The Gazette decided to make Kole Schankie area football player of the year before the junior played in Madison’s state championship game against Hill City. Schankie didn’t let anybody question the decision, running for 263 yards in the Bulldogs’ 52-44 win against the Ringnecks. Along with being player of the year, he’s one of the running backs on The Gazette’s All-Area offense.
All season, Schankie established himself as a threat to break for the end zone on any down, averaging more than 10 yards a carry. He finished the year with 1,902 rushing yards and more than 40 touchdowns on the ground. He scored more than 50 all-purpose touchdowns. Not surprisingly, he was a unanimous choice as a first-team running back in the Lyon County League.
Two of Schankie’s best games came in the opening round and championship round of the playoffs. He opened the playoffs by rushing for 278 yards against Clifton-Clyde. That night, Schankie scored 10 all-purpose touchdowns, eight on the ground, one receiving and one on a fumble return defensively. He narrowly missed an 11th touchdown, running the ball to the one-yard line and fumbling. Teammate Dylan Barnard was there to scoop up the ball and take credit for that score.
For the complete story see the Gazette print edition or the online print edition at http://www.emporiagazette.com/pdf. To subscribe to the print edition or the online print edition go to http://www.emporiagazette.com/subscribe.
wg (anonymous) says...
Coach McClain from Madison?
November 25, 2010 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wg (anonymous) says...
and where is Gentz? I think you missed a couple Sammy.
November 25, 2010 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skrains (anonymous) says...
Coach McClain should have been the Area Coach and not Coach Schmidt. Olpe's coach is an outstanding coach and there is no doubt about that. Coach McClain's success seems to certainly rival that of Coach Schmidt. Don't blame Coach Schmidt, it is really hard to beat anyone from Emporia South (Olpe) Olpe's athletics has been tremendous for many year's and with their outstanding coaching this should continue. In this case though a coach winning a state chamnpionship should be recognized. Maybe the pick was before Madison won, in that case maybe co coach of the area would have been appropriate. At any rate congreats to Chris, Olpe, Fred, and Madison. Steve Rains
November 26, 2010 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartford (anonymous) says...
Chris Schmidt is a great coach!
Gentz? Well....I saw him play often....maybe if the coaches didn't plan a lot of the runs around him....and he not do much with it....maybe he would have made it. He is a much better thrower...throw or hand off and let your players get the glory of the touchdowns.
November 28, 2010 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justsaying (anonymous) says...
i don't care what anyone says, gentz should have been in there...no doubt.
February 2, 2011 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )