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and nobody in the Kansas City locker room could believe it. But rather than stew over it, or lament their 10-point deficit, Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs used it as motivation to storm from behind for the 30-29 victory.

“There was anger just about how we had played up to that point,” said Mahomes, who threw four touchdown passes to tight end Travis Kelce. “We needed everybody to go out there and take the fight to them.”

The Raiders still had a chance when Davante Adams, who earlier had hauled in a 58-yard touchdown catch, added a 48-yarder with 4:29 to go. It came after Kelce's final touchdown catch, when Kansas City failed on a 2-point try that left the score 30-23. But rather than kick a tying extra point, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels also went for 2.

Josh Jacobs, who had shredded the Chiefs defense all night, was stuffed at the goal line.

The Raiders got the ball back one last time with 2:29 left, and a long third-down pass to Adams down the Kansas City sideline appeared to get them in field-goal range. But the play was reviewed and Adams failed to get both feet in bounds, and Carr threw incomplete on fourth-and-1 with 47 seconds left before the Chiefs ran out the clock.

“We didn't fall apart on each other,” Chiefs safety Justin Reid said. “We battled through adversity.”

Carr finished with 241 yards passing, and Jacobs ran for 133 yards and a score, as the Raiders lost to the Chiefs (4-1) for the fourth straight time. Daniel Carlson was 3 for 3 on field goals, extending his streak to 38 in a row.

What he wouldn't have given for a chance at No. 39.

“We had a chance,” Daniels said. “We just didn't make one or two plays there at the end to finish it.”

The game of twists and turns began with the Raiders failing to score on their opening drive for the first time all season.

Facing fourth-and-inches in their own territory, McDaniels sent his offense back on the field. But rather than run Jacobs up the middle, or sneak with Carr, he aired it out to Adams, who ran past Rashad Fenton for the 58-yard TD catch.

Adams and the Raiders continued to pick on Fenton later in the half, when a pass interference moved Las Vegas deep into Chiefs territory. Adams drew another penalty on Jaylen Watson in the end zone, setting up Jacobs' short TD plunge.

It was 17-0 when Kelce finally reached the end zone for the Chiefs, but it appeared as if the momentum had turned when Jones stripped Carr from behind and landed him. But despite the ball clearly coming out, and the Pro Bowl defensive tackle coming away with it, referee Carl Cheffers threw a penalty flag and called Jones for roughing the passer.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid stormed off the sideline to argue. And after the teams traded field goals in the final minutes, leaving the Raiders ahead 20-10, Reid cornered Cheffers and lit into him again as the teams headed to the locker room.

“I got it off my chest,” Reid said. “I said what I needed to say.”

The questionable penalty came one day after another questionable roughing call by referee Jerome Boger on Atlanta's Grady Jarrett against Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady sealed the Buccaneers' win over the Falcons.

Cheffers told a pool reporter that Carr “gets full protection of all aspects of what we give the quarterback in a passing posture. So when he was tackled, my ruling was the defender landed on him with full body weight.”

Mahomes said: “It wasn't the greatest call in the world. You have to find a way to bounce back and we did.”

The Chiefs opened the second half with a 75-yard march that Kelce capped with his second TD reception. And after they forced a quick punt, the Chiefs went 57 yards and watched Kelce haul in his third to give Kansas City a 24-20 lead.

Midway through the fourth quarter, it was the Chiefs who got a penalty gift.

They were leading 24-23 when fill-in kicker Matthew Wright, whose 59-yarder before halftime set the franchise record for longest field goal, yanked a 37-yarder left. But defensive end Malcolm Koonce was called for holding, giving Kansas City an automatic first down, and Mahomes found Kelce once again four plays later to extend the lead to 30-24.

The teams traded touchdowns — and missed conversions — down the stretch as the Chiefs escaped with the win.

“We're close but close doesn't count in this game,” Carr said. “It's frustrating.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs headed off to the locker room facing a big hole against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, everything from the big plays to the officiating calls going the way of their longtime AFC West rivals.One call in particular lit a fire under them.It was a dubious penalty on Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for roughing Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and nobody in the Kansas City locker room could believe it. But rather than stew over it, or lament their 10-point deficit, Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs used it as motivation to storm from behind for the 30-29 victory.“There was anger just about how we had played up to that point,” said Mahomes, who threw four touchdown passes to tight end Travis Kelce. “We needed everybody to go out there and take the fight to them.”The Raiders still had a chance when Davante Adams, who earlier had hauled in a 58-yard touchdown catch, added a 48-yarder with 4:29 to go. It came after Kelce's final touchdown catch, when Kansas City failed on a 2-point try that left the score 30-23. But rather than kick a tying extra point, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels also went for 2.Josh Jacobs, who had shredded the Chiefs defense all night, was stuffed at the goal line.The Raiders got the ball back one last time with 2:29 left, and a long third-down pass to Adams down the Kansas City sideline appeared to get them in field-goal range. But the play was reviewed and Adams failed to get both feet in bounds, and Carr threw incomplete on fourth-and-1 with 47 seconds left before the Chiefs ran out the clock.“We didn't fall apart on each other,” Chiefs safety Justin Reid said. “We battled through adversity.”Carr finished with 241 yards passing, and Jacobs ran for 133 yards and a score, as the Raiders lost to the Chiefs (4-1) for the fourth straight time. Daniel Carlson was 3 for 3 on field goals, extending his streak to 38 in a row.What he wouldn't have given for a chance at No. 39.“We had a chance,” Daniels said. “We just didn't make one or two plays there at the end to finish it.”The game of twists and turns began with the Raiders failing to score on their opening drive for the first time all season.They made up for it on the next one.Facing fourth-and-inches in their own territory, McDaniels sent his offense back on the field. But rather than run Jacobs up the middle, or sneak with Carr, he aired it out to Adams, who ran past Rashad Fenton for the 58-yard TD catch.Adams and the Raiders continued to pick on Fenton later in the half, when a pass interference moved Las Vegas deep into Chiefs territory. Adams drew another penalty on Jaylen Watson in the end zone, setting up Jacobs' short TD plunge.It was 17-0 when Kelce finally reached the end zone for the Chiefs, but it appeared as if the momentum had turned when Jones stripped Carr from behind and landed him. But despite the ball clearly coming out, and the Pro Bowl defensive tackle coming away with it, referee Carl Cheffers threw a penalty flag and called Jones for roughing the passer.Chiefs coach Andy Reid stormed off the sideline to argue. And after the teams traded field goals in the final minutes, leaving the Raiders ahead 20-10, Reid cornered Cheffers and lit into him again as the teams headed to the locker room.“I got it off my chest,” Reid said. “I said what I needed to say.”The questionable penalty came one day after another questionable roughing call by referee Jerome Boger on Atlanta's Grady Jarrett against Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady sealed the Buccaneers' win over the Falcons.Cheffers told a pool reporter that Carr “gets full protection of all aspects of what we give the quarterback in a passing posture. So when he was tackled, my ruling was the defender landed on him with full body weight.”Mahomes said: “It wasn't the greatest call in the world. You have to find a way to bounce back and we did.”Did they ever.The Chiefs opened the second half with a 75-yard march that Kelce capped with his second TD reception. And after they forced a quick punt, the Chiefs went 57 yards and watched Kelce haul in his third to give Kansas City a 24-20 lead.Midway through the fourth quarter, it was the Chiefs who got a penalty gift.They were leading 24-23 when fill-in kicker Matthew Wright, whose 59-yarder before halftime set the franchise record for longest field goal, yanked a 37-yarder left. But defensive end Malcolm Koonce was called for holding, giving Kansas City an automatic first down, and Mahomes found Kelce once again four plays later to extend the lead to 30-24.The teams traded touchdowns — and missed conversions — down the stretch as the Chiefs escaped with the win.“We're close but close doesn't count in this game,” Carr said. “It's frustrating.”

Chiefs rally to defeat the Raiders

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Thanks to a career-high 11 tackles in Kansas State’s 10-9 victory at Iowa State, senior safety&nbsp;Josh Hayes&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

Hayes was the leading tackler for a stifling defense that allowed its fewest points since last year’s season opener against Stanford (7), the fewest in a Big 12 game since the 2018 Texas Tech contest (6) and the fewest in a Big 12 road contest since the 2016 TCU game (6).

K-State surrendered just 276 total yards to the Cyclones, including just 78 rushing yards. It was the fewest rushing yards allowed since West Virginia gained 74 yards last season and the fewest in a Big 12 road game since Baylor had 71 yards in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665434958227.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RYAN LACKEYAssociate Athletics Director for CommunicationsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Thanks to a career-high 11 tackles in Kansas State’s 10-9 victory at Iowa State, senior safety&nbsp;Josh Hayes&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.Hayes was the leading tackler for a stifling defense that allowed its fewest points since last year’s season opener against Stanford (7), the fewest in a Big 12 game since the 2018 Texas Tech contest (6) and the fewest in a Big 12 road contest since the 2016 TCU game (6).K-State surrendered just 276 total yards to the Cyclones, including just 78 rushing yards. It was the fewest rushing yards allowed since West Virginia gained 74 yards last season and the fewest in a Big 12 road game since Baylor had 71 yards in 2020.

K-State’s Hayes Earns Nod as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and FOX announced Monday that Kansas State’s Oct. 22 game at TCU will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be shown on either FOX or FS1. The channel will be determined after the MLB Postseason schedule for that weekend is announced.

K-State holds a three-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs and is 6-4 in the series since TCU joined the Big 12 prior to the 2012 season. Last year in Manhattan, the Wildcats scored on four of their first five possessions and held TCU without a first-half touchdown in a 31-12 win. Two years ago in Fort Worth, K-State picked up a 21-14 victory as the&nbsp;Wildcats held a 21-7 advantage deep into the game thanks to a 37-yard interception return by AJ Parker, and K-State held on at the end as a Horned Frog Hail Mary fell incomplete as time expired.

Fresh off a hard-fought 10-9 victory at Iowa State, Kansas State enjoys its lone bye week of the season this weekend. The Wildcats are ranked 17th&nbsp;in this week’s Associated Press Top 25, while they are 16th&nbsp;in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

Following its game at TCU, K-State returns home for two-straight home games as the Wildcats host eighth-ranked Oklahoma State on Oct. 29 and No. 22 Texas on Nov. 5. Tickets are available for both games online 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.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and FOX announced Monday that Kansas State’s Oct. 22 game at TCU will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be shown on either FOX or FS1. The channel will be determined after the MLB Postseason schedule for that weekend is announced.K-State holds a three-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs and is 6-4 in the series since TCU joined the Big 12 prior to the 2012 season. Last year in Manhattan, the Wildcats scored on four of their first five possessions and held TCU without a first-half touchdown in a 31-12 win. Two years ago in Fort Worth, K-State picked up a 21-14 victory as the&nbsp;Wildcats held a 21-7 advantage deep into the game thanks to a 37-yard interception return by AJ Parker, and K-State held on at the end as a Horned Frog Hail Mary fell incomplete as time expired.Fresh off a hard-fought 10-9 victory at Iowa State, Kansas State enjoys its lone bye week of the season this weekend. The Wildcats are ranked 17th&nbsp;in this week’s Associated Press Top 25, while they are 16th&nbsp;in the AFCA Coaches Poll.Following its game at TCU, K-State returns home for two-straight home games as the Wildcats host eighth-ranked Oklahoma State on Oct. 29 and No. 22 Texas on Nov. 5. Tickets are available for both games online 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’s Game at TCU Set for Primetime Matchup

AMES, Iowa&nbsp;–&nbsp;The latest nail-biting installment of the Kansas State-Iowa State rivalry, called Farmageddon, ended shortly after 9 p.m. But for a third-straight Saturday, it was 9AM for another Big 12 Conference opponent.

Adrian Martinez, adoringly called “9AM,” took a final kneel down, K-State head coach Chris Klieman pumped his fist on the visitor’s sideline, and more than 60,000 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, stood in silence as time ticked down on the Wildcats’ fourth-quarter comeback victory.

Martinez, who accounted for 669 total yards and nine touchdowns in wins over then-No. 6 Oklahoma (41-34) and Texas Tech (38-27), threw for 246 yards and one touchdown and added 19 carries for 77 yards, and the Wildcats’ defense, called countless times to hold down the Cyclones’ offense, stiffened again and again.

K-State led 7-6 at halftime, then trailed 9-7 on a 43-yard field goal by Jace Gilbert with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third quarter.

K-State responded in handing Iowa State just its fourth home loss in the last 30 games.

Chris Tennant nailed a 30-yard field goal with 7:14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for the 10-9 win, the lowest-scoring game in the series since a 7-7 tie in Ames in 1984.

“We knew coming into it that they were physical and big and we knew it was going to be a fist fight,” Martinez said. “That’s exactly what it was. They made us earn every yard. We weren’t frustrated at halftime. We understood we could move the ball on these guys, and we were going to find a way to win.

“We didn’t care how we got it done. We were going to win. We knew we’d find a way.”

The defense stiffened one last time when it mattered most, giving K-State its 12th-straight victory over Iowa State when ranked in the AP Top 25.

K-State’s 10 points marked its fewest in a conference road win since a 9-3 victory at Iowa State in 1982. It marked the first time since 2016 that K-State held a Big 12 opponent to single digits on the road.

“Being behind just two points was the key and not letting them get another field goal,” Klieman said. “I didn’t know if touchdowns were going to happen. It was pretty obvious it was hard to score touchdowns. We talked all week if we could hold these guys to field goals, we thought we could beat them. I didn’t know it’d be 10-9.”

There were an abundance of big moments not necessarily seen upon the scoreboard. That included when the K-State defense forced Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to go for it on fourth-and-7 at the K-State 49-yard line with 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The defense forced Hunter Dekkers into an incompletion, the Wildcats took possession, and they ran out of the clock. It put a stamp on the program’s first 5-1 start since 2020, and a 3-0 Big 12 record, which makes the Wildcats the only 3-0 undefeated team in the Big 12 league standings.

“We’re undefeated in Big 12 play and that’s what we want,” Martinez said. “That’s where we are right now. Everything going forward is about how can we solidify that and keep doing that and keep winning in this league. Each week is a fight.”

RYAN LACKEYAssociate Athletics Director for CommunicationsAMES, Iowa&nbsp;–&nbsp;The latest nail-biting installment of the Kansas State-Iowa State rivalry, called Farmageddon, ended shortly after 9 p.m. But for a third-straight Saturday, it was 9AM for another Big 12 Conference opponent.Adrian Martinez, adoringly called “9AM,” took a final kneel down, K-State head coach Chris Klieman pumped his fist on the visitor’s sideline, and more than 60,000 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, stood in silence as time ticked down on the Wildcats’ fourth-quarter comeback victory.No. 20 K-State 10, Iowa State 9.Martinez, who accounted for 669 total yards and nine touchdowns in wins over then-No. 6 Oklahoma (41-34) and Texas Tech (38-27), threw for 246 yards and one touchdown and added 19 carries for 77 yards, and the Wildcats’ defense, called countless times to hold down the Cyclones’ offense, stiffened again and again.K-State led 7-6 at halftime, then trailed 9-7 on a 43-yard field goal by Jace Gilbert with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third quarter.K-State responded in handing Iowa State just its fourth home loss in the last 30 games.Chris Tennant nailed a 30-yard field goal with 7:14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for the 10-9 win, the lowest-scoring game in the series since a 7-7 tie in Ames in 1984.“We knew coming into it that they were physical and big and we knew it was going to be a fist fight,” Martinez said. “That’s exactly what it was. They made us earn every yard. We weren’t frustrated at halftime. We understood we could move the ball on these guys, and we were going to find a way to win.“We didn’t care how we got it done. We were going to win. We knew we’d find a way.”The defense stiffened one last time when it mattered most, giving K-State its 12th-straight victory over Iowa State when ranked in the AP Top 25.K-State’s 10 points marked its fewest in a conference road win since a 9-3 victory at Iowa State in 1982. It marked the first time since 2016 that K-State held a Big 12 opponent to single digits on the road.“Being behind just two points was the key and not letting them get another field goal,” Klieman said. “I didn’t know if touchdowns were going to happen. It was pretty obvious it was hard to score touchdowns. We talked all week if we could hold these guys to field goals, we thought we could beat them. I didn’t know it’d be 10-9.”There were an abundance of big moments not necessarily seen upon the scoreboard. That included when the K-State defense forced Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to go for it on fourth-and-7 at the K-State 49-yard line with 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.The defense forced Hunter Dekkers into an incompletion, the Wildcats took possession, and they ran out of the clock. It put a stamp on the program’s first 5-1 start since 2020, and a 3-0 Big 12 record, which makes the Wildcats the only 3-0 undefeated team in the Big 12 league standings.“We’re undefeated in Big 12 play and that’s what we want,” Martinez said. “That’s where we are right now. Everything going forward is about how can we solidify that and keep doing that and keep winning in this league. Each week is a fight.”

Wildcats hang on in Ames for the win

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Max Duggan passed for three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 24-yarder to Quinten Johnston with 1:36 left, and No. 17 TCU beat 19th-ranked Kansas 38-31. The Horned Frogs are 5-0 for their best start since 2017 after winning the matchup of surprise unbeatens. Duggan was 23 of 33 for 308 yards and outdueled Kansas backup quarterback Jason Bean in a wild second half. Jalon Daniels, who led the Jayhawks to five straight wins for their best start since 2009, suffered an injury to his right shoulder late in the first half.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Max Duggan passed for three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 24-yarder to Quinten Johnston with 1:36 left, and No. 17 TCU beat 19th-ranked Kansas 38-31. The Horned Frogs are 5-0 for their best start since 2017 after winning the matchup of surprise unbeatens. Duggan was 23 of 33 for 308 yards and outdueled Kansas backup quarterback Jason Bean in a wild second half. Jalon Daniels, who led the Jayhawks to five straight wins for their best start since 2009, suffered an injury to his right shoulder late in the first half.

Jayhawks fall to TCU

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13431">Andrew Sorenson</a>&nbsp;(SR/Manhattan, Kan.) is one of the old dogs on the Kansas Wesleyan football team, playing in his third and final season for the Coyotes.

Sorenson, though, is proving an old adage wrong – old dogs can and do learn new tricks.

Stationed at defensive end after transferring from William Jewell, Sorenson's primary job at KWU was to pursue quarterbacks and stop running backs before they get started.

He's doing that today but has an additional and essential responsibility that was foreign and a bit foreboding initially. Sorenson is dropping into the secondary tasked with covering would-be receivers.

"In high school I was an offensive lineman but in college I was too small so I was a defensive lineman," Sorenson said. "I'm still kind of small but my speed allowed me to transition into this kind of hybrid linebacker spot.

"The coaches did a very good job teaching that aspect of the position that Ricardo (Garcia) and I are playing because it was relatively new to us. It's like 'go do what you can do as a defensive end but then here's this part of the game you're going to need to learn.' I'm adding the challenge of 30 percent of the snaps dropping and covering a 170-pound speed guy."

Sorenson has adapted to the new role and has 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and pass breakup for the No. 15-ranked Coyotes. In other words, so far so good.

"It really hasn't been an issue for us," he said.

KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13353">Matt Myers</a>&nbsp;agrees.

"He is intelligent, long and athletic which makes him a great combo player," he said. "His willingness to learn and adapt to the new scheme has translated into production. He's a great worker and great teammate."

Sorenson is part of a veteran defensive unit that includes seven seniors who are part of the front seven rotation.

"We've played with each other for at least two years," he said. "Last year it kind of clicked halfway through the season. Now through spring and fall camp we're just out there having fun. I know where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13420">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Corning, Calif.) is going to be, Parker knows where I'm going to be,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13443">Scott Sanchez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Kelseyville, Calif.) knows where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13478">Angel Baez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Bakersfield, Calif.) is going to be ... It's just having that trust between the eight or nine of us."

Myers was promoted to head coach from defensive coordinator during the offseason and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13362">David Leonard</a>&nbsp;was promoted to defensive coordinator. The defense changed but nothing dramatic.

"We took a lot of the concepts that we were running the past two years and just transitioned them to a different form of defense," Sorenson said. "We didn't change a whole lot, just some of the terminology basically but it's very similar."

Leonard runs the defense, Sorenson said, but Myers is never far away.

"He lets coach Leonard do a lot of the coaching and managing the defensive players and other defensive coaches," he said. "He and coach Leonard came together and this is their defense but I know that defense is special to him and he still makes recommendations when he wants to."

Sorenson and Co. face a still challenge Saturday when Avila comes to town for a 1 p.m. Kansas Conference game at JRI Stadium. The Eagles are 4-1, the loss a 24-21 setback against No. 6 Southwestern in Winfield in a game they led 21-10 late in the fourth quarter.

Avila's offense is led by talented freshman quarterback Eli Williams, a transfer from TCU, and senior running backs Malik Nesbitt, a two-time NAIA All-American, and Jahkese Watkins.

"When that quarterback has the ball in his hands, he can make stuff happen," Sorenson said. "Keeping him contained and getting him on the ground in the passing game is key. Both of the running backs are fast and talented so the biggest thing is to make them run laterally, contain them and get them on the ground."

Sorenson said the Coyotes (4-1) will be ready.

"We're an extremely experienced team," he said. "We've played in big games before; we've played very good teams the past two years and this will be a real test. Every game from now on is even bigger if we're going to make the playoffs."

Sorenson said the coaching staff has practiced and preached intensity since the loss to Bethel on September 18.

"The coaches have done a great job of putting their foot on the gas and making us follow them," he said. "Not letting guys be lazy in practice, not letting us have that lackadaisical, content attitude that I think we had going into the Bethel game. That really hurt us. "

Sorenson said he and his classmates are feeling a sense of urgency as their final season approaches the halfway point.

"A lot of us are fifth-year seniors, a lot of older guys," he said. "We're not going to get a shot to do this next year at the college level so we're all trying to play as perfect as possible. We can't take anything for granted because nothing's guaranteed. Playoffs aren't guaranteed, Saturday is not guaranteed, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

"The sun's going come up but you might not have football."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665270915120.jpeg" alt="Andrew Sorenson. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Sorenson. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Athletics<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13431">Andrew Sorenson</a>&nbsp;(SR/Manhattan, Kan.) is one of the old dogs on the Kansas Wesleyan football team, playing in his third and final season for the Coyotes.Sorenson, though, is proving an old adage wrong – old dogs can and do learn new tricks.Stationed at defensive end after transferring from William Jewell, Sorenson's primary job at KWU was to pursue quarterbacks and stop running backs before they get started.He's doing that today but has an additional and essential responsibility that was foreign and a bit foreboding initially. Sorenson is dropping into the secondary tasked with covering would-be receivers."In high school I was an offensive lineman but in college I was too small so I was a defensive lineman," Sorenson said. "I'm still kind of small but my speed allowed me to transition into this kind of hybrid linebacker spot."The coaches did a very good job teaching that aspect of the position that Ricardo (Garcia) and I are playing because it was relatively new to us. It's like 'go do what you can do as a defensive end but then here's this part of the game you're going to need to learn.' I'm adding the challenge of 30 percent of the snaps dropping and covering a 170-pound speed guy."Sorenson has adapted to the new role and has 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and pass breakup for the No. 15-ranked Coyotes. In other words, so far so good."It really hasn't been an issue for us," he said.KWU coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13353">Matt Myers</a>&nbsp;agrees."He is intelligent, long and athletic which makes him a great combo player," he said. "His willingness to learn and adapt to the new scheme has translated into production. He's a great worker and great teammate."Sorenson is part of a veteran defensive unit that includes seven seniors who are part of the front seven rotation."We've played with each other for at least two years," he said. "Last year it kind of clicked halfway through the season. Now through spring and fall camp we're just out there having fun. I know where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13420">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Corning, Calif.) is going to be, Parker knows where I'm going to be,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13443">Scott Sanchez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Kelseyville, Calif.) knows where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13478">Angel Baez</a>&nbsp;(SR/Bakersfield, Calif.) is going to be ... It's just having that trust between the eight or nine of us."Myers was promoted to head coach from defensive coordinator during the offseason and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/5/13362">David Leonard</a>&nbsp;was promoted to defensive coordinator. The defense changed but nothing dramatic."We took a lot of the concepts that we were running the past two years and just transitioned them to a different form of defense," Sorenson said. "We didn't change a whole lot, just some of the terminology basically but it's very similar."Leonard runs the defense, Sorenson said, but Myers is never far away."He lets coach Leonard do a lot of the coaching and managing the defensive players and other defensive coaches," he said. "He and coach Leonard came together and this is their defense but I know that defense is special to him and he still makes recommendations when he wants to."Sorenson and Co. face a still challenge Saturday when Avila comes to town for a 1 p.m. Kansas Conference game at JRI Stadium. The Eagles are 4-1, the loss a 24-21 setback against No. 6 Southwestern in Winfield in a game they led 21-10 late in the fourth quarter.Avila's offense is led by talented freshman quarterback Eli Williams, a transfer from TCU, and senior running backs Malik Nesbitt, a two-time NAIA All-American, and Jahkese Watkins."When that quarterback has the ball in his hands, he can make stuff happen," Sorenson said. "Keeping him contained and getting him on the ground in the passing game is key. Both of the running backs are fast and talented so the biggest thing is to make them run laterally, contain them and get them on the ground."Sorenson said the Coyotes (4-1) will be ready."We're an extremely experienced team," he said. "We've played in big games before; we've played very good teams the past two years and this will be a real test. Every game from now on is even bigger if we're going to make the playoffs."Sorenson said the coaching staff has practiced and preached intensity since the loss to Bethel on September 18."The coaches have done a great job of putting their foot on the gas and making us follow them," he said. "Not letting guys be lazy in practice, not letting us have that lackadaisical, content attitude that I think we had going into the Bethel game. That really hurt us. "Sorenson said he and his classmates are feeling a sense of urgency as their final season approaches the halfway point."A lot of us are fifth-year seniors, a lot of older guys," he said. "We're not going to get a shot to do this next year at the college level so we're all trying to play as perfect as possible. We can't take anything for granted because nothing's guaranteed. Playoffs aren't guaranteed, Saturday is not guaranteed, tomorrow is not guaranteed."The sun's going come up but you might not have football."

KWU Game Day: Andrew Sorenson

Manhattan rolled to an early lead over Junction City and never looked back in a 44-7 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night.

The Indians returned the opening kickoff back inside the Blue Jay 20-yard line and then punched the ball in for a score on a three-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter the Indians got a big punt return for a touchdown, and surged to a 24-0 halftime lead.

Junction City fell to 4-2 with the loss while the Indians are 5-0 and retain possession of the Sportsmanship Trophy that goes to the winner of the annual game.

Manhattan rolled to an early lead over Junction City and never looked back in a 44-7 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night.The Indians returned the opening kickoff back inside the Blue Jay 20-yard line and then punched the ball in for a score on a three-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter the Indians got a big punt return for a touchdown, and surged to a 24-0 halftime lead.Junction City fell to 4-2 with the loss while the Indians are 5-0 and retain possession of the Sportsmanship Trophy that goes to the winner of the annual game.

Manhattan cruises past Junction city 44-7

Canton-Galva 46, Hutchinson Central Christian 0

Wichita Bishop Carroll 26, Kapaun Mount Carmel 21

PREP FOOTBALL=Andale 49, Wichita Collegiate 0Beloit 28, Norton 6Blue Valley 14, BV North 7Burden Central 60, Oxford 24Burlington 33, Anderson County 19Canton-Galva 46, Hutchinson Central Christian 0Central Heights 48, Northern Heights 0Centralia 28, Garden Plain 13Chase County 40, Lyndon 38Cheney 48, Nickerson 2Cherryvale 20, Riverton 13Cheylin 51, Western Plains-Healy 0Circle 40, Abilene 0Clifton-Clyde 50, Ell-Saline 0Cunningham 57, Southern Coffey 6DeSoto 24, KC Piper 0Dighton 54, Bucklin 6Eudora 55, KC Schlagle 7Frontenac 51, Baxter Springs 7Galena 14, Parsons 13Garden City 49, Ulysses 6Gardner-Edgerton 35, Lawrence 7Girard 47, Iola 0Goessel 52, Pretty Prairie 6Goodland 34, Colby 8Great Bend 28, Liberal 14Halstead 56, Lyons 8Hesston 42, Clearwater 0Hoisington 44, Lakin 0Holton 48, Rossville 17Hugoton 30, Cimarron 6Ingalls 54, Rolla 8KC Bishop Ward 55, Santa Fe Trail 28Kingman 35, Chaparral 7Lawrence Free State 27, SM North 21Little River 48, Herington 0Macksville 50, La Crosse 0Manhattan 44, Junction City 7McPherson 34, Wellington 32Nemaha Central 56, Minneapolis 0Newton 45, Salina South 14Northeast-Arma 8, Uniontown 6Northern Valley 55, Greeley County 7Olathe South 25, SM Northwest 18Olpe 28, Caney Valley 0Oswego 50, Flint Hills Job Corps 0Ottawa 35, Bonner Springs 28Phillipsburg 10, Hays-TMP-Marian 7Pittsburg 40, Independence 8Pittsburg Colgan 36, Columbus 7Plainville 57, Syracuse 0Riley County 44, Horton 3Rose Hill 31, El Dorado 18Sabetha 56, Riverside 0Scott City 28, Holcomb 14Sedgwick 62, Remington 20Silver Lake 41, Pleasant Ridge 6Southeast Saline 46, Hillsboro 6St. John's Beloit-Tipton 50, Lakeside 20St. Paul 50, Marais des Cygnes Valley 0Stafford 36, Norwich 32Sylvan-Lucas 46, Wilson 0Thunder Ridge 55, Wheatland-Grinnell 6Topeka Hayden 38, Royal Valley 0Topeka Seaman 56, Leavenworth 13Valley Center 19, Andover 12Victoria 30, Wallace County 28Wabaunsee 42, Salina Sacred Heart 7Waverly 38, Wetmore 30West Elk 62, Cedar Vale/Dexter Co-op 0Wichita Bishop Carroll 26, Kapaun Mount Carmel 21Wichita County 56, Meade 20Wichita Northwest 79, Wichita South 8

Watch tonight's football game between the Junction City Blue Jays and the Manhattan High Indians click for&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/0JRY_OpYdxo">livestream here:&nbsp;</a>

Watch tonight's football game between the Junction City Blue Jays and the Manhattan High Indians click for&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/0JRY_OpYdxo">livestream here:&nbsp;</a><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0JRY_OpYdxo"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Junction City Blue Jays vs Manhattan Indians</figcaption>
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WATCH LIVE: Junction City Football hosts Manhattan High for homecoming match-up

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributor

Coming into the season, the Wabaunsee Chargers and Sacred Heart Knights looked like two drastically different teams.

After an impressive 7-3 campaign, the Chargers looked like potential favorites to reload and make a deep run in 2022, while the Knights were coming off a winless season and a two-year stretch with just two total wins.

So far, Wabaunsee has been as advertised, with a lone misstep in week one the only blemish on their resume.&nbsp;

Sacred Heart meanwhile, has come out of the woodwork with a 3-2 start under first-year head coach Jeremy Hopkins, making this matchup much more interesting than it looked when the season began.

Even beyond their records, the Chargers will play the favorites at home this week, boasting the fifth-best scoring offense (36 ppg) and 10th-best scoring defense (16 ppg allowed) in Class 1A.

Much of that success has hinged upon a balanced attack that has kept Wabaunsee’s opponents guessing all season.

“Wabaunsee is balanced and I respect that,” Knights head coach Jeremy Hopkins said. “They have lots of different ways to attack us and our defense is aware of that. Wabaunsee’s quarterback and receivers are a really nice package and going into games against teams like this you know you’re going to have to be sharp.”

On the other side of that coin, Sacred Heart is getting every ounce of respect on the table from the Charger's side of things, and Wabaunsee won’t be taking the upstart lightly come kickoff.

“We have to be prepared for their speed and that absolutely starts with their quarterback,” Charger head coach Jess Rutledge said. “He’s lightning quick and tough to track down in the open field. He has good zip on his throws and his receivers adjust well to that. They also have two really good big backs and we’ll have to make sure we can bring them down.”

To pull off an upset win this week, the Knights will need to shore up their secondary after allowing nearly 160 yards through the air each week to start the season.

Sacred Heart will also need to neutralize the big play by remaining fundamentally sound in open space.

“If you’re an old coach like me you believe that everything comes down to blocking and tackling,” Hopkins said. “If you don’t tackle a team like Wabaunsee you’re going to be in trouble. We have to pressure the quarterback, stay in the running lanes and tackle well.”

On the flip side, the start will be imperative for the Chargers, who have come from behind in two of their four victories but would prefer to keep an early lead rather than chase down their opposition.

“Consistency right off the bat will be a big key for us,” Rutledge said. “We’ve had slow starts in almost every one of our games. We’re changing some things up to make our practices up-tempo right from the start and against an opponent like Sacred Heart that can score so efficiently we have to get the offense rolling early.”

Kickoff between the Knights and Chargers is set for 7 pm at Wabaunsee High School, for continuing coverage of both teams stay tuned to the Salina Post and Little Apple Post.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorComing into the season, the Wabaunsee Chargers and Sacred Heart Knights looked like two drastically different teams.After an impressive 7-3 campaign, the Chargers looked like potential favorites to reload and make a deep run in 2022, while the Knights were coming off a winless season and a two-year stretch with just two total wins.So far, Wabaunsee has been as advertised, with a lone misstep in week one the only blemish on their resume.&nbsp;Sacred Heart meanwhile, has come out of the woodwork with a 3-2 start under first-year head coach Jeremy Hopkins, making this matchup much more interesting than it looked when the season began.Even beyond their records, the Chargers will play the favorites at home this week, boasting the fifth-best scoring offense (36 ppg) and 10th-best scoring defense (16 ppg allowed) in Class 1A.Much of that success has hinged upon a balanced attack that has kept Wabaunsee’s opponents guessing all season.“Wabaunsee is balanced and I respect that,” Knights head coach Jeremy Hopkins said. “They have lots of different ways to attack us and our defense is aware of that. Wabaunsee’s quarterback and receivers are a really nice package and going into games against teams like this you know you’re going to have to be sharp.”On the other side of that coin, Sacred Heart is getting every ounce of respect on the table from the Charger's side of things, and Wabaunsee won’t be taking the upstart lightly come kickoff.“We have to be prepared for their speed and that absolutely starts with their quarterback,” Charger head coach Jess Rutledge said. “He’s lightning quick and tough to track down in the open field. He has good zip on his throws and his receivers adjust well to that. They also have two really good big backs and we’ll have to make sure we can bring them down.”To pull off an upset win this week, the Knights will need to shore up their secondary after allowing nearly 160 yards through the air each week to start the season.Sacred Heart will also need to neutralize the big play by remaining fundamentally sound in open space.“If you’re an old coach like me you believe that everything comes down to blocking and tackling,” Hopkins said. “If you don’t tackle a team like Wabaunsee you’re going to be in trouble. We have to pressure the quarterback, stay in the running lanes and tackle well.”On the flip side, the start will be imperative for the Chargers, who have come from behind in two of their four victories but would prefer to keep an early lead rather than chase down their opposition.“Consistency right off the bat will be a big key for us,” Rutledge said. “We’ve had slow starts in almost every one of our games. We’re changing some things up to make our practices up-tempo right from the start and against an opponent like Sacred Heart that can score so efficiently we have to get the offense rolling early.”Kickoff between the Knights and Chargers is set for 7 pm at Wabaunsee High School, for continuing coverage of both teams stay tuned to the Salina Post and Little Apple Post.

Wabaunsee looking for more streamlined start against Sacred Heart

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — New president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo wasted no time putting his thumb print on the Kansas City Royals, firing manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred just hours after the end of another dismal season.

Now, the pressure is on Picollo to chart a new course for the franchise.

“When you make a decision like this, we’re looking forward to the future,” Picollo said Thursday, one day after letting Matheny and Eldred go. “We are looking to what’s next, who we can put around our players that is innovative and exciting.”

The Royals were anything but exciting this season.

Sure, there were bright spots in AL Rookie of the Year candidate Bobby Witt Jr., breakout ace Brady Singer and a wave of talented young players who made big league debuts. But it wasn't enough to energize an increasingly frustrated fan base that watched the Royals finish off a 65-97 season with a lackluster 9-2 loss in Cleveland.

Picollo's decision to fire Matheny and Eldred upon the club's return to Kansas City was expected, especially given John Sherman's promise last month that changes were coming to the organization he purchased three years ago.

“Mike understood where we were,” said Picollo, who took over the baseball operations department when Sherman fired longtime executive Dayton Moore last month. “I'm going to try to avoid the word ‘expectations’ as much as I can, but we did have some expectations, and when you look at our record at the end of the season, something went wrong. We didn't win as many games as we should have.”

Picollo did not provide a timetable for hiring a new manager, though he promised to cast a wide net in the search. And while he also did not mention specific candidates, Picollo did describe the type of leader he wants for an organization that has relied on decidedly old-school managers in Ned Yost and Matheny for more than a decade: creative, data-driven and focused on utilizing everything from performance science to cutting-edge behavioral analysis.

“I do think the managerial position has changed,” Picollo said. “You talk to players around the league, executives — there are things teams are doing that are pretty advanced. Our goal is to find out what those things are and implement them here.”

Picollo said bench coach Pedro Grifol and third base coach Vance Wilson will be considered for the job. He also said the hitting department led by Alec Zumwalt, assistant hitting coach Keoni De Renne and special assignment coach Mike Tosar would remain largely intact, regardless of whom the Royals hire to manage the club.

As for a new pitching coach, Picollo plans to give his new skipper some influence in the decision.

“We have work to do,” Picollo said, “but we do have a good core. I'd think there's a pitching coach and manager out there that would be excited to see what our staff and what our roster will look like.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — New president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo wasted no time putting his thumb print on the Kansas City Royals, firing manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred just hours after the end of another dismal season.Now, the pressure is on Picollo to chart a new course for the franchise.“When you make a decision like this, we’re looking forward to the future,” Picollo said Thursday, one day after letting Matheny and Eldred go. “We are looking to what’s next, who we can put around our players that is innovative and exciting.”The Royals were anything but exciting this season.Sure, there were bright spots in AL Rookie of the Year candidate Bobby Witt Jr., breakout ace Brady Singer and a wave of talented young players who made big league debuts. But it wasn't enough to energize an increasingly frustrated fan base that watched the Royals finish off a 65-97 season with a lackluster 9-2 loss in Cleveland.Picollo's decision to fire Matheny and Eldred upon the club's return to Kansas City was expected, especially given John Sherman's promise last month that changes were coming to the organization he purchased three years ago.“Mike understood where we were,” said Picollo, who took over the baseball operations department when Sherman fired longtime executive Dayton Moore last month. “I'm going to try to avoid the word ‘expectations’ as much as I can, but we did have some expectations, and when you look at our record at the end of the season, something went wrong. We didn't win as many games as we should have.”Picollo did not provide a timetable for hiring a new manager, though he promised to cast a wide net in the search. And while he also did not mention specific candidates, Picollo did describe the type of leader he wants for an organization that has relied on decidedly old-school managers in Ned Yost and Matheny for more than a decade: creative, data-driven and focused on utilizing everything from performance science to cutting-edge behavioral analysis.“I do think the managerial position has changed,” Picollo said. “You talk to players around the league, executives — there are things teams are doing that are pretty advanced. Our goal is to find out what those things are and implement them here.”Picollo said bench coach Pedro Grifol and third base coach Vance Wilson will be considered for the job. He also said the hitting department led by Alec Zumwalt, assistant hitting coach Keoni De Renne and special assignment coach Mike Tosar would remain largely intact, regardless of whom the Royals hire to manage the club.As for a new pitching coach, Picollo plans to give his new skipper some influence in the decision.“We have work to do,” Picollo said, “but we do have a good core. I'd think there's a pitching coach and manager out there that would be excited to see what our staff and what our roster will look like.”

Royals look ahead to the future

IOWA CITY — <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-basketball/iowa-commit-ava-jones-not-expected-to-play-basketball-again-after-serious-injuries-from-july-crash/">The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports</a>
 that University of Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder 
told&nbsp;the university’s Presidential Committee on Athletics on Thursday 
that she received a call the day before about the condition of Nickerson
 High star and Iowa commit Ava Jones.

Bluder told the committee 
that new MRI scans showed that Ava had torn all four major ligaments in 
both of her knees — ACL, MCL, PCL, and LCL.&nbsp;

Such injuries are likely to prevent Jones from playing again, according to Bluder.

Jones
 and her family were hit by a car July 5 while in Louisville, Kentucky 
for an AAU basketball tournament. Her father Trey, died from his 
injuries and her mother and brother were also hit.

The man police 
say admitted to taking hydrocodone before hitting the Jones family has 
pled not guilty in the case.&nbsp;Thirty-three-year-old Michael Hurley&nbsp;was 
already on probation for drug possession and drug use in Indiana at the 
time of the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660247623254.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hutch PostIOWA CITY — <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-basketball/iowa-commit-ava-jones-not-expected-to-play-basketball-again-after-serious-injuries-from-july-crash/">The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports</a>
 that University of Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder 
told&nbsp;the university’s Presidential Committee on Athletics on Thursday 
that she received a call the day before about the condition of Nickerson
 High star and Iowa commit Ava Jones.Bluder told the committee 
that new MRI scans showed that Ava had torn all four major ligaments in 
both of her knees — ACL, MCL, PCL, and LCL.&nbsp;Such injuries are likely to prevent Jones from playing again, according to Bluder.Jones
 and her family were hit by a car July 5 while in Louisville, Kentucky 
for an AAU basketball tournament. Her father Trey, died from his 
injuries and her mother and brother were also hit.The man police 
say admitted to taking hydrocodone before hitting the Jones family has 
pled not guilty in the case.&nbsp;Thirty-three-year-old Michael Hurley&nbsp;was 
already on probation for drug possession and drug use in Indiana at the 
time of the crash.

🏀 Iowa coach says Ava Jones will likely not play basketball again

After a brief week-one stumble against the #1 team in Class 2A, the Rock Creek Mustangs have exploded out of the gates to a 4-1 record and will enter week six as the #5 team in Class 3A.

The Mustangs rebounded quickly with a statement 41-20 victory over the then #1 St. Mary’s Bears and never looked back outpacing their last four opponents 186-90.

“We were proud of the guys for how they responded after a tough week one loss to Southeast of Saline,” Rock Creek head coach Shane Sieben said. “We expected a lot coming into this season and we didn’t play our best in week one but they responded to that loss with four good wins.”

Unsurprisingly, Rock Creek has set opposing secondaries ablaze with the #1 passing offense in Class 3A, averaging an absurd 300+ passing yards through the first four weeks of the season.

Dalton Whitworth, who led the entire state of Kansas in passing last year, is back with a vengeance, completing 67% of his throws for 1,531 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only one pick.

The senior signal-caller tacks on 40 carries for another 155 yards and two rushing scores, adding another layer to the Mustang ground game anchored by feature back Jaydon Winans.

Winans leads the team with 591 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to pair with 8 catches for 80 yards in 2022.

While Whitworth has looked otherworldly again this season, none of this would be possible without a deep corps of talented receivers, led by 1,000-yard returner Ethan Burgess, who has 750 yards and 11 scores in the passing game through just five weeks.

“Our skill guys are a group that we feel we can hang our hat on every week,” Sieben said. “Obviously Dalton has had an outstanding year but a lot of that comes down to the number of weapons that we have.”

While the Rock Creek offense looks like an unstoppable force, checking in as the #4 scoring unit in 3A at 42 points per game, the defense will need to find another gear after allowing just under 26 points a contest through week five.

“Defensively we’ve got to be a little bit tougher and a little more physical, especially on the edge,” he said. “Marysville schemed us well and we didn’t respond to that as well as we could have. We still need to be more physical up front.”

Aside from the points allowed being above where the Mustangs would like, Rock Creek has remained aggressive on that side of the ball forcing opponents into seven picks and four lost fumbles.

Daegan Vinduska has been a ball hawk in the secondary, collecting four of those interceptions for himself.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorAfter a brief week-one stumble against the #1 team in Class 2A, the Rock Creek Mustangs have exploded out of the gates to a 4-1 record and will enter week six as the #5 team in Class 3A.The Mustangs rebounded quickly with a statement 41-20 victory over the then #1 St. Mary’s Bears and never looked back outpacing their last four opponents 186-90.“We were proud of the guys for how they responded after a tough week one loss to Southeast of Saline,” Rock Creek head coach Shane Sieben said. “We expected a lot coming into this season and we didn’t play our best in week one but they responded to that loss with four good wins.”Unsurprisingly, Rock Creek has set opposing secondaries ablaze with the #1 passing offense in Class 3A, averaging an absurd 300+ passing yards through the first four weeks of the season.Dalton Whitworth, who led the entire state of Kansas in passing last year, is back with a vengeance, completing 67% of his throws for 1,531 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only one pick.The senior signal-caller tacks on 40 carries for another 155 yards and two rushing scores, adding another layer to the Mustang ground game anchored by feature back Jaydon Winans.Winans leads the team with 591 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to pair with 8 catches for 80 yards in 2022.While Whitworth has looked otherworldly again this season, none of this would be possible without a deep corps of talented receivers, led by 1,000-yard returner Ethan Burgess, who has 750 yards and 11 scores in the passing game through just five weeks.“Our skill guys are a group that we feel we can hang our hat on every week,” Sieben said. “Obviously Dalton has had an outstanding year but a lot of that comes down to the number of weapons that we have.”While the Rock Creek offense looks like an unstoppable force, checking in as the #4 scoring unit in 3A at 42 points per game, the defense will need to find another gear after allowing just under 26 points a contest through week five.“Defensively we’ve got to be a little bit tougher and a little more physical, especially on the edge,” he said. “Marysville schemed us well and we didn’t respond to that as well as we could have. We still need to be more physical up front.”Aside from the points allowed being above where the Mustangs would like, Rock Creek has remained aggressive on that side of the ball forcing opponents into seven picks and four lost fumbles.Daegan Vinduska has been a ball hawk in the secondary, collecting four of those interceptions for himself.In any other class, Rock Creek would look like a solid favorite to hoist a trophy at the end of the season, but the road to 3A glory still runs through an Andale team that has won their last 43 straight, with their last loss coming in the 2018 state championship game against Pratt.The Mustangs however, aren’t interested in wasting time stacking themselves up against an opponent they may or may not run into in the future, instead dedicating themselves to steady improvement and a 1-0 every week approach.“We’re not going to sit here and compare ourselves to others,” Sieben said. “Statistically, it looks like it’s Andale and everybody else right now but comparison is the thief of joy and we don’t have time to waste on that. We’re just worried about ourselves, how we can improve, and how we can beat Hiawatha this week.”That matchup with the 2-3 Redhawks will take place this Friday in Hiawatha before the Mustangs host Clay Center in week seven and travel to Concordia in week eight.For continuing coverage of Rock Creek football stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.