By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
STERLING, Kan. — Two of the hottest teams in Class 1A will collide Friday night at Smisor Stadium, where the unbeaten No. 2-ranked Sterling Black Bears host the surging Trinity Catholic Celtics with the District 7 championship, and postseason momentum, on the line.
Both teams have been dominant through October, setting up a fitting finale to the regular season. Sterling enters at 7-0 overall and 3-0 in district play, while Trinity sits at 6-1 and 3-0, having rattled off six straight wins since a season-opening loss. The winner claims the district crown, while the loser takes the No. 2 spot.
For Sterling head coach Brent Schneider, whose team has scored more than 40 points in six of its seven games, the focus hasn’t changed despite the stakes.
“There’s a little bit of outside noise about it being a big game,” Schneider said. “But we’ve been saying since day one, take it one practice at a time. Our kids have really bought into that. We think we’re the only team that can beat us if we don’t take care of the details.”
Sterling has outscored its opponents 345-139 this season, including a 75-33 victory at South Sumner County last week. The Black Bears’ offense runs through senior Zane Farney, one of the state’s top rushers, and a veteran offensive line anchored by seniors Kevin Ploutz and Cale Thomas. Quarterback Logan Isaac adds balance to the attack, operating a system that can grind opponents down with power runs or surprise them through the air with receivers like Farney and Wyatt Newberry.
“I just love our offensive line,” Schneider said. “They’re physical, intelligent, and take pride in what they do. People call us one-dimensional, but we can attack in a lot of ways. It all starts up front.”
The Black Bears have been just as steady on defense, returning nearly their entire core from last year’s 6-4 squad that made the playoffs. Newberry, who led the team with 110 tackles last season, headlines a physical group alongside juniors Deryn Maxwell and Tucker Haas.
“Our kids are healthy, hungry, and their expectations are really high,” Schneider said. “They know what’s at stake, but they also know this is just the next step in what we’ve been building.”
Trinity Catholic, meanwhile, has been one of Kansas’ best turnaround stories. After dropping its opener to Inman, the Celtics have reeled off six straight wins, outscoring opponents 200-41 and posting back-to-back shutouts. Head coach Jordan Bell, now in his 12th season, said his team learned a lot from that Week 1 loss and has grown sharper each week since.
“We were really uncharacteristic against Inman,” Bell said. “We couldn’t get off the field on defense and never found a rhythm offensively. Since then, we’ve just focused on getting better day by day.”
Experience has been key to Trinity’s resurgence. The Celtics returned 13 lettermen and nearly all of their starters from last season’s 4-6 team. Senior quarterback Drew Dechant leads a balanced offense that can move the ball efficiently through the air or on the ground, supported by receivers Kaid McElgunn and Sam Vogel, tight end Bentyn Chastain, and a strong offensive line anchored by Eli Bigger, Isaac Hammersmith, Lucas Griffith, and Gage Schroeder.
“A lot of these seniors started as sophomores,” Bell said. “Sometimes you take your lumps when you’re young, but if you stick with it, that experience pays off. You can see that with this senior class, they’re stronger, smarter, and more confident.”
The Celtics’ defense has been dominant during their win streak, allowing just 13 points over the past four games. Bell credited his defensive staff for putting together game plans that let players “play fast and free” without overcomplication.
“We just want to continue to get better every day,” Bell said. “We know Sterling is extremely talented and very well-coached. They’re experienced and disciplined, and that’s why they’re 7-0.”
Friday’s game will also serve as Senior Night for Sterling, with seven players being honored. Schneider said the group has been instrumental in the program’s rise.
“All seven have done a phenomenal job with leadership and accountability,” he said. “They’ve been all-in since the summer, and it shows in how this team plays for each other.”
The atmosphere at Smisor Stadium is expected to be electric, with community tailgates, a packed crowd, and playoff-like energy. Schneider said the excitement around town has grown with each win.
“The community loves great football,” he said. “It’s fun to see more people coming out every week.”
Weather could play a factor, with rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast, but both teams are built for physical, late-season football.
“We play a brand of football that carries over to any weather,” Schneider said. “It’s playoff football, physical, disciplined, and built for October.”
Trinity last captured a district title in 2020, and Bell said his team is eager to rise to the moment.
“We just need to play Trinity Catholic football,” he said. “Do what we’re coached to do, stay within ourselves, and let that take care of itself.”