SOUTH HAVEN — The Sterling Black Bears continued their unbeaten march through the 2025 season Friday night, overpowering South Sumner County 75–33 in a Class 1A District 7 matchup.
Sterling wasted no time taking control, as senior Brad Gillespie recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff to set up a short scoring drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Jace Darnauer.
Jacob Lewis broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown run to make it 14–0. Moments later, following a Wyatt Newberry interception, Zane Farney took it 33 yards for another score to stretch the lead to 20–0.
South Sumner’s offense showed some life late in the first quarter as Mak Blosser threw 4 4-yard touchdown pass to Maddox Pond to make it 20-7. Sterling responded immediately. On the first play after the kickoff, Newberry dashed 49 yards to the end zone. Sterling held a 26–7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Farney added a 37-yard touchdown run, Darnauer raced 84 yards for another, and Newberry sprinted 65 yards to make the score 47-14. Quarterback Logan Isaac closed out the half by connecting with Newberry for a 42 yard touchdown pass, giving Sterling a commanding 54–21 halftime lead.
Darnauer opened the second half with a 44-yard scoring run, triggering a running clock, and Sterling tacked on late touchdowns from Farney and Daryn Maxwell.
Farney led the way for Sterling with 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Wyatt Newberry added 123 yards on the ground and a touchdown of his own, plus a 42 yard touchdown reception from quarterback Logan Isaac, who finished the night 1-for-1 passing. Jace Darnauer made the most of his touches, scoring three times on just three carries and totaling 138 rushing yards.
For South Sumner, quarterback Mak Blosser completed 28 of 36 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 124 yards and three scores. Receiver Caleb Boone was his top target, finishing with 16 catches for 140 yards.
With the win, Sterling improves to 7–0 overall and remains perfect in district play. The Black Bears will host (6–1, 4–0) Trinity Catholic next week in Sterling, with the District 7 championship on the line. South Sumner falls to 2-5 and 0-4 in the district and will travel to Conway Springs next Friday.
