2A STATE CHAMPIONS, ALL IN FOR 61. 💜🏈
What happened today in Hutchinson was bigger than a trophy. Bigger than a scoreboard. Bigger than football.
Earlier this season, Nemaha Central senior lineman Daniel Childress (#61) was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent brain surgery and immediately began a fight no teenager should ever face but he attacked it with the same toughness and courage he brought to every snap.
And Kansas noticed. The entire state rallied around him. Teams, towns, communities, all backing 61 in his fight.
In the semifinals, his teammates FaceTimed him from the field after punching their ticket to the title game. Today, Daniel stood on the sideline in person, watching his brothers finish the job.
From the opening kickoff, 61 was everywhere. Every player carrying him with them. Every coach knowing exactly who this was for.
When the final horn sounded and Nemaha Central won the 2025 2A State Championship over SE of Saline, 35-6, the emotions were incredible. Players sprinting to him. Coaches embracing him. A celebration that said loud and clear:
Courage matters. Fight matters. Family matters.
Daniel’s battle became this team’s heartbeat.
His strength became their standard. And today, he watched his team bring home a state title with him at the center of it all.
This is what high school sports is about.
This is more than football. This is a community and state going ALL IN FOR 61.
🏆 2025 2A State Champions: Nemaha Central
💜 This one’s for you, #61.
#morethanfootball #sportsinkansas #allinfor61 #courage
Kids can’t go to school.
Believers can’t go to church.
Families can’t go to the grocery store.
Friends can’t go to a concert.
And now fans can’t go to a SUPER BOWL PARADE without the real fear of being a part of a mass shooting in America. WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Oh my god the edible Pop-Tart mascot is here and has emerged from his firework-and-smoke-machine-enabled toaster.
This is the greatest football game I’ve ever been to. Bar none.