Wabaunsee High School's Student Newspaper
To celebrate the end of a year that we are all happy to put behind us, the Charger staff compiled the ten biggest WHS stories of the 2020. From sports to elections to unexpected plagues — it was quite a year. 4. Football wins a playoff game
After a season ending 52-6 loss against Centralia, Charger football finished the season with a record of 4-6.
“A losing season is not something we are happy with, but I am proud of the accomplishments and the direction the program is headed in. We won more games this season than the last three seasons combined and won the first playoff game in 37 years, so those are definite positives,” said head football coach Jess Rutledge.
“Now, we need to build upon that and take the next step which is to have a winning season and continue playoff success.”
In October of 1983 the number one song was “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler, the number one movie was "Never Say Again" featuring Sean Connery, Martin Luther King Jr. Day had just became a holiday and the Wabaunsee High School football team won its first playoff game.
Until last week, that was Wabaunsee’s only playoff win.
The Chargers traveled to Pleasanton Thursday and won 62-18.
Most freshmen are happy just to see the court or field, but the class of 2024 has made an immediate impact on fall sports teams. Here are a few of the freshman stepping up this season.
This week in WHS sports: Tennis ended its season at regionals, cross country returned to the course, football dropped to 2-4 and volleyball dropped a couple tough league matches.
Charger football is off to a 1-1 start behind several standout performances. The team hopes to build on its success as it heads to Troy Friday night.
The team got its first victory Friday night, winning 20-14 over Uniontown. Junior Quarterback Cade Oliver threw for 119 yards and ran for eight yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Derek Wallin and junior running back Aiden Boeckman both scored rushing touchdowns. Senior Tyler Lohmeyer led the team in receiving yards with 50 yards and junior Brayden Meseke had an interception.
At the start of the school year Mid-East League athletic directors and administrators met to establish changes for athletic events to avoid risks associated with COVID-19. While some changes will affect fans, the actual participants in most activities will only experience small changes.
Football looks to improve from a 1-8 record with a large group of underclassmen and hope for no COVID-19 outbreak on the team.
The Chargers take the field against Mission Valley at 7 p.m Friday at home.
The Charger interviewed head football coach Jess Rutledge.
Charger football ended its season Thursday night with a 42-0 loss to Jackson Heights.
While the team struggled to a 1-8 record, coach Jess Rutledge saw a lot of progress for the football program.
How did the football program move forward this season?
“Our offseason work that was put in exceeded any previous season since I have been at Wabaunsee. Our numbers in the weight room, at team camp, and at our thud camps were all higher than last year. Our athletes' maxes also increased a phenomenal amount from the summer of 2018. That needs to continue to improve, but we are most definitely on the right track. We also had a lot of younger players step into varsity playing positions, and that is a great thing to have for the upcoming season.
250 rushing yards in an entire season would be impressive for our typically struggling football team.
Eighth grade running back Miguel Hernandez hit that mark in the first half of the opening game against St. Marys.
The football team is off to a promising start, with a current record of 4-2 and a combined total of 176 points in 6 games.
“This season has been great,” eighth grader Zach Frank said. “It feels like a completely different team. The leadership and team chemistry are definitely a lot better than last year.”
