By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
STERLING, Kan. — A pair of long postseason droughts and a familiar matchup headline Friday night’s Class 1A state quarterfinal at Smisor Stadium, where undefeated Sterling hosts surging Hutchinson Trinity Catholic at 7 p.m. The winner advances to the state semifinals to face either Moundridge or Smith Center on the west side of the bracket.
The meeting is a rematch of a district game played just three weeks ago, one Sterling won 34–12 on its home field. But both coaching staffs agree that little from that night will carry over as the stakes rise dramatically.
Sterling enters at 10-0, the program’s best start since the Black Bears’ legendary 1982 season, when they went 12-0 en route to a Class 2A state championship. Their 10 wins are the most since 1992. Trinity Catholic, meanwhile, is 8-2 and enjoying its best season since a 9-2 finish and quarterfinal appearance in 2018.
For both programs, Friday marks an opportunity to break decades-long droughts. Sterling hasn’t reached the semifinals since 1982; Trinity’s last appearance came in 1979, when the Celtics went 13-0 and claimed the Class 1A title.
Trinity enters the quarterfinals with momentum after back-to-back playoff victories over Plainville and Republic County. The Celtics’ 43–14 road win last week in Belleville was their most balanced offensive performance of the season, piling up 310 rushing yards and 167 passing yards. Junior running back Luke Kerns delivered 179 yards on the ground, while quarterback Drew Dechant accounted for four touchdowns, including a 65-yard strike to Kaid McElgunn.
Head coach Jordan Bell said his team traveled with focus and purpose.
“It was a well-rounded win,” Bell said. “Our offensive line has played extremely well the last couple of weeks, and our defense continues to play really, really well. It was a long trip, but a business-like approach.”
Friday’s trip is much shorter, just 30 minutes, compared to the two-hour bus ride to Bellville. This trip brings a second shot at a Sterling team Bell believes is the most complete in Class 1A.
“They’ve got the best players and the best team right now in 1A for a reason,” he said. “We can’t turn the ball over, and we missed too many tackles last time. It comes down to blocking, tackling and taking care of the football.”
Bell said last year’s early postseason exit has fueled this group, which had dropped its previous two regional games by a combined five points.
“Experience is huge,” he said. “Losing in those rounds was a big motivator. Getting past that regional round was a major goal for this senior group.”
Across the field, Sterling has dominated its way to 10-0 behind a powerful rushing attack and a defense that has delivered key early stops. Last week’s 53–14 win over Marion featured a 270-yard, four-touchdown performance from senior running back Zane Farney, along with two rushing scores from quarterback Logan Isaac. The Bears led 33–6 by halftime and triggered a running clock early in the third quarter.
Farney has rushed for 1,926 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2025, surpassing the 100-yard mark in all 10 games. He's now at 6,312 rushing yards and 84 touchdowns in his four-year career with the Black Bears.
Head coach Brent Schneider said his team showed maturity and composure from the opening whistle.
“I was proud of our kids for coming out with the intensity they did,” Schneider said. “Once our offense started clicking, things really got rolling.”
Friday will mark Sterling’s fourth straight home game, a stretch that Schneider said has energized the town while keeping his team grounded.
“Our community has been awesome,” he said. “But our kids are locked in. We’re not looking ahead. Trinity is always one of the hardest-playing teams we face, and we know we’ll get their best.”
Schneider expects adjustments on both sides after the first meeting and cautioned against assuming Sterling’s regular-season win predicts much about Friday’s outcome.
“Trinity always throws unique looks at us,” he said. “They’re physical, well-coached and good at what they do. People see Zane’s numbers and think stopping him is the key, but our offensive line is a weapon, our A-backs are weapons, Logan can throw it when we need to. We have options.”
Sterling’s rise under Schneider has been as much about culture as it has been about game planning.
“We talked early on about building a winning culture before the wins started,” Schneider said. “We love the success, but it’s about leading young men and doing things the right way. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Both coaches point to similar keys: physicality, discipline, eliminating turnovers and limiting explosive plays. Trinity wants to control the ball and force a fourth-quarter game. Sterling wants to establish its rhythm early and dictate tempo with its speed and power on the ground.
With both communities hungry for their first semifinal appearance in more than 40 years, the atmosphere at Smisor Stadium is expected to be electric. Trinity is seeking a breakthrough after years of knocking on the door. Sterling is looking to keep a dream season alive.