Rossville football attacking unique season with consistent approach

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) - Rossville football has finished the season as state champions in five of the last ten years.

The Bulldogs have built a powerhouse under head coach Derick Hammes, but 2024 presents some unique circumstances. Rossville has a new league and a new class. It joins the Big East conference, a merger from the former Big 7 and Mid-East leagues. Plus, Rossville takes another step down in classification. The Bulldogs won 3A titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016 before hoisting the 2A crown in 2020 and 2021. Now, they'll play 1A.

Despite the changes, Hammes is treating this season similar to those in the past.

"Probably not a big change for us but I think overall it's going to be a good thing for all the communities and schools that are in the new league," Hammes said of joining the new conference. "We always hope we compete with the best of them [in any class], that's our expectation here. We haven't placed a big emphasis on [playing in 1A.] Our concentration has been on the next right thing. Right now the next right thing is having a good practice... We're kind of process oriented like that, we've got to worry about what's in front of us right now."

Another unique piece of Rossville's 2024 schedule is the 'War on 24', a meeting with rival Silver Lake, in the season opener. Hammes says it's provided motivation for his team to take the summer and early fall very seriously.

"Absolutely it has played a factor in the practices," Rossville senior offensive lineman/ linebacker Brock Bush said. "Practices have just been pushing each other, super hard, long, but we just have to persevere through that."

Among the change is one steady piece of Rossville football: The Horack family. It's a last name which has been made famous by football success for the Bulldogs.

Tayson Horack, the brother of previous RHS stars Thatcher, Tucker and Torrey, will play quarterback for his senior year. He's had plenty of cousins play there too, and another who joins the team as a freshman.

"I knew I had to step up, have a big role," Tayson Horack said of upholding the family tradition.

After the season opener against Silver Lake, Rossville plays St. Marys in week two and Nemaha Central in week three.