HAYS, Kan. – Two of the most storied programs in Kansas high school football history played for the 2017 2-1A state championship Saturday and for the ninth time in school history the Smith Center Redmen brought home the title.

Smith Center and St. Marys-Colgan have 27 state title game appearances between the two and met for the fourth time in title games Saturday under the lights at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays with the Redmen earning a 43-7 win.

Coach Darren Sasse postgame interview

Jesses Staples

Trace Haven

The Redmen won the toss and elected to take the ball first and a huge return into Panther territory by Jesse Staples set the tone for the game. Smith Center capped off a six play, 34-yard drive with a Staples touchdown, his first of three on the day, to give the Redmen the early 7-0 following the extra point.

After each team punted on their next drive the Redmen added their second scoring drive of the first half, this one covered 62 yards on eight plays and was capped off by a 24-yard Staples touchdown run. Smith Center ran a fake extra point and got the two-point conversion to take a 15-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Redmen added two more second quarter touchdowns; a Heston Maxwell one-yard run and a 17-yard pass from Colton Hutchinson to Brett Myer that give the Redmen a 29-0 lead at halftime.

The second half was more of the same for the Redmen scoring on a five-yard Staples touchdown in the third quarter and then in the fourth quarter Smith Center capped off a 14-play, 81-yard drive with a seven-yard Trace Haven touchdown on their way to the 43-7 win.

The Panthers lone score came in the third quarter when quarterback Bryce Hutchins found Jeremiah Buche for the 17-yard score.

Smith Center outgained St. Marys-Colgan 421 to 85 total yards.

Jesse Staples finished with a game-high 131 yards rushing on 17 carries and three touchdowns. Maxwell, Hutchinson and Haven each totaled more than 70 yards rushing in the win.

The Redmen finish the year 12-1 and clinch their ninth state title in school history. They are now tied with Wichita Kapaun for second in total state championships, one behind Lawrence.

St. Marys-Colgan finished their season 10-3. They have finished runners-up eight times now. That ties them for second most in Kansas history.