By Blake Chadwick
As the season came down to an end, nine teams had a chance to etch their names into history.
In the Class 6A state championship game, Manhattan defeated Gardner-Edgerton in a defensive 21-20 double overtime battle.
Gardner-Edgerton had a chance to win on a two-point attempt in the second overtime but was denied by the Indians, who won their first state championship since 1988.
In 5A, Maize squared off against Mill Valley in a rematch of the 2021 state championship game.
Mill Valley’s Davion Harris was the hero as he accounted for three touchdowns for the Jaguars, who stayed stout defensively containing Kansas State commit Avery Johnson for the second year in a row.
Mill Valley won its fourth straight Class 5A state championship game.
Class 4A had a familiar winner as Bishop Miege was able to bounce back from their 5-7 season and get a state championship win over the Wamego Red Raiders.
Miege and Wamego found themselves in a stalemate offensively until the second quarter when Miege took a 21-14 halftime lead.
Miege finished the job 35-14.
In Class 3A, Andale and their 50-game win streak were matched up with Holton.
The Indians took care of business, though, winning 28-0, and slamming the door shut early.
Andale’s Owen Eck rushed 13 times for 70 yards and a touchdown.
For Class 2A, Nemaha Central was victorious over Kingman 33-17.
Nemaha controlled the tempo defensively and offensively all game.
Cooper Hajek for Nemaha led them to the promised land with four touchdowns adding to his 38 on the year.
Class 1A came down to the wire for St.Mary’s and Inman.
St.Mary’s won 44-41 with a go-ahead touchdown from Keller Hurla with 13 seconds left to win the school’s first state championship.
St.Mary’s Keller Hurla was instrumental in the air and on the ground as he had six total touchdowns to secure the championship.
In 8-Man I, it was a rematch of the state championship game in 2020. But unlike 2020, it was Wichita County that got the victory, winning 54-36 for their first state title.
Ehrik Hermosillo led the Indians with five touchdowns as he and his brother, Khris, took care of business all game.
8-man II was a dominant win from Axtell 76-28 over Thunder Ridge.
The Axtell Eagles won back-to-back state championships.
Isaac Detwiler led the way for the Eagles with eight touchdowns.
In 6-Man, Cunningham took care of Ashland 38-16.
Cunningham led Ashland 14-8 and was able to keep their offense kicking and be solid defensively to give them the state championship win.
Scores
Class 6A
Manhattan 21, Gardner-Edgerton 2OT
Class 5A
Mill Valley 28, Maize 14
Class 4A
Bishop Miege 35, Wamego 14
Class 3A
Andale 28, Holton 0
Class 2A
Nemaha Central 33, Kingman 17
Class 1A
St. Marys 44, Inman 41
8-Man I
Leoti 54, Little River 36
8-Man II
Axtell 76, Thunder Ridge 28
6-Man
Cunningham 38, Ashland 16
