Photo Credit: Mike Cerny/Mikecernyphoto.com 
A semifinal of the Kansas 4A state playoffs is supposed to be a nerve-racking experience. Instead, the starters for Bishop Miege danced and posed for photos on the sideline during the fourth quarter as the second unit finished out an assertive 48-13 victory over Tonganoxie.
There was no indication early in the game that a beatdown was underway, as Tonganoxie scored first when quarterback Talon Langford ran for a nine-yard touchdown on the game's first drive. Langford found wide receiver Todd Brown for a long reception to set up the score.
“They scored, and we had to answer,” Bishop Miege Coach Jon Holmes said. “We did, and I think we put 41 straight on them after that. That’s what our guys wanted to do.”
Miege responded with its quarterback Marco Rodriguez rushing for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Tonganoxie appeared poised to answer as the Chieftains drove inside Miege's ten-yard line. The Miege defense held firm and forced a field goal that was missed, turning Tonganoxie away with no points.
Miege is well known for its passing game, but coming into the game, Holmes wanted to get the rushing game working efficiently to balance the attack. After the failed field goal, Miege did precisely that, handing the ball to freshman running back John Watskey, who was part of a group of backs stepping in for an injured Vinny George. Watskey gashed the defense on several handoffs before Marco Rodriguez threw a pass over the middle to Peter Gibson for a touchdown.
After a quick stop and punt, Miege took over again with the lead at its own 32. Miege coaches noticed an opening for a big shot that would spring the game open. Rodriguez dropped back and launched a pass deep down the right sideline to a completely uncovered Teryn Jackson for a 68-yard touchdown.
“We set up a little double move that our coach in the box saw,” Holmes said.
That leak in the Tonganoxie defense became a downpour and eventually a flood, drowning the Chieftains out of the game by the third quarter. By halftime, the score was 27-7. Miege scored a touchdown on the first possession after halftime, a handoff to a tight end, Finn Cusick, to push the lead to 34-7.
Teryn Jackson had already scored a touchdown and made several long receptions. But his best catch of the night happened with the game already in hand for Miege. Just as the Miege sideline was calming down from the excitement of a big completion from Rodriguez to sophomore Michael Blout, Rodriguez threw another one deep to Jackson. With Tonganoxie playing tight coverage, Jackson fell to the ground. The ball also slipped through the defense and landed right in Jackson's hands as he lay in the end zone.
Last year, Jackson was injured during the state playoffs. His absence hurt the Miege offense, and it hurt Jackson not to be out there.
“It’s amazing getting to be out here with my guys,” Jackson said.
After losing a significant amount of the team as last year’s seniors graduated, Miege began this season in a slump. Playing in the Eastern Kansas League provides no easy chances to learn as the season progresses. The Stags didn’t pick up their first win until the season's seventh week. That seems far in the rearview mirror now as Miege enters the state championship game on a four-game win streak.
Throughout the losing streak, the players never stopped showing up, practicing hard, and preparing for games. With just one game left, that focus has brought Miege to the verge of a state championship, even with a losing record.
“A good regular season really just gets you a good seed for the playoffs. We knew at the end of the year we wanted a state championship, we’re one game away from that,” Marco Rodriguez said. “So, it’s time to go do it now.”
