BISHOP MIEGE STAGS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Bishop Miege added a KSHSAA record 11th state title in school history last fall after navigating their way through a brutal Eastern Kansas League schedule with the only losses to then defending 6A champ Blue Valley Northwest and perennial power Aquinas.

While Aquinas managed to win the regular season matchup against Miege, as well as finish with the best record in the EKL, the Stags ultimately got their payback in the state semifinals with a 38-28 win over the Saints. Miege went on to win the state title against Wamego, 35-14, in a game that was likely closer than the final score indicated.

Back from that team are seven starters from each side of the ball, with the offensive line returning four giant bruisers and their defensive front seven returning all but one.

“We are excited as we return 14 full-time starters and 33 letterwinners,” head coach Jon Holmes said. “Our goal is to win a state championship. We know our schedule this year will be a challenging one, as we will face four opponents from the EKL who made it to the quarterfinals. Our lone non-EKL game will once again be against Missouri Class 6 power, Rockhurst.”

Defensively, the Stags are led by 5-11, 209 pound AllState senior linebacker Justyce Betts, who recorded 86.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, and 2.5 sacks during the state championship campaign.

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