In the state semifinal last week against De Soto, the Bishop Miege football team found itself trailing by 10 points midway through the second quarter. There would be no early deficit for the Stags in the Kansas Class 4A-Division I championship game Saturday.

Bishop Miege built a 12-0 lead after one quarter and cruised to a 47-7 victory over Andale en route to its fourth consecutive state title.

For coach Jon Holmes, there are different challenges throughout the year, but he loved how his team continued to play and improve throughout the season.

“We play a very difficult schedule during the season, and that is definitely something we benefit from later in the playoffs,” Holmes said. “During those games against the top teams, we have to come ready to play every week or we could get beat. That is a great preparation for a one-and-done setting like the playoffs, so there is no question that it is huge for us to play top competition.”

After forcing an early three-and-out, the Stags went right down the field, with Brison Dobbins capping the drive by scoring from the 1. Five minutes later, the Stags scored another 1-yard touchdown, this time on a pass from Carter Putz to Cameron Clark.

Andale gained a little momentum in the second quarter. The Indians intercepted a Putz pass, then scored on the ensuing drive as quarterback Easton Hunter ran in from the 3, cutting the deficit to 12-7. Putz responded with another touchdown pass, this time to Peyton Hamrick, to increase the lead back to 12 points.

Once again, the Indians had the Stags in a difficult position when Bishop Miege was facing second and 27 from its own 3. But a pass-interference penalty on a long third down went against Andale, and a 66-yard touchdown pass from Putz to sophomore Daniel Jackson gave the Stags all the momentum they needed.

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