KSHSAA Covered

CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

CENTRALIA (11-1) VS. CONWAY SPRINGS (12-0)

5 p.m. Saturday at Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson

PANTHER SEE, PANTHER DO: CENTRALIA “MANAGES” RELATIVE SUCCESS TO RETURN TO TITLE GAME

Even before they got to high school, Centralia cousins Jacob Flentie and Ben Haverkamp had a good look at what it took to win a state football championship.

Literally.

As seventh-graders in 2019, Flentie and Haverkamp served as managers for the Panthers’ 2019 Class 1A state championship team, with filming games among their many duties. Whether experiencing the title season through the camera or from the sidelines, they watched. And learned.

“All my cousins were on that team,” Flentie said, rattling off one relative after another – Kamble Haverkamp, Austin Holthaus, Dean Haverkamp, Devin Ronnebaum, to name a few. “To witness them win the ring, after that, I just wanted to do it myself.”

The younger brother of Kamble and Dean, Ben also vividly remembered taking it all in and dreaming of following in their footsteps.

“My brother was the quarterback and he made a lot of big plays,” Ben said of Kamble, who was a Top 11 pick after leading Centralia to a 12-1 season and 18-14 win over Smith Center in the title game. “I just really wished I could be like him.”

Flentie and Haverkamp will get their chance to match their relatives’ success. A stifling defensive performance in the state semifinals propelled Centralia to a 22-9 win over Rossville and back to the state championship game for the first time since that 2019 championship season.

Centralia (11-1) will take on defending champion Conway Springs (12-0) in Saturday’s 5 p.m. Class 1A championship game in Hutchinson.

Since winning the 2019 title, Centralia has remained one of the top programs in Class 1A. But postseason success was tough to come by.

The Panthers had won at least eight games each of the last four seasons, but their path back to the state title was stymied twice by eventual state champions Olpe (2021) and St. Marys (2022) and state runner-up Jefferson County North (2023).

Coming into this season without much fanfare having to replace six starters on offense and seven on defense, Centralia wasn’t exactly on many people’s radar as a potential title contender despite its rich history. And when the Panthers were blown out 41-6 by Mid-Buchanan (Mo.) in Week 2, they became arguably somewhat of an afterthought.

“This group of kids, they did fly under the radar,” Centralia coach Roger Holthaus said. “But they’re just a resilient bunch of kids. We used that as motivation. We told them, ‘Hey guys. They’re talking about Axtell, they’re talking about Seneca (Nemaha Central) up around here, and they deserve that. But nobody’s talking about you.’

“We’re not going to ‘Wow’ anybody with what we have on the field. But they’re good kids who are tough and play hard and they’re going to leave everything on the field.”

As tough as the loss to Mid-Buchanan was to swallow at the time, it was one Holthaus called a turning point for this year’s team. For starters, it turned out to be a high-quality defeat with Mid-Buchanan posting a 12-0 mark before falling in Missouri’s Class 2 playoff quarterfinals last week.

But it also gave the Panthers a good preview of its last two playoff opponents – Rossville and St. Mary’s Colgan – and provided a bit of an internal gut-check.

“We had to learn something from that game, because they run the same kind of offense as Rossville and Colgan,” Holthaus said. “We got pounded pretty good. But I told the guys, ‘It’ll be a bad loss if we didn’t learn from it and move on but it’ll be a good loss if you learn something and get better from it.’ If we don’t lose to them early, we don’t beat Olpe, we don’t beat Colgan and we we’re not even here tonight playing Rossville.”

Centralia followed its only loss with three straight blowout wins before gutting out tough wins over Troy (28-20) and Riverside (34-28). After solid challenges from Onaga and Olpe to start the playoffs, Centralia put down an early hammer in a 46-14 road win at Colgan to set up a semifinal showdown with Rossville.

While Centralia had flown under the radar, Rossville was very much a team many felt capable of playing for the title, even with the Bulldawgs getting off to an 0-3 start. All three of those losses came against 2A Big East League rivals in one-score games including a three-point loss to 2A finalist Nemaha Central, and Rossville’s success at the 3A/2A level – five state titles between 2014 and 2021 – cast an imposing challenge for Centralia to overcome.

But Centralia was more than up to the challenge. The Panther defense stymied Rossville in the red zone with Rossville only coming away with three points on two early trips inside the Panther 10 in the first half.

“Those were really big and helped us get our momentum back,” said Haverkamp, Centralia’s leading tackler on the season. “I knew we could make a stand. We study hard and practice hard every week. We know what we’re doing and we just try to get every stop we can. We just had to be more physical, make it hurt every play and eventually they’ll tire out.”

Up 14-3 at halftime, Centralia saw Rossville get right back in it with a 61-yard touchdown pass that cut it to 14-9 midway through the fourth quarter. But the Panthers answered right back with Flentie busting a big run to take it deep into Rossville territory and capping the win with a 2-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes to play.

“We’ve come with a grudge on our shoulders all 12 games and now we’re headed to state,” Flentie said. “Rossville’s a powerhouse, like we are. Coach (Dusty) Thompson just told us, ‘Do what you do’ and that’s what we did and we got the victory.”

What Centralia does best, aside from its hard-nosed defense, is run the ball. Flentie’s 1,591 yards and 19 touchdowns leads the team while sophomore Quentin Alderfer isn’t far behind with 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a team, Centralia has gained 3,262 of its 4,030 yards on the ground.

Which is exactly the M.O. for the Panthers’ championship game opponent, Conway Springs. And as well as Centralia runs the ball, the Cardinals arguably do it even better.

Conway Springs has run for 3,997 yards this season and also has two backs over 1,000 yards -- Isaac Winter (1,708 yards, 23 TDs) and Logan Osner (1,141 yards, 12 TDs). The Cardinals own the state’s longest winning streak among 11-man programs with 23 straight victories, starting last season 0-2 before reeling off 11 straight wins on their way to a state championship.

It’s not a complete mirror image with Conway Springs holding a distinct size advantage up front, but it’s also not far off with Holthaus saying he’s employed some of what the Cardinals do after sharing game films with them.

“They’re a great program,” Holthaus said. “But it’s going to be fun. It’s been a special year and I can’t say it enough how resilient they are.”

CENTRALIA PANTHERS (11-1)

COACH: Roger Holthaus (4th year, 30-4)

STATE FINALS HISTORY: 4 state titles – 2019 (1A), 2013 (2-1A), 2011 (2-1A), 2009 (2-1A); 3 runner-up finishes – 2012 (2-1A), 1997 (2-1A), 1985 (2-1A).

2024 RESULTS

W,20-14 at Valley Heights
L,41-6 at Mid-Buchanan (Mo.)
W,42-6 Onaga
W,58-14 Doniphan West
W,52-0 Maur Hill
W,46-0 at Horton
W,28-20 Troy
W,34-28 at Riverside
W,44-20 Onaga (P)
W,40-26 Olpe (P)
W,46-14 at St. Mary’s Colgan (P)
W,22-9 Rossville (P)

2024 STATISTICS

TEAM

Points scored: 438 (36.5 per game)

Points allowed: 192 (16.0 per game)

Total offense: 4,030 yards (335.8 per game)

Rushing: 3,262 yards (271.8 per game), 43 TDs

Passing: 768 yards (64.0 per game), 10 TDs, 3 INTs

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Jacob Flentie (sr.) 221 carries, 1,591 yards, 19 TDs; Quentin Alderfer (so.) 99 carries, 1,001 yards, 11 TDs; Henry Heideman (sr.) 50 carries, 311 yards, 10 TDs; Degan Ronnebaum (so.) 28 carries, 182 yards, 2 TDs.

Passing: Jacob Flentie (sr.) 39 of 65, 763 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs.

Receiving: Quentin Alderfer (so.) 26 catches, 445 yards, 7 TDs; Ben Haverkamp (sr.) 7 catches, 146 yards.

Tackles: Ben Haverkamp (sr.) 107 tackles (73 solo); Henry Heideman (sr.) 96 tackles (69 solo); Quentin Alderfer (so.) 64 tackles (48 solo); Isaac Reinecke (so.) 56 tackles (38 solo); Grady Becker (jr.) 55 tackles (32 solo); Jacob Flentie (sr.) 52 tackles (44 solo); Degan Ronnebaum (so.) 51 tackles (35 solo); Mason Stallbaumer (sr.) 47 tackles (29 solo); Tyler Jones (jr.) 45 tackles (34 solo); Parker Koch (sr.) 38 tackles (21 solo), 1.5 sacks; Aidan Talley (jr.) 2 sacks.

Takeaways: Quentin Alderfer (so.) 5 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Degan Ronnebaum (so.) 2 INTs.

Kicking: Ben Haverkamp (sr.) 6 of 7 PATs.

NEXT-GEN CARDINALS LOOK TO KEEP CONWAY SPRINGS ON TOP OF 1A

In the course of 14½ months, Conway Springs went from scrambling to avoid its second consecutive 0-3 start to trying to defend a Class 1A title and extend a 23-game winning streak.

And Cardinals coach Matt Biehler couldn’t be prouder.

“They’ve had a bull’s eye on their back,” said Biehler, whose 12-0 team will face Centralia at 5 p.m. Saturday in Hutchinson for the 1A title. “I think that everybody thought with us losing Brayden Kunz and that group, we’d fall off.

“These guys took pride in saying, ‘We’re going to get back here.’ There are 10 seniors who I think are really focused on what they want to get accomplished.”

Kunz was Conway Springs’ bruising All-State Top 11 running back and linebacker. He led the Cardinals to their first state title in 12 years and eighth overall by running for 2,806 yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as registering a team-leading 101 tackles during his senior season. Conway Springs shook off early losses to Garden Plain and Kingman to win its last 11 games, including a 35-6 victory over Jefferson County North for the 2023 championship.

The Cardinals reset their single wing offense this fall with senior Isaac Winter as the featured back and junior Logan Osner as a quality playmaker at quarterback. The results have been positive. Conway Springs is coming off a 55-22 semifinal victory over Valley Heights in which Winter and Osner combined for 312 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

“We’re able to use more of our single wing with all of the different weapons instead of relying on one type of set and one type of scheme,” Biehler said. “Last year, we were big up front and big in the backfield, and we were able to lean on that.

“This year, with Isaac’s speed and Grant Fisher’s speed, and Cade Howell doing a fantastic job as our blocking back and in short-yardage situations, it allows us to do different things.”

Winter’s 152-yard rushing effort against Valley Heights brought his season total to 1,708 yards and 23 touchdowns. He missed the Cardinals' regular-season finale against South Sumner County with a deep bruise. Osner’s 160 rushing yards and four scores gave him 1,141 yards and 12 TDs through 12 games.

Like many other successful Conway Springs seasons, the Cardinals don’t throw much. But Osner has completed 11 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns to Fisher.

“Logan has stepped in and done a fantastic job,” Biehler said. “We did not know who that other person was going to be in the summer. We had a couple options, and he has worked and emerged as that second go-to guy. That takes a lot off Isaac and really makes a defense have to defend the whole field. If you just focus on Isaac, Logan is going to hurt you.”

Persistence has been an asset throughout the season for the Cardinals. They grinded out a 13-7 victory in mid-September at Garden Plain, then came back two weeks later and erased an early 10-0 deficit to surge past Medicine Lodge 45-24.

The Cardinals trailed Sterling at halftime before scoring 29 unanswered second-half points to win 41-14. A week later, Conway Springs outscored Ellinwood 20-6 in the second half to win 34-21.

“During that stretch, we were going through some injuries with three or four starters who were out and nursing a few things,” Biehler said. “What’s fortunate now is I think we’re as healthy now as we’ve been all year. The kids have come through those bumps and bruises, and I feel like we’re hitting on all cylinders right now.

“Those times we were behind, we talked at halftime about what we needed to do and focus on and we’d be ready to take care of business. The kids came out in the second halves of those games and really did a good job of executing that.”

Winning football is literally in the DNA of many players on the Cardinals’ roster. Thirteen players are sons of former Conway Springs players who won state championships, including freshman Zavier King, whose dad, Ryan, is an assistant on Biehler’s staff.

Winter’s dad, Curtis, was on the Cardinals’ first championship team in 1998, when Biehler served as an assistant under former coach Mark Bliss.

Conway Springs’ mission in its first-ever meeting against Centralia on Saturday is not only to go back-to-back, but to secure the Cardinals’ first unbeaten season since 2004. That marked the last of four consecutive 3A titles Conway Springs won during a 62-game winning streak that stands as the third longest in Kansas high school football history.

“They really want to be able to deliver that back home and be able to put up a sign that not only says state champions, but all that goes with that like an undefeated season,” Biehler said. “I know that they’re focused on that.

“They’ve been a great team to practice with and they’re fun to be around. We just have a good time and we’re enjoying the heck out of this week.”

CONWAY SPRINGS CARDINALS (12-0)

COACH: Matt Biehler (16th year, 152-30)

STATE FINALS HISTORY: 8 state titles – 2023 (1A), 2011 (3A), 2008 (3A), 2004 (3A), 2003 (3A), 2002 (3A), 2001 (3A), 1998 (3A); 2 runner-up finishes – 2010 (3A), 1969 (2A)

2024 RESULTS

W,42-0 Nickerson
W,13-7 at Garden Plain
W,42-0 Douglass
W,45-24 at Medicine Lodge
W,35-0 Hutchinson Trinity
W,41-14 at Sterling
W,34-21 Ellinwood
W,42-20 at South Sumner County
W,59-28 Bennington (P)
W,21-6 Marion (P)
W,35-8 Plainville (P)
W,55-22 Valley Heights (P)

2024 STATISTICS

TEAM

Points scored: 464 (38.7 per game)

Points allowed: 150 (12.5 per game)

Total offense: 4,331 yards (360.9 per game)

Rushing: 3,997 yards (333.1 per game), 54 TDs

Passing: 334 yards (27.8 per game), 3 TDs, 1 INT

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Isaac Winter (sr.) 196 carries, 1,708 yards, 23 TDs; Logan Osner (jr.) 161 carries, 1,141 yards, 12 TDs; Grant Fisher (sr.) 63 carries, 606 yards, 6 TDs; Cade Howell (sr.) 58 carries, 273 yards, 9 TDs.

Passing: Logan Osner (jr.) 11 of 42, 277 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.

Receiving: Grant Fisher (sr.) 5 catches, 141 yards, 2 TDs.

Tackles: Cade Howell (sr.) 92 tackles (65 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 2 sacks; Ranger Reep (so.) 67 tackles (43 solo), 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks; Logan Osner (jr.) 65 tackles (47 solo), 3 tackles for loss; Layne Whitney (sr.) 54 tackles (34 solo), 11 tackles for loss; Caleb Newell (so.) 49 tackle (27 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks; Cooper Koester (sr.) 43 tackles (27 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 5 sacks; Isaac Winter (sr.) 41 tackles (32 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks; Charles May (sr.) 40 tackles (27 solo), 8 tackles for loss; Grant Fisher 9sr.) 37 tackles (32 solo), 3 tackles for loss; Connor Rusco (sr.) 30 tackles (23 solo), 8 tackles for loss; Konner Bidwell (jr. ) 4 tackles for loss; Cohen Newell (jr.) 3 tackles for loss.

Takeaways: Logan Osner (jr.) 4 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Grant Fisher (sr.) 3 fumble recoveries, 1 INT; Cade Howell (sr.) 3 fumble recoveries, 1 INT; Eli Howard (sr.) 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery; Gage Schmidt (sr.) 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery; Charles May (sr.) 2 fumble recoveries.

Kicking: Eli Benge (jr.) 15 of 15 PATs; Levi Mies (sr.) 0 of 1 FGs, 10 of 20 PATs.

🏈 Class 1A state title preview: Conway Springs vs. Centralia