By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
A historic season in Wabaunsee came to an unfortunate end this week as the Chargers fell to Conway Springs in the program’s first-ever quarterfinal appearance by a final score of 39-14
After posting their first winning record in 25 years a season ago, the Chargers ripped off a nine-game winning streak to push past the second round for the first time ever this year, and close out their campaign at 9-2.
“We weren’t as physical as we needed to be to compete,” Wabaunsee head coach Jess Rutledge said. “We had difficulty executing in all three phases of the game but I’m still proud of the way our boys fought hard.”
While the conclusion of this campaign is a bittersweet one in Alma, what Wabaunsee has built in such a brief time is nothing short of astounding, and the Chargers made a statement this season that they’re here to stay in Class 1A.
“To do what had never been done before is an incredible accomplishment and I’m so proud of all of these kids,” Rutledge said. “I’m especially happy for these seniors. They were 1-8 as freshmen so for them to be 9-2 with a district championship, a regional championship and a quarterfinal appearance is a phenomenal accomplishment to have in a four-year span.”
That turnaround isn’t just reflected in the records over the year, it’s reflected in a renewed culture of Charger football that will remain long after this senior class has moved on.
“Our seniors have elevated our standard and that was a big thing for us after earning a winning season last year,” he said. “We immediately talked about what we wanted to do to raise that standard and continue to advance Wabaunsee football and those guys bought in and worked their butts off to get this done. I’m super proud of them.”
While Wabaunsee will return a great deal of talent for the 2023 campaign, including junior quarterback Wyatt Wurtz, the Chargers will say goodbye to seven seniors who have helped rebuild this program from the ground up in Logan Clark, Eli Oliver, Bryton Reves, Lanson Parry, Ryan Schutter, Maverick Havenstein and Jacob Meseke.
“I’m excited for 2023 but I’m not ready to move onto that just yet from a great group of seniors that I’ll never get to coach or teach again after this year,” Rutledge said. “It’s sad but these kids are going to move on and do greater things after school and I’ll miss the hell out of them but we have a lot of good pieces coming back and we should be in for another exciting season.”
The Little Apple Post would like to thank everyone who followed along with us throughout our coverage of Wabaunsee football this season.
For more great Charger content including coverage of Wabaunsee boys and girls basketball, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.