Joe Gruber

After going 13-1 and capturing a 3A state football title last season along with averaging over 35 points per game the Sabetha Bluejays knew it was going to be tough to have a repeat season.

But despite the turnover that each team has every year the Bluejays are doing just that as they are currently 11-0 averaging over 40 points per game and rushing for over 315 yards a contest with the latest victory coming in a 62-18 beat down of Parsons in the sectional round of the 3A playoffs Friday night.

A big part to the success of Sabetha this season has been the play of senior Joe Gruber who is having one of the better individual seasons we’ve seen this year across the area.

Not only is Gruber having a fantastic season he’s coming off one of the better rushing performances we’ve seen this year, as last week he rushed for 210 yards on 22 attempts with three touchdowns.

With the big game Friday night Gruber is now up to 1,167 yards on the ground this season with 14 touchdowns and is averaging 106 yards rushing per contest.

It’s the second straight season Gruber has rushed for over 1,000 yards as last year he ran for 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns while leading the Bluejays in rushing.

He has yet to fumble on the season in his 156 carries and is also over 100 yards receiving with one touchdown.

On defense Gruber is also third on the team in tackles with 53 and has also recorded one interception on the year as well.

Gruber and the Bluejays will look to continue their run at another 3A football state championship Friday night, as Sabetha is set to host Galena at 5:00 in the sub-state round with live coverage on 103.9 KNZA and online on the Sabetha Channel.