PITTSBURG — Before quarterback Canaan Mitchell talked about touchdowns, defensive stands or the long bus ride home, the Rossville senior wanted to talk about the people in the stands. 

“This is awesome,” Mitchell said. “We live three hours away and we have all these people here supporting us. The stands were full and it is awesome to have a fanbase like this and it is good to get a win for them.” 

That win was a big one. Fueled by timely offense, a resilient second half from their quarterback and a defense that dug in late, Rossville handed previously undefeated St. Mary’s Colgan its first loss of the season Friday night, earning a 27-20 road victory in the Class 1A state quarterfinals. 

The Bulldawgs led the entire way, but the night was anything but easy in a physical, momentum-swinging matchup. 

“It feels good because of the quality opponent and the gutty effort that we had,” coach Derick Hammes said. “It was a big win and we know we earned one.” 

Rossville controlled early, leaning on a downhill run game and steady offensive rhythm to take a 14-0 lead. Andre Johnson opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown burst in the first quarter, and Mitchell added a 2-yard keeper early in the second. 
 

But Colgan’s star running back, senior Klayton Adamson—who entered the game with 2,000-plus rushing yards —gave the Panthers life with a 53-yard scoring sprint just seconds before halftime. The burst made it 14-6 and shifted momentum going into the break. 

“That score before half was monumental,” Colgan coach Shawn Seematter said. “It flipped the switch for our guys.” 

Colgan received the ball to start the second half with a chance to tie the game, but Rossville’s defense forced a fumble near midfield and the Bulldawgs turned it into points. Cael Horgan powered in from 10 yards out to rebuild a two-score lead. 

Adamson answered again on a 17-yard score, part of a 222-yard, three-touchdown performance that kept Colgan close all night. But Mitchell, who admitted to a slow start, delivered the game’s biggest counterpunch. Moments after Adamson’s score cut the lead to 21-13, Mitchell found a crease and raced 71 yards to the end zone, pushing the lead to 27-13 late in the third. 

“I started slow and that’s on me,” Mitchell said. “But in the second half I started hitting passes, and then I think the rest of the team started playing with more confidence. My teammates always play well around me, but they started playing better because I fixed what I was doing wrong.” 

Colgan tightened it again early in the fourth when Adamson scored from 6 yards out to make it 27-20. Rossville responded with a grinding drive to the Panthers’ 8-yard line but missed a field goal, giving Colgan two more possessions to tie. 

Both times, the Rossville defense delivered. 
 

“I thought our pass defense was pretty good,” Hammes said. “If you can make someone one-dimensional, that helps. And Adamson is as good of a back as you will find. It took a great effort.” 

For Colgan, the loss ended a standout season defined by strong senior leadership. 

“Any season-ending loss is difficult, especially with a senior-heavy group,” Seematter said. “I thought our guys battled well all night and every time Rossville would start to pull away we'd drive down to score to keep us in it. And then we got stops in the fourth quarter, but just couldn't ever quite close the gap all the way. Hats off to Rossville, they are very talented and very well coached. 

Despite the loss, Adamson’s three touchdowns helped rewrite Panther history as he became the school’s new single season touchdown leader with 45. 
 

“Klayton was special again, as he has been all year,” Seematter said. “He hadn't been hit like that all year, but yet he continued to keep getting up and going again. I was very proud of him for how tough and physical he ran Friday night, and really all year long. He was a game changer for us and certainly a big part of the success we had. Regardless, he rushed for over 2,000 yards and had 45 rushing touchdowns, while playing in only the first half in a lot of games. So he was very special all year long.” 

With the win, Rossville advances to face Jackson Heights in the state semifinals, one win away from the championship stage. 

“This is one step closer to our goal,” Hammes said. “It was a well-earned win, but we know where we want to be.” 

EAST/SOUTHEAST KANSAS QUARTERFINAL STANDOUTS 

CLASS 6A 

OLATHE NORTHWEST 34, OLATHE WEST 21 — Olathe Northwest slowed down one of the highest scoring teams in the state as the Ravens held No. 1 seed Olathe West to just 21 points to move on to the Class 6A state semifinals for first time since 2022. 

The Ravens’ defense, despite giving up 422 yards of offense, proved to be the difference as they forced four turnovers, including three interceptions.  

Olathe Northwest’s combo of quarterback Brody Comfort and running back Bryce Randall were a tough 1-2 punch to stop. Comfort threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns, including an 80-yard touchdown to Cole Spriggs to open the game. He also hit Landen Hays for a 65-yard score. As for Randall, he carried the ball 31 times for 175 yards and a touchdown. 

The Ravens led 26-14 at halftime and held the Owls to just seven second half points. Olathe West Josh Foland had 101 yards rushing, while quarterback Brody Hale had 257 yards passing and receiver Sam Krzykowski had five catches for 123 yards.  

GARDNER-EDGERTON 49, SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST 42 — It was thought that the matchup between Gardner-Edgerton and Shawnee Mission Northwest was going to a high-scoring affair and it certainly lived up to its billing. 

The two teams combined to score 91 points, but Gardner-Edgerton had just enough to hold on for the seven-point win and the Blazers, who are the 2-time 6A defending state champion, will get a chance at another state semifinal victory.  

The Blazers trailed 35-28 at the end of the third quarter, but scored 21 fourth quarter points thanks to the legs of Syre Padilla. The Gardner running back had 256 yards rushing and five scores in the win. Quarterback Carson McCall also had 112 yards rushing and a score.  

CLASS 5A 

BASEHOR-LINWOOD 31, LEAVENWORTH 7 — Basehor-Linwood captured its third sectional title in school history and will make its first state semifinal appearance since 2018 after its win over Leavenworth.  

The Bobcat defense was all over the place as it recorded three interceptions to go along with 10 pass break-ups. Offensively, Gavin Mitchell led the way with 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Quarterback Carson Dixon had 150 total yards and a touchdown, while receiver Nash Morrison had eight catches for 87 yards.  

Leavenworth ends its season with just two losses and the Pioneers put together their best season in school history as they racked up a program-best nine wins.  

ST. JAMES ACADEMY 45, MILL VALLEY 41 — Both teams put up the offensive performance to earn a state semifinal appearance, but it was St. James Academy that had just enough to get the Thunder over the hump. 

In a battle of state ranked teams, St. James quarterback John Hornback scored a late rushing touchdowns with just seconds left in the game to secure the state sectional victory over the Jaguars. Hornback did a little bit of everything for the Thunder as he had 308 yards passing and 101 yards rushing, to go along with two touchdowns.  

St. James running back Jake House was unstoppable near the endzone as he had four touchdowns on the night and 81 yards rushing. Senior receiver Alec Jett had five catches for 160 yards and a touchdown.  

Mill Valley put together a monster rushing attack as quarterback Blake Jay had 229 yards rushing and four touchdowns to keep the Jaguars in the game. Running back Max Piva also had a big night with 195 yards rushing and a touchdown.  

CLASS 4A 

LABETTE COUNTY 28, OTTAWA 14 — It has been a magical season so far for Labette County and it isn’t over yet. 

The Grizzlies defeated Ottawa to earn their first state semifinal berth in school history last Friday in the sectional round. Labette County jumped out to a 28-7 lead on Ottawa and never looked back. 

Deontae Fields had a big night rushing the ball for Labette Couty as he had 175 yards on three carries to go along with three touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Wyrick also had a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kegan Bates  

“We are proud of this group for being the first team in program history to make it this far into the season, and is a testament to our team leadership and culture,” Labette County coach Bradley Argabright said. “The excitement and pride in our community have helped us reach this point. We were proud to be able to accomplish this feat on our home field in front of our fans and families. We can't wait to strap it up one more time at home and we know our crowd will help us in every way possible in our pursuit of the first ever state championship game appearance in program history.” 

Labette County will host Bishop Miege in the state semifinals this Friday. 

BISHOP MIEGE 52, EUDORA 21 — Bishop Miege’s offense was on full display last Friday against Eudora and quarterback Landon Cole was a big reason why.  

Cole threw for six touchdowns in the Stags’ road win over the Cardinals and two of which went to Jeremiah Johnson. Michael Blount, Wesley Walsh, Vinny George and Jayden McDaniel also had touchdowns catches. Pierce Butler sealed the win for the Stags with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown.  

For the Cardinals, Greyson Moody had a pair of touchdown runs to lead the Eudora offense. Keelyn Duncan also had a 53-yard punt return for a score.