MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State junior defensive end&nbsp;Felix Anudike-Uzomah&nbsp;was one of nine defensive players across the country to be named a semifinalist for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy, the award’s organization has announced.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy, now in its 19th&nbsp;year, goes to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

It is the first time a Wildcat has moved past the quarterfinalist stage for the award since linebacker Arthur Brown was one of four finalists in 2012. Anudike-Uzomah is joined on this year’s list by Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, Alabama safety Jordan Battle, Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson and USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu.

Entering play this weekend, Anudike-Uzomah ranks 12th&nbsp;nationally with 7.5 sacks and has a team-high 9.0 tackles for loss as 26.5% of his 34 tackles this season have been for lost yardage. Also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Rotary Lombardi Award, Anudike-Uzomah has at least a half TFL in seven of nine games and at least a half sack in six contests.

Perhaps his best game this season, Anudike-Uzomah registered three sacks against Texas Tech to tie for fourth in a game in school history, making him one of just two players in school history to record three games with 3.0 or more sacks (Nyle Wiren, 1994-96). His game against the Red Raiders featured the eighth forced fumble of his career, as he is now tied for fourth in school history and is one shy of tying the school record.

A product of Kansas City, Missouri, Anudike-Uzomah has 19.5 career sacks to rank 10th&nbsp;in school history and second among active players. His 0.30 forced fumbles per game in his career is tops nationally among active players, while his 0.91 TFLs per game is 18th.

Finalists for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Award will be invited to attend the annual award show on December 11 in Newport Beach, California. Joel Klatt from FOX Sports will emcee the event.

No. 19 Kansas State faces Baylor on Saturday inside McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be shown on FS1.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State junior defensive end&nbsp;Felix Anudike-Uzomah&nbsp;was one of nine defensive players across the country to be named a semifinalist for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy, the award’s organization has announced.The Lott IMPACT Trophy, now in its 19th&nbsp;year, goes to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.It is the first time a Wildcat has moved past the quarterfinalist stage for the award since linebacker Arthur Brown was one of four finalists in 2012. Anudike-Uzomah is joined on this year’s list by Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, Alabama safety Jordan Battle, Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson and USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu.Entering play this weekend, Anudike-Uzomah ranks 12th&nbsp;nationally with 7.5 sacks and has a team-high 9.0 tackles for loss as 26.5% of his 34 tackles this season have been for lost yardage. Also a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Rotary Lombardi Award, Anudike-Uzomah has at least a half TFL in seven of nine games and at least a half sack in six contests.Perhaps his best game this season, Anudike-Uzomah registered three sacks against Texas Tech to tie for fourth in a game in school history, making him one of just two players in school history to record three games with 3.0 or more sacks (Nyle Wiren, 1994-96). His game against the Red Raiders featured the eighth forced fumble of his career, as he is now tied for fourth in school history and is one shy of tying the school record.A product of Kansas City, Missouri, Anudike-Uzomah has 19.5 career sacks to rank 10th&nbsp;in school history and second among active players. His 0.30 forced fumbles per game in his career is tops nationally among active players, while his 0.91 TFLs per game is 18th.Finalists for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Award will be invited to attend the annual award show on December 11 in Newport Beach, California. Joel Klatt from FOX Sports will emcee the event.No. 19 Kansas State faces Baylor on Saturday inside McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be shown on FS1.

K-State’s Anudike-Uzomah Named Semifinalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributor

After advancing to the round of eight for the first time in school history, the Wabaunsee football team will look to push the envelope even further this week as the Chargers travel to Conway Springs for a clash with the 6-3 Cardinals.

Wabaunsee is on a nine-game winning streak since falling to Troy in their season opener, including wins over Belle Plaine (54-13) and Marion (22-14) as part of a historic Chargers postseason.

“The way guys have stepped up for us has been so good to see,” Wabaunsee head coach Jess Rutledge said. “We’ve lost several senior starters and we’ve had to play up to three freshmen on both sides of the ball. The way they’ve played has been great to see but also the way our older guys have upped their intensity has been phenomenal.”

Despite being a bit short-staffed, the Chargers will turn their attention to a Conway Springs team that had week nine to rest up and recover, before eliminating Plainville 35-31 last week.

“Offensively their line is huge,” Rutledge said. “Their starters are upwards of 320 pounds and they get off the ball well and play physically. Their quarterback has rushed for over 300 yards before. Defensively they run a three-man front and they’re not as big as Marion but they’re very quick off the ball and they have a lot of speed at other levels.”

With a single-wing set, Conway Springs’ run game has been one of the best in Class 1A, and the Chargers will need to find an answer for it if they are to continue exploring uncharted postseason territory in the semifinals next week.

“We have to play assignment sound and handle the misdirection of their single-wing,” he said. “They get outside in space and we have to know our read keys and roll to the ball. We can’t let them get to the edge but we can’t overrun plays either.”

Offensively Wabaunsee will look to keep the good times rolling, having scored 22 or more in all ten contests to this point in the season.

That task may be more difficult this week against a Cardinal defense that has held seven of their nine opponents under that mark in 2022.

“They’re solid all-around on defense but their linebackers are very good,” Rutledge said. “Those guys fill well, they’re physical but they can also drop back into coverage. For us, it will be important for our line to get off the ball and hold our blocks and for our receivers to block downfield.”

While Wabaunsee knows they have a tall task in front of them, the Charger’s confidence has continued to grow with each passing win, and the team is ready to make their mark on the 1A landscape this week.

“Our guys are very excited to be in this final eight,” Rutledge says. “These other teams have all played for a state title before and we’ve never even made the final four but we believe that we belong here and it’s neat for these kids to be in this conversation. Now we’re trying to make that statement that we really do.”

Kickoff between the Chargers and Cardinals is set for 7 pm at Conway Springs High School, with the winner advancing to the 1A semifinals to take on 9-1 Inman or 8-2 Smith Center.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorAfter advancing to the round of eight for the first time in school history, the Wabaunsee football team will look to push the envelope even further this week as the Chargers travel to Conway Springs for a clash with the 6-3 Cardinals.Wabaunsee is on a nine-game winning streak since falling to Troy in their season opener, including wins over Belle Plaine (54-13) and Marion (22-14) as part of a historic Chargers postseason.“The way guys have stepped up for us has been so good to see,” Wabaunsee head coach Jess Rutledge said. “We’ve lost several senior starters and we’ve had to play up to three freshmen on both sides of the ball. The way they’ve played has been great to see but also the way our older guys have upped their intensity has been phenomenal.”Despite being a bit short-staffed, the Chargers will turn their attention to a Conway Springs team that had week nine to rest up and recover, before eliminating Plainville 35-31 last week.“Offensively their line is huge,” Rutledge said. “Their starters are upwards of 320 pounds and they get off the ball well and play physically. Their quarterback has rushed for over 300 yards before. Defensively they run a three-man front and they’re not as big as Marion but they’re very quick off the ball and they have a lot of speed at other levels.”With a single-wing set, Conway Springs’ run game has been one of the best in Class 1A, and the Chargers will need to find an answer for it if they are to continue exploring uncharted postseason territory in the semifinals next week.“We have to play assignment sound and handle the misdirection of their single-wing,” he said. “They get outside in space and we have to know our read keys and roll to the ball. We can’t let them get to the edge but we can’t overrun plays either.”Offensively Wabaunsee will look to keep the good times rolling, having scored 22 or more in all ten contests to this point in the season.That task may be more difficult this week against a Cardinal defense that has held seven of their nine opponents under that mark in 2022.“They’re solid all-around on defense but their linebackers are very good,” Rutledge said. “Those guys fill well, they’re physical but they can also drop back into coverage. For us, it will be important for our line to get off the ball and hold our blocks and for our receivers to block downfield.”While Wabaunsee knows they have a tall task in front of them, the Charger’s confidence has continued to grow with each passing win, and the team is ready to make their mark on the 1A landscape this week.“Our guys are very excited to be in this final eight,” Rutledge says. “These other teams have all played for a state title before and we’ve never even made the final four but we believe that we belong here and it’s neat for these kids to be in this conversation. Now we’re trying to make that statement that we really do.”Kickoff between the Chargers and Cardinals is set for 7 pm at Conway Springs High School, with the winner advancing to the 1A semifinals to take on 9-1 Inman or 8-2 Smith Center.

Wabaunsee visits Conway Springs for historic quarterfinal clash

Few teams in the country look as imposing as the Andale Indians, who currently hold the nation's second-longest winning streak at 48 games.

The last Indian loss came at the end of what is now six straight undefeated regular seasons, and that state championship stumble to Pratt is one of only two total losses in the six-year tenure of head coach Dylan Schmidt.

This season, Andale has shown no signs of slowing down, outscoring their ten opponents 577-68, and pitching four shutouts in their last six games.

This week, the Indians will line up against Rock Creek looking to move one game closer to 50 consecutive wins, and potentially a fourth-straight 3A state title.

Most people around the state of Kansas aren’t giving the Mustangs a shot, but Rock Creek understands the one fundamental rule of a matchup like this.

If you’re going to come for Goliath, you’d better bring one hell of a sling.

Unlike a lot of teams that have stared down Andale over the years, the Mustangs hold an offense that actually outgained the Indians through the regular season, and while there will be no room for error on Friday night, Rock Creek will not go quietly without delivering their best shot to this 3A juggernaut.

“There’s no group of guys that I’d rather go into a game like this with,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “This is a great group of kids and we really feel like we have nothing to lose.”

Fundamentally, the Indians pose problems on both sides of the ball that many 3A programs can only dream of creating, but above all else, it’s the tenacity of Andale that sets them apart.

“They do everything well but their physicality is the first thing that stands out to you when you watch them on film,” Sieben said. “They’re so fast, aggressive and physical and they play very well together. You can’t take away any one guy, and they’re incredibly deep. This is the most talented group I’ve seen in my time here.”

Despite all of that, Rock Creek will shift their focus within this week, understanding the things that got them to this point and honing them to a T ahead of the biggest matchup of their season.

“All of our guys play really well together and we have to put our focus on us and play at the highest level that we can,” he said. “If we worry about all of the talent and ability that they have it’s going to be a long night. We’ve got to focus on us and execute at a high level.”

Offensively, the task will fall to Dalton Whitworth and company to deliver a career performance against the best defense Rock Creek has faced all season, but the state’s reigning passing leader and a potent offense have no interest in backing down from this challenge.

“We have to take care of the football,” Sieben said. “We can’t help them out by giving them the ball and to even have a shot we have to win the turnover battle. We also have to execute and make plays when we have opportunities.”

Defensively it will also take a herculean effort for Rock Creek to hold back an Indian offense that has ground down team after team this season, but the Mustangs are coming off of their best defensive performance of the season after holding Hesston without a single score in the second half.

“I’ve been pleased with our ability to respond to adversity in these playoffs so far,” he said. “You know you’re going to face good teams in the postseason and guys are going to make plays. The ability of our guys to respond to that and make plays themselves was great to see.”

The Mustangs understand that the odds may be long this week, but with all the pressure resting as it often does on the favorites, Rock Creek can focus on settling into their game in front of the home faithful. “I don’t think there’s anyone outside of our locker room that’s giving us a chance and rightfully so," Sieben said. "Andale is unbelievable but we’re playing with house money and we’re looking forward to going out there and seeing how high of a level we can play at.”

Kickoff between the Mustangs and Indians is set for 7 pm at Rock Creek High School with the winner advancing to the 3A semifinals to take on 7-3 Clay Center or 8-2 Cheney.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorFew teams in the country look as imposing as the Andale Indians, who currently hold the nation's second-longest winning streak at 48 games.The last Indian loss came at the end of what is now six straight undefeated regular seasons, and that state championship stumble to Pratt is one of only two total losses in the six-year tenure of head coach Dylan Schmidt.This season, Andale has shown no signs of slowing down, outscoring their ten opponents 577-68, and pitching four shutouts in their last six games.This week, the Indians will line up against Rock Creek looking to move one game closer to 50 consecutive wins, and potentially a fourth-straight 3A state title.Most people around the state of Kansas aren’t giving the Mustangs a shot, but Rock Creek understands the one fundamental rule of a matchup like this.If you’re going to come for Goliath, you’d better bring one hell of a sling.Unlike a lot of teams that have stared down Andale over the years, the Mustangs hold an offense that actually outgained the Indians through the regular season, and while there will be no room for error on Friday night, Rock Creek will not go quietly without delivering their best shot to this 3A juggernaut.“There’s no group of guys that I’d rather go into a game like this with,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “This is a great group of kids and we really feel like we have nothing to lose.”Fundamentally, the Indians pose problems on both sides of the ball that many 3A programs can only dream of creating, but above all else, it’s the tenacity of Andale that sets them apart.“They do everything well but their physicality is the first thing that stands out to you when you watch them on film,” Sieben said. “They’re so fast, aggressive and physical and they play very well together. You can’t take away any one guy, and they’re incredibly deep. This is the most talented group I’ve seen in my time here.”Despite all of that, Rock Creek will shift their focus within this week, understanding the things that got them to this point and honing them to a T ahead of the biggest matchup of their season.“All of our guys play really well together and we have to put our focus on us and play at the highest level that we can,” he said. “If we worry about all of the talent and ability that they have it’s going to be a long night. We’ve got to focus on us and execute at a high level.”Offensively, the task will fall to Dalton Whitworth and company to deliver a career performance against the best defense Rock Creek has faced all season, but the state’s reigning passing leader and a potent offense have no interest in backing down from this challenge.“We have to take care of the football,” Sieben said. “We can’t help them out by giving them the ball and to even have a shot we have to win the turnover battle. We also have to execute and make plays when we have opportunities.”Defensively it will also take a herculean effort for Rock Creek to hold back an Indian offense that has ground down team after team this season, but the Mustangs are coming off of their best defensive performance of the season after holding Hesston without a single score in the second half.“I’ve been pleased with our ability to respond to adversity in these playoffs so far,” he said. “You know you’re going to face good teams in the postseason and guys are going to make plays. The ability of our guys to respond to that and make plays themselves was great to see.”The Mustangs understand that the odds may be long this week, but with all the pressure resting as it often does on the favorites, Rock Creek can focus on settling into their game in front of the home faithful. “I don’t think there’s anyone outside of our locker room that’s giving us a chance and rightfully so," Sieben said. "Andale is unbelievable but we’re playing with house money and we’re looking forward to going out there and seeing how high of a level we can play at.”Kickoff between the Mustangs and Indians is set for 7 pm at Rock Creek High School with the winner advancing to the 3A semifinals to take on 7-3 Clay Center or 8-2 Cheney.

Rock Creek looks to slay Goliath in quarterfinal bout with Andale

Last season, Wamego advanced to the 4A quarterfinals for a second consecutive season where the Red Raiders met an Andover Central team cruising at 9-1.

The ensuing battle was a bloodbath, as the Jaguars jumped on the Raiders early and cruised to a 48-0 victory and a trip to the 4A semis.

A year removed from that fateful day, Wamego finds themselves in the quarterfinals once again with an opportunity to avenge the program’s worst loss in over three years against the Jaguars tonight.

“This is a revenge game for us for sure,” Raiders head coach Weston Moody said. “They embarrassed us last year. You couldn’t play a much worse football game than what we played that night and our guys are pretty ticked off about it and want to make a showing this week.”

While the schools involved in this matchup remain the same, each has undergone major changes since their last meeting, which should make for a much different dynamic on Friday night.

The Red Raiders enter this game undefeated at 10-0, having steamrolled Ulysses (56-11) and Rose Hill (35-8) to get to this point, after an equally dominant regular season.

“We’ve been pretty consistent in the postseason,” Moody said. “Our defense has been playing well, our gameplans have been pretty good and our offense has remained balanced as we figure out what defenses want to do to us. It’s been nice to have big rushing and passing potential and our ability to be balanced has been big for us all year.”

On the flip side of that coin, Andover Central will come to Wamego at 7-3, with six of their ten games, including all three of their losses, coming against 5A opponents.

This game will pit one of the largest 4A communities against one of its smallest, with Andover holding a population of over 15,000 people while Wamego is home to under 5,000.

“Andover Central is a very athletic team,” Moody said. “They always have been and they played some pretty good competition this year. They’re always going to be a force in 4A. Andover is a metro-area city whereas when you drive through our little rinky-dink town you see rural America. We have Dollar General, they have Walmart.”

Despite the disparity in population pools, the Raiders, and Jaguars are locked on a collision course for what should be a competitive football game, and while this one is personal for Wamego, the Raiders aren’t expecting anything to come easy.

“Andover Central is very balanced on offense just like us,” he said. “They run the ball effectively, use a bunch of different formations to put you in bad spots and they’re very speedy on the perimeter. We know we’re going to face some adversity on Friday night but hopefully, we can overcome that and we’re looking forward to it.”

That Jaguar offense will have to overcome the #1 defense in Class 4A, as Wamego hasn’t allowed more than 11 points to a single 4A opponent this season.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders will have the full benefit of a Colin Donahue and Hayden Oviatt-led backfield, with the pair rattling the cages of opposing defenses for the last four weeks.

“They’re going to try to bring pressure and bring some blitzes to disrupt what you want to do,” he said. “They’re athletic in the secondary and they’ll try to man you up. We just have to be us and take what we can get, we’ve seen a lot of defensive looks but that’s prepared us for what we expect to be a good battle.”

This will be Wamego’s third attempt in as many years to advance past the 4A quarterfinal, but their previous shortcomings have come with growth, and the Raiders will look to put all the pieces together to get over the hump on Friday night.

“This team definitely plays with a little bit of a swagger,” Moody said. “They’re very confident, and when you’re experienced and you’ve been there before the bright lights aren’t quite as bright and you play with even more confidence.”

Kickoff between the Raiders and Jaguars is set for 7 pm at Wamego High School with the winner advancing to the 4A semifinals to take on 9-1 McPherson or 8-2 Towanda-Circle.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorLast season, Wamego advanced to the 4A quarterfinals for a second consecutive season where the Red Raiders met an Andover Central team cruising at 9-1.The ensuing battle was a bloodbath, as the Jaguars jumped on the Raiders early and cruised to a 48-0 victory and a trip to the 4A semis.A year removed from that fateful day, Wamego finds themselves in the quarterfinals once again with an opportunity to avenge the program’s worst loss in over three years against the Jaguars tonight.“This is a revenge game for us for sure,” Raiders head coach Weston Moody said. “They embarrassed us last year. You couldn’t play a much worse football game than what we played that night and our guys are pretty ticked off about it and want to make a showing this week.”While the schools involved in this matchup remain the same, each has undergone major changes since their last meeting, which should make for a much different dynamic on Friday night.The Red Raiders enter this game undefeated at 10-0, having steamrolled Ulysses (56-11) and Rose Hill (35-8) to get to this point, after an equally dominant regular season.“We’ve been pretty consistent in the postseason,” Moody said. “Our defense has been playing well, our gameplans have been pretty good and our offense has remained balanced as we figure out what defenses want to do to us. It’s been nice to have big rushing and passing potential and our ability to be balanced has been big for us all year.”On the flip side of that coin, Andover Central will come to Wamego at 7-3, with six of their ten games, including all three of their losses, coming against 5A opponents.This game will pit one of the largest 4A communities against one of its smallest, with Andover holding a population of over 15,000 people while Wamego is home to under 5,000.“Andover Central is a very athletic team,” Moody said. “They always have been and they played some pretty good competition this year. They’re always going to be a force in 4A. Andover is a metro-area city whereas when you drive through our little rinky-dink town you see rural America. We have Dollar General, they have Walmart.”Despite the disparity in population pools, the Raiders, and Jaguars are locked on a collision course for what should be a competitive football game, and while this one is personal for Wamego, the Raiders aren’t expecting anything to come easy.“Andover Central is very balanced on offense just like us,” he said. “They run the ball effectively, use a bunch of different formations to put you in bad spots and they’re very speedy on the perimeter. We know we’re going to face some adversity on Friday night but hopefully, we can overcome that and we’re looking forward to it.”That Jaguar offense will have to overcome the #1 defense in Class 4A, as Wamego hasn’t allowed more than 11 points to a single 4A opponent this season.On the other side of the ball, the Raiders will have the full benefit of a Colin Donahue and Hayden Oviatt-led backfield, with the pair rattling the cages of opposing defenses for the last four weeks.“They’re going to try to bring pressure and bring some blitzes to disrupt what you want to do,” he said. “They’re athletic in the secondary and they’ll try to man you up. We just have to be us and take what we can get, we’ve seen a lot of defensive looks but that’s prepared us for what we expect to be a good battle.”This will be Wamego’s third attempt in as many years to advance past the 4A quarterfinal, but their previous shortcomings have come with growth, and the Raiders will look to put all the pieces together to get over the hump on Friday night.“This team definitely plays with a little bit of a swagger,” Moody said. “They’re very confident, and when you’re experienced and you’ve been there before the bright lights aren’t quite as bright and you play with even more confidence.”Kickoff between the Raiders and Jaguars is set for 7 pm at Wamego High School with the winner advancing to the 4A semifinals to take on 9-1 McPherson or 8-2 Towanda-Circle.

Wamego seeking revenge against Andover Central in quarterfinal rematch

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20963&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Collin Klein’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20964&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Joe Klanderman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/coordinator-press-conferences-november-10-2022/4776" target="_blank">Listen on Wildcats Uncut</a> MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State offensive coordinator&nbsp;Collin Klein&nbsp;and defensive coordinator&nbsp;Joe Klanderman&nbsp;met with members of the media on Thursday at the Vanier Family Football Complex prior to the 19th-ranked Wildcats traveling to take on Baylor in Waco, Texas on Saturday. Links to video and audio of both press conferences are above, and a transcript of select quotes are below.

COLLIN KLEIN, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

On the decision to start Adrian Martinez against Texas…

“Both had had good weeks of practice. He (Adrian Martinez) was able to have a full week of practice, and he was chomping at the bit to go. We were able to sit down toward the end of the week and thought that that was how it was going to go. I was glad he was able to play and get out there and compete again. I was proud of him.”

On Adrian Martinez’s performance…

“I thought he played well. He really made some big-time plays in the pass game and was able to extend some plays in and around the pocket that were big time for us, and that kept us alive. I thought he was getting in a little more of a rhythm as the game went on. That was a good thing, knocking off what ended up almost being four weeks of getting back into the flow of things. I thought he did a great job and competed his butt off. We just came up a little short.”

On the key to success in the running game…

“Well, I think it starts up front. Those guys have battled. We've made progress in a lot of areas, and then we’ve got a couple really dynamic ball carriers. Tight ends and the big skill have done a great job with giving us some angles and different things we can do, and receivers finishing it off on the edges. So, it's been a group effort. It's been a collective effort and multiple ball carriers and multiple situations and packages that have gone with it. Proud of all of our guys and how they’ve attacked that part of the game.”

On the importance of limiting turnovers against Baylor…

“You play good teams and you play close ballgames, it's going to be the difference. Obviously, they've been able to get those and make those plays. They do a great job in a lot of their coverages and things to have a lot of man principles in it. They do a good job of playing tight coverage. Then they got some brackets and some robbers and things that are lurking, so if a tight man coverage ball gets tipped, there's people around and they've been able to bring it down. So, it's going to be a great challenge for us.”

On what he learned from the final two drives against Texas…

“The first one you're down two scores with three timeouts, you’ve got to make sure that you don't spin yourself out and you make sure that we're being careful. We’ve got to get something. You’ve got to make sure you get points one way or another on that first one. Then on that second one, our guys were working hard and had to make some conversions, but just short on a couple plays and just didn't make them. I thought our guys did a nice job of fighting through it and pushing through.”

JOE KLANDERMAN, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

On what makes Baylor such an effective offense…

“I just think they really believe in what they're doing and they're doing it. They've got good personnel, but I think they just are committed to what they're doing. I think one of the things that makes them the most challenging to play is not a great big down-and-distance tendency team. You're going to get as many runs on 3rd&nbsp;and 8 as you're going get on 1st&nbsp;and 10. It's hard to sit on things. Sometimes they treat 3rd&nbsp;down and 1 like it's 2nd&nbsp;down and 1, and you're going to get some shot plays. It makes it really difficult for you to be in exactly what you want to be in defensively. So, you're going to have to be able to move the targets around a little bit on them.”

“Yeah, I think that they're finally healthy there now too. I know they had a few weeks where they weren't all whole on the O-line. I think they've got a really veteran crew when you look at those guys. I think three of them are graduate guys that are back for a sixth year, and they’ve got another senior on top of that. So, it's just extremely experienced group of guys that plays well together.”

On Blake Shapen’s growth since they’ve last faced him…

“We were pretty excited when he came into the game last year and then that dissipated fast. He throws the ball really well. I think it's kind of a challenging deal when you're not the guy as he was a year ago, even though I thought last year toward the end of the year that he had some success too after our game. I just think he's a tremendously athletic guy. I think he probably throws the ball better than what they were able to throw it last year. I think they throw it more with him too as far as dropback game. He seems to have a very good command of what it is. I think going into the offseason, knowing that you're the heir apparent or the guy, which obviously was the case with the transfer situation or whatever that happened there. I think that gave him a little bit more ownership on the offense and I think that shows every Saturday.”

On how Julius Brents handled the targeting ejection…

“Yeah, that was really tough. I thought he handled it fine. Initially, for about 15 minutes there he was a little miffed. It definitely took some wind out of our sails, at least initially. I thought our guys did a pretty good job of not letting it affect them long term. I thought it was kind of an initial shock there for the first series, like damn, it’s the fourth play of the game. Those things happen. I don’t think it was malicious. I don’t think it was the wrong call, for the record. I can see how they’d call it and keep it. It certainly wasn’t anything that he was trying to do. Those things happen. Just the fact that it happened on the fourth play of the game was the worst part about it.”

“I think this program is getting the point now where those games are going to be more and more frequent, those big-time games that you know that you have to have to win a Big 12 Championship. I think our guys see where we're short. We can't tackle the way that we tackled. I'm not putting any the blame on the players. I take full responsibility for everything that happened there. We've got to put them in better positions to make plays. We've got to make as many plays as they do. The fact of the matter is some of their guys made some really good plays. I thought the backs in particular, and we didn't. It was uncharacteristic of us.”

Associate Athletics Director for Communications

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20963&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Collin Klein’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=20964&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Joe Klanderman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/coordinator-press-conferences-november-10-2022/4776" target="_blank">Listen on Wildcats Uncut</a> MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State offensive coordinator&nbsp;Collin Klein&nbsp;and defensive coordinator&nbsp;Joe Klanderman&nbsp;met with members of the media on Thursday at the Vanier Family Football Complex prior to the 19th-ranked Wildcats traveling to take on Baylor in Waco, Texas on Saturday. Links to video and audio of both press conferences are above, and a transcript of select quotes are below.COLLIN KLEIN, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOROn the decision to start Adrian Martinez against Texas…“Both had had good weeks of practice. He (Adrian Martinez) was able to have a full week of practice, and he was chomping at the bit to go. We were able to sit down toward the end of the week and thought that that was how it was going to go. I was glad he was able to play and get out there and compete again. I was proud of him.”On Adrian Martinez’s performance…“I thought he played well. He really made some big-time plays in the pass game and was able to extend some plays in and around the pocket that were big time for us, and that kept us alive. I thought he was getting in a little more of a rhythm as the game went on. That was a good thing, knocking off what ended up almost being four weeks of getting back into the flow of things. I thought he did a great job and competed his butt off. We just came up a little short.”On the key to success in the running game…“Well, I think it starts up front. Those guys have battled. We've made progress in a lot of areas, and then we’ve got a couple really dynamic ball carriers. Tight ends and the big skill have done a great job with giving us some angles and different things we can do, and receivers finishing it off on the edges. So, it's been a group effort. It's been a collective effort and multiple ball carriers and multiple situations and packages that have gone with it. Proud of all of our guys and how they’ve attacked that part of the game.”On the importance of limiting turnovers against Baylor…“You play good teams and you play close ballgames, it's going to be the difference. Obviously, they've been able to get those and make those plays. They do a great job in a lot of their coverages and things to have a lot of man principles in it. They do a good job of playing tight coverage. Then they got some brackets and some robbers and things that are lurking, so if a tight man coverage ball gets tipped, there's people around and they've been able to bring it down. So, it's going to be a great challenge for us.”On what he learned from the final two drives against Texas…“The first one you're down two scores with three timeouts, you’ve got to make sure that you don't spin yourself out and you make sure that we're being careful. We’ve got to get something. You’ve got to make sure you get points one way or another on that first one. Then on that second one, our guys were working hard and had to make some conversions, but just short on a couple plays and just didn't make them. I thought our guys did a nice job of fighting through it and pushing through.”JOE KLANDERMAN, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOROn what makes Baylor such an effective offense…“I just think they really believe in what they're doing and they're doing it. They've got good personnel, but I think they just are committed to what they're doing. I think one of the things that makes them the most challenging to play is not a great big down-and-distance tendency team. You're going to get as many runs on 3rd&nbsp;and 8 as you're going get on 1st&nbsp;and 10. It's hard to sit on things. Sometimes they treat 3rd&nbsp;down and 1 like it's 2nd&nbsp;down and 1, and you're going to get some shot plays. It makes it really difficult for you to be in exactly what you want to be in defensively. So, you're going to have to be able to move the targets around a little bit on them.”On the Baylor offensive line…“Yeah, I think that they're finally healthy there now too. I know they had a few weeks where they weren't all whole on the O-line. I think they've got a really veteran crew when you look at those guys. I think three of them are graduate guys that are back for a sixth year, and they’ve got another senior on top of that. So, it's just extremely experienced group of guys that plays well together.”On Blake Shapen’s growth since they’ve last faced him…“We were pretty excited when he came into the game last year and then that dissipated fast. He throws the ball really well. I think it's kind of a challenging deal when you're not the guy as he was a year ago, even though I thought last year toward the end of the year that he had some success too after our game. I just think he's a tremendously athletic guy. I think he probably throws the ball better than what they were able to throw it last year. I think they throw it more with him too as far as dropback game. He seems to have a very good command of what it is. I think going into the offseason, knowing that you're the heir apparent or the guy, which obviously was the case with the transfer situation or whatever that happened there. I think that gave him a little bit more ownership on the offense and I think that shows every Saturday.”On how Julius Brents handled the targeting ejection…“Yeah, that was really tough. I thought he handled it fine. Initially, for about 15 minutes there he was a little miffed. It definitely took some wind out of our sails, at least initially. I thought our guys did a pretty good job of not letting it affect them long term. I thought it was kind of an initial shock there for the first series, like damn, it’s the fourth play of the game. Those things happen. I don’t think it was malicious. I don’t think it was the wrong call, for the record. I can see how they’d call it and keep it. It certainly wasn’t anything that he was trying to do. Those things happen. Just the fact that it happened on the fourth play of the game was the worst part about it.”On the run defense struggles…“I think this program is getting the point now where those games are going to be more and more frequent, those big-time games that you know that you have to have to win a Big 12 Championship. I think our guys see where we're short. We can't tackle the way that we tackled. I'm not putting any the blame on the players. I take full responsibility for everything that happened there. We've got to put them in better positions to make plays. We've got to make as many plays as they do. The fact of the matter is some of their guys made some really good plays. I thought the backs in particular, and we didn't. It was uncharacteristic of us.”RYAN LACKEYAssociate Athletics Director for Communications

K-State Coordinators Discuss Matchup at Baylor

WACO, Texas (AP) — Defending Big 12 champion Baylor needs a victory over No. 23 Kansas State to keep a clear path to the conference championship game. The teams are tied with No. 18 Texas for second place. Baylor will control its path to the title game with a victory. The Wildcats need a win and a loss by the Longhorns to control their fate. Baylor is on a three-game winning streak after beating Oklahoma. Kansas State is coming off a loss to the Longhorns.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Defending Big 12 champion Baylor needs a victory over No. 23 Kansas State to keep a clear path to the conference championship game. The teams are tied with No. 18 Texas for second place. Baylor will control its path to the title game with a victory. The Wildcats need a win and a loss by the Longhorns to control their fate. Baylor is on a three-game winning streak after beating Oklahoma. Kansas State is coming off a loss to the Longhorns.

K-State plays at Baylor on Saturday

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics officials announced Thursday that the Wildcats’ Senior Day contest on November 26 – the Dillons Sunflower Showdown against Kansas – is sold out as all available standing-room only tickets have been purchased.

Thursday’s announcement gives K-State a sellout for all seven home games this season, the first time the Wildcats have played in front of capacity crowds in every home game since 2016. It will be the fifth-straight home sellout against Kansas, excluding the COVID season of 2020. Entering games this weekend, K-State ranks third nationally at 102.10% in capacity of stadium filled among stadiums with seating for at least 50,000 fans.

Fans with standing-room only tickets are able to watch the game from various standing locations on the concourse. The best locations are on the north and west concourses and the corners of the stadiums near the videoboards. These areas are located behind Sections 2, 5, 8-12, 14, 16, 18-19, 29-34 and above the Wabash Landing in the northwest corner. Three beer gardens are also available inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium – the north and south tailgate terraces on the west side and the Powercat Porch in the southeast corner. Standing Room Only ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early to secure their viewing location.

K-State can only guarantee admittance to the games and provide customer service resolutions on tickets purchased directly from K-State or its official secondary ticket partner, StubHub. Fans still looking for tickets should only purchase via StubHub. Due to a rising number of fraudulent tickets, K-State Athletics advises fans who have already purchased tickets through other sites to ensure that they have downloaded their tickets to their mobile wallets and confirm with the provider that their ticket is valid for entry.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics officials announced Thursday that the Wildcats’ Senior Day contest on November 26 – the Dillons Sunflower Showdown against Kansas – is sold out as all available standing-room only tickets have been purchased.Thursday’s announcement gives K-State a sellout for all seven home games this season, the first time the Wildcats have played in front of capacity crowds in every home game since 2016. It will be the fifth-straight home sellout against Kansas, excluding the COVID season of 2020. Entering games this weekend, K-State ranks third nationally at 102.10% in capacity of stadium filled among stadiums with seating for at least 50,000 fans.Fans with standing-room only tickets are able to watch the game from various standing locations on the concourse. The best locations are on the north and west concourses and the corners of the stadiums near the videoboards. These areas are located behind Sections 2, 5, 8-12, 14, 16, 18-19, 29-34 and above the Wabash Landing in the northwest corner. Three beer gardens are also available inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium – the north and south tailgate terraces on the west side and the Powercat Porch in the southeast corner. Standing Room Only ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early to secure their viewing location.K-State can only guarantee admittance to the games and provide customer service resolutions on tickets purchased directly from K-State or its official secondary ticket partner, StubHub. Fans still looking for tickets should only purchase via StubHub. Due to a rising number of fraudulent tickets, K-State Athletics advises fans who have already purchased tickets through other sites to ensure that they have downloaded their tickets to their mobile wallets and confirm with the provider that their ticket is valid for entry.

K-State Announces Sellout for Dillons Sunflower Showdown

By JUDD WEIL&nbsp; Hutch Post

NICKERSON, Kan. — Ava Jones of Nickerson is forging ahead with her 
future, after signing her National Letter of Intent (NIL) to play 
basketball at the University of Iowa on Nov. 9. &nbsp; After a&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/4372734a-0749-4449-9c40-eac73419a478" target="_blank">life-changing crash in Louisville, Ky.</a>&nbsp;left Ava and her mother, Amy, in critical condition and killed her father, Trey, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/cc44097f-ed08-4907-8a55-7cac2e09863f" target="_blank">the University of Iowa previously stated Ava would keep her scholarship</a> whether or not she would be able to play basketball. &nbsp;

Ava
 Jones was not alone by any means as she signed her&nbsp;NIL, surrounded and 
supported by family, friends, and coaches who saw her basketball career 
nearly, and wrongfully, stolen from her. &nbsp;

“To my family, my dad, 
my mom, and my brothers, and then all my grandparents,” said Ava. “I 
love them all so much. Thank you for everything you have done for me.” &nbsp;

The emotional signing culminated in Ava thanking the people of Nickerson for their support. &nbsp;

“To
 the community of Nickerson, it has not been easy,” expressed Ava. “I 
mean for my family, but it’s just unexplainable how grateful I am of&nbsp;you
 and the things that they have done, Nickerson, for my family and I, 
is&nbsp;incredible.” &nbsp;

 After the signing, Ava said she had not doubt she would be able to sign. &nbsp;

“It
 feels real now,” said Ava. “I mean it did before, but now it feels 
really real, like I am going to go to Iowa and be a Hawkeye.” &nbsp;

Ava will be part of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team in a managerial capacity as she continues to recover. &nbsp;

According to Ava, she could be practicing with the team in one to two years. &nbsp;

“A person wouldn’t be able to do this on two torn ACLs and I don’t know if I’ll be able to yet,” said Ava. &nbsp;

Despite
 this, Ava said she is not worried because she knows who her surgeon is.
 The thing she is&nbsp;most excited about is being able to walk again after 
her surgeries. &nbsp;

Ava’s future surgeries include both of her knees 
in separate operations, as well as her shoulder. Operation on her right 
knee is planned for Nov. 21. &nbsp;

“I am so happy that she is seeing her dream to fruition,” said Amy Jones.&nbsp;

Amy,
 like most parents when their kids move away, admits she'll worry about 
her daughter. Especially after what their family has gone through.

After she has recovered from the surgeries that she still needs, Amy said she will visit Ava in Iowa as soon as she can.&nbsp;

“She
 keeps me motivated to keep pushing and keep working hard,” said Amy. “I
 just hope she enjoys college, whether she plays basketball or not, like
 she makes friends and gets acclimated.” &nbsp;

During her time at the University of Iowa, Ava is going to major in communications. &nbsp;

Ava said she is going to take a lot of hope with her to Iowa from the community of Nickerson. &nbsp;

“This
 town is just full of hope, and this community is just so full of 
excitement,” said Ava. “I’m going to be excited to go to Iowa.” &nbsp;

For
 her future in recovery, Ava said she is going to do whatever the 
coaches tell her to do so she can get on the basketball court. &nbsp;

Ava wants people who hear her story to remember to keep pushing. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668040995679.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JUDD WEIL&nbsp; Hutch PostNICKERSON, Kan. — Ava Jones of Nickerson is forging ahead with her 
future, after signing her National Letter of Intent (NIL) to play 
basketball at the University of Iowa on Nov. 9. &nbsp; After a&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/4372734a-0749-4449-9c40-eac73419a478" target="_blank">life-changing crash in Louisville, Ky.</a>&nbsp;left Ava and her mother, Amy, in critical condition and killed her father, Trey, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/cc44097f-ed08-4907-8a55-7cac2e09863f" target="_blank">the University of Iowa previously stated Ava would keep her scholarship</a> whether or not she would be able to play basketball. &nbsp;Ava
 Jones was not alone by any means as she signed her&nbsp;NIL, surrounded and 
supported by family, friends, and coaches who saw her basketball career 
nearly, and wrongfully, stolen from her. &nbsp;“To my family, my dad, 
my mom, and my brothers, and then all my grandparents,” said Ava. “I 
love them all so much. Thank you for everything you have done for me.” &nbsp;The emotional signing culminated in Ava thanking the people of Nickerson for their support. &nbsp;“To
 the community of Nickerson, it has not been easy,” expressed Ava. “I 
mean for my family, but it’s just unexplainable how grateful I am of&nbsp;you
 and the things that they have done, Nickerson, for my family and I, 
is&nbsp;incredible.” &nbsp; After the signing, Ava said she had not doubt she would be able to sign. &nbsp;“It
 feels real now,” said Ava. “I mean it did before, but now it feels 
really real, like I am going to go to Iowa and be a Hawkeye.” &nbsp;Ava will be part of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team in a managerial capacity as she continues to recover. &nbsp;According to Ava, she could be practicing with the team in one to two years. &nbsp;“A person wouldn’t be able to do this on two torn ACLs and I don’t know if I’ll be able to yet,” said Ava. &nbsp;Despite
 this, Ava said she is not worried because she knows who her surgeon is.
 The thing she is&nbsp;most excited about is being able to walk again after 
her surgeries. &nbsp;Ava’s future surgeries include both of her knees 
in separate operations, as well as her shoulder. Operation on her right 
knee is planned for Nov. 21. &nbsp;“I am so happy that she is seeing her dream to fruition,” said Amy Jones.&nbsp;Amy,
 like most parents when their kids move away, admits she'll worry about 
her daughter. Especially after what their family has gone through.After she has recovered from the surgeries that she still needs, Amy said she will visit Ava in Iowa as soon as she can.&nbsp;“She
 keeps me motivated to keep pushing and keep working hard,” said Amy. “I
 just hope she enjoys college, whether she plays basketball or not, like
 she makes friends and gets acclimated.” &nbsp;During her time at the University of Iowa, Ava is going to major in communications. &nbsp;Ava said she is going to take a lot of hope with her to Iowa from the community of Nickerson. &nbsp;“This
 town is just full of hope, and this community is just so full of 
excitement,” said Ava. “I’m going to be excited to go to Iowa.” &nbsp;For
 her future in recovery, Ava said she is going to do whatever the 
coaches tell her to do so she can get on the basketball court. &nbsp;Ava wants people who hear her story to remember to keep pushing. &nbsp;

Nickerson's Ava Jones signs with University of Iowa

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

COOPERSTOWN, NY — The National Baseball Hall of 
Fame and Museum this week announced the eight-player ballot that will be 
considered by its Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee for Hall 
of Fame election for the Class of 2023. The Contemporary Era Committee 
will meet on Dec. 4 at baseball’s Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif. 

Six batters and two pitchers comprise the eight-name Contemporary 
Baseball Era player ballot, which features candidates whose primary 
contribution to the game came since 1980. 

The Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot includes Albert Belle, 
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, 
Rafael Palmeiro and Curt Schilling. All candidates are living.

The results of the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee vote will be 
announced live on MLB Network’s “MLB Tonight” at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, 
Dec. 4.

Any candidate who receives votes on 75 percent of the ballots cast by
 the committee will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
and will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 23, 2023, along with any 
electees who emerge from the 2023 Baseball Writers’ Association of 
America election, to be announced on Jan. 24, 2023. 

The Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee is one of three 
groups eligible for consideration as part of the Era Committee process, 
which provides an avenue for Hall of Fame consideration to managers, 
umpires and executives, as well as players retired for more than 15 
seasons. The Contemporary Baseball Era features two distinct ballots: 
One for players (considered this fall) and one for managers, executives 
and umpires (considered in the fall of 2023).

Following the restructuring of the Era Committee process in the 
spring of 2022, the two Contemporary Baseball Era ballots were 
instituted, along with the Classic Baseball Era, which includes all 
candidates whose primary contribution to the game came prior to 1980. 
The Classic Baseball Era Committee will meet for the first time in the 
fall of 2024.

The eight Contemporary Baseball Era player finalists were selected by
 the BBWAA-appointed Historical Overview Committee from all eligible 
candidates among players whose most significant career impact was 
realized since 1980. Eligible candidates include players who played in 
at least 10 major league seasons and have been retired for 15 or more 
seasons. All candidates must not be on Baseball’s Ineligible List.

The Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot was determined this fall 
by the Historical Overview Committee, comprised of 11 veteran 
historians: Bob Elliott (Canadian Baseball Network); Jim Henneman (formerly Baltimore Sun); Steve Hirdt (Stats Perform); Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); David O’Brien (The Athletic); Jack O’Connell (BBWAA); Jim Reeves (formerly Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Tracy Ringolsby (InsideTheSeams.com); Glenn Schwarz (formerly San Francisco Chronicle); Susan Slusser (San Francisco Chronicle); and Mark Whicker (Los Angeles News Group).  

The 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorates charged with 
the review of the Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot will be 
announced later this fall. The Committee will meet to discuss and review
 the candidacies of the eight finalists as part of baseball’s Winter 
Meetings on Dec. 4 in San Diego, Calif.

The eight candidates for Contemporary Baseball Era Committee consideration for the Class of 2023: 

•	Albert Belle played 12 seasons with the Indians, 
White Sox and Orioles before a hip injury cut short his career. A 
five-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Belle was 
three-time American League RBI champion who finished second or third in 
the league’s Most Valuable Player balloting in each season from 1994-96.
 He remains the only player in history to post a 50 home run/50 double 
season, having done so in 1995.

•	Barry Bonds played 22 seasons with the Pirates and
 Giants, winning seven National League Most Valuable Player Awards and 
eight Gold Glove Awards in the outfield. MLB’s all-time home run leader 
with 762, Bonds set single-season records for home runs (73 in 2001) and
 walks (232 in 2004). He led the NL in on-base percentage 10 times and 
paced the league in batting average twice.

•	Roger Clemens pitched 24 seasons for the Red Sox, 
Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros, winning seven Cy Young Awards. Clemens 
was named the 1986 AL Most Valuable Player and earned All-Star Game 
berths in 11 seasons. A two-time World Series champion with the Yankees 
(1999-2000), Clemens led his league in earned-run average seven times 
and was a five-time 20-game winner. 

•	Don Mattingly played 14 big league seasons – all 
with the Yankees – and compiled a .307 batting average while earning six
 All-Star Game selections, nine Gold Glove Awards at first base and the 
1985 American League Most Valuable Player Award. A three-time Silver 
Slugger Award winner and the 1984 AL batting champion, Mattingly has 
managed in the big leagues for 12 seasons and was named the 2020 
National League Manager of the Year.

•	Fred McGriff totaled 493 home runs over 19 seasons
 with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers that 
included eight 100-RBI campaigns and six years where he finished in the 
Top 10 of his league’s MVP voting. The 1994 All-Star Game MVP and one of
 the leaders of the 1995 Braves team that won the World Series, McGriff 
led his league in homers twice while compiling a .377 career on-base 
percentage.

•	Dale Murphy earned back-to-back NL Most Valuable 
Player Awards with the Braves in 1982-83 during a five-year stretch 
where he won five Gold Glove Awards in center field and four Silver 
Slugger Awards. A seven-time All-Star who played 18 seasons with the 
Braves, Phillies and Rockies, Murphy led the league in home runs twice, 
RBI twice and slugging percentage twice while posting a 30 homer/30 
steal season in 1983.

•	Rafael Palmeiro totaled 3,020 hits, 569 homers and
 1,835 RBI over 20 big league seasons with the Cubs, Rangers and 
Orioles, earning four All-Star Game selections, three Gold Glove Awards 
at first base and two Silver Slugger Awards. He posted 10 seasons with 
at least 100 RBI and 10 seasons with at least 30 home runs while 
finishing his career with more walks (1,353) than strikeouts (1,348).

•	Curt Schilling is one of only four retired 
pitchers with at least 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks. 
Schilling was named the 2001 World Series co-MVP and owns an 11-2 mark 
with a 2.23 ERA in 19 career Postseason appearances. He won 216 regular 
season games over 20 seasons with the Orioles, Astros, Phillies, 
Diamondbacks and Red Sox and was named to six All-Star Games.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668093554851.jpeg" alt="baseball hall" />
 <figcaption>baseball hall</figcaption>
 </figure>National Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumCOOPERSTOWN, NY — The National Baseball Hall of 
Fame and Museum this week announced the eight-player ballot that will be 
considered by its Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee for Hall 
of Fame election for the Class of 2023. The Contemporary Era Committee 
will meet on Dec. 4 at baseball’s Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif. Six batters and two pitchers comprise the eight-name Contemporary 
Baseball Era player ballot, which features candidates whose primary 
contribution to the game came since 1980. The Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot includes Albert Belle, 
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, 
Rafael Palmeiro and Curt Schilling. All candidates are living.The results of the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee vote will be 
announced live on MLB Network’s “MLB Tonight” at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, 
Dec. 4.Any candidate who receives votes on 75 percent of the ballots cast by
 the committee will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
and will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 23, 2023, along with any 
electees who emerge from the 2023 Baseball Writers’ Association of 
America election, to be announced on Jan. 24, 2023. The Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee is one of three 
groups eligible for consideration as part of the Era Committee process, 
which provides an avenue for Hall of Fame consideration to managers, 
umpires and executives, as well as players retired for more than 15 
seasons. The Contemporary Baseball Era features two distinct ballots: 
One for players (considered this fall) and one for managers, executives 
and umpires (considered in the fall of 2023).Following the restructuring of the Era Committee process in the 
spring of 2022, the two Contemporary Baseball Era ballots were 
instituted, along with the Classic Baseball Era, which includes all 
candidates whose primary contribution to the game came prior to 1980. 
The Classic Baseball Era Committee will meet for the first time in the 
fall of 2024.The eight Contemporary Baseball Era player finalists were selected by
 the BBWAA-appointed Historical Overview Committee from all eligible 
candidates among players whose most significant career impact was 
realized since 1980. Eligible candidates include players who played in 
at least 10 major league seasons and have been retired for 15 or more 
seasons. All candidates must not be on Baseball’s Ineligible List.The Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot was determined this fall 
by the Historical Overview Committee, comprised of 11 veteran 
historians: Bob Elliott (Canadian Baseball Network); Jim Henneman (formerly Baltimore Sun); Steve Hirdt (Stats Perform); Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); David O’Brien (The Athletic); Jack O’Connell (BBWAA); Jim Reeves (formerly Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Tracy Ringolsby (InsideTheSeams.com); Glenn Schwarz (formerly San Francisco Chronicle); Susan Slusser (San Francisco Chronicle); and Mark Whicker (Los Angeles News Group). The 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorates charged with 
the review of the Contemporary Baseball Era player ballot will be 
announced later this fall. The Committee will meet to discuss and review
 the candidacies of the eight finalists as part of baseball’s Winter 
Meetings on Dec. 4 in San Diego, Calif.The eight candidates for Contemporary Baseball Era Committee consideration for the Class of 2023: •	Albert Belle played 12 seasons with the Indians, 
White Sox and Orioles before a hip injury cut short his career. A 
five-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Belle was 
three-time American League RBI champion who finished second or third in 
the league’s Most Valuable Player balloting in each season from 1994-96.
 He remains the only player in history to post a 50 home run/50 double 
season, having done so in 1995.•	Barry Bonds played 22 seasons with the Pirates and
 Giants, winning seven National League Most Valuable Player Awards and 
eight Gold Glove Awards in the outfield. MLB’s all-time home run leader 
with 762, Bonds set single-season records for home runs (73 in 2001) and
 walks (232 in 2004). He led the NL in on-base percentage 10 times and 
paced the league in batting average twice.•	Roger Clemens pitched 24 seasons for the Red Sox, 
Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros, winning seven Cy Young Awards. Clemens 
was named the 1986 AL Most Valuable Player and earned All-Star Game 
berths in 11 seasons. A two-time World Series champion with the Yankees 
(1999-2000), Clemens led his league in earned-run average seven times 
and was a five-time 20-game winner. •	Don Mattingly played 14 big league seasons – all 
with the Yankees – and compiled a .307 batting average while earning six
 All-Star Game selections, nine Gold Glove Awards at first base and the 
1985 American League Most Valuable Player Award. A three-time Silver 
Slugger Award winner and the 1984 AL batting champion, Mattingly has 
managed in the big leagues for 12 seasons and was named the 2020 
National League Manager of the Year.•	Fred McGriff totaled 493 home runs over 19 seasons
 with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers that 
included eight 100-RBI campaigns and six years where he finished in the 
Top 10 of his league’s MVP voting. The 1994 All-Star Game MVP and one of
 the leaders of the 1995 Braves team that won the World Series, McGriff 
led his league in homers twice while compiling a .377 career on-base 
percentage.•	Dale Murphy earned back-to-back NL Most Valuable 
Player Awards with the Braves in 1982-83 during a five-year stretch 
where he won five Gold Glove Awards in center field and four Silver 
Slugger Awards. A seven-time All-Star who played 18 seasons with the 
Braves, Phillies and Rockies, Murphy led the league in home runs twice, 
RBI twice and slugging percentage twice while posting a 30 homer/30 
steal season in 1983.•	Rafael Palmeiro totaled 3,020 hits, 569 homers and
 1,835 RBI over 20 big league seasons with the Cubs, Rangers and 
Orioles, earning four All-Star Game selections, three Gold Glove Awards 
at first base and two Silver Slugger Awards. He posted 10 seasons with 
at least 100 RBI and 10 seasons with at least 30 home runs while 
finishing his career with more walks (1,353) than strikeouts (1,348).•	Curt Schilling is one of only four retired 
pitchers with at least 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks. 
Schilling was named the 2001 World Series co-MVP and owns an 11-2 mark 
with a 2.23 ERA in 19 career Postseason appearances. He won 216 regular 
season games over 20 seasons with the Orioles, Astros, Phillies, 
Diamondbacks and Red Sox and was named to six All-Star Games.

Bonds, Clemens on contemporary Hall of Fame ballot

Congratulations to Lindsey Blue of Salina, the Week 9 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!

Lindsey, who scored 12 of 13 points, wins two tickets and a parking pass to the Kansas City Chiefs' home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

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 Lindsey Blue of Salina, the Week 9 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!Lindsey, who scored 12 of 13 points, wins two tickets and a parking pass to the Kansas City Chiefs' home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.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 Lindsey Blue!

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Markquis Nowell scored 14 points apiece and Kansas State opened the season under new coach Jerome Tang with a 93-59 romp over UT Rio Grande Valley. Tang took over the Wildcats’ program after serving as an assistant to Scott Drew at Baylor from 2003-2022. Nowell sank all three of his 3-point shots and added seven assists and four steals for the Wildcats, who made 12 of 27 from beyond the arc (44.4%). Tomlin added a team-high eight rebounds. Justin Johnson totaled 20 points to lead the Vaqueros.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Markquis Nowell scored 14 points apiece and Kansas State opened the season under new coach Jerome Tang with a 93-59 romp over UT Rio Grande Valley. Tang took over the Wildcats’ program after serving as an assistant to Scott Drew at Baylor from 2003-2022. Nowell sank all three of his 3-point shots and added seven assists and four steals for the Wildcats, who made 12 of 27 from beyond the arc (44.4%). Tomlin added a team-high eight rebounds. Justin Johnson totaled 20 points to lead the Vaqueros.

Wildcats romp in season opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes ran for the tying touchdown and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, Harrison Butker atoned for two earlier misses by kicking the go-ahead field goal in overtime, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17. Mahomes was 43 of 68 for 446 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Mecole Hardman also had a TD run, as the Chiefs rallied from a 17-9 deficit to beat the Titans for only the second time in seven meetings. Kansas City improved to 6-2 while the Titans fell to 5-3. Derrick Henry had 115 yards and two TDs rushing for Tennessee.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes ran for the tying touchdown and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, Harrison Butker atoned for two earlier misses by kicking the go-ahead field goal in overtime, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17. Mahomes was 43 of 68 for 446 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Mecole Hardman also had a TD run, as the Chiefs rallied from a 17-9 deficit to beat the Titans for only the second time in seven meetings. Kansas City improved to 6-2 while the Titans fell to 5-3. Derrick Henry had 115 yards and two TDs rushing for Tennessee.

Chiefs defeat Titans in overtime

WINFIELD – Kansas Wesleyan women's cross country posted a third-place finish and the men a second-place finish at the KCAC Championships at Kansas Veterans Home on Saturday.

It's the third straight season the Coyotes have posted a third place finish in the conference championship.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14068">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina) continued her stellar rookie campaign posting a 10th place finish in the race, covering the 5K course in 19:02.88.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14069">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan) finished 19th for the Coyotes in 19:54.98,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14071">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina) was 21st in 20:05.16,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13667">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Craig) was 34th in 21:04.49,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14070">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wamego) was 38th in 21:21.09,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13662">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;(SR/Mullinville) was 49th in 21:54.53,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13668">Kylie Mouser</a>&nbsp;(SO/Wichita) was 56th in 22:25.85, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13666">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;(SO/Columbus, Texas) was 65th in 23:25.69.

KWU finished with a team score of 105, besting Southwestern and York to round out the top 5 finishing teams.

Saint Mary was the team champion with a score of 20 points. Tabor was second with 72.

Saint Mary's Riley Hiebert was the individual champion with a time of 17:43.71.

The Coyotes now await to see if they will qualify as the second KCAC team to the NAIA National Championships later this month in Tallahassee, Florida. The NAIA changed its qualification model for a second automatic qualifier from a conference, that team must be ranked in the Top 30 of the final NAIA poll of the season, to qualify as a team to the National Championship.

Regardless, two Coyotes punched NAIA National Championship tickets as individuals in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13336">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;(JR/Lakin) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13338">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;(JR/Garden City).

Calvin finished 7th in the race, covering the 8K course in 25:41.29. Hess posted a 14th place finish with a time of 26:00.02.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14073">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;(FR/Pasadena, Texas) was next to cross the line for the Coyotes in 19th, with a time of 26:15.56.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13346">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;(SO/Temecula, Calif.) finished 33rd in 26:57.99,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;(SO/Colorado Springs, Colo.) was 34th in 26:59.04,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14075">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Coppell, Texas) was 40th in 27:13.74,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13345">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;(SO/Topeka) was 41st in 27:17.35, Will Griffith was 56th in 28:29.94,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13339">Steven Merrill</a>&nbsp;(JR/Arvada, Colo.) was 58th in 28:35.36,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13344">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Lakin) was 69th in 29:06.69,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14072">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan) was 81st in 29:49.50, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14076">Remington Wiseman</a>&nbsp;(FR/Howard) was 102nd in 32:29.59.

The Coyotes were second in the team standings with 77 points, beating third place Tabor by eight points. Saint Mary was the KCAC Champion scoring only 20 points in the meet. The Spires had 10 of the top 12 finishers in the race.

Logan Horning from Friends was the individual champion with a winning time of 24:45.06.

KWU AthleticsWINFIELD – Kansas Wesleyan women's cross country posted a third-place finish and the men a second-place finish at the KCAC Championships at Kansas Veterans Home on Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667769292498.jpeg" alt="The Coyote women's cross country team.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>The Coyote women's cross country team.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Coyote womenIt's the third straight season the Coyotes have posted a third place finish in the conference championship.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14068">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina) continued her stellar rookie campaign posting a 10th place finish in the race, covering the 5K course in 19:02.88.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14069">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan) finished 19th for the Coyotes in 19:54.98,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14071">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina) was 21st in 20:05.16,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13667">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Craig) was 34th in 21:04.49,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/14070">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wamego) was 38th in 21:21.09,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13662">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;(SR/Mullinville) was 49th in 21:54.53,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13668">Kylie Mouser</a>&nbsp;(SO/Wichita) was 56th in 22:25.85, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/12/13666">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;(SO/Columbus, Texas) was 65th in 23:25.69.KWU finished with a team score of 105, besting Southwestern and York to round out the top 5 finishing teams.Saint Mary was the team champion with a score of 20 points. Tabor was second with 72.Saint Mary's Riley Hiebert was the individual champion with a time of 17:43.71.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667769559307.jpeg" alt="The Coyote men's cross country team.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>The Coyote men's cross country team.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU menThe Coyotes now await to see if they will qualify as the second KCAC team to the NAIA National Championships later this month in Tallahassee, Florida. The NAIA changed its qualification model for a second automatic qualifier from a conference, that team must be ranked in the Top 30 of the final NAIA poll of the season, to qualify as a team to the National Championship.That poll comes out Monday.Regardless, two Coyotes punched NAIA National Championship tickets as individuals in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13336">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;(JR/Lakin) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13338">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;(JR/Garden City).Calvin finished 7th in the race, covering the 8K course in 25:41.29. Hess posted a 14th place finish with a time of 26:00.02.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14073">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;(FR/Pasadena, Texas) was next to cross the line for the Coyotes in 19th, with a time of 26:15.56.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13346">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;(SO/Temecula, Calif.) finished 33rd in 26:57.99,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;(SO/Colorado Springs, Colo.) was 34th in 26:59.04,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14075">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Coppell, Texas) was 40th in 27:13.74,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13345">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;(SO/Topeka) was 41st in 27:17.35, Will Griffith was 56th in 28:29.94,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13339">Steven Merrill</a>&nbsp;(JR/Arvada, Colo.) was 58th in 28:35.36,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/13344">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Lakin) was 69th in 29:06.69,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14072">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan) was 81st in 29:49.50, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/4/14076">Remington Wiseman</a>&nbsp;(FR/Howard) was 102nd in 32:29.59.The Coyotes were second in the team standings with 77 points, beating third place Tabor by eight points. Saint Mary was the KCAC Champion scoring only 20 points in the meet. The Spires had 10 of the top 12 finishers in the race.Logan Horning from Friends was the individual champion with a winning time of 24:45.06.

Koppes, Lind, Avila help KWU cross country place at KCAC

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self will be forced to watch the fifth-ranked Jayhawks open the season against Omaha from afar on Monday night. Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend will be serving the first in a four-game suspension handed down by the school as part of an ongoing NCAA infractions case for nearly six years with no end in sight. Norm Roberts, a longtime Kansas assistant who also was the head coach at St. John's, will be the acting head coach. Self is still allowed to work with the Jayhawks in practice, but he can't have any contact with the team on game day.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self will be forced to watch the fifth-ranked Jayhawks open the season against Omaha from afar on Monday night. Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend will be serving the first in a four-game suspension handed down by the school as part of an ongoing NCAA infractions case for nearly six years with no end in sight. Norm Roberts, a longtime Kansas assistant who also was the head coach at St. John's, will be the acting head coach. Self is still allowed to work with the Jayhawks in practice, but he can't have any contact with the team on game day.

 KU will open the season without Bill Self

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Adrian Martinez accounted for 381 total yards and three touchdowns and No. 13 Kansas State battled back from a 21-point deficit to provide a nail-biting finish against Texas, but a turnover with 24 seconds left sealed the Wildcats’ fate in a 34-27 loss in front of a sellout crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Martinez threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns and one interception, but the senior transfer quarterback appeared to try to do too much when he checked down on his progression in the pocket and tried to make a play late. Keondre Coburn stripped the ball and Jaylan Ford recovered at the Texas 39-yard line to thwart the Wildcats’ chances to tie the game and match the largest comeback in school history.

“Probably a little bit of trying to do too much,” Martinez said. “I got it batted away.”

K-State, 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference, suffered its sixth-straight loss to Texas, 6-3 and 4-2, and saw sole possession of second place in the league standings batted away. K-State now shares second place with Texas and Baylor, which the Wildcats face next Saturday in Waco.

“(Our players) are down for sure,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “We’ve got a bunch of kids that want to win and have a chance to play in December. We’ve got great character in that room and really good leaders. We’ve got to bounce back. It doesn’t get any easier.”

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Adrian Martinez accounted for 381 total yards and three touchdowns and No. 13 Kansas State battled back from a 21-point deficit to provide a nail-biting finish against Texas, but a turnover with 24 seconds left sealed the Wildcats’ fate in a 34-27 loss in front of a sellout crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.Martinez threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns and one interception, but the senior transfer quarterback appeared to try to do too much when he checked down on his progression in the pocket and tried to make a play late. Keondre Coburn stripped the ball and Jaylan Ford recovered at the Texas 39-yard line to thwart the Wildcats’ chances to tie the game and match the largest comeback in school history.“Probably a little bit of trying to do too much,” Martinez said. “I got it batted away.”K-State, 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference, suffered its sixth-straight loss to Texas, 6-3 and 4-2, and saw sole possession of second place in the league standings batted away. K-State now shares second place with Texas and Baylor, which the Wildcats face next Saturday in Waco.“(Our players) are down for sure,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “We’ve got a bunch of kids that want to win and have a chance to play in December. We’ve got great character in that room and really good leaders. We’ve got to bounce back. It doesn’t get any easier.”

K-State rally falls short against Texas

When Jess Rutledge took the head coaching job at Wabaunsee in 2018, the program was not known for its success on the football field.

In the decade prior the Chargers posted nine losing seasons, with the high watermark coming in a 5-5 2013 campaign.

Two years into the Rutledge era, it appeared as though not much had changed, but within the walls of Wabaunsee High School, the Chargers were laying the foundation for something special.

“The support from our community has been huge,” Rutledge said. “In my first two seasons here we went 2-16 and there were so many people that told our kids and that told me that they were behind us and that they weren’t going anywhere and to keep at it. To have that kind of belief means a lot to our players and it meant a lot to me as well.”

In 2020, the Chargers began their ascent, winning four games, including one of the first postseason victories in program history.

In 2021 Wabaunsee ripped off their first winning season in over 15 years, posting seven wins and advancing to the second round of the playoffs, where they were stopped just short of their first-ever quarterfinal berth.

This year, the Chargers put all the pieces together, stampeding through a 7-1 regular season, steamrolling Belle Plaine in the opening round, and finally punching an elusive round of eight ticket with a hard-fought 22-14 victory over Marion on Friday night.

“This win meant everything to our guys and to our program,” Rutledge said. “When our seniors were freshmen we went 1-8, we’re 9-1 now. The buy-in and dedication that we’ve seen from those guys has been astonishing and all of those classes behind them are buying in and seeing what it takes to make history and to get things done like this.”

These wins under the Friday night lights are the product of hard work and dedication the likes of which the Wabaunsee community has never seen before.

“The offseason is where all of this happens for us,” he said. “Everyone has summer weights programs and we really felt like that was important. We had 28 guys who had 100% attendance through 36 weights sessions and that shows how much this matters to them and how much they’re willing to invest in this.”

Like everything else Wabaunsee has accomplished in this span, a trip to their first quarterfinal came far from easy as the Warriors and Chargers entered the halftime locker room in an 8-8 deadlock.

“Marion is an unbelievably talented football team but we couldn’t get out of our way with silly turnovers and penalties,” Rutledge said. “We knew this was going to be a dogfight but I told them ‘this is our field this is your opportunity to make history, you have to go take it.’ You could see that relit that fire and they wanted to go out and finish this thing.”

With their second wind and a renewed focus, the Chargers retook the field and seized their destiny, outscoring the Warriors 14-6 in 24 gritty minutes of football.

“In the second half, we cleaned things up and really just executed better,” he said. “We’ve been down or tied so many times this season and the resilience of these kids was on full display. This team has no quit and they don’t flinch.”

This victory, along with all those that came before it, hasn’t just changed the landscape of the 1A bracket, it’s begun to change the landscape of Class 1A altogether, as a new player emerges from the depths of long-suffering.

“I couldn’t be happier for our kids,” Rutledge said. “For the longest time, Wabaunsee football was not considered to be a serious program or one that people associated with winning. For them to go out and totally change that culture and how this program is viewed is incredible.”

The Chargers will now turn their attention to a quarterfinal contest with Conway Springs as the 1A field is whittled down from eight to four next week.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorWhen Jess Rutledge took the head coaching job at Wabaunsee in 2018, the program was not known for its success on the football field.In the decade prior the Chargers posted nine losing seasons, with the high watermark coming in a 5-5 2013 campaign.Two years into the Rutledge era, it appeared as though not much had changed, but within the walls of Wabaunsee High School, the Chargers were laying the foundation for something special.“The support from our community has been huge,” Rutledge said. “In my first two seasons here we went 2-16 and there were so many people that told our kids and that told me that they were behind us and that they weren’t going anywhere and to keep at it. To have that kind of belief means a lot to our players and it meant a lot to me as well.”In 2020, the Chargers began their ascent, winning four games, including one of the first postseason victories in program history.In 2021 Wabaunsee ripped off their first winning season in over 15 years, posting seven wins and advancing to the second round of the playoffs, where they were stopped just short of their first-ever quarterfinal berth.This year, the Chargers put all the pieces together, stampeding through a 7-1 regular season, steamrolling Belle Plaine in the opening round, and finally punching an elusive round of eight ticket with a hard-fought 22-14 victory over Marion on Friday night.“This win meant everything to our guys and to our program,” Rutledge said. “When our seniors were freshmen we went 1-8, we’re 9-1 now. The buy-in and dedication that we’ve seen from those guys has been astonishing and all of those classes behind them are buying in and seeing what it takes to make history and to get things done like this.”These wins under the Friday night lights are the product of hard work and dedication the likes of which the Wabaunsee community has never seen before.“The offseason is where all of this happens for us,” he said. “Everyone has summer weights programs and we really felt like that was important. We had 28 guys who had 100% attendance through 36 weights sessions and that shows how much this matters to them and how much they’re willing to invest in this.”Like everything else Wabaunsee has accomplished in this span, a trip to their first quarterfinal came far from easy as the Warriors and Chargers entered the halftime locker room in an 8-8 deadlock.“Marion is an unbelievably talented football team but we couldn’t get out of our way with silly turnovers and penalties,” Rutledge said. “We knew this was going to be a dogfight but I told them ‘this is our field this is your opportunity to make history, you have to go take it.’ You could see that relit that fire and they wanted to go out and finish this thing.”With their second wind and a renewed focus, the Chargers retook the field and seized their destiny, outscoring the Warriors 14-6 in 24 gritty minutes of football.“In the second half, we cleaned things up and really just executed better,” he said. “We’ve been down or tied so many times this season and the resilience of these kids was on full display. This team has no quit and they don’t flinch.”This victory, along with all those that came before it, hasn’t just changed the landscape of the 1A bracket, it’s begun to change the landscape of Class 1A altogether, as a new player emerges from the depths of long-suffering.“I couldn’t be happier for our kids,” Rutledge said. “For the longest time, Wabaunsee football was not considered to be a serious program or one that people associated with winning. For them to go out and totally change that culture and how this program is viewed is incredible.”The Chargers will now turn their attention to a quarterfinal contest with Conway Springs as the 1A field is whittled down from eight to four next week.Wabaunsee took Friday night to revel in their groundbreaking achievement, but amidst the celebration, there wasn’t a hint of contentment in the Charger locker room.“We’re absolutely not satisfied,” he said. “After the game, I told them, ‘I’m proud of you all, I love you all, this is an amazing accomplishment but we’re not done.’ We have another step to take and another battle ahead with an unbelievably talented Conway Springs team next week.”The Chargers will hit the road to battle the Cardinals next Friday at 7 pm as Wabaunsee looks to continue raising their high watermark, inching one step closer to postseason glory.For continuing coverage of the Charger’s playoff run stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.