The playoff rematch both football teams wanted is finally here between Andale, Cheney
When the Kansas high school football state playoff brackets were set, Andale and Cheney became each other’s biggest fans.
They rooted for the other to advance because both sides agreed a rematch was an absolute necessity following two epic games last season that saw Cheney knock Andale from its throne on its way to winning the first state championship in program history.
Both sides will receive their wish on Friday when Cheney travels to Andale for a rematch that will occur in the Class 3A quarterfinals, but promises to deliver an atmosphere of a championship game.
“Obviously this time of year, you’re excited to play whoever, but our kids were ecstatic that Cheney won,” Andale coach Dylan Schmidt said. “Cheney is going to come in confident and they’re a really good football team playing really well right now. They beat us twice last year. They’re the defending state champions, so they’re going to be excited and they should be.”
Cheney couldn’t afford to look too far ahead in the bracket because it first had to revenge its lone loss of the season against a Collegiate team that defeated the Cardinals handily just three weeks prior. But once Cheney prevailed 14-6 on the road last week, head coach Shelby Wehrman knew any attempts at downplaying an Andale rematch would be futile.
Andale fans have been tailgating outside of the football stadium since Monday. It wouldn’t surprise Wehrman if the whole town of Cheney makes the short 25-minute drive to witness what could be another classic game.
“It’s probably too big for the kids to ignore the hype,” Wehrman said. “But as coaches, we’re planning on this being another big-time game. We know the challenge ahead and it’s a big one. But I don’t get on social media very much. I’ve got enough to worry about with a game plan and prep.”
Cheney is a different team than last season, but the important distinction is that the returning players still carry with them the confidence from rallying from 22-point and 24-point deficits in each game to knock off Andale.
For so long, Andale carried an air of invincibility. That may still be the case for others, especially this season when Andale has pounded opponents by a combined score of 585-88. But not Cheney.
“It’s a huge part and I hope it doesn’t slide into overconfidence,” Wehrman said. “I don’t think it will. I think our kids understand how huge of a challenge this is and we know we’re going to have to play extremely well to win. I often times think about those games last year and wonder how we even came out with those wins.”
It hurt Andale to lose its winning streak last October. But it stung even worse when Cheney ended Andale’s quest to win a fifth straight state championship.
That has motivated the current seniors beyond what Schmidt thought possible. Andale is operating with such laser focus, evident last week with a 74-0 dismantling of a Clay Center team that spent weeks in the 3A rankings.
“Our senior group has been unbelievable,” Schmidt said. “They’ve been as coachable as any group I’ve ever had and they’re as hungry as any group as I’ve ever had. That (Clay Center game) was one of the best games we’ve played in my career. I like how we’re playing right now and it’s just been a lot of fun to watch. It’s been one of my most enjoyable years coaching.”
Andale once again features a balanced run-heavy attack that features senior Cooper Marx, senior Landon Harp, junior Sam Harp and junior Jack Horsch. Sam Harp has brought more of a passing threat this season, as he has thrown for 576 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 25 completions. Jak Krehbiel, Cale Andree, Hunter Grimes, Ian Schrandt, Jrayton Dansel, Lane Parthemer, Isaiah Wilson, Afton Allaire and Emery Craft have all helped spearhead the defense.
Meanwhile, Cheney is guided by returning all-state quarterback Josh Burdick, a dual threat who has found his favorite targets this season in Jase Robertson, Deitric McDaniel, Cameron Eastman and Brayden Dibble. Cheney’s defense has also been stout this season, led by players like Grady Ditgen, Reece Tolar, Parker McClellan and Nolan Durr.
After snapping Andale’s 57-game winning streak, which was the longest in the nation at the time, Cheney has a chance to end another impressive Andale streak on Friday. It’s been more than 12 years since the last time Andale lost on its home field, an 80-game winning streak that stretches back to the opening week of the 2012 season.
“These are the kind of big-time games that you play for,” Wehrman said. “This is what we work for.”
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 6:03 AM.
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