Something seemed out of place in last year’s Class 3A state championship game.
It was the first time since 2000 that neither the Silver Lake Eagles nor the Conway Springs Cardinals played for the 3A title.
Have no fear; order has been restored.
The Eagles (12-1) and Cardinals (13-0) will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson on a quest for 3A supremacy.
Saturday’s meeting will be the fifth between the two schools in the 3A state championship game. Conway Springs has won the four previous meetings, including 27-19 in 2002, 40-7 in 2003, 28-0 in 2004, and 22-14 in 2008. Both schools will be attempting to win their seventh state football championship.
Silver Lake had incredibly reached seven consecutive state title games until last season’s quarterfinal loss to eventual runner-up Marysville. The Eagles won just one state title during that time, a 49-21 victory over Garden Plain in 2006.
Meanwhile, it’s been quite a run for Conway Springs, which has won six 3A titles since 1998, including four consecutive from 2001-2004. Saturday will mark their seventh state title game appearance and sixth in the past 10 years.
“This is the fifth time we’ll see each other,” Conway Springs head coach Matt Biehler said. “It’s two traditional schools going against each other. The kids are excited because they have older brothers and cousins who have played Silver Lake in the state championship. They will be a very tough opponent.”
Brian Doffing and Cory Misak headline the Cardinals single-wing attack, which is scoring 57 points per game. The juniors have each eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark this season with Doffing sporting a team leading 1,669 yards and 31 touchdowns. Misak, who also is a return threat on special teams, has added 1,173 yards and 17 scores. Backs Austin Pauly and Matt Seiwert have rushed for more than 400 and 300 yards, respectively.
Sophomore Tanner Wood (6-4, 220) is the spinner back, or quarterback of the single wing. Wood has rushed for 400 yards this season, and thrown for nearly 550 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Silver Lake head coach C.J. Hamilton couldn’t run out of good things to say about the Cardinals.
“They’re really good,” he said. “They’re athletic. They’re physical. They don’t turn the ball over. They’re fundamental. They’re not going to beat themselves.”
With the veteran coach Hamilton leading the way, Silver Lake shares many of the same attributes.
Hamilton is in his 35th season as head coach at Silver Lake. During his tenure, the Eagles have posted a 330-80 record.
The offense is led by another in the long line of quarterbacks named Kruger who have played at Silver Lake. This season’s signal caller, Keenan, was an all-state pick last season after throwing for 2,119 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushing for 920 more yards. His senior season was delayed three games due to a broken wrist. He has recovered to throw for nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“Getting healthy was a longer process than Keenan and we wanted,” Hamilton said. “He took time to heal. He’s excited to be back and healthy.”
The Eagles are a different team with a healthy Kruger under center.
“He can throw the ball very well,” Hamilton said. “He’s also a threat to run it. He gives us a dual-threat quarterback.”
The Eagle offense also features balance in the dual-headed rushing attack of J.D. Morehead and Cameron Rickel. Morehead is Silver Lake’s leading rusher with 911 yards and nine touchdowns, while Rickel has contributed 857 yards and 12 scores.
When Kruger looks to the air, Brit Dewey will likely be his main target. Dewey has 35 receptions for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
Silver Lake’s lone loss of the season came 21-3 to 4A state championship finalist Louisburg. Since then, the Eagles have scored no fewer than 20 points and have held their opponent to seven points or less five times.
“They are playing really good football right now,” Biehler said. “Since district and in the playoffs, they have really been rolling.”
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
