Class 4A
Who: Bishop Miege (10-2) vs. Wamego (12-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Hummer Sports Park, Topeka
Overview:
- After a 5-7 season in 2021, Bishop Miege looks to return to its state championship dominance.
- Coming in undefeated, the Wamego Red Raiders look to win their first state title game in school history in their first appearance in the title game.
Bishop Miege Stags
Coach Jon Holmes
Key players:
QB Mac Armstrong, senior, 5-11, 171 pounds (245-327 for 3,495 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and four interceptions)
WR Isaiah Coppage, senior, 6-0, 187 pounds (80 receptions for 1,244 yards and 16 touchdowns)
TE Daegan Jensen, senior, 6-3, 207 pounds (45 receptions for 695 yards and nine touchdowns)
LT Jeremy Schleicher, junior, 6-3, 257 pounds
RG Baker North, junior, 6-3, 291 pounds
RT Dominic Werner, 6-5, 293 pounds
LB Justyce Betts, junior, 5’10, 209 pounds (81 total tackles and nine TFL’s)
LB Jack Baird, junior, 5-8, 170 pounds (33 total tackles)
FS Aidan Wing, senior, 6-4, 195 pounds (33.5 total tackles and two interceptions)
What makes your team special?
“This group had the task of trying to get us back to the state title game after two years of tough losses to St. James. The 2021 season we finished 5-7, our first losing season in 15 years. This group has been hard at work since December of last year to put us in a position to win a state championship.”
Who have been key players for you this season?
“Our offense has been led by senior quarterback Mac Armstrong. We are led by the receiving core of Isaiah Coppage, Teryn Jackson, Daegan Jensen and Tommy Wright. The offensive line has been led by juniors Jeremy Schleicher, Baker North and Dominic Werner. The defense showed a huge improvement from last season. We are led by junior Justyce Betts at linebacker and a strong secondary featuring Aidan Wing, DeAndre Beasley, Nate Hayward and PJ McCallop.”
Have any players been a surprise?
“Senior DB Nate Hayward is a first-year starter who has had a great season. He has been a key player for our defense. Junior Baker North has been a big addition to the offensive line. He transferred from Andover high school last year. He has been a key piece to the offensive line that leads the way for our offensive attack.”
What got your team into the state championship game?
“The ability to show improvement every week. The EKL is tough each week and we know it will prepare you for a playoff run. This group showed the ability to play its best football late in the season with big playoff wins.”
What does your team need to do in order to win the state championship game?
“We need to play a complete game. Wamego presents a great challenge. They are well coached and their kids play extremely hard. We have to play a clean game with no turnovers on offense and need to figure out how to generate stops against an offense that is able to score in all aspects of their offense. “
Wamego Red Raiders
Coach Weston Moody
Key players:
QB Colin Donahue, senior, 6-1, 175 pounds (2,004 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns)
WR Chase Cottam, senior, 6-0, 165 pounds (815 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns with over 1,000 all-purpose yards)
WR Hagan Johnson, senior, 5-9, 165 pounds (809 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns and over 1,000 all-purpose yards)
RB Hayden Oviatt, senior, 6-2, 205 pounds (884 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns through 5 games played)
LB Gannon Couture, junior, 5-10, 180 pounds (96 total tackles)
LB Grant Larson, senior, 5-10, 200 pounds (92 total tackles)
LB Wyatt Burgess, junior, 6-2, 205 pounds (41 total tackles and three sacks)
DL Gage Woodward, senior, 6-0, 245 pounds (32 total tackles and two sacks)
DB Dawson Tajchman, senior, 6-1, 185 pounds (78 tackles and four interceptions )
What makes your team special?
“This team has bought into the ONE mindset. Doing their 1/11th whenever they step onto the field, taking one game, one day, one moment at a time. Our coaching staff has also embraced this mindset. It really is a team mentality. There is not one person who doesn’t feel like they have a role on this team. It’s very exciting to be a part of this team.”
Who have been key players for you this season?
“We’ve had so many players step up this year, it’s hard to pinpoint specific players. Our defense has been absolutely fantastic all year and that’s due to the senior leadership of Gage Woodward, Ariston Gamino, Grant Larson, Lane Jeanneret, Dawson Tajchman and Tayke Weber. Our offense has been impressive as well, with Colin Donahue stepping up to fill the shoes of Hayden Oviatt, who was injured at the beginning of the year. Hayden’s return has really helped push us to another level offensively with his ability to rush the ball. Hagan Johnson and Chase Cottam have been huge threats in the pass game and our offensive line. seniors Eli Bergmeier and Andrew Hildebrand have been stellar.”
Have any players been a surprise?
“Underclassmen have really helped fill in some gaps from last year. Wyatt Burgess (LB/DE), Aiden Hefley (LB), Jake Meyer (DL), Gannon Couture (LB), Jackson Ziegler (DL) and Drew Pettay (DB) have really stepped into big defensive roles this year. On offense we’ve had underclassmen as well step into huge roles. Our offensive line has welcomed Cooper Dow (Junior) and Cody Mayer (Sophomore) and our center Brayden Fulton (Junior) has started since his Freshman year.”
What got your team into the state championship game?
“Our coaching staff started in Wamego five years ago and the seniors that are now eighth graders bought into the process back then. The classes before them did a great job of setting the culture where it needed to go. We’ve had tremendous leaders and players during those five years. They still have an impact on the program. Our players have been working extremely hard in the weight room year round and have been doing a great job mentoring our young kids. We truly are OneWamego.”
What does your team need to do in order to win the state championship game?
“We have to embrace what got us to this point. The week is different, but we need to think of it as a week of normal prep. We will stay in our routine as much as we can and prepare for our opponent.”
