Five two-a-days, 64 practices, 13 games, 3 dedicated coaches, ONE team. These five elements helped contribute to the State game where the Quinter Bulldogs took on the Baileyville B&B Falcons.
“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. What I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I shall do.” On Saturday, November 20th, the boys huddled on Fischer Field in Newton Kansas and as “ONE” prayed before the Eight-Man Division I State Championship game began.
Quinter started with the ball first. With a penalty from the Falcons, Quinter found themselves on the 30 yard line. Senior quarterback, Brady Reed passed the ball to senior, Matt Bird for a 5 yard gain. The next play senior, Jordon Hargitt ran for the first down. The Bulldogs fumbled the ball, but recovered it for a loss. Quinter had to gain ground so Reed shuffle passed the ball down the left side to Hargitt for 10 yards. The following play resulted in Brady rushing 2 yards for the first down. Quinter ran the ball the next 2 plays which brought up 3rd and 10. After an incomplete pass to Hargitt, the Dawgs had to punt with 8:17 on the clock. The Falcons went three and out with a sack by senior, Zach Nemechek who was assisted by sophomore, Brian Ochs.
“It worked out great going up against the All State nose guard, who was their best player. I wanted him going up against me. He’s the best I had seen so far, and I am sure I was his best. I focused on that boy for a long time, and I knew I was going to beat him. To the fans, thank you for your support, coaches, you worked extremely hard and gave it your all. Teammates, it’s a dream to share this championship with you. I love every one of you,” said Nemechek.
After an incomplete pass, Baileyville booted the ball back to us. The Bulldogs started with a Hargitt run. Sophomore, Logan Reed chipped his way for the first down in the next two plays. Brady Reed then faked the handoff and ran for Bulldog yardage. His brother, Logan finished the drive with a 47 yard touchdown run with 4:03 left to go in the first quarter. Once the Bulldogs punted the ball, the Falcons drove down the field and had an 11 yard touchdown pass. Quinter stopped them during the two point conversion and tied the game, 6-6.
With 10:45 left in the second quarter, a halfback pass was ran. Reed pitched the ball to Hargitt who then passed the ball down the left sideline to Bird. This put the ball on the Falcons 2 yard line. “After playing Clifton-Clyde last week, we made adjustments for our plays. Baileyville played the same type of defense. We widened out our blocks and ran the option all game. This helped set up the pass for Matt because the corner got sucked into the run fake. Matt is really fast, so I just let it fly! Our coaches did an amazing job preparing us for every single game,” said Hargitt.
On the next play, Brady ran right then turned left and stomped his way into the end zone. Brady kept the ball and ran it in for the 2 point conversion, 14-6. “I dropped back to pass and a few guys were all over me. I was going to throw it away, but I saw an opening, and I slipped through it. I cut all the way back across the field and thanks to some key blocks; I got into the end zone. It was defiantly a broken play. The fans this year were awesome. They have supported us through everything. I also want to thank my teammates and coaches for a memorable year,” said Reed.
Baileyville came back with 7:40 until half with a 1 yard touchdown run by Quarterback, Kyle Haverkamp. The 2 point conversion was made tying the game once again, 14-14. Quinter still had time to drive after the punt. Hargitt ran hard for the first down. Brady Reed pitched the ball to Hargitt for another first down. It was 4th and 5 when Bird caught a reception for 9 yards. Hargitt ran a first down to set the Bulldogs up. Brady ran for a Quinter touchdown, 20-14. The Falcons had a chance to tie the game before half. They had a drive going strong and with a Quinter penalty put the ball at the Bulldogs one with 39.9 seconds left. Baileyville called a timeout. The Dawgs defense buckled down and made a crucial goal-line stand. Quinter ran into the tunnel on top and pumped, 20-14. “Quinter ‘we’ have the best defense in the State. That was a huge stand for us and after that it was just doing what we have been told all year and just pounds the snot of out them. I want to say thanks to our great coaches, excpecially coach Roesch. He stepped up in a huge way, and I thank him so much!” said Scott Ochs.
Baileyville started on their own 35 yard line. They ran it to the 1 yard line with a tackle by senior, Skyler Wittman. “The saying ‘defense wins championships’ proved itself true in the game on Saturday. The coaches had us prepared for the game. The key defensively for us was to dominate the line and shut down number 7, their quarterback. The thing that won us the game defensively was just everyone stepping up and making big plays when we needed them. Every one of us made a mistake or two throughout the game, but we all stepped up when our team needed us. After sitting out for a year, I have appreciated football so much more. Football has always been my favorite sport, but now it has taught me to not take anything for granted. To the coaches, I can’t thank you enough for all the life lessons you taught me on and off the field. To the team, I would take a bullet for every one of you guys. I love you all, and it has been a pleasure. To the community, our saying, ‘ONE,’ has impacted everyone and that’s due to the great following and the great fans we have here. Thanks!” said Skyler Wittman.
The next play, the Falcons ran in the 1 yard touchdown. Nemechek intercepted the 2 point conversion. The game was tied, 20-20. Quinter started on their 29 yard line. Brady ran it to the 35 and Hargitt rushed his way to the 22 yard line. Quinter was in a predicament. It was 4th and 2. Brady juked his way across the first down marker. Bird caught the ball in the next play and ran it to the 2 yard line. Logan Reed then ran it to the 1 yard line. In the next drive, Brady Reed punched the ball in for the TD and the extra 2 points. Quinter was ahead, 28-20.
“One quarter, one quarter fellas, lets go!” said coach Woolf. With 11:56 in the fourth quarter Baileyville completed a 3 yard pass for the touchdown. With the crowd yelling, “Hold ‘em, hold ‘em,” junior, Joe Simon stepped up and knocked down the 2 point conversion pass. After the punt, Hargitt ran the ball to the 39 yard line. “That’s what we need right there,” said sophomore, Jesse Ochs. Brady Reed ran it to the 28 yard line. A few plays later 4th down and 8 appeared. Hargitt ran for the first down to the 18. Quinter, wasting the clock, ran the next two plays and an incomplete pass on 3rd down and 8 caused Quinter to call a timeout. The Dawgs went for it on 4th and 8, but didn’t gain any, Falcons ball. Baileyville gave it back to Quinter when Hargitt ripped the ball from his opponent and ran with it. Emotions ran high while Quinter celebrated, “It’s not over yet,” said manager, Eric Miller. The Bulldogs could not capitalize, giving the ball back after the fourth down. A Bird tackle on a reception and pressure from senior, Cody Corwin frustrated the Falcons. This resulted in a Deaton interception. Quinter tried to gain ground, but they found themselves on the 40 yard line with 4th and seven to go. Baileyville called a timeout to regroup. The Dawgs punted the ball and Deaton downed it at the 5 yard line with .55 seconds left.
“When Brady punted the ball, I knew I needed to get down the field and make a tackle. It just so happened that the punt returner didn’t catch it and it bounced by. I just covered it on the 5. It was a great season and an emotional ride. I love all the coaches, and I want to thank coach Woolf for everything he has done for me, being a coach, a mentor and also a huge influence on my life. Honestly, the fans were great this season. Nobody else’s fans were as loud as ours were. It was great! And to my teammates, I love each and every one of them. They made this a huge year for us. It was incredible, the most amazing journey an athlete can experience,” said Deaton.
The Falcons converted on 5 pass plays putting them on Quinter’s 20 yard line. Bird picked off the next pass right outside the end zone, clinching the championship game, 28-26.
“I knew they were going to pass towards the sidelines to move the ball up field and stop the clock. The team remained confident as the Falcons flew down the field. I know this group of seniors had looked forward to this situation for years but with the aid of the rest of the team and the coaches, we would’ve never gotten to this point. I knew the defense was depending on a big play; I read the quarterback and broke on the route. I was just at the right spot at the right time. A sense of both relief and thrill hit me with the result of the play. I couldn’t have made the play without the confidence of my teammates, coaches and community. I think the State Championship as a whole was a big factor in the cure for coach Woolf’s cancer. The players got together Saturday morning for a few last words before the big game. We came together as ‘ONE’ and made it clear that playing for a championship ring wouldn’t get the job done that day, simply, this one was for coach Woolf,” said Bird.
“It was a great feeling; I have no way of describing it. We have great coaches and teammates that have led us here. I also want to thank everyone for the support throughout the season,” said Cody Corwin.
Head coach, Greg Woolf said, “First off, Coach Roesch called the whole game and was the mind behind the offense. Coach Ruckman is credited with his outstanding defense against a very strong football team. We three coaches have been working for this goal for 5 years now. Obviously, there were things placed before us that tested us this year, and last, but our relationship first to Jesus Christ, and to each other has kept us moving forward, not necessarily to the goal of state champions, but in making each one of our players accountable to each other, the team, and to God.
Coach Roesch had been working on some plays to hold back for the state game if needed, such as the RB pass. He worked tirelessly all week and put together a great game strategy. Coach Ruckman studied game film and play tendencies the whole week to call his defense. With the tremendous athletes we had to work with, they were put in the right spot at the right time. There was no real half time adjustments that was needed to put into play. The guys knew that Baileyville was a great second half team, and they needed stay on top of their game and to keep working and serving each other. We knew we could move the ball on them. We just had to stop their very good offense. Which the guys did several times.
It is hard to put into words the feeling of having accomplished this goal. I always thought it would mean that I could retire and sit back to enjoy it. But, I don''t have that feeling. It actually feels more like a step in the goal, not a final destination. I was hired to teach and coach to the best of my abilities and to love kids more than myself. Winning the championship does not end that process. God did not call me to work with kids to win state championships, but to use my abilities to help young men move forward in life and help them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. That will always continue. By doing that, I always have the feeling of joy in being a champion.
I couldn''t be more proud of all of the guys. You can watch the game and tell that this is not a one man team, but that all of them played an important role in winning this championship. I am hoping that the lesson taken away from this game is that each one of these guys has something very special within themselves. That relying on someone is ok, it only makes you stronger. I believe during this game, we put the true meaning into our phrase ‘I am only one, but I am one.’”
