Washburn Rural football using heartbreaking playoff exit as motivation in 2024

TOPEKA (KSNT) - After a 2023 campaign that fell one win shy of playing in the 6A state title game, Washburn Rural football is on a mission in 2024.

The Junior Blues were undefeated in the regular season in 2023. The sole loss on their 11-1 overall record was the product of a last-second field goal on their home turf in the sub-state matchup.

2023's talented seniors left their mark on the program, and this year's upperclassmen are looking to finish what the group before them started.

"They're pretty locked into that as their goal," head football coach Steve Buhler said of playing in the state title game. "But like last year, we're going to approach every game one at a time because we always talk about [how] you can't win number two unless you win number one."

Washburn Rural's success in recent seasons combined with a handful of deep playoff runs is a core motivator for this year's group, Coach Buhler said.

"We're ready to roll, you can ask anybody out here," senior offensive lineman Caden Estrada said. "We lost some players but we're ready to go, it doesn't change who we are. We're going to get what we deserve, so we're going to go for state."

The team's staying focused on its season opener against Shawnee Heights, but that doesn't mean the players aren't itching to start their quest to avenge last season. When asked about their goal for 2024, a few senior Junior Blues had one answer.

"Win state," senior cornerback/ kicker Wilson Miller said. That's everyone's goal."

"Win state, that's all it is," senior defensive lineman Baron Blankenship said. "Win state and dominate."

Washburn Rural kicks off the 2024 season against Shawnee Heights on Sept. 6.