CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
 
BISHOP MIEGE (5-7) VS. ANDOVER CENTRAL (11-1)
 
1 p.m. Saturday at Welch Stadium, Emporia
 

 
SENIOR-HEAVY ANDOVER CENTRAL LOOKS TO CHANGE FINAL FORTUNES
 
Hearing his seniors reminisce as their high school football careers wind down, Andover Central coach Derek Tuttle realized the unique bond the group of 23 has formed.
 
“It’s more common in small towns and not necessarily the suburban areas, but so many of them have played together for a long time,” Tuttle said as the Jaguars prepare to face Bishop Miege for the Class 4A title on Saturday. “A lot of them talked about it on senior night and late in the season about how long some of them have been together going back to youth football and middle school.
 
“That’s been huge in their development.”
 
Andover Central will make its fifth championship game appearance since 2015, but first in back-to-back years. After falling 35-7 to St. Thomas Aquinas in last year’s 4A title game in snowy Topeka, Central will take an 11-1 record to Emporia State’s Welch Stadium for the finale.
 
The Jaguars are hoping their tight-knit group of veterans can help them break through and collect their first state title.
 
“After making it to the championship game and then to get to this point this year, they’ve shown a lot of grit and resolve and resiliency as far as having that determination to make it here,” Tuttle said. “And they realized how they needed to do that with how they’ve practiced.”
 
Preseason hopes were certainly high for the Jaguars, as their large group of returnees covered many of the skill positions. Senior quarterback Jace Jefferson has passed for 2,380 yards and 30 touchdowns this fall, and is coming off a 21-of-26 effort for 267 yards and five touchdowns – four to classmate Brandt Stupka – in a 41-14 semifinal victory over Buhler.
 
Stupka is the Jags’ leading receiver with 59 catches for 976 yards and 14 TDs. Another senior, Jace Adler, who transferred to Central from Winfield in middle school, has 58 catches for 857 yards and 11 TDs. They are complemented in the ground game by classmate Maddox Archibald, who has run for 1,489 yards and 21 TDs.
 
Defensively, the Jags’ top seven tacklers are all seniors, led by linebacker Landon Preston, who has 107 stops.
 
Andover Central pulled out of a three-game midseason slide last season to reach the title game. This fall, the Jaguars’ lone hiccup was a 22-16 loss to Goddard that dropped them to 4-1. Goddard scored on a kickoff return and interception return to knock off then-No. 1 Central, but the Jaguars responded the following week with a 31-7 win over Salina Central.
 
They’ve been especially strong in the playoffs, belting Wellington 58-13 in the quarterfinals before building a first-half lead on their way to ending Buhler’s season.
 
“They’re just a lot of great character kids in terms of their mentality and doing the right thing,” Tuttle said. “They’re not perfect by any means. But when it comes down to it, they want to do things the right way.
 
“It’s not the most vocal group. But they’re just really good workers and they always have high expectations. A lot of that comes from having opportunities to excel in other sports as well.”
 
Central’s first two state championship losses came to Miege and neither was close. The Stags beat Central 68-12 in rain and ice for the 2015 4A Division I title, then routed the Jags 68-7 for the 4A crown in 2019.
 
Those Miege teams finished 12-1 and 11-2, respectively. Even though this year’s Stags entered the postseason at 1-7, Central is aware it will have to defeat a surging team to win its first title.
 
“We’ve told them you’ve got to be careful in how you look at them because they’ve probably played one of the toughest schedules in the state,” Tuttle said. “They understand that. And I think in the back of their minds, they always realized Miege could be the team that was there if we got back to this point.” 
 
 
ANDOVER CENTRAL JAGUARS (11-1)
 
COACH: Derek Tuttle (6th year, 56-15)
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: 4 runner-up finishes – 2023 (4A), 2021 (4A), 2019 (4A), 2015 (4A I)
 
2024 RESULTS
W,37-7 at Hutchinson
W,50-7 at Newton
W,56-17 Arkansas City
W,24-0 at Valley Center
L,22-16 Goddard
W,31-7 Salina Central
W,27-26 Eisenhower
W,31-13 at Andover
W,49-13 El Dorado (P)
W,35-7 Winfield (P)
W,58-13 Wellington (P)
W,41-14 Buhler (P)
 
2024 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Points scored: 455 (37.9 per game)
 
Points allowed: 146 (12.2 per game)
 
Total offense: 4,487 yards (373.9 per game)
 
Rushing: 2,093 yards (174.4 per game), 27 TDs
 
Passing: 2,394 yards (199.5 per game), 30 TDs, 7 INTs
 
INDIVIDUAL
 
Rushing: Maddox Archibald (sr.) 226 carries, 1,489 yards, 21 TDs; Jaxson Green (so.) 69 carries, 406 yards, 3 TDs; Jace Jefferson (sr.) 48 carries, 73 yards, 3 TDs.
 
Passing: Jace Jefferson (sr.) 160 of 255, 2,380 yards, 30 TDs, 7 INTs.
 
Receiving: Brandt Stupka (sr.) 59 catches, 976 yards, 14 TDs; Jace Adler (sr.) 58 catches, 857 yards, 11 TDs; Brody DeGarmo (sr.) 21 catches, 244 yards, 1 TD; Maddox Archibald (sr.) 10 catches, 224 yards, 3 TDs.
 
Tackles: Landon Preston (sr.) 107 tackles (46 solo), 6 tackles for loss; Logan Taggart (sr.) 74 tackles (27 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks; Don Hager (sr.) 63 tackles (18 solo), 4 tackles for loss; Brody DeGarmo (sr.) 59 tackles (31 solo), 5 tackles for loss; Carson Green (sr.) 58 tackles (10 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss; Gaige Hurley (sr.) 53 tackles (19 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks; Jace Adler (sr.) 48 tackles (26 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss; Jonny George (jr.) 36 tackles (21 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks; Dawson Rodd (sr.) 5.5 tackles for loss; Jaylen Wilson (jr.) 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks; Bubba Hall (jr.) 4 tackles for loss.
 
Takeaways: Carter Inslee (jr.) 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Dawson Rodd (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT; Brody DeGarmo (sr.) 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Gaige Hurley (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries; Landon Preston (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries.
 
Kicking: Andrew Clouse (sr.) 6 of 8 FGs, 56 of 58 PATs.
 

 
BISHOP MIEGE FLIPS SWITCH IN POSTSEASON, TURN 1-7 REGULAR SEASON INTO RETURN TO STATE FINAL
 
5,866 days.

When the 4A state title game kicks off on Saturday, that’s how many days it will have been since Baldwin earned a 33-18 win over Bishop Miege in the opening round of 4A state playoffs in 2008.

In the 15 years since, Miege has become the ultimate foil to public schools in that 4A classification.

The Stags won the 4A state title in 2009 before moving back up to 5A the next year. After a four-year stint in the larger classification, Miege would return to start a six-year run of state titles, including a four-year stretch starting in 2014 where the program lost only two games.

Fellow Catholic schools St. James Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas would eventually join Miege in 4A, with those EKL rivals earning three state titles in the last four years. The Stags still earned the other, ending a two-year run by St. James by winning in 2022 before Aquinas took home the title last year.

Both of those other two programs returned to 5A this season, but Miege remains.

Despite finishing a regular season with 1-7 record against only opponents from the larger classifications, the Stags have returned to the state title game once again. 

Now, Andover Central will look to be the first 4A public school team since Baldwin to defeat Miege. If not, that counter of domination for the Stags will likely end up passing the 6,000-day mark before they face another 4A school, public or otherwise. Miege reached this year's state title game after senior quarterback Marco Rodriguez threw for 457 yards with three touchdowns while rushing for another score in the team’s 48-13 road win over Tonganoxie in the state semifinals.

Rodriguez had thrown two interceptions in the game, but his early success connecting on vertical passes down the field targeting senior wide receiver Teryn Jackson, who finished with 273 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions, forced Tonganoxie's defense to focus on preventing those deep shots.

Cue the Stags’ pair of running backs, sophomore Nick Nabazas and freshman John Watskey, getting the ball with much more room to run.

For the Stags this season, opening up the run game to establish a more balanced attack has not always been an easy thing for the team to accomplish. But when they do get that part of their offense going, watch out.

“In the games we have won, we have been able to consistently run the ball,” Miege head coach Jon Holmes said. “When we have to be one dimensional, that is when we struggle.”

It started with the team’s season opener against St. James Academy. That game quickly turned into a track meet as the Thunder built a 20-0 lead after one quarter and Miege never really gained much ground from there in a 44-28 loss at home.

It was much the same story for the next five weeks as the team had trouble starting fast and finishing strong. The Stags went 0-6, including one score losses against Blue Valley Southwest and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Miege got in the win column in Week 7 with a 34-32 win over Blue Valley North, but a 27-7 loss against Blue Valley the next week still left questions on whether the team would be able to turn things around in the postseason.

Heading into the year, Miege had to replace all five of its starters along the offensive line. Rodriguez and Jackson gave the team the long ball threat, but it’s hard to find time for that with inexperience up front and a young group of running backs for the ground attack.

The Stags showed progress with those weaknesses late in the regular season, but they ended up facing their toughest test in the opening round of the playoffs. Louisburg, which started the year 7-0 before losing 14-13 against Spring Hill in their regular-season finale, had longed for the chance to knock off Miege. 

The Wildcats battled their way to a 14-all tie at halftime, but it was all Stags in a low-scoring second half. Rodgriguez connected with Jackson on the go-ahead touchdown reception in the third quarter. The Stags defense kept Louisburg off the board the rest of the way, including junior defensive back Jeremiah Johnson intercepting his second pass of the game on the Wildcats' last possession to seal the victory.

In the weeks since, the Stags have finally started to consistently take control early in the games and never let off of the gas. They’ve defeated their last three opponents by an average of 39 points per game.

Holmes gave credit to Nabazas and sophomore Vinny George for continuing to fight for yards in those games where the running game was not nearly as effective as it has been during the playoff run. As George has missed games in recent weeks, Watskey stepped up to fill that role in the Stags’ one-two punch out of the backfield.

“The development of the RB's has been a point of emphasis for us during the playoffs,” Holmes said. “If we can maintain balance as an offense, then we are hard to stop.”

On defense, the Stags have also tightened things up during the postseason. Miege has allowed 14 points or less during the playoffs after allowing at least 20 points in each game during the regular season.

Against Tonganoxie, Miege made the big plays on offense while preventing their opponents from doing the same.

“Defensively, we did a good job winning early downs and putting them in third-and-long situations,” Holmes said. “We slowed down their running game and forced them to throw it.”

The same balance that Holmes has been looking for with his offense is something he knows his team’s opponent in the state championship game has been doing very well all season. While the Stags have finally had a stretch limiting opponents to less than three scores, Andover Central enters the state championship game having scored at least 24 points in 11 of 12 games. The Jaguars' lowest scoring output was in the lone blemish on their record, a 22-16 loss against Goddard in Week 5.

Andover Central has averaged just shy of 200 passing yards per game while also rushing for 174 yards with a 5.6 yards per carry average.

In the last three weeks, Andover Central earned a series of blowout victories that all look just a little different from each other.

It started with the Jaguars earning a 35-7 victory over Winfield by leaning on the senior running back Maddox Archibald. Despite throwing three interceptions in that game, senior quarterback Jace Jefferson responded the next week with a 3-0 TD-INT ratio as his 216 passing yards paired well with Archibald’s 188 rushing yards and four touchdowns runs in a 58-13 victory over Wellington. Then in the state semifinals, Buhler held Archibald to just 58 yards on 2.9 yards per carry, leaving Jefferson to throw for 267 yards with five touchdowns to no interceptions in a 41-14 victory.

Holmes said it’s difficult to slow down the Jaguars because their balanced attacks are achieved without ever really tipping their hand to the defense.

“It is difficult because of the number of formations they have shown,” Holmes said. “They might show a running formation, but then hit a deep ball out of it. They do a great job of maintaining balance in their offense and forcing you as a defense to tip your hand in wanting to stop the run or the pass. 

“We must mix up our looks and keep them guessing.”

Holmes added that it’ll be important for his team limit the opportunities for the Jaguars by keeping his team’s own offense playing the way its been playing in the postseason.

“Offensively, we must take care of the football,” Holmes said. “Andover Central does a great job of sending pressure and forcing turnovers. We can't give them any extra possessions. Defensively, we have to eliminate the big plays. They have shown the ability to keep the sticks moving, we have to get their punt team on the field.”

Holmes currently has been part of eight state titles with the Stags, including seven as a head coach. He said seeing his team stick together through the rough start and maintaining the belief that they could still win the state title to get to this position makes the possibility of winning another all the more special to him.

“It would be the most rewarding title because of the adversity this team has overcome over the course of this season,” Holmes said.

 
BISHOP MIEGE STAGS (5-7)
 
COACH: Jon Holmes (13th year, 122-37)
 
STATE FINALS HISTORY: 11 state titles – 2022 (4A), 2019 (4A), 2018 (4A), 2017 (4A I), 2016 (4A I), 2015 (4A I), 2014 (4A I), 2009 (4A), 1977 (4A), 1975 (4A), 1972 (4A); 3 runner-up finishes – 2012 (5A), 1982 (5A), 1974 (4A)
 
2024 RESULTS
L,44-28 St. James Academy
L,40-33 at Blue Valley Southwest
L,38-20 at Blue Valley West
L,20-3 Rockhurst (Mo.)
L,28-24 St. Thomas Aquinas
L,48-10 at Cardinal Ritter Prep (Mo.)
W,34-32 at Blue Valley North
L,27-7 Blue Valley
W,21-14 at Louisburg (P)
W,34-6 at Labette County (P)
W,37-13 at Chanute (P)
W,48-13 at Tonganoxie (P)
 
2024 STATISTICS
 
TEAM
 
Points scored: 299 (24.9 per game)
 
Points allowed: 323 (26.9 per game)
 
Total offense: 4,173 yards (347.8 per game)
 
Rushing: 1,139 yards (87.9 per game), 16 TDs
 
Passing: 3,034 yards (252.8 per game), 21 TDs, 18 INTs
 
INDIVIDUAL
 
Rushing: Nick Nabazas (so.) 113 carries, 439 yards, 2 TDs; Marco Rodriguez (sr.) 102 carries, 330 yards, 5 TDs; Vinny George (so.) 104 carries, 279 yards, 6 TDs.
 
Passing: Marco Rodriguez (sr.) 229 of 434, 3,028 yards, 21 TDs, 18 INTs.
 
Receiving: Teryn Jackson (sr.) 67 catches, 1,111 yards, 9 TDs; Jordan Ballard (sr.) 63 catches, 712 yards, 6 TDs; Michael Blount (so.) 27 catches, 413 yards, 4 TDs; Peter Gibson (sr.) 24 catches, 275 yards, 2 TDs.
 
Tackles: Stats not provided.
 
Takeaways: Stats not provided.
 
Kicking: Luke Whitmore (sr.) 8 of 14 FGs, 33 of 35 PATs.