Sterling rallies past Rossville 35-34 for first state title since 1982

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Sterling High School Black Bears captured their first state football championship in 43 years with a thrilling 35-34 victory over the Rossville High School Bulldogs on Nov. 28 in the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 1A championship game at Gowens Stadium.

Sterling, the No. 1 seed in the West Region with a 12-0 record, survived a back-and-forth contest against the No. 4 East Region seed Rossville (11-1) on a cloudy afternoon with winds of 10 to 15 mph out of the southeast.

The Black Bears received the kickoff and returned the ball to their own 43-yard line. On the next play, senior running back Zane Farney made an explosive run to the 6-yard line. Two plays later, at the 9:55 mark, Sterling scored. Sophomore kicker Lane Weigel converted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Sterling's defense forced a turnover on downs, and the Black Bears extended their lead to 14-0 at 4:07 in the first quarter.

Rossville responded with a methodical drive that included a long pass play and a Sterling penalty, reaching the end zone at 0:46 remaining in the quarter. The extra point attempt went wide, making the score 14-6.

Sterling returned the ensuing kickoff to the Rossville 49-yard line and drove into the red zone before a fumbled pitch gave the Bulldogs possession at their own 23. But Rossville couldn't capitalize, turning the ball back over on downs.

The Black Bears scored quickly on an unusual play when senior quarterback Logan Issac fumbled the snap, but the ball bounced into the arms of Zach Farney, who rumbled 65 yards for a touchdown, making it 21-6 with just under three minutes remaining in the half.

Rossville rallied before halftime when senior quarterback Canann Mitchell connected with senior running back Conner Bush to set up a touchdown. The Bulldogs completed a two-point conversion to make the score 21-14 at halftime.

Rossville, with the wind at their backs, opened the third quarter with a touchdown pass to tie the game 21-21. The Bulldogs' defense forced another turnover on downs, and Rossville scored again to take their first lead, 28-21, heading into the fourth quarter.

Sterling responded immediately in the fourth quarter with an 18-yard touchdown run by Farney. Weigel's extra point tied the game at 28-28.

Mitchell put Rossville back ahead with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 11-minute mark, but Sterling blocked the extra point, leaving the score 34-28.

Starting from their own 30-yard line with 6:36 remaining, the Black Bears mounted a dramatic drive, converting three consecutive fourth-down plays. Issac connected with sophomore running back Jacob Lewis for the go-ahead touchdown. Weigel's extra point gave Sterling a 35-34 lead.

Rossville received the ball with 59 seconds remaining and used the passing game to reach Sterling territory. But a sack by junior defender Tucker Haas and an intentional grounding penalty put the Bulldogs in a fourth-and-long situation. When Rossville failed to convert, Sterling took over and ran out the clock.

Farney, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2025 and was the leading rusher in Kansas across all classes, was instrumental in Sterling's championship run.

Rossville senior running back Connor Bush (5) carries the ball against Sterling in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell (14) rolls out to pass against Sterling in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan.

Rossville defenders, including sophomore Landen Lewis (8), junior Kelton Lacock (22) and junior Cael Horgan (6), tackle Sterling senior running back Zach Farney (1) in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan.

Sterling senior running back Wyatt Newberry (2) carries the ball against Rossville in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan.

Sterling senior running back Zach Farney (1) fights for yardage against Rossville in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan. Farney rushed for more than 2,000 yards during the 2025 season.

Sterling junior defender Tucker Haas (33) sacks Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell (14) in the Kansas Class 1A championship game on Nov. 28, 2025, at Gowens Stadium in Hutchinson, Kan. The sack and resulting intentional grounding penalty helped secure Sterling's 35-34 victory.