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Ross Martin
Prep-Sports Reporter

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Recent Stories
Sports Inc. names Dudik its coach of year
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009
Dan Smith made the announcement of the 2009 St. Joseph Sports, Inc., coach of the year brief and poignant.
The president of the group honoring a city coach for the 12th year didn’t need to say much else. Central football coach Tony Dudik earned the honor for the first time, and according to Smith, the longtime mentor became the first to earn a unanimous vote.
Selected from a pool of one nominee from each of the city’s five high schools, Dudik took home an award long overdue for a coach so intertwined with St. Joseph’s youth for the past three-plus decades.


Mid-Buchanan's defense shuts down North Platte in sectional
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009
DEARBORN, Mo. — When North Platte’s offense threatened, Mid-Buchanan’s defense didn’t just befuddle the Panthers’ offense. The Dragons devastated their opponents with repeated timely stops.
Mid-Buchanan overcame four turnovers and 10 penalties accounting for 105 yards with five interceptions of North Platte quarterback Evan Hill. Nick Andriano’s third pick of the game with 2 minutes, 38 seconds left stopped North Platte’s final try, and Mid-Buchanan held on for a 14-10 win in Wednesday’s Class 1 sectional.
“We just stepped up to the challenge every time,” said Andriano, who also caught a 59-yard touchdown pass in the first half.


Gray looks to keep Mid-Buchanan rolling
Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Mid-Buchanan senior quarterback Drew Gray spent his fair share of time on the field the last time the Dragons reached the playoffs.


Tonight's sectional playoff capsules
Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Tonight's sectional playoff capsules:


Mound City trounces Worth County
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
MOUND CITY, Mo. — Even after trouncing their rivals, Mound City’s players kept the celebration humble.
Clearly the previous loss to Worth County refocused the defending state champions.
Gage Rosier ran for four first-half touchdowns on his way to 252 yards, and Mound City shut out Worth County in a 52-0 victory in Friday night’s 8-man quarterfinal at Ceglinski Field. After losing 22-20 to Worth County during the regular season, Mound City played like a team intent on another run to the Show-Me Bowl.


Mid-Buchanan gets past King City
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
KING CITY, Mo. — A long run from Christian Robbins on a jet sweep. A couple of King City penalties. A smattering of short completions.
Nothing overwhelming from Mid-Buchanan’s
offense.
But when Christian Robbins capped a 17-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown reception, the Dragons led King City for the first time. The score, 3.4 seconds from halftime, started a streak of 24 unanswered points from Mid-Buchanan.
What started so inconspicuously morphed into a 24-12 Mid-Buchanan win in Wednesday night’s Class 1 regional at Wehrli Field.


PICK ’EM BLOG: 11-man regionals
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
As I sit on my couch trying to flush the last of flu symptoms out, I can't help bet look at my picks record and feel even more sick.


St. Joseph Christian rolls along to playoffs
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
St. Joseph Christian accomplished a lot in Friday night’s regular season finale.
The Lions put on a dominating performance against visiting Southwest Livingston, wrapped up an undefeated district title and kept all of their main players healthy entering a sixth straight playoff trip. Christian built a big early lead behind five Southwest turnovers and allowed the starters to rest for the latter part of the first half in a 58-0 win at Christian Field.


Polley cleared to return to ring
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
A seemingly career-ending diagnosis led Byron Polley to retirement. A second look from a specialist last week provided the 30-year-old St. Joseph boxer with a reason to reconsider.
Polley recently decided to end a brief three-month retirement, despite earlier reports he was suffering from white matter disease.
A second look from a Kansas doctor last week changed the outlook. While Polley continues to be at risk for head injuries, the doctor said that just comes with the dangers of the sport.


Irish knock off Cardinals, earn playoff berth
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
No Benton defender threatened Chris James as he strode toward the end zone at Sparks Field. Unaccustomed to carrying the ball, the Lafayette senior dove over the goal line anyway.
“I didn’t want to screw up my first varsity touchdown,” said James, a linebacker and undersized guard at 6-foot, 185 pounds.
James’ pick-6 interception during the third quarter gave the Fighting Irish the lead for good in the district finale. D’Andre Talton added a 24-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to give Lafayette the only two-score advantage for either team, and the Irish held on to beat their rivals 19-14 Friday night.