Kansas
Volume 13 | 2018
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RECRUITING KANSAS
In The
CLAY CUNDIFF I KEENAN GARBER I BREECE HALL I MARCUS HICKS I JAYDEN RUSSELL SEE STORY ON PAGE 10
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Concordia University offers a variety of Concordia University offfor erseither a variety of team camp options team camp options forteams. either overnight or commuting overnight or commuting teams. For more information contact Concordia University assistant football coach
Weston Coomes at 402.643.7199 or Weston.Coomes@cune.edu head coach For more information contact Concordia University assistantorfootball coach Daberkow at 402.643.7217 or Patrick.Daberkow@cune.edu WestonPatrick Coomes at 402.643.7199 or Weston.Coomes@cune.edu or head coach Patrick Daberkow at 402.643.7217 or Patrick.Daberkow@cune.edu
“Building Men through Accountability, Toughness, & Authenticity” Learn more about Bulldog football at& Authenticity” “Building Men through Accountability, Toughness, www.cune.edu/athletics/teams/football/ Learn more about Bulldog football at www.cune.edu/athletics/teams/football/
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
In The Cards
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As a kid growing up in north central Kansas I loved to watch professional football on Sundays. In my older age I prefer to watch high school football on Friday nights or college football on Saturdays over the professional brand on Sundays, but as a kid it was the pro sport that attracted my attention, and in part because of my love for Topps® football cards. One of my favorite things to do was get my entire card collection out on the floor and pore over the stats on the back of the cards while watching JOHN BA ETZ, PU BLISHER the teams battle it out on television. Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, Joe Montana and Harold Carmichael were a few of my favorite players in the early 80s and I knew their season and career stats and everything about their college career largely because of my obsession with collecting their football cards. I loved collecting all cards - ’87 Topps® baseball with the wood frames were one of my favorites - but football was my favorite sport, due in large part to my older brother’s success. My brother gave me his football card collection somewhere in the mid 80s and immediately doubled the size of my collection and awarded me such gems as a 1972 Topps® Joe Namath a 1977 Topps® Walter Payton second year card and a 1970 Topps® Tommy Nobis - not as famous as some of his contemporaries, Nobis was one of the best linebackers to play the game. I loved organizing those cards into complete sets with extra “star cards” displayed in nine pockets sheets inside three ring binders. I relished the opportunity to go to different sports memorabilia shops across Kansas and Nebraska and enjoyed trading cards with my friends. Now it seems collecting is more business than hobby, but for thousands of sports fans my age and older card collecting was the social media and internet of the time. Cards allowed fans of all ages to engage with the game in a more personal way and take a piece of the game home. In honor of my love of card collecting, this year’s individual player features include a retro sportscard design inspired by some of my favorite classic Topps® sportscards. We hope you enjoy them! Visit Fort Scott This year’s cover shoot was hosted by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. A second feature - “Big in 2020,” focused on some of the state’s top linemen in the class of 2020 - was hosted by Fort Scott Community College and photographed in their weight room on campus in Fort Scott. Over the last few years I’ve traveled through Fort Scott on my way to photo shoots or football games and I’ve always thought it would be a spectacular community to visit. After spending the day there during our photo shoots in May, I can assure you my suspicion was correct. The historic site, the community college, and the beautiful, thriving downtown area are just a few of this amazing city’s many wonderful qualities. If you’re looking for a road trip that provides history, art and architecture along with great food and entertainment, look no further than Fort Scott. To find out more about all there is to see and do in Fort Scott go to www.visitfortscott.com on the internet or find Visit Fort Scott on Facebook. For more about Fort Scott Community College visit www.fortscott.edu. Playoff Format to Change A pretty significant overhaul of the Kansas State High School Activities Association playoff system will go into effect this fall and the classification system was revised as well. Now, rather than two divisions of 4A and a combined 2-1A classification the classes will descend from 6A through 1A, while 8-Man football will continue to feature two classes, Division I and II. Classes 6A through 4A will feature 32 teams each. Class 3A and 2A are now composed of 48 teams and class 1A includes the remaining 31 11-Man teams. The 8-Man classes include 48 and 52 teams respectively. The two largest classes will continue with the east/west seeding format implemented two season ago,
TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 Kansas Turf 13 Big in 2020 21 Sharp Combine Series
continued on page 44
97 Class 3A 113 Class 2A 125 Class 1A
29 Weighting Game
137 8-Man I
65 Class 6A
149 8-Man II
75 Class 5A
162 6-Man
84 Class 4A
163 College
Kansas
Pregame Welcome to Kansas Pregame 2018! For the past 13 years Kansas Pregame has provided the most complete preview of high school football in the Sunflower State. We are proud to provide this coverage, and proud to continue to partner with Kpreps.com, the state’s only comprehensive high school football website. Find digital editions of back issues of Kansas Pregame online at www.issuu.com/1660publishing, or, find a list of free Kansas Pregame print distribution locations and links to the current digital edition at www.kansaspregame.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter
John Baetz & Bree McReynolds-Baetz Publishers
Co-owners of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine, Kansas Hardwood Basketball Magazine and other specialty publications. Layout and Design: Becky Rathbun, Sixteen 60 Publishing Ad Design: Kayla Kvacik, Kvacik Graphics Advertising Sales: John Baetz Contributing writers: Dustin Armbruster, Eagle Radio; Ryan Atkinson; Bethany Bowman; Jennifer McDaniel; Brent Maycock, Topeka Capital-Journal; Kyle McCaskey; Conor Nicholl; Mark Schremmer; Patrick Strathman, Rocking M Media Contributing photographers: Joey Bahr, Joey Bahr Photography, www.joeybahr.com; Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com; Bree McReynolds-Baetz Photography (John Baetz head shot) Recruiting Kansas cover photography provided by: Clay Cundiff (courtesy Jayden Russell); Keenan Garber (courtesy photo); Breece Hall (Edmund Cronn); Marcus Hicks (The Football Braniacs); Jayden Russell (courtesy photo)
Acknowledgments: With a project of this size and scope we can’t possibly thank all the contributors, but a special “Thank You!” goes out to the school secretaries, athletic directors, coaches and parents who helped us secure team information. Thank you to the advertisers who made this possible - without your support this publication would not be a reality. To all those involved with the completion of this publication in any way, Thank You! Mail inquiries to johnbaetz@gmail.com or Kansas Pregame, PO Box 186, Lincoln, KS 67455 Publication date: Volume 13, August 15, 2018 Kansas Pregame Football Magazine was founded by John and Bree Baetz and Tim McGonagle in 2005.
The 2018 Kansas Pregame cover was photographed at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Fort Scott, Kansas, and is sponsored by the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau and Fort Scott Community College. To find out more about all there is to see and do in beautiful Fort Scott go to www.visitfortscott.com. For more about the academic programs and athletic opportunities at Fort Scott Community College visit their website at www.fortscott.edu.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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LETTER FROM THE KFBCA
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This is Rod Stallbaumer, President of the Kansas Football Coaches Association and head coach at Basehor-Linwood High School. The KFBCA is proud to partner with Kansas Pregame Football Magazine to bring a comprehensive statewide preview to the state of Kansas. For the last 13 years Kansas Pregame has been the number one name in preseason high school football coverage in the Sunflower State. Kansas Pregame has given us this opportunity to reach out to high school coaches across Kansas and highlight some of the important things the association does for its Rod Stallbaumer members: • Each February the KFBCA hosts a coaching clinic at the Hyatt on the river in downtown Wichita. The two day event features some of the top high school and college coaches from Kansas and across the country sharing ideas on schemes, player development and program building. This two day event is great opportunity for head and assistant coaches to learn about the game and network with fellow coaches. • Each December the KFBCA hosts the All-State selection meeting over the second Sunday and Monday in December. Dozens of coaches from across Kansas gather to watch film, talk about the top players in Kansas, and choose an all senior All-State team. The only All-State team chosen by the men who are closest to the action of the game, the coaches. • The association message board allows coaches to find and share information about job openings, camps, and other news important to coaches. To register and post visit http://kfbca.proboards.com/. • With a staff membership this organization is open to all football coaches, both head and assistant, and is a great way to network with your fellow football coaches around the state and have a voice in the future development of the sport of football in Kansas. For more information, or to join, visit www.kfbca.com.
Consider a KFBCA Membership! 7/2/15 3:47 PM
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Coaching Clinic • All-State Selection • Message Boards • Initiative Promotion
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Jennifer Freeman always knew her father was a great man, but after his death, she desired to share her loving memories of him with the world. She is passionate about raising awareness for Alzheimer’s in hopes of one day finding a cure. She also hopes that her story will provide hope and encouragement for others who are suffering from the loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s. “Heart of a Champion: The Life and Legacy of Coach Bill Freeman” remembers a great coach, a dedicated father, loving husband, enterprising businessman and selfless community servant. Lovingly written by Bill’s daughter, Jennifer, “Heart of a Champion” chronicles the life and career of this Kansas high school teacher and coaching legend, one of the most successful high school football coaches in Kansas history. A demanding, relentless, success-driven coach on the field, Bill was known and loved off the field for his big heart and genuine care and concern for his players and students. A true renaissance man, Bill not only coached football and track, he also farmed over three thousand acres, owned a bank, and served as mayor of Leroy, Kan., for 21 years. Lover of history and nature, he was a conservationist, historian, and environmentalist, but most importantly, Bill was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. “Heart of a Champion” also sheds light on his battle with Alzheimer’s and his daughter Jennifer’s painful struggle as she watched her hero decline and eventually succumb to this deadly disease. “He was truly one of those beloved coaches and
Heart of a Champion teachers, one who stands out for a lifetime in the hearts and minds of those he coached and taught,” Osawatomie native and former K-State and Green Bay Packer quarterback Lynn Dickey said. Dickey, who played for Freeman at Osawatomie, and penned the foreword for the book, was just one of a number of former players interviewed for the book, all who have fond memories of playing for Freeman during his long and successful career. Freeman coached for 36 years and posted a record of 242-81-3 and led teams to championships in three different classifications, including 16 years at Lawrence High School, where he won five state championships and during one 10 year span played in 10 straight title games. Coach Freeman - who in addition to his illustrious coaching career, was a four-year letterman at offensive guard for the Emporia State football team - was inducted into the Emporia State University Athletics Hall of Honor in 1996, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and was a 2012 recipient of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame’s Pride of Kansas Award. Jennifer Freeman has made many television appearances over the last three months and hosted book signings at book stores and events across Kansas. For more information about Jennifer Freeman, her father Bill, and her book intended to honor his memory, or to order the book, visit coachbillfreemanheartofachampion.com.
The Life and Legacy of Coach Bill Freeman
Practice Intentional Kindness Let Joe Coles teach you how to use intentional kindness as a bullying prevention tactic for schools, sports teams or businesses. Joe Coles is a speaker, consultant, teacher and coach with over 40 years working in education. Joe has traveled all over the United States presenting to teachers, staff, parents, and students sharing his passion for making education better. For more information on how to bring Joe to your next meeting contact him directly at:
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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KANSAS TURF IS LEVELING THE FIELD By Jennifer McDaniel For Kansas Pregame Grass has always seemed to play a part in Jake Farrant’s life. His family has spent decades in the golf course construction and sod business. His uncle, Rick Farrant, founder and principal of GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness, has accumulated more than 20 courses in the Kansas City metro. As a kid in Meriden, Jake grew up mowing lawns and working alongside Rick on the golf course. Following college, he returned to Meriden to work with his family. So when an opportunity to build a multisports complex presented itself a few years later, he jumped at the chance. And that was when Kansas Turf was born. “I was more interested in small projects – high-school football, baseball, softball fields,” he said. Business steadily picked up, but it wasn’t until he hired his former football coach, Patrick Ross, that it took off. Ross served three years as defensive coordinator for Kansas Wesleyan University before accepting the head coaching position at Ottawa University. Ross coached Jake there, before leaving to take the head coaching position at Lindenwood University, a NCAA DivisionII school. “He had the contacts,” Jake said. “And we jumped into the turf side, and it grew from there. Within six months, we were doing college fields.” Today, Kansas Turf has expanded its services, offering site construction, soil renovation, cemetery turf renovation, laser leveling, top dressing and natural sod installation and removal. Earlier this year, the company was selected to replace the field at Kansas State University’s Bill Snyder Family Stadium, where the company partnered with AstroTurf, a leader in manufactured turf. The artificial turf is made with a new fiber blend that is not only more durable, but less abrasive. The field design is similar to the previous field, including the Wildcat logo at mid-field and the university’s traditional Royal Purple color in the end zone. A new feature includes the addition of Big 12
logos on each side of the field. For Jake, the opportunity was huge. “That was big for us,” he said. What separates KansasTurf from others in the industry is relationships and customer service, Farrant said. “What makes us different is that the same guys who are giving a presentation in front of a school board are the same guys running the dozers. They’re the same guys who come back to do maintenance. That’s what gives us an advantage – we’re giving a greater level of comfort. I think it’s something different for schools – there’s a different type of comfort level there.” Jake, who serves as an assistant coach at Jefferson West, along with his brother, Bryce Farrant, and his former coach, Ross, noticed the school’s grass football field was in bad shape. “When Jake started talking to me about artificial turf for the school, I thought, ‘Oh my, we just don’t have that kind of budget,’” Superintendent Pat Happer said. “But Jake suggested that the school allocate to this project the same amount of money that was already going to be spent on the natural grass field, and he would work on private funding for the rest.” The school board considered the idea, hosted an open forum to gather community input, and decided to proceed with the project. But while officials were still trying to iron out the details, Jake’s company was replacing turf for the New Orleans Saints. “I asked what they were going to do with the old turf, which was only a year old, and they said, ‘Oh, just store it somewhere,’” Farrant said. Because the Mercedes-Benz Superdome installs a new artificial grass surface each year, each field is only used for eight regular NFL season games and two NCAA bowl games. Eventually, it would take 28 tractor-trailers to transport the turf back to Meriden. Once crews are in full-conversion mode, it takes about six weeks for the new turf to be installed, he said. In most cases, Farrant said, school districts reach out to his company to
Top: Leaders from the Girard community gather for a groundbreaking ceremony at Frank Jameson Field. Middle: Kansas Turf begins work on Frank Jameson Field in Girard. Above: Kansas Turf helped the Jeff West community create one of the best sports field surfaces in Kansas by installing turf transplanted from the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans. (Photos courtesy Kansas Turf) learn more about artificial turf. But the situation often changes once officials have the information. “When we start the presentation, districts are just looking for information,” he said. “But it soon goes from doing something the following year to looking at the ability to put it in now. They’re blown away with the info.” While the expense of adding artificial turf can be an obstacle, Jake said his company is there to help. “What we’ve done, and what we’ve been having the most success with is
not getting a bond issue and spending taxpayer money,” he said. “We come in and make a presentation. We get the facts out there. We also show people that instead of it being just a varsity field, it’s a community field. “We’ve developed a creative marketing plan by helping the community raise money. We also get involved. We make it very affordable by helping finance. We’re just flattered to be bringing high-quality turf to these small towns.” Currently, Kansas Turf is working with more than continued on page 40
RECRUITING KANSAS
Consistent crop of recruits
growing in Kansas
By Ryan Wallace GoPowercat.com As much of the Sunflower State hits severe or emergency drought levels, the summer heat only intensifies across the plains. Crippled by water shortages over a foot behind average moisture and precipitation readings, Kansas’ rich agricultural yields are hurting as a steady stream of updates and announcements pour in from state powers in Topeka. Much like the weather we’re experiencing, there’s a second drought being addressed this time of year in the nation’s 34th state -- the kind where warmth is welcome, and precipitation pours in waves of scholarships and collegiate interest. Yes, there are plenty of other (younger) state powers making announcements and giving updates this summer, as a new crop of Kansas talent continues to grow wildly amidst an overflowing scorch of heat. Welcome to the Kansas high school football recruiting offseason of 2018. As avid local fans know all too well, when it comes to the world of prep football, and more specifically collegiate recruiting, the Sunflower State has long been a national afterthought. For many years, it’s been the belief of scouts and analysts that coaches need venture somewhere over the rainbow to find a single in-state prospect, let along multiple prospects, worthy of garnering the attention of college football’s elite. Consider the following statistic from 247Sports, recognized as one of the top platforms in the collegiate recruiting market: Since the site’s inception back in 2010, only five names have cracked the site’s Top 100 players in America over a period of nine recruiting cycles, and three of those came in 2010 (Bishop Carroll’s Blake Bell and Bishop Miege’s Justin McCay) and 2011 (Circle’s Jordan Phillips). Not since 2016 and Wichita East athlete Xavier Kelly has the “Land of Oz” been represented by a national recruiting name. True, the state will never contend with the hotbeds of Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and others as ‘football factories’, but a growing group of 16 to 18-yearolds are already proving it’s time schools make a pit-stop in this flyover state.
RECRUITING HEADLINERS
GRAHAM MERTZ – BLUE VALLEY NORTH: Ranked No. 84 among players nationally and No. 3 of quarterbacks in his class, the reigning 6A state champion signal caller from Blue Valley North has exploded onto the recruiting scene. Already committed to Wisconsin, this 6-foot-3 pro-style passer is considered to have one of the most accurate arms in America (3,684-yards passing last fall) and is often identified as the state’s top senior player. MARCUS HICKS – WICHITA NORTHWEST: If Mertz is considered 1a among 2019 players, Hicks is right there at 1b. A well-built 245-pound defensive end for the Grizzlies, this explosive athlete, ranked No. 24 at his position nationally by 247Sports, has already
Photo by Linda Gregory, lindagregory.com
BREECE HALL (#1), QUINTON HICKS (#48) Wichita Northwest senior running back Breece Hall, who verbally committed to Iowa State this offseason, is one of the top ranked backs in the state of Kansas in recent memory. Campus athlete Quinton Hicks, who can play a variety of positions including linebacker, fullback, tight end and wide receiver, committed to South Dakota State this offseason. The step-brother to Northwest defensive end Marcus Hicks, an Oklahoma commit, Quinton is poised for a spectacular senior year. committed to play for the Oklahoma Sooners. An allstate selection as a junior, this 6-foot-5 edge-rusher will look to improve on a 10-sack campaign. JAYDEN RUSSELL – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: A leading figure in the 2019 class for the better part of two years, this agile defensive back continues to live up to the hype. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back who can play corner and safety, Russell already holds offers from the likes of Boston College, Duke, Iowa State, Kansas, and Kansas State. He’ll be heavily leaned on for the 2018 Saints defense. KEENAN GARBER – LAWRENCE FREE STATE: Arguably the best utility player in the entire state, this versatile speedster with 4.4 speed can do it all for the Firebirds. Committed to Kansas State, the 175-pound senior led a dangerous Free State offense in receiving last year and also anchors the secondary as the Sunflower League’s premiere shut-down cornerback. BREECE HALL – WICHITA NORTHWEST: Committed to play for the Iowa State, Hall led all of the 6A class in rushing as a junior with 2,082-yards on the ground and saw his recruitment soar as a result. Nimble for his 6-foot-2, 215-pound size with good hands out of the backfield, expect this future Cyclone to post video game style statistics in his final year. CLAY CUNDIFF – BISHOP CARROLL: Another city league standout, Cundiff spurned a host of growing FBS interest to stay home and commit early to David Beaty’s Jayhawks. A well-rounded 6-foot-4 tight end, Cundiff is as good a blocker as he is receiver. His
surprising wheels helped accumulate some big plays against fellow powers Northwest and Derby, so, with receiver Thomas Helton gone, the Golden Eagles will look to their tight end even more in their 5A title defense. COOPER BEEBE – PIPER: Younger brother of current Minnesota Golden Gopher, Colton, this budding prospect is easily the best two-way senior lineman the state has to offer this fall. Already selected to represent Team USA football twice, the strong 310-pounder can be found both at offensive tackle and defensive tackle for the Pirates. Committed to play for Kansas State, Beebe will be used on the interior of the defense, a spot where he tallied seven sacks a year ago. JOE MICHALSKI – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: Few juniors improved their recruiting stock more last fall than Michalski, whose play landed him a spot on the first-team all-metro squad as the only Kansas underclassmen at his position. A lean 271-pound right tackle for the Saints, this three-year starter quickly attracted the attention of Oklahoma State and has committed to play for Mike Gundy. In 2017, Aquinas ticked off 41.3 points per game and, with plenty of assets back, Michalski should pave the way towards a similar average this year. EASTON DEAN – LABETTE COUNTY: Only Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Carter Putz, tossed for more yards in 4A-I than Dean last season, which tells you everything you need to know about
JOE MICHALSKI
Photo by Susan Goodwyn, susanasnaps.smugmug.com
the arm on this giant signal caller. Standing 6-foot-7, this dual-threat quarterback can go vertical (2,028 passing yards) or north and south with long strides outside the pocket. Matt Campbell and Iowa State have already landed a commitment from Dean, who projects as an interesting Big 12 quarterback. JAX DINEEN – LAWRENCE FREE STATE: A familiar name to athletic followers in Lawrence and beyond, this 230-pound hulk is a freight train on both sides of the football. Starting at fullback and linebacker for the Firebirds, Dineen is a team captain and an old school player who welcomes contact. Hometown Kansas wasted no time offering a scholarship, one of five FBS offers on the table for the physical specimen who totaled over 1,500-yards rushing while also being named all-state on defense.
ON-THE -RADAR RECRUITS
QUINTON HICKS – HAYSVILLE CAMPUS: Stepbrother of Marcus Hicks, this linebacker currently committed to South Dakota State may see his recruitment
KY THOMAS
Photo by Craig Strever
gain steam with a big senior season. Look for this stout defender to once again impose his will on the Ark Valley-Chisolm Trail Division. JAVIER DERRITT – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: The most disruptive underclassmen defender in the Kansas City metro a year ago, Derritt has already committed to North Dakota State. The Bison landed a big commitment in late June by prying away this 270-pound star. SCOTT VALENTAS – KAPAUN MT. CARMEL: Perhaps one of the fastest rising recruitments in all of Kansas this offseason, Valentas stock is soaring at the FCS and FBS levels with coaches buzzing about his potential as a collegiate outside linebacker. In spite of the spike in interest, in late July Valentas announced his commitment to Ivy League school Columbia. JALEN WILLIAMS – BISHOP MIEGE: The most dominant edge defender the Stags have had since Shane Ray, this 6-foot-4 defender has steadily improved each year at Miege (11 sacks in 2017). A three-year varsity letterman, Williams is raw but oozing
GRAHAM MERTZ
Photo by Adam Murray, adammurrayphotography.com
with high-level ability. DYLAN DOWNING – BISHOP MIEGE: One of only 11 players who tallied over 140 tackles a year ago at the 11-Man level, this bruising 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker has been a staple for the state’s most successful program since he was just a freshman. Even scarier, is the fact he enters his final campaign even faster to the ball. Downing’s brother, Dawson, currently plays running back for Missouri and his father, Ken, played safety for the Tigers. Could Dylan, also one of the state’s top punters, join his brother at Mizzou after completing what could be the fifth straight state championship season for the Stags? ERIC OLSON – BLUE VALLEY: Classified as one of the state’s top agility testing prospects, the Tigers’ running back/defensive back is a freak athlete. With 4.4 speed and a 37-inch vertical leap, Olson has the numbers to compete with anyone. All that’s left is another season with 90+ tackles and more than 1,300 continued on page 12
131 All-Conference Players • 8 All-Americans Ranked Since 2012 • 72 Consecutive Polls 76% Winning Percentage
Tabor College taborbluejays.com
NAIA Playoffs
2003 2004 2005*Quarter Finals 2013*Quarter Finals 2015*Quarter Finals 2016
NAIA National Ranking
2003 - #16 2014 - #24 2004 - #13 2015 - #8 2005 - #6 2016 - #12 2012 - #17 2017 - #17 2013 - #11
KCAC Championships
2004, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2017
KCAC Player of the Year 2017
all-purpose yards for colleges to pull the trigger. MYLES LIVINGSTON – EMPORIA: Kansas State has already extended a preferred walk-on offer to this 310-pound lineman and more interest should pour in for the Centennial League standout. Aggressive and extremely powerful at the point of attack, Livingston easily displays some of the meanest trench techniques found in the 5A class. MASON FAIRCHILD – ANDALE: Committed to South Dakota despite a Big 12 offer from Kansas, this jumbo tight end/defensive end can really get out of a three-point stance for a player his size. Whether it’s rushing the passer or on a go-route downfield for the Indians, Fairchild’s motor never stops. SETH FALLEY – HAYSVILLE-CAMPUS: A class relatively thin on offensive lineman, the 6-foot-3, 280-pounder is among the cream of the crop. Capable of rotating across the Colts front, the all-state player welcomes competition and was an active participant at many statewide combines this spring in an effort to gain attention and respect. Mission accomplished. DELAND MCCULLOUGH II – BLUE VALLEY NORTH: Son of the new Kansas City Chiefs running back coach who shares his name, this Sierra High transfer is on Midlands soil ready to light up the EKL. A 6-foot-1 safety committed to Miami-Ohio, McCullough will also offer Graham Mertz yet another option at receiver in Andy Sims up-tempo offense after previously playing in California’s largest division.
SUNFLOWER SLEEPERS
ELLIOT STRAHM – SABETHA: A state champion wrestler at 285-pounds, Strahm is pure dominance at
MARCUS HICKS
Photo by Linda Gregory, lindagregory.com
the line of scrimmage and a player of the year candidate once again. It’s about time FBS college coaches take notice of this Will Geary-esque prospect. NICK DAVENPORT – ELL-SALINE: Capable of playing a number of different positions, one thing’s for sure – Davenport has the tools to be a difference maker at the next level. The quarterback also has the leadership traits coaches envy. TRAVIS THEIS – PRATT: Small in stature but not in ability, Theis racked up over 1,600-yards rushing in just nine games as a junior. Looking for his second state title in a storied career, the Greenbacks’ heart and soul is a highlight reel rusher reminiscent of Jake Sharp’s style. PARKER ROTH – HESSTON: An unstoppable rusher with a full head of steam, Roth is 3A’s most lethal ball carrier. Tallying close to 1,900-yards last season, en route to an 8-4 finish, the Swathers’ offensive juggernaut is worth the price of admission for those
DYLAN DOWNING
Photo by Kenny Daniel
near his south central Kansas home. REECE MORSS – GARDEN CITY: After a stellar start to his career at Holcomb, leading the Longhorns to a 4A-II state title last fall, this imposing middle linebacker is anxious to try his hand at a larger level for the Buffaloes. If lineage has anything to say, the younger brother of former La Crosse star, Levi, should be just fine after a 100+ tackle season last fall. PARKER WILLIS – SHAWNEE MISSION EAST: It’s not everyday a kicker is mentioned among the state’s recruits to watch but the Lancers’ specialist is not any kicker. Last October, Willis booted a 56-yard field goal, a yard shy of the state record, and converted 78 of his 81 total attempts (field goal and extra point) as a junior.
UP NEXT – TOP 5
The class of 2020 will offer another batch of talented recruits including one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
continued on page 62
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
BIG IN 2020
Page 13
Check out these BIG MEN up front in the class of 2020 Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
By John Baetz Publisher Kansas high school programs have a history of producing top offensive and defensive line talent. The Big 12 lines of scrimmage currently feature a number of players who excelled as Kansas preps including defensive tackle Amani Bledsoe (Lawrence) and offensive guard Ben Powers (Kapaun, Butler CC) at the University of Oklahoma, offensive tackle Teven Jenkins (Topeka) at Oklahoma State, defensive tackle Angel Dominguez (St. Thomas Aquinas) at Iowa State, and offensive lineman Hunter Saulsbury (Blue Valley West) at the University of Kansas, and teammate Mesa Ribordy (Louisburg) would join Saulsbury on this list, but a medical condition forced the two year Jayhawk starter to give up the game earlier this spring. And Kansas State, who has long relied on Sunflower State standouts to fuel the success of its offensive and defensive lines, returns a number of key Kansans this fall including offensive tackle Scott Frantz (Lawrence Free State), defensive tackle Trey Dishon (Horton), and defensive end Kyle Ball (Shawnee
Mission East) among others. The Big 10 is no stranger to big uglies from Kansas either, with Isaiahh Loudermilk (West Elk) finding success as a defensive end for Wisconsin, Christian Gaylord (Baldwin) and Peyton Newell (Hiawatha) in the mix along the offensive and defensive lines respectively for the Nebraska Cornhuskers this fall, and Fred Wyatt (Lawrence Free State), who made 12 tackles along Northwestern’s defensive line while appearing in all 13 games last year, back for his senior season. Other recent success stories include offensive guards Blaize and Brady Foltz (Rose Hill) at TCU, defensive end Trace Clark (Wichita Collegiate) at Oklahoma State, defensive tackle Will Geary (Topeka) at Kansas State, offensive lineman Garrison Wright (Marysville, Butler CC) at the University of Minnesota, and Auburn offensive guard Braden Smith (Olathe South) who was drafted in the second round of this spring’s NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. And a number of other standout linemen from Kansas are excelling at Division II, Junior College and NAIA programs across the state.
Looking forward there are even more great prospects across Kansas lines in the class of 2019. Wichita Northwest defensive end Marcus Hicks, an Oklahoma commit, is one of the top prospects in the country. St. Thomas Aquinas offensive lineman Joe Michalski committed to Oklahoma State in the offseason. KC Piper defensive tackle Cooper Beebe, who plans to play at K-State after high school, is a nasty player along the Pirates’ defensive line. And that’s just to name a few. But the big men in the class of 2020 are shaping up to be something very special. Headlined by Lawrence Free State offensive lineman Turner Corcoran, who holds numerous offers from some of the country’s top programs, this fall’s junior linemen could treat the state of Kansas to two very fun seasons. Kansas Pregame decided to take a closer look at some of the top linemen in the class of 2020 in the next few pages. The players gathered on the campus of Fort Scott Community College earlier this summer for a special photo shoot by Derek Livingston. Their features were written by Conor Nicholl.
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 14
ALEX CONN
MATTHEW BEYER Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
6-4, 270, OT Mulvane
Mulvane’s Matthew Beyer collected first team all-league honors for a 6-4 squad that averaged 28.7 points per contest. Coach Daniel Myears, in his first season after he replaced longtime coach Dave Fennewald, said the 6-4, 270-pound Beyer, an offensive and defensive lineman, knows everyone’s position on the offensive line. “He is able to quickly look at the defensive front seven and quickly identify blocking assignments,” Myears said. “Matt is also continuing to develop into one of our more vocal leaders on the football team.” Beyer enjoys football because of the brotherhood it creates with his teammates. He wants to make a deep run in the playoffs. Beyer does not have offers yet, but calls playing college football “a dream of mine.” He does have interest from FCS power North Dakota State University, where teammate Jayden Price is now playing this fall. Beyer also earned first team all-league in baseball. Beyer loves sports and wants to be a coach or athletic trainer. His greatest football memory was a Week 4 win against Wichita Collegiate when Mulvane scored 28 unanswered points. “I am inspired by the small town Kansas kids that end up on ESPN and are playing on Sundays, that really motivates me,” Beyer said. Conor Nicholl
6-6, 285, OT Derby
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Alex Conn is another in a long line of big, physical offensive linemen for the Derby Panthers. At 6-6, 285 his height and wing span will remind fans of former Derby standout Tanner Anderson, who will wrap up his college player career at the University of South Dakota this fall. After dominating the JV ranks for unbeaten teams the last two years, Conn will take his size and mobility to the varsity level, where the Panthers are always among the elite in the state of Kansas. “For a big guy he has great feet and great hips,” Derby coach Brandon Clark said. “He has a lot of potential. He is one of the strongest guys we have in the weight room already as a junior. We are excited to see him improve each week this year.” Conn will join fellow junior Phillip Icenhour (6-3, 285), and returning senior Bryce Atkinson (6-2, 210) as key pieces of what should again be a dominant front line for the Derby dynasty. Another deep playoff run for the Panthers should have college recruiters across the Midwest showing up on Conn’s doorstep this fall. John Baetz
TURNER CORCORAN
6-6, 285, OT Lawrence Free State
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Turner Corcoran is Kansas’ top recruit in the class of 2020 and has offers from many of the country’s top programs including Clemson, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Kansas State. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle is part of an extremely talented Lawrence Free State team that includes Jax Dineen and Keenan Garber, both Power 5 Division I prospects. Free State lost to Derby in the 6A quarterfinals last season and finished 10-1. His top-two high school football memories so far are beating rival Lawrence, 56-7, as a freshman, and a 24-21 victory last year that came down to a last-second field goal. “The teammates are the most enjoyable thing about the sport, just being out there with my boys is the best part of it all,” Corcoran said. Corcoran also plays basketball and would like to pursue a career as a firefighter. He likes math and history with Free State social studies teacher Katy Hayden. His inspiration is his older sister, Paige, a 2015 Free State graduate and the Pittsburg State volleyball team’s leader in digs per set (3.46) last season. She is a PSU senior this fall. “She’s set a great example in my life, I’m just trying to be like her,” Corcoran said. CN
TYLER DORSEY 6-2, 270, NG Derby
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Derby enjoyed a Class 6A state runner-up finish last fall with a smaller line than most of the top teams. This season, Tyler Dorsey, an offensive guard/nose guard, is expected to move into a full-time starting role and provide plenty of size at 6-2, 270 pounds. Dorsey played some junior varsity in 2017. The Panthers have one combined loss in freshman and J.V. football the last eight years. J.V. finished 7-0 with an average score of 51-7. “Has a non-stop motor to him,” coach Brandon Clark said. “He started a few games last year, but then got injured. He’s a student of the game and very aggressive.” Dorsey said his favorite aspect of football is the brotherhood formed with teammates. Derby is one of the traditional powers in Kansas history with 30 playoff berths, four titles and five runner-up finishes. The Panthers have most recently captured titles in ’13, ’15 and ’16. Conor Nicholl
NATHAN MATLACK
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 15
HADLEY PANZER Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
6-4, 210, DE Olathe East
Last year, Olathe East’s 6-foot-4, 210-pound Nate Matlack delivered four sacks and seven quarterback pressures. He also caught four passes for 65 yards, one score and a pair of two-point conversions for a 5-5 squad, a two-win improvement from 2016. Matlack, an honorable mention all-league defensive end, posted a 4.7 second 40 yard dash at Iowa State’s lineman camp this summer. He has talked with some Division I and II coaches and is expected to see his recruitment grow. Matlack was eighth at the 6A state track meet in javelin last year. “Nate is a very explosive and athletic kid,” East coach Jesse Owen said. “He also possesses good length. Nate is a very good pass rusher and has shown signs of improving versus the run this summer.” He has maxes of 230 in bench, 345 in squat and 260 in clean, doubly impressive when considering his long arms. But his 36-inch vertical puts him in an elite measurable range. Matlack called the football atmosphere and playing under the lights “an amazing feeling.” His goals are to defend the run more efficiently, get 10-plus sacks and win a state championship. Matlack’s role model is J.J.Watt, who went from walk-on at Wisconsin to All-American to superstar with the Houston Texans. “He was considered too light and struggled to gain weight, but proved people wrong,” Matlack said. Conor Nicholl
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6-4, 270, OT/DT Lakin
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Hadley Panzer, a 6-4, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman, has helped turn around the Lakin program under coach Chris Bamberger. Lakin has posted 2-7, 5-5 and 7-3 records the last three seasons. Last year included a 28-20 three-overtime road win versus Hugoton in Week 1 and 30-28 Week 2 home win versus Meade when the Broncs trailed 28-0 at halftime. Bamberger said Panzer does the little things right, playing with great passion and energy, and a strong love for the game with his preparation and play. “Most importantly, Hadley has a big role as a leader and as a mentor to our underclassmen,” Bamberger said. His personal goals are leading by example on and off the field, be more aggressive on offense and finish his blocks until the whistle blows, run to the ball and be better on his feet. His goals are to win league, win district and go deep in the playoffs. Panzer, who does not yet have any offers, is a three-sport athlete. He maxes are 235 in bench, 405 in squat and 265 in clean. Last year, he recorded 82 tackles, 17 TFLs and 10 sacks and earned honorable mention all-state. He is a two-time state wrestling qualifier and was third at state in 285 last season. He starts at first base in baseball. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
HAYDEN PAULS
6-4, 250, OT/DE Emporia Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Hayden Pauls, a 6-4, 250-pound offensive tackle/defensive end from Emporia, has dreams of playing Division I football and working toward the NFL. Pauls has offers from Iowa State, Kansas State and Kansas and has attended many high-profile camps. Pauls and returning senior offensive guard Myles Livingston give the Spartans two dominant pieces on the offensive line. Pauls has a personal goal for five pancake blocks a game and a deep run in the playoffs. “Hayden has great size, speed, strength, and hip flexibility,” Emporia coach Corby Milleson said. “Those are the physical attributes. What truly makes him a great lineman is the way he approaches each block. He wants to physically dominate his assignment.” Pauls would like to major in pre-med and become a chiropractor or MD. Pauls gave great credit to Milleson for helping in his football recruitment, his offensive line coach Keaton Tuttle, and his chiropractor, Dr. Harry Thomas, for being a “true inspiration.” Pauls has maxes of 265 in bench, 405 in squat and 300 in clean with a 5.1 in the 40. Pauls enjoys hands-on activities, including working with his dad on construction sites, making models of World War II planes and other models. In school, Pauls enjoys art classes like jewelry making, metals and ceramics. Conor Nicholl
RILEY PHILBERN
Page 16
6-3, 275, OG/DT Hoisington
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Hoisington coach Zach Baird likens Riley Philbern, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound right guard/ defensive tackle, to former Cardinal Seth Owen, who eventually started at Hutchinson Community College for two years. Philbern delivered 27 tackles and two fumble recoveries for the 7-4 Cardinals in ‘17, but his impact goes beyond statistics. Philbern takes up blockers and demands double teams, which allows linebackers to make plays. “Riley is a big strong kid who moves really well for his size,” Baird said. “He works extremely hard at whatever he chooses to do, so the future is very bright for Riley.” Philbern’s goals are to be one of the best linemen in Kansas and win state. Hoisington has made six straight playoffs, including a 12-1 record and semifinal showing in 2016, the best in school history, a season Philbern considers his best high school memory. Philbern is a three-sport athlete who competes in track and for Hoisington’s powerful wrestling program. He earned fourth at the USAWKS 18U Folkstyle Championship. He has not had scholarship offers yet, but has posted a max of 260 in bench, 405 in squat and 285 in clean. Philbern looks up to his father, who inspired him to play football. “My favorite part about football is how you can just go out there and let loose, and also the team bonding on and off the field,” Philbern said. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 17
Zach Saville
Matthew Roberts
6-2, 300, DT Maize South
6-2, 210, DE St. Thomas Aquinas
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Matthew Roberts has started every game since his freshman year for Aquinas’ coach Randy Dreiling. The 6-2, 210-pound Roberts has earned a strong reputation from coaches and media as one of the most difficult defensive ends to block, even though he is often much smaller than opposing linemen. He likely projects as a linebacker at the next level. “Great kid, works hard, loves football,” Dreiling said. “Exceptional athlete.” Roberts enjoys the bonds he makes playing football. His primary goal is for Aquinas to win its first state title in school history. He has an offer from Pittsburg State and has received interest from South Dakota, Kentucky, Iowa State, North Dakota, Missouri and Oklahoma State. Pound for pound, Roberts is very strong with maxes of 255 in bench, 430 in squat and 285 in clean and has posted a 4.6 in the 40. He would like to become a graphic designer because he likes art and loves video games. Roberts’ brother, Jaeden, is likely to emerge as the top recruit in 2021. Jaeden is 6-6, 320 pounds and already holds offers from Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. “I look up to all my coaches because they’re the ones who got me here,” Matthew said. “But the people, not person, that inspires me are my friends and family because their belief in me keeps me going.” Conor Nicholl
Komesh Spoonhunter
6-4, 270, OT/DE Royal Valley
Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Royal Valley coach Jake Lott believes Komesh Spoonhunter “has a ton of potential.” Last year, Lott noticed Spoonhunter learned to use his strength and lower his pad level. The 6-4, 270-pound Spoonhunter, an offensive tackle and defensive end, eventually earned honorable mention all-league and recorded 40 tackles. “I look for him to continue to take steps in his physicality and aggressiveness,” Lott said. “The team will look to him to be a focal point on the line of scrimmage to run behind.” Spoonhunter enjoys the football “brotherhood,” working on the field and in the weight room with teammates. His goals include a winning season and first team all-state honors. As of now, Spoonhunter does not have any college offers, though he’s a three-sport athlete and has shown great strength with a 250 pound bench, 275 pound clean and 435 pound squat. He did 13 reps at 185 pounds at the Sharp Combine, where he also showed good footwork and hand fighting in one-on-ones. Spoonhunter is interested in business and history. He gives great credit to his mother and called her the “most inspirational person” in his life “without a doubt.” “She’s the hardest working and strongest willed person I know,” Spoonhunter said. “Taking care of three kids on her own and all our other activities while working seven days a week is tough and pretty amazing.” Conor Nicholl
Zach Saville posted 46 tackles, 11 hurries and three sacks last season, but in the eyes of Maize South coach Brent Pfeifer, the 6-2, 300-pound Saville’s greatest attribute is his ability to demand a double team. Saville has not yet received any college offers, but has garnered the respect of opposing coaches and was second team all-league in ‘17. “Zach plays with a great pad level, which along with his aggressive hands and quick feet, make him a special player for our defense,” Pfeifer said. “Off the field, Zach is a great student with the character and positive personality that provides a great role model for our young players and students inside the school.” Maize South went 9-2 and allowed just 11.7 points a game last year. Saville wants the Mavericks’ young defense to play at a varsity level, make a deep playoff run and hopefully post a few shutouts. In spite of a wrestling injury limiting him in the weight room until July 1 he still improved his bench to 250, squat to 415 and clean to 225 this summer. As for college, Saville would like to study to become a physical therapist. He enjoys singing in the choir, his favorite subject in school. Saville’s inspiration is Tyler Lockett, former K-State All-American and current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver. “He has had an outstanding career, but still humbles himself and gives all the glory to God,” Saville said. Conor Nicholl
Proud supporters of Maize South football!
Brayden Carson Williams White 6-4, 270, OT/DE Louisburg Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Brayden White, at 6-4, 270 pounds, started every game his sophomore year at left tackle for Louisburg, a 6-3 team in Class 4A, Division I. Louisburg coach Robert Ebenstein expects White to be a “dominant force” the next two seasons and likely play defense this fall. “Has the potential to be an all-league type of player on both sides of the ball,” Ebenstein said. “Once he has that experience and learns the game inside and out he should be a dominant player in the state of Kansas.” White’s favorite aspects of football are the brotherhood “that comes from playing the game together,” as well as “I love being able to hit people to make a play.” This year, White has goals to win state, get bigger, faster and stronger and dominate his opponents on the field. White wants to play college football and has received interest from Kansas State, TCU, Nebraska and Arkansas. White has grown up on a farm and would like to major in ag business, or possibly sports medicine and would like to explore coaching. His maxes are 285 in bench, 335 in squat and 245 in clean. He is inspired by his parents and grandparents because they taught him work ethic. Conor Nicholl
6-2, 230, OG/DT Jackson Heights Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com
Jackson Heights posted an 8-2 record last fall with a young offensive line that started multiple freshmen/sophomores. Now a junior, Carson Williams started on both lines. Coach Caleb Wick calls Williams the “heart and soul” of the team. Now 6-2, 230 pounds, Williams posted 52 tackles, 10 TFLs, five sacks and five forced fumbles. He earned first team all-league and honorable mention all-state last year. Williams said his top high school memory was beating Valley Heights to earn a playoff berth last year. “He really is a true two-way player for us being our best tackle and defensive end,” Wick said. “Plays with a high motor and physicality you cannot teach.” Williams most enjoys the bond that football brings. This season, his goal is to improve each week, become the best player he can be by season’s end, win district and “give ourselves a shot” at the state title. Williams has not received any college offers, but has posted strong workout numbers with a 310 pound bench, 430 pound squat and 285 pound clean, along with a five flat 40-yard dash. He also participates in basketball and track. Williams enjoys being outdoors and said his biggest inspiration is family. Conor Nicholl
Three More to Watch Refujio Chairez
Max Kalny
Photo by Adam Shrimplin, shrimplinphotography.com
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder
Garden City Described by one Kansas college coach as the top lineman in the state and with epic strength numbers including a staggering 675 pound squat, Refujio “Big Fuji” Chairez could be on his way to big-time prospect status with another strong season for a Buffalo program that has developed under coach Brian Hill. Chairez (6-1, 300) looked good during offseason combines and won the “King of the Hill” challenge at the 810 Sports Combine in Kansas City in May. Arguably the strongest player in Kansas, Chairez earned first team All-Western Athletic Conference honors for his play at offensive guard last fall.
St. James What’s the old saying? It’s impossible to teach size! That sums up St. James Academy junior offensive lineman Max Kalny. At 6-5, 285 pounds he is not going to be missed in the hallways, or on the football field. And he’s still growing, his father is 6-11. Coach Tom Radke describes him as “the real deal” and said he played all three o-line positions for the Thunder last year starting the last six games at center and not allowing a sack for an 8-3 team that finished second in the state’s toughest conference, the Eastern Kansas League. He’s no slouch in the classroom either and scored a 30 on the ACT.
Cody Fayette
Maize South A relative unknown prior to the summer combine season, Fayette looked impressive at the Sharp Top Prospect Camp in both his size and mobility. While his footwork needs polish, at 6-5, 285 pounds he has the frame to play at the next level and coach Brent Pfeifer says he has the desire as well. “He is aggressive in nature, yet methodical in his approach to making sure each step and hand placement is correct,” Pfeifer said, adding, “... his passion and work ethic will no doubt bring him a lot of success in his future.” Another strong season for the Mavericks could yield offers for this big lineman in the class of 2020.
ST. JAMES ACADEMY
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WILDCATS
PANTHERS
In THE CARDS
MATTHEW BEYER, MULVANE
ALEX CONN, DERBY
Photos by Derek Livingston. Classic card designs reproduced by permission of Topps®.
FIREBIRDS
PANTHERS
HAWKS
TURNER CORCORAN, LAWRENCE FREE STATE
TYLER DORSEY, DERBY
NATHAN MATLACK, OLATHE EAST
BRONCS
SPARTANS
CARDINALS
HADLEY PANZER,LAKIN
HAYDEN PAULS, EMPORIA
RILEY PHILBERN, HOISINGTON
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 19
Classic football and baseball cards produced by Topps® in the 1970s and ‘80s were the standard bearer for the hobby. Collecting cards brought fans of professional sports closer to the players. This year, Kansas Pregame decided to pay tribute to those classic cards from “back in the day” by providing each of our feature subjects with a card of their own based on a classic design. The “Big in 2020” cards on pages 19 and 20 are inspired by the 1986 Topps® baseball set.
SAINTS
MAVERICKS
PANTHERS
MATTHEW ROBERTS, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
ZACH SAVILLE, MAIZE SOUTH
KOMESH SPOONHUNTER, ROYAL VALLEY
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 21
Sharp Prospect Series provides needed exposure
Photo by Preston Burrows, @burrows_preston
Sharp Performance is the foremost expert in athlete development for the state of Kansas, and with their recent announcement of a partnership with The University of Kansas Health System Sports Medicine and Performance Center, they’ll soon be bringing their knowledge to Overland Park. For more information follow Sharp Performance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. By John Baetz, Publisher As a high school football player at Salina Central Jake Sharp dreamed of playing for the University of Nebraska. A relentless worker in the weight room and still the state’s record holder for single season rushing touchdowns with his 63 scored in his senior season of 2005, there were a number of scholarship offers, but the University of Nebraska was not one of them. Of course Sharp went on to a successful career at the University of Kansas where he helped the Jayhawks to an Orange Bowl win in 2007, but the fact his overall options for college football scholarships were limited still remains a source of motivation. Now five years old, and expanded, the Sharp Performance Prospect Series is a product of that motivation. “There just weren’t many opportunities for exposure in the Midwest when I was going through the recruiting process,” Sharp said. “At Sharp Performance we want the kids of Kansas to maximize the scholarship opportunities available to them. The prospect series is a product of that.” The Sharp Performance Prospect Series starts with one of the Midwest’s largest free combines, the Sharp Performance High School Football Combine, held each spring in central Kansas. Last year the event welcomed over 300 athletes who participated in combine testing and secured objective third party measurements in the 40 yard dash, pro agility drill, standing broad jump, vertical jump and bench press. The results, which are available online, were distributed to college football coaches across the
country and multiple regional media outlets covered the event. “The combine is about more than just helping athletes get exposure - which happens thanks in large part to the growing media interest in the event - it’s also about getting young athletes a quality combine experience so they can learn the nuances of performing the tests in a competitive environment,” Sharp said. “It also gives athletes and coaches a great look at where they stand heading into offseason training.” This year, Sharp added a Top Prospect Camp in late June focused on giving some of the best players in Kansas the chance to perform on a big stage in front of sports journalists and recruiting outlets focused on covering some of the country’s top football programs. “The event was really fantastic and helped a lot of kids get on the radar of schools like K-State, KU and Nebraska,” Sharp said. “A kid like Parker Roth, a fast, explosive, powerful small school running back from Hesston really improved his opportunities to play football after high school during the event, and that’s just one of many.” Together, the two events helped dozens of high school athletes from the classes of 2019 through 2021 improve their chances for scholarships in the coming years, but Sharp reminds athletes that this is just one small part of the process. “The best way to get a college football scholarship is to be a great player, and the best way to be a great player is to listen to your high school coach and do what’s asked of you as part of the team concept,” Sharp said. “These exposure opportunities are just one way we can add to what the coach is trying to accomplish while helping the athlete achieve his The Sharp Performance Prospect Series provided exposure opportunities for hundreds of Kansas high school football players and was sponsored by the Kansas Army National Guard, Vibe Plate, Salina Regional Sports Medicine, the El Dorado Sports Foundation and Winfield Motors. The March Combine in Wichita tested over 300 athletes.
Athletes warm-up prior to the Sharp Performance Top Prospect Camp held in Salina in late June. personal goal of playing at the next level.” And Sharp adds one more reminder, any scholarship offer is a good one. “Sometimes the athletes, and even us, the event coordinators, get too wrapped up in FBS offers. Any opportunity to play football at the next level is special. Whether it be FCS, DII, NAIA or Junior College, if a player has an opportunity to play beyond high school, that’s special,” Sharp added. “And most importantly, it’s about getting the opportunity to do something they love while also getting their education paid for. The chances of playing professionally are ultra-slim, so getting a good education is the key to a happy life beyond football.” A number of players emerged from the March
Photo by Rayne Schmidtberger
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Page 22
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Combine on the radar of programs from across the Midwest. A few notable performances on the day included: Chase Ast, FB/DT, Conway Springs, Sr.: Ast, who plays blocking back in the Conway Springs single wing offense and along the line on the Cardinal defense is surprisingly mobile and explosive for his size. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing in at 245 pounds, Ast posted a 4.95 second 40 yard dash, an 8’4” standing broad jump and a 27.7 inch vertical jump. But most impressive was his raw strength, bench pressing 225 for 22 reps to win the event at the combine. His combination of strength, size and mobility makes him a versatile football player who could slot in along the defensive line, could serve as a hard hitting downhill fullback, or could even transition to center or offensive guard at the next level. Malik Berry, QB/DB, Lawrence Free State, Jr.: Berry likely garnered the most awe factor on the day with a number of media asking where he played. At a very athletic looking 6’3”, 214 pounds Berry ran a 4.8 forty yard dash, broad jumped 9’5”, vertical jumped 30” and did 9 reps at 225 on bench during what was then the spring of just his sophomore year. While Berry likely has a high ceiling as a safety at the next level, he is also in the mix to be Free State’s starting quarterback and his combination of passing accuracy and running ability could see him blow up as a recruit by this time next year. Josh Carter, LB, Wichita Northwest, Sr.: If Carter were three inches taller he would likely be one of the top recruits in the state. A tackling machine, the 5’10”, 210 pound senior linebacker ran a 4.9 40 (has since posted a 4.74), posted a 4.4 second pro agility, and a 28 inch vertical while displaying some of the best pound for pound strength in the state with 19 reps at 225 pounds. Another big season could deliver a high level offer, but Carter will likely have his choice of Division II schools should an FBS program not come calling. Refujio Chairez, OL, Garden City, Jr.: A player at least one college coach in Kansas has called the best offensive linemen in the state, Chairez showed why with his performance at the March combine. The 6’1” 300 pound guard, who could also translate to a center at the next level displayed his legendary strength with 21 reps at 225 on
Scott Valentas KAPAUN
Tayezahn Crough HUTCHINSON
bench press. His height and wing span are marks against him, but numerous colleges across the region are interested in him posthigh school. Tayezahn Crough, RB/WR, Hutchinson, Jr.: One of the top hurdlers in Kansas, Crough was the fastest player at the combine (4.49 40) and the 6’ 175 pound running back and wide receiver for the Salthawks is looking to translate that speed into a high level college scholarship offer. His 10’3” broad jump and 35.1” vertical jump added to the overall athleticism package for Crough, but some more weight and good film as a receiver could help this talented Kansan make the jump to the big-time, where he could also play defensive back. Nick Davenport, QB/LB, Ell-Saline, Sr.: The fact is, it’s hard to get recruited as a small town high school quarterback, and especially in a small state like Kansas. EllSaline senior Nick Davenport has done everything he can to get on the radar of college coaches, and his combine performance, and perhaps more importantly, his day throwing the ball at June’s Top Prospect Camp - he is accurate with a smooth release - has certainly earned him some interest. He ran a 4.9 40 and benched 185 13 times at the combine and at 6’1”, 210 pounds he could play linebacker should the opportunities at quarterback not materialize. Davenport has offers from Missouri Western and Concordia University so far with interest from K-State, Drake, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, Washburn and Pittsburg State. Davenport reminds us of another Ell-Saline standout quarterback, Tate Omli. Omli went on to success at Butler Community College and Northern Iowa as a defensive back and is now an assistant coach at Murray State. Landon Davis, WR/DB, Winfield, Sr.: A virtual unknown prior to the combine, Davis’ 4.4 second handheld 40 yard dash time had him burst onto the college recruitment scene. While undersized at just 5’10” tall and 163 pounds, Davis is an all-around athlete who also posted a 4.26 pro agility, jumped 9’11” in the broad and 36.2” in the vertical at the combine. Thanks to his film that shows an excellent form tackler who can catch the ball well there should be an opportunity to play past high school. His senior season and the addition of some weight will dictate just how high a level.
Isaiah Presley, RB, Newton, Sr.: At 5’8” and 176 pounds Presley will not win the eye test with most recruiters, but his 4.8 40 speed and incredible 38 inch vertical jump should get their attention. Add in a 9’6” broad jump and 10 reps at 225 pounds on bench and this is a player who may be poised for a breakout fall. He rushed for 544 yards and 8 TDs last year on 102 carries and could pick up some opportunities to play at the next level with a strong senior season. Jaylin Richardson, RB, KC-Schlagle, Jr.: After a strong sophomore season in both football and basketball at Turner High School Richardson will make the transition to Schlagle. The 6 foot, 200 pounder is a physical runner with break away speed, as his 4.56 40 at the combine would indicate. He’s also an explosive jumper who leapt 30.3 inches in the vertical, and he has untapped potential in the weight room after posting 8 reps at 185, which he admitted he could improve with a little more time around the iron. Richardson rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and 12 TDs last fall and scored 15 points per game during the basketball season, both numbers that could improve and lead to post high school opportunities in both sports. Jordan Schippers, RB/WR/DB, Colby, Sr.: Schippers is simply one of the best allaround football players in Kansas. A starter since his freshman year, Schippers has piled up over 3,600 total rushing and receiving yards with 51 total touchdowns. At 6’1” and 190 pounds with 4.5 forty speed, a 10’ broad jump, a 33.3” vertical jump and 9 reps at 225 on bench, along with a state championship in the 200 meter dash at this spring’s state track meet, Schippers should be talked about as one of the top recruits in Kansas. While he has an offer from Chadron State in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and has received interest from KU, K-State, Wyoming, Cornell, Nebraska, and Fort Hays State, he’s yet to receive an FBS, continued on page 114
Taylon Peters
Turner Corcoran
LAWRENCE FREE STATE
Preven Christon MAIZE
WEST FRANKLIN
Cody Fayette MAIZE SOUTH
Isaac Mitchell SALINA SOUTH
Izek Jackson CHAPMAN
Jaylin Richardson
Ky Thomas
Nick Davenport
Landon Davis
SCHLAGLE
SALINA CENTRAL
Brayden Singer
ELL-SALINE
TOPEKA
WINFIELD
6 1 12
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AUG. 25 T SvsEELPLST.W1ORTH
vs FORT SCOT HOME
AWAY
SEPT. 8
vs BUTLER HOME
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vs GORDON’S SPORTS ACADEMY HOME
M O C . S C I ATHLET
SCOTTIE
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21
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vs COFFEYVILLE HOME
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vs IOWA CENTRAL AWAY
# oct. 6
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50 OCT. CI2TY7
DGE CITY vs DO ME EN RD GA vs HO vs HUTCHINSON AY AW AWAY
nov. 3
vs INDEPENDENCE HOME
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gets you off the sidelines Brought to you by Salina Ortho When a high school athlete goes down with a bone or muscle injury in competition it can be traumatic to the player and parents. Salina Ortho’s experienced providers can be counted on to get those athletes off the sidelines and back in action. “We are where you live, work and play,” Salina Ortho practice administrator Kallie Burgardt emphasized. “Including satellite clinics for most patients, we are a short drive away.” The new Salina Ortho facility at 523 S. Santa Fe in Salina is state-of-the-art, featuring cutting edge technology and a comprehensive physical therapy
suite. A continued partnership with Salina Surgical Hospital adds to the overall service options in Salina and satellite clinics in Abilene, Beloit, Concordia, Ellsworth, McPherson, Quinter and Wakeeney make Salina Ortho the go-to for sports medicine, orthopedic services and physical therapy for all of north central and western Kansas. “As a private practice we bring a more personal level of care to our patients,” Burgardt said. “Our highly regarded relationship with Salina Surgical Hospital gives us added capabilities to reach, treat and serve our patients.” When seeking orthopedic services and sports medi-
cine the providers at Salina Ortho will continue to ask, and answer, this question: “As we move forward, how can we continue to keep compassion and quality at the forefront of everything we do? In remaining patient-focused, we ensure that when other professionals join us, they share this view.” Find just a few of the success stories of Salina Ortho athletes below, and for more information about Salina Ortho visit their website at www.salinaortho.com or find them on Facebook. Salina Ortho: Your Voice. Your Choice. Past, Present, and Future!
Bryant Banks (Southeast of Saline) >>>>>>
Freshman year didn’t start so well for Bryant Banks from Southeast of Saline. Just a couple days before the season was to begin, they had a team scrimmage. During a running play, Bryant was tackled and another teammate went down on his leg/ankle. It was then that he contacted Dr. Harbin with Salina Ortho. Days later, Bryant was in surgery for a left ankle fracture. This was not how he wanted to begin his high school football career as a running back and linebacker. After surgery, Bryant went through several months of therapy and rehabilitation on the ankle. “I feel better now than I ever did before and didn’t think it’d go so great,” Banks said. “Dr. Harbin has given me great advice and has been wonderful to me through this process.” Just in time for basketball season, Bryant was released to return to play ball. With a positive and excited outlook on the season, he is ready to get back to doing what he loves. A very athletic sophomore who plays football, basketball and baseball is thrilled to be doing so well. Bryant too also recommends wearing protective and supportive gear - whether it’s a brace or taking the time to tape up and support the areas that need that additional support.
<<<<<< Clayton Gish (Bennington)
There is a FIRST time for everything, but it was the FIRST run of the FIRST quarter of the FIRST game of the season…and that was it! Clayton Gish is running outside…he lowers his shoulder, plants his left leg, and his knee goes out. It was a season ending injury for Clayton. Never having a major injury, he was optimistic that is was only a sprain, but the Bennington Bulldogs had just lost their running back and one of their linebackers. Immediately on Monday, they called Salina Ortho. Getting into see Dr. Herrenbruck was the easiest part of it all. “The staff at Salina Ortho did a great job getting me in right away,” Gish said. “Waiting to get into surgery was a bit of a struggle (because doctor was so booked with other surgeries). However, the doctor went above and beyond to schedule me on his day off so I could get back as quickly as possible without further injury.” Clayton also really enjoyed working with the lady who braced him up. “She was fun and I am challenging because I am between a small and medium brace.” After many months of recovery following his Left Knee Arthroscopy ACL Reconstruction, Tibialis Anterior Allograft, Clayton was finally able to get back to being an athlete again. He was able to get on the baseball field for the last four games of the season. Clayton says “even when injured, stay involved! You are still part of the team and they need your support as much as I needed theirs.” The only time he was not there is when he was doing therapy or follow-up doctors appointments. Clayton continued to wear his brace and will continue to this upcoming football season. He is anxious to play again this year and plans to be more aware of how he uses his mechanics and how he “plants” the leg in the running game. He’s not quite where he wants to be yet, but he is still working hard to strengthen his knee. This was the biggest obstacle he’s encountered. “It was rough,” he said. He encourages kids to learn mechanics and apply them. Also, be sure to stretch…Clayton admits that he doesn’t have much flexibility and feels stretching and strengthening could have possibly helped.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Jaxon Eddy (Inman) >>>>>> Friday Night Lights were lit as Jaxon Eddy was coming in to lead the Inman Teutons in a game against the Ell-Saline Cardinals. It was the fourth game of the season and first quarter when Jaxon was running the ball during a QB Sneak…he was tackled. Somehow, his foot was stuck in the ground. It was then when someone came and landed on it and bent it backwards. Immediately, the lights became dim. He said, “it was weird and then I heard it snap.” His initial reaction was being so mad and angry. He did not want to sit out! Little did he know, his season was over. Jaxon got into Dr. Daily with Salina Ortho right away. A few days later, he was in surgery for a Left Distal Fibula ORIF. “I appreciated Dr. Daily going over everything in simple terms and in great detail,” Eddy said. “It made going through this much easier because I truly understood what was happening and what it would take to fully recover.” Once he was released, Jaxon got taped up and returned to the basketball court. He indicated his first two weeks he was very cautious. But with each game, he paid less attention to his left ankle. Keeping it taped up well has really helped. He will continue to do that to help prevent further injury and allow it additional support. One thing Jaxon would like to advise other athletes is to take the time to tape up! It could truly help prevent a serious injury. When asked what was the hardest thing about the injury, his response was “missing games and practices.” Jaxon says “if you obtain an injury, stay positive! It’s only temporary.” Jaxon is looking forward to his senior season as running back and free safety and is feeling 100%.
<<<<<< James Mauch (Smoky Valley)
Practice hadn’t even started yet. It didn’t keep this athlete from gearing up in the weight room for his upcoming junior football season. All was going well until…he went down on a squat, tried coming back up and twisted his left knee…POP! It gave out. Because James could walk, he thought nothing of it and that he was okay. Due to the pain, he decided to contact Salina Ortho for a consultation and x-ray. After his consultation with Dr. Michael Johnson, and review of his MRI, surgery was scheduled. Diagnosis was a left knee lateral femoral condyle. If there is one thing James could advise anyone to do, it’s to use proper form in the weight room. Had he done this, he may not have had this happen he said. With James being out eight weeks, the starting line up was already in place and unfortunately, he didn’t get much playing time. However, he was able to compete for his junior wrestling and baseball season. Even though this was tough for James, his experience with Salina Ortho was a great one! Dr. Johnson was very thorough both at the appointment and even again before surgery. He paid close attention to his medicine allergies and felt he had the right medications ordered to help him get through the pain and recovery. He’s also very impressed with barely even having a scar following his Left Knee Arthoscopic Partial Synovectomy. “Salina Ortho all the way around is awesome!,” Mauch said. “They have amazing customer service and one of the cleanest environments for a medical clinic.” And, “the staff at Salina Surgical Hospital is amazing! If I ever have to have another surgery, that is where I would want to go.”
Matthew Goldhammer (Salina Central) >>>>>>
Football pads have been strapped up, the music over the jumbo-tron at Salina Stadium is blasting, and the fresh scent of autumn is in the air. The stage for the Salina Central Gator Bowl scrimmage is set. Matthew Goldhammer, who is an offensive lineman for the Central Mustangs football team, walked onto the field exhilarated for his first game like experience of the season, even though he would be facing his teammates and not a league opponent. Unfortunately, Goldhammer would exit the field unlike the way he came onto it. Due to a rushing play on offense that required Matthew to pull (retreating from his starting position in order to clear a path for the rusher on the opposite side of the line) the varsity letterman suffered a Closed Reduction Porcuteneous Pinning Proximal Phalanx Fracture in his right hand. Dr. Grauerholz was able to see him right away and perform surgery in the same week. This kind of injury resulted in over eight weeks on the sideline. He knew getting Matthew back on the field was important to him and his team. That he did…he was able to play one last game of the season with his dub cast. He is now doing great and feels as if he is fully recovered and ready for his senior season. He said he has a great outlook and lots of new energy on the team this year. Matthew said “we can only go up!” Matthew plans to wear gloves more in hopes to add a little extra padding to the area.
To learn more about how to add The Frog to your team, call Rehnan Overmiller at (225) 329-4236
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 29
WEIGHTING GAME Work in the weight room fuels (Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
2A-1A-8-MAN
3A
6A-5A-4A
success on the gridiron
With the birth of modern college football weight training at the University of Nebraska under strength coaching legend Boyd Epley in the early ‘70s the modern football offseason training regiment changed, not only for every college program in the country, but eventually at the high school level. Now, weight training and football (and for that matter most other sports) are synonymous. While in the early days of strength training coaches carried concerns that musclebound athletes would be slower and more susceptible to injury, years of improved performance as a result of work in the weight room has demonstrated that strength training programs are the key to speed and power development and injury prevention and may be the single most important factor in the success of a football program. In the pages that follow, Kansas Pregame will take a look at some of the state’s strongest and most athletic players who developed those traits thanks in large part to their commitment in the weight room. The features are a look at not just the biggest and strongest players in the state, but players, that while they may be shorter or lighter, have achieved maximum results and are pound-forpound among the strongest in Kansas. Certainly these are just a few of the literally hundreds of athletes in the state who have posted impressive numbers in the squat, clean, bench, 40 yard dash, or vertical jump, and Kansas Pregame would like to hear of other athletes with impressive weight room statistics. Please e-mail suggestions for next year’s coverage to johnbaetz@gmail.com. The feature photo shoot was hosted at Salina Ortho’s new state-of-the-art facility at 523 S. Santa Fe in Salina. Frog Fitness also provided three of their revolutionary total body exercise machines for use in the photo shoot. Salina Ortho’s experienced providers can be counted on to get injured athletes off the sidelines and back in action. For more information visit salinaortho.com or find them on Facebook. “The Frog” is scientifically proven to be the single most effective total body training device ever invented. It provides the benefits of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Strength Training simultaneously. For information visit frogfitness.com, find them on social media or call Rehnan Overmiller at (225) 329-4236.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Richard Aguirre, 6’2, 215 lb. senior at Holton is a key player for the Wildcats. He earned Honorable-Mention All-Big 7 on defense in ‘17. “Richard is having a terrific year in the weight room and on the football field,” coach Brooks Barta said. “It is a reflection of his time, effort and commitment to improving himself as a person. It has been a joy to see him grow in many ways.” Last season, Aguirre recorded two receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. He added 22 solo tackles and 27 assisted with one sack and two fumble recoveries. Aguirre’s weight room numbers include a one rep bench max of 300, squat of 435, and power clean of 310. His 40yard dash is 4.79 with a 33-inch vertical. “My personal goal for this season is to be All-State,” Aguirre said. “My team goal is to win the state championship.” Aguirre would like to pursue a college football career. After his playing career is over, he says he’d love to become a historian or history teacher. He credits this to “an amazing teacher in Mr. Haussler, but also because I love learning about how our country and world got to where it is today.” His hobbies outside of football include playing Madden, where he claims he is the best player in Holton. “The people that I look up to the most are my coaches,” Aguirre said. “They set great examples.” Bethany Bowman
Tate Ahlvers Beloit RB/LB, Sr.
Richard Aguirre Holton TE/DE, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Beloit senior running back Tate Ahlvers is a 5-8, 152 pound mighty mite for the Trojans. As a junior in 2017 he earned allleague honors after rushing for 815 yards and 6 TDs to go along with 80 yards receiving on 6 catches with another TD. And while Tate is small in stature, he can hoist some iron in the weight room where he has recorded personal bests of 245 pounds in the bench press, 275 pounds in the clean and a 355 pound squat, as reported by coach Brad Gober. His 320 pound squat, 205 pound clean and 215 pound bench were good enough for 5th in the 156 pound class at the 3A State Powerlifting meet in March, his second straight 5th place finish. He also has powerlifting golds from Conway Springs and Chapman, and a runner-up finish at St. Marys. “Tate is an extremely hard working kid on and off the field. He is a very powerful athlete who has bought into everything that we do as a program,” coach Gober said. “Tate leads by example and is someone that your young kids look up to.” This year Ahlvers should add a starting spot at outside linebacker to his résumé in an effort to help the Trojans win their district and make a run in the playoffs. “I enjoy spending time with friends and teammates, working hard, and competing as a group to achieve our goals,” Ahlvers said. “My personal goals are to give my best on and off the field and to be a team leader to my teammates.” JB
One of the strongest players in Kansas hails from Conway Springs. Chase Ast, a 6 foot, 245 pound senior blocking back and defensive tackle squats 615 pounds, benches 350, and cleans 325. And he’s mobile, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.95 seconds along with a 30.5 inch vertical. Ast was a First-Team All-League Defensive Line selection in ‘17 and led his team with 15.5 Tackles for loss, six sacks for -43 yards, 48 tackles, and one interception for a TD. For Ast, football is a way to “make memories with your team and build a bond that will never be broken.” Ast and his team have a goal to go undefeated and win state. As for his personal goals, Ast just wants to do whatever he can to help his team win. He hopes to play college football and study physical therapy or exercise science. “I want to help others who need some guidance,” Ast said. He also participates in track and field and powerlifting. In his free time, he likes to lift weights, be with family and play pickup games of basketball. His most memorable football moment so far was a pick six against Wichita Independent last season. Inspired by his mom and dad, Ast says that “they work hard for what they have and they have inspired me to work hard for what I want.” John Baetz
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Lorenzo Celani Fredonia RB/DE, Sr.
Daniel Becker joins Chase Ast as the second player from Conway Springs on the list of featured weight room athletes. The duo will look to build on a 10-1 season from 2017. Becker, a 6-2, 245 pound junior offensive and defensive tackle also puts himself in the mix as one of the strongest players in Kansas with a 325-pound bench, a 500-pound squat, and a 350-pound clean max. He clocked a 4.99 40yard dash and his vertical stands at 31.5 inches. Despite missing four games to injury last season, Becker still had 22 pancakes and he helped the offense run for 5,084 yards rushing and earn All-League Offensive-Lineman. Becker recorded eight tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 38 tackles on his way to an Honorable Mention on the defensive line. He is interested in software engineering as a career path and hopes to play college football. Becker throws shotput and discus in track and was a state medalist his sophomore year in discus. He also competes in powerlifting, claiming the class 3A 220 pound state title. This year he placed second in the 3A 242 pound class to Ast. Although Becker took second, he later cleaned 350 to be the solo school record holder in the 242 pound weight class. Becker sees his coaches as mentors. “They all understand what it takes to be a champion and always push and help me to get better every day,” he said. Bethany Bowman
Josh Carter Wichita NW LB, Sr.
OT/DT. , Sr.
Daniel Becker
Conway Springs
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Wichita Northwest All-State senior linebacker Josh Carter has proven hard work and trust in the process can impact the game. Carter has emerged as a role model on his team. A 5-10, 210-pounder, Carter plays inside linebacker, fullback, and long snapper for the Grizzlies. “Josh is one of the main reasons this program is where it is today,” Northwest coach Steve Martin said. “We have maintained consistency in our program because he took the reins as a leader his sophomore year.” He has received interest from FBS, FCS and DII schools. With plans to major in exercise science, Carter also dreams of becoming a strength coach at the collegiate level. “As a weights coach I could help other athletes reach their maximum potential,” Carter said. Carter already has an impressive résumé with maxes of 590 on squat, 360 on bench, and 310 on clean. His team goal is “winning a state title and nothing less.” An individual feat he hopes to achieve is to break his solo tackle record from last year. “I look up to Inky Johnson,” Carter said. “He is a big process guy, and I really relate to that. The whole recruiting process had been frustrating because I am a shorter player which makes it harder for me to get recruited, but he’s says if you trust the process everything will take care of itself.” BB
They say hard work does not go unrewarded and senior running back/defensive end Lorenzo Celani hopes that’s true. Celani, a 6 foot, 215 pound senior at Fredonia High School has put in the work for a successful senior season. “Lorenzo has just torn it up in the weight room,” coach Marc Svaty said. “He is a kid that is due for a breakout season this next year because of all of the hard work he has put into the weight room.” Last season he accumulated 176 rushing yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns, only being utilized situationally. He had a nice year defensively with 64 total tackles. In the weight room, he showcases a 300-pound bench press, a 450-pound squat, and a 275-pound clean. Competition is what drives Celani to be get better. “What I truly love about the game of football is the competition and playing with my teammates,” he said. Celani would like to continue playing college football while becoming a personal trainer or strength and conditioning coach so that he can help others meet their strength needs. He also wrestles and competes on track and field. In his free time, Celani plays video games and lifts weights. Celani says he is inspired by coach Svaty. “When I was a 170 pound sophomore he gave me a chance to play varsity level football and I took the opportunity and ran with it.” BB
Gavin Elston Eudora QB/DB, Sr.
At 6-1, 225 pounds Central-Burden senior Clayton Cook has emerged as one of the top 8-Man football players in Kansas, and he has his work in the weight room to thank. That work yielded personal bests of 265 in the bench, 430 in the squat and 295 in the clean. “He works extremely hard in the weight room everyday to be the best athlete that he can be,” coach Anthony Blair said. That work also paid off for the Raiders last year as Cook generated almost 800 yards of total offense and eight TDs while earning All-District fullback and defensive end honors. Cook is also key special teams player for the Raiders and earned All-District and All-Area honors for his kicking. He hopes he can play football in college and would like to pursue a career in Environmental Engineering. “Clayton does an outstanding job not only on the football field, but also the classroom,” Blair added. “He is a great leader in all aspects of our school.” Cook would like to top his high school’s rushing yard record this fall, and he would like to help the team to a state championship. What he likes most about the sport of football is the “brotherhood” with his teammates. “I am looking forward to seeing what the future has to come for this young man,” Blair said. John Baetz
Cameron Cox Hesston QB/DB, Sr.
Clayton Cook Central-Burden RB/DE, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
“Cameron is the ultimate competitor,” coach Tyson Bauerle said of his 5-10, 178 pound senior quarterback/safety. “He sets the tone for our work ethic. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve never seen him have a bad day in the weight room.” He joins teammate Parker Roth in the weight room feature after completing 145 of 239 passes for 1,877 yards and 16 TDs in ‘17. He also rushed for 1,231 yards on 211 carries with 14 more scores and earned numerous honors. It’s easy to see why he excels at the game, pound-forpound, he is one of the strongest players in Kansas with a bench max of 230, squat of 435, and clean of 275. And he’s fast, with a 4.59 40-yard dash and a vertical of 29-inches. His favorite part about the game of football is “playing with my best friends and the physicality,” he said. Cox has a big goal in mind, leading his team to a state championship and he hopes that as a team they can achieve that feat. Cox also plays basketball and baseball where he was an All-State baseball player and 2nd Team All-League in basketball. Cox enjoys going to the lake, hanging out with friends, and swimming as hobbies outside of sports. He looks up to his parents “because they are great mentors in my life,” Cox said. Bethany Bowman
If Gavin Elston doesn’t have a stellar season one year removed from a devastating injury, it won’t be for a lack of effort, according to new Eudora coach Sean Hayden. “Gavin is the epitome of ‘lead by example’,” Hayden said. “He does every lift, drill, or exercise with 100 percent effort and it rubs off on the other kids.” And it’s that kind of effort that helped generate all-conference honors for the 5-7, 160 pound Elston in just his sophomore season in 2016, when he tallied 90 tackles as a DB. A torn meniscus sidelined him for his junior year but he plans to come back with a vengeance for his senior season. His work ethic yielded a 156 pound title at the 4A State Powerlifting meet in March where his three lift total (bench, squat, clean) was an incredible 915 pounds, good for the third best power index (5.864) in the under 165 pound class. His clean of 285 pounds and squat of 390 were both the best in his weight class while his bench of 240 earned second. He has since recorded personal bests of 250 in the bench, a 310 pound clean and 405 in squat and together with his 4.65 40 and 34 inch vertical he is the total athlete. Elston, who loves football because “it can teach you a lot of life lessons,” hopes to continue playing in college, possibly at Baker, where he would join brother Grant, a junior All-Conference defensive back for the Wildcats. JB
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Hunter Engle, a 5-10, 178 pound sophomore for Madison High School isn’t letting age dictate what he can do. Engle started at tight end and defensive end as a freshman but will switch to fullback this fall. He was the second leading tackler on the team with 26 solos, 52 assists, 2.5 sacks, 13 TFLs, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was a Honorable Mention District 1 selection, a Second-Team Lyon County League and Second-Team Grasslands pick, all at defensive end. “Hunter is a hard-working, resilient, and dedicated young man,” coach Alex McMillian said. “His efforts have paid off in the classroom, in the weight room, as well as on the field.” His bench of 225 pounds, squat of 375 pounds, and clean max of 265 are just scratching the surface as Engle has three more years to improve on these numbers. He was 6th overall at KEMFA state powerlifting in the 181 pound class. “The brotherhood is the best part about football,” Engle said. “We aren’t just a bunch of guys hitting each other in pads, we’re a family and we care about each other.” Engle is considering a career in education or business, adding “of course, I would love to play for K-State, but I’ll settle for being Willie the Wildcat if I’m not recruited.” Engle plays multiple sports including basketball, track, and baseball. He was a state track qualifier this past spring. BB
Caleb Haggard Labette Co RB/DE, Jr.
Hunter Engle Madison FB/DE, So.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Sean Price is building something special at Labette County and hard-nosed players like Caleb Haggard are the foundation of the program. “Caleb is a very gifted athlete who hasn’t taken his gift lightly,” Price said. “He works hard to get the most out of his talent.” The 6-2, 223 pound junior defensive end returns after a sophomore season that saw him post 72 tackles, 11 sacks and cause and recover two fumbles each while earning a number of postseason honors in the process. His stats on the football field can be directly attributed to his work in the weight room where he has added 25 pounds of muscle in just the last year, and the numbers show it. Haggard can bench press 280 pounds, clean 305 and has squatted 500 pounds, according to his coach. He’s also mobile, running a 4.7 second 40 yard dash. The three sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball said he hopes to play football after high school, but now he’ll focus on the excitement of the high school game, “because you never know what’s going to happen next.” If Haggard and a number of other key returning players can mesh, it could be a special season for the Grizzlies who have improved from 3-6, to 5-5, to 9-2 in three seasons under Price. John Baetz
Luke Higgason, a 6-0, 225 pound senior guard/defensive end at Otis-Bison takes things one day at a time. “My goal is to be better than I was the day before,” Higgason said. “The obvious team goal is to make to the championship title game.” That consistency yields results in the weight room where his bench max comes in at 305 pounds, his squat at 440, and his clean at 300. In 2017, Higgason recorded 47 solos, 21 assists, 14 TFLs, and nine sacks and was tabbed a Unanimous All League selection along with several All-State honors including Kpreps. com first team defensive line for 8-Man II. “Luke has been a tremendous asset to our team since his freshman year,” coach Travis Starr said. “He works extremely hard, whether in the weight room or on the field, to not only make himself better, but also inspire those around him.” Higgason plans to play college football and to go into farm and ranch management. He also plays basketball where his team has been to state the last two years. In track and field, he is a two-time state shot put and discus qualifier. For inspiration he looks no further than his own family. “My older brothers,” Higgason said. “They had so much success in high school and I have a lot to live up to.” BB
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A player opposing coaches have labeled a “freak” for his strength in the weight room and physical style of play, St. Marys senior Reece Hurla could be poised for a breakout senior season thanks to his work ethic and intensity. Standing just 5-8 but weighing in at 204 pounds, Hurla is certainly among the strongest football players in the state of Kansas. Hurla plays running back and linebacker. Hurla can turn some heads in the weight room with his numbers. With a 360-pound bench max, a 520-pound squat, and a 315-pound clean, it’s easy to see why his play on the field is physical. “I enjoy the adrenaline rush of the physical contact and getting in shape to play,” Hurla said. “This makes the game fun and interesting to me.” Hurla had 96 yards and a TD in a situational role on offense, but excelled on defense with 26 solos and 27 assists. Hurla’s personal goal is to “be a leader both on and off the field and to always do my best.” As a team, he hopes he and his fellow teammates can work together to play better and achieve milestones together as a team. Also participating in basketball and track and field, Hurla is a two-time state track qualifier. He looks up to his coach, Myron Flax. “He is the most inspirational person I know,” Hurla said. Bethany Bowman
In a 35-21 win over Seaman last season, Washburn Rural’s Tyler Ladson sealed the win with a 46-yard interception return TD with 50 seconds to go, just one of many impact plays Ladson, a 6-0, 215 pound senior linebacker, made for the Blues, earning him Centennial League honorable mention. “I enjoy being out on the field with all my teammates doing something we love,” he said. Ladson wants to play in college and is receiving interest from North Dakota State, Emporia State and Benedictine. He plans to major in business marketing “because I like numbers and am interested in helping businesses grow.” “Along with being a talented football player, Tyler’s success can be attributed to his work ethic in the weight room and as part of our offseason program,” coach Steve Buhler said. His personal best measurables include a 300 pound bench, 405 on squat, 315 on clean, a 4.7 second 40-yard dash and a 35.6 inch vertical. During his sophomore year, Ladson played alongside his brother, Cody. The brothers and their team beat an undefeated Manhattan team in the second round of the playoffs, Ladson most memorable high school football moment so far. Ladson’s family inspires him. “I have always tried to keep up with them from an early age and I think that is why I have worked so hard in the weight room,” Ladson said. BB
Emporia OG/NG, Sr.
Myles Livingston
LB, Sr.
Tyler Ladson
Washburn Rural
Reece Hurla St. Marys RB/LB, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Emporia senior lineman Myles Livingston is one of the most intimidating dudes on the football field (26 pancakes last season) and in the weight room (6-1, 318 pounds) and after his senior season he hopes to be coming to a college campus near you. Emporia State and Kansas State are just two of the many college programs who have an interest in adding Livingston to their defensive line next fall, but not before he finishes up his career as one of the top offensive lineman at Emporia High, and he should throw some work along the Spartan d-line on his résumé as well. The two-year starter, three-year lettermen and returning second team all-conference player for an Emporia team with a number of key pieces back for this season is, frankly, one of the strongest football players in Kansas. His 360 pound bench press, 340 pound clean and 480 pound squat are impressive. As were his 19 reps at 225 on bench at the Sharp Performance Combine in March. And Livingston, who said enjoys the family aspect of football most, is also a key member of the Spartan track team where he is a two-time placer in the discus at State. He earned a second place finish in May where he posted a personal best throw of 159-04 and a third place finish as a sophomore in 2017. John Baetz
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Austin Moore, 6-1, 215 pound senior RB/LB from Louisburg has posted impressive numbers in his high school career, and made huge strides from 2016 to ‘17. During the 2016 Season, Moore was named All-Frontier League linebacker while recording 30 solo tackles, 40 assists, 2 sacks, 6 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. At the running back position Moore had 440 rushing yards and 4 TDs. In ‘17, Moore almost tripled his offensive output (1,215 yards) and quadrupled his TDs (16) on his way to All-Frontier League RB honors and All-State honorable mention. He added to his accolades at LB, again an All-League pick after 32 solos, 45 assists, 4 sacks, 5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recoveries, 2 pass deflections, and an interception. Kpreps.com named him All-State all-purpose player. His measurables feature a bench max of 325, squat max of 425, and a clean max of 265, with a 4.7 40 yard dash. “Playing in college is a dream of mine,” Moore said. He has interest from Kansas State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, Northwest Missouri State, and Fort Hays State. Moore wrestles where he was a league champion and state qualifier, and also competes in track and field. He is inspired by his grandparents. “They have all taught me hard work and perseverance.” Bethany Bowman
Standing just 5-6 and weighing 152 pounds, running back and defensive back AJ Oste of Russell High School has separated himself from the pack with his intensity and dedication in the weight room. Last season he tallied 63 tackles, three for loss, one interception, and two pass deflections. His weight room measurables are exceptional for a 152 pounder, including a bench of 280, squat of 405, and clean of 260. Oste’s 40 is 4.8 and his vertical is 26-inches. “AJ’s work ethic in the weight room is fantastic,” coach Jordan Echer said. “It’s his energy and leadership combined with his work ethic that make him special.” “My personal goals include inspiring the younger players and being the best player I can be,” Oste said. “My team goals for the season are to be a contender in the playoffs and to further build the program for years to come.” Oste hopes he can play collegiately and pursue a career as a dietitian or personal trainer. Although he just plays football, he was the Russell Co. Fair arm wrestling champ. Oste does not have a specific role model but likes to learn and grow from everyone around him. “I don’t really look up to one particular person, it’s more the traits in different people,” he said. “I just try to take away the best parts of people as I see them and integrate them into my life. It can be as simple as a kid or a famous person.” BB
Salina Central RB/LB, Sr.
Taylon Peters
RB/DB, Sr.
Russell
AJ Oste
Austin Moore Louisburg RB/LB, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Taylon Peters, 5-9, 195 pound RB/LB for Salina Central knows doing the little things right can make a big difference. “Taylon has all the intangibles you look for in a football player,” head coach Mark Sandbo said. “He is self-driven, extremely coachable, and has a great football IQ.” Peters rushed for 1,053 yards as a junior and also made 38 tackles from his linebacker spot after being called into action on defense midway through the season. He added 15 kick returns for 285 yards on his way to 2017 All-AVCTL 2nd Team and All-State Honorable Mention selections. Peters enjoys the team aspect of football and would like to pursue a college career while exploring engineering or physical therapy. For now, Peters and his team have several goals for this year. “I want to make everyone around me better, have fun and win some games,” Peters said. “We are working hard to meet that goal.” In the weight room, Peters has recorded maxes of 330 on bench, 505 on squat, and 325 on clean. His 40-yard dash time is 4.56 and he has a 35-inch vertical. Peters also excels in wrestling. He is a three-time state qualifier and two-time state placer, including 2018 5A state runner-up at 182 pounds. “My parents inspire me because they are hard workers and set me up for success in all that I do,” Peters said. BB
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Parker Roth knows a thing or two about scoring touchdowns. The 5-10, 200 pound running back at Hesston High heads into his senior year as a three-year started who racked up 1,895 yards rushing yards on 179 carries for 26 TDs last season, averaging 10.6 yards per carry. He also recorded 228 receiving yards on 22 receptions for two more scores. He earned All-State honors and Sports in Kansas tabbed him the 3A Offensive Player of the Year Finalist. “Parker is one of the toughest all-around players I’ve ever been around,” Head Coach Tyson Bauerle said. “People see the stats, long runs, and highlight reel plays and tackles, but most people really don’t see the number of physically tough plays he truly makes.” In track and field, Roth had two top three finishes in the 3A State 100M (3rd in 2017 and 2nd in 2018). He took 4th place in 200M (2018), and Hesston’s 4x100 relay took 4th (2018). Roth has compiled maxes of 295 on bench, 455 on squat, 265 on clean, and runs a 4.67 40 with a 34-inch vertical. He enjoys football because of “the environment of being around all the guys and building memories.” He hopes to pursue an agriculture education while playing college football and currently has interest from K-State and Fort Hays. He looks up to his grandfather because “no matter what life throws at him he’s always the same old cheerful, most enthusiastic person I’ll ever meet,” Roth said. BB
If anyone loves the game of football, it’s Burton Schindler. At 6-3, 205 pounds, the defensive end/linebacker out of Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School looks to improve in any area he can, according to his coach. “Burton is on fire for football,” coach Dan Adelhardt said. “He enjoys all aspects of it. Not just games, but practice and film, too. He soaks up as much as he can and is a great teammate.” Schindler earned GWAL Honorable Mention at defensive end last year after tallying 26 tackles, 4 for loss, 5 sacks, 5 hurries, one deflection, and one fumble recovery. Schindler hopes to play in college and reports interest from Friends, Benedictine and Southwest Oklahoma State. He is considering exercise science as a possible career. He also competes in powerlifting. He took 5th place in the 5A State Competition. Schindler’s bench max is 300, squat max is 500 and clean max is 315. His 40-yard dash is 4.7 with a vertical jump of 35-inches. At a Blue-Grey Combine this year he won the broad jump with a mark of 10’3”. Outside of football, Schindler works and he enjoys golfing with his dad. His most memorable high school football moment so far was beating St. James on the road in overtime. Russell Wilson inspires him because “he was always an underdog and now he is successful and uses his talents to help charities,” Schindler said. Bethany Bowman
Colby WR/RB/DB, Sr.
Jordan Schippers
Kapaun DE/LB, Sr.
Burton Schindler
Parker Roth Hesston RB/LB, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
A repeat selection for the weight room feature, Schippers is one of the best all-around players in Kansas. Starting since his freshman year, Schippers, at 6-1, 190 pounds, has split time at wide receiver and running back throughout his career as well as playing outside linebacker. Schippers had 122 carries for 866 rushing yards and 13 TDs last season, adding 29 catches for 282 yards and a TD. Schippers wants to be a good leader that teammates can look up to, and would like to make a deep playoff run. One area Schippers provides leadership is by putting in time in the weight room. He has a max bench of 285, squat of 390, and clean of 290. His best 40 time is clocked at 4.49 and vertical is 33 inches. He placed 5th in the 200-meter dash in 4A as a freshman and sophomore before winning the 3A 200-meter state title this year in a time of 22.78. He also took 4th in the 100-meter dash at 11.08. He also plays basketball has been a GWAC All-League selection for two seasons. Schippers has interest for football from Fort Hays, KU, K-State, Wyoming, Cornell, Western Illinois, Benedictine, Pitt. State, Southern Illinois and Murray State, and has received an offer from Chadron State. Schippers looks up to his father, noting: “He has always pushed me and believed in me throughout my whole time in sports. Without him, I would not be where I am today.” BB
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Drake Steinbrock
After being featured in last season’s magazine, Drake Steinbrock, 5-8, 175 pound running back and linebacker of Clifton-Clyde is back again and even stronger. Steinbrock, who plays for his father, head coach Russ Steinbrock, will again be a key piece of the Eagles’ offense and defense in his upcoming senior year. In his career thus far, Steinbrock has tallied 232 carries for 1,470 yards and 33 rushing TDs. He has 16 receptions for 204 yards and three scores and added 76 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and one fumble recovery on defense. He was a 2017 Twin Valley League 1st Team D-Back and 2nd Team Running Back, an All-State Honorable Mention D-Back, as well as a 2016 KEMFA State Power lifting Champion in the 165 Pound Class and 2017 KEMFA State Power lifting Champion in the 181 Pound Class. Steinbrock’s one rep maxes include a 425 pound squat, 300 pound bench and 305 pound clean, along with a 32 inch vertical and a 4.9 second 40-yard dash. “His first experience in the weight room came when he was seven years old,” Coach Steinbrock said. “He wanted to attend summer weights, so I brought him. Through his hard work and dedication, he has become one of the best lifters I have had the privilege of coaching and pound for pound the strongest lifter I have had go through our program.” BB
Clifton-Clyde RB/LB, Sr.
Kobey Stroud Chapman OL/NG, Sr.
Brayden Singer West Franklin RB/LB, Sr. Brayden Singer, 5-9 180 pound RB/LB for West Franklin tallied 154 carries for 1,041 yards and 11 TDs last year as a junior, good for All-League recognition. “Brayden is the ultimate person, teammate and player,” coach Mike Einspahr said. “He has a motor that never quits, whether he is blocking, running the ball or playing special teams. He is a great leader and leads by example.” In the weight room, Singer has a résumé featuring a 270-pound bench press, a 405-pound squat, and 245-pound clean, along with a 4.9 second 40 and a 30.9 inch vertical. “My favorite thing about football is that it’s one of the most physical sports out there,” Singer said. “You can hit anybody as hard as you want, and when you beat someone one-onone, it wasn’t luck, you were just more prepared.” While Singer will look to surpass 1,500 yards rushing this fall, his team goal is to compete in the state playoffs. Singer also runs track and competes in powerlifting meets. He was 5th in his weight at 3A powerlifting as a sophomore. “People that inspire me the most are my older brother and father,” Singer said. “My brother has a form of cerebral palsy that severely limits his leg mobility. He has shown me that hard work pays off no matter who you are. I look up to my dad, too, because he is the one that got me into lifting and has been there for me ever since.” Bethany Bowman
Kobey Stroud is a 6-0, 245 pound senior lineman at Chapman where he plays tackle and nose guard for the Fighting Irish. His current one rep max for bench is 330, squat is 430, and clean is 300. He earned first team All North Central Kansas League honors for his play on the offensive line in 2017. “I most enjoy the physical contact and making adjustments on the line,” Stroud said of his favorite aspects of the game. Stroud enjoys in powerlifting competitions. He placed second in bench at the state meet his sophomore and junior years and was fifth overall both years. He has also played baseball throughout high school. With personal goals to be all-league and all-state, as a team Stroud hopes to help lead the Irish to the playoffs. Although undecided, Stroud would like to play football or baseball in college and pursue a career as an electrical lineman. Some of his hobbies outside of football include playing billiards, hunting and fishing. In school he enjoys history. Stroud’s most memorable moments include playing alongside his younger brother, Kel (6-4, 260, Jr.) on the offensive line. His role model hails from just down the road in Abilene. “I have been inspired by Cody Whitehair because he’s from Abilene” Stroud said. “He played for Kansas State and then went pro.” Bethany Bowman
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Cameron Young Mill Valley RB, Sr.
Rylee Whelchel of Rock Hills can do it all for his team, thanks in part to his impressive ability in the weight room. At 5-9, 178 lbs., the soon-to-be junior has maxes of 295 on bench, 265 on clean, and 505 on squat to go along with a 37-inch vertical and 4.45 40-yard dash time. Steady recovery from an injury suffered during the regional track meet this spring will impact his season this fall. “Rylee’s growth both on the field and in the weight room over the past couple years has been impressive,” head coach Brock McMillan said. “We are excited to get him back healthy for the upcoming season to see what he and his teammates are capable of.” Whelchel plays running back, quarterback, slot receiver, outside linebacker, defensive back or any other role needed from his team. The 2017 8-Man II District #4 2nd Team Running Back and 1st Team Defensive Back selection would like to play in college and has gained interest from Northern Colorado, Wayne State, Bethel and Hastings College. “I enjoy putting in hard work with my teammates during practice and the offseason to watch it all pay off during regular and post season play,” Whelchel said. Whelchel also participates in track and powerlifting, where he was a powerlifting state champ at the 156 lb. class his freshman year. Bethany Bowman
Cameron Young, 5-11, 185 pound senior running back from Mill Valley is gearing up for a big year. After winning state titles in ‘15 and ‘16, and advancing to the semis last season, Young hopes to lead the Jaguars back to state. “Our schedule, and league, is one of the toughest in the state, and we will lean on Cameron to carry the ball in order for our team to have success,” coach Joe Applebee said. “I have no doubt he is going to have a big senior year with continued hard work in the weight room.” Young has maxes of 295 in bench, 535 in squat, and 305 in clean with a 40 time of 4.41 and a 37.5 inch vertical. Last season he rushed for 836 yards on 197 carries with 13 TDs. Young has several goals in mind. Individually, he would like to break the school rushing record, and be considered one of the best running backs in the state. As a team, it’s simple: “Win state!” he said. Young believes the relationships he’s built are the best part of playing football. “The most enjoyable thing about football to me is the brotherhood you build with your teammates,” Young said. College football is something Young says he would like to do while pursuing a business career. So far, he has an offer from Missouri Western and interest from programs in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bethany Bowman
Iola OG/NG, Sr.
Nic Zimmerman
Kiefer Tucker, 5-11, 225 pound senior offensive guard and defensive end/linebacker joins Louisburg teammate Austin Moore on our list of featured athletes. During the 2017 season he recorded 22 solo tackles, 26 assists, 5 sacks, and 3 TFLs, and was named 2nd Team All-Frontier League D-End. Wildcat coach Robert Ebenstein has reported Tucker’s bench max as 325, squat as 475, and clean at 285, with a 4.8 second 40-yard dash time and a 31-inch vertical jump. He hopes that his work in the weight room will translate to the field, where he has some goals in mind. “My personal goal for this season on offense is to ensure safety to my quarterback and running backs,” Tucker said. “On defense, my goal is to make coaches want to run away from whatever side I am on.” Tucker competed in the 4A State Powerlifting meet and placed third in the 220-pound division. He also competes in track and field in the spring, throwing shot put and discus. After high school, Tucker hopes to play college football and pursue a career in firefighting. He enjoys lifting, running, fishing, and camping, and the music of Katy Perry. His father is his role model. “Even with all the hardships he has faced in life and all the struggles he’s gone through, that old man is always able to put a smile on anyone’s face and is always there for anyone when they need help.” BB
Rylee Whelchel Rock Hills RB/DB, Jr.
Kiefer Tucker Louisburg OG/DE/LB, Sr.
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Resilient is a good word to describe Nic Zimmerman, a 6 foot, 300 pound senior nose guard and left guard from Iola. “Nic is an extremely hard-working kid that makes the most of his opportunities and will never back down from a challenge,” Iola coach David Daugharthy said. “The thing I enjoy most about Nic is his servant leadership and passion about football and the people he plays with.” Zimmerman recorded 22.5 tackles (12 solo) and 6 TFLs in 2017, was All-Pioneer League and earned honorable-mention in the Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle. “I enjoy seeing what football is capable of bringing out of a person,” Zimmerman said. “I’ve met outstanding citizens who are nothing less than cutthroat monsters on the gridiron, and that’s always been very interesting to me.” Zimmerman wants to help the team to a winning season and would like an opportunity to play in college. “Personally, I want to become a dominant enough player to where teams must game plan around me consistently,” he said. He also powerlifts and golfs. Zimmerman placed second overall in the state powerlifting meet and won the bench press with a lift of 335 pounds. He also reports personal bests of 505-pounds in squat and a 270-pound clean. Zimmerman is inspired by his parents. “They were both able to provide me with many opportunities that many kids do not get,” Zimmerman said. BB
now, but our heart and passion is in Kansas. That’s Kansas Turf/from page 9_______ right where we want to be. We have the experience, and 13 school districts in either active projects or through fundraising. While the turf isn’t maintenance-free, it only usually requires using a groomer every few weeks. The turf is warrantied for eight years Even if there’s a soaking rain, he said, the water drains off. Other advantages include consistent playability. “We’re a family-owned and operated business,” Jake said. “That’s important. We’re working in nine states
have earned the trust of the NFL and the NCAA, but there’s nothing we celebrate more than working with a Kansas school.”
Some information for this story was provided by Kansas State University. Jennifer McDaniel is a freelance writer from Paola, Kan., who has covered a wide range of topics over a 20 year career in journalism.
WILDCATS
TROJANS
RICHARD AGUIRRE, TE/DE, HOLTON, SR.
TATE AHLVERS, RB, BELOIT, SR.
CARDINALS
CARDINALS
GRIZZLIES
CHASE AST, BB/DT, CONWAY SPRINGS, SR.
DANIEL BECKER, OT/DT, CONWAY SPRINGS, SR.
JOSH CARTER, LB, WICHITA NORTHWEST, SR.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
In THE CARDS YELLOWJACKETS The “Weighting Game” retro sportscards inspired by Topps® classic designs are brought to you by Frog Fitness, and many of the photos feature the revolutionary new total body trainer “The Frog.” For more information about how to get “The Frog” on your team call Rehnan Overmiller at (225) 329-4236.
Photos by Joey Bahr. Classic card designs reproduced by permission of Topps®.
LORENZO CELANI, RB/DE, FREDONIA, SR.
Page 41
In THE CARDS
Classic football and baseball cards produced by Topps® in the 1970s and ‘80s were the standard bearer for the hobby. Collecting cards brought fans of professional sports closer to the players. This year, Kansas Pregame decided to pay tribute to those classic cards from “back in the day” by providing each of our feature subjects with a card of their own based on a classic design. The “Weighting Game” cards on pages 41-44 are inspired by the 1972 Topps® football set. Photos by Joey Bahr. Classic card designs reproduced by permission of Topps®.
RAIDERS
CLAYTON COOK, RB/DE, CENTRAL-BURDEN, SR.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SWATHERS
CARDINALS
BULLDOGS
CAMERON COX, QB/DB, HESSTON, SR.
GAVIN ELSTON, QB/DB, EUDORA, SR.
HUNTER ENGLE, FB/DE, MADISON, SO.
GRIZZLIES
COUGARS
BEARS
CALEB HAGGARD, RB/DE, LABETTE COUNTY, JR.
LUKE HIGGASON, OL/DL, OTIS-BISON, SR.
REECE HURLA, RB/LB, ST. MARYS, SR.
JUNIOR BLUES
SPARTANS
WILDCATS
TYLER LADSON, LB, WASHBURN RURAL, SR.
MYLES LIVINGSTON, OL/NG, EMPORIA, SR.
AUSTIN MOORE, RB/LB, LOUISBURG, SR.
Page 42
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 43
BRONCOS
MUSTANGS
SWATHERS
AJ OSTE, RB/DB, RUSSELL, SR.
TAYLON PETERS, RB/LB, SALINA CENTRAL, SR.
PARKER ROTH, RB/LB, HESSTON, SR.
CRUSADERS
EAGLES
FALCONS
BURTON SCHINDLER, DE/LB, KAPAUN, SR.
JORDAN SCHIPPERS, RB/WR/LB, COLBY, SR.
BRAYDEN SINGER, RB/LB, WEST FRANKLIN, SR.
EAGLES
IRISH
WILDCATS
DRAKE STEINBROCK, RB/LB, CLIFTON-CLYDE, SR.
KOBEY STROUD, OL/NG, CHAPMAN, SR.
KIEFER TUCKER, OL/DE/LB, LOUISBURG, SR.
GRIZZLIES
JAGUARS
MUSTANGS
RYLEE WHELCHEL, RB/LB, ROCK HILLS, JR.
CAMERON YOUNG, RB, MILL VALLEY, SR.
NIC ZIMMERMAN, OL/NG, IOLA, SR.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
From the Publisher/from page 3________________
where week nine essentially kicks off an all-in playoff tournament that includes five total rounds of playoffs culminating with the championship game. The 4A class will also adopt this format eliminating the district system for the three largest classes. The remaining classes will still rely on the district system, but with some modifications. Class 3A and class 2A will feature eight, six-team districts with district games to be held in weeks 4-8 after open scheduling the first three weeks of the season. After week eight, the top-four in each district will advance to bracket play which starts in week nine with the No. 1 team in odd brackets playing the No. 4 team in adjacent even brackets, the No. 2 team in odd brackets playing the No. 3 team in adjacent even brackets, the No. 3 team in odd brackets playing the No. 2 team in adjacent even brackets and the No. 4 team playing the No. 1 team in adjacent even brackets. Despite not making the playoff bracket, the No. 5 and 6 teams in each odd district will face the No. 5 and 6 teams in the adjacent even district to fill a ninth game. Class 1A, with a total of 31 teams, will feature eight three-to-four team districts with all teams advancing to the playoff bracket. Eight-Man I will feature eight six-team districts with the top four teams advancing from district play to a bracket format, while Eight-Man II will feature eight, six-to-seven team districts where the top four finishers qualify for the playoff bracket. The changes will eliminate the Tuesday night playoff game which was played just days after the final regular season game, and for the 8-Man teams the state championship games, both played in Newton, will now be held the same weekend as the 11-Man championships on the last Saturday of November. The 13th Annual Issue - Thank You! This is the 13th Annual Issue of Kansas Pregame, the only statewide high school and college football preview magazine for Kansas, and as always there are a number of people who deserve credit: The writers and photographers who work diligently to provide a quality product; the coaches, athletic directors and school secretaries who help get us questionnaires; designers Becky Rathbun and Kayla Kvacik who provide an attractive and highly readable publication; and perhaps most importantly, the advertisers who make this publication possible - please support these advertisers, if not for them there would be no Kansas Pregame. Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy this issue! John Baetz has published newspapers and magazines for the last 17 years and has played, coached, or covered high school football in Kansas since 1987.
Page 44
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Newspaper sports coverage
Page 45 SPORTS
LINCOLN SENTINEL-REPUBLICAN
#5 - LOGAN BATCHMAN (S
Stats – 330 Kills; 40 Aces; 170 Serve Recei
represents commitment to community
1B
November 29, 2017 | The Sabetha Herald | sabethaherald.com
sports
2017
3A STATE CHAMPS FINAL SCORE: SABETHA, 7 - MARYSVILLE, 6
The Sabetha High School Bluejays capped off an impressive season with the ultimate high school gridiron prize — a State Championship, Sabetha’s first since winning the 4A crown in 1997. The Jays finish their season 13-1.
The Sabetha Bluejay football team celebrates after beating Marysville in the 3A State Championship game on Saturday, November 25, in Hutchinson. Sabetha won 7-6. Tim Kellenberger | Herald
How ‘bout them Bluejays! PETE SCHUETZ | CONTRIBUTOR Unfinished business is how the Bluejays approached the final game of the 2017 campaign when they met the Marysville Bulldogs in the State Finals on Saturday, Nov. 25, at Hutchinson Community College. Both underdog teams, with matching 12-1 records, defied the odds and rose to the occasion to knock off juggernaut squads in the playoffs, earning a berth in the championship game. An epic battle of conflicting offensive philosophies made for nerve-shattering, edge-ofseats viewing from both sides of the stadium. In thrilling fashion, defense and kicking won the contest, with the Jays inking their mark in 3A high school football history with a 7-6 victory over the Bulldogs. The Jays won the toss and deferred to the second half, and the Bulldogs received the kick to start the contest. Marysville’s spread offense chipped away at the Bluejay defense and marched into Sabetha territory for the first six plays of the game, but safety Joseph Gruber intercepted Bulldog quarterback Jack Blumer’s pass and returned it to his team’s 40, blunting the drive.
Sabetha’s first drive culminated with a three and out, but the ensuing punt snap was high and the punter, Gruber, had to run the errant punt attempt. The Bulldogs took over on the Jay 40-yard line, but the selfish Sabetha defense stalled the drive on the 17, and the Jays took over on downs. The Bluejays struggled to establish their running game that had been key to their success for the entire season. Total offensive stats in the first half for the Jays proved that point, with the Bulldogs defense allowing just 54 yards in the first two quarters, with Gabe Garber logging 34 of those. “Marysville did a good job of taking some things away that we like to do, and had good enough athletes to execute that,” said Assistant Coach Nathan Bauman. “It was rough sledding the whole game.” Marysville had success with their passing game but struggled to punch it into the end zone on all but one attempt. After a Sabetha punt was blocked deep in their own territory, the Bulldogs took over on the Jay 32 with two minutes to play in the half.
Four plays later, Blumer connected with receiver Gabe Pieschl from 16 yards out with one minute to play in the half. The two-point conversion was stuffed, but Marysville took a 6-0 advantage into the locker room at the break. The Bulldogs’ time of possession in the first half was almost 17 minutes compared to the Bluejays’ 6 minutes, and they logged 156 yards of total offense in the first two quarters with 103 of those coming through their passing game. A high, short kick gave Sabetha field possession near midfield to start the second half. “We made a small adjustment to our game plan at halftime and that worked well enough for one drive,” Bauman said. The Jays chipped away at the Marysville defense, picking up chunks of yardage mostly on the heels of Joseph Gruber, who gained 30 plus yards on the drive. But it was Wyatt Beyer who found the end Senior quarterback Brandon Brownlee takes the final snap of the zone from 8 yards out, and at 9:35 of the third 3A State Championship ball game and begins the celebration on frame the score was knotted at 6-6. Braeden Saturday, November 25. Sabetha defeated Marysville 7-6. Cox gave his team the first lead of the contest Tim Kellenberger | Herald with the P.A.T. kick, which sailed perfectly FOOTBALL.3B
Junior safety Joe Gruber heads up the sideline after intercepting this pass in the red zone during the first quarter of the 3A State Senior defensive end Isaac Sunderland closes in on Marysville’s quarterback during first half action Championship game Saturday, Junior defensive lineman Elliot Strahm fights off this Marysville November 25. during the 3A State Championship game Saturday, November 25. lineman during the 3A State Championship game Saturday, Tim Kellenberger | Herald November 25. Tim Kellenberger | Herald Tim Kellenberger | Herald
The 2017 Sabetha Bluejay football team smiles for a photo with their 3A State Champion plaque on Saturday, November 25, after defeating Marysville 7-6 in Hutchinson.
Tim Kellenberger | Herald
Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter • Thursday, March 15, 2018
IR
Sports
B1
Oilers write basketball history
Girls first to win five straight titles
BY MIKE COURSON For the I-R
With a 41-25 lead midway through the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Class 2A state championship game against Valley Heights, the Central Plains Lady Oilers all but had another title in the books. A more dramatic finish was playing itself out some 70 miles down I-70 in Salina. There, McPherson erased a 50-46 lead with 1:44 to play in regulation to force overtime against a Bishop Miege team seeking a fifth straight title. With the outcome in Salina still up in the air as the final horn sounded in Manhattan’s Bramlage Coliseum, the Lady Oilers became the first girls’ basketball team in state history to win five straight state titles. When McPherson completed the comeback to beat Miege 62-58 in overtime, Central Plains became the only team with five consecutive championships. “We never mentioned winning state,” said Central Plains coach Pat Stiles. “We just mentioned getting better every day in practice and getting better every game. Hopefully, we were good enough at the end. The kids bought into that and they do that. They work hard every day in practice, they work hard every game.” With the 48-32 win in Saturday’s championship game, Central Plains secures yet another perfect 26-0 season — its fourth in five years. The Lady Oilers have posted a 129-1 record in that stretch. This year’s feat is all the more spectacular because no one expected it. Six Lady Oilers graduated from last year’s 26-0 championship team, and the Class 2A coaches demoted Central Plains to No. 2 in the early rankings. “On the bus ride home last year, I told my assistant I didn’t know how good we would be next year,” Stiles said. “We went to Pitt State this summer and played really well. I thought we could be pretty good. Here we are.” The Lady Oilers had to fight for Saturday’s win against an athletic Valley Heights team that knocked off unbeaten Olpe in overtime Friday evening. Sophomore Emily Ryan put the Lady Oilers on the board with a steal and basket nearly three minutes in. Senior Julie Donecker added a putback and sophomore Delaney Rugan made a back door cut for a 6-1 lead six minutes in. More impressive than the offense was the Lady Oiler defense. The Lady Mustangs made just three free throws in the first quarter to fall behind 8-3. A 3-pointer 15 seconds into the second quarter was one of just two first-half field goals for Valley Heights, which shot just 10 percent from the floor in the first half. “We have hung our hat on defense all year,” said Stiles. “Our offense has always been so good. We’re scoring a lot of points and not giving up very many. SHIRLEY COX SCHROEDER/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter
See LADY OILERS, Page B2
Lady Oiler Emily Ryan blocks a layup by Valley Heights Mustang Kayla Smith Saturday at Manhattan.
Oiler defense crushes St. Mary’s Colgan BY MIKE COURSON For the I-R
T
he old adage that defense wins championships was alive and well on Championship Saturday across Kansas. In four of the eight state championship games, scores took a major dip as defenses prevailed. Nowhere was the principle more apparent than in Manhattan’s Bramlage Coliseum, where the Central Plains boys held St. Mary’s Colgan to nearly half its season average en route to a 47-34 win and a Class 2A championship. “I thought it’d be fairly low scoring because both of us are pretty disciplined defensive teams,” said Oiler coach Brett Rolfs. “Offensively, we take our time. We’re real similar that way.” The win was a big one for Rolfs, who has coached Central Plains to perennial powerhouse status over the last half decade. The Oilers finished second in 2A in 2015 and took a perfect record into the 2016 state tournament only to finish third. The 2017-18 squad carried the weight of a No. 1 ranking all season to finish 26-0. “We talked a lot about trusting each other and believing in ourselves, and that this was our year,” Rolfs said. “We kept telling ourselves that and we made it happen.” “It’s surreal,” said senior Alex Barton. “I’ve been in every situation. I’ve been in the state championship game before and lost, I’ve gotten third place. It’s just beyond amazing to come out here and win the state championship. It’s hard to explain. I’m extremely proud of my
teammates and what we’ve done.” In Saturday’s championship game, junior Devin Ryan took on the tall task of guarding Panther guard Jerimiah Buche. The senior scored 32 points in Colgan’s semifinal win against West Elk, and he missed just two shots and finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the first round against Plainville. Ryan and the Oilers held Buche scoreless on 0-of-8 shooting in the title game. The Panthers shot just 30 percent from the floor, and senior Jacob Dellasega, who had scored just seven points in the first two state games, was the lone Panther to reach double figures with 12 points as the Oilers shut down Colgan’s scorers. “For the life of me, I didn’t think Buche wouldn’t score,” Rolfs said. “A lot of people underestimate Devin from the other side of the ball. He’s not tremendously fast, he’s not big, he doesn’t have a great vertical, but he has something most kids do not have a great deal of and that’s unbelievable instincts. He’s a step ahead of you anyway because he’s just that instinctive. That’s why we started him on Buche.” Central Plains fell behind 0-2 just 10 seconds into the game, and the teams traded baskets early on before junior Alex Hickel made a pair of free throws and junior Brett Liebl scored on an inbounds play for an 8-6 advantage. Ryan added a three and Liebl scored near the first-quarter buzzer to put the Oilers on top 13-6 after eight minutes. Colgan took the lead early in the secSHIRLEY COX SCHROEDER/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter
See OILERS, Page B2
Oiler Alex Gordon goes up for a layup Saturday in the boys’ 2A title game.
SPORTS | HANOVER TO FACE HODGEMAN COUNTY | PAGE 6
Advocate The
Marysville
Thursday
Nov. 23, 2017
marysvilleonline.net | Marysville, KS 66508 | Volume 132 | Number 47 | 34 pages & supplements | $1.25, tax included
GAME TIME
Marysville Bulldogs vs. Sabetha Bluejays 1 p.m. Saturday Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson Hanover Wildcats vs. Hodgeman County 3:30 p.m. Saturday Fischer Field, Newton
Derek Roever, 7, and Jacob Backus, 9, and the Marysville High School Bulldogs celebrate after Friday’s victory over Phillipsburg at Homer Hanson Stadium. The win sends the Bulldogs to the state championship Saturday afternoon in Hutchinson, where they’ll meet the Sabetha Bluejays. The Dogs aren’t the only area team that will vie for a state title. The Hanover Wildcats defeated Pike Valley on Friday and will face Jetmore-Hodgeman County on Saturday afternoon in Newton. See Sports, pages 8 and 9. Photo by Suzanne Mooradian
Brothers lead teams to state
Dustin’s Bulldogs, Matt’s Wildcats
By John Baetz, Publisher After nearly 20 years in the newspaper business, this March I stepped away from publishing the two weekly newspapers I’ve owned for the better part of the last 15 years so I could focus on Kansas Pregame and other specialty publications that remain part of the publishing company my wife Bree and I started in January of 2004. Newspapering is a tough business, especially under the current political climate in our country, but I remain proud of the work we did and I’m convinced that the field of journalism as a whole is a worthy career with thousands of dedicated professionals committed to documenting the important stories from their communities. With specific regard to community newspapers - and, frankly, most of the newspapers daily or weekly in Kansas, are community newspapers - this means more than covering crime or politics or national news, it means documenting local anniversaries, milestone birthdays, engagements, weddings, obituaries, and births while providing in-depth coverage of agriculture, mainstreet, and, perhaps most importantly to many readers, local schools, their student activities and their athletic teams. Obviously I love sports - I publish two sports magazines - and covering all junior high and high school teams in our circulation area was very important to me as a newspaper publisher. It’s important to a lot of other publishers as well! Sarah Kessinger, publisher of The Marysville Advocate, says the depth and breadth of coverage can be attributed to commitment to community. “Our communities deserve to be informed,” Kessinger said in an email to Kansas Pregame earlier this year. “That’s what community is all about. It’s what pulls us together and keeps us strong. As with all our schools’ activities, the triumphs and challenges of northeast Kansas high school sports are what our communities love to read about and cheer on. Just like those young athletes, community newspapers strive for the best because they know it makes us all better.” One thing that community newspapers do exceptionally well is cover high school sports. While many of the larger outlets may not have the resources to cover smaller teams, or those that are struggling through a season, community newspapers document every stat and score with text and high quality photography. For Washington County News and Linn-Palmer Record publisher Dan Thalmann it’s also about love of the game. “We’re fans too,” Thalmann said. “We know the schools and their sports history well. We care about the team’s success and we feel the pain during the rough years. I feel like these are my kids too. Nobody can match our commitment to local sports.” Belleville Telescope publisher Fred Arnold says sports, and their coverage in the local newspaper, plays an integral part in the development of any young student-athlete. “We love covering prep sports and it is extremely gratifying to watch young people develop traits that include sportsmanship, fair play and sound decision-making that will serve them all throughout their lives as they journey through their high school years to adulthood.” Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter publisher Linda Mowery-Denning, who has published one of the most successful small weeklies in Kansas for nearly 20 years, summed up the importance of community newspapers in one sentence. “A good weekly newspaper is the fabric that holds a community together.” Veteran current and former newspaper sportswriters remain integral parts of producing Kansas Pregame. Long-time Topeka Capital-Journal writer Brent Maycock, and former daily newspaper sportswriters Conor Nicholl and Kyle McCaskey provide the bulk of the content in this publication, and do a great job helping us provide a comprehensive, accurate preview of the football season ahead. So, when looking for comprehensive coverage of all things that make your community great, including the ever important school activities and sports, consider a subscription to your local community newspaper. You won’t regret it. John Baetz started Kansas Pregame, the only statewide high school football preview for Kansas, 13 years ago, and continues to publish the magazine from his base of operations in Lincoln, Kansas. Over the last eight months he sold the two weekly newspapers (Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, Chapman & Enterprise News-Times) he published for the last 15 years to focus on Kansas Pregame, the regional basketball preview Kansas Hardwood, and other specialty publications.
NOVEMBER 2
Lady ‘Stangs nish stro “A third place State finish and 39-4 record would have never seemed possible to me four years ago. Our accomplishments have all come through hard work, dedication, effort, and grit. Progress is evident in our program in the last four years not only because of the athletes, but also through our coaches and support of our community. I am proud to have been a part of this program.” Logan Batchman
#3 – DELANEY HEROLD (Jun
Stats – 407 Kills; 44 Aces; 226 Serve Recei
“I’m so grateful that I got the opportuni This has been the best volleyball season
The Sylvan-Lucas volleyball team celebrates by hoisting their trophy in the air after winning the third place match at the Class 1A, Division I State Tournament last weekend at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University. (Photo by Terri Thrun) By John Baetz & Tyler Gier Lincoln Sentinel-Republican
The 2017 Sylvan-Lucas volleyball season will culminate with a State banner hanging in the high school gym after the Lady ‘Stangs placed third in the Class 1A, Division I State Tournament last weekend. Entering the tournament as the two seed with a 36-2 record the Lady ‘Stangs were placed in Pool 2 with the third seed South Central, the sixth seed Rawlins County, and the seventh seed Southern Coffey County. Sylvan-Lucas opened pool play Friday sweeping Southern Coffey County in two sets 2512, 25-23. The Lady ‘Stangs qualied for bracket play with a comeback over Rawlins County. The Lady Buffaloes won the rst set 25-19 but the Lady ‘Stangs answered winning the nal two sets by matching 25-22 scores. Coach Linda Haring said the Mustangs were ready to go right out of the gate on Friday, with junior setter Taegan
Walter a catalyst in the opener. “The team stepped on the court ready to play and dominated Leroy-Southern Coffey County 25-12, with a serving run of 10 points by junior Taegen Walter,” Haring noted. Haring was impressed with her team’s ability to adjust in the three set win over Rawlins County. “We had to make an adjustment to the types of hits we were making to speed up our offense, and we also changed our defense to better block their hitters and cover the court,” Haring emphasized. “We were prepared for this possibility, and the change was the key to winning that match.” Sylvan-Lucas met South Central in the de facto championship of Pool 2. After dropping the rst set 25-22 the Lady ‘Stangs forced a third set with a 25-21 win. However,
#16 – Aundrea Haberer (Junior; Middle Hitter) Stats – 62 Kills; 83 Blocks; 56 Digs; 6 Assists; 14 Serve Receives
“State volleyball was a great experience! Since June, our team has been working hard to achieve a common goal; we wanted to win State. We reminded ourselves of this goal every day with our team saying “We can. We will. End of story.” We had a couple setbacks during the season, but we always kept working towards our common goal and came back twice as hard after a loss. During the final set of the Sub-State championship game, we came back from a 10-point deficit and won! We were finally going to State! We showed up ready to play Friday morning and came out of pool play 2-1. We fell short in the last game, but we were the first team to ever make it to the second day of State volleyball in coach Haring’s coaching career. I enjoyed every minute playing volleyball with my team at Gross Memorial Coliseum and will never forget it.” Aundrea Haberer
South Central won the nal set 25-13. Haring said serve receive and blocking errors were the difference in the loss to the Timberwolves. The loss to South Central meant SylvanLucas would meet the top seed of the tournament and the winner of Pool 1, Centralia, one of the most dominant sports programs in Kansas. The Lady ‘Stangs fell in two sets 2511, 25-14 to the eventual State champions, winners of their 14th State volleyball title since 1994. “Centralia’s height advantage was a challenge to our hitters as they were able to block our hitters repeatedly,” Haring said. “Additionally, our blockers struggled with the timing of Centralia’s high sets.” In the third place match the Lady ‘Stangs met the fourth overall seed Pretty Prairie, the
runner-up in Pool 1. Sylvan-Lucas swept Pretty Prairie 25-14, 25-20 to bring home the third place trophy. “After losing the possibility #6 – TAEGEN WALTER of a State Championship, the Stats – 45 Kills; 81 Aces; 481 Assists; 65 Serve team had little time to regroup “This season was definitely unforgettable. before facing Pretty Prairie in the consolation match,” As a team, we committed to one common go Haring said. “However, the the first day of practice and that was, that w girls rebounded quickly be- would make a State appearance. Throughou cause they were determined the season, we kept this goal in mind and to bring home hardware. The focused on playing every game one point at Mustangs returned to the time, no matter if we were winning or losing strength of our game-hard hits, With this, we were able to redeem ourselves tough serves, and quick transi- more than once, the biggest occurring in the tions-to win the match 25-14; third set of the championship match at Sub25-20.” State. We were down 15-20 and knew that w The third place nish is the had nothing to lose. We played every point best State placing for a vollike it was the last and ended up winning 25 leyball team in school history. 20, and securing our ticket to State. The Lady ‘Stangs end the seaWe saw some amazing teams at State and son with a 39-4 overall record. the whole experience was absolutely Haring said the season was a phenomenal, and we are already counting special one, but noted her exdown the days until next fall.” citement for next year. Taegen Walter “I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with this group of girls and am #9 – MADDISYN BRUMMER looking forward to August alStats – 53 Kills; 39 Assists; 54 Serve ready,” Haring said.
#13 – KAITLYN SCHOEN (Junior; Setter) Stats – 24 Aces; 98% Serving Accuracy; 266 Assists; 137 Digs
“This season was a great season. I am very proud to have been a part of our volleyball program. Everyone on the team was determined to make it to State and we did. State was an amazing experience.” Kaitlyn Schoen
#0 - DHARMA COUSE
#14 – ALEAH WEHRMAN (Senior, Defensive Specialist) Stats – 44 Aces; 97% Serving Accuracy; 194 Serve Receives; 256 Digs
“I thought we had an amazing season th year. I’m super glad I got be a part of th amazing group of girls. Going to the Stat Tournament was an amazing experience. hope that we will attend the State Tourna ment again next season because I believ that we have the talent to do it again.” Dharma Couse
#2 - BAILEY EVANS (Ju
“I thi Maintai easy, b
#44 – KERSTIN DECKER (Senior; Middle Hitter) Stats – 85 Kills; 27 Aces; 95% Serving Accuracy; 29 Assists; 321 Serve Receives; 95 Blocks; 319 Digs
It wa I am e ge
#24 – LUCY TATE (Seni “I think the season was really fun and exciting. I am proud to be a part of a team that was so determined to reach the goals that we set at the beginning of the season. I really enjoyed the season and I am sad that it’s over.” Aleah Wehrman
“We had an amazing year and my teammates made it even more amazing. I’m glad I got to go out my senior year with a bang.” Kerstin Decker
#21 – KENA KVASNICKA (
These area sponsors congratulate Sylvan-Lucas on their third place nish at State!
Bennington State Bank • Citizen’s State Bank & Trust Co. • Farmway Credit Union Heller Chiropractic LLC • Lincoln County Hospital • Lincoln Park Manor Home Health Metz Law Firm, Chtd. • Meyer Tire & Lube • Pathway Financial Solutions • RanDan, Inc Ronnie’s Diner • Seirer’s Clothing • The Bank of Tescott USD #299 Sylvan-Lucas • Viv’s Retail Liquor • Wilson Communications backroadsnews.com
“I thought the season was very enjoyable Everyone on our team worked very hard and had their sights set of the ultimate goal. I feel like everyone bought in to the team and we worked together well. I reall enjoyed this season and this team.” Lucy Tate
“I tho had a v I think w
Photos courtesy
Thursd
WASHINGTON COUNTY NEWS
Lady Wildcats repeat as state cha BY MARCIA HUBBARD/ Sports
The Hanover High School girls’ basketball team repeated as the Class 1A, Division I state champions after competing in the state tournament last week at Gross Memorial Coliseum at Fort Hays State University in Hays. The Lady Wildcats took down the No. 5 seed, then the No 1 seed, then the No. 2 seed en route to the title. HHS was seeded fourth in the tournament with an 18-3 record. Hanover won the title last year, defeating Olpe 50-47. ***** Hanover 48 St. Paul 28 The title game was played Saturday with the Lady Cats taking on No. 2 seed St. Paul, which had advanced after downing No. Thunder Ridge 42-34 in a semifinal game on Friday, and eliminating No. 7 St. John-Hudson 26-19 on Thursday. It was anybody’s game in the first half of the title contest. St. Paul owned a 17-15 lead at half. But HHS took control in the second half, outscoring St. Paul 22-2 in the third period and 11-9 in the fourth to capture to championship trophy with a final score of 48-28. Junior Macy Doebele poured in 19 points to lead scoring for the Lady Wildcats. She also
The Lady Wildcats celebrate after beating St. Paul to win the Class 1A Division I state championship for the second year in the row. grabbed five rebounds and had two steals. As a team, Hanover shot an impressive 44.1 percent from the field, making 15-of-34 shots. They went 15for-24 from the free throw line, good for 62.5 percent. Against Hanover’s defense, St. Paul could only capitalize on 8-of-24 field goals, 18.2 percent. They made 11of-19 free throws. HHS finished the game with 34 rebounds, eight assists, five blocked shots, nine steals, and 14 turnovers. St. Paul recorded 30 rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, six steals, and 13 turnovers. “It was a well played first half on St. Paul’s part, making sure we worked for every basket,” said Hanover coach Chris Beikmann. “And they took care of the ball, not allowing us to run. That all changed after half. We got after them with a 22-2 third, putting them away early in the fourth.” Score by quarters: HHS 8 7 22 11 — 48 StPHS 8 9 2 9 — 28
Individual scoring: Hanover — Lohse 11, Doebele 19, Zarybnicky 14, Klipp 2, E. Bruna 2. St. Paul — Wiatrak 2, Rice 5, O’Brien 14, Hutcherson 3, Coomes 4.
***** Hanover 54 South Central 46 Tianna Lohse gets free on a fast In a semifinal game break and attempts a layup. played on Friday,
record. South Central owned a 13-12 first quarter lead, then trailed Hanover 21-24 at half. The Lady Wildcats used an 18-11 edge in the third to ensure the win. Doebele’s 20 points led scoring for Hanover. She also had 11 rebounds of which 10 were on defense. The junior also had four blocked shots, three assists and two steals. Claire Zarybnicky was in double figures with 14 points. She also had two assists and two steals. Tianna Lohse dropped in 14 points, had four steals and two assists, one blocked shot. Taylor Klipp and Emma Bruna grabbed four rebounds each; Klipp had two assists. Team wise, HHS made 18-of-38 field goals, good for 47.4 percent. They went 12-for-21 at the free throw line. South Central shot 36.5 percent from the field, connecting on 19-of-52 shots. They finished 7-for-17 at the charity stripe. South Central outrebounded Hanover 35-26. Hanover turned the ball over 19 times; South Central 18. SCHS finished with 11 steals compared to Hanover’s nine. “We played our best defensive game at the right time,” Beikmann said. “South Central was a big team so we ran defenses against them that we haven’t run all year. Our girls knew who and what to look for on every possession. Their 18 offensive rebounds kept them closer than we wanted, but after another great third quarter, we kept them at arms length, eventually getting the 8-point win.” Score by quarters: HHS 12 12 18 12 — 54 SCHS 13 8 11 14 — 46
MaKenna Jueneman provides defense out on the perimeter. had 12 rebounds the three blocked shots. Claire Zarybnicky, a senior, was close behind with 14 points. She also had three assists and three steals. Sophomore Tianna Lohse contributed 11 points,
***** Hanover 50 Frankfort 47 Hanover opened the tournament with a firstround game against Twin Valley League foe, Frankfort. Behind a strong fourth quarter, HHS came from behind to eliminate Frankfort 50-47. FHS had led 11-8 at the end of one, 2118 after two, and 33-30 after three. The final stanza saw Hanover outscore Frankfort 2014 to seal the win. Macy Doebele paced scoring for Hanover with 24 points on six field goals and 12-of-15 free throws. She also had eight rebounds. Tianna Lose added 18 points on three 2-pointers, two 3-pointers and 6-of-8 free throws. Lohse also had three steals. Claire Zarybnicky finished with two assists. The HHS Wildcats shot 36.8 percent from the field and connected on 20-of-34 free throws. The FHS Wildcats made 50 percent from the field and 68.8 percent from the free throw line, hitting 11-of-16. Frankfort out rebounded Hanover 30-22, but Hanover only committed 11 turnovers compared Frankfort’s 19. Hanover also had seven steals; Frankfort 2. “It was a hard-fought game,” Beikmann said. “They had the lead for most of the game until we were able to make an 11-0 run in the last three minutes to take the lead in the final minute of the game. Macy and Tianna carried us offensively and everyone chipped in on defense, forcing 19 turnovers.” Score by quarters: HHS 8 10 12 20 — 50 FHS 11 10 12 14 — 47 Individual scoring: Hanover — Jueneman
Macy Doebele slips by a St. Paul defe
Claire Zarybnicky, a senior, drives th game against St. Paul.
Taylor Klipp pulls up before a defende 2, Lohse 18, Doebele 24, Zarybnicky 2, Klipp 1, T. Bruna 2, L. Bruna 1. Frankfort — Adams 1, Yaussi 4, Ebert 12, Brandt 18, Broxterman 2, Tommer 10. Hanover ended the season with a 21-3
record. Their three losses came in a 2-week span, losing 57-65 to Valley Heights, then falling twice in the Twin Valley League tournament, to Centralia 51-64 and to Frankfort, 46-47. “The championship game capped off a great
Hanover sent No. 1 South Central into the consolation game, downing SCHS 54-46. The loss was the first of the season for the Timberwolves. They entered the tournament with a perfect 23-0
Tasha Bruna blocks a St. Paul player’s shot.
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Individual scoring: Hanover — Lohse 12, Doebele 20, Zarybnicky 14, Klipp 2, E. Bruna 4,
Kylie Hynek 2. South Central — Harris 10, Rutherford 5, Bayne 13, Alexander 9, Jellison 3, McGuire 6.
se TV an an Be pr ha L for Za Br Kl tea Ju Lo Ca Em He Br La Ta
Three Hanover girls converge on a St. Paul player and block her Lauren Bruna guards a St. Paul playe I state championship. shot.
Sports
October 26, 2017 Chapman & Enter
Lady Irish, Aaron Modrow qualify for State Cross Count
A historic season for the Lady Irish cross country team saw the girls achieve a goal the team hadn’t achieved in nearly 20 years. The Lady Irish qualied for State as a team for the rst time since the 1999 season. With two runners winning medals at the 4A McPherson Regional, the Lady Irish earned Regional runner-up. “We actually were tied for the championship with Buhler, but got second by tie-breaker,” said head coach Cindy Zumbrunn. Taylor Briggs won yet another individual title taking rst with a time of 19:58. Madison Smith also medaled with a time of 21:40 good enough for fth place. Maddie Elliott placed 24th with a time of 22:56, Lindsey Anderson placed 25th with a time of 22:57, and Madison Simpson placed 37th with a time of 23:32. Aaron Modrow held up his end of the bargain in the boys race also winning another individual title. Modrow placed rst with a time of 17:07. Chance Ores placed 29th with a time of 18:46 and James Butler placed 90th with a time of 21:32. “Needless to say, coach Hoffman and I are pretty darn proud!” Zumbrunn said. “I think today was the rst time that I have gotten tears - happy ones - at a cross country meet.
The Lady Irish cross country team earned the runner-up plaque at the 4A Regional held at McPherson Saturday. Taylor Briggs won the individual girls race and Chapman’s Aaron Modrow (right) won the individual boys race. Pictured above are the State qualifying Lady Irish (L-R): Assistant Coach Gareth Hoffman, Madison Simpson, Taylor Briggs, Lindsey Anderson, Madison Smith, Maddie Elliott, and Head Coach Cindy Zumbrunn. (Courtesy Photo)
We have a special group of kids this season and are enjoying this ride!” The Irish will travel to Wamego, Saturday Oct. 28 for the 4A State race. The girls will kick off the day at 10 a.m. and the boys will race at 11:45 a.m. Regional Results:
Madison Simpson Varsity Girls—second place 37th, Aaron Modrow continued his s 23:32, (season PR) as a team try season winning the boys 1st, Taylor Briggs (medal), Varsity Boys McPherson 4A Regional. Modro 1st, Aaron Modrow (medal), 19:58 Irish cross country team will c 5th, Madison Smith (medal), 17:07 meet at Wamego this Saturday, 29th, Chance Ores, 18:46 21:40 (Photo Courtesy CHS Photojourna (season PR) 24th, Maddie Elliott 22:56, 25th, Lindsey Anderson 90th, James Butler, 21:32 22:57,
These area sponsors congratulate the Lady Irish Cross Country Team and Aaron Modrow for qualifying for Stat Agri Trails Cooperative • Chapman United Methodist Church • Harris Crop Insurance Indian Hills Golf Course • Insurance Store/Edwards Agency • KVK, Inc. Londeen’s Funeral Home • Londeen’s Hardware Memorial Health System-Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Upland Mutual Insurance, Inc • USD 473
Chapman volleyball falls in championship
The Lady Irish volleyball team came within one set of capping off the 2017 season with a trip to the State tournament. Chapman entered the 4A Division II Holton Sub-State
Smoky Valley eliminates Irish footb 4A Division II playoff content
Chapman nishes the 2017 season with a 25-13 overall re- The Irish football team saw passing for 87 yards and two for 54 yards on 15 carries; Aus cord. their postseason aspirations touchdowns. Brandon Colston Watkins rushed for six yards les Regular Season Finale dashed last Friday, Oct. 20 in a caught ve passes for 37 yards on six carries; Blake Vercher six The Lady Irish wrapped up 43-12 loss at Smoky Valley. and a touchdown; Erik Lemon rushed for ve yards on two two the regular season with a histor- The Vikings shut out the Irish caught a pass for 36 yards; carries; and Lemon rushed for Stro ic night. Chapman went 2-0 on in the rst half building a 30-0 Malik Watkins and Dalton one yard on three carries. Fer
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13 Kansas Pregame, Volume 12
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
The Specialists By John Baetz, Publisher Special teams can play a huge role in the success or failure of a football team, especially in close games where yards from scrimmage may be at a premium and a field goal or extra point can be the difference in the outcome. For the first time in our 13 year history, Kansas Pregame is including a feature focused on special teams players. From kickers and punters, to long snappers and returners, “The Specialists” are as much a part of the game as the star quarterback or starting middle linebacker, but their efforts often go under appreciated, perhaps more so in the high school game than any other level of play. Earlier this summer we gathered more than 20 of the state’s top specialists at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene for a photo shoot. Their photos and stories are on the pages that follow. Much like these special teams players, the Eisenhower Presidential Museum sometimes goes unnoticed by Kansas residents. The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and
Boyhood Home is an under appreciated repository of historical significance nestled in the heart of central Kansas. And now, that beautiful historic destination is undergoing renovations sure to make the visitor experience even more spectacular than before. The Eisenhower Museum’s complete redesign began May 14. Exhibits are now located in the library building
Eisenhower Presidential Museum redesign underway
while the museum gets a new look. The project is expected to take 12 months. The work will encompass the museum’s entire 25,000 square foot exhibit space. The comprehensive exhibit redesign is made possible by the Eisenhower Foundation’s successful multi-million dollar fundraising campaign. “We are so grateful for our partnership with the Eisenhower Foundation. They have worked very hard
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raising funds from private donors to make this project a reality,” Director Dawn Hammatt said. “We are also pleased to receive federal funding for much needed structural improvements for accessibility and public amenities.” The PRD Group from Chantilly, Va., is designing the new exhibits and general contracting services will be provided by Jacobs. The Eisenhower Presidential Library will maintain regular operating hours during the project. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Increased public programs and activities will be scheduled throughout the duration of the museum project. Connect with the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home on social media at @IkeLibrary or visit www.eisenhower.archives.gov for additional details and updates on this exciting project. Eagle Communications also serves as a sponsor for “The Specialists” feature. Eagle’s suite of products including Internet, Television, Phone and Technology Solutions coupled with their 28 Radio Stations and corresponding Post sites helps keep communities connected.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
RETURNERS
LONG SNAPPERS These 22 athletes are among the top Special Teams players in the state of Kansas. See their individual profiles, written by sports writer Bethany Bowman, on pages 52-59. Photos by Joey Bahr, WWW.JOEYBAHR.COM
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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KICKERS & Punters
ADAM
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
JACOB
ALBERTINI
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BACKUS
Returner St. Paul
? Returner Marysville Marysville
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
One of the most versatile athletes in all of 8-Man football, Adam Albertini is a true home run threat who can score from anywhere on the field. With 25 total touchdowns accounted for in last year’s 8-Man II state runner-up season for the Indians, Albertini hopes to improve on those totals this fall in just his junior campaign. “My personal goal for the season is to set career highs in rushing yards and be the best teammate I can be,” Albertini said. “My team goal is to have an undefeated regular season and make the playoffs.” Improving on last year’s numbers would make for a special season for the utility player who can play running back, quarterback, cornerback and return man. In 2017 he tallied 930 yards rushing with 15 TDs, caught 13 passes for 175 yards and three more scores and passed for 75 yards with one more touchdown. But it was the return game where Albertini really got the crowd out of their seats returning three kickoffs for touchdowns and two punt returns. He even got into the act on defense where he returned an interception for a score from his defensive back spot. And Albertini could have tallied even more special teams points had two kickoff return scores not been called back due to penalties. If St. Paul is to find its way to Newton again this November, Albertini will be expected to be a “special” player for the Indians. John Baetz
Jacob Backus of Marysville feels like he and his team have a lot to prove. As the 3A State-Runner up last year, the Bulldogs will look to Backus to help lead the way. “I think the biggest team goal is just to get back to the state championship,” Backus said. “We left last year unanswered and we lost a lot of great seniors, but our team has the potential and the attitude to get the job done.” The punt and kick returner, and also wide receiver and cornerback, has quite the highlight reel. Backus returned 23 punts for 369 yards, an average of 16 yards per return. He also hauled in 22 kickoff returns, tallying 356 yards for a 16.2 yard average. While the averages aren’t spectacular, coach Dustin Heuer appreciates his consistency. “Probably most importantly, he catches everything,” Heuer said. “(The numbers) are somewhat deceptive, not many teams kicked deep to us. He was catching a lot of those in front of the 20.” His favorite part about football is the competitive aspect. “Just being able to go out and compete,” Backus said. “I’m a competitor so I love to compete.” While Backus would like to continue playing football in college, he is currently a threesport athlete for the Bulldogs, excelling in basketball and track as well. When asked his favorite subject in school, the competitor and athlete in Backus came through. “Is weights a subject?” Backus asked. “Just kidding, I would say math.” BB
CADEN BOLZ
Long Snapper Blue Valley West Keith Wiatrak 23940 120th Rd, St. Paul, KS 66771 Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Caden Bolz, senior long snapper at Blue Valley West High School has put himself on the national map. He is ranked 24th in the nation at the position, according to Rubio Long Snapping. At 6-0, 230 pounds, Bolz is also a key part of the Jaguars’ offensive and defensive lines. Bolz is currently being recruited by Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri Western. He has a 0.71 snap speed, is 52/52 on punt snaps, 24/24 on PAT snaps, and 4/4 on field goal snaps. “He has been our long snapper for the past two years and I cannot remember him having a bad snap,” said head coach Josh Koerkenmeier. “I don’t even worry about it during the game. I just assume it will always be perfect because it always is.” Bolz and the Jaguars have had their share of ups and downs as a team. After a tough season last year, he and his teammates will look to turn things around. “I love the camaraderie that I experience with my teammates, no matter whether we win or lose,” Bolz said. “We are always there for each other, like brothers.” Bolz has also wrestled in his high school career and participated in track and field. He was a state qualifier in the discus in 2017. In the future, Bolz hopes to possibly become a teacher and a football coach. “I love the game of football so much that I want to be involved in football for the rest of my life, whether I am playing the game or coaching it.” Bethany Bowman
620-238-0254 kswiatrak@yahoo.com
Proud to support St. Paul football!
TANNER
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
LOGAN
COPELAND
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DEMOND
Kicker Plainville
? Kicker Marysville Larned
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Kicker Tanner Copeland from Plainville proves that some of the best athletes come from the small classes. He was a First Team All-State kicker in class 2-1A last year by Kpreps.com. He was 29 of 34 on PATs and added four field goals with a long of 37. He was also Second Team All Mid-Continent League kicker. Tanner kicked off 56 times with an average kickoff of 49.9 yards. The 5-11, 165 pound senior is also a key member of the Plainville defensive backfield where he tallied 20 tackles and five pass breakups on the season last year. “He’s a positive role model not only at school and on the football team, but also in the community as well,” head coach Grant Stephenson said. “We also hope to use that powerful, accurate leg of his even more in this upcoming season.” Tanner’s favorite part about football is watching himself and his team progress. “I enjoy being able to see the hard work pay off either after a win, or sometimes, even a loss,” Copeland said. He hopes to get stronger in the upcoming year and as team, make it back to the state championship. The Cardinals were the 2-1A runners-up in ‘16 and semifinalists last fall. Copeland also plays basketball and earned 2A All-State Honorable-Mention. He placed 7th at the 2A State Golf Tournament in 2017 and 5th in 2018. Bethany Bowman
Larned kicker Logan DeMond understands the importance of his position. Not only does it take physical strength and talent, according to DeMond, “it isn’t for the weak minded.” The 5-11, 150 pound senior was 31/41 on PATs in 2017 and 2/3 on field goals with makes from 22 and 32 yards. “Getting stronger and more powerful will be important for him as well as continuing to improve his consistency,” coach Tad Remy said. DeMond understands the hard work and dedication his position requires. “I enjoy the mental aspect of kicking” DeMond said. “It requires a certain set of skills that differs from the others. Not everyone understands all that goes into it.” DeMond’s personal goal is a simple one, to have the most fun every time he plays, noting that “kickers have so little time on the field, so you have to make that count.” As a team, he hopes the Indians can achieve a winning record. DeMond would like to play in college and explore his options, but he says education is first and plans on working towards a Bachelor’s in Communications/Public Relations. “I love interacting with the public and coordinating events,” he said. DeMond also plays tennis but looks to a football player as his role model. “Cardale Jones (former Ohio State QB),” DeMond said. “Much like myself, he stepped into a starting role late in the season at a crucial time and he took the reins and helped his team to a Bethany Bowman National Championship.”
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? Returner Marysville Centre
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Xavier Espinoza of Centre-Lost Springs is all over the field for the Cougars. Espinoza was an All-league First-Team selection as a junior. At receiver, he had 24 catches for 506 yards and eight TDs. At the safety position, he had six interceptions and brought three of those back for scores. In the return game, Espinoza had one punt return for a score and another kickoff return TD. Those type of plays are what he loves most about football. “The ‘great’ catches, plays, or moments of the game and then watching the crowd get all fired up after them,” Espinoza said. “It just gets me pumped up even more.” This upcoming season, Espinoza hopes his team can make it to the playoffs and have a winning season. He also has high expectations for himself, noting some of his personal goals are to have multiple kick or punt return scores, record six to eight interceptions, return two or more of those interceptions for TDs, and tally more than 500 receiving yards. In track and field Espinoza was a regional champion and state qualifier in the 100-meter dash and the long jump. His time of 11.53 in the 100 was good for 6th place in 1A at State. He plays basketball as well, where he led the team in rebounds with 195. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports with family, video games, and playing with his bull mastiff pup. He says his parents are his biggest supporters. “They believe in me and reinforce it at times when I have doubts or am not believing in myself,” Espinoza said. “They always seem to know.” Bethany Bowman
JACE
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
GAGE
FRIESEN
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GIRK
Long Snapper Basehor-Linwood
? Kicker Marysville South Central Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Senior Jace Friesen of Basehor-Linwood knows all about versatility. The 6-1, 215 pound three-sport athlete for the Bobcats may be one of the state’s best long snappers, but Friesen is making a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball as well. Friesen is 149/151 on extra point/field goal snaps for an impressive 99% in his career. On punt snaps in his career, Friesen is 76/77, also 99% accuracy. At defensive end, he had 70 tackles, 18 for loss, five and a half sacks and one deflection last season. After two offensive line injuries, Friesen even started at center the last three weeks of the season. “Football is more than a game,” Friesen said. “It teaches you life lessons and what the real world is like, how to work for something.” Friesen has been an All-State Honorable Mention player by the Wichita Eagle. He hopes to play college football and has been contacted by several colleges. Friesen has excellent measurables as well, benching 265, squatting 450, and cleaning a whopping 350 pounds. And he’s mobile with a 4.97 40 yard dash. Off the field, Friesen showcases his versatility in other sports as well. “My favorite postseason achievement, outside of football, is that I currently hold the BLHS all time basketball record for taking the most charges during a single season,” Friesen said. Bethany Bowman
Who says small-town kids can’t hang with the big dogs? Gage Girk, a junior from 8-Man, Division I, South Central High School in Coldwater knows he can. Last season, as a sophomore, Girk nailed a 46-yarder in a game which was believed to be the longest field-goal in the nation in 8-Man football for 2017. He averaged 43.3 yards on 81 kickoffs, had 48 touchbacks, and was three of four on field goals, hitting from 44, 45, and 46 yards. He was 17/25 on extra point kicks, but four of those were blocks. And, he blasted a 62-yarder in practice this summer that was caught on video. Girk’s team needed him to punt six times and he answered with a long of 68, while averaging 47.4 yards. “I like to be a part of the brotherhood that you form when you play with your team,” Girk said. Girk, who is 5-9, 185 pounds, is a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball and qualifying for state in track and field, however, he believes college football is what he wants to play in the future, and with his powerful kicking leg there should be opportunities. For now, Girk’s goals for the upcoming season are focused on continuing to build. “I want a deep run in the playoffs and to build on what we learned last year,” Girk said. In his free time, Girk enjoys playing other sports and swimming. In school, his favorite subject is English.
JONATHAN HUNNACUTT Kicker Phillipsburg Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
231 N. Main Street Tonganoxie, KS 66086 (913) 369-0100
15718 Pinehurst Drive Basehor, KS 66007 (913) 724-9901
www.communitynationalbank.net
Hunnacutt, a kicker from Phillipsburg, is making his mark as one of the best high school football specialists in the state. A multi-sport athlete, he excels in football, basketball and golf for the Panthers as well as playing baseball and soccer on club teams in the area. In the future, Hunnacutt hopes to kick at the collegiate level. “My mission is to train, compete, and kick at a Division I program,” Hunnacutt said. “Playing football is a brotherhood with my teammates that creates a special bond.” In his sophomore and junior seasons combined, Hunnacutt connected on 12 field goals and 126 PATs. His career long in a game is 39 yards while a 54-yarder came in practice. In the 2017 season, he ranked #1 in Class 3A in several categories while ranking #1 across all classes in: Specialist points scored, specialist points per game, PATs made, FGs made, and kickoff yards. Hunnacutt hopes to break the state kicker scoring record of 214 points during the 2018 season, needing just 53 more. In school, Hunnacutt’s favorite subjects are video production, science and math. Off the field, course and pitch, Hunnacutt enjoys weightlifting, reading, gaming and hanging out with friends. Bethany Bowman
ROY
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
JOHNSON, JR. Returner Wichita Northwest
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DAVID KEMP
? Kicker MarysvilleAndover Photo by Everett Royer, ksportsimages.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Wichita Northwest head football coach Steve Martin calls 5-6, 160 pound Roy Johnson, Jr., a “matchup nightmare.” The senior running back, slot receiver, and kick returner was a 2nd Team All-City pick and 6A Honorable-Mention selection last year. Johnson had over 1,000 yards rushing and 500+ receiving yards, and that’s in addition to all the yardage teammate Breece Hall, Northwest’s single season yardage record holder racked up, with over 2,000 rushing yards last year. The two combine to be one of the most dangerous running back tandems in the state. Perhaps even more impressive are Johnson’s kickoff return statistics. He returned 15 of them for 373 yards and a 24.9 yard per return average. He took two all the way for touchdowns. Oh, and not to mention, three more were called back. Johnson also had a 15.5-yard punt return average after accumulating 125 yards on eight returns with one touchdown. Johnson loves “how physical the game is and [that] it’s the only sport where one person can’t win the game,” he said. “It’s a team effort.” This season, Johnson wants to win state, be a “great role model and team player.” Johnson has a one rep max of 250 on bench, 430 on squat, and runs a 4.36 40-yard dash, along with a 33 inch vertical. He enjoys English in the classroom and looks up to his brother for his success in football. Bethany Bowman
David Kemp, a kicker at Andover High School is just a sophomore this fall, but that hasn’t stopped him from gaining significant attention for his play. He was named a Freshman First-Team All-American by MaxPreps in January. Chris Sailer Kicking lists him as the number six kicker in the nation. Last season for Andover, he nailed 30/31 extra points and 7/11 field goals, his longest coming in at 42 yards. While kicking is a specialized skill, Kemp loves football for the team aspects it brings. “I enjoy the bond we build as a team that makes us brothers and the moments we share together,” Kemp said. “I also enjoy the hype that’s built up all around it. I feel that separates it from other sports.” Already a targeted prospect early in his high school career, Kemp has received interest from Alabama and LSU. He could emerge as a top prospect in the class of 2021. It is a goal of Kemp’s to kick at the Division I level while furthering his education in business. In his free time, Kemp likes to go fishing and with his brothers and friends. His most memorable high school football moment is his first playoff game, where he kicked the game winning field goal against Valley Center and made all three field goal attempts in the victory. “I do look up to my dad and he helps me a lot in many ways,” Kemp said. “But God is for sure my biggest role model. Without him I am nothing.” Bethany Bowman
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1697 E 250 Ln Phillipsburg, KS 67661 785-543-2759 coomesinc.com coomes@ruraltel.net
JACE
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KINNAMON Punter McPherson
TIM
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LAMBERT ? Returner Marysville Smoky Valley Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
The last name ‘Kinnamon’ is one basketball fans in Kansas are very familiar with, however, 2018 senior Jace Kinnamon is making plenty of noise on the football field. Kinnamon has a rich family history in sports, as his dad, Kurt and Uncle, Clint, are both long-time successful basketball coaches at McPherson High and St. John, respectively. His brother, Kyler, is a starting guard on the Fort Hays State basketball team. The Kinnamons live and breathe basketball, but there’s something special about Friday night lights in the fall for Jace. “Football is the greatest team sport that there is,” Kinnamon said. “No other sport creates a brotherhood like football.” A punter, running back, and linebacker for the Bullpups, he is willing to play any position at the college level. He punted 17 times last season for 653 yards, an average of 38.4 yards with a long of 53. He also accumulated 1,079 yards rushing on 201 carries with 16 TDs, good for 1st-Team AVCTL Division 3 running back honors. “Kinnamon is a great player,” Bullpup football coach Jace Pavlovich said. “He is one of the best tailbacks in the state and could play linebacker at a high level if we asked him to. His punting ability is off the charts.” Kinnamon also plays basketball, golf, tennis, and is a state track qualifier. BB
COOPER
LOVELACE
Tim Lambert of Smoky Valley High School gets the unique opportunity to play for his dad, head coach Tim Lambert, Sr. A 6-2, 165 pound senior this fall, he had seven kickoff returns for 144 yards with one TD last season, good for all-league return man honors. He is also a returning starter at running-back and safety for the Vikings. Also a track athlete, Lambert exploded on the scene at the state track meet when he broke the 4A 200 meter dash record (21.76) and the 300 meter hurdle record with an impressive sub-40 second time, clocking in at 37.85. His 100 meter time of 10.82 didn’t yield a record, but did yield a third gold. He has also turned in a 4.54 second 40-yard dash. “I want to be an athlete in college,” Lambert said. “I want to either play football or run track.” Lambert mentioned the special bond with all his coaches and teammates as something he loves about football. “I enjoy winning with the team that I play for and the relationships that are gained through football,” Lambert said. “I have high hopes for my team this year. I want to be league champs, district champs, and even state.” Lambert joked that the name game can sometimes be fun during football season. “I go by Tim, Timmy, or Timothy, but for sports I go by Tim,” Lambert said. BB
Osage City Parks and Recreation is proud to provide recreational activities for area youth and adults!
Long Snapper Shawnee Mission East
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Joining Parker Willis from Shawnee Mission East, Cooper Lovelace is one of the top ranked long snappers in the Midwest. A 6-4, 285 pound senior, Lovelace is being recruited by Oklahoma State. He also expects to play a key role along the Lancer o-line. According to Kohlskicking.com, Lovelace is “an intriguing prospect in the 2019 snapping class. He has a massive frame and is very powerful.” The website noted that during the Kohl’s Midwest Showcase, he had an average snap time of 0.71 seconds. Lovelace enjoys “the brotherhood of football” he said, “whereever we do anything, it’s a team, as a unit, as one big band of brothers.” Lovelace has a team goal to win state and individually he hopes to long snap in college. Lovelace goes back to his freshman year when he thinks of his most memorable football moment. The Lancers of Shawnee Mission East won state and capped off a perfect, undefeated season. Outside of football, Lovelace is an entrepreneur. He reports starting and operating two businesses and loves the feeling of business ownership. “One of my businesses is my landscaping company,” Lovelace said. “I have had it for four years and I’m up to 40 clients. It has taught me a lot about responsibility.” Because of his interest in entrepreneurship, he looks up to several people including, James Winchester, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Cuban. Bethany Bowman
PEAVLER
ASSOCIATES
TRENTON
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
PLINSKY
Returner Osage City
ARIC
Page 57
PROPST ? Returner MarysvilleHalstead
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Osage City had one of their best seasons in school history last year. Much of that success came with the help of senior Trenton Plinsky, a 5-3, 127 pound wide receiver, running back, defensive back, and kick returner. Last season, as a junior, Plinsky had 37 carries for 159 yards and 5 TDs. He added 7 receiving TDs with 35 catches for 712 yards. Defensively, Plinsky recorded 45 solo tackles, 50 assists, 5 for loss, 5 interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. He also helped the Indians with 11 kickoff returns for 269 yards. He was a unanimous First team All-League wide-receiver and defensive-back, honorable mention All-State by the Topeka Capital-Journal and an honorable mention non-senior by Sports in KS. “I would like to be looked at the college level and hopefully make it to the Shrine Bowl,” Plinsky said. “My team goals are to win our league, district, state and hopefully go undefeated.” Plinsky is considering physical therapy or sports medicine as a career. “I would like to still be involved with sports and coaching too,” he said. Plinsky and the Indians won a state basketball title his freshman year and he was a First Team All-League selection as a junior. He was a league golf champion as a sophomore and a state qualifier in golf and track as a junior. In his free time, Plinsky likes to hang out with friends, play golf, spend time in the gym shooting around and spending time with my family. As for his role model? “Jordan Tice,” Plinksy said. “He is my coach but we act like brothers, we are really close. He is a guy that doesn’t take the easy way out.” BB
Having a home run threat in the return game can be a great equalizer. Taking the opening kickoff to the house or returning a deep kick to the end zone after a long scoring drive can swing the emotional balance of the game. Luckily for the Halstead Dragons they’ve got a home run hitter on special teams in junior Aric Propst. Propst, a 6-0, 190 pound junior return man joins Halstead teammate David Schulte as one of the top specialists in Kansas this fall. Propst returned 12 kickoffs for 476 yards last season, an incredible 40.5 yard average. His longest return was 97 yards and he scored two TDs as a kick returner. Propst also rushed 30 times for 265 yards, an 8.83 yard average. He added five catches for 63 yards. He’s also a key component of the defense, tallying 75 total tackles from his linebacker spot, an average of more than eight per game. “Aric is just scratching the surface of how good he can become,” head coach Jason Grider said. “He had a great winter in the weight room and we expect even bigger things from him this season as he moves to be a full-time starter on offense to go along with his starting linebacker position.” Propst was named a First Team CKL and Kpreps.com return man for his efforts last season. He enjoys “the competitiveness of football and using it as a stress reliever,” Propst said. And he has high expectations for his team this season. “My team goal is to win the state championship,” he added. John Baetz
DAVID
SCHULTE ? Snapper Long MarysvilleHalstead
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
David Schulte, a 6’1 190 lb. senior at Halstead isn’t just a long-snapper. While he does everything extremely well at this position, Schulte also anchors the offensive line, starting since his sophomore year. “I love being able to go out and battle the guys across from you with the team you spend hours on hours with,” Schulte said. According to coach Jason Grider, Schulte has had zero bad snaps in two years and there were no punts returned for touchdowns. “David is one of our team leaders and one of our team captains” Grider said. “He is an unselfish player, always putting the team first.” Schulte earned 2nd team All-League honors along both lines and honorable mention from the Capital-Journal and Eagle, along with SIK non-senior honorable mention. Schulte made his mark on the baseball diamond as well, hitting .403 and earning honorable mention All Central Kansas League and honorable mention SIK utility infielder. Schulte’s personal goal for the season is “to be the best leader I can possibly be,” he said. “Our team goal is to make another deep run in the playoffs.” In school, Schulte’s favorite subjects are economics and social sciences. He enjoys watching documentaries, playing NCAA 2011, and playing guitar and piano in his free time. Schulte says he looks up to his parents “because they work so hard to provide all they can for our family.” Bethany Bowman
JC
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SHELTON Returner Galena
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
JC Shelton of Galena High School does it all for the Bulldogs. As a junior last season, he not only started at quarterback but was a vital part of the special teams unit as a kick returner, kicker, and punter. Shelton also played a big role defensively as a free safety and outside linebacker. Shelton racked up 1,401 yards of total offense in 2017, passing for 949 of those on 64 completions out of 114 attempts for a 56.1% completion rate. He tallied 497 rushing yards on 99 tries, averaging 4.57 yards per carry. On special teams, Shelton averaged 41.42 yards per kickoff in his 45 attempts with a long of 60 yards. Perhaps most impressive, as a returner, of the four punts Shelton returned, he ran two back for scores. “The thing I love most about football is you grow up with the same kids and grow up in a town who supports you greatly,” Shelton said. “Seeing those people at every game makes the workouts we do worth it.” Shelton hopes to play college football and has interest from Benedictine College and some other NAIA programs. With a résumé like his, more could be on the way in 2018. Shelton also plays basketball, baseball, and runs track. His favorite subject in school is math and he plans to major in electrical engineering in college. “The person I look up to the most is definitely my dad,” Shelton said. “He’s taught me everything I know, and he’ll do anything for anybody and helps the kids out in the community like no other. I’m proud to say that my dad is my hero.” Bethany Bowman
TAYBOR VETTER
Returner Wamego*
Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Want a treat? Google the highlight film for Rock Creek junior returner/running back Taybor Vetter. While undersized, he is one of the most explosive returners in Kansas. At 5-9, 150 pounds, he’s not often the biggest player on the field, but he’s likely the fastest. As a sophomore last season, he had nine kick returns for 211 yards, a 23.44 average with a long of 45 yards. Vetter scored two touchdowns on five punt returns with a total 160 yards, a 32-yard average. His long was a 99-yard return. “Taybor is a hard worker in the weight room and is a very deceptive runner,” head coach Mike Beam said. “He may have the quickest feet of any player I have coached.” “What I enjoy most about football is the contact and how competitive it is,” Vetter said. “I really enjoy being on the field and playing with my best friends.” He hopes he can continue the sport he loves at the next level. “Since I was young, my dream has been to play college football,” Vetter said. Vetter also excels in basketball and track and field. Outside of football, Vetter enjoys lifting weights and hanging out with friends. Setting a new school record with a 99-yard punt return is his most memorable football moment so far. “I look up to my older brother, Payton, as he has always worked hard and been successful in sports and academics,” Vetter said. “He encourages me to push myself to be the best I can be.” (*Vetter transferred to Wamego just prior to the season.) BB
GRAHAM
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STEPHENS ?Kicker/Punter Marysville Little River Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Graham Stephens, a 5-10, 170 pound sophomore, is a versatile player for Little River and could emerge as one of 8-Man’s best all around athletes over the next few seasons. Last season, as just a freshman, Stephens carried the ball 28 times for 164 yards and seven TDs. He also hauled in eight receptions for 170 yards and three more scores, and according to coach Chad Lafferty, he will likely take over QB duties this fall. On defense Stephens recorded 70 total tackles, 60 of them solo. He added three sacks, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. Stephens showed tremendous leg strength as a kicker, converting 47 of 60 possible touchbacks on the 80-yard 8-Man field. The Redskins did not utilize the field goal unit in a game, but Stephens has hit from 50+ yards in practice. “His punts averaged over 40 yards last year so in 8-Man he can flip field position pretty quickly when need be,” Lafferty said. “It’s also good to note that he wasn’t just a kicker/ punter with a fresh leg the whole game, he started as our monster in our 3-2 defense and was a running back and wide-receiver in our offense.” Stephens also plays basketball, baseball, and participates in trap shooting. In his freshman season of baseball, he batted .553 with two home runs. He would like to continue baseball and/or football in college. Working on the farm and hunting are a few of Stephens’ hobbies and his favorite school subject is history. He recognizes two key supporters in his life. “My parents,” he said. “They have both always been role models in my life.” BB
PARKER
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
WILLIS
Kicker Shawnee Mission East Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Google Parker Willis and you’re likely to find an impressive Hudl highlight from last season. The Shawnee Mission East senior blasted a 56-yard field goal to demonstrate his leg strength and signal to the KC Metro that when it comes to kicking a brown oblong ball between two uprights, Willis might just be the best. Willis knows he wants to play college football. With offers from Air Force and Army, and interest from Yale, SMU, Oklahoma State and Columbia, among others, it looks like that will be a reality. Before that time comes, however, Willis has some goals in mind for his senior season. “Personally, I’d like to not miss a field goal this year, and as a team, we’re hoping to make it to the state championship and win,” Willis said. “It’s our first year with a new coach so some people aren’t expecting us to be as good, so we want to prove them wrong.” Off the field, Willis is very rooted in his faith. “I’m really involved with my youth group at my church,” Willis said. “A few friends and I also help with the middle school youth group.” Keeping his faith at the forefront of his life, Willis knows exactly who has helped guide him. “My grandma inspires me the most” Willis said. “She’s amazing. She pushes me to be a better man and to be stronger in my faith.” Bethany Bowman/John Baetz
JACE
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WILSON ? Returner MarysvilleOswego Photos by Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com
Jace Wilson is a 5-9, 155 pound defensive back and kick/punt returner from Oswego entering his junior year in 2018. As just a sophomore, Wilson racked up many accolades. He was an All-Three-Rivers League 1st Team defensive back and Three Rivers League Special Teams Player of the Year. He was also an All-CrawKan honorable mention defensive back, and an All-State honorable mention defensive back and returner in the Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle. Additionally, Wilson was a Sports in Kansas Non-Senior honorable mention pick. His 2017 statistics included 5 interceptions, 34 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 fumble caused, 26 returns for 537 yards (20.8 yards per return) and 4 return touchdowns. “I like the game because the team becomes my family,” Wilson said. “My personal goal is to be a leader for my team, and my team goal is to be united.” While the recruiting process is early for Wilson, he has plans to play in college. He also currently participates in basketball, baseball, and track where he went to state in the 200 meter dash. He finds his inspiration close to home. “The person that inspires is my dad,” Wilson said. “I look up to him because he pushes me to do my best and tells me to never give up.” Oswego welcomes a new coach this year in former Spearville head man Matt Fowler and they switch to 8-Man, which should be a perfect fit for the explosive Wilson. BB
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In THE CARDS Classic football and baseball cards produced by Topps® in the 1970s and ‘80s were the standard bearer for the hobby. Collecting cards brought fans of professional sports closer to the players. This year, Kansas Pregame decided to pay tribute to those classic cards from “back in the day” by providing each of our feature subjects with a card of their own based on a classic design. “The Specialists” cards on pages 60-62 are inspired by the 1975 Topps® baseball and 1970 Topps® football sets. Photos by Joey Bahr. Classic card designs reproduced by permission of Topps®.
CADEN BOLZ
BLUE VALLEY WEST JAGUARS
ADAM ALBERTINI
Returner ST. PAUL INDIANS
XAVIER ESPINOZA
BLUE VALLEYCARDINALS PLAINVILLE WEST JAGUARS
CENTRE COUGARS
Kicker
JACE FRIESEN
Returner BASEHOR-LINWOOD BOBCATS
Returner MARYSVILLE BULLDOGS
TANNER COPELAND
Long Snapper
JACOB BACKUS
Long Snapper
LOGAN DEMOND
LARNED INDIANS
Kicker
GAGE GIRK
SOUTH CENTRAL TIMBERWOLVES
Kicker
JONATHAN HUNNACUTT
PHILLIPSBURG PANTHERS
Kicker
JACE KINNAMON
MCPHERSON BULLPUPS
Punter
TRENTON PLINSKY
ROY JOHNSON, JR
Returner WICHITA NORTHWEST GRIZZLIES
ANDOVER TROJANS
TIM LAMBERT
SMOKY VALLEY VIKINGS
SHAWNEE MISSION EAST LANCERS
ARIC PROPST
Long Snapper
DAVID SCHULTE
Returner HALSTEAD DRAGONS
Kicker
COOPER LOVELACE
Returner
Returner OSAGE CITY INDIANS
DAVID KEMP
HALSTEAD DRAGONS
Long Snapper
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In THE CARDS Classic football and baseball cards produced by Topps® in the 1970s and ‘80s were the standard bearer for the hobby. Collecting cards brought fans of professional sports closer to the players. This year, Kansas Pregame decided to pay tribute to those classic cards from “back in the day” by providing each of our feature subjects with a card of their own based on a classic design. “The Specialists” cards on pages 60-62 are inspired by the 1975 Topps® baseball and 1970 Topps® football sets. Photos by Joey Bahr. Classic card designs reproduced by permission of Topps®.
TAYBOR VETTER
JC SHELTON
Returner GALENA BULLDOGS
Recruiting Kansas/
from page 12______________________
TURNER CORCORAN – LAWRENCE FREE STATE: Ranked No. 80 among players nationally and the No. 10 offensive tackle by 247Sports. Already holds 14 FBS offers, and on August 3 Corcoran listed his top seven schools, in no order, as Kansas, Kansas State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Notre Dame. DANIEL JACKSON – BISHOP MIEGE: Ranked No. 338 nationally and the No. 64 wide receiver by 247Sports. Has already acquired offers from the likes of Kansas, Kansas State, Notre Dame and Texas A&M among others. MATTHEW ROBERTS – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: Only Pittsburg State has offered Roberts thus far but don’t expect that to hold by the time his junior year is over. Roberts could very well become the state’s top pass-rusher when it’s all said and done, while younger (massive) brother Jaeden (Class of 2021) is already gaining national attention himself.
LITTLE RIVER REDSKINS
PARKER WILLIS
Returner WAMEGO RED RAIDERS
GRAHAM STEPHENS
SHAWNEE MISSION EAST LANCERS
Kicker
KY THOMAS – TOPEKA HIGH: Ranked No. 298 nationally and the No. 32 running back by 247Sports. Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State are already showing serious interest. HAYDEN PAULS – EMPORIA: Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State jumped on board quickly with scholarships for the Emporia offensive tackle. Quick off the snap and virtually impossible for defenders to break free from, Pauls has tremendous upside with two full years left to
Kicker
JACE WILSON
Returner OSWEGO INDIANS mature. Ryan Wallace is the K-State Football Recruiting Editor for GoPowercat.com and the CBSi net-work of 247sports.com.
E FOR SOM OF THE S TAT E ’ S BEST L F O O T B A L! ACTION
KANSAS SHRINE BOWL • JUNE 8, 2019
www.dodgecity.org/dcsc Photos by Lori Janicke
WILD WEST BOWL • NOVEMBER 10, 2018
Dodge City Red Demons
Dodge City Community College Conquistadors
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Derby 2. Blue Valley 3. Lawrence Free State 4. Olathe North 5. Blue Valley North Others: Garden City, Junction City, Manhattan, Shawnee Mission East, Topeka, Washburn Rural position as a state contender. But if the Mustangs are to remain a serious threat to win a second straight crown, Sims will have to hope the culture he instilled four years ago has truly set in. The senior class he put so much faith in has graduated, taking with it a bulk of the talent that fueled the program’s turnaround. Guys like All-Class 6A defensive lineman Miles Emery (now at Kansas), all-around back Grant Hamel (1,158 total yards, 16 TDs), standout receivers Dylan Freberg (1,177 yards, 11 TDs) and Nigel Roberts (1,085 yards, 13 TDs). In all, graduation claimed 35 players, leaving Sims with plenty of holes to fill around his star quarterback. While North’s ability to reload will be tested, last year’s runner-up, Derby, has proven it can do just that in elevating itself to one of the state’s top programs overall. The Panthers have played in four of the last five Class 6A state championship games, capturing titles in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Derby appeared on its way to a three-peat last year, losing only to Goddard on its way to a third straight title game. But after walking a fine line in playoff wins over Manhattan (2114), Free State (55-49 in OT) and Wichita Northwest (5341), the Panthers couldn’t stop North in the championship and settled for an 11-2 season and runner-up finish. Making a fourth straight championship game will depend largely on how well veteran coach Brandon Clark fills some key holes. Graduation claimed All-State tailback Brody Kooser, who set the school’s career scoring record, as well as All-Class 6A offensive lineman Evan Clark and six other offensive starters, along with six starters on defense. Derby’s offensive production shouldn’t drop off too much, however, as Clark has two viable options at quarterback. Grant Adler began last year as the starter before an injury cut his season short. Junior Hunter Igo came over from the
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CLASS 6A
By Brent Maycock Topeka Capital-Journal The seed was planted immediately. When Andy Sims took over as head coach at Blue Valley North, one of the first things he did was gather his initial freshman class and deliver a bold message. “Coach told us, ‘You can be state champions,’” said Mustang Mason Alvarez, a part of that first freshman class. Just how daring was that prophecy? Well, in the three years prior to Sims’ arrival, North had won a whopping one game. The program hadn’t had a winning season since 2006 and hadn’t won a playoff game in more than a decade. Whether Sims was merely trying to instill a winning mentality or he firmly believed in the talent on hand and his ability to maximize it, the tactic worked. North went 2-7 in Sims’ first season, but followed with a breakthrough 8-2 season in 2015 and then a 7-4 mark in 2016. When it came time for last year’s senior class to make good on Sims’ prediction, the Mustangs delivered. Overcoming a slow start to the season, Blue Valley North got hot at the right time and rode its late-season momentum to the Class 6A state championship, beating two-time defending champs Derby, 49-42, in the title game. “(Sims) told us that he was going to turn the program around,” Mustang Calvin Masters said. “Four years later, he won us a state championship.” Blue Valley North looked nothing like a title contender early in the season, getting off to a 1-3 start. Then again, the three losses came to Class 5A runner-up Aquinas, Class 6A semifinalist Blue Valley and Class 4A Division I champion Miege. North avenged its loss to Blue Valley with a thrilling 4437 double-overtime victory in the semifinals before gouging Derby for 561 yards of total offense in the wild championship game — the victory clinched on a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Graham Mertz with 57 seconds left and an interception by safety, and 2017 Kansas Pregame coverboy, Grant Hamel, with 40 seconds to go in the contest. Mertz was arguably the breakthrough player in the state a year ago. A transfer from Miege who had never started a game until last season, Mertz exploded onto the scene, throwing for 3,684 yards and 45 touchdowns including 462 yards and four touchdowns in the state championship game. Committed to Wisconsin, Mertz has offers from nearly every powerhouse FBS program in the country heading into his senior season and is the top-ranked prospect in the state and No. 4 quarterback prospect in the country by Rivals. com. His presence alone will keep North in its new-found
defense and stepped into the job and flourished, finishing the year with nearly 2,700 yards of total offense and 33 TDs. Adler will likely return to the starting job, allowing Igo to go back to the defensive side of the ball. Derby also has a tremendous group of junior linemen ready to make their mark. Staying atop the pack of contenders in the west will be awfully tough for Derby. Nine teams in the western half of last year’s bracket entered the postseason with winning records - five of those 7-1 or better - and most of them return enough key pieces to challenge the Panthers for a title-game berth. Topping the list would have been Wichita Northwest, which may return the most talent of any team in the state. But the Grizzlies have dropped to Class 5A this season – bad news for 5A, but good news for the other top contenders in 6A. The list of challengers starts with Free State, which has seen Derby end its season each of the past three years. Free State was the top seed in the west bracket in ‘17, posting an undefeated regular season that saw the Firebirds have only three games closer than 25 points. After pounding Wichita North and Junction City to start the playoffs, the Firebirds couldn’t overcome the loss of Jax Dineen in the quarterfinal clash with Derby and fell 55-49 in OT, a fumble late in regulation costing a shot at a game-winning field goal. The 10-1 finish was the Firebirds’ best record since going 10-2 in 2012 and gave veteran coach Bob Lisher his 150th win at Free State. Though the Firebirds must replace All-6A linebacker Gage Foster - who doubled as starting QB - and a plethora of top linemen, the nucleus is there for another run. Dineen has followed nicely in the footsteps of his older brothers, Jay and Joe, and after making an impact defensively as a sophomore became Free State’s workhorse in the backfield last year, rushing for 1,510 yards and 23 TDs. The Firebirds will have to develop continued on page 66
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
6A Overview/from page 65_____
complements to go with him, but the line features one of the state’s top junior recruits in Turner Corcoran. Arguably the top backfield in Class 6A belongs to Topeka High. Ky Thomas burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2016 and avoided the sophomore slump last year, rushing for 1,771 yards and 23 TDs. He’s got plenty of help to keep defenses honest. Fellow back Jacqez Barksdale added 922 yards and 15 TDs on the ground, while junior QB Davonshai Harden amassed 2,280 yards of total offense and 26 TDs. The Trojans were 8-2 a year ago, losing only to Manhattan (21-14) and Garden City (24-21). An improved defense was key and if the Trojans can replace key losses there, and continue their progression, they could advance in the playoffs. Topeka’s top challengers in the Centennial League figure to be Manhattan and Washburn Rural. The Indians shared the league title with High and Shawnee Heights in ‘17 and lost only to Heights and Derby, each by a TD or less, to finish 8-2. The Indians return few starters, but leading rusher Kevontae McDonald is back after he ran for 1,245 yards and 18 TDs. Rural, meanwhile, was just 4-5 last year, but returns almost everyone defensively and will benefit offensively from a healthy Jordan White at quarterback. He missed half the season a year ago after a breakout sophomore campaign and will pair with Jalen Carter to give the Junior Blues a dynamic ground game, while leading receiver Preston Williams will keep defenses honest with his home run ability. Rural nearly pulled off an upset of Garden City in the first round of the playoffs a year ago, falling 7-0. The Buffaloes followed with a narrow win over Topeka High before seeing an 8-3 season end with a 49-6 loss to Wichita Northwest. Garden City is a playoff fixture in Brian Hill’s tenure and will have that staying power tested a bit this year. Graduation claimed All-6A defensive lineman Demarcus Elliott and 1,500-
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yard passer Garrett Doll, who swept defensive and offensive MVP honors in the Western Athletic Conference last year, as well as three other first-team all-leaguers. Junior lineman Refujio Chairez and defensive back Carlos Acosta were first-team all-leaguers as sophomores and two other second-team all-leaguers return defensively for GC. Perennial power Hutchinson went 5-4 in ‘17 and will be in a bit of a transition this year with Ryan Cornelsen leaving for Gardner-Edgerton. Former Nickerson coach Mike Vernon takes over the program and is a Randy Dreillng disciple who turned things around in his short stint with the Panthers. Wichita West and Junction City played one of the best firstround playoff games last year with the Blue Jays winning 28-21. Junction City returns a solid backfield duo in Rooster Adams and Russell Wilkey, while West also has a 1-2 punch in Shakur Johnson and Zion Parks. As loaded as the west was last year, the east lacked depth with only three teams entering the playoffs with winning marks. Blue Valley regrouped after the tragic offseason death of head coach Eric Driskell to keep things rolling. The Tigers nearly reached a third straight state title game, but came up just short in a 44-37 double-overtime loss to eventual champion Blue Valley North - who the Tigers had beat in week three. The Tigers finished 8-4 in Allen Terrell’s debut season as head coach with two of the four losses coming to state champions (North, Miege) and another to a runner-up (Aquinas). If North isn’t the favorite to come out of the east this year, it would be Blue Valley. The Tigers return seven starters on offense and eight on defense — both units led by senior standout Alex Totta, who ran for 778 yards and nine touchdowns and led the Tigers with 145 tackles. The top seed in the east a year ago was Shawnee Mission East, which went 9-2 last year, with its only regular-season loss coming to Missouri powerhouse Rockhurst. The season ended with a thud, however, as the Lancers were throttled 45-
10 by Blue Valley North in the quarterfinals. East will have a much different look in 2018. Dustin Delaney resigned after the season ended last year and is now at Eaglecrest High School in Denver, Colo. The Lancers were 52-8 under Delaney, including a state title in 2014. Fred Bouchard, who coached Harrisonville, Mo., to four Class 3 state championships before moving on to Staley and leading the Falcons to the 2011 Class 5 championship, was hired as Delaney’s replacement, but in a shocking move resigned shortly before the season to take an administrative position in Illinois. According to reports by prepskc.com and 810varsity.com, QB guru Justin Hoover, a former Miege assistant who is new to the East staff this year, will run the program in the interim. East returns plenty of experience to make another run, even having to replace All-State back Milton Braasch. If the Lancers can make the smooth transition to Hoover’s style, they could add another title to the résumé. Traditional power Olathe North was the only other team on the east with a winning record, battling back from an early three-game losing streak to finish 7-4 and return to the quarterfinals. The Eagles may not be as loaded as they were a couple years ago, but they’ve got plenty of firepower in the form of tailback Daymonn Sanchez and quarterback Arland Bruce IV, who combined for almost 2,000 rushing yards a year ago. The defense will miss tackling machine Eric Dooley, an All-6A pick, but does return eight starters. Lawrence will look to bounce back from a .500 season, and move to the west bracket this year. Former Pitt. State offensive coordinator Steve Rampy takes over for long-time Lion Dirk Wedd, who retired. Rampy built Blue Valley into a state powerhouse and will coach in the same league as his son, Zach, who is the new head coach at Shawnee Mission North.
Brent Maycock is a sportswriter for the Topeka Capital-Journal and has covered high schools in Topeka and across Kansas for over 25 years.
6A State Champions
2017
The Blue Valley North Gridiron Club is proud to support Mustang football! 9-4 Record
Third Consecutive Winning Season
17 All-Conference Players
44 Academic All-Conference Players
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13 By Kyle McCaskey
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For Kansas Pregame There is no normal when an Alabama, Ohio State or Michigan asks a Kansas teenager if he has interest in playing football for their program. So if those moments are not enough to fluster Graham Mertz, what good can a couple ravenous defensive linemen do? “That shows the level the kid is. It’s one thing when a local school comes through, but the national level opens your eyes,” said Bishop Miege coach Jon Holmes. “It’s hard at times, but as a coach and a player, you just take it as it is.” There is only one season of starting data to pull when passing verdicts on Mertz, the supernova senior quarterback for Blue Valley North. The statistics are glowing – 62 percent completion percentage, 3,684 passing yards, 45 touchdowns against six interceptions and a 6A state championship. If Mertz were taking a leap in progress, he seemingly did so in zero gravity. Blue Valley saw North twice this past season. In week three, the Tigers tripped up North, 34-33. Nine weeks later in the 6A state semifinals, Mertz assisted to change the narrative as North clipped Blue Valley 44-37 in two overtimes. The Mustangs reached their first-ever title game. “I’ll say this for his impact on the two games – he played well in the week three, but so did our kiddos. They battled and forced him into errors he absolutely didn’t make in week 12,” said Blue Valley coach Allen Terrell. “His improvement from week three to week 12 was astronomical and was absolutely a difference maker.” Terrell was not the only one to take notice. Recruiting wizards did, too. Scholarship offers arrived by truckloads. Pick a random Power 5 conference school, and it probably made an offer to Mertz, considered a four-star prospect. Mertz selected Wisconsin, making his verbal commitment this past October, and reaffirming it this summer. But that has not deterred many programs from making a final pitch to gauge his interest. “Kids today have more pressure on them than ever before. Even kids that aren’t playing college football have a lot of pressure,” said Mill Valley coach Joel Applebee. “Most those people, if kids go on to play whatever they want to play, a lot of those kids are already ready for it because they’ve had that pressure.” Perhaps no program knows the highs and lows of Division I recruiting better than Bishop Miege, a four-time defending state champion and a factory for elite athletes heading to the next level. It is fitting, then, that Mertz got his start at Miege. No doubt he would have starred for the Stags just as bright as he is shining for North. Circumstances simply made that a challenge. Miege was enjoying the fruitful career of Carter Putz, one of the most prolific passers in state history and himself a Notre Dame baseball signee. But Putz, fresh off graduation, would have blocked Mertz from a starting role until Mertz’ senior campaign. For Mertz to
Graham MERTZ (Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
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continued on page 74
Fort Scott National Historic Site – Fort Scott was established in 1842 to help enforce the promise of a permanent Indian frontier. The Fort was heavily involved in the Civil War, Bleeding Kansas, and railroad expansion.
THE MERTZ FILE Hobbies: Juggling Favorite subject: History Favorite food: Chicken Wings Favorite rap group: Migos Favorite pregame song: “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill Most memorable high school football moment: “Winning the first state championship in school history by beating Derby 49-42.”
For more info go to visitfortscott.com
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Dodge City, KS
DODGE CITY
Dodge City dropped back from two straight 5-4 seasons to 3-6 last year. In ’16, DC scored 31.3 points a contest and permitted 23.7, its best scoring defense since an 11-1 season in ’10. Last year, the Red Demons scored 23.6 points a game and permitted 31.8. The 7.8 offensive differential and 8.1 defensive differential both ranked in the bottom eight of 6A from ’16 to ’17. The Red Demons have significant returners on both sides of the ball this year with eight offensive and 10 defensive returning starters. Former offensive coordinator Mark Sandbo is now the Salina Central head coach. DC had an extremely run-heavy offense in ’16 with Dawson Williams. He led the WAC with 1,679 rushing yards and 25 rushing scores. DC averaged 283 rushing and 43 passing yards a game. Last year, Williams led the team with 712 yards and nine scores. Sophomore Beau Foster stepped in at QB and completed 58 of 122 passes for 792 yards with a 9/7 TD/INT ratio. DC averaged 146 passing and 173 rushing per game. Foster recorded 413 yards and five rushing scores, numbers that were second behind Williams. Receiving-wise, Williams led the team with 334 yards and four TDs. Every key rusher and receiver outside of Williams returns. John Johnson, DeJon Delgado, and Carlos Gamboa either had 18 or 19 catches, 228 to 274 receiving yards and one or two receiving TDs. Coach Dave Foster set goals to “take back the Hatchet,” in the annual rivalry game with Garden City, host the first two rounds of the 6A playoffs and win the WAC. “The front will be the difference,” coach Foster said. “The offensive line will use its size to punch holes in the defense to make way for ball carriers in the ground game. The ability to run the ball will determine the success of this unit.” Defensively, senior Marcos Fisher will enter his third year as a starter. He had 67 tackles, four sacks and five TFLs last season. Senior Evan Darville recorded 69 tackles, three sacks with seven TFLs. Junior Jashon Taylor had 61 tackles, two sacks and three TFLs, while junior Ty Bacon delivered 44 tackles with one TFL. DC went 1-2 in games decided by one score with a 21-15 season-opening loss to Wichita West, a 12-7 Week 6 home win against Hays, and a 34-29 home loss to Liberal in Week 8. The other two victories were by at least 34 points. DC struggled with the elite with a 65-0 loss at Wichita Heights, 40-9 loss at arch-rival Garden City and 4913 at Derby in the first round of the playoffs. “Up front we feel that we are better than anyone we’ll face,” coach Foster said. “This group must be dominant. Evan Darville and Marcos Fisher anchor 11-2 in 2017 / 6A this group and both are two-time all-conference playArk Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I ers. The experience that returns on this defensive Coach: Brandon Clark (13th year, 104-36) Assistants: Jarrod Foster, Todd Olmstead, Chris unit must take the next step to become a dominant Devore, Brady Rust, Chris Pinaire, Mitch Pontious, defensive unit.” Eric Hendrick, Derek Goble, Kevin Davis, Zach 3-6 in 2017 / 6A Haynes Western Athletic Conference Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2 Coach: Dave Foster (8th year, 42-36; 22nd overall, Returning lettermen: N/A 114-99) Returning starters: 3 Offense, 5 Defense Bryce Atkinson, OL, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Hunter Igo, QB, Assistants: Nathan Gaswick, Ty Thomas, Jeff Brull, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Jacob Ormsby, LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Marcos Gutierres, Chris Whitson, Tucker O’Hair, David Sherman, LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Cade Lindsey, LB, Daniel Voth, John Johnson, Dustin Fergerson, Kyle 5-10, 170, Sr.; Dax Benway, DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Isaac Culwell Keener, DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Aaron Larson, WR, 5-11, Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A 170, Jr. Kyle McCaskey Returning starters: 8 Offense, 10 Defense Beau Foster, QB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; DeJon Delgado, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; John Johnson, WR/DB, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Marcos Fisher, OL/DL, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Aaron Nelson, OL, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Carlos Gamboa, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Jaiel Johnson, RB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Mark OL, 5-10, 255, Sr.; Evan Darville, DL, 6-2, Full Service Financial Institution Arzaga, 295, Sr.; Jashon Taylor, LB, 5-7, 165, Jr.; Sam Mead, LB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Ty Bacon, LB, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Alden Garden City Knedler, LB, 6-2, 185, So.; Tommy Bermudez, LB, 1714 E. Kansas Ave. 6-2, 205, Jr. 1.800.825.7661 Conor Nicholl Bidding to become just the fourth program in state history to win three straight Class 6A state championships, Derby came up just short. Tied 42-42 with Blue Valley North with less than five minutes to go in last year’s title game, the Panthers couldn’t come up with the defensive stop it needed. The Mustangs scored with 57 seconds left in the game to take a wild 49-42 victory in a championship game that featured more than 1,000 yards of total offense. Derby finished the season 11-2, the only other loss coming to 5A semifinalist Goddard. The defensive woes Derby experienced in the title game were a season-long trend. A year after leading Class 6A in scoring defense, the Panthers gave up twice as many points per game last year (27.3 ppg) and allowed more than 40 five times with three of those coming in the playoffs as Derby survived three straight nailbiters — 21-14 over Manhattan, 55-49 in overtime over Free State and 53-41 against Wichita Northwest — just to get back to the title game for the third straight year and fourth time in five years. Five starters are back on that side of the ball this year as Derby looks to make last year’s defensive struggles an anomaly. Senior linebacker Cade Lindsey was a first-team all-league selection, while end Isaac Keener, linebacker Jacob Ormsby and defensive back Dax Benway all were second-team all-leaguers. Perhaps the bigger question mark is how Derby reloads offensively after averaging 46.4 points per game and scoring at least 40 in 10 of its 13 games. Graduation claimed two-time All-State running back Brody Kooser (1,806 yards, 28 TDs) and two-time first-team All-6A lineman Evan Clark as well as six other starters. Veteran coach Brandon Clark does have the luxury of having two top-notch candidates to run his explosive offense. Grant Adler began the year as the starter before an injury wiped out the bulk of his season. Hunter Igo stepped in and was nothing less than spectacular, throwing for 1,491 yards and 17 touchdowns and running for 1,196 yards and 16 scores. Adler likely will regain his starting job, allowing Igo to return to the defensive side of the ball where he started as a sophomore. Though senior Bryce Atkinson is the lone returning starter on the offensive line, the Panthers have a strong group of juniors ready to step in and make their mark. Clark won his 100th career game last year and is 104-36 overall at Derby, turning the program into one of the state’s elite. The Panthers open against new foe Garden City and the headliner on the schedule once again is a mid-season showdown with reigning Class 5A champion Carroll.
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GARDEN CITY
Garden City finished 8-3, won the WAC with a 3-1 mark and had an unexpected run to the state quarterfinals. The Buffaloes opened the playoffs with a 7-0 home win against Washburn Rural, and then won at Topeka High, 24-21. GC fell 49-6 at Wichita Northwest in the quarterfinals after a 36-23 loss in the regular season. This fall, the Buffs open with Derby on the road. Coach Brian Hill listed keys as replacing over 98 percent of offensive production, having inexperienced players grow up in a hurry, create turnovers on defense, be solid in all phases of special teams and staying healthy. Hill is 22-10 in WAC play, and 53-27 overall in eight years with GC, with conference titles in ’11, ’13, ’16, ’17. The Buffs finished second in 6A scoring defense with just 15.6 ppg allowed and scored just 20.7 ppg. Last year, the Buffs had the second-best postseason showing under Hill behind a semifinals run in ’13. Senior receiver Ty Davis was second team all-league after he caught 39 passes for 562 yards in nine games. Junior offensive guard Refujio Chairez is one of the state’s top non-senior prospects with Division I talent. He has started since the third game of his freshman year and was first team all-league in ‘17. Defense could be a strength early. Senior Ethan Crone had 89 tackles, 15 TFLs and 4 sacks in ‘17. Senior LB Ryan Jarmer delivered 85 tackles, 1.5 for loss. Junior Carlos Acosta was a first team all-league pick at d-back with 35 tackles, 6 interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries for a defense that forced 31 turnovers. Senior Kaleb LaPointe delivered 47 tackles, 2 interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. The Buffs opened the season with just 10 points permitted in the first month. GC defeated rival Dodge City 40-9 in the annual “Hatchet Game” in Week 7, the fourth win in the last five tries for the Buffs. 8-3 in 2017 / 6A Western Athletic Conference Coach: Brian Hill (9th year, 53-27) Assistants: Justin Reich, Nathan Smith, Asa Gottsponer, Erik Base, Nate Bailey, Jacy Holloway, Cody Bernbeck, Jordan Irsik, Mitch Moore, Devin Limberg Offense: Pistol Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense Tye Davis, WR, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Refujio Chairez, OG, 6-1, 300, Jr.; Ethan Martin, FB, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Ethan Crone, DE, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Ryan Jarmer, LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Carlos Acosta, DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Kaleb LaPointe, DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Conor Nicholl
Garden City, KS
GARDNER-EDGERTON
Ryan Cornelsen has never had a losing season as a coach and has enjoyed success at La Crosse, Hays High and Hutchinson. He takes over a program that went 0-9 last fall and enters this year on a 10game losing streak. Gardner-Edgerton is 1-12 in its last 13 contests with the lone victory a 23-16 Week 9 road win against Olathe Northwest in 2016. Marvin Diener, one of Kansas’ all-time great coaches with six state titles at Salina Central, stepped aside as Trailblazer head coach after a 73-53 record in 12 years. He went 170-42 at Salina Central. Diener captured double-digit wins every year from ’08-10 and paced the team to runner-up in ’09 and semifinals in ’08, ’10, and ‘11. Since ’11, G-E has posted 6-4, 8-2, 0-9, 2-9, 4-6 and 0-9 records. G-E has arguably the best weight room in Kansas and has Mark Simoneau, former K-State standout and NFL veteran, now running the weight program. Cornelsen said the keys are “how fast we can pick up the new system and execute it at a high level.” Two players, both sophomores in ’17, split time at quarterback and threw for 889 yards with a 43 percent completion rate for a 6/5 TD/INT ratio. Leading rusher Baylor Maxwell (666 yards) returns, along with senior Luke Jennings (58 offensive touches, 469 offensive yards, 1 TD). Two of the top three tacklers are back, paced by senior Jonah May (70 stops). Cornelsen finished 28-15 in four years at Hutch, including a state runner-up finish his first year. He is well-known for his track success with five state boys’ titles, four at Hays High and one in ’17 at Hutchinson, and will serve as a G-E assistant track coach. Chris Walters, who was a key assistant under Cornelsen at Hays, was hired as G-E’s associate head coach at the same time Cornelsen was brought on as head coach and Simoneau as strength coach. 0-9 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League Coach: Ryan Cornelsen (1st year; 16th overall, 116-40) Assistants: Chris Walters, Gregg Webb, Mark Simoneau, Stan Watchous, Drew Brown, Jason Radel, Aaron Stubblefield, Ryan Dieckgrafe, Hayes Farwell, Ryan Plankenhorn, Jonny Hodges Offense: Offset I Defense: 4-3 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Andrew Adams, LB, 5-11; Colten Cassida, DB, 5-7; Tyler Goetzmann, QB, 5-10; Gage Gulley, TE/DE, 6-3; Luke Jennings, RB, 6-5; Marshall Maasen, DB, 5-10; Brody Marshall, WR, 6-6; Baylor Maxwell, RB, 6-2; Teven McKelvey, QB, 6-1; Anthony Rodriguez, DB, 5-9; Jake Steward, T, 6-5; Peyton Vance, DL, 5-9; Shawn Waters, C, 5-11; Kelvin Woodson, 6-2, DB Conor Nicholl
HAYSVILLE-CAMPUS
It was only a matter of time before Greg Slade turned things around at Campus and the argument could be made that time arrived last year. Sure, the Colts only finished with a 5-5 mark. But the win total was just one less than Campus’ total for the previous three years combined and was the program’s best record since a 5-4 mark in 2006. Looking for a signature win to validate the progress, Campus got it. Twice. The Colts rolled Hutchinson 35-7 in the next-to-last game of the regular season and then, after playing 6A runner-up Derby tough in a 48-20 loss, beat the Salthawks again in the first round of the playoffs 27-21. Though the season ended with a 57-24 loss to Wichita Northwest in the second round of the playoffs, the breakthrough campaign was one Slade hopes to build upon in 2018. Two of the five losses were by 10 points or less. The key to riding the momentum gained last year will be how well the Colts can replace departed standout Federico Harvey. One of the best two-way players in the state, Harvey accounted for more than 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns on offense and had seven interceptions defensively, earning first-team All-Class 6A and third-team All-State honors. Whoever Slade tabs to fill Harvey’s shoes at quarterback will have some talent to work with as Campus returns its top-three receivers from a year ago, led by first-team all-league pick Tyler Kahmann and first-team all-league tight end Quinton Hicks. Hicks will be one of the top two-way players in the state this year, also starring defensively at linebacker
where he also earned first-team all-league honors. He’s one of six returning starters on that side of the ball, joined by fellow first-team all-leaguer Cameron Harvey, who figures to take on a bigger role offensively as well. Line play should be a strength for the Colts as well with senior Seth Falley a four-year starter up front. Slade already sees carryover from a year ago with the Colts having their best turnout for the summer program during his tenure. The schedule is also favorable with Campus facing only one team which posted a winning record in its first six games. That’s a week three clash with Maize, which beat the Colts 36-26 last year. 5-5 in 2017 / 6A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I Coach: Greg Slade (6th year, 12-34) Assistants: Jimmy McDowell, Erick McCormack, Ray Boese, John Dravis, Mike Richter, Alex Nuss, Matt Peschel, Jeff Long, Ken Walters, Robbie Wright Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Stack Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Seth Falley, OT, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Quinton Hicks, TE/ LB, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Robbie Adamson, C, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Gavin Brown, OG, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Tyler Kahmann, WR/ OLB, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Cameron Harvey, RB/WR/FS, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Sammie Wise, RB/WR, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Mateo Martinez, DE, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Nathan Preece, LB, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Brycen Schroeder, LB, 5-11, 180, Sr. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
HUTCHINSON
Mention Mike Vernon’s name around his previous coaching stops and get an instant, warm smile and a quick word about his passion for his student-athletes. From Hutchinson to Inman to Rose Hill and Nickerson, evoking Vernon’s name was like talking to a proud parent about their child that had ventured out in the world and made a new name for himself. Now, Vernon is back where it began. The Salthawk son has returned to Hutchinson. Vernon was an assistant at Hutchinson for state titles in 2008, 2009 and 2011. He spent the past three years close by in Reno County, rebuilding Nickerson. The Panthers made the postseason every year under Vernon, snapping a seven-year drought before his arrival. Vernon will be tasked with restoring Hutchinson to something resembling its former glory, which included seven state titles in the past 14 years, but none since 2011. The Salthawks did not suddenly become a black hole – they have 43 wins since their last title – but it is hard not to have lofty expectations in the Salt City. “We will play a lot of young players this year. When this happens, there is always growing pains,” Vernon said. “However, if you can get through the early struggles, it’s amazing how fast the kids grow and improve throughout the years.” Vernon squeezes every ounce of potential out of his offenses, and he will have to with only three returning veterans. He starts with a tantalizing weapon in junior running back Tayezhan Crough. Crough, the 6A 110- and 300-meter hurdle champion, has unrivaled speed when he can spring into the open field. Defensively, Davian Vigil established himself as a dependable leader of the secondary and is also quite speedy. “I like the fact that we have the opportunity to play a lot of different players,” Vernon said. “This will once again cause headaches early, but create tremendous depth by the end of the season.” 5-4 in 2017 / 6A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I Coach: Mike Vernon (1st year; 6th overall, 29-19) Assistants: Scott Yantes, Dave Armbrust, Dalton Luce, Jeremy Garcia, Derek Racette, Adam Krol, Sean Harper, Andrew Schroter, Dustin Woodward, Grant Wray, Mace Krol, Casey Sedbrook, Zach Burkhart Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 3 Offense, 5 Defense Davian Vigil, CB, 6-2, 182, Sr.; Michael Coulter, CB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Patrick Grabener, SS, 5-10, 164, Sr.; Korey Holmberg, OLB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Trevor Rhoades, QB, 5-11, 176, Sr.; Tristan Geddes, OL, 5-10, 246, Sr.; Noah McIntyre, DL, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Tayezhan Crough, RB, 6-0, 172, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
JUNCTION CITY
Coming off an 8-2 season in 2016, Junction City’s start to the 2017 season was a bit disappointing. The Blue Jays dropped their first two contests to Emporia (17-12) and Topeka High (42-28), matching the previous season’s loss total. Junction City regrouped quite nicely, however, to keep the season from spiraling out of control. Winning five of their next six games, the Blue Jays positioned themselves for a home playoff opener and topped Wichita West 28-21. The season ended with a 47-14 loss to unbeaten Free State in the second round, but the 6-4 showing was solid. Junction City’s slow start was somewhat understandable after the Blue Jays had to replace standout skill players Jovon Baldwin and Ryan Henington. This time around, the Blue Jays should be able to hit the ground running behind the 1-2 punch of Rooster Adams and Russell Wilkey. Adams stepped in to replace Henington at quarterback and finished the season with a team-high 944 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. Wilkey, meanwhile, flourished as a rare freshman starter, rushing for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. Adams also threw for 552 yards, but had just four touchdown tosses and was picked off eight times. Four of five starting offensive linemen also return, giving veteran coach Randall Zimmerman nine starters back overall on offense from a unit which average 33.5 points per game a year ago. Defense has always been a calling card for Zimmerman’s teams, but might have to play catch-up this season with only four starters back. Graduation claimed the Blue Jays’ top-five tacklers from last year with Javontez Brime tops among the returners with 35 tackles a season ago. Zimmerman is just three wins away from 150 at Junction City as he enters his 25th season as head coach. The Blue Jays get a new foe to start the season in Hays, but then face Centennial League opponents the rest of the way, getting their biggest tests — Topeka High and Manhattan — at home.
KC-JC HARMON
For the fifth time in Steven Jackson’s seven years as head coach at JC Harmon, the Hawks finished with a winless record. Only twice last year, were they even close — a 16-8 loss to KC Washington and a 28-8 loss to KC Sumner. For the season, the Hawks were outscored 405-42 and shut out five times. Harmon will enter the 2018 season on a 21-game losing streak. After spending the past two years in Class 5A, the Hawks move back up to 6A. Harmon didn’t produce much offense a year ago, racking up 1,577 total yards, and the bulk of that production graduated in the form of quarterback Chris Young, who threw for 835 yards and ran for a team-high 308. Junior Terrance Johnson ranked second on the team in rushing, but had only 130 yards on the season. He also was the Hawks’ leading receiver a year ago with 307 yards. 0-9 in 2017 / 6A Kansas City-Atchison League Coach: Steve Jackson (8th year, 5-57) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
KC-WYANDOTTE
A 28-0 win over winless KC-Harmon in the second week of the season kept Wyandotte from going winless itself. The Bulldogs finished with a 1-7 mark, but really was close to picking up a few more wins and enjoying one of their better seasons under Michael Lockett. A three-week stretch late in the season saw Wyandotte drop a tough 30-18 decision to KC Washington, followed with a 26-21 heartbreaking loss to KC Sumner and then lose 36-26 to KC Turner. Throw in a 12-0 loss to Atchison early in the year and Wyandotte had four games that easily could have gone their way and produced a winning season. The Bulldogs could turn those tables this year. Junior quarterback Torry Moore had a strong sophomore season as a first-year starter, throwing for 569 yards and five touchdowns and running for 445 yards and three scores. The backfield also returns leading rusher Angelo Hill, who had 459 yards and four touchdowns, while leading receivers Walzel Evans (9 catches, 235 yards) and Cameron Randolph (13 catches, 160 yards) also return. Moore and Randolph were first-team all-league selections on defense and Wyandotte returns four of its top-five tacklers from last year led by senior Joe Garrett.
6-4 in 2017 / 6A Centennial League Coach: Randall Zimmerman (25th year, 147-88) Assistants: John Davis, Jimmy Goheen, Ty Zimmerman, Mitch Whaley, Carl Laughlin, Deshawn Fogle, Willie Snipes, Aaron Craig, Chase Jones Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 22 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 4 Defense Jacob Smith, OL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Duke Vail, OL, 6-6, 270, Sr.; Corbin Sanner, OL, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Callen Boller, OL, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Rooster Adams, QB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Russell Wilkey, RB, 5-9, 170, So.; Aaron Hamilton, SB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ethan Alcorn, WR, 6-4, 210, Jr.; Javontez Brime, DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Nolan Rothfuss, DE, 6-4, 215, Sr.; Albert Caba, OLB, 5-8, 1-7 in 2017 / 6A 165, Jr.; Terrance Adeleye, DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Darrin Kansas City-Atchison League Battiste, OLB, 6-0, 175, Jr. Brent Maycock Coach: Michael Lockett (6th year, 6-28) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A his senior season after rushing for 1,510 yards and Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense 23 touchdowns on his way to first-team all-league Brent Maycock honors. Dineen got hurt early in the loss to Derby and his presence was surely missed in crunch time. Clearing holes for Dineen is one of the state’s top In Joe Schartz’s first eight years as head coach, recruits in the 2020 class, junior Turner Corcoran. The 6-foot-6, 285-pounder already has double-digit the Indians have been the model of consistency, averaging just more than nine wins a year. They’ve FBS offers and is a four-star prospect. He’s one of only three returning linemen either way, so replenish- also averaged only just more than 11 games per ing the fronts around him, senior Shane Skwarlo and season, as yet unable to parlay that success into a deep playoff run. Manhattan has won at least a share junior Lovette Epelle will be key. Senior receiver-defensive back Keenan Garber - a of the league title in eight of the last nine seasons. Last year, it was a second-round loss that ended Kansas State commit - was a two-way second-team Manhattan’s eight-game winning streak following a all-league pick last year and could emerge as a season-opening loss. Granted, it was a hard-fought bigger weapon in the offense for first-year starting quarterback Malik Berry, a former safety who has the 21-14 loss to two-time defending champion Derby, hardly anything for the Indians to hang their heads look of a big time player. about following an 8-2 season. In a notable offseason coaching hire, former Manhattan’s two losses were by a combined 10 University of Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger has joined Lisher’s staff for the year as well. points with the other defeat a 21-18 loss to Shawnee Heights which forced the Indians to share the Centennial League title with Heights and Topeka 10-1 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League High. The 21-14 win over High was the only win Coach: Bob Lisher (22nd year, 138-84) Assistants: Mike Gillman, Taylor Stuart, Spencer closer than 18 points the Indians notched as they Bonner, Devin McAnderson, Ramone McAnderson, outscored their opposition 317-113. Mike Evans, Sheahon Zenger, Rob Garner, Nolan Graduation claimed five players who earned allHenderson Offense: Shotgun Spread Defense: 3-4 league honors off that stingy defense, including AllClass 6A pick Nik Grubbs and first-team all-leaguer Returning lettermen: 16 Jalin Harper. A solid nucleus does return, led by Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Jax Dineen, RB, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Keenan Garber, WR/ second-team all-league linebacker David Hernandez DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Turner Corcoran, OL, 6-6, 285, Jr.; and fellow senior linebacker Robert Houston. Shane Skwarlo, OL, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Malik Berry, DB, The Indians do return their best offensive weapon 6-3, 205, Sr.; Jalen Nash, LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Lovette from a year ago in senior back Kevontae McDonald, Epelle, DL, 6-0, 235, Jr. Brent Maycock who ran for 1,245 yards and 18 touchdowns last
LAWRENCE
The 2017 season marked the end of an era for Lawrence football. For nearly 30 years, Dirk Wedd roamed the sidelines for the program, the past 18 as the Lions’ head coach. But prior to the start of the 2017 season, Wedd announced it would be his final one. The Lions did their best to send him out on a high note, but key injuries and a challenging schedule led to a 5-5 record. Wedd did pick up his 100th career victory in the season-opening win and finished his career 104-77. All five losses came to teams who finished with at least seven wins, including a pair to Olathe North. The Lions nearly knocked off unbeaten rival Free State in the regular-season finale. The task of replacing Wedd falls to a coach who has a rich history of success himself. Steve Rampy built Blue Valley into a state powerhouse, coaching the Tigers to four state championships and eight title-game appearances in 25 years, compiling a 17684 record. He spent the past eight years as offensive coordinator at Pittsburg State and was on staff for the 2011 Division II National Championship winners. Rampy inherits a team which will have a major overhaul offensively. Graduation claimed All-Class 6A quarterback Dante Jackson, who had nearly 2,300 yards of total offense last year and was the Sunflower League co-MVP. The task of replacing the three-year starter could fall to Jackson’s younger brother, Tre. Also gone are first-team all-leaguers Jalen Dudley (receiver) and Khristian Russell (line) as well as twoway standout Ekow Boye-Doe, who was a first-team All-6A selection at cornerback and is now at Kansas State. Five starters do return defensively, including three along the front line led by senior Ejae Jewsone. The unit struggled a year ago, giving up 32.4 points per game and allowing less than 20 just once. Rampy will make his Lion debut Aug. 30 against Olathe South. Lawrence only faces three teams which posted winning records a year ago. 5-5 in 2017 / 6A Sunflower League Coach: Steve Rampy (1st year; 26th overall, 176-84) Assistants: Jeff Lyster, Adam Green, Jamie Resseguie, Jeff Colter, Ben Ehret, Ron Mann, Greg Farley, Eugene Miles, Camren Torneden Offense: Pistol Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 2 Offense, 5 Defense Bryce Tibke, OL, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Caleb Mondi, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Cole Mondi, SS, 5-11, 185, So.; Sam Bart, DL, 6-4, 218, Sr.; Ejae Jewsone, DL, 6-0, 280, Sr.; Erik Galbreath, DL, 6-6, 215, Sr.; Deshawn Lewis, DB, 5-11, 155, Jr. Brent Maycock Carryout or Delivery
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LAWRENCE-FREE STATE
Going into the 2017, Free State had plenty of questions, having to replace all of its key offensive performers as well as the bulk of its front lines. But anymore, there should never be a question that when a new season rolls around, Bob Lisher and his staff find the answers to orchestrate another successful year. Last year was no different. New personnel produced a pretty familiar result. In fact, the season was one of the best in school history. Free State opened the year with a 56-9 rout of Shawnee Mission West and kept on rolling, posting an undefeated regular season and share of the Sunflower League title and winning 10 straight games. Unfortunately, the ending had a very familiar feel to it as well. For the third straight year, the Firebirds were bounced from the playoffs by Derby. Last year’s loss might have been the toughest, a 55-49 overtime decision in a game where a fumble in the final minute of regulation cost the Firebirds a shot at a game-winning field goal and two plays inside the 5 in overtime were stuffed by the Panthers. The 10-1 season gave Lisher his 150th career win, but left the Firebirds hungry after getting so close to finally topping Derby. Free State will once again have some serious holes to fill with only four starters back on offense and five on defense and graduation claiming eight first-team all-league selections, including first-team All-6A linebacker Gage Foster and standout linemen Nathan Spain, Spencer Roe, Gabe Clark and Jalen Robinson. But this time around Lisher has some known commodities to build around. For starters leading rusher Jax Dineen is back for
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MANHATTAN
season behind a line that entered the year with no returning starters. Junior running back Isaiah Childs looked impressive at several camps and combines this summer and could be poised for a breakout year. Only two lineman are back this year, seniors Christian Schlepp and James Higgs, and the backfield surrounding McDonald will be mostly new faces. The Indians open this season against Olathe Northwest before a huge showdown with Topeka High in week two, a game that could go a long ways in deciding this year’s Centennial League champion. Assistant coach Weston Moody departed to take over the Wamego program and was joined by fellow assistant Nathan Good. 8-2 in 2017 / 6A / Centennial League Coach: Joe Schartz (9th year, 73-19) Assistants: Adam O’Neill, Pat McKiney, Jim Webber, Steve Aschenbrenner, Ryan Small, Andrew Farmer, Keaton Barragar, Alex Reinecke, Danny Prater, Chad Wolf, Jason Lierz Offense: Flexbone Defense: 50 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 3 Defense Kevontae McDonald, RB, 5-11, 192, Sr.; Christian Schlepp, LG, 6-0, 225, Sr.; James Higgs, LT, 6-3, 245, Sr.; Isaiah Childs, RB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Gavin Kohn, WR, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Max Kiracofe, DL, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Robert Houston, LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Jaylynn Liggons, FS, 6-0, 175, Sr. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
OLATHE EAST
After going 3-6 in each of Jesse Owen’s first two season as head coach, Olathe East finally took a step forward in 2017. The Hawks made a two-win jump to 5-5 and for the second straight year showed marked improvement. The next step is to post a winning season and get deeper into the Class 6A playoffs, one that doesn’t seem that far off as a possibility. Even in its five losses last year, the Hawks were right there with some of the state’s best. They fell to Hutchinson by one point in the season opener, lost by seven to one-loss Free State and pushed eventual 6A state champion Blue Valley North in a 48-30 playoff loss. Though only four starters return each way for East, the nucleus is there and if Owen can capably fill the holes, East could be in for a big 2018 season. An offense which averaged 30.1 points per game returns its major weapons. Senior quarterback Hunter Thomas stepped into the starting role last year and had a very solid season, throwing for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns. Though he’ll miss leading receiver Tyjuan Lewis (35 catches, 614 yards, 6 TDs), he’ll be flanked by leading rusher Tre Kearney, who had 887 yards and nine scores on the ground last year. Thomas added 231 yards rushing and sophomore Hezekiah Newman had 308 yards and three scores, giving East a potent backfield to build upon. Senior linebacker Dwan Washington ranked second on the team in tackles last year with 50 and will team with senior Lane Warczakoski to give the Hawks a solid duo in the middle of the defense. The secondary must be rebuilt, but safety Xavior Green played enough a year ago to rank third on the team in tackles. East gets arguably its two toughest tests of the season in the first two weeks, opening against a talented Olathe North team before traveling to Lawrence to take on Free State in week two. Only one of the remaining six teams on the schedule posted a winning mark last year, so if the Hawks can survive early, they could thrive late. 5-5 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League Coach: Jesse Owen (4th year, 11-17) Assistants: Travis Greer, Nick Ash, Chris Burnett, Jamie Harris, Phil Simons, Lucas Yarnell, Jason Peete, John Thomas, Mike Thomas, Lance Larson, Benji Love Offense: Two-back Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Hunter Thomas, QB, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Tre Kearney, RB, 5-9, 170, SR.; Logan Cole, OL, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Saul Gomez, OL, 5-10, 250, Sr.; Nate Matlack, DL, 6-4, 210, Jr.; Lane Warczakoski, LB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Josh Jamison, DL, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Dwan Washington, LB, 5-10, 200, Sr. Brent Maycock
OLATHE NORTH
Coming off a disappointing 3-6 showing in 2016, Olathe North was determined to make a rare losing season an anomaly in 2017. Then the Eagles promptly got out to a 1-3 start. Instead of letting the season continue in a downward spiral, however, North got things together. Starting with a hard-fought 33-28 win over Lawrence, the Eagles ripped off six straight victories to reach the second round of the playoffs before falling 48-21 to 6A semifinalist Blue Valley. North finished the season 7-4, getting back on track. There’s no reason to think the Eagles won’t stay on the winning side of the ledger again this year. Fourthyear coach Chris McCartney has one of his most experienced teams with nine starters back on offense and eight returning on defense. North might have the best backfield combo in Class 6A this year, at least if last year’s performances are any indicator. Senior tailback Daymonn Sanchez led the Eagles in rushing a year ago with 1,075 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Arland Bruce IV wasn’t far behind, rushing for 819 yards and five scores as a rare freshman starter. The son of former All-Stater Arland Bruce III, Bruce IV likely will operate from the quarterback position this year after last year’s starter, Zac Krause, transferred to Olathe West. All of North’s top receivers return, as do four starting offensive linemen. The biggest question marks for the Eagles will come defensively after graduation claimed the team’s top-five tacklers from a year ago, including first-team All-6A linebacker Eric Dooley. Senior linebackers Jasper Earls and Savion Butner each had 48 tackles a year ago, tops among returners. North’s 7-4 record a year ago came despite the Eagles getting outscored by 11 points for the season. The Eagles will play three of their four Olathe counterparts this year and will make a late September trip to Colorado to take on Columbine.
After five seasons at the helm, Chip Sherman retired as head coach at Olathe Northwest. The Ravens were just 21-25 during his tenure, going 4-6 a year ago. Taking over the program is Aaron Hafner, who spent the past five years as head coach at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Prior to that, the former Pittsburg State Gorilla was the offensive coordinator at William Penn where he directed a rushing offense that set an NAIA record for yards in a season. Hafner hopes to instill a similar ground attack at Northwest, employing the flexbone triple option to replace the pro-style used by Sherman. He only has one returning starter from last year’s backfield, senior back Andrew Dumas, who was a first-team All-Sunflower League pick a year ago. Only two other offensive starters return and the Ravens only return three starters on defense, led by senior linebacker Cole Manning, an honorable mention all-leaguer last year. Northwest did win four of its last six games a year ago, reaching the second round of the playoffs before falling to SM East. Four of the six losses came to teams which won seven or more games. The schedule won’t be any easier this year, starting with the season opener against Manhattan.
OLATHE SOUTH
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For the second straight year, Olathe South posted a 4-6 mark for Craig Lewis. A loaded front schedule sent the Falcons off to a 1-5 start before they put together a late three-game winning streak. Despite the losing record, South wasn’t that far off from posting a winning season. The Falcons were only outscored by 16 points on the season and four of the six losses were by 17 points or less, including a 38-21 loss to Blue Valley in the second round of the playoffs. Lewis will have his most experienced team this season, returning 24 lettermen and a senior class which contains a number of three-year starters. The Falcons have six starters back on offense and nine on a defense which gave up 115 fewer points than it did in 2016. Senior defensive tackle JJ Neal was a second-team All-Sunflower League selection a year ago and is one of five returning Falcons who earned postseason honors. Linebacker Kolby Murphy, offensive linemen Hunter Vick and Romin Merritt and defensive back Jai Haynes were honorable mention all-leaguers. South’s strength will be up front both ways. Vick (61, 270) teams with fellow senior Tre Eaton (6-7, 270) to give the Falcons nice bookends on offense, while Neal (6-0, 280) and Zach Vesper (6-2, 265) provide 4-6 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League good size along the defensive front. Coach: Aaron Hafner (1st year) Unlike recent seasons, South’s schedule should Assistants: Caleb Barnes, Lorne Clark, Mike Steallow for a more favorable start. After opening with phens, Matt McLeod, Richie Blazevic, Justin Slaven, Lawrence, the Falcons don’t play a team which Kyle Fuchs, Avery Parker, Steve Mesa posted a winning record last year until taking on Offense: Flexbone Triple Option Defense: 4-2-5 rival Olathe North in week five. South will play all Returning lettermen: 40 four fellow Olathe schools, finishing the season with Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense newcomer Olathe West followed by Olathe East. Cole Manning, TE/OLB, 6-3, 212, Sr.; Andrew Dumas, RB, 6-1, 223, Sr.; DeMario Hanson, CB, 6-0, 4-6 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League 148, Sr.; Jake Wolfe, OL/DL, 6-0, 254, Sr. Coach: Craig Lewis (3rd year, 8-12) Brent Maycock Assistants: Mike Spotts, Reed Howard, Josh Perkins, Nate Harrison, Codi Willard, Greg Wheeler, Adam 7-4 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League Christopher, Adam Myer, Damon Bell, Zach Epps, Coach: Chris McCartney (4th year, 20-13) Graham Rees, Brandon Schwarz, Tyler Lemke, Assistants: Bryan McCall, Josh Carroll, Pete Flood, Alex Warn Kyle Swartz, Jeremiah Baer, Sean Richardson, Zach Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Johnson, Jeremy Pride, Gersom Paredes, Heath Returning lettermen: 24 Wilson Returning starters: 6 Offense, 9 Defense Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Evan Foster, FS/QB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Tre Eaton, OL, Returning lettermen: 25 6-7, 270, Sr.; Hunter Vick, OL, 6-1, 270, Sr.; AJ Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Shields, WR, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Parker Wolgaust, TE, 6-1, Daymonn Sanchez, RB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Arland Bruce 185, Jr.; Grant Stainbrook, FB, 5-6, 185, Sr.; Romin IV, RB/QB, 5-10, 175, So.; Mario Schneider, OL, Merritt, OL, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Nathan Larsen, DE, 6-0, 5-11, 215, Jr.; Jacob Dice, OL, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Garrett 210, Sr.; JJ Neal, DT, 6-0, 280, Sr.; Zach Vesper, Schnoor, OL, 6-0, 265, Sr.; Gavin Jones, OL, 5-11, DT, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Kolby Murphy, LB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; 235, Sr.; Elijah Williams, WR, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Mason Tony Lunson, LB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Peyton Wiggs, LB, Myers, Te, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Ivan Avila, TE/WR, 6-1, 210, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Jai Haynes, CB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Cannon Sr.; Jay Zarlengo, DL/OL, 6-3, 295, Sr.; Brayden Gottschalk, DB, 5-10, 180, Sr. Reisner, DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Devin Stoker, DB/WR, Brent Maycock 5-10, 185, Sr.; Savion Butner, OLB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Jasper Earls, LB, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Joe Rudolph, DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; James Thomas, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Malcolm McKibben, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Jr. BM Four games into the 2017 season, Blue Valley yards and 45 touchdowns including 462 yards and North looked almost nothing like a team that would four touchdowns in the state championship game go on to win the Class 6A state title. — his 15-yard touchdown run with under a minute The Mustangs were just 1-3, having lost three to play the game-winner. Committed to Wisconsin, while Olson added 95 tackles from his safety spot. straight games. Granted those losses came to Class Mertz has offers from nearly every powerhouse The Tigers return eight starters defensively overall FBS program in the country heading into his senior and will try to improve after giving up 24.4 points per 5A runner-up Aquinas, 6A semifinalist Blue Valley and 4A Division I champion Miege, but only one was season. game a year ago. by less than two touchdowns. He does have a proven target in senior receiver Senior QB Walker Kinney split-time as a junior, and was an All-EKL honorable mention pick. He is emerg- But once North got rolling, it was virtually unstoppa- Cameron Burt, who had 30 catches for 404 yards ble. After a loss to Mill Valley dropped the Mustangs and three scores, but the only other returning starter ing as a recruiting prospect picking up offers from on offense is junior lineman Jack Stallard, an all-EKL Pitt. State and South Dakota State in the offseason. to 3-4, they didn’t lose again. North demolished Blue Valley will get tested right away, opening with perennial power SM East 45-10 in the quarterfinals, pick. The defense only returns two starters with senior safety Kendall Hargens making 55 tackles Aquinas and taking on defending Class 6A champion avenged its loss to Blue Valley with a 44-37 double-overtime thriller in the semifinals and then ended last year. Blue Valley North the following week. In addition to Fifth-year coach Andy Sims has turned the the already tough Eastern Kansas League slate, Blue Derby’s two-year reign atop Class 6A with a 49-42 Mustangs from a perennial loser into a champion Valley has added Missouri powerhouse Rockhurst to win in the state championship game. and now the Mustangs will prove they have staying the schedule this year, making the Tigers’ trek one of Without question, it was the best season in program history and the nine wins were more than power. The two toughest tests on the schedule come the toughest in the state. half the Mustangs had logged in the previous three right away, too, with North opening against Miege seasons. and taking on Blue Valley in week two. 8-4 in 2017 / 6A / Eastern Kansas League As tough as getting to the top was, staying there Coach: Allen Terrell (2nd year, 8-4) Assistants: Rick McNerlin, Lew Rowe, Paul Brown, could be even tougher for the Mustangs as gradua- 9-4 in 2017 / 6A tion hit hard. Among the 35 seniors the program lost Eastern Kansas League Adam Kinzer, Jonathan Jost, Brandon Olney, Mel Coach: Andy Sims (5th year, 26-17) Foxx, Don Hanna, Tad Kersting, Larry Lindsay, Pat were All-Class 6A defensive lineman Miles Emery (now at Kansas), all-around back Grant Hamel Assistants: Adam Pumml, Cole Reeves, Trent McRoberts, Matt Shipley, Adam Bien (1,158 total yards, 16 TDs, former Kansas Pregame Hedlund, Cory Cox, Travis Holehan, Sonny Offense: Spread Pistol Defense: 4-2-5 coverboy now at Tulane) and standout receivers Gnuthake, John Bayless, Kyle Pacheco, Rick Returning lettermen: 30 Dylan Freberg (1,177 yards, 11 TDs, walking on at Wasinger, Kevin Stewart Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Alex Totta, LB/RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Eric Olson, S/RB, Kansas) and Nigel Roberts (1,085 yards, 13 TDs, now at Northwest Missouri State). Returning lettermen: 14 5-11, 190, SR.; Cameron Green, WR, 5-11, 170, Then again, North does return the top quarterReturning starters: 3 Offense, 2 Defense Sr.; Shane Bergeman, WR/CB, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Matt Graham Mertz, QB, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Cameron Burt, Kennedy, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Siler Tschirhart, OT, 6-7, back and college prospect in the state in senior WR, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Jack Stallard, OL, 6-3, 230, Jr; 230, Sr.; Luke McCumber, OG, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Sutton quarterback Graham Mertz. Mertz was arguably the breakthrough player in the state a year ago, a Garrett Aimutis, DL, 6-2, 270, Sr.; Kendall Hargens, Williams, DE, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Blake Richmeier, DE, transfer from Miege who had never started a game S, 6-1, 180, Sr. 6-0, 215, Sr.; Brendan Barber, DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; until last season. Brent Maycock Harrison Nabity, DT, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Grant King, DT, 6-0, 290, Sr. Brent Maycock Mertz exploded onto the scene, throwing for 3,684
OP-BLUE VALLEY
Rocked by tragedy last offseason with the death of coach Eric Driskell, Blue Valley persevered and showed the strength of the program, going 8-4 in 2017. In fact, the Tigers nearly found their way back to a third straight Class 6A state championship game, falling 44-37 in two overtimes to eventual champion Blue Valley North. The only other losses came to Class 4A Division I champion Miege, Class 5A runner-up Aquinas and St. James Academy and two of the losses were by a touchdown or less. Blue Valley’s offense was one of the most prolific in 6A with the Tigers averaging 37.3 points per game and scoring at least 20 points in all but one contest. To maintain that production, Blue Valley will have to reload at a few key spots, namely with three new starters on the offensive line. But weapons do remain in the backfield with the duo of seniors Alex Totta and Eric Olson with Totta running for nearly 800 yards a year ago and poised to become the team’s workhorse this year. As valuable as that duo is offensively, they might be even more so defensively. Totta was an All-Class 6A selection at linebacker after making 145 tackles,
OLATHE NORTHWEST
OP-BLUE VALLEY NORTH
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
OP-BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST
After building Hesston into a perennial Class 3A contender, Clint Rider made the move to Class 6A Blue Valley Northwest last year. A new coach with new systems playing in arguably the toughest league in the state led to somewhat predicatable results as the Huskies managed just a 2-7 record. Only four of Northwest’s games were decided by fewer than 10 points and the Huskies split them, beating Blue Valley West and Gardner-Edgerton by identical 35-28 scores. The losses came to Class 5A quarterfinalist St. James Academy (17-14) and Class 6A Lawrence, the latter a near-miss upset in the first round of the playoffs in a 28-27 loss to the Lions. With a year under their belt, Rider and the Huskies hope to take a step forward and get the program back to being a consistent winner. Only 12 lettermen are back as Rider leaned heavily on last year’s senior class to lay the foundation. Graduation claimed All-Class 6A end Jackson Heath (62 catches, 866 yards, 6 TDs, now at Columbia) and standout quarterback Payton Hartman, who threw for 1,990 yards and 12 touchdowns. As Northwest breaks in a new starter under center, Rider will turn toward returning back Edward Thomas to carry the offensive load. Thomas led the Huskies with 555 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last year, but Northwest only ran for 765 yards as a team — an area that will need improvement. Three starting offensive linemen do return, as do a pair of receivers — senior Tanner Sample and sophomore J. Michael Sturdivant — who combined for 46 catches and 565 yards last year. Northwest allowed 28 or more points in every game but one last year and only returns three starters on that side of the ball. Northwest could make strides this year yet without those results translating into more victories. The schedule is a rough one with four-time reigning 4A-I champion Bishop Miege and 5A runner-up Aquinas as well as Missouri power Harrisonville joining the slate this year in addition to holdovers Blue Valley North (6A champion) and Blue Valley (6A semifinalist). 2-7 in 2017 / 6A / Eastern Kansas League Coach: Clint Rider (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Patrick Gittemeier, Zack Orrick, Tenny Dewey, John Reichart, Darren Masten, Tobin Sample, Leon Washington, David Fagg’ett, Jake Hinson, Tim Serbousek, Ed Thomas, Brandon Jenkins Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 3 Defense Edward Thomas, RB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Jack Young, OL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Nate Kenney, OL, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Peyton Potts, OL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Tanner Sample, WR, 6-2, 180, Sr.; J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, 6-2, 165, So.; Jack Hungerford, MLB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Luke Vega, DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Matt LaTendresse, DB, 5-10, 175, Sr. Brent Maycock
OP-BLUE VALLEY WEST
Playing young in any classification or any league is always a challenge. Playing young in the Eastern Kansas League and Class 6A, well, it simply doesn’t add up as a recipe for success. And that explains in large part Blue Valley West’s 1-8 record a year ago. Starting nine sophomores at some point during the 2017 season, including six on defense, West struggled to stay competitive against a loaded schedule. Only three of the Jaguars eight losses were by less than 21 points. However, West did improve as the season went along. After falling to 0-6, the Jaguars topped Gardner-Edgerton for their only win and then dropped seven-point decisions in its final two games, nearly knocking off Olathe North in the first round of the playoffs in a 14-7 loss. The growing pains could pay dividends this year if West can fill some key holes. The Jaguars return seven starters on defense and six on offense, including four three-year starters. The biggest hole to fill is at quarterback. Keaton Goodale enjoyed a big senior season, throwing for 949 yards and seven touchdowns while also leading the Jaguars in rushing with 629 yards and 12 scores. He was the Jaguars’ only first- or second-team allleague selection last year. Junior Greg Riddle was the backup a year ago and should step into the job this year. He’s got a three-year starter in the backfield in junior Riley Cummings, though he only logged 39 carries for 170 yards a year ago, and leading receiver David Brown (21 catches, 341 yards) also returns. Seniors Ben Freeman and Caden Bolz are three starters on the offensive line with Freeman an honorable mention all-league selection last year. Shoring up a defense which allowed 43.2 points per game will be a priority for third-year coach Josh Koerkenmeier, and a difficult thing to do in a league packed with explosive offenses. West’s top-two tacklers are back with senior defensive back Ben Coates the leader a year ago with 71 tackles and junior linebacker Dylan Roach right behind with 63 stops. West could make big strides this year and not have it translate in the win-loss column as the Jaguars’ schedule is one of the toughest in the state. The first five games are against teams who reached at least the state quarterfinals and five of the eight games are against teams who reached the state semifinals, including 4A Division I champion Miege in week two and 6A champion Blue Valley North in week four.
Under Dustin Delaney’s watch, Shawnee Mission East evolved into one of Class 6A’s premier programs. After moderate success before his arrival, Delaney guided the Lancers to a 52-8 record in five years, capturing the 2014 state championship and finishing runner-up in 2013. Firmly established, East will get a chance to show its staying power now that Delaney is no longer around. Almost immediately after last year’s 45-10 playoff loss to eventual champion Blue Valley North, Delaney announced his abrupt and shocking resignation, eventually landing at Eaglecrest High School in Denver. The task of carrying on the program’s success was going to fall to Fred Bouchard, a 20-year veteran in Missouri, who coached Harrisonville to four Class 3 state championships before moving on to Staley and leading the Falcons to the 2011 Class 5 championship. But in a shocking move, Bouchard took an administrative position in Illinois just prior to the start of practice. According to reports by prepskc.com and 810varsity.com, QB guru Justin Hoover, a former Miege assistant who is new to the East staff this year, will run the program in the interim. Hoover will put his own imprint on the program, and returns a wealth of experience to keep things rolling for the Lancers. East will certainly miss the services of All-State tailback Milton Braasch and two-time AllClass 6A lineman Justin Finnigan, but seven starters return on offense led by senior quarterback Andy Maddox and four offensive linemen. All-6A defensive end P.J. Spencer - whose recruitment is heating up after receiving an offer to play at the U.S. Naval Academy - had 11 sacks a year ago and leads six returning starters on defense to a unit which gave up more than 20 points just three times and posted two shutouts. Linebacker Tyler Stottle was a first-team all-league selection and earned some all-state recognition. Perhaps East’s biggest weapon is senior kicker Parker Willis, a first-team All-6A pick last year. Willis has arguably the strongest leg in the state, having booted a 56-yard field goal a year ago and making 8 of 9 overall. If East’s returning players (50 lettermen overall are back) can adjust to Bouchard’s new systems, the Lancers should have no trouble staying among 6A’s elite. The schedule is favorable as well with only two teams who posted winning records a year ago.
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SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH
Life after Will Schneider was a pretty tough go for Shawnee Mission North as the Indians slipped to a 1-8 mark last year after graduating the state’s all-time leader in passing yardage and going 6-5 in 2016 It was going to be next to impossible for North to duplicate the production Schneider provided. During his career, Schneider threw for a state-record 8,901 yards, a record that was broken last year by Miege’s Carter Putz. His replacement, Dustin McKessor, was solid, throwing for 882 yards. But he only had nine touchdown passes and was picked off 11 times and the Indians didn’t give him much help in the running game, rushing for just 667 yards as a team. It also didn’t help that the Indians’ top returning offensive player, receiver Billy Conaway, was limited to five games because of injury. Conaway is healthy this year and paired with fellow senior Noah Laird should provide this year’s starting quarterback, Zach Bush, with a tandem of top targets to get the passing game going again. Both had huge seasons as sophomores before last year’s setback. The offense likely will have a different look overall as Zach Rampy takes over as head coach for Ben Bartlett, who was 12-28 in four years. Rampy was an All-State quarterback at Blue Valley and played collegiately at Pittsburg State and is the son of ultra-successful coach Steve Rampy - a pioneer in the innovation of the Pistol Spread offense - who is now at Sunflower League rival Lawrence. Rampy will be eager to show his coaching chops as well and inherits a team that does return 38 lettermen, seven starters on offense and eight starters on defense. Line play should be a strength with five starters back up front. Though the defense lost leading tackler Tanner Willmon, the next five leading tacklers return led by Brandon Ammons (45), Alex Taylor (43) and Bush (43). North will look to make big strides on that side of the ball under Rampy, having allowed 395 points last year. Last year’s lone win came against Lansing, which is no longer on the schedule. The Indians only play two teams which posted winning marks last year — Olathe North and Free State in back-to-back weeks after the season opener with SM South.
1-8 in 2017 / 6A Sunflower League Coach: Zach Rampy (1st year, 0-0) 9-2 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League Assistants: Luke Rampy, Dennis Greyliss, Trey Coach: Fred Bouchard (1st year, 21st overall) Hobson, Deron Washington, Jeremy Milne, Aaron 1-8 in 2017 / 6A / Eastern Kansas League Assistants: Justin Hoover, Danny Long, Andy Stude- Sawyer, Landon Murril, Julius Dunn, Taylor Counts, Coach: Josh Koerkenmeier (3rd year, 3-15) baker, Drew Steffen, Derrick Rider, Todd Buttermore, David Setter, Mike Bechina, Ty Henry Assistants: Ryan Copp, Danny Catnazaro, Kollin Lucas Vincent, Sean Ransburg, Andrew Gagnon, Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Ahern, Bryan Salsgiver, Randy Lowe, Mike Besler, Shawn Hair, Gary Carl, Will Gorden, Dre Carnegie Returning lettermen: 38 Mason Anthony, John Stone, Kevin Bandy, John Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple 3-4 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Haley, Mike Riley Returning lettermen: 50 Noah Laird, WR/DB, Sr.; Billy Conaway, WR/DB, Offense: Power Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Sr.; Alex Taylor, LB/FB, Sr.; Zach Bush, QB/DB, Sr.; Returning lettermen: N/A Andy Maddox, QB, 6-5, 200, Sr.; Pete Stanton, WR, Brandon Ammons, OL/DL, Sr.; Rylan Miller, OL/DL, Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense 5-8, 160, Sr.; Sam Reda, OL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Noah Jr.; Logan Wilkey, OL/DL, Jr.; Jeffrey Downey, OL/ Riley Cummings, RB, Jr.; Ben Freeman, OL, Sr.; Steele, TE/OL, 6-7, 265, Sr.; Joe Krause, OL, 6-3, DL, Sr.; CJ Cook, OL/DL, Sr.; Varenzon Henderson, Caden Bolz, OL, Sr.; Corbin Bates, OL, Jr.; David 270, Jr.; Daniel Scott, OL, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Garrett WR/DB, Jr. Brent Maycock Brown, WR, Jr.; Tyler Logsdon, WR, Sr.; Ben Coates, Boschen, WR, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Parker Willis, K, 6-3, DB, Sr.; Justin Darche, LB, Jr.; Dylan Roach, LB, Jr.; 200, Sr.; PJ Spencer, DL, 6-4, 260, Sr.; Ashton AndiLogan Rosner, DB, Jr.; Austin Jones, DB, Jr.; Luke no, DL, 6-0, 265, Sr.; Joseph Mohr, LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Ralston, DL, Jr.; Ike Summerlin, DL, Jr. Tyler Stottle, LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Isaiah Wright, DB, 6-0, Brent Maycock 200, Sr.; Rashawn Burney, DB, 6-0, 195, Sr. BM
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST
Coming off two straight 1-8 seasons, SM Northwest finally took the step forward last year that head coach Bo Black had been looking for. The Cougars doubled their previous win total under the former Great Bend coach, going 4-5. Northwest was only a couple plays from posting a winning season, falling 26-22 to Olathe North in the regular-season finale and 30-21 to Olathe South in the first round of the playoffs. Then again, the Cougars also posted narrow wins over SM South (7-6) and Grandview, Mo. (36-29), so maybe the 4-5 mark was dead on. Huge defensive strides keyed Northwest’s turnaround season. After giving up 406 points in 2016, the Cougars improved in a big way, allowing just 250 last season. Northwest boasted a lethal passing attack a year ago, but will have to completely revamp the offense. Graduation claimed All-Sunflower League receiver Hayden Goodpaster, which was a big enough loss,
SHAWNEE MISSION EAST
but returning quarterback Spencer Stewart transferred to Platte County, Mo. after throwing for more than 1,500 yards a year ago. In all, graudation claimed nine all-league performers, including five on the defensive side of the ball. Black hopes the steps made a year ago will carry over with a slew of new faces taking on key roles. The Cougars only play one team this season which posted a winning record a year ago, SM East, in week four. 4-5 in 2017 / 6A Sunflower League Coach: Bo Black (4th year, 6-21) Assistants: N/A Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
After winning just one game in Brett Oberzan’s first two seasons as coach and coming off a winless 2016, Shawnee Mission South made a huge step in year three. The Raiders began the season with a 22-19 win over Shawnee Mission North and added victories over Leavenworth and Shawnee Mission West before it was all said and done, tripling its win total with a 3-6 campaign. The breakthrough season was done largely with underclassmen filling key roles, giving South and Oberzan hope that the program can continue its climb to become a consistent winner. South hasn’t posted a winning season since going 5-4 in 2000. Another year of maturity could help South become more productive offensively after the Raiders only managed 15.4 points per game a year ago. South lost its leading rusher, but seniors Jack Roberts, Marquez Briscoe and Hunter Carpenter all logged Brent Maycock significant carries with Roberts returning at quarterback and flanked by the other two in the backfield. Five linemen also return among the nine starters back on offense with junior Parish Bruce the biggest of them at 6-1, 290 pounds. The defense returns six starters, including leading tackler, senior LB Austin Conner. The unit showed marked improvement a year ago, giving up just 223 points (24.8 per game) after allowing 350 in ‘16.
Only one team on South’s schedule this year finished above .500 last year, Shawnee Mission East in week five. That opportunity doesn’t come along often so if the Raiders are to take the next step, the time would appear to be now. 3-6 in 2017 / 6A Sunflower League Coach: Brett Oberzan (4th year, 4-23) Assistants: Tre’Von Wallace, Chris Bervert, Joe Kennard, Bobby Ray, Garrett Graves, Sam Jacobsen, Chris Kiblen, Derek Bayles, Aaron McGee, Kevin Murphy Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 6 Defense Marquez Briscoe, RB, 5-11, 162, Sr.; Hunter Carpenter, DB/RB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Austin Conner, LB/ OL, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Sidney Hales, DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Sean Kirby, WR, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Trevor Locke, OL, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Sam Macklin, DB/WR, 6-0, 135, SR.; Matt MIller, OL, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Ethan Offutt, OL, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Jack Roberts, QB, 6-3, 175, SR.; Nolan Thimmesch, OLB/RB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Parish Bruce, OL, 6-1, 290, Jr. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SHAWNEE MISSION WEST
TOPEKA
Few teams enter the 2018 season with as much to prove as Shawnee Mission West. Mainly, the Vikings want to prove that the 2017 season was the exception and not a new norm for the program. A consistent winner for the bulk of Tim Callaghan’s tenure, West simply had one of those years last season when nothing went its way. The Vikings began the season with a 56-9 loss to Free State and never really recovered. A 16-14 loss to Leavenworth the following week was the closest the Vikings came to victory in the season with a goose egg in the win column as the Vikings went 0-9. Entering his 16th season, Callaghan anticipates a bounce-back campaign from his program. There’s reason for that train of thought as West returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense. Senior lineman Dante Smith Posey is the lone twoway starter and was a second-team All-Sunflower League selection on offense last year. That unit should be a strength for the Vikings this year with all five starters back. Five other players who were honorable mention all-league performers last year also are among the returning starters. West’s schedule should be conducive to getting the program back on track. Only two of the eight opponents posted winning records a year ago, Olathe North and Free State, whom the Vikings play in back-to-back weeks. League newcomers Olathe West (new school) and Gardner-Edgerton (Eastern Kansas League last year) join the slate.
Mixing in a handful of transfers to an already veteran lineup, Topeka High might have entered the season wondering just how all the pieces would fit together. Turns out, the chemistry was spot on and concocted a formula for another successful season. The Trojans boasted one of the top offenses in Class 6A, averaging 47.8 points per game. About the only disappointment came in another early exit from the Class 6A state playoffs. After posting a 7-1 regular season, the Trojans rolled Wichita South in the playoff opener before dropping a heart-breaking 24-21 loss to Garden City in the second round. It marked the fourth time in five years the Trojans have won at least seven games, but failed to advance beyond the 10th game. One can be sure Topeka High will enter the 2018 season determined to make a deeper run, and the Trojans have the firepower to make good on those intentions. For starters, High boasts one of the state’s top running backs in junior Ky Thomas. A starter from the his first day, Thomas followed up a freshman season where he ran for 1,272 yards and 16 touchdowns with 1,771 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing as a sophomore. Already with 3,043 yards, Thomas is on a fast track to become one of the state’s all-time leading rushers. His presence alone makes High a huge threat to any opposing defense. But he’s got plenty to go with him. Junior quarterback Davonshai Harden was stellar in his first year at High after transferring from Highland Park, throwing for 1,738 yards and 19 0-9 in 2017 / 6A / Sunflower League touchdowns and rushing for 542 yards and seven Coach: Tim Callaghan (16th year, 103-54) scores. Jacquez Barksdale added 922 yards and Assistants: Steve Szczygiel, Todd Reed, Martez 15 touchdowns rushing as well, giving the Trojans a Wesley, Tommie Davis, Courtney Porter, Brandon triple threat out of the backfield. May, Brandon Claypool, Chris West, Ryan Lonergan, The only question marks on offense is who will John Stonner, Rakeem Abdul replace Larry White as Harden’s main target and Offense: Pro Style Defense: 3-4 who will fill the holes on the o-line where four starters Returning lettermen: N/A graduated, including All-6A pick Tanner Matthias. Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Eight starters return for a Topeka High defense Dante Smith Posey, OL/DL, 6-5, 266, Sr.; Treyvon which was much improved a year ago, allowing just Gilyard, OLB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Will Humphreys, DB, 18 points per game. Leading tackler Tre’Vaughn 6-0, 180, Sr.; Elo Koudou, DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Aleoe Ranier has graduated, but senior Grant Cooney Gentry, DB, 5-11, 181, Sr.; Sebastian Garcia, DB, emerged at defensive end in his first year after 5-10, 165, Sr.; Julian Cuevas, LB, 5-9, 205, Sr.; coming over from Shawnee Heights. Bobby Kelly, LB, 6-0, 175; Xavier Gleese, TE, 6-2, A mere 10 points separated High from being a 185, Sr.; CJ Callaghan, QB, 6-3, 215, Jr.; Wes Clark, perfect 10-0 and reaching the 6A quarters for the first WR, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Adam Hawkins, OL, 5-11, 220, time since 2012. In addition to the three-point loss to Jr.; Luke Jones, FB, 5-11, 210, Jr.; Mark Tines, OL, Garden City, Topeka High dropped a 21-14 decision 6-0, 211, Sr.; Meshack Kioko, OL, 6-3, 220, Sr.; to Manhattan which forced the Trojans to share the Chase Webb, OL, 5-11, 210, Sr. league title with the Indians and Shawnee Heights. Brent Maycock 8-2 in 2017 / 6A / Centennial League Coach: Walt Alexander (13th year, 70-46) Assistants: Luke Coffman, Blake Alexander, Tony Canacari, JD Keppler, Carlos Kelly, Jason Nichol Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 21 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 8 Defense Ky Thomas, RB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Jacqez Barksdale, RB, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Davonshai Harden, QB, 6-4, 190, Jr.; Jalen Blackwell, TE, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Grant Cooney, OT/DE, 6-6, 235, Sr.; Cameron Harris, DE, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Carson Klingerman, LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Kee’Andre Smith, CB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; DeAndre Anderson, LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Logan Gage, FS, 6-0, 170, Sr. BM
WICHITA-NORTH
Look at the powerhouse institutions in the Wichita area. The Derbys and Bishop Carrolls of the world almost always enlist triple-digit student-athletes to the practice field. Much more goes into building a dynasty than that, but strength in numbers is a surefire place to start. So while Wichita North likely is not in the title hunt this year, the 100-plus players out this summer signaled a school that yearns for a turnaround. “Having numbers out is critical for us in terms of helping to build a sense of urgency among the players as they compete for playing time and roster spots,” said North coach Scott Moshier. “We are very happy with the progress that we have made so far, and we look forward to what year two brings our team and staff.” Take a step back. Be candid. North has been the proverbial punching bag program in the City League. North has not won more than one game in a season since 2009, and is saddled with a 21-game losing streak entering this year. North scored the fewest points and gave up the most points in all of 6A a season ago. The numbers are real and unavoidable. But move the conversation to the positives. It will take a respected and well-traveled coach to swing the pendulum. North may well have that in second-year coach Moshier, a Wichita native with more than 150 wins on his resumé. Moshier returns
a couple cornerstone linemen in seniors Thomas Kucera and Jacob Bagby. Holding fort on the lines at the 6A level is paramount. Kucera and Bagby give North a puncher’s chance to do so. North has poured its foundation for progress. “We did a decent job of controlling the ball at times with many drives taking 10 or more snaps, but we have to be more consistent when it comes to completing the drives in the end zone,” Moshier said. “Improving on defense has been priority No. 1 in the off-season.”
0-9 in 2017 / 6A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Scott Moshier (2nd year, 0-9; 28th overall, 158-115) Assistants: Jordan Moshier, Mitch Kucera, Albert Herrera, Eli Copeland, Jack Ewings III, Quinton Burgess, Lorne Williams Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 30 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Thomas Kucera, C, 5-9, 250, Sr.; Chris Zaricki, WR/ DB, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Jacob Bagby, TE/DL, 6-4, 240, Sr.; Angel Martinez, DB, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Christian Dodd, OL, 5-10, 240, Jr.; Jamari Hoy, Rb, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Silas Quintero, LB, 5-10, 215, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
TOPEKA-WASHBURN RURAL
After opening the season with a 49-0 win over Highland Park, Washburn Rural dropped four of its next five games. But the Junior Blues finished strong with regular-season wins over Seaman and Topeka West. The momentum nearly carried over to a first-round playoff upset of Garden City with Rural losing just 7-0 in the No. 6 vs. 11 seed bracket game. The Junior Blues hope that late surge carries over into 2018 and with most of their key performers back, there’s every reason to believe it could. Rural returns nine starters to a defense which gave up 199 points, nearly a third of that total coming in a 59-7 loss to Topeka High. The unit will miss leading tackler Jack Hamilton and standout lineman Jacob Glendinning, but senior linebacker Tyler Ladson had 82 tackles to rank third on the team a year ago and is one of four linebackers returning who started at some point last year. A healthy Jordan White will make a huge difference for the Rural offense. A starter as a sophomore, White missed the bulk of last season with an injury. While Michael Schurig was a capable fill-in, throwing for 1,439 yards, White’s threat as a runner gives the Junior Blues another dimension at the position. He’s got capable complements as well. Junior back Jalen Carter ran for 498 yards, while senior receiver Preston Williams hauled in 36 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns. Glendinning’s presence might be missed more offensively where he was a first-team All-6A and All-Centennial League selection, though the Junior Blues do return three starters up front. Veteran coach Steve Buhler is just seven wins away from 150 in his career, but might have to wait another season with Rural’s schedule fairly tough. The Junior Blues play only league teams with the slate front-loaded with Emporia, Manhattan, Hayden and Junction City in the first four weeks. 4-5 in 2017 / 6A / Centennial League Coach: Steve Buhler (5th year, 23-24) Assistants: Jerry Cavitte, Steve Lincoln, Ryan Smith, Duane Zlatnik, Colter Scott, Josh Lamb, Tyler Pfitzenmaier, Chris Ridley, Tyler Kelly, Chris Kerschen, Jake Wampfler Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 9 Defense Jordan White, QB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Preston Williams, WR, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Jaylen Carter, RB-CB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Kort Mattison, OT, 6-3, 220, Jr.; Karson Younger, OT, 6-4, 215, Sr.; Derek Walker, C, 6-0, 215, Jr.; Tyler Ladson, ILB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Nathan Gentine, ILB, 6-1, 200, Sr.; JC Crowl, OLB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Bryce Hill, DE, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Caden Cress, DE, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Shawn Marquis, CB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Joey Blakesley, S, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Michael McCartney, LB, 5-11, 170, Jr. Brent Maycock
WICHITA-EAST
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Ene Akpan is crossing into enemy lines of sorts. The Wichita South graduate accepted his first head coaching role with a move up I-135 to Wichita East. Akpan fills the role vacated by Bill Coffman, who was 6-21 over three seasons with the Blue Aces. The early question mark is whether Akpan intends to implement a more rapid pace of play or to stick with the grinding slog that showed some promise for East this past year. The Blue Aces found few avenues to score, compiling only 101 points, but conversely, they only allowed 145 points, one of the best figures in 6A. Only 5A state champion Bishop Carroll exceeded 24 points against East. That defense will be relied upon to sustain its stinginess, starting with returning first-team City League senior linebacker Dewade Black. Clearing roadways for Black will be two honorable mention defensive linemen, Uciph McDaniel and Angel Antu. East is best off playing the long game this season. The first three weeks are comprised of a painstakingly rude awakening for a first-year coach with showdowns against Goddard, Wichita Northwest and Kapaun. Akpan revisits his alma mater in week four, traveling to Wichita South. The Blue Aces have had trouble breaking into the upper echelon in 6A. East has won five games only twice in the past decade. East was middle of the road in the City League with a 3-3 mark, snatching wins over North, Southeast and South. All three schools remain on East’s schedule this year. East football had a storied run of success in a past generation. The Blue Aces won state titles in 1982 and 1983, were runners-up in 1981 and reached the semifinals in 1976 and 1980. There is a huge talent pool to comb through – East is by far the largest school in the state in terms of enrollment. 3-6 in 2017 / 6A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Ene Akpan (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
WICHITA-SOUTH
Kevin Steiner turned around Wichita South in the wins column with a 5-4 mark in 2015 and 4-5 in ’16. Overall, Steiner went 13-32 before taking an administrative role and former assistant Paul A. Lopez took over as head coach. South opened with a 49-6 road win against Wichita North and then struggled the rest of the season with just 40 points scored in the final two months. The Titans permitted 375 points in the last eight games. However, Lopez was pleased with the development of his team in the classroom. Lopez said the team’s top priority is to have every player graduate senior year. South High football now has Academic Club of Excellence (ACE), where players can work on homework or study for upcoming exams. Lopez said it will help players be eligible on game days and improve team GPA. “As a high school program, our No. 1 goal this year is to continue achieving academic success in the classroom,” Lopez said. “Last year our team participated in the USD 259 Superintendent Challenge, our student athletes scored the second highest GPA with a 2.88 overall. Such achievements help our players look forward to continuing their education after graduation at South High.” The Titans return 10 offensive and 10 defensive starters. Four players will be three-year senior starters: running back Payton Collins, wide receiver Damian Wells, running back A.J. Scales and fullback
Jai’Schaun Brown. “The majority of the student athletes will be returning this year to continue growing and embracing the process of learning,” Lopez said. “The family atmosphere we all work to create will lead us to respect ourselves and our opponents, to learn from our mistakes, to represent ourselves, our families, and our community.” 1-8 in 2017 / 6A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Paul Lopez (2nd year, 1-8) Assistants: Ted Tafoya, Sean McDonald, Kirk Westmoreland, Sam Breeden, Kale McCullough, Anthony Stackhouse, Angel Martinez Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 10 Offense, 10 Defense Payton Collins, RB, 5-8, 235, Sr.; Damian Wells, WR, 5-8, 165, Sr.; A.J. Scales, RB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Austin Mullen, TE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Jai’Schaun Brown, FB, 5-7, 210, Sr.; Jacob McManus, C, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Jashuan Grant, QB, 5-7, 170, Jr.; Joshua Hanzen, OT, 6-1, 255, Jr.; Daylon Harris, WR, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Adam Shipp, OG, 6-0, 230, So.; Dylan Davis, OT, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Tamara Jacques, WR, 5-7, 150, Soph.; Michael Shelton, CB, 5-5, 125, Jr.; C.J. Reed, LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
WICHITA-SOUTHEAST
Entering year two with Erik Dobbins at the helm, Wichita Southeast will look to measure its progress following a 1-8 campaign. “Our main goal this season is very simple, our goal is to just get better in every facet of the game with offense, defense and special teams, but also in the classroom,” Dobbins said. “We have got to get better on and off the field to move this program in the right direction.” Elevating the defense will be a priority. The Golden Buffaloes were hit for 50 points per game, second worst in 6A. Still, there is reason for optimism on that side of the ball with seven returning starters. Among them is a full cadre of linebackers featuring experience in D’Ante Myers, Keyshon Thomas, Fontaine Dixon and Saul Guzman. The secondary and line both have multiple players with varsity time, as well. Junior quarterback Quinton Thomas returns to lead an offense that showed flickers of firepower throughout the year. He benefits from a rich stable of wide receivers to target. Southeast has held steady at 1-8 the past four years. The program has 18 wins in the past nine years, with half coming against Wichita North. Southeast will seek to extend its winning streak
over North to 10 in week three. The Buffaloes were a dynasty in the 70s, crowned champions four times and runners-up on four other occasions, with their most recent title coming in 1980. Recent years have been less forgiving, with the last winning season coming in 2008, and four coaches in the past nine years.
WICHITA-WEST
Weston Schartz begins his 25th season as head coach of Wichita West. Add up the years of head coaching experience of every other City League coach at their respective schools, and it totals 31 years. Put another way, add up the years at a school for all eight of Schartz’ opponents on the schedule this season, and they reach 37 years. As new blood filters into the coaching ranks, Schartz remains the constant. Including a 10-year 1-8 in 2017 / 6A / Greater Wichita Athletic League stint at Wichita Northwest that split his two tenures Coach: Erik Dobbins (2nd year, 1-8) at West, Schartz is 17 wins shy of 200 for his career. Assistants: Coy Noble, Blake Gordon, Joe Saia, His stamp is firmly imprinted on the City League. Lewis Winfield Yet deep runs into the postseason have been Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 elusive for West. The Pioneers lost the state title Returning lettermen: 10 game in 1997 and were a semifinalist in 2001, but that is the extent of their appearances in the final four Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense of the bracket. Dayton Evans, OL/DL, 6-2, 290, Sr.; D’Ante Throughout a 5-4 year, the Pioneers were sharp on Myers, OL/LB, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Lamontez offense, never failing to reach double digits as they Coleman, DB/RB, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Richard Reed, averaged 27 points per game. That is a commendWR, 6-4, 185, Sr.; Braxton Davis, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Saul Guzman, LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; able pace, but it may even see an uptick with eight Keyshon Thomas, WR/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr., Quinton returning starters. Senior Shakur Johnson is on the cusp of breakout stardom in the City League at Thomas, QB, 6-1, 185, Jr., Jae’Lyn Maxey, OL/ running back, featuring a coveted blend of size and DL, 5-11, 215, Jr.; Larry Cherry, RB/DB, 6-0, 180, speed. He will be asked to wear out a defense to Jr.; AJ King, WR, 5-8, 165, So.; Fontaine Dixon, ease the pressure on longtime starting quarterback LB, 5-10, 195, So. Zion Parks as West develops his protection.
Kyle McCaskey
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The defense pitched three shutouts, but faltered against elite offenses. Senior tackle Deshawn Nichols, a 6-2, 285-pound sledgehammer against interior offensive lines, will be tasked with leading the defense to a new level. The schedule is lopsided for West. The first half of the docket includes name-brand institutions Hutchinson, Kapaun, Bishop Carroll and Northwest, all coming off winning campaigns. The second half lightens, with four opponents that combined for seven wins this past year. 5-4 in 2017 / 6A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Weston Schartz (25th year, 110-89; 35th overall, 183-119) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 8 Offense, 5 Defense Zion Parks, QB/FS, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Shakur Johnson, RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Tykwon Branch, WR, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Deshawn Nichols, OG/DT, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Xavier Sellers, TB/CB, 5-5, 145, Sr.; Jon Avery, XB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Seandale DeShazer, FB, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Austin Fulgroat, OT, 6-2, 255, Jr.; Rosh Norwood, DE, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Ronnie Thomas, DE, 5-10, 205, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
Mertz/from page 67_______________________________ 5A Overview/from page 75______________________ display his mettle, a transfer made sense, and he landed at North. North finished the season 9-4, but the start was not as rosy, beginning 1-3. Miege was able to catch North early in the slate in week four, knocking off the Mustangs 33-14. Still, there were already glimpses that Mertz was about to erupt in a sensational junior year. “I think the arm strength is the No. 1 thing that jumped out to me. We knew he had a good arm,” Holmes said. “He seemed to be a kid that every single throw he made, he got the throw out on time.” Olathe East did not catch the same benefit. The Hawks jammed up with North in postseason play, one of six straight North victories to close the season. “Unfortunately, we had to play Blue Valley North in the second round when they were ascending as a team,” said Olathe East coach Jesse Owen. “Graham was certainly playing well at the time, and continued to play well as they made their run to a state title.” The Hawks established some success, including a pick-six – yes, Mertz is in fact human – that helped them carry a lead into halftime. But keeping Mertz corralled for four quarters is an exhausting chore. “He was too good in the second half,” Owen said. “Graham is very poised. It’s hard to rattle him. He is good at identifying coverages and blitzes.” By the state title game, Mertz had a flamethrower on his shoulder. He burned the Derby defense for 462 passing yards and four touchdowns, as well a score on the ground, in a 49-42 triumph for North’s first title. Areas for potential development are hard to come by. Mertz is already a well-rounded package. Maybe become a more decisive runner? Continue to immerse himself in the playbook’s schemes? Strengths rolled off tongues. Calm. Student of the game. Makes every throw you give him. Big. Powerful. Applebee broke the seal, remarking Mertz’ footwork is akin to Tom Brady. “There’s not too many weaknesses, to be honest with you. The one thing that really stands out is how phenomenal he is in the pocket. His feet are phenomenal,” Applebee said. “He doesn’t get happy feet. He doesn’t get jittery.” What is good for Mertz in recruitment is good for the state. As Holmes noted from his conversations with recruiters, one stud recruit can open doors for college teams to snoop around the area for other potential diamonds in the rough in Kansas. “Schools are starting to realize there is good talent in the state,” Holmes said. “You saw that in the Wichita area with the Wichita Northwest guys.” Mertz will garner the respect of his opponents each week. They will enjoy the challenge. But this is the Eastern Kansas League, after all – no one will be shying away from the competition, either. “When you line up and face Bishop Miege, St. Thomas Aquinas, Mill Valley, Blue Valley North and all the other unbelievably talented players in the EKL, you don’t get starstruck by anybody,” Terrell said. “You also don’t overlook anybody.” Kyle McCaskey is a freelance sportswriter from Wichita with nearly 10 years experience covering teams in south central Kansas and across the state.
pect much if any dropoff from the Grizzly attack. No team in the state packs the 1-2 backfield punch Northwest has in returning backs Breece Hall and Roy Johnson. Hall was an All-State first-teamer after rushing for 2,082 yards and 32 touchdowns and has committed to Iowa State. Johnson was a stellar complement in the backfield, rushing for 1,030 yards and nine touchdowns and also scoring multiple times as a kick returner. The duo should carry the load while the Grizzlies break in a new quarterback with a trio vying for the job including Andover Central transfer Reagan Jones, who threw for more than 1,500 yards a year ago as a sophomore starter. The offense alone makes Northwest arguably the favorite in 5A this year, but it’s the defense which could put the Grizzlies over the top. Northwest returns nine starters on that side of the ball, led by a pair of Top 22 selections last year. Defensive end Marcus Hicks - an Oklahoma commit - is one of the state’s top recruits and had 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last year. While Hicks grabs much of the headlines, it’s senior linebacker Josh Carter who has been the rock for the program and is the school’s all-time leading tackler, making 143 last year. Expect Northwest to be Carroll’s top challenger for the western berth in the state title game. But also expect plenty of depth among the remaining contenders to make the trek tough. Maize put together one of its best seasons ever, going 9-2 and reaching the quarterfinals before falling 26-14 to Carroll. The Eagles didn’t get a big season from 2016 All-5A back Dalyn Johnson, but saw quarterback Caleb Grill step up and put together a solid season in directing an offense which averaged nearly 30 points per game. Grill - who late this summer madea verbal commitment to play basketball for South Dakota State - is one of seven returning starters on offense, joined by three receivers and three linemen. Maize’s defense returns five starters, but will miss All-5A linebacker P.J. Smith, who was the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I defensive MVP last year. Perhaps the most dynamic offense in the west this season could reside at Wichita Heights, which went 6-4 last year, losing to Maize in the second round of the playoffs. The Falcons have a new coach this season with Dominick Dingle taking over the program and he inherits a team which returns five offensive starters. Senior quarterback K’vonte Baker enters his third year starting and despite missing a handful of games a year ago still finished with 1,183 yards and 20 touchdowns. Over the past two seasons he’s amassed more than 2,600 yards on the ground and will team with senior back Armaad Hubbard (592 yards) to give Heights a solid 1-2 punch to build around in the backfield. Kapaun Mt. Carmel lost its major backfield punch with the graduation of All-5A back Nick Channel, who had 1,388 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. But coming off a 6-4 season, the Crusaders will lean on a defense which returns seven starters led by defensive back Scott Valentas. Half of Kapaun’s losses last year came to Carroll, including an eight-point defeat in the regular-season finale, while the others came to 6A semifinalist Wichita Northwest and Wichita Heights, each by 12 points or less. Great Bend had the task of replacing a talented senior class a year ago, including 2016 All-State quarterback Jacob Murray, but filled the holes well enough to go 5-4 in 2017. Koy Brack emerged as Murray’s replacement, throwing for 1,049 yards and rushing for 890 yards. continued on page 83
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS 1. Wichita Northwest 2. Mill Valley 3. Bishop Carroll 4. St. Thomas Aquinas 5. Wichita Heights Others: Eisenhower, Emporia, Great Bend, Kapaun, Maize, Maize South, St. James in the semifinals. But the Saints fell short, ending the season 11-2 and finishing runner-up for the second time in four years — both title losses coming to Carroll. As experienced as Aquinas was a year ago, the Saints might be that green this year. Only three starters return on offense and four are back on defense. What does return with starting experience, however, is enough to keep Aquinas on the short, short list of favorites for the crown again this year. Senior lineman Joe Michalski was a Top 11 selection last year and is committed to Oklahoma State, while senior tailback Cameron Jackson ran for 1,272 yards and 16 touchdowns while sharing the workload with departed standouts Will Swanson and Drew Hicks a year ago. Jackson could become the workhorse this year as Aquinas breaks in a new cast of skill players around him. Early on, defense could carry the Saints, led by senior defensive tackle Javier Derritt, who is one of the state’s top recruits, and linebacker Bo Meisenheimer, who had 68 tackles last year. As has been the case in recent years, the path in the east to the 5A title game runs through the Eastern Kansas League and Aquinas’ biggest challenge to returning this year likely will come from a league rival. Mill Valley saw its string of two straight championships end with the semifinal loss to Aquinas. The Jaguars started the season just 2-4 before hitting a late-season roll, but the losses were all quality in a 7-5 season — two to Aquinas, and one each to 4A Division I champion Miege, 6A semifinalist Blue Valley and 5A quarterfinalist St. James Academy, with the Jaguars avenging the St. James loss in the playoffs. Joel Applebee has established Mill Valley as one of 5A’s best and though the Jaguars will have to replace record-setting quarterback Brody Flaming (3,726 total yards, 32 TDs) and first-team all-league linemen Mitchell Grissom and Ike Valencia, there’s enough returning to keep the Jaguars among the elite. Senior receiver Logan Talley had a huge year with 91 catches for 1,254 yards and 11 touchdowns and will help break in new quarterback Jordan Preston, a transfer from Free State. Preston also has the luxury of being flanked by senior back Cameron Young, who slipped a little from a big sophomore campaign, but still finished with 836 yards and 13 touchdowns. Perhaps more importantly, in a league filled with high-powered offenses, Mill Valley returns 10 starters on defense with All-5A pick Valencia the key loss. Senior linebacker Sage Sieperda had 128 tackles last year, while seniors Chase Shryock and Tanner Moore each had more than 90 tackles. Coming off the best season in school history, St. James Academy wants to prove it belongs in the conversation with the EKL’s top programs. The Thunder went 8-3 last year, advancing to the 5A quarterfinals before losing to a Mill Valley
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CLASS 5A
By Brent Maycock Topeka Capital-Journal Dusty Trail had been around the Bishop Carroll football program long enough to know exactly what he was getting into. When Alan Schuckman retired as head coach of the Golden Eagles following the 2016 season, Trail could have easily ridden off into the sunset with his long-time colleague. He’d served as Carroll’s offensive coordinator for all 22 years of Schuckman’s tenure and the decision to leave might have been easier than the decision to stay. Instead, Trail opted to take on the monumental challenge of replacing Schuckman, who compiled a 193-46 record, won two state championships and posted 21 consecutive winning seasons. “I agreed to do this is because I know this community and this community is in it together and we’re going to succeed together,” Trail said at the time of his hire. We’re excited about continuing the program at a high level and hopefully improving on it.” As hard as it might have seemed to improve on the legacy Schuckman left behind, Trail just might have done it. It took Schuckman 18 years to capture his first state title. It took Trail one. Benefitting from an experienced team hungry after a firstround playoff exit in 2016, Trail guided Carroll to a 12-1 season, capping his debut season as head coach with a 38-28 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas. Carroll sent notice immediately it would be a title contender in 2017, winning a 40-35 shootout with a Wichita Northwest team that didn’t lose again until the Class 6A state semifinals. The only loss the Eagles suffered was 54-45 to 6A runner-up Derby in mid-season and Carroll followed with a playoff run that included hard-fought wins over Kapaun, Maize and Goddard. In the title game, senior quarterback Braden Howell threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 94 yards and two scores. Just as big, the Carroll defense held Aquinas’ vaunted rushing attack to just 69 yards. If Schuckman was a tough act to follow, so too will be trying to defend last year’s title. Graduation hit pretty hard, claiming seven first-team All-Greater Wichita Athletic League selections. Howell is arguably the biggest loss. The All-State quarterback threw for 3,086 yards and 33 touchdowns and also led the Eagles in rushing with 708 yards and seven touchdowns. He directed an offense that averaged 39.6 points per game and scored less than 30 just twice. The task of filling his shoes will likely fall to senior Cade Becker, a starter at wide receiver last year. Eight starters return on offense overall, though only two are linemen, and Carroll has arguably the top tight end in the state in senior Clay Cundiff, who has committed to Kansas. While line play is the biggest question mark on offense, it’s the strength on defense where four starters are back to help ease the loss of All-5A pick Isaiah Carter. The linebacking corps will miss All-5A pick and leading tackler Riggs Robben and the secondary returns only senior Cale Blasi. If not for Carroll’s magical run, Aquinas would have hoisted the program’s first football state championship trophy. Quickly becoming one of 5A’s powerhouse programs under legendary coach Randy Dreiling, the Saints seemed on their own run of destiny, returning their most talented and experienced team. In fact, after a 27-14 loss to Class 4A-I champion Miege in week three, it didn’t appear anyone could stop the Saints. Aquinas scored 42 or more points in eight of its next nine games, dismantling two-time reigning champion Mill Valley
team they had beaten by 24 points in the season opener. St. James also picked off perennial contender and 6A semifinalist Blue Valley and suffered its only regular-season losses to 5A runner-up Aquinas and Kapaun, the latter of those an overtime loss. Close games were the norm for the Thunder last year with seven of their 11 decided by 12 points or less. St. James’ staying power will get tested as only four starters return on offense and three on defense. Among the losses were All-5A running back Jack Petz (1,454 yards, 23 TDs), tight end Mason Dunsmore - a Kansas State walk-on - and all-league lineman Parker Kelley. The schedule will test the Thunder as much as the anything with state champions Miege (4A -I) and Blue Valley North (6A) on the slate this year after the Thunder didn’t have to play them a year ago. While the eastern half of the bracket lost Pittsburg to Class 4A, it gained DeSoto, which made the Class 4A Division I semifinals last year. Coming off the best season in program history — the Wildcats’ only losses in a 10-2 season came to eventual champion Miege — DeSoto must find a way to replace a stellar senior class which included 18 starters, 17 of whom earned All-Frontier League honors of some kind. The Wildcats move to a new league this year with the formation of the United Kansas Conference, but maintain the same high expectations. The wild card in the east could be Kansas City Schlagle, which was the top seed going into the playoffs a year ago after posting an undefeated regular season. Riding the legs of All-5A back Ivan Webb, who ran for 2,842 yards and 35 touchdowns, the Stallions stampeded through a weak schedule, but couldn’t match the EKL horses in the playoffs, bowing out 57-12 to Mill Valley in the second round. Webb followed in the footsteps of Cornelius Ruff as Schlagle’s explosive back and now the task falls to Jaylin Richardson, who transferred from KC Turner. Richardson racked up 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore starter for the Golden Bears. The western bracket also lost a major player with Goddard — semifinalist last year after a runner-up finish in 2016 — dropping down to Class 4A this season, but the list of contenders still remains long and strong and got even stronger with the addition of Wichita Northwest. The Grizzlies drop down from Class 6A last year after making the state semifinals and going 10-2, and boast arguably the most talent of any team in the state. Northwest dropped last year’s season-opener to eventual Class 5A champion Carroll 40-35 and then didn’t lose again until getting clipped by Derby in the state semifinals and had one of the state’s most potent offenses, averaging 50.1 points per game. Even though graduation claimed 1,800-yard passer Austin Anderson and leading receiver Jaxson Reynolds, don’t excontinued on page 74
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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ANDOVER
No hype videos necessary. With a schedule that features seven of eight opponents that won at least five games – and five that played into the second week of the postseason – Andover has no breaks for a breather. That will be trial by fire for several newcomers. “Our team will be young but talented,” said second-year Andover coach Cade Armstrong. “The bottom line is our young kids have to grow up quick if we want to win ballgames.” Andover faithful can kick up their feet and watch the continued growth of super sophomore Eli Fahnestock for three more years. Already with experience under his wing that led him to earning second-team Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II honors, Fahnestock threw for 1,753 yards and 13 touchdowns to pair with 509 rushing yards and 11 scampers to the end zone. Running back Peyton Henry will complement the arsenal as he transitions into a feature role. Offensive success was a telltale sign for the Trojans – they won every game where they reached 22 points, but none when they did not. Like Fahnestock on offense, safety Isaiah Maikori is already making impactful impressions as he starts his sophomore campaign. He chased down 45 tackles and pounced on two fumble recoveries a season ago. Linebacker Preston Drake is a strong ally and a longtime starter for the Trojans. Defense is Armstrong’s specialty, and he will try to continue to whittle down points against after shaving nearly two points per game from 2016. “The key to our success this season will be relying on our young players stepping up into the spotlight,” Armstrong said. “We have a small senior class this year, so we will rely on a lot of sophomores to play varsity football this season.” The kicking duties are in good hands with nationally ranked sophomore placekicker David Kemp. 5-5 in 2017 / 5A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II Coach: Cade Armstrong (2nd year, 5-5) Assistants: Dustin Murray, Austin Bohanan, Ryan Dieckgrafe, Shawn Woods, Tyson Liston, Chad Wilmott Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Kord Thompson, C, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Preston Drake, LB, 5-6, 175, Sr.; Ben Brown, LB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Jacob Perry, RT, 6-5, 245, Jr.; Danny Helmer, LT, 6-3, 260, Jr.; Adrian Mannie, CB, 5-11, 155, Jr.; Connor Hall, DE, 6-5, 225, Jr.; Peyton Henry, RB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Eli Fahnestock, QB, 6-0, 185, So.; Isaiah Maikori, FS, 6-1, 185, So. Kyle McCaskey
DE SOTO
Expectations were high for De Soto going into the 2017 season and it’s safe to say the Wildcats lived up to them. They captured their second straight Frontier League title and the won the program’s first playoff game in more than a decade. In fact, the only thing separating De Soto from a great season and truly special one was Miege. Both of the Wildcats’ losses came to the four-time reigning Class 4A Division I state champions, including a 5624 slugfest in the state semifinals where the Wildcats traded blows for a half before the Stags pulled away in the second half. As it was, the 2017 season was one for the ages for De Soto, which finished 10-2 in its final season in the Frontier League. The Wildcats move to the newly formed United Kansas Conference this season, joined by Shawnee Heights, Lansing, Leavenworth, Basehor-Linwood and KC Turner. De Soto will make the move with almost an entirely new look to its roster. Graduation claimed 18 starters, 17 of whom earned All-Frontier League honors of some kind. Among the losses were All-State offensive lineman Marhsall Kellner, All-Class 4A picks Zach Titus, Jack Barger and Trevor Watts and standout quarterback Bryce Mohl. So what’s left? Well, returning senior linemen Devin Haynes and Michael Mashburn joined Kellner as first-team all-league performers a year ago, while fellow senior lineman Victor Berumen was an honorable mention selection. Line play will undoubtedly be a strength and a key as De Soto breaks in an entirely new cast of skill players with fullback Connor Brady the lone starter back. The holes on the defense are even greater with junior cornerback Dallas Williams the only returning starter. The Wildcats had one of the top defenses in the state last year, allowing just 150 points (12.5 per game) and posting four shutouts. With a new classification and new league, the Wildcats won’t face a single team on its schedule a year ago.
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EMPORIA
Averaging four wins per season in Corby MIlleson’s first four years as coach, Emporia hopes to make a big jump in 2018. The Spartans showed flashes a year ago of being on the brink of a breakout, beating Junction City 17-12 in the season opener and knocking off Centennial League champion Shawnee Heights 19-14 in the regular-season finale. In between, however, Emporia only managed wins over Highland Park and Topeka West. The season ended with a 44-23 loss to Kapaun in week nine. The potential is certainly there for Milleson to enjoy his best season with the program. A whopping 31 lettermen return, including seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Virtually all of the Spartans’ offensive production from a year ago is back. Senior fullback Gabe Galindo led Emporia’s ground game with 763 yards, while senior quarterback Jace Stewart accounted for nearly 1,300 total yards and 17 touchdowns. Leading receiver Spencer Stewart (18 catches, 334 yards) also returns, though he’s coming off a broken collarbone. The strength of the offense lies up front where senior Myles Livingston (6-1, 310) and junior Hayden Pauls (6-6, 250) each have picked up preferred walkon offers from Kansas. The loss of All-5A lineman Jonathan Olsson does leave a big hole, especially defensively. Emporia will have to replace four of its top-four tacklers from a year ago with senior lienbacker Anthony Delgado (66 tackles) tops among returners. Emporia originally had a bye in week three following opening games against Washburn Rural and Topeka West. But the Spartans filled the opening with Legend High School from Parker, Colo., and will play the game on a Saturday in Scott City.
4-5 in 2017 / 5A / Centennial League Coach: Corby Milleson (5th year, 15-22) Assistants: Randy Wells, Jay Adkins, Terry Taylor, Mike Sauer, Keaton Tuttle, Garrett Eck, Jason Friesen, Wyatt Kropp Offense: Spread Option Defense: 4-2-5 10-2 in 2017 / 5A / United Kansas Conference Returning lettermen: 31 Coach: Brian King (6th year, 26-24) Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Assistants: Joel Thaemert, Mark Gastelum, Bob Jace Stewart, QB, 6-3, 180, Sr.; Beau Baumgardner, Gadwood, Lynn Hoffman, Tod Hessong, Justin SB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Cade Kohlmeier, WR, 6-0, Pickens, James Grizzle, Johnathan Stark, Dale Hurt 170, Jr.; Gabe Galindo, RB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Myles Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Livingston, OL, 6-1, 310, Sr.; Hayden Pauls, OL, Returning lettermen: 16 6-6, 250, Jr.; Thomas Finley, WR, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Returning starters: 4 Offense, 1 Defense Spencer Stewart, WR, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Colton Bieker, Devin Haynes, OL, 6-0, 265, Sr.; Michael Mashburn, LB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Andrew Wendling, LB, 5-11, 165, OL, 6-1, 305, Sr.; Victor Berumen, OL, 6-3, 325, Sr.; Jr.; Connor Hoyt, DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Tyler Lindquist, Connor Flynn, TE, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Connor Brady, FB, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Anthony Delgado, LB, 5-10, 180, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Dallas Williams, CB, 5-11, 155, Jr. BM Sr.; Josh Kraft, DE, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Riley Wagner, DT, 5-11, 225, Jr. Brent Maycock Our 2018 season schedule stacks up to be a tough one,” Beck said. “But this group is up for the challenge. We return a lot from last year that have Tony Crough, a 1999 Garden City graduate and hopefully learned from several heartbreaking losses. former Fort Hays football and baseball player, served This team must be focused each and every day for as Great Bend defensive coordinator in ’13 and head the task at hand. Our biggest strength heading into coach in ‘14-15, before one year at Andover and last this season is on our defense where we basically season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers return our entire unit. Offensively, we return our coach at Hutchinson Community College. He posted backfield and a couple of two-year starters on our a 10-9 record at GB and 6-4 at Andover. o-line. We’ll look for some new faces to fill the void in Crough takes over for Randall Rath, who coached some skill positions on the edge.” three years at Hays High. Rath, known for a long stint at Oakley, is now the head football and boys’ 5-4 in 2017 / 5A / Western Athletic Conference basketball coach at Hitchcock County, Neb. Coach: Erin Beck (3rd year, 15-6) Known for his defenses, Rath led Hays High to a Assistants: Cody Carlson, Bill Maddy, Dustin 3-6 record in ’17 with the No. 6 SOS in 4A-I accordKlassen, Brandon Wells, Tony Chesney, Jeff Lutt, ing to Prep Power Index. Kelly Brack, Bryce Wells, Nathan Broeckelman, Kyle HHS scored 14.3 points per contest and allowed Kriegh Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Stack just 18.2. The Indians went 2-2 in WAC play and Returning lettermen: 20 permitted just 227 yards a game, second-best in the Returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense conference, but had just 206 offensive yards, easily Koy Brack, QB, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Dalton Miller, FS/RB, the worst in the league. 5-10, 175, Jr.; Blake Penka, LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Brock Keaton Markley returns after he had 412 rushing Blessing, LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Pablo Martinez, DE, 6-0, yards and three rushing scores, while Mason Ibarra 200, Sr.; Payton Doll, OG/DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Kaden had nine TFLs. Schroeder, C, 5-10, 240, Sr.; Andrew Wettengel, The Indians finished third in District 8 after a Week OT, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Eric Vazquez, DE, 5-11, 250, Sr.; 9 loss to Wamego (24-21). It marked the second Alan Miramontes, NG, 6-0, 230, Jr.; Joey Soupiset, straight year Hays High fell to Wamego in Week 9 S, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Gage Fritz, RB/S, 5-7, 165, Jr.; with a playoff berth on the line. HHS went 2-7, 2-7, Townshend Kurth, CB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Bryce Brown, and 3-6 in Rath’s tenure. Hays High has not made CB/WR, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Zach Seymour, LB, 5-10, 175, the playoffs since Ryan Cornelsen led them to trips Jr. Conor Nicholl in ’11 and ’12.
GREAT BEND
After a 2016 season that featured a 10-2 season and run to the Class 5A semifinals, GB dropped back to 5-4. The Panthers opened with a 41-18 win at Coffeyville and then lost 21-20 at rival Hays High in overtime in Week 2. After a 63-27 home loss versus Wichita Northwest, Great Bend won three in a row over Dodge City (38-13), Wichita West (42-18) and Wichita East (7-6). Then, GB led Liberal all game until the final seconds and lost at home, 23-21. GB won at Garden City, 20-7, before a 35-28 loss versus Goddard-Eisenhower, a double-digit seed, in the first round of the playoffs. Third-year coach Erin Beck set goals to win the WAC and compete for a 5A state championship. GB returns seven offensive and 10 defensive starters from a team that had an average margin of 27.1-22.7. The Panthers averaged 38.8 points per contest in ’16 and permitted 22.7. This year, GB is at Wichita Northwest in Week 3, home against Dodge City in Week 4 and then faces Bishop Carroll in Week 5. Senior Koy Brack completed 72 of 146 passes for 1,049 yards with a 6/7 TD/INT ratio. He led the team with 182 carries for 890 yards and 15 scores. Junior Gage Fritz had 118 carries for 685 yards and five TDs. Junior Dalton Miller, who started most of his freshman year on defense, had 66 carries for 387 yards and seven scores, along with 22 catches for 195 yards and a TD. GB was plus-14 in turnover margin. Miller led the team with 117 tackles and the top-seven tacklers are back. Miller delivered 111 tackles as a freshman.
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GODDARD-EISENHOWER
After a disappointing 3-6 season in 2016, Eisenhower entered the 2017 with high hopes of being a sleeper team in the race for the Class 5A state title. The Tigers eventually filled that role, but early on — at least outwardly — looked nothing like a team capable of making a deep run, starting the season 0-5. Lost in the 0-fer start, however, was how close the Tigers were. After a blowout loss to 6A runner-up Derby in the opener, Eisenhower lost 13-10 to a Maize team that went 9-2, and then 31-29 to Newton and 20-3 to 11-1 Goddard. A 42-14 win over Valley Center in week six finally got the Tigers going and they won five straight to reach the Class 5A quarterfinals before a second loss to Goddard, this time 28-13, ended the run. Entering the 2018 season, expectations for the program have never been higher, according to sixth-year coach Marc Marinelli. The Tigers return 32 lettermen from a year ago, including eight starters on defense and seven on offense. The hopes might be even higher if Eisenhower knew just how healthy senior quarterback Tyler Trudo will be. An offseason shoulder injury leaves his status in doubt after he rushed for 1,402 yards and 22 touchdowns and also threw for 545 yards and four scores a year ago. Collin Mackey will take over if Trudo can’t go and at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds could give the Tiger offense another dynamic playmaker. They already have one in junior back Parker Wenzel, who in two seasons as a starter already is the school’s career leading rusher. Senior back Colton MacKinnon is a run-catch threat in the backfield as well and the line is anchored by first-team All-Class 5A senior Stuart Habbert. Speed will be the strength of the Tiger defense with all four members of the secondary back led by all-leaguers Nic Cinotto and Kaden Roy. 6-5 in 2017 / 5A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II Coach: Marc Marinelli (6th year, 20-30) Assistants: Shane Harden, Travis Thurston, Russ Wells, Enrique Espinoza, Graham Ratzlaff, Corey Flax, Colby White, Peyton Lerner, Gaige Brecheisen Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 32 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Parker Wenzel, RB, Jr.; Stuart Habbert, OL, Sr.; Nic Cinotto, DB, Sr.; Kaden Roy, DB, Sr.; Colton MacKinnon, RB, Sr.; Cedrick Pannell, OL, Sr.; LJ Flax, DE, Sr.; Ty Trudo, QB/P, Sr.; Chance Omli, DB/ WR, Jr.; Cooper Ryan, DB, Jr.; Ian Steven, DL, Jr.; Khristian Fowler, LB, Sr.; Collin Mackey, QB/DB, Sr.; Jagger Blubaugh, OLB, Sr. Brent Maycock
HAYS
High is back up to 5A after several seasons at 4A-I. HHS is Kansas’ smallest 5A school with 621 students in the state’s last three-grade count. Crough has former Claflin and Fort Hays standout Layton Hickel as his defensive coordinator. Crough has enjoyed standout QB/WR combinations at Great Bend and Andover and could have another one with Palmer Hutchison at quarterback and Will Sennett at wide receiver. Hutchison and Markley were the top-two tacklers and finished third and fourth in the conference with 96 and 83 stops, respectively. Hutchison will take over for graduated two-year starter Hunter Brown at quarterback. 3-6 in 2017 / 5A / Western Athletic Conference Coach: Tony Crough (1st year; 4th overall, 16-13) Assistants: Layton Hickel, Mitch Harris, Nathan Howard, Alex Hutchins, Derek Bixenman, Kyle Hadley Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Logan Schulte, DT, 6-2, 270, Sr.; Chase Brous, DE, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Keaton Markley, FS, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Tavian Creamer, CB, 5-8, 145, Jr.; Palmer Hutchison, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Will Sennett, WR, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Mason Ibarra, WR, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Colton Schoendaller, OL, 6-0, 215, Sr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KC-FL SCHLAGLE
After going undefeated in the regular season to capture the KC-Atchison League title, Schlagle routed Highland Park 57-16 in its playoff opener. But the season came to a quick end in the next round as the Stallions were corralled by Mill Valley 57-12. Regardless of the premature end, it was a stellar season for Schlagle, which finished 9-1 and outscored its opponents 431-141. For the second straight year, Schlagle got a monster season from its feature tailback. Having to replace 2,000-yard rusher Cornelius Ruff from the 2016 season, Schlagle hitched its wagon to Ivan Webb a year ago and watched him run wild. Webb led the state with 2,842 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Clas 5A and second-team All-State honors. Webb is now at Eastern Illinois University, leaving a huge void in the backfield to fill. However, the Stallions should have a strong candidate to follow in his footsteps with the addition of KC Turner transfer Jaylin Richardson, who racked up 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore last year. Richardson will have the luxury of running behind a line that returns four of five starters from a year ago, including first-team all-leaguer Paul Beasley. Schlagle has a new coach this year in Pat Hansen, who got the job in late July. He replaces Dwayne Williams, who led the Stallions to a 17-3 mark the past two seasons. 9-1 in 2017 / 5A / Kansas City-Atchison League Coach: Pat Hansen (1st year) Assistants: Taylor Wallace, Anthony Williams, Cerenyn Macon, Stephen McIntosh, J’veyon Browning, Reggie Jones Offense: Spread I Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Paul Beasley, OL/DL, 6-1, 245, Sr.; Devin Hines, OL/DL, 6-2, 285, Sr.; Kendal Brewer, DB/WR, 6-2, 165, Jr.; Jalen Jackson, RB/DB, 5-8, Sr.; Cameron Bagsby, OL/DL, 6-3, 260, Sr.; Sam Pole, OL/DL, 6-23, 225, Jr.; Xavier Taylor, WR, 5-5, 145, So.; Manoa Ngenurabona, FB/LB, 6-1, 200, Jr. BM
LANSING
It’s not quite a complete start-over situation at Lansing, but it’s not far off. After going 2-7 in 2017, the Lions will have almost a completely new look in 2018. An assistant a year ago, Dylan Brown replaces John McCall as head coach. The former Olathe South assistant coach has brought in his old mentor, longtime Falcon coach Jeff Gourley, to join his staff as he readies for his first head coaching gig. Lansing joins a new league after the dissolution of the Kaw Valley League following last season. The Lions are now members of the newly formed United Kansas Conference, which includes former KVL foes Basehor-Linwood and KC Turner as well as newcomers Shawnee Heights, DeSoto and Leavenworth. Only 10 lettermen return as Lansing transitions to the new league, though all started either on offense or defense a year ago. Brown will continue to use the Wing T offense employed by McCall, but hopes a year of experience for some of the key components last year will help increase production after the Lions generated just 2,027 yards of total offense and averaged just 19.9 points per game. Seniors Jahleal Sweet and Tre’Matt Pledger split time starting at quarterback last year with neither really taking the position and running with it. Sweet, who threw for 429 yards and ran for 444 yards, will get the nod this year with Pledger moving to receiver. Lansing kept itself in most games last year with a defense which allowed 23.2 points per game and was only blown out twice. Four of the other five losses were by nine points or less. The unit lost its top-two tacklers with Pledger’s 54 stops tops among returners. 2-7 in 2017 / 5A / United Kansas Conference Coach: Dylan Brown (1st year) Assistants: Byron Mays, Jeff Gourley, Larry Brown, Trent Schneider, Doug Catloth, Brad Gourley, Tom Cretors, Anthony Payton Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 4 Defense Jahleal Sweet, QB/CB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Tre’Matt Pledger, S/WR, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Jourdan Bridgette, FB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Konner McQuillan, RB/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Reece Thomas, WR, 5-9, 160, Jr.; AJ Cooper, WR, 6-0, 170, JR.; Brett Pine, OL/DL, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Clay Brown, OL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Shawn McAlexander, OL, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Malachi Tinnel, DB, 5-10, 160, Sr. Brent Maycock
KC-SUMNER ACADEMY
KC-TURNER
After posting just two wins in 2016, Sumner doubled its win total last year, going 4-4. Quite frankly, fourth-year coach Andrew Wright would have been disappointed with any fewer wins with the four coming against teams who combined for just three wins total last year. With his most experienced team coming back, Wright has set even higher expectations this year. The Sabres return eight starters each way and 16 lettermen overall. The offense lost leading rusher Tavaughn Sappington (852 yards) to graduation but there is no shortage of skill players for Wright to replace that production with. Senior Nahshon Houston and junior Dominic Lee split time at quarterback a year ago and could do so again this year. Houston started the year under center and threw for 160 yards before Lee took over the position and threw for 563 yards. Senior Donell Bagley had a combined 600-plus rushing and receiving yards and sophomore Kyun Jackson led the team with 311 receiving yards and three scores as a freshman starter. Three starters also return on the offensive line. Making defensive strides will be a key for Sumner as the Sabres gave up at least 40 points in all four losses. Jackson was an honorable mention all-league selection last year, coming up with three of the team’s seven interceptions. Sumner opens the 2018 season with a pair of new opponents, taking on Plattsburg (Mo.) in the opener before facing Highland Park in week two. Only two teams on the Sabres’ schedule posted winning records a year ago.
Julian Parks’ first year as head coach for Turner went reasonably well. The Golden Bears finished below .500 with a 4-6 mark, but won a Class 5A playoff game. It was somewhat of a feast or famine for Turner. In the four wins, the Bears outscored their foes 159-51. In the six losses, Turner was shut out three times and were outscored 277-27. Parks had hoped to build on that solid start, but the offseason wasn’t kind. Not only did graduation claim six starters on offense and seven on defense, but the Bears’ top returning player, junior Jaylin Richardson, transferred to KC Schlagle. Last year, Richardson racked up 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, accounting for more than half of the team’s total rushing yardage. He also was the leading receiver. With both of last year’s starting quarterbacks also gone, the offensive workload initially will fall on the shoulders of senior Cameron Bates, who ran for 392 yards and three touchdowns last year. No other returning back had more than 50 yards, leaving Parks with plenty of questions in the backfield and skill spots. Bates and fellow senior linebacker Robert Magill also will carry the defense early after finishing second and third on the team in tackles last year. Turner moves to the newly formed United Kansas Conference after the dissolution of the Kaw Valley League at the end of last season. The Bears are joined by fellow former KVL teams Basehor-Linwood and Lansing as well Shawnee Heights, DeSoto and Leavenworth in the new league.
4-4 in 2017 / 5A / Kansas City-Atchison League Coach: Andrew Wright (4th year, 10-15) Assistants: Austin Bennett, Marcus Nolan, Jeremy Todd, Geoff Wright, Steve Williams, Mason Denk Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Bryan Hill, TE/LB, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Donell Bagley, WR/ CB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Kyun Jackson, WR/FS, 6-2, 170, So.; Nahshon Houston, QB/WR/CB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Dominic Lee, QB/SS, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Marcus Davis, WR/CB, 5-10, 140, SR.; Jeremy Ross, WR/SS, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Juan Owens, OL/DE, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Javen Betts, OL/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Wilberto Torres-Ibarra, OL/DL, 6-3, 225, SR. Brent Maycock
4-6 in 2017 / 5A / United Kansas Conference Coach: Julian Parks (2nd year, 4-6) Assistants: Andy Pinnell, Michael Brakenhoff, Shelby Steffens, Peter Neri, Boston Higgins, Jon Petranova Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Cameron Bates, LB/RB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Christian Rogers, OL, 6-3, 245, Sr.; Robert Magill, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Joseph Castle, OL/DL, 6-2, 245, Jr.; Luke Green, LB/RB, 5-9, 199, Jr. Brent Maycock
KC-WASHINGTON
A little stability might be able to go a long way for KC-Washington. Last year, Terrance Jordan became the program’s fourth head coach in four years. The constant change has taken its toll and the Wildcats have struggled to return to the competitive program it once was. Jordan’s debut season produced a 2-7 mark, the lone wins coming in back-to-back weeks against KC Wyandotte (30-18) and KC Harmon (16-8). The Wildcats had narrow losses to Atchison (33-20) and KC Sumner (35-18), but finished the season getting outscored 364-120. Senior linebacker Quantavius Jordan was a firstteam All-KC-Atchison League selection a year ago, while junior defensive end Markeith Grayson was honorable mention. The Wildcats had good numbers a year ago in Jordan’s first year, but graduated 14 seniors. 2-7 in 2017 / 5A / Kansas City-Atchison League Coach: Terrance Jordan (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
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LEAVENWORTH
After winning just one game in 2016, Leavenworth began last season with two straight wins, pulling out tight wins over Lansing (13-6) and SM West (16-14). But a lack of offensive production eventually proved costly for the Pioneers, who won just once more and finished 3-6. Leavenworth scored more than 20 points just once all season, that coming in the season-ending 40-21 loss to Shawnee Heights. For the year, Leavenworth scored just 110 points. Returning senior quarterback Robert McKinley did have a solid season in his first year as starter, throwing for 835 yards and six touchdowns. But Leavenworth didn’t have much of a presence in the ground game, producing only 878 rushing yards as a team — the bulk of that from departed back Devin Johnston (557 yards). A slightly better offense might have paid dividends as the defense wasn’t all that bad, giving up 241 points. Leavenworth held five opponents to 27 points or less. The unit will have to replace its top-two tacklers from last year with Seth Drennan’s 59 tackles last year tops among returners. The Pioneers have an entirely new landscape ahead of them this year, leaving the Sunflower League for the newly formed United Kansas Conference. Leavenworth did see two of its new league rivals a year ago — Lansing and Heights — and will see two of its former league rivals — SM North and SM Northwest — this year. 3-6 in 2017 / 5A / United Kansas Conference Coach: Mark Littrell (6th year, 17-32) Assistants: N/A Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
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LENEXA-ST. JAMES ACADEMY
Somewhat quietly, St. James Academy put together the best season in school history, going 8-3 and making it to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. The season included a runner-up finish in the Eastern Kansas League with a 6-1 mark, arguably the toughest league in the state. The Thunder actually made some noise early with a 5-0 start, beginning the season with a 45-21 win over two-time defending 5A champion Mill Valley and capping the run with a 35-28 win over perennial power Blue Valley. After losses to Aquinas and Kapaun — the latter 28-27 in overtime — St. James posted three straight wins before Mill Valley got revenge for the season opening loss with a 21-14 win over the Thunder in the playoffs. The season was still a huge step for Tom Radke’s program, which had won just two playoff games in its history before last season. The challenge this season will be to build on last year’s success after losing a strong senior class led by All-Class 5A running back Jack Petz and all-league lineman Parker Kelley. Petz was the thunder for the St. James offense a year ago, rushing for 1,454 yards and 23 touchdowns. His departure leaves a major hole in the backfield and no returning Thunder skill player had more than 250 yards on the ground. St. James also must replace 1,000-yard passer Luke Heller and standout tight end Mason Dunsmore, who is now at Kansas State. Senior Will Sharpton led the Thunder in receiving last year with 20 catches for 404 yards and five touchdowns and will help junior Jack Moellers transition to the starting quarterback job after seeing spot duty there a year ago, combining for 572 rushing and passing yards. Three starters return on the offensive line led by humongous junior Max Kalny. Radke believes the strength of his team will be on defense even though only three starters return from last year’s unit which gave up 20 points per game. The top-five tacklers have graduated, but Radke loves his linebacker combo of three-year starter Robert Stark and junior Cade Lautt. The defense will get tested even more this year by St. James’ schedule. Though Blue Valley is off, the Thunder will see four-time reigning Class 4A champion Miege as well as defending Class 6A champion Blue Valley North after not having to play either last year. Aquinas and Mill Valley also remain on the schedule, making the trek this season the toughest the Thunder have faced.
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Liberal opened 5-2 under first-year coach Jason Dunlap and finished 6-3. The Redskins had a two-win improvement from 2016 and clinched its first winning mark since a 6-4 season in ’05 under former coach Steve Warner, now at Buhler. Dunlap, a former standout in the ‘90s under legendary coach Gary Cornelsen, had previously served as middle school football, basketball and track coach in Liberal. The Redskins played the No. 27 schedule of 32 Class 5A teams, according to Prep Power Index, and scored 27.8 points a contest with 18.1 points allowed a game. Last year was easily Liberal’s best scoring defense in the last decade. In ’16, Liberal scored 24 points and permitted 27 a game. Liberal had multiple close games, none bigger than a Week 7 road win, 23-21, at Great Bend. The Redskins opened 2-0 with a 21-12 victory at Ulysses and 49-3 versus Guymon (Okla.) followed by a 20-0 home loss against Hays High. Liberal won at Wichita North, 40-6, and lost narrowly, 28-27, versus Garden City. The Redskins defeated Wichita Southeast, 43-20, at home before the big win at GB. Liberal delivered a 14-point fourth quarter comeback and beat the Panthers for the first time since ’03. Liberal trailed 21-7 before Syris Dunlap scored from 19 yards out. After a Liberal INT at the GB 32-yard line, the Redskins scored again but had the extra point blocked and still trailed 21-20. GB drove inside Liberal territory, but the Redskins earned a stop of fourth-and-short. Then, Liberal delivered a game-winning drive that included a 46-yard completion on 3rd and 17. Cesar Burciaga kicked a game-winning 23-yard field goal with nine seconds left. It marked the only time Liberal led the entire contest. Liberal finished the year with a 34-29 road win against Dodge City and then lost to Salina South, 24-14, in a first-round upset. This year, coach Dunlap has set goals “to compete every single day” and returns four offensive and six defensive starters. In ’16, Liberal had 271 passing yards, 1,951 rushing yards and 2,222 total yards. Last year, the Redskins had 539 passing, 2,229 rushing (WAC best) and 2,768 total. The Redskins permitted 2,372 yards a year after allowing 2,591. Syris Dunlap completed 37 of 79 passes for 539 yards with a 3/7 TD/INT ratio. He led the WAC with 1,137 rushing yards and 19 rushing TDs.
8-3 in 2017 / 5A / Eastern Kansas League Coach: Tom Radke (8th year, 46-24) Assistants: Matt Joshi, Tanner Hageman, Cole Orrick, Larry Beashore, Jerome Tucker, Sam Bruning, Jason Denton, Jared Herzet, Jeff Adams, Derrick Pierce, Brian Gray Offense: Pistol Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Will Sharpton, WR, Sr.; Robert Stark, OLB, Sr.; Wyatt Grable, DE/TE, Sr.; Jack Moellers, QB, Jr.; J.J. Tylicki, TE, Jr.; Cade Lautt, ILB, Jr.; Max Kalny, OL, Jr.; Ben Lidtke, OL, Sr.; Sam Weise, OL, Sr.; Tryntin Goering, DB, Sr. Brent Maycock
6-3 in 2017 / 5A / Western Athletic Conference Coach: Jason Dunlap (2nd year, 6-3) Assistants: Brandon Hyde, Nick Zimmerman, Garrett Walker, Robert Wilson, Kerri Miles, Andrew Potter, Kenny Wilson, Rustin Watt, Noel Worthington. Offense: Power I Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 6 Defense Syris Dunlap, QB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Lee Hatcher, FB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Jose Alarcon, OL, 6-0, 280, Sr.; Alan Marquez, RB, 5-7, 180, Sr.; Cesar Burciaga, DE, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Alex Yanez, DT, 6-1, 245, Sr.; Jose Aguilera, MLB, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Francisco Terrazes, SLB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Elijah McCarter, FS, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Braxton Hyde, CB, 6-2, 170, Jr.; Conor Nicholl
Excitement is beginning to pulse for Friday nights at Fischer Field. Newton snapped an eight-game home losing streak in the middle of last season, flipping the narrative into a two-game winning streak heading into this year. As the roots of the program are re-established, the Railers will do well to protect their home advantage. “We return our best weapons on offense and two three-year starters on the offensive line,” said Newton coach Chris Jaax. “Defensively, we have some tough kids who are not afraid of contact and a good amount of starting experience. Both on offense and defense, we return the hardest working kids in our program, and their leadership is a great strength of the overall team.” The framework is laid for Colton Davis to launch himself into the conversation of top signal callers in the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League. Davis thrives
on quick decisions. He threw for 1,000 yards and eight scores and added five more touchdowns on the ground as a junior. He will benefit from one more year behind longtime stalwarts Brett Ashcraft and Ethan Entz, two oak trees planted on the line. Senior back Isaiah Presley gives the run game juice, coming off 102 carries for 544 yards and eight trips to the end zone. Putting the clamps down on defense is the crux. The Railers trimmed 7.8 points per game against off their defensive performance in Jaax’s second year, but still gave up at least 20 points in every contest. Linebacker Matt Seirer and defensive back Jerik Ochoa will be tasked with being the conductors for further progress. “(Ochoa is) a very smart player who can be very aggressive against the run, but also has a lot of experience in man and zone,” Jaax said. “A great
NEWTON
MAIZE
If quarterbacks are the point guards of a football team, then Caleb Grill is in his rightful home. Grill, a 6-foot-4-inch, 180-pounder, is a coveted basketball recruit who recently gave his verbal commitment to South Dakota State University. With lineman Jacob Quiggle and wideout Cameron Grimes, Grill has several longtime starters joining him in a cast that motored for 301 points in a 9-2 trek. Additionally, defensive lineman Noah Stanton will be a rock for a unit that has high-end talent, but has room for others to solidify spots on the depth chart. “We have a team that will be led by a very good group of seniors, and we also return seven starters on offense and five starters on defense,” said Maize coach Gary Guzman. Having several starters back is a fine place to start, but the Eagles have to learn to fly without two noticeable ones – linebacker P.J. Smith, the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I Defensive Most Valuable Player, and former first-team AVCTL running back Dalyn Johnson. “We have to execute and play fast, smart and aggressive in all phases of the game,” Guzman said. Maize displayed a penchant for sealing victories. The Eagles won four games determined by 10 or less points. They hammered Wichita Heights in the opening round of the 5A postseason, 41-14, but succumbed to eventual state champion Bishop Carroll a week later, 26-14. Guzman, who coached at Wichita Southeast before trekking northwest for Maize, has been good for the Eagles’ program, constructing a cycle that mostly churns out competitive seasons even in the midst of high profile graduates. Maize’s nine-win season was its best under Guzman. The Eagles were 5-1 against teams that reappear on their schedule. The season opener at home against Valley Center provides Maize a shot to terminate a three-game skid to the Hornets that is on hold since the last time they played in 2016.
MAIZE SOUTH
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Brent Pfeifer, the only coach in Maize South’s school history, has consistently kept the Mavericks in the upper tier. The Mavericks are 6-8 all-time in the playoffs with a semifinal run in ’16 as their best season. Maize South also made the quarterfinals in ’14, ’15 and ’17. The Mavericks are 8-2, 9-2, 8-3, 8-3, 10-2 and 9-2 the last six years. Last year, Maize South became the last 11-man team to allow a point when it opened with three shutouts, most notably a 9-0 home win against McPherson in Week 2. In the playoffs, though, the Mavericks defeated Wellington, 49-7, in the first round and then lost, 287, versus McPherson in the 4A-I quarterfinals. Maize South is back up to 5A this year. The Mavericks graduated Kpreps all-state running back Max Domnick (1,324 yards, 20 scores) and allstate defensive back Tristan Knoblauch (76 tackles, seven interceptions). However, all-state senior return specialist Corey Minks is back after he averaged 24 yards per return with 627 rushing/receiving yards. Cody Fayette and Zach Saville are among the state’s top young linemen, and Brian Yocum was second team all-league. Minks, senior wide receivers Nolan Veenis and Andrew Bliss, Saville and junior defensive back Trevion Mitchell all earned all-league honors at some level last year. “Our program’s core value of ‘Dedication’ will be put to test this season, as we lose more players in key positions,” Pfeifer said. “There will be a lot of experience to replace, so time, effort, and unselfish decisions will be very important for us to continue our success. Young players will be expected to put in time and be prepared to fill positions. As long as we work unselfishly for our teammates and remain positive in our approach to practice, we can continue to be successful in building strong respectable young men.”
9-2 in 2017 / 5A Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division II 9-2 in 2017 / 5A Coach: Brent Pfeifer (10th year, 64-27) Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I Assistants: Tom O’Conner, Steve Rasmussen, Coach: Gary Guzman (8th year, 36-31; 27th overall, Brent Randolph, Monty Lewis, Rick Craig, Layne 136-118) Carter, Brandon Wolff, Aaron Finck, Alan Collier, Ben Assistants: James Hammett, Rob Helm, Rocky Hamilton Helm, Victor Mercado, JJ Milanovich, Brett Soft Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 2 Defense Returning starters: 7 Offense, 5 Defense Corey Minks, WR, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Nolan Veenis, WR, Nic DeVore, OL, 5-11, 267, Sr.; Deriq Doty, WR, 6-3, 6-4, 175, Sr.; Andrew Bliss, WR, 5-7, 140, Sr.; Brian 178, Sr.; Caleb Grill, QB/P, 6-4, 180, Sr.; Cameron Yocum, OL, 6-4, 285, Sr.; Cooper Richardson, OL, Grimes, WR, 5-9, 154, Sr.; Elijah Owings, OL, 6-0, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Cody Fayette, OL, 6-4, 280, Jr.; Zach 228, Sr.; Jacob Quiggle, OL, 5-10, 260, Sr.; Mark Saville, DT, 6-2, 300, Jr.; Trevion Mitchell, DB, 5-9, Neises, DB, 5-9, 147, Sr.; Tanner Ohnmeis, DB, 6-2, 160, Jr. 200, Sr.; Carson Shively, LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Noah Conor Nicholl Stanton, DE, 6-0, 213, Sr.; Preven Christon, WR, 6-1, 177, Jr.; Caden Cox, DB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Kyle Haas, DL, 6-0, 195, So. Kyle McCaskey The newest program in the state, Olathe West fields a varsity team in football for the first time after debuting in all other sports during the 2017-18 school season. The Owls did play a junior varsity schedule last year in its first year of existence and flourished, posting a 7-0 record. That gives first-year coach TJ O’Neill plenty of hope the Owls’ first year of varsity will be a good one. O’Neill, a former Salina Central state championship winning quarterback, took over the program after serving as Joel Applebee’s right hand man at Mill Valley for seven seasons. He was the team’s defensive coordinator for the first five years on the Mill Valley staff and served as offensive coordinator his last two years helping lead the Jags to state titles in 2015 and ‘16. O’Neill has a fairly experienced staff with assistant coach Mike Zegunis formerly serving as the head coach at Blue Valley Northwest. athlete in our program.” West will jump right into things, taking on Free State in the season opener. The Firebirds were 3-6 in 2017 / 5A Sunflower League champions last year and reached Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II the Class 6A state semifinals. West will only play two Coach: Chris Jaax (3rd year, 4-14) of its Olathe counterparts, however — East in week Assistants: N/A three and South in week seven. Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A 0-0 in 2017 / 5A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Colton Davis, QB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Brett Ashcraft, OC, Sunflower League Coach: TJ O’Neill (1st year) 6-0, 230, Sr.; Jamieson Jones, RB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Assistants: Kraig Goerl, Mike Zegunis, Mike Isaiah Presley, RB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Ethan Entz, OL, McLaughlin, Greg Morgan, Rick Sabath, Eric Kinney, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Matt Seirer, LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Jerik Ochoa, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Zach Garcia, DB, 5-10, Tyler Rodden, Sam Palm, Dee Bell, Frank Seurer, Chris Fields, Evan Gray. 170, Sr.; Dante Harper, LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Jorge Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Gutierrez, K, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Boone Roberson, WR, Returning lettermen: 0 5-10, 170, Jr.; Kolyn Sauceda, DB, 5-7, 150, Jr. Kyle McCaskey Returning starters: 0 Offense, 0 Defense Brent Maycock
OLATHE WEST
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
OP-BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST
It’s not easy gaining footing in the Eastern Kansas League and Blue Valley Southwest can attest to that. Despite having a prolific passing attack, the Timberwolves only managed a 3-6 mark a year ago. The schedule was an absolute beast with five of the six losses coming to teams which advanced to the state quarterfinals or beyond in Classes 6A and 5A. Perhaps the most disappointing loss came in the opening round of the 5A playoffs when the Timberwolves’ offense did a disappearing act and Southwest fell 10-7 to Bonner Springs. It was only the third time all season Southwest had failed to score at least 26 points. The Timberwolves boasted one of the state’s top passing-catch combinations a year ago in quarterback Will Eldridge and receiver Billy Bartlett. Last year, the duo hooked up 74 times for 974 yards and 11 touchdowns with Eldridge finishing with 1,948 yards and 18 touchdowns overall and completing 65 percent of his passes with only five interceptions. While Bartlett is back, Eldridge opted not to go out for his senior season after injuring his shoulder late last season, instead concentrating on baseball. His void leaves a big hole in the offense with Eldridge also ranking second on the team in rushing with Developing a stronger running game to complement the passing game will help Southwest, which managed just 1,069 yards as a team, led by returning back Nik Tanner, who had 420 yards and a touchdown. Three returning offensive line starters will help that cause. The biggest loss to graduation came on the defensive side of the ball. Nick Allen was the defensive MVP of the EKL a year ago and had 151 tackles, including 21 for loss. The unit also lost standout lineman Cordel Duhart (14 tackles for loss) and returns five starters overall. This year’s schedule won’t be any easier for the Timberwolves. After opening with non-league foe Lansing, Southwest faces 5A runner-up Aquinas and 6A semifinalist Blue Valley in back-to-back weeks and also has later dates with 6A champion Blue Valley North and 5A semifinalist Mill Valley. 3-6 in 2017 / 5A / Eastern Kansas League Coach: Anthony Orrick (4th year, 8-20) Assistants: Brandon Hawks, Dustin Barnes, Nick Foster, Caleb Lynch, Justin Barlett, Fritz Desir, Mike Pangborn, Ken Braden, Joe Blake, Kyle Miesner, Colin Carter, Ki’anie Brooks Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 22 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Kyle Murphy, OL, Sr.; Drew Sabath, OL/DL, Sr.; Keegan Peckman, OL.DE, Sr.; Billy Barlett, WR/DB, Sr.; Nate Adamson, WR/DB, Jr.; Yan Keuwo, DB, Jr.; Nik Tanner, RB/DB, Sr.; Jake Lamfers, FB/LB, Sr.; Tommy Zimmerman, TE/DE, Jr.; Austin Murrow, WR, Jr. Brent Maycock
OP-ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Expectations have taken firm root at Aquinas, and that really shouldn’t be a surprise. Expectations were for the program to succeed at the highest level when the school hired Randy Dreiling away from Hutchinson in the first place and his results since arriving in 2014 have only fueled them. Aquinas still hasn’t reached the pinnacle under Dreiling’s watch, but got a step closer last year. Losing only to Class 4A Division I champion Miege during the regular season, Aquinas rolled through a loaded schedule and didn’t have a victory closer than 14 points en route to reaching the Class 5A title game. The end was a bit heartbreaking as Carroll denied the Saints their first state title in program history, taking a 38-28 decision. The Golden Eagles shut down Aquinas’ vaunted rushing attack and pulled away in the second half. Getting that close and finishing runner-up for the second time in four years will undoubtedly have Aquinas hungry to take the next step and deliver the program’s first state title this year. Dreiling believes the talent is on hand to do just that, even if it’s largely unproven. After returning 10 starters on offense a year ago, Aquinas only brings back three this season. Of course, one of them is two-time All-State lineman Joe Michalski, who has committed to Oklahoma State. Fellow senior lineman Tom Tholen is the only other returner up front, and the Saints have big holes to fill in the backfield to replace departed standouts such as quarterback Will Swanson (1,500 total yards) and back Drew Hicks. However, the return of senior back Cameron Jackson gives Aquinas a big weapon to build around. Jackson ran for 1,272 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and is poised to have a huge senior season. Things are a little better on the defensive side of the ball with four starters back, though the loss of All-5A defensive back Jared Flood leaves a big hole. Senior lineman Javier Derritt was an All-5A pick last year and has committed to North Dakota State, while linebacker Bo Meisenheimer was one of the team’s top tacklers last year with 68. Junior defensive end Matthew Roberts has earned a reputation as one of the toughest defenders to block in the EKL and senior safety Jayden Russell holds several FBS offers.
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SALINA-CENTRAL
Once one of Kansas’ traditional powers, Salina Central has fallen on hard times with back-to-back 0-9 records. The Mustangs went 4-5 in ’15 and have won just one home game in the last three years. Coach Mike Hall resigned after last fall citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family. Hall went 54-64 as head coach since taking over for legendary coach Marvin Diener 12 years ago. Mark Sandbo, a former Dodge City assistant, takes over the program this fall. Sandbo is a Smoky Valley and Fort Hays graduate who coached at Dodge City for seven years. This is his first head coaching position. Sandbo was a starting quarterback and defensive back at Smoky Valley and played for his father, Gary, before graduating in ’03. Sandbo served as quarterbacks coach for three years at DC and offensive coordinator for four. He will be the sixth Central head coach in the last 59 seasons, according to the Salina Journal. Central has lost 18 straight games. Its last win was 45-18 at Newton to conclude a 4-5 record in 2015. Senior Brogen Richardson returns after he took the bulk of the snaps last year when he completed 68 of 130 passes for 920 yards with a 9/5 TD/INT ratio. He was the starting quarterback as a sophomore and threw for 917 yards with a 5/12 TD/INT ratio. Junior Jackson Kavanagh, son of former K-State quarterback Brian Kavanagh, also split time at QB and should be in the mix for the starting job this fall. Senior running back Taylon Peters has back-toback big seasons and was all-league and honorable mention all-state for the second straight year. As a sophomore, he rushed 231 times for 1,053 yards with eight rushing TDs. Last year, he cleared 100 yards in five games with 176 rushes for 981 yards and seven rushing scores. Of the team’s 1,518 rushing yards, all but 31 return. The top-two tacklers were juniors last year in Migc 11-2 in 2017 / 5A / Eastern Kansas League Aiyanyor (112 stops) and Drew Burgoon (54 tackles), Coach: Randy Dreiling (5th year, 37-13) but Aiyanyor transferred to Derby in the spring. Assistants: Kevon McGrew, Sean Thompson, Central was competitive in its first five games with Dillen Jackle, Pat Longergan, Nelson Young, Chad all but one 22 points or closer, most notably Week McKinnis, Tyler Fee, Chris Johnson, Richard Davila, 1 versus Andover (26-14), and Week 2 at Arkansas Ray Williams, Tony Raboin, Brock Howard City (24-21). However, the back half of the season Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 was rough, including a 38-14 loss to rival Salina Returning lettermen: 36 South in the Mayor’s Cup game in Week 8. It marked Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense the seventh straight loss to Salina South. Joe Michalski, OL, 6-5, 270, Sr.; Tom Tholen, OL, SC won six state titles and finished as runner-up 6-2, 255, Sr.; Cameron Jackson, RB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; three times from ’89-05. The Mustangs did make Javier Derritt, DT, 6-3, 292, Sr.; Matthew Roberts, the quarterfinals in ’13 and the Round of 16 in ’14. DE, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Bo Meisenheimer, LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Central made 17 straight playoff appearances from Jayden Russell, DB, 6-3, 185, Sr. Brent Maycock ’92 to ’08. “We have a number of team goals but all surround the mindset to rebuild the foundation that was SC football both on and off the field,” Sandbo said. Ike Valencia is a big one. Four players return who “Offensive: Ability to run and throw the football in an had at least 75 tackles, led by senior linebackers efficient manner that allows our kids to play at the Sage Sieperda (128 tackles, 14 tackles for loss) tempo they feel comfortable in. Defensive: Play fast, and Chase Shryock (99 tackles). Senior lineman physical, and gap sound defense.”. Christian Roth added 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks and forced four fumbles. 0-9 in 2017 / 5A The Eastern Kansas League schedule is never Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division I easy, but Mill Valley faces a daunting three-week Coach: Mark Sandbo (1st year) stretch against Miege, Aquinas and Blue Valley North, who all played for state titles a year ago. The Assistants: Tony Chesney, Mike Kilgore, Rick O’Neill, Brian Kavanagh, Tim Cross, Richard Brake, Derryl Jaguars have shown their resiliency the last two Hill, Adam Schneck, Eric Clayton seasons, however, and should be a factor in Class Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 5A once again. Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 4 Offense, 7 Defense 7-5 in 2017 / 5A Taylon Peters, RB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Jackson Eastern Kansas League Kavanagh, QB, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Houston Griffitts, TE, Coach: Joel Applebee (9th year, 64-25) 6-0, 235, Jr.; Riley Counts, WR, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Josh Assistants: Drew Hudgins, Aaaron Cox, TJ Finan, Morrow, DL, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Fernando Rodriguez, DL, Ian Nichols, Greg Oder, Geoff White, Zach McFall, Kurt Bangle, Josh Barnes, Kody Cook, Ryan Hellwig, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Quinton Stewart, DL, 6-2, 200, Jr.; Michael Russell, LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Drew Burgoon, Brad Scott, Matt Bdst, Isaiah Murdock LB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Jere Thomas, DB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Offense: Spread Defense: N/A Gage Prester, DB, 5-9, 145, Jr. Conor Nicholl Returning lettermen: 38 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 10 Defense Cameron Young, RB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Eli Midyett, DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Logan Talley, WR, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Ben Hanson, DB, 6-0, 175, SR.; Matt Wittenauer, WR, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Chase Shryock, LB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Tanner Moore, DB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Trevor Wieschhaus, WR, 5-11, 190, sr.; Sage Sieperda, LB, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Alex Kremer, OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Christian Roth, DL, 6-0, 230, Sr. jmbensoncpa@yahoo.com Brent Maycock
SHAWNEE-MILL VALLEY
The 2017 season didn’t quite play out like 2016 for Mill Valley, but it wasn’t far off. After winning the program’s first state title in 2015, the Jaguars bounced back from a 4-4 start to defend their crown in 2016. Last year, Mill Valley started the season 2-4, yet found its groove over the last half of the season and rode the momentum of a 35-30 upset of eventual Class 6A state champion Blue Valley North all the way to the state semifinals. A 55-21 loss to Aquinas ended Mill Valley’s bid for a third straight Class 5A state championship, but the Jaguars still finished with a respectable 7-5 record — three of the losses coming to teams which played for a state title (Aquinas twice, Miege). Even with seven starters back on offense and 10 on defense, there are some major holes for the Jaguars to fill in 2018 to keep the program among 5A’s best. Argubably the biggest is at quarterback where Mill Valley must replace Brody Flaming, who set a number of school records and last year accounted for more than 3,700 yards of total offense, throwing for 2,935 yards and 25 touchdowns. The task of filling those shoes likely falls to senior Jordan Preston, who transferred in from Free State. Preston will have the luxury of having some pretty solid complements to work with, led by All-5A receiver Logan Talley, who was an Otis Taylor finalist after having 91 catches for 1,254 yards and 11 TDs last year. Senior back Cameron Young didn’t quite match his sophomore production (1,546 yards, 13 TDs) a year ago, but still ran for 836 yards and 13 scores. Defense likely will carry the Jaguars early with all but one starter back, though the loss of All-5A end
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SALINA-SOUTH
In 2016, Salina South faced the hardest schedule in Class 5A, according to Prep Power Index, and finished 1-8 with a win against rival Salina Central in the Mayor’s Cup. The Cougars scored 14.2 points per contest and permitted 37.3. Last year, South, traditionally one of 5A’s stronger programs, took a step up with a 3-7 mark. The Cougars again faced the hardest SOS in 5A and finished with 16.9 points per game and 28.7 allowed. South started 1-6 but had multiple competitive losses and a win against Haysville Campus (42-12 at home in Week 3). Campus eventually went 5-5 and won a playoff game. In Week 1, South lost 12-7 at Valley Center, then fell 48-24 to Bishop Carroll. After the victory, South lost at Maize (21-0), versus Goddard (38-0), at Hutchinson (49-14) and at Derby (59-14). Then, South again defeated Central in the Mayor’s Cup with a 38-14 victory before upsetting Liberal, 24-14, in the first round of the playoffs. The Cougars now have seven straight wins against the rival Mustangs (margins of 3, 3, 28, 7, 7, 15 and 24), and are 11-4 in the last 15 meetings. South fell at Goddard-Eisenhower, 20-6, in the second round. Sam Sellers, in his 18th year on staff at South, his 9th at head coach, has high expectations for 2018 as the offensive line and wide receiver corps are mostly all back and the entire secondary returns. The Cougars will have multiple positional changes. Quarterback Casey Lanoue (638 pass, 42 percent, 2/5 TD/INT ratio, team-high 845 rush) graduated, along with the second- and third-leading rushers. Sophomore Terron Galloway is expected to take over under center. Kyle Quill, previously a wide receiver and safety, has put on 30 pounds and will take over at running back. Sellers expects a big year from Quill. Junior Ty Garrett, a starter since his freshman year, had 31 catches for 376 yards, both team-highs, and caught one of the team’s two TD passes. Senior defensive linemen Isaac Mitchell and Jayden Miller are multi-year starters who combined for 100 tackles, with 11 TFLs. Sellers expects the duo to play at an all-state caliber level. Miller played some as a freshman, started as sophomore and will play DE some this year. Miller can squat 600 pounds. Mitchell started as a sophomore before he earned first team all-league last year and now has an offer to play football at the United States Air Force Academy. Senior Luke Streit (72 stops, third-most) is the only returning linebacker. Senior Cai Calvert (72 stops, second-most) was first team all-league and the last of an eight-year stretch where a Calvert has played free safety. Sophomore A.J. Johnson (23 tackles) was second team all-league and Sellers calls him “super long and athletic.” South won state crowns in ’00 and ’04 with runner-ups in ’03 and ’13 with the most recent district titles from ’12-’14. 3-7 in 2017 / 5A Ark Valley Chisolm Trail Division I Coach: Sam Sellers (9th year, 51-42) Assistants: Chris Barkley, Justin Ebert, Kanean Wendell, Gary Seibel, Daniel Colton, Jim Wittman, Chris Brochtrup, Tyler Smith, Nathan Weigel Offense: Pro/Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 22 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Ty Garrett, WR, 6-3, 201, Jr.; Kyle Quill, RB/DB, 5-11, 182, Sr.; Nolan Cox, OL, 6-2, 238, Sr.; Spencer Einhaus, OL, 6-0, 256, Sr.; Karter Granzella, OL, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Zach Isaacson, OL, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Isaac Mitchell, DE, 6-4, 245, Sr.; Jayden Miller, DL, 5-11, 270, Sr.; Cai Calvert, DB, 5-11, 158, Sr.; Luke Streit, DB, 5-8, 152, Sr.; A.J. Johnson, DB, 6-2, 172, So.; Colby Bulleigh, DB, 5-11, 162, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
TECUMSEH-SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
Shawnee Heights bid farewell to the Centennial League in the best way possibile. The T-Birds went 5-1 in league play and shared the league crown with Manhattan and Topeka High, capturing its first league title since 1994. The only league loss that counted toward the standings came to Topeka High, though the T-Birds also dropped the regular-season finale to Emporia as well. The season began with Heights’ first win over Manhattan in more than three decades and also included narrow wins over Washburn Rural (20-15) and Seaman (21-14). Hoping for a deep playoff run, Heights season ended in the second round of the playoffs with a 19-0 loss to St. James Academy. Still, the 7-3 campaign matched the most wins by a T-Bird team during Jason Swift’s tenure (also 7-5 in 2014) and was just the fifth winning season in the past 15 years. The rigors of the Centennial League have played a factor in that history and was a selling point in Heights’ decision to leave the league and join the newly formed United Kansas Conference. Heights will now join three former members of the defunct Kaw Valley League — Basehor-Linwood, KC Turner and Lansing — as well as De Soto and Leavenworth in their new league and will only play one team from the Centennial League this year, Topeka High in the season opener. That will be a huge test as Heights has the major challenge of replacing a talented senior class which sent nine players onto college programs and featured six who were three-year starters. Among the key losses were All-Class 5A lineman Cade Holmes and first-team all leaguers Mitchell Lady (QB), Trey Jenkins (RB) and Connor Hicks (center). In fact, graduation claimed every returning offensive starter, leaving Swift with a complete rebuild on that side of the ball. The T-Birds return just 152 yards rushing and 144 receiving with senior receiver Tyce Brown accounting for 205 of those 296 yards. Brown was an honorable mention all-league selection at linebacker, but will move to free safety this year. He’s one of just three returning starters on defense and had 51 tackles and six interception a year ago, while defensive end Zyree White is the leading returning tackler with 54 last year. Swift will rely heavily on a strong junior class to step in and fill the T-Birds numerous holes. If the group can transition quickly, Heights should enjoy another solid year with a schedule featuring just three games against teams that won more than four games last year.
TOPEKA-HIGHLAND PARK
Faron Kraft came to Highland Park hoping to turn around a Scot program that has fallen on hard times. Three winless seasons later, Kraft has moved on. The task of rebuilding at Highland Park now is on Mike Foristiere’s shoulders. The 60-year-old coaching veteran embraced the challenge when he accepted the job in June. Foristiere has spent 35 years coaching in California, Idaho and most recently Washington. The former Oregon Duck takes over a program that has struggled mightily. The Scots haven’t posted a winning season since 1995 and enter the 2018 season on a 34-game losing streak. In last year’s 0-9 season, the Scots were outscored 481-74, managing more than one touchdown in just three games and getting shut out three times. The closest the Scots came to victory was a 43-26 loss to one-win Topeka West. Only eight seniors graduated off last year’s squad, but with them went a ton of the team’s production. Will White did a little bit of everything for the Scots, rushing for a team-high 544 yards and throwing for 430, accounting for nine of the team’s 11 touchdowns. No player who ran for more than 40 yards last season is back and the defense lost six of its top-seven tacklers, including leading tackler Angelo Plakio. Malaki Stepp had 25 tackles which is tops among returners.
TOPEKA-SEAMAN
VALLEY CENTER
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It wasn’t really a sophomore slump that hit Seaman in Glenn O’Neil’s second year as head coach. But after going 8-3 in 2016, last year’s 4-5 mark was perhaps a bit disappointing. Then again, the Vikings had some big holes to fill from its 5A quarterfinal team, including the entire starting backfield. The new faces never really found a good rhythm a year ago and Seaman only scored 204 points — nearly half of that total coming in season-opening wins over Topeka West (52-0) and Highland Park (47-6). Seaman followed with its best win of the year, 17-6 over Hayden the following week to go to 3-0, but then lost five of its last six games. The season ended with a 31-7 playoff loss to Mill Valley. With seven starters back on offense this season, the Vikings should see improved production. Senior quarterback Kobe Jones finished his first year as a starter with 544 yards passing and 259 rushing, accounting for eight touchdowns. He’ll miss leading rusher Dalton Temmen, but should get more help from seniors Sam Payne and Sam Jaurez. Payne was Seaman’s top defensive player a year ago, racking up a team-high 115 tackles — nearly 30 more than any other Viking. Jaurez added 51 stops, giving O’Neil a strong 1-2 punch in the linebacker corps to lead a defense which only returns four starters. Senior Jared Kerr is a three-year starter on the offensive line and one of three returners form a year 0-9 in 2017 / 5A / Centennial League ago along with fellow seniors Mason Frederick and Coach: Mike Foristiere (1st year) Brent Hart. Assistants: Isaih Ross, Lederick Richardson, Justin The Vikings have boasted strong special teams Hurly, Tim Bell, Shawn Thomas and senior Brock Hillebert is a weapon as both a Offense: N/A Defense: N/A kicker and punter. He converted 4 of 6 field goal Returning lettermen: N/A attempts last year, while also averaging 31.7 yards Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense BM per punt. Seaman’s toughest tests will come pretty quickly with Hayden, Manhattan, Emporia and Topeka High following the season-opener with Highland Park. For the second straight year, Topeka West went 1-8. For the second straight year, the lone win came 4-5 in 2017 / 5A / Centennial League against Highland Park. The Chargers experienced plenty of growing pains Coach: Glenn O’Neil (3rd year, 12-8) Assistants: Mike Lincoln, Travis Brown, Dawson under first-year coach Ryan Kelly, who hopes the Elliott, Rick Rineberg, Scott Peterson, Daniel Ruda, trials and tribulations his alma mater endured last Michael Ragsdale, Tim Hebert year start paying dividends this season. Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 A little more dimension from the Charger offense would help. Last year, first-year starting quarterback Returning lettermen: 19 Hunter McDaniel threw for 1,274 yards and 12 touch- Returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense Sam Payne, FB/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Kobe Jones, QB/ downs, giving West a solid passing game. But the Chargers had no running game to speak of CB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Sam Juarez, WR/OLB, 5-8, 160, whatsoever. McDaniel led them with 106 yards and Sr.; Mason Frederick, OG/DT, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Jared Kerr, OG/DT, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Brent Hart, C/ILB, 6-2, as a team, West ran for just 174 yards. 7-3 in 2017 / 5A McDaniel returns, but lost both of his top receivers 240, Sr.; Keelan Palmer, WR, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Brock United Kansas Conference from a year ago — Elliott Mehrens (479 yards) and Hillebert, K/P, 5-10, 170, Sr. Coach: Jason Swift (16th year, 76-81) Brent Maycock Chris Ellis (330 yards). Assistants: Brad Nicks, Doug Holmes, Michael West only managed 130 points all season, getting Werner, John Oshel, William Skaggs, Curtis Hamilton shut out three times. The defense struggled mightily Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-2-5 as well, allowing 432 points, including more than 40 Returning lettermen: 20 in seven of the nine games. Returning starters: 0 Offense, 3 Defense Tyce Brown, FS/WR, Sr.; Zyree White, DE/OL, Sr.; 1-8 in 2017 / 5A / Centennial League Chris Glenn, DB/WR, Sr.; Freddy Maisberger, K/ Coach: Ryan Kelly (2nd year, 1-8) DB, Sr. Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Brent Maycock Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense BM
Valley Center has tiptoed the cusp of a breakout often in recent years. In the five years prior to Caleb Smith’s arrival as coach, the Hornets won six combined games. In Smith’s five years, Valley Center scored 21 victories. As Smith relinquishes the lead role and turns the program over to former assistant Scott L’Ecuyer – a former head coach himself at Haven – Valley Center will try to live up to the tantalizing promise the program has established. “Seven starters return on the offensive side of the ball, including all five offensive lineman and our feature back,” L’Ecuyer said. “The defense only returns three starters along with a few others whose snaps increased because of our injuries a season ago.” Larry Wilson will supercharge the offense. He comes off a campaign with 815 rushing yards and six touchdowns, as well as 248 receiving yards and four more scores. With the entirety of the line back, led by blossoming junior tackle Jerod Payne, the ground game should stir up plenty of dust. The passing game has a few more questions, but will benefit from quarterback Parker Schrater being thrust into a starting role for part of the 2017 season. Schrater proved capable, throwing for 547 yards and six touchdowns to only two picks. Brennan Ricks provides a level of familiarity on the defensive line, registering 43 tackles and three sacks as a junior. Wilson is a playmaker in the secondary, as well, sniping three interceptions and taking two for touchdowns. Finding balance will be critical for the Hornets. In their five wins, no team scored more than 20 points, but in four losses, Valley Center gave up 29-or-more in each contest. “On paper, our schedule is tough. Six of the eight teams we are scheduled to play won regional titles a year ago,” L’Ecuyer said.
If there was a chance – just a teensy-weensy, squint-your-eyes-and-tilt-your-head sliver of hope – that Bishop Carroll might take a step backward toward average, it would seem plausible that those cracks would have been revealed this past year. There were none. And really, no one should have expected otherwise. While the departure of Alan Schuckman took one of the City League’s greatest coaches out of the picture, his successor, Dusty Trail, was Schuckman’s unsung confidant for 22 years. The juggernaut program was the same as it ever was in Trail’s first season, capped with a 5A state championship. “The major concern going into the 2018 football season will be replacing the major contributors and playmakers off a state championship team, and the leadership provided by those seniors,” Trail said. “Who is willing to put themselves out there and be the leaders and playmakers to make a championship run?” If finding playmakers truly is a focal point, a Division I prospect is an envious starting point. Senior Clay Cundiff committed to Kansas this summer. While his primary station is tight end, the 220-pounder is a multipurpose weapon. Senior Jackson Nichols returns as an elusive ball-carrier. The offensive line will need to reload, but Sam Niedens and Ethan McMillan are two stabilizing forces during the transition. “The commitment and work in the off-season has
will step up and fill the holes after graduation claimed every starting lineman and linebacker, including All5A lineman Dalen Williams and first-team all-league linebacker and leading tackler Javon Johnson. Senior defensive backs BJ Richard and Jamir Johnson are the only starters back. Heights won’t have the luxury of easing into the season either, opening with Maize South (9-2 last year) and facing Carroll the following week. The back end of the schedule is tough as well finishing with games against Wichita Northwest and Kapaun.
TOPEKA-WEST
WICHITA-BISHOP CARROLL
been good, and we have a good understanding that we need to ‘own up’ to our improvement and embrace the grind of hard work, commitment and sacrifice,” Trail said. Carroll’s first six opponents each won five-or-more games in 2017. The Eagles get Derby at home in week four, a chance to avenge their sole loss from a year ago.
5-4 in 2017 / 5A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II Coach: Scott L’Ecuyer (1st year; 4th overall, 5-22) Assistants: Jeff Sells, Nick Barnes, Joey Craig, Jared Ensey, Kelly Cordova, John Johnson, Miles Balthazor, Blake Pearson Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense Parker Schrater, QB, 5-8, 145, Sr.; Larry Wilson, RB/DB, 5-7, 175, Sr.; Zach Williams, WR/DB, 6-4, 185, Sr.; Spencer Niedens, C, 5-11, 250, Sr.; Alex Sanchez, OG, 5-9, 215, Sr.; Brennan Ricks, DL, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Tony Caldwell, OG, 6-0, 265, Jr.; Jerod Payne, OT, 6-2, 290, Jr.; Garrett Craft, OT, 6-0, 225, So. Kyle McCaskey
WICHITA-HEIGHTS
After spending the past 10 years as an assistant coach at Garden City, serving as the Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator, Dominick Dingle gets his first head coaching gig at Wichita Heights. Dingle replaces Terry Harrison, who in five years led the Falcons to a 37-17 record. Heights went 6-4 in Harrison’s final year, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win four straight before a late-season loss to rival and eventual Class 5A state 12-1 in 2017 / 5A / Greater Wichita Athletic League champion Carroll. The season ended with a 41-14 Coach: Dusty Trail (2nd year, 12-1) playoff loss to Maize and Heights’ four losses last Assistants: Jim Nance, Josh Mans, Jimmy Allen, year came to teams which finished a combined 38-9. Matt Bye, Jr., Brad Carey, Phil Blanton, Aaron Dingle does have the luxury of inheriting one of Havlovic, Joe Frangenberg, Dave Armagost, Steve the most talented running quarterbacks in the state. Harshberger, John Linnebur, Shane Esfeld Despite missing three games a year ago, senior Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Kvonte Baker still racked up 1,183 yards and 20 Returning lettermen: N/A touchdowns and over the past two seasons as Returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense Heights’ starter has amassed more than 2,600 yards Mason Baalmann, WR, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Cade Becker, on the ground. WR/QB, 6-5, 190, Sr.; Clay Cundiff, TE, 6-4, 220, Sr.; Senior back Armaad Hubbard added 592 yards on Gunner Lynch, WR, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Jackson Nichols, the ground as well a year ago, giving Heights a solid RB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Sam Niedens, OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; 1-2 punch to build around in the backfield. Three Cale Blasi, DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Brady Bockover, DE/P, starting linemen return and the Falcons will start five 6-0, 185, Sr.; Chris Lugo, DL, 6-0, 260, Sr.; Ryan seniors across the front, led by first-team all-league Murphy, DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Keaton Ricke, DL, 6-5, center Ryan Depperschmidt. 230, Sr.; Landon Zwiesler, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Max While the offense has a handful of questions, the Bullinger, TE, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Ethan McMillan, OL, 6-3, Falcon defense is loaded with them. Namely, who 240, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
6-4 in 2017 / 5A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Dominick Dingle (1st year, 0-0) Assistants: Malik Jareadat, Jeremy Moss, Todd Saquitine, Brent Glann, Matt Kelly, Bret Eckert, Eric Hansen, Sherdeill Breathett Jr. Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 2 Defense Kvonte Baker, QB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; BJ Richard, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Jamir Johnson, DB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Ryan Depperschmidt, OL, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Armaad Hubbard, RB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Jayden Edwards, OL, 6-0, 310, Sr.; Andrew Gray, OL, 5-10, 190, So. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
WICHITA-KAPAUN MT. CARMEL
Kapaun started the year like gangbusters a year ago. Not only did the Crusaders win their first four games, they outscored their opponents 155-6 in those contests, pitching three straight shutouts. From there, however, the schedule stiffened and Kapaun only won two of its last six games, finishing the season 6-4. Two of the losses came to arch rival and eventual Class 5A state champion Bishop Carroll, the second of those a 41-6 season-ending loss in the second round of the playoffs. Defense was a strong suit for Kapaun a year ago and should be again this year with seven starters back on that side of the ball. The graduation of linebacker Kevin Mills hurts, but senior defensive back Scott Valentas was a force in the secondary with four interceptions and 37 tackles as a second-team all-league selection. He’s one of four returners in the secondary, leaving the holes on the first two levels around returning lineman Hayden Cole, end Burton Schindler and linebacker Nick Spicer. The biggest holes, however, will be in the offensive backfield where Kapaun must replace the 1-2 running back punch of Nick Channel and Travis Phelps. Channel was a first-team All-Class 5A pick a year ago after rushing for 1,388 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Phelps was a first-team all-league selection.
WICHITA-NORTHWEST
Senior quarterback Jack Hacking is the lone returning skill player for the Crusaders, but will have the luxury of three returning starters on the offensive line. Kapaun will have its largest senior class in recent history to lean on with a solid junior class ready to step in and fill the holes. The schedule is once again backloaded after Kapaun opens with Wichita Southeast.
If Kevin Durant joined a high school football team, he would team up with star-studded Wichita Northwest. Hulking defensive lineman Marcus Hicks announced intentions to join Oklahoma. Yardage monster Breece Hall is set to join the backfield at Iowa State. Pinball Josh Carter can make a case for best linebacker in the state. But Northwest has groomed next-level talent for years under Steve Martin. What may make this crew 6-4 in 2017 / 5A / Greater Wichita Athletic League different – and a bonafide championship contender – Coach: Dan Adelhardt (14th year, 72-54) is the dearth of talent among the units. Assistants: David Roberts, Tyler Cahn, Ryan Burr, Consider the case of Roy Johnson. On most any Trent Hungate, Brad Spicer, Roy Oeser, Craig other team, the zig-zagging scatback would be Schmidt, Pat Gimino, Doug Cline, Darral Garner heaped with preseason adoration. He shimmied for Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-5 more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage as a junior. Returning lettermen: N/A Yet paired with a Division I running mate, he can at Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense times be overshadowed. Patrick Altenor, OL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Christian Werne, For all the stars Northwest can showcase, it will OL, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Jacob Schmitz, TE, 6-4, 220, Sr.; be the talent base right underneath them that gives Bill Cummings, OL, 6-0, 245, SR.; Jack Hacking, the Grizzlies a case for a 5A title chase. Hicks and QB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Scott Valentas, DB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Carter would be schemed out of plays if not for Josh Parker Manning, DB, 6-10, 155, Sr.; Hayden Cole, McElroy and Percell Finch owning their assignments. DL, 6-3, 275, Sr.; Burton Schindler, DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Hall and Johnson do not run rampant without road Nick Spicer, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Bobby Ahearn, DB, graders Javon Wheeler and Joey Duncan there to 6-1, 180, SR.; Jairus Kennedy, DB, 6-1, 175, Jr. punish defenders. The Grizzlies averaged the most Brent Maycock points per game in 6A three years running, torching defenses for an average of 49.4 points in that span.
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“If the OL can allow the Grizzlies to run the ball and take pressure off the new QB, this could be another exciting year in the program,” Martin said. Northwest will be tested with six games against adversaries coming off winning seasons. That begins week one with a potential 5A title race preview against defending state champion Bishop Carroll. Northwest has never had a losing season under Martin. The Grizzlies’ 2017 trek to the 6A semifinals was their deepest postseason journey since 1996. 10-2 in 2017 / 5A / Greater Wichita Athletic League Coach: Steve Martin (7th year, 44-19; 12th overall, 75-30) Assistants: Beau Bedore, Cole Cherryholmes, Edmund Cronn, Marcus James, Michael Lopez, Geoff Martens, Dan McKee, Jonathon Thompson, Zack Westhoff Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 9 Defense Josh Carter, LB, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Marcus Hicks, DE, 6-5, 245, Sr.; Eric Solis, DT, 5-10, 275, Sr.; Breece Hall, RB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Roy Johnson, RB/WR, 5-6, 160, Sr.; Josh McElroy, DT, 6-0, 295, Sr.; Percell Finch, OLB, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Joey Duncan, OT, 6-5, 315, Sr.; Quinton Kinchion, DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Kale Patterson, WR, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Javon Wheeler, OL, 5-10, 230, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
College Degree Tuition Free Text "GUARD" to 462769
5A Overview/from page 74_____
The Panthers will miss All-5A lineman Aaron Clark, but should be hungry after getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Eisenhower. The mild upset helped Eisenhower end a somewhat disappointing season on a high note. Just 3-5 entering the playoffs, the Tigers reached the quarterfinals before falling to Goddard. With seven starters back on offense and eight on defense, Eisenhower hopes to pick up where it left off last year. A big key will be the health of senior quarterback Tyler Trudo, who had nearly 2,000 yards of total offense, but suffered a shoulder injury in the offseason, leaving his status in doubt. If he can’t go, the load will fall to junior back Parker Wenzel,
who already is the school’s all-time leading rusher. The Tigers have a big-time lineman in senior Stuart Habbart as well. Valley Center followed up its best season in school history with a 5-4 mark last year, falling in the first round of the playoffs to Andover. The Hornets graduated standout defensive back Dalton Cross, an All-5A selection, but have a playmaker in Larry Wilson, who had more than 1,000 combined rushing and receiving yards and also starred defensively in the secondary with Cross. Emporia was just 4-5 last year, but has its most experienced team under Corby Milleson and a pair of standout linemen in Hayden Pauls and Myles Livingston, each of whom has drawn Division I interest. The Spartans also return three-year starting quarterback Jace Stewart and leading rusher Gabe Galindo.
Fellow Centennial League member Seaman slipped a bit in Glenn O’Neil’s second season as head coach after a stellar debut in 2016. The Vikings never found a rhythm offensively a year ago, but return quarterback Kobe Jones and defensive leader Sam Payne. Shawnee Heights leaves the Centennial League this year for the newly formed United Kansas Conference. Even though the T-Birds graduated every offensive starter and all but three defensive starters, an easier schedule should allow the new faces to get up to speed and Heights to position itself for a home playoff game or two. Brent Maycock is a sportswriter with the Topeka Capital-Journal with over 25 years experience covering high schools in Topeka and across Kansas.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
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CLASS 4A
haven’t been 4A since 2007 and that year went 9-2. Pittsburg was 8-3 a year ago and has to replace standout quarterback Chase Curtis. The Purple Dragons also face a daunting schedule which includes defending 6A champion 1. Bishop Miege Blue Valley North, 5A semifinalist Mill Valley, 6A Olathe 2. Pittsburg East and a trip to Ulysses in mid-season. 3. Goddard Pittsburg’s former Southeast Kansas League rival Fort 4. McPherson Scott experienced a revival last year following a disappointing 3-6 showing in 2016. The Tigers rode standout 5. Labette County back Zarek Fewell and hulking lineman Andrew Callahan Others: Basehor-Linwood, Buhler, Louisburg, to an 8-3 mark, losing only to Pittsburg, Labette County Fort Scott, Paola and De Soto. Bob Campbell traditionally fields a winner at Fort Scott and though both Fewell and Callahan are gone, along with three other first-team all-leaguers, the Tigers make the transition go as smooth as possible. By Brent Maycock likely will be a factor in the postseason. For starters, there’s Jackson, who emerged as Putz’s Topeka Capital-Journal So to could Labette County, which is coming off one of The days of a split Class 4A are over with the elimination go-to receiver last year and finished with 54 catches for the best seasons in program history. The Grizzlies went of the separate divisions in the new classification system 1,270 yards and 16 touchdowns. Miege has just as big 9-2 on the strength of a potent passing attack led by of a weapon in the backfield in junior Brison Cobbins, adopted by the Kansas State High School Activities who rushed for 1,294 yards and 15 scores last year after quarterback Easton Dean, who threw for 2,028 yards and Association last winter. 22 TDs. The days of Bishop Miege being the dominating force at having 841 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman. Dean is back for his senior season and has three The offensive line lost All-4A I pick Jack Burns, and big the Class 4A level? Well, there’s no reason to expect that returning offensive linemen, but outside of receiver Kale junior Wyett Wallingford transferred to Platte County, will end any time soon. Irwin, the rest of his skill counterparts will be newcomer Mo., but the other three starters return. The defense has Few teams in state history have dominated their classtarters. The defense lost All-4A I linebacker Rogan Bruce, seven starters back as well, led by Top 11 linebacker sification over an extended time like Miege has ruled in Class 4A. The Stags captured all four Class 4A Division I Dylan Downing (142 tackles) and standout lineman Jalen but returns seven starters led by defensive lineman Caleb Haggard. Williams (90 tackles, 26 tackles for loss). state titles, and did so in convincing fashion. The Frontier League typically places plenty of challengMiege is 66-10 during Jon Holmes’ tenure as coach and In their four championship game victories, the Stags ers in the playoffs and with the addition of Tonganoxie, until another team proves it can knock the Stags from outscored their foes 210-75 with only one of those deKC Piper and Bonner Springs to the league, the group of cided by a touchdown — a 42-35 win over Hayden in the their throne, Class 4A is their domain. candidates to make a postseason run continues. TonganThe landscape in 4A looks pretty much the same as it inaugural Division I title game in 2014. Miege hasn’t lost a oxie was 9-1 a year ago, but suffered serious graduation did a year ago with the new 4A still only containing 32 game to a Class 4A program since 2008. losses, while KC Piper had a down year with a 4-5 mark teams, though districts have been eliminated and reLast year’s Miege squad might very well have been placed with the east/west seeding used the past two sea- after a great run under former coach Chris Brindle. The its best yet. The Stags not only ran the table for a 13-0 record, but had only two games closer than 20 points — a sons in 6A and 5A. The only 4A team to really push Miege Pirates boast one of the state’s top linemen in senior a year ago, De Soto — which went 10-2 suffering its only Cooper Beebe. 27-14 win over Class 5A runner-up Aquinas and a 33-14 losses to the Stags — is now in Class 5A, while the rest of Traditional Frontier League powers Paola and Louisburg win over Class 6A champion Blue Valley North. both had solid seasons last year with Paola returning to the class experienced only a handful of changes. For the season, the Stags outscored their competition the playoffs after missing them in 2016 for the first time Those changes, however, are quite significant, both in 654-146. Total domination. in 16 years, finishing 7-3. The Panthers must replace 95 The bar has been set high, but it’s a bar the Stags have addition and subtraction from 4A. In addition to De Soto, percent of their offensive production from last year, but both Andale and Maize South are no longer in 4A with fully embraced as a program. return good size and experience up front. “We have to win another state championship, keep it go- Andale moving down to 3A and Maize South moving up Louisburg went 6-3 and missed the playoffs out of a ing,” Miege receiver Daniel Jackson said after last year’s to 5A. Andale went 12-1 last year with its only loss to Miege in tough district. Senior running back-linebacker Austin 47-7 rout of Andale in the state championship game. Moore is one of the top two-way players in 4A, however, “That’s our goal every year. There’s a little pressure, yeah. the finals, while Maize South finished 9-2 with losses to only Buhler and McPherson. Their absences will weaken and a second year under coach Robert Ebenstein will Hopefully we can carry it on.” benefit the Wildcats, who return eight starters each way. The task of carrying on Miege’s tradition will fall squarely the western half of the bracket. Basehor-Linwood had one of the top defenses in Class Two additions to the class, however, add strength with on the shoulders of Jackson and Co. as the Stags enter 4A last year, starting the season with four straight shutouts two traditional 5A programs joining 4A. the 2018 season with some pretty big question marks. and finishing with six overall. The Bobcats went 7-3 and Goddard played in the 2016 Class 5A state championThe biggest of those is how can the Stags possibly returns six starters from that defense, led by linebacker ship game, taking second to Mill Valley in overtime, and replace departed senior quarterback Carter Putz? All Nolan Ford, who also led the team in rushing a year ago. last year went 11-1 with its only loss coming to eventual Putz did during his three years as starter was completely Without Andale and Maize South, the west lost a couple 5A champion Carroll. re-write the state’s passing records. major players. However, there are plenty of tradition-rich The Lions come to Class 4A with a new coach as TomThrowing for more than 2,000 yards all three years as programs still around to make a run at the title game. my Beason replaces Scott Vang. He inherits a team which starter and 2,844 yards last season, Putz finished his McPherson was one game away from getting there last lost All-State lineman AJ Vang and standout quarterback career as the state’s all-time leading passer with 9,336 year, falling to Andale 20-13 in the state semifinals. The Blake Sullivan, but returns plenty of weapons to make a yards — more than 400 yards better than the old mark. Bullpups finished the season 10-2 with the only other loss After setting a state record with 50 touchdown passes as deep postseason run. 9-0 early in the season to Maize South. a junior, Putz added 38 more as a senior and finished with Senior back Ben Bannister ran for 1,029 yards and is One of the top defenses in 4A I a year ago, allowing one of five returning starters on offense for the Lions. The a state-record 124 touchdown passes. just 104 points, McPherson will miss All-4A end Wyatt Most importantly, he was 37-2 as a starter with the only defense returns three starters with Kam’Ron Gonzalez and Dhimani Butler forming a strong linebacker tandem to Seidl and its four leading tacklers including the linebacker losses coming to Blue Valley. combo of Jayse Alexander and Kollin Goering. Instead, the build around. Putz’s greatness makes it easy to forget he followed in the footsteps of an All-State quarterback himself, replacing The other addition is Pittsburg, which has been a playoff Bullpups may lean on an offense which returns the bulk fixture in 5A, many times coming out of a district loaded Ryan Willis. And whoever takes over the job this season continued on page 86 will have the luxury of having a strong cast around him to with Eastern Kansas League teams. The Purple Dragons
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
By Ryan Atkinson For Kansas Pregame Chris Brindle remembers when he first took notice of Cooper Beebe’s abilities on the football field. “It was seeing him at the young camps in the summers when he was a kid,” says Brindle, who is transitioning from head coach to assistant coach at Piper this season as former Miller Valley asssistant coach Rick Pollard takes over. “That was the first evidence I had that he was going to be special.” Of course, Brindle already knew the Beebe name. Cooper’s oldest brother Collin was a freshman when Brindle took over at Piper, and he later coached his brother Colton, now a junior tight end for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Beebe’s father, Thomas, played football at Pittsburg State. “It’s definitely challenging,” Cooper said of growing up in a competitive, athletic family. “There’s always a lot of pressure to be like your brother. I always feel pressure to perform like my brother did. “What really helps me is just having my brother talk to me. He always reminds me that it doesn’t matter. I’m my own person. I put that in the back of my mind and focus on what I need to do.” Beebe has undoubtedly made a name for himself. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman racked up 65 tackles — including 16 for loss and seven sacks — four pass break-ups and two forced fumbles as a junior last year. He then gave a verbal commitment to play for Kansas State in April, turning down offers and interest from Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and others. “I’ve always like K-State. I was interested in staying close to home, so I could have my family watch,” Beebe said. “I wanted to represent my home state.” Beebe’s size, strength, athleticism and aggressive nature on the field is what made him so attractive to Division I programs, Brindle said. Beebe benches 275 pounds, squats 475, cleans 265 and runs a 5.3-second 40-yard dash with a 24-inch vertical. On the final offensive play of the 2017 season, Brindle put Beebe at tailback and watched his run for a 30-yard touchdown. He’s also lettered for the basketball team and took third place in the shot put at the Class 4A state track meet. “He’s just got a high sports intelligence. His family has always been involved in so much. That carries over to all his experiences in other sports,” Brindle said. “He wants to do his best to compete. He’s got such a competitive drive and that carries over to being coachable and being a good teammate. He understands it’s not just him out there.” Brindle noted that there were a handful of freshmen throwers on the track team last spring. Beebe, knowing they would be key parts of the football team as sophomores this fall, was sure to lead, both verbally and by example. “He’s really good for his younger teammates,” Brindle said. “He enjoys the process. He’s not one who just gets excited for the games. continued on page 86
Cooper BEEBE Page 85
(Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
P I R AT E
COOPER
BEEBE, O
G/DT, KC
-PIPER, S
THE BEEBE FILE
The Gordon Parks Museum pays homage to a favorite Kansas Son, Gordon Parks. Parks was the first African-American Photographer for Life Magazine. Parks wrote and directed “The Learning Tree”, filmed in Fort Scott. He also directed the 1972 classic “Shaft” with Richard Roundtree.
S
R.
Hobbies: Video games and hanging out with friends. Favorite subject: History Favorite food: Shrimp Favorite musician: Post Malone Favorite pregame song: “T.N.T.” by AC/DC Most memorable high school football moment: “When I scored a 30-yard rushing touchdown last year.”
For more info go to visitfortscott.com
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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4A Overview/from page 84___________ Beebe/from page 85______________________________ of its skill players. Senior quarterback Kyler Hoppes threw for 1,936 yards and 23 touchdowns last year as a junior and has his top-three receivers back led by Gabe Hoover (45 catches, 541 yards) as well as 1,000-yard rusher Jace Kinnamon. Buhler played for the Class 4A I title two years ago and should be hungry after suffering a first-round exit from last year’s playoffs — its earliest postseason defeat in years. The Crusaders were close, falling 15-14 in overtime to McPherson, their second loss of the season to the Bullpups. The only other loss came to Andale. Veteran coach Steve Warner has some serious reloading to do this year, however. Buhler graduated every starter from both sides of the ball, including a host of standout linemen who were anchors for explosive Crusader offenses. Buhler’s junior varsity was undefeated and its freshman team lost just once, so Warner should have plenty to work with to keep things going. Mulvane also should be chomping at the bit after getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round as well last year. The Wildcats will sorely miss do-everything quarterback Jayden Price, a two-time All-4A pick who had nearly 2,400 combined passing and rushing yards last year. They did get a taste of life without Price a year ago when he missed a handful of games with an injury. Drew Ellis moved in from receiver to quarterback and ran the offense quite capably and will make the move there full-time this year after being one of the top receivers in 4A the past two seasons. Andover Central knocked off Mulvane in the playoffs last year and went 5-6. The Jaguars’ biggest loss was the transfer of 1,500-yard passer Reagan Jones to Wichita Northwest, leaving the team with very little of last year’s offensive production back. After going winless in 2016, Wellington had a nice bounce-back season last year, going 5-5. The Crusaders lost every starting lineman, but return six skill players including all-league receiver De’Andre Washington. He’s also one of seven returning starters on defense and one of four who earned all-league honors on that side of the ball. Brent Maycock is a sportswriter with the Topeka Capital-Journal with over 25 years experience covering high schools in Topeka and across Kansas.
16 National Ave., Fort Scott • (620) 223-4777
He really enjoys every day he’s out there, whether it’s on the practice field or in the weight room. He’s a teenager, so he’ll complain about it being hot or something, but he’s always out there getting after it.” Beebe is young for his class, having just turned 17 recently. He’s still got a lot of developing to do, in a good way,” Brindle said. “I think he’s a great example of why it’s important for young people to be multi-sport athletes. It has helped him develop even better than he normally would have. “When I would talk to recruiters, I would point out that he’s working hard in the weight room, but he’s also focusing on other sports. Once he gets to their level and is focusing on one sport and playing one position and in their weight program, he’s going to make even bigger strides.” Beebe spent part of the summer playing for the United States national team at the U-19 World Championships in Mexico City, where he said he picked up a lot of techniques and experiences he’ll bring back with him to Piper. “The trip was a great experience with a bunch of cool guys. It was so interesting to see what other countries had to offer,” he said. “Definitely took away hand placement, learned a couple new moves that I’ll take into next season. I think sometimes I’m still a little slow with my hand placement, so I’m working on shooting my hands more.” Now Beebe is back home, gearing up for what he hopes is a bounce-back from last year’s 4-5 campaign. It will be the first year for Piper in the Frontier League after a move from the Kaw Valley. “Our first goal is definitely to win the league,” Beebe said. “And we want to make it as far as we can in the playoffs. We feel like we have a good chance to do that.” Ryan Atkinson is a journalist in the Kansas City area with more than 10 years experience covering Kansas high school and college teams with the Joplin Globe, Pittsburg Morning Sun and Kansas City Star.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
By Mark Schremmer For Kansas Pregame Longtime Fort Scott coach Bob Campbell plans to relish every moment of this fall. Not only will it be the senior season for his son, Matt, it also will be his final year on the Tigers’ sidelines. Bob Campbell enters his 23rd and final season as Fort Scott’s head coach with an impressive résumé that includes two state championships (1996, 2000), three runner-up finishes (1999, 2001, 2002), and a combined record of 179-60. It will end his second stint with Fort Scott. He directed the Tigers to a record of 124-34 from 1992-2005 before leaving to take a position at SEK Financial in Fort Scott. Bob then returned in 2010 as a Rule 10 coach, leading the Tigers to a record of 55-26 and seven playoff appearances over the past eight seasons. “It’s been difficult to do both jobs,” Bob said. “The business has grown, and it keeps us really busy. It got me to start thinking that maybe I should step away from coaching. With Matt being a senior, it seems like a good time to do that after this year. I told the school that this fall would be my last year. I felt like it was the right time.” Matt, who is projected to start at quarterback for the Tigers, said he expects to share many of the same emotions with his dad this season. “It will be fun,” he said. “For both of us, we will go through our last first practice. Then our last pregame practice. Then our last home game …” A 1985 graduate of Uniontown High School, Bob competed in football, basketball, and track and field. He also played American Legion baseball in the summer. He was the starting quarterback for the football team and won a Class 3A state championship in the javelin as a senior. Bob went on to participate in football and track and field at Pittsburg State University. He was a backup quarterback for two seasons, earning a letter in 1986. He also excelled in the javelin, earning NAIA All-America status in 1987 and 1988, as well as all-conference honors all four seasons. His mark of 222-10 set in 1989 remains the fifth best javelin throw in Pittsburg State history. And although Bob played football for only two seasons, he absorbed a lot of knowledge from a couple of outstanding coaches at Pittsburg State. Dennis Franchione, who went on to coach at Alabama and Texas A&M, was the head coach. Jerry Kill, who went on to coach at Southern Illinois and the University of Minnesota, served as the offensive coordinator. It’s no coincidence that several Pittsburg State players from that era – Campbell, Scott Bailey (Lamar, Mo.), John Roderique (Webb City, Mo.), Jesse Wall (Carl Junction, Mo.), Blaise Bauer (Galena, Girard), and Kurt Thompson (Webb City, Springfield-Kickapoo) – went on to have successful careers as high school football coaches in Kansas and Missouri. “Coach Franchione and Coach Kill were both tremendous influences on me,” Bob said. “I was really fortunate to be around them and to learn so much. I can’t say that I knew where their careers would lead, but you could tell that you were around people who knew the game and knew how to coach it. You had a feeling that they were destined for bigger things, and it continued on page 88
Bob & Matt CAMPBELL
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(Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
THE BOB CAMPBELL FILE
TIGERS
Hobbies: Fantasy Football Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: “Anything my wife fixes is excellent!” Favorite musician: “I like lots of different music When I don’t know the lyrics, I come up with my own.” Favorite pregame song: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses Most memorable high school football moment as a player: “Advancing to the state semi-finals as a sophomore in 1982 before losing to Clifton-Clyde.”
THE MATT CAMPBELL FILE
RT MATT CAMPBELL, QB, FO
SCOTT, SR.
Hobbies: Fishing and Golfing Favorite subject: History Favorite food: Steak Favorite musician: Jason Aldean Favorite pregame song: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses Most memorable high school football moment: “Winning the District Championship last year on the final play.”
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Campbells/from page 87_____________________________ Dean/from page 89____________________________
proved to be the case.” Even more important for his coaching career, Bob was able to learn firsthand from Kill as an assistant coach under him at Webb City (Mo.) High School in 1989, when the Cardinals won their first of 14 state championships. “I had a wonderful opportunity to be a student coach under Kill at Webb City,” Bob said. “He was a mentor that I learned a tremendous amount from.” During his time at Pittsburg State and Webb City, Bob learned the splitback veer offense, which remains the Tigers’ base all these years later. “My thought was that it was what I knew and that the option can be an equalizer,” he said. “It’s why you see the military academies running it. It’s an offense that is tough to defend and gives you the ability to compete.” The past few seasons, the Tigers have mixed in more I-formation. And with Matt (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) at quarterback, they may open up the offense even more this fall. “Matt throws the ball extremely well,” Bob said. “We will have to look at doing some things a little different this season. We’ll probably throw the ball a little more.” This will be Matt’s first season at quarterback after an injury forced him to miss his sophomore year, and he played wide receiver as a junior. He was successful as a receiver, earning second-team all-league honors with about 30 receptions and 500 yards. “I think playing receiver will help me as a quarterback,” Matt said. “Playing some at tight end and wide receiver, I know all of the line calls. I know all of the coverages, and I know where I need to put the ball.” Like his father, Matt has been a multisport athlete in high school. He plays basketball and was an all-state first baseman for the Fort Scott baseball team as he hit about .560 this past spring. He said he has received some interest from colleges in football and baseball. But for now, his plans are to enjoy this final season with his teammates and his father. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Matt said. “As the quarterback, I’m going to have a lot more communication with him every day at practice and at the games. It should be a fun season.” Mark Schremmer is a sportswriter from southeast Kansas who has covered teams in Kansas and Missouri since 2000. He currently lives in Overland Park.
“He’s got a lot of talent, but he’s also the same kid who is sticking around every day after weights, throwing the football,” he said. “He’s still working. He doesn’t just relay on what God’s given him. He’s going that extra mile for it.” Dean said he prides himself in being able to lead the team — “He’s a leader and kids follow him because of the way he carries himself,” Price said — but he’s also quick to deflect praise onto his teammates. “My teammates were a big role in that, helping me get to where I am. They pushed me just as much as I push myself,” Dean said. “Our team was really close last year and we loved each other and we’re excited to do it all again this year.” That family atmosphere is by design, Price said, and it’s what attracted Dean to Iowa State, where he was recruited by third-year head coach Matt Campbell. “Family is so important to Easton. He has such a great family at home and he views his team as his family,” Price said. “Coach Campbell has done a great job of selling family. It’s the same stuff we do at Labette County. He wants to be in a family.” Dean said he is taking summer classes and considering the possibility of graduating at semester to join the Cyclones in January. But that’s taking a back seat while the Grizzlies gear up to defend their Southeast Kansas League title. “It really felt good to come in and win a league championship and win some playoff games. It felt like we put ourselves on the map,” he said. “We proved that we could accomplish it and that we’re not just a team that other teams can walk over anymore. We’re actually in this to win now.”
Ryan Atkinson is a journalist in the Kansas City area with more than 10 years experience covering Kansas high school and college teams with the Joplin Globe, Pittsburg Morning Sun and Kansas City Star.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
By Ryan Atkinson For Kansas Pregame To say Labette County’s Easton Dean accomplished a lot during his junior season might be an understatement. In his first year as a varsity starter — and just his third full season playing quarterback at all — he not only threw for more than 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns, he also led the Grizzlies to their most successful season ever. If that wasn’t enough, he was so impressive over the course of 11 games, he earned an offer and made a verbal commitment to play for Iowa State once high school is over. “He’s pretty special. He has a lot of God-given talent, obviously. And he’s done a good job of working with that and make it even better,” Labette County coach Sean Price said. “I’ve done this for 25 years and this is my first time coaching a kid with all these intangibles. It’s been pretty cool.” The most obvious intangible is Dean’s size. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs in at 220 pounds. But it’s not until you see him in action that his skill set is best appreciated. He’s a smooth runner (he rushed for 455 yards and eight touchdowns) and throws the ball with a quick, powerful release. “I never actually played quarterback until the eighth grade,” Dean said. “Once I got to high school, Coach Price really pushed me, and I pushed myself. We got things clicking and got it working. That’s where I am now.” Dean entered last season having played just one full year at quarterback in high school, and that was at the freshman level. A high ankle sprain sidelined him for significant time his sophomore season. But he quickly proved he was up for the job. After a Week 2 loss to Andale, Dean led Labette County to eight straight wins — including the first home playoff win in school history — before eventually falling to 4A-I power Bishop Miege. The Grizzlies averaged 40 points a game and put up at least 59 points three times. “You could tell early on, it was a man among boys out there with his running ability and everything he can do,” Price said. “To be that big, the running part of it is impressive. You just don’t get those big guys like that who can run. They’re usually pretty mechanical, a little herky-jerky. He’s smooth.” Colleges started taking notice when they saw his junior season highlight video. The smooth throwing motion and quick feet were noticeable, but so was the sheer strength and size. A little more digging led them to his numbers in the weight room — a 295-pound bench, a 435-pound squat and a 305-pound clean, on top of his 4.6-second 40-yard dash and 32-inch vertical. “The weight room is one of the biggest keys for me,” Dean said. “If you want to be bigger and stronger and faster and have the ability to overpower people on the field, you have to put in the work in the weight room. “ But it’s not just the weight room where Dean’s work ethic shines, Price said. continued on page 88
Easton DEAN
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(Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
GRIZZL
EASTON D
EAN, QB,
LABETTE
IES
CO., SR.
THE DEAN FILE
The Lowell Milken Center is home of “The Life in a Jar” Project, the story of Irena Sendler. Sendler saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, and was almost anonymous until students from Uniontown, KS discovered her story. It is all on display, along with other unsung hero stories in Downtown Fort Scott.
Hobbies: Hunting and Fishing Favorite subject: Weights and Conditioning Favorite food: Steak Favorite band or musician: “I listen to everything.” Favorite pregame song: “Trophies” by Young Money Most memorable high school football moment: “Winning our first home playoff game and claiming the SEK Title.”
For more info go to visitfortscott.com
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ANDOVER CENTRAL
1703 N. Buckey
Abilene
785-263-7777
Dine-in, Carryout & Delivery
ABILENE
Things got flipped on their head last year for Abilene. After averaging just more than seven wins and just under three losses per year in Steve Simpson’s first three seasons as coach, the Cowboys stumbled to a 2-7 mark. The seven losses were one less than the program has posted the previous three seasons combined. The lone wins came against TMP-Marian in the opener and Chapman in North Central Kansas League play. The trials and tribulations of the 2017 season were tough to swallow, but the Cowboys could be poised to flip the script again and return to their position as a consistent contender for the league title. Graduation only claimed two of the seven Cowboys who earned all-league honors last year and Abilene returns eight starters each way among 23 lettermen. Shoring up a defense which surrendered a leaguehigh 25.7 points per game will be a major priority for Simpson. Though graduation claimed first-team all-league lineman Tucker Robinson, he only ranked third on the team in tackles. Abilene returns its toptwo tacklers in senior linebackers Logan Anguiano (77 tackles) and Preston Boyd (71 tackles), both of whom were honorable mention all-league. Losing standout back Trey Hoerner to an injury for most of the season and seeing other key members of the backfield miss time as well, Abilene struggled offensively a year ago, scoring just 151 points. The Cowboys did average 309.3 yards per game, but couldn’t find the end zone near enough and turned it over 23 times. Senior back James Mayden led the Cowboys in rushing with just 541 yards and three touchdowns and also was the leading receiver with 313 yards and a score. Junior Jackson Randles will take over as full-time starting quarterback after seeing some time there a year ago backing up the departed Trevor Casteel, while seniors Dakotah Whiteley and Boyd return as well. Junior lineman Kade Funston was the Cowboys’ only first-team all-leaguer on offense and is one of four returning linemen. 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 4A North Central Kansas League Coach: Steve Simpson (5th year, 24-15) Assistants: Brad Hartman, Corey Casteel, Darren Whaley, Todd Callahan, Joe Rose Offense: Multiple Spread/I-formation Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Eli Pitney, OL/DL, 6-4, 245, Sr.; James Mayden, RB/ DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Dakotah Whiteley, RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Preston Boyd, TE/LB, 6-5, 230, Sr.; Logan Anguiano, RB/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Danny Espinoza, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; David Pinedo, OL/DL, 5-9,190, Sr.; Kade Funston, OL/DL, 6-1, 245, Jr.; Jackson Randles, QB/DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Colton McVan, OL/ DE, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Dakota Laun, OL/DL, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Dylan Scherbring, WR/DB, 6-1, 165, Sr. BM
Despite a deceiving 5-6 record, Andover Central got hot when it counted. The Jaguars lost four of their first five games, but as the season wore on they found a winning formula. Andover Central checked off Mulvane in a postseason road win before falling at home to eventual 4A-Division I runner-up Andale. Several breakout stars that were pivotal to that late-season magic refill starting roles. With that mentioned, the final record may not ever reflect it. The cliché is that every week is tough in Division I fervor spreads like wildfire for prospects football, but typically there are a few games a neutral in media markets such as Wichita, Johnson County observer would identify as softer than others. Not so for Andover Central. For seven straight weeks, the and Topeka. Tucked away quietly in the southeast part of the state – about one hour from Missouri, 30 Jaguars will square off with a foe that won at least five games the year before, including four that won at minutes from Oklahoma – is Altamont, a little town least one playoff game. Only Ark City (1-8) in week where a future Big XII star plays football on Friday nights. Easton Dean, an Iowa State commit and tow- eight did not fit the pattern. Quarterback Reagan Jones earned Ark Valleyering physical specimen with Joe Flacco size, leads a Labette County arsenal set to slice apart defenses. Chisholm Trail League Division III honorable mention status after throwing for 1,500 yards, but The Grizzlies averaged 40 points per game this has transferred to Wichita Northwest. The Jags past year, second only in pace to the shock-anddo bring back a full accompaniment of receiving awe potency of Bishop Miege in all of 4A. Dean targets though – Xavier Bell (23 receptions, 414 orchestrated it, tossing for more than 2,000 yards yards, two touchdowns), Peyton Jensen (33-386-4) with a 69 percent completion rate, but at least part and Matthew Macy (17-361-6). Jensen was also an of that success must be attributed to the protection honorable mention. Additionally, senior lineman Ian of an offensive line full of immovable tree trunks, which returns three starters. Dean also has a reliable Carpenter is back to anchor the line. Linebacker Sam Thomas and defensive target back in Kale Irwin, who pulled down seven back Jacob Taylor will be bulwarks. Both were touchdown receptions. second-team all-league picks. Thomas lassoed 112 Rising junior defensive end Caleb Haggard is a tackles, including four for loss. Taylor yanked down delight to watch as he combines through opposing lines. He dropped 18 plays for loss on his way to 72 four interceptions. tackles. Caleb Hentzen and Ethan Jameson anchor 5-6 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 4A a tenacious secondary, each clamping down three Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League III interceptions. Coach: Tom Audley (17th year, 105-63; 32nd overall, Labette County made a quantum leap in 2017 175-131) with a 9-2 record – a four-win improvement – and unblemished Southeast Kansas League and district Assistants: N/A titles. Every victory came by at least 14 points, and Offense: N/A Defense: N/A eight opponents were held to single digits or shut out Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A entirely. The Grizzlies ran into the aforementioned Kyle McCaskey Miege wrecking crew in the quarterfinals, however, cutting a milestone season short. Labette County’s lone regular season loss came by way of Andale, which fell to Miege in the 4A-Division I title game. Last year, coach Jason Filbeck set a goal to be the 9-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A best Augusta team in school history. Augusta had Southeast Kansas League reached the playoffs three straight seasons but had Coach: Sean Price (4th year, 17-13; 14th overall, fallen in the first round of the playoffs each time. The 77-58) Orioles, though, dropped back from 6-4 to 5-4 and Assistants: Bradley Argabright, Davey Brown, Mike missed the postseason last fall. Augusta finished Hayward, Joe Royer, Joe Paige third in Class 4A-I, District 6 behind Maize South and Offense: Air Raid Defense: 4-2-5 Andover Central, which made a big improvement. Returning lettermen: 40 Augusta played the No. 23 strength of schedule out Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense of 32 teams in 4A-I, according to Prep Power Index. Easton Dean, QB, 6-7, 225, Sr.; Kale Irwin, WR, The Orioles scored 20.2 points a game and permitted 5-10, 188, Sr.; Tyler Brock, OT, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Parker 20.9. In the 6-4 season, Augusta averaged 25.3 Boring, OG, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Riley Sorrell, HB, 5-10, points a contest and permitted 18.7. 200, Sr.; Caleb Hentzen, CB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Clayton In ’17, Augusta opened 3-0 and permitted just 20 Moore, DE, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Zach McCarty, LB, 6-1, total points. In Week 4, Augusta lost 40-0 versus 190, Sr.; Jared Huebner, C, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Ethan McPherson, an eventual 4A-I semifinalist. After a Jameson, FS, 6-3, 150, Jr.; Caleb Haggard, DE, 6-3, 20-14 win at Chanute, Augusta fell to powers Buhler 235, Jr.; Trent Brock, SS, 5-10, 165, So. (24-6) and at Maize South (31-23) followed by the Kyle McCaskey key road loss versus Andover Central (41-8) that effectively kept Augusta from the playoffs. Augusta ended the season with a 41-18 home win versus Rose Hill. This year, Augusta will be on the west side of Class 4A. Augusta graduated its quarterback Chance Whitehead after the Orioles collectively threw for 835 yards on 47 percent completion with a 12/10 TD/INT also tying for the team lead in interceptions with ratio. Whitehead easily led the team with 144 carries three. for 540 yards and seven scores. Augusta averaged Atchison won’t face Holton in this year’s opener just 112 rushing yards and 3.2 yards per carry with after splitting with the powerhouse the past two seasons. Instead, the Redmen jump right into league play against KC-Washington followed by a showdown with defending league champion Schlagle. Perennial power Louisburg is a tough addition to the schedule.
ALTAMONT-LABETTE COUNTY
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These are euphoric times in Ark City. The baseball team completed an electrifying run through the postseason for a 4A-Division I championship. Only a few months prior, the wrestling squad reclaimed its throne, staking claim to a 4A title. Boys’ basketball even made a spirited trek to a third-place state finish. The question becomes how to bottle that magic and translate it into football success. The seeds are there. Wideout Montez Robinson was a state champion wrestler at 152 pounds, while Nicholas Bahm and Terrell Morris were state qualifiers. Trucking linebacker Brice Nittler was behind the plate for the Bulldogs on the diamond. There is leadership all throughout Ark City’s returning starters. If there is magic to capture, perhaps a magician is needed to do the trick. Enter Jon Wiemers, who fills the coaching vacancy created when Braden Smith accepted an administrative job after five seasons. Wiemers is not a stranger to the program. He guided the Bulldogs in ‘11 and ‘12, which not coincidentally lines up with Ark City’s most recent winning seasons and playoff berth under the district format. Quarterback Cevin Clark was a gunslinger as a junior, throwing for more than 1,800 yards but mixing in too many turnovers. He will be counted on to encourage a rebuilt receiver corps after graduations took more than 1,000 receiving yards from the lineup. Running back Tyree Watkins can help by fortifying himself as a playmaking threat, coming off more than 600 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. 1-8 in 2017 / 4A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II Coach: Jon Wiemers (3rd year, 11-8) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 4 Defense Cevin Clark, QB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Tryee Watkins, RB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Ike Abrams, TE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Montez Robinson, WR, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Terrell Morris, OL, 6-0, 270, Sr.; AJ Wilson, WR, 6-2, 165, Sr.; Gavin Rains, RB/WR, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Brice Nittler, LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Mick Bryant, DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Nicholas Bahm, LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Daigen Moulton, DB, 5-10, 170, Jr. KM
AUGUSTA
ATCHISON
Coming off a 6-3 record in 2016, Atchison figured the 2017 season might be a bit of a rebuilding year. And it was. The Redmen went 4-1 in KC-Atchison League play, finishing runner-up to KC-Schlagle, but were winless against non-league competition. In those four losses, the Redmen were outscored 175-40 and shut out twice. The prospects for a turnaround depend on how well Atchison is able to fill the holes offensively around senior back Sercy Duncan. The speedy back ranked second on the team in rushing with 618 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdowns, but is the only proven threat returning on offense. The good news is, Duncan should find holes to run through with Atchison’s offensive strength up front. Four starters return on the line, including two-way players Riley Smith, Colby Burge and Nick Funk. Atchison averaged 218 yards per game on the ground a year ago and will look to generate even more production this year as the passing game develops with a new quarterback breaking in. Senior linebacker Jonathan Hundley is the top returning tackler, making 79 stops a year ago to rank second on the team. Duncan and junior Garyon Simpson each had more than 39 stops with Simpson
ARKANSAS CITY
4-5 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 4A Kansas City-Atchison League Coach: Jim Smith (20th year, 104-83) Assistants: Charley Harris, Matt Hall, Roni Ettleman, Josh Rebant, Mike Nigus Offense: Spread Option Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Sercy Duncan, RB/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Riley Smith, OL/DL, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Colby Burge, OL/DE, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Jonathan Hundley, FB/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Mason Sass, OL, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Kevin Scott, WR/K, 6-2, 165, Sr.; Nick Funk, OL/DL, 6-0, 245, Jr.; Garyon Simpson, DB, 5-10, 135, Jr.; Christian Arnold, WR/ DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Patrick Denton, LB, 5-10, 175, So. Brent Maycock
16 turnovers and a minus-4 turnover margin. Five of the top-six tacklers graduated. Senior Michael Adams was third with 43 stops and recorded 4.5 TFLs in just seven games. After no winning seasons from ’06-13, Augusta is 5-5, 7-3, 6-4 and 5-4 under Filbeck. “We are going to put extreme focus on improving from week 1 to 8,” Filbeck said. “We will start the schedule as a young team but we are excited to get better as the season goes on. Our goal is to set ourselves up for a good week 9 and hopefully a run after that. With the new post-season format, our key to success is playing loose and not worrying about making a mistake. We just want to get better and be ready for week 9.” 5-4 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 4A Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division III Coach: Jason Filbeck (5th year, 23-16) Assistants: Nathan Towns, JD Hand, Chuck Bisbee, Rhett Mallon, Neil Krajicek, Rick Neubauer Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Ceetyn Anderson, Slot/CB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Roman Swartz, FB, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Ben Volkman, LT, 6-4, 295, Sr.; Justin Clausing, WR, 6-3, 170, Jr.; Dominik Ketchum, OLB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Michael Adams, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
BALDWIN
BASEHOR-LINWOOD
Doug Kerr’s debut season as Baldwin coach went well as the Bulldogs went undefeated in Class 4A Division II district play and nearly upset powerhouse Holton in the first round of the playoffs, falling 9-8. The narrow loss capped a 6-4 season for the Bulldogs. In the new-look classification system, Baldwin will be the smallest school in the re-unified Class 4A. The already tough Frontier League schedule gets even tougher with the addition of former Kaw Valley League members KC Piper, Tonganoxie and Bonner Springs — each of whom the Bulldogs will face this season. Though 25 lettermen return for the Bulldogs, Baldwin will have to replace almost all of its offensive production from a year ago. Baldwin leaned heavily on dual-threat quarterback Luke Laskoski, who finished with just more than 1,800 yards of total offense and 26 total touchdowns, throwing for 1,002 yards and rushing for 804 in the Bulldogs’ single wing offense. Kerr would love to have a stronger presence from the ground game this year and will look to senior backs Zach Flowers and Cy Hockey to carry the load. The duo combined for less than 500 yards a year ago and were bigger factors defensively, each earning honorable mention all-league honors. A strong group returns up front to get the ground game going. Senior Quinn Nichols was an honorable mention all-leaguer and is joined by junior Alex Berg and junior tight end Kade Kehl, who was one of the team’s leading tacklers last year as a sophomore. Baldwin finished just 3-3 in league play a year ago and the new additions won’t make the climb back to the top of the league any easier. The opener against arch rival Ottawa could set the tone for the season with the Bulldogs beating the Cyclones 20-13 a year ago.
Arguably no team in the state got off to a better start than Basehor-Linwood a year ago. The Bobcats posted shutouts in their first four games, outscoring those opponents 223-0. Though Basehor added two more shutouts to start district play, a 10-3 loss to Tonganoxie in the district finale sent the Bobcats into a first-round playoff game against eventual champion Miege and a 7-3 season ended with a 58-6 loss to the Stags. A defense which ranked among the best in Class 4A lost leading tackler Joey Foster and the bulk of its front seven. But the secondary returns intact, led by senior Kyle Alcanter, who had six interceptions a year ago. Defensive end Jace Friesen had 70 tackles and 18 tackles for loss and senior linebacker Nolan Ford added 36 tackles and 12 tackles for loss, giving fifth-year coach Rod Stallbaumer solid blocks to build around in front of the experienced secondary. Ford also will carry a big load offensively. Taking over as a starter midway through the season, he led the Bobcats with 860 yards on just 110 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. Leading passer Dylan Mussett (573 yards, 5 TDs) also returns though he’s battling junior Chase Torkelson for the starting quarterback job this year. The left side of the offensive line should be rock solid with returning starters Victor Bejarano and Blake Tucker, but a big key to the offensive success will be fill the remaining holes up front. With the break-up of the Kaw Valley League, Basehor’s schedule takes on a much different look this year with four new opponents. The Bobcats are now members of the newly formed United Kansas Conference, which includes former KVL rivals Lansing and KC Turner as well as new foes Shawnee Heights, Leavenworth and De Soto.
6-4 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Frontier League Coach: Doug Kerr (2nd year, 6-4) Assistants: Jay King, Jeff Melcher, Paul Musselman, Nick Macanulty, Jesse Austin, Tyler Wolf, Danny Peacock Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 25 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Kade Kehl, TE/DE, 6-3, 205, Jr.; Quinn Nichols, OL/DL, 5-10, 240, Sr.; Alex Berg, OL, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Zach Flowers, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Cy Hockey, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr. Brent Maycock
7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 4A United Kansas Conference Coach: Rod Stallbaumer (5th year, 31-12) Assistants: Brian Lohafer, Ron Barnes, Zach Livingston, Justin Wieser, Harrison Taylor, Matt Nardo, Brandon Duff Offense: Spread Option Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: xx Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Nolan Ford, RB/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Jace Friesen, DE, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Kyle Alcanter, DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Blake Tucker, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Dylan Donnelly, WR, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Matt McKnight, WR/ DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Victor Bejarano, OL, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Jackson Jennings, DB, 5-5, 135, Sr.; Joe Phillips, DB, 5-7, 145, Sr. Brent Maycock
BONNER SPRINGS
Bonner Springs bid farewell to the Kaw Valley League on a high note, going 4-1 in league play last year with the only loss coming to league champion Tonganoxie. The runner-up league finish carried over to the postseason as the Braves edged Blue Valley Southwest 10-7 to start the postseason before falling 52-13 to Aquinas in the second round. About the only downer for Bonner Springs was an 0-3 regular-season mark against non-league foes. Bonner Springs moves from the now-defunct KVL to the Frontier League, which traditionally is one of the toughest Class 4A leagues in the state. The Braves saw new league foe Paola last year, falling 37-14, and will open with the Panthers this season. Second-year coach Chad Eaddy will have plenty of experience to make the transition. The Braves return eight starters on defense and seven on offense with 26 lettermen back overall. Arguably the biggest void to fill on offense is at quarterback where graduation claimed leading passer Coleton Oakes. But senior Noah Villarreal saw plenty of snaps at the position a year ago, throwing for 452 yards, so he should be ready to hit the ground running this year. Speaking of running, developing a ground game to go with Villarreal would be a major plus for the Braves. As a team, Bonner Springs only ran for 852 yards with no back topping 300 individually. With five starters back on the offensive line, including four who are 270 or bigger, improvement in that area should occur. Defensive strides will also be a key as Bonner gave up at least 28 points in all five losses and 36 or more in four of them. The Braves drop to Class 4A this year and will see every member of their new league with the lone non-league game coming against Leavenworth. Only three teams remain off last year’s schedule.
BUHLER
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Hold this spot right here for a glowing review next year of Buhler’s returning starters and their adaptability to full-time varsity action. This year, though, the conversation has to move elsewhere. There are no veterans to discuss. “We have to grow up real fast,” said Buhler coach Steve Warner. “With zero starters back on both sides of the ball, we will be inexperienced at the varsity level. But we will have a talented senior class.” It takes a perfect storm to pull off no returning starters, but that is a testament to a graduated group that helped secure 37 wins over four years. Secondly, of the few programs that could survive changing tides, Buhler is one with a rock-solid foundation at lower levels. Thirdly, take a moment to appreciate the coaching staff that will see this through. Alongside Warner’s three decades of coaching, he returns his full staff of assistants, many longtime compadres. That stability will prove invaluable this year. The schedule has trials, but it is conducive for developing a starting 11 from scratch. Only Augusta, Mulvane and McPherson come off winning seasons. The week five showdown with McPherson will be hotly contested. The Bullpups handed Buhler two of its losses this past year, including a thrilling-but-heartbreaking 15-14 overtime loss in the opening round of the postseason. The backbone of the Crusaders this past season was a stalwart defense that conceded only 11.9 points per game, holding five foes to single digits. Even a poor man’s duplication of that this year would go a long way – the offense will develop and feel less of a burden if it is not forced to play catchup. Before this year’s postseason format shakeup, Buhler punched its ticket to the playoffs 14 consecutive years. Buhler has not lost more than four games in a season for more than a decade, reaching the semifinals five times in that stretch, including its sole state title in 2013.
5-5 in 2017 / 4A / Frontier League 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 4A Coach: Chad Eaddy (2nd year, 5-5) Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League III Assistants: Demario Bennett, Cameron Coach: Steve Warner (13th year, 115-29; 31st Trowbridge, Shawn Hyde, David Blazevic, Justin overall, 232-90) Walker, Prentice Watson, Joshua Fahlgren, Kyle Assistants: Jason Kohls, Kevin Ruda, Robby Razak, Scott Campbell Gray, Garret Hotmar, John Neill, Willie Adkins, Offense: Spread Defense: Multiple Mike Zeyen, Connor Thierolf Returning lettermen: 26 Offense: I-Formation Defense: 4-3 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Returning lettermen: 18 Noah Villarreal, QB/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Devante Returning starters: 0 Offense, 0 Defense Washington, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Bryce Krone, Kyle McCaskey RB/LB, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Andrew Puckett, RB/LB, 5-11, 190, SR.; David Holt, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Nasjon Porter, WR/CB, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Dre’Lyn Carroll, WR, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Jacob Peterson, OL, 6-1, 270, Jr.; Blaine Grimes, OL/DL, 5-10, 290, Sr.; Michael Sheldon, OL/DE, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Jadon Freese, OL/DL, 6-2, 275, So.; William Johnson, OL/DL, 5-10, 300, Jr. CHANUTE Brent Maycock A playmaking defense with eight returning continue to build on that momentum and take the starters, led by a ballhawking secondary, should next step in winning the SEK and getting past the see strides for Chanute this season. Seniors Lane first round of the playoffs.” Harvey (five interceptions) and Corbett Kimberlin Part of that improvement was taking care of (64 tackles) combine with junior Briley Peavy for games where Chanute could have been thought an experienced back-end of the defense. The of as favorites. The Comets were 5-0 against front seven has a few question marks, but Qualin opponents that finished with losing records, but Powell and Tyler Davis – a combined six sacks – 0-5 against programs above the fold. are among the returnees holding the fort. Chanute’s spread opens lanes for Kimberlin 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 4A on offense, coming off six rushing touchdowns. Southeast Kansas League Harvey cemented himself as a security blanket Coach: Chris Shields (4th year, 10-18) receiver, palming 32 receptions. Injuries made Assistants: Rusty Emling, Clete Frazell, Luke quarterback a carousel for the Comets, which put Hall, Trevor Ewert, Kurt Sizemore, Bradley four different signal callers into action. Campbell “I thought all four guys did a great job, and Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3-5 Ryan Disbrow, Agent We’re all in this together. the silver lining is that I really like our QB depth Returning lettermen: N/A 205 E Main Street heading into this season as we return three of the Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. guys that played for us last year,” said Chanute Corbett Kimberlin, QB/WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Lane Chanute, KS 66720 coach Chris Shields. Harvey, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Cooper McMillen, That’s one reason why I’m proud to Bus: 620-431-2680 TE/LB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Qualin Powell, OL/DL, Chanute worked its way into the postseason, www.disbrowagency.com support Chanute High School. but suffered a first-round exit to finish 5-5. The 6-3, 220, Sr.; Dalton Misener, LB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Comets expect to make gains off that success Braxton Reed, OL, 6-4, 260, Sr.; Ty Bowman, QB, Here to help life go right.® with a more sustained run. Chanute’s longest 6-4, 200, Jr.; Jacob McDonald, OL, 5-10, 275, playoff path has been as a quarterfinalist. Jr.; Tyler Davis, LB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Briley Peavy, “The best part of last season was taking a step DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Jacob Adams, K, 5-9, 170, Jr.; in the right direction as a team and finishing with Brayden Dillow, DL, 6-1, 180, So. a regular season winning record and making the Kyle McCaskey 1801073 State Farm, Bloomington, IL playoffs,” Shields said. “Now it’s important that we
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY
A deep talent pool of returnees gives Coffeyville a shot to secure its first season above .500 since 2013 – the year of its state runner-up march. However, it is not all about what your squad has on paper. The other team gets to trot 11 out, too, and Coffeyville’s schedule is dotted with six showdowns against adversaries that scored at least five victories. Get through that obstacle course with relatively few hiccups, and the Golden Tornado should be plenty prepared for the first round of the 4A postseason. “We feel like we have several dynamic players at the skill positions. Hopefully, that will lead us to being explosive on offense,” said Coffeyville coach Darrin Wegner, beginning his third season leading the Nado. “We also will have 14 seniors, which is the most we have had since I took over the program. We will not be as young of team as we have been in recent seasons.” The offense will hum with a loaded passing attack that comes off 32 points per game. Quarterback Jaylen Logan returns for another year, and he has a decorated crew of wideouts to hone in on. Tajhan Thomas was a first-team all-Southeast Kansas League selection, while CJ Kelley and Trey Myrie were bestowed honorable mentions. The line has a capable core to work around, spearheaded by first-team honoree Brandon Barriger. “We need to develop more depth on the offensive and defensive line, improve kick coverage on special teams and execute better in red zone situations,” Wegner said. Coffeyville started 2017 with a 3-1 mark, but struggled against elite competition, dropping four of its last five. “We only had four seniors last year. We were a young team with little leadership,” Wegner said. 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 4A Southeast Kansas League Coach: Darrin Wegner (3rd year, 8-10) Assistants: David Harlin, Jake Price, Mike O’Connor, Mark Andrews, Jeremy Nuenschwander, Matt Washburn, Mario Grant Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense CJ Kelley, WR/DB, 5-11, 155, Sr.; Tajhan Thomas, WR/DB, 5-10, 150, Sr.; Jaylen Logan, QB/DB, 5-6, 140, Sr.; Brandon Barriger, OL/ DL, 5-8, 200, Sr.; Titus Woodward, OL/DL, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Trey Myrie, WR/DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Ethan Samples, OL/DL, 5-0, 185, Sr.; Adam Rutherford, WR, 5-7, 140, Sr.; Jayden Crawford, OL/DL, 6-4, 250, Jr.; Ethan Camp, LB, 5-10, 165, So. KM
EL DORADO
If nothing else, the goal should always be to protect the home turf. El Dorado floundered in that department in 2016, going 1-4 in the friendly confines of BG Products Stadium. That changed dramatically in 2017, when the Wildcats were undefeated at home, where they picked up all four of their wins for the year. El Dorado, 4-5 in 2017, has not witnessed an immediate rebuild, but there is steady progression in wins and losses despite cycling through six coaches in the past decade. El Dorado was winless in 2010, followed by three consecutive 1-8 seasons, two 2-7 finishes and a 3-6 mark in 2016. Coach Bill Shaw embarks on his second season with the Wildcats. Like everyone, El Dorado was unable to escape the wear and tear that comes from graduation defections. Jackson Schell likely will see an uptick in carries after rushing for 586 yards and six scores as a sophomore. He twice broke 100 yards in a game a season ago. Quarterback Cody Wittenberg and wideout Zack Buckley will work to stretch defenses with an aerial attack, but Wittenberg must cut out a few interceptions for the offense to make noteworthy development. Defensively, Braden Morgan is emerging as a unit leader. Should the Wildcats continue to hammer out victories at home, it will require hitting all its potential. El Dorado’s home dates include Buhler (7-3), McPherson (10-2), Circle (0-9) and Mulvane (6-4).
EUDORA
A demanding schedule was a bit too much for Eudora a year ago. Facing six teams which finished with winning records, the Cardinals managed just a 2-7 season. The highlight of the season was a 37-27 win over Ottawa and the only other victory came against KC Sumner. Eudora will have a new coach this year as Sean Hayden takes over the program, replacing Phil Katzenmeier, who was 12-18 in three seasons and led the Cardinals to the 2015 state semifinals. It’s Hayden’s first head coaching gig and he spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator at Augusta, hleping oversee that program’s turnaround into a consistent winner. Hayden hopes to reverse Eudora’s fortune as well and will have a somewhat experienced nucleus to work with. Though only 14 lettermen return, eight are offensive starters and six of those also started defensively as well a year ago. Senior quarterback Gavin Elston would be a three-year starter - an injury forced him to miss the entire 2017 season - and will team with fellow senior Carter Neis to give the Cardinals a solid 1-2 backfield punch. Neis ran for 623 yards and five touchdowns last year. While undersized both players stand around 5-6 and weigh around 160 pounds - the duo also had tremendous offseasons recording personal best power cleans of 310 and 300 pounds respectively, making them arguably the strongest pound-for-pound QB-RB combo in Kansas. Eudora also returns four starters to the offensive line, led by seniors Nate Boucher, Griffin Oxley and Sawyer Tomlinson. Eudora opens the season with the three newest members of the Frontier League — KC Piper, Bonner Springs and Tonganoxie.
4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 4A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV Coach: Bill Shaw (2nd year, 4-5) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 4A Frontier League Coach: Sean Hayden (1st year) Assistants: Drew Brown, Chris Durkin, Mark Elston, Jason Tharp Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense Nate Boucher, OL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Gavin Elston, QB/DB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Aloneon Ford, WR/DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Jake Haney, TE/DE, 6-2, 210, SR.; Kaiden Horting, WR, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Carter Neis, RB/LB, 5-6, 155, Sr.; Griffin Oxley, OL/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Sawyer Tomlinson, OL, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Kaden Hartwell, OL, 5-10, 210, Jr. Brent Maycock
GODDARD
Having gone 22-3 the past two seasons, the last thing the Goddard program wants is change. But going into the 2018 season, plenty will be different for the Lions. Plenty. For starters, Goddard drops to Class 4A after reaching at least the Class 5A semifinals each of the past two seasons, finishing as state runner-up in 2016. The Lions will make the move with a new man in charge of the program as Tommy Beason replaces Scott Vang as Goddard coach. Beason has spent the past six years as a Lion assistant and previously was head coach at Wichita North. His familiarity with the returning players and the program’s systems should make for an easy transition. The hard part will be replacing a 2017 senior class that included 10 players who signed to play college football. Among the losses were All-State lineman AJ Vang, a four-year starter and threetime all-league pick, standout quarterback Blake Sullivan and All-5A defensive picks Justin Amaro and Ian McSwain. As Goddard breaks in sophomore quarterback Kyler Semrad to replace Sullivan, the Lions likely will lean heavily on senior tailback Ben Bannister, who ran for 1,029 yards and six touchdowns a year ago stepping in for 2016 All-State tailback Kody Gonzalez. Though the Lions lost three allleague linemen, two starters return up front led by second-team all-leaguer Michael Rider. Amaro might be gone from the linebacking corps on defense, but the Lions return a strong
two punch in the middle in senior Kam’Ron Gonzalez and junior Dhimani Butler. Both earned all-league honors and combined to make 162 tackles, including 108 solo stops and 22 tackles for loss. If a Goddard game comes down to special teams, the Lions have one of the top kickers in the state in senior Gentry Cole, who hit 5 of 7 field goals and 56 of 59 PATs a year ago.
FORT SCOTT
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A year after suffering a rare losing season, the Tigers bounced back in 2017. Fort Scott earned an 8-3 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. It was a more typical performance for the Tigers, who have suffered only one losing record during the past eight seasons under coach Bob Campbell. Expect the Tigers to be motivated to continue their winning ways in 2018 as Campbell has announced it will be his final season as head coach. In two separate stints at Fort Scott, Campbell directed the Tigers to a combined record of 17960 with two state championships (1996, 2000), three runner-up finishes (1999, 2001, 2002) and seven Southeast Kansas League titles (1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2012). Fort Scott lost some talent to graduation, including SEK Offensive MVP Zarek Fewell at running back. However, the Tigers return three starters on offense and five on defense. All of the returning starters received all-conference recognition in 2017. Campbell’s son, Matt, will take over the quarterback duties after earning second-team all-conference honors at wide receiver last season. Fort Scott is known for its run-oriented splitback veer offense, but the Tigers are likely to throw the ball more with the strong-armed Campbell (6-5, 210, Sr.) under center. Senior offensive lineman Mason Couch (6-1, 205) and senior tight end Jarrett Shoemaker (6-2, 180) also return to the offense. Shoemaker received second-team all-conference honors. Returning starters on defense include Couch on the defensive line, seniors Alec Michaud (5-10, 165) and Treyton Wilson (6-1, 180) at linebacker, as well as seniors Tyler Gorman (5-9, 155) and Dalton Colvin (5-10, 165) in the secondary. Couch, Michaud, Gorman, and Wilson were all second-team performers, while Colvin earned an honorable mention. Michaud leads the group of returning starters with 81 tackles last season. Other key returners include seniors Aaron Emery (6-3, 236) and Nick Krebs (6-1, 175) to the offensive and defensive lines, as well as senior wide receiver and defensive back Nick Lawrence (6-5, 170). 8-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Southeast Kansas League Coach: Bob Campbell (23rd year, 179-60) Assistants: Bo Graham, Josh Regan, Adam Clements, Curtis Horton, Alvin Metcalf Jr., Josh Messer Offense: Splitback Veer Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: NA Returning starters: 3 Offense, 5 Defense Mason Couch, OL/DL, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Matt Campbell, QB, 6-5, 210, Sr.; Jarrett Shoemaker, TE, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Alec Michaud, LB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Tyler Gorman, DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Treyton Wilson, LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Dalton Colvin, DB, 5-10, 165, Sr. Mark Schremmer
INDEPENDENCE
Perhaps Independence needed a year to reload. The vast majority of programs do every so often, so give the Bulldogs the benefit of the 11-1 in 2017 / 4A doubt. Still, the fall from 8-2 in 2016 to 2-7 this Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League II past year was a bit jarring for a school that typiCoach: Tommy Beason (1st year) cally finds a way to be a tough out week-to-week Assistants: Darrin Fisher, Matt Busby, Bobby – Independence has only finished with fewer than Rehse, Joel Condray, Cody Kohler, John four wins in a season one other time in the past Burkhart, Kris Houseberg 10 years, back in 2012. Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Presumably, Independence took its lumps, Returning lettermen: 31 but even so, the gap appeared to be wide. Returning starters: 5 Offense, 3 Defense Michael Rider, OT, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Sami Altamimi, Independence was pummeled for 47.4 points OG, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Ben Bannister, RB, 5-10, 175, per game, the worst rate in 4A-Division I. Eight adversaries reached the 40-point plateau against Sr.; Blake Mitchell, TE, 6-3, 200, Jr.; Kaeden the Bulldogs. Hoefer, WR, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Kam’Ron Gonzalez, The offense had its own woes, held to six points LB, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Spencer Steele, DB, 5-10, or fewer five times. Independence did reach 165, SR.; Dhimani Buthler, LB, 5-11, 220, Jr.; 56 points in both its victories, coming against Gentry Cole, K, 5-8, 155, Sr. Brent Maycock Parsons and Anderson County, but that proved to be unsustainable. There is no dipping the toe in the water for Independence to begin this year. Starting with a home tussle against El Dorado in the season opener, Independence sees six consecutive opponents that won at least four games.
The Bulldogs were playoff qualifiers in 2015 and 2016, with the latter coinciding with an undefeated Southeast Kansas League championship. Independence snaked its way to the state quarterfinals five times in program history, most recently in 1995. Despite lying comfortably in the eastern half of the state, Independence is geographically pooled in the west-side bracket for 4A. The city of Independence has received football publicity this summer. Independence Community College was the host of the third season of Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” highlighting the highs and lows of junior college football. 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 4A Southeast Kansas League Coach: Carl Boldra (14th year, 57-71) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KC-PIPER
A fixture in the Class 4A playoffs for the bulk of Chris Brindle’s seven-year tenure at Piper, it was a somewhat surreal feeling for the Pirates a year ago as they missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2008. Piper started the season 0-3 and never really fully recovered. A three-game winning streak in midseason sparked some hope the Pirates could capture a district title for the sixth time in eight years, but blowout losses to Basehor-Linwood and Tonganoxie extinguished those hopes. The 2018 season begins with new hope, a new coach and a new league for Piper. Longtime Mill Valley assistant Rick Pollard has taken over as head coach, replacing Brindle who will remain on staff as an assistant coach. Pollard was part of Mill Valley’s Class 5A state championship teams in 2015 and 2016 and now will look to put his own stamp on a program. With the dissolution of the Kaw Valley League, Piper has moved to the Frontier League this season, one of the tougher 4A leagues in the state. The Pirates already had gotten a small taste of the league the past few seasons, playing Paola and Louisburg the past two years and losing to both a year ago in the first two weeks. Pollard inherits a team that has no question about where its strength lies. Led by massive senior Cooper Beebe, the Pirates return three starters to the offensive line. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Beebe was a first-team All-Class 4A Division I selection last year and is one of the state’s top prospects in 2018. The younger brother of former All-State pick and Minnesota signee Colton Beebe, Cooper Beebe will anchor both lines and is one of five returning starters each way. Senior quarterback Dalton White is the lone returning skill player on offense and senior defensive back Kaleb Brown is the only non-returning lineman back on defense. Pollard will install a new offense and new defense and how quickly the Pirates adjust to them will play a big role in the team’s success. In addition to seeing five of the six holdover members of the Frontier League, Piper will also face fellow former KVL schools Tonganoxie and Bonner Springs. Only one team the Pirates beat a year ago remains on the schedule, Atchison in week three. 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 4A Frontier League Coach: Rick Pollard (1st year) Assistants: Kevin Coker, Tim Cottrel, Shae Grosdidier, Chris Brindle, Brian Gray, Sean Wilkerson, Ken Franklin Offense: Spread Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 25 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Cooper Beebe, OL/DL, 6-3, 320, Sr.; Dalton White, QB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Corbin Fullerton, OL, 6-3, 285, Sr.; LeMoses White, OL, 6-0, 255, Sr.; Kaleb Brown, DB, 5-11, 165, Sr. Brent Maycock
LOUISBURG
A tough district kept a good season from being a really good one for Louisburg, which started the season 5-1, but went just 1-2 in districts. A 34-12 loss to Paola in the season finale denied the Wildcats a spot in the playoffs in Robert Ebenstein’s first season as head coach. With a year of Ebenstein’s systems under their belts, the Wildcats should hit the ground running this season and have plenty of experience returning with eight starters back each way. More importantly, the key components for Louisburg’s power ground game offense return. Senior back Austin Moore was a first-team AllFrontier League selection last year after rushing for 1,154 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’ll have the luxury of having four of five returning starting linemen, though the unit will miss first-team allleaguer Garrett Lowry. Moore also led the Wildcat defense, recording 71 tackles on his way to first-team all-league honors on that side of the ball as well. Louisburg gave up 19 or fewer points in all six wins last year, but gave up at least 34 points in all three losses. Louisburg will face two of the three new members of the Frontier League with Tonganoxie and KC Piper coming over from the Kaw Valley League. The Wildcats beat Piper in week two last year. 6-3 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 4A Frontier League Coach: Robert Ebenstein (2nd year, 6-3) Assistants: Jeff Lohse, Joel McGhee, Drew Harding, Ty Pfannenstiel, Pete Skakal. Offense: Power Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Madden Rutherford, QB, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Austin Moore, RB/LB, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Blue Caplinger, RB/ SS, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Brayden Gage, WR/CB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Brayden White, OT, 6-4, 270, Jr.; Kiefer Tucker, OG/DE, 5-11, 225, Sr.; Noah Larson, C/ DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Garrett Harding, OG/DT, 6-0, 240, Jr.; Charlie Koontz, LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Tanner Belcher, DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Kole Vogel, DB, 6-1, 175, Sr. Brent Maycock
McPherson reached the 4A-I semifinals last season and tied 1987 and 2008 for the best finishes in school history. Fourth-year coach Jace Pavlovich, the former longtime defensive coordinator under legendary Tom Young, has led the Bullpups to 5-4, 8-3 and 10-2 records. Last year, McPherson again had the best defense in 4A-I with just 104 points allowed all year, or 8.7 per game. Two years ago, the Bullpups permitted just 11.8 points per game, second only in 4A-I to Miege (11.0). McPherson finished 8-1 in the regular season, including a 33-21 road win versus Buhler in the season opener and a 9-0 loss at Maize South in Week 2. Then, the Bullpups won every game by at least 24 points, including 48-6, 47-0 and 49-6 in district play. In the first round of the playoffs, the Bullpups defeated Buhler, 15-14, in overtime in one of the seminal plays of the 2017 football season. McPherson and Buhler entered overtime tied at seven. Buhler scored first and went up 14-7. Then, McPherson scored and went for two points. Jace Kinnamon lined up in the Wildcat on the two-point attempt and sprinted left. He tossed the ball to receiver Gabe Hoover on an apparent reverse. Hoover then tossed the ball to the right side to a wide-open Kyler Hoppes for the winning conversion. Hoppes had motioned from his QB position to tight end on the right side before the snap. McPherson beat Maize South on the road, 28-7, in the quarterfinals before falling 20-13 at home to Andale in the semifinals. McPherson graduated 22 seniors and stays in 4A this year. “Our number one goal is to simply reach our potential and worry about what we can control,” Pavlovich said. “For example, we can’t control the strength of our schedule next year, weather, etc. … Our goal is simple, we want to play good football towards the end of the year.” McPherson brings back eight offensive and three defensive starters. Hoover earned all-state last year with 45 catches for 541 yards and seven TDs; all three of the top receivers return from an offense that had 165 passing and 163 rushing yards a game. The Bullpups graduated defensive standouts Wyatt Siedl (18 TFLs) and Jayse Alexander (97 tackles, 11 TFLs) at defensive line and linebacker, respectively. Drew Labertew also graduated after an all-state year at defensive back with 44 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Hoppes returns after he completed 151 of 237 passes for 1,936 yards with a 23/8 TD/INT ratio. Kinnamon returns after he carried 201 times for 1,079 yards and 16 rushing scores. “We have a tough league and we are looking forward to playing the best 4A has to offer this season. Our kids certainly feel that we have something to prove this season.”
10-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Ark Valley Chisolm Trail III Coach: Jace Pavlovich (4th year, 23-9) Assistants: Chet Harlin, Scott Davis, Heath Gerstner, John Montgomery, David Goerzen, Brandon Labertew, Patrick Corcoran, Matt Sandbo Offense: Spread I Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 19 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 3 Defense back, led by two-way starters Cameron Reynolds Khalil Lisbon, DL, Sr.; Honestee Whittker, LB, Sr.; Cody Stufflebean, DE, Jr.; Jace Kinnamon, TB, and Aaron Doran. Gabe Hoover, WR, Sr.; Courtney Kraig, OL; Senior receiver-cornerback Brandon Carlson is Sr.; Dawson Van Goethem, OL, Sr.; Kyler Hoppes, QB, the lone returning player who earned all-league Sr.; Mason Thrash, FB, Jr.; Chandler Wiard, WR, Sr.; honors a year ago. Tayln Huff, WR, Sr. Conor Nicholl
OTTAWA
After enjoying one of the best seasons in school history in 2016 when it went 8-3 and reached the Class 4A Division I quarterfinals, Ottawa took a step backwards last season. The Cyclones never found a rhythm offensively and went 1-8, the lone win a 28-13 victory over Wamego in the second week of the season. Four of the Cyclones’ first five losses were by 10 points or less and for the year, Ottawa was outscored 289-169. The same district the Cyclones won in 2016, they went 0-3 in last year and were outscored 137-53. A bounce-back season depends on how well Ottawa can reload at the skill positions. Graduation claimed All-Frontier League back Devion Bethea, who led the team in rushing each of the last two seasons, as well as quarterback Kaleb Shaffer. Junior Shavion Bethea will look to fill his older brother’s shoes after being a spot starter a year ago. Senior Jackson Allen was expected to challenge Shaffer for the QB job a year ago, but was lost for the season to an early injury. His return will be huge for the Cyclones, as will the return of end Gabriel Bruno, who also missed last year with injury. Ottawa was green up front a year ago having to replace four of five starters, but that area should be a strength this year with four of five starters
MCPHERSON
Ottawa opens the season with arch rival Baldwin, which beat the Cyclones 20-13 a year ago. The Cyclones will only face two of the Frontier League’s newcomers, Bonner Springs and Tonganoxie.
1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts/ 4A Frontier League Coach: Rob Hedrick (6th year, 26-24) Assistants: Pat Boeh, Evan Shaffer, Blake Lasley, Cliff McCullough, Jake Huddlestun, Kendall Thompkins Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Elias White, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Cameron Reynolds, OL/DL, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Tucker Mace, OL, 5-7, 180, Sr.; Bret Ferguson, OL, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Aaron Doran, OL/DL, 6-3, 270, Sr.; Brandon Carlson, WR/CB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Gabriel Bueno, Y-DE, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Shavion Bethea, RB/CB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Chad Bones, FS, 6-0, 170, Sr. Brent Maycock
MULVANE
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Dave Fennewald decided to give his quarterback full leeway. Fenny holds celebrity status in Mulvane, so with the announcement of his retirement after more than a quarter-century as the north star for the Wildcats, the next coach up would have Shaq-sized shoes to fill. Mulvane needed someone that knew it was a great day to be a Mulvane Wildcat. Daniel Myears accepted that challenge. A Mulvane alum and Fennewald assistant – and the quarterback for Fennewald’s first season as head coach in 1992 – Myears has also been the baseball coach at Mulvane since 2011. Now Myears has to pick his own first quarterback, and it will be no small task. Stratospheric athlete Jayden Price graduated and moved on to North Dakota State after a senior year with 2,300 total yards and 32 touchdowns. “Big key will be all the offensive people around our QB,” Myears said. “We will be inexperienced in the key spot of a football team and our o-line will have a major role in our QB success.” The surest way to break in a new quarterback is with an established offensive line. Mulvane has been a factory for maulers in recent years. That will continue with five vets that punched their way to 356 yards per game, including 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound bulldozer Matt Beyer. Two more set pieces in the arsenal include running back Cole Diffenbaugh and receiver and basketball standout Drew Ellis, who combined for 20 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards of offense. The defense has room for growth, but should bloom on the line with Blake Scott and Jaret Plummer, a duo that combined for seven-and-a-half sacks. Myears’ welcoming gift to the lead role is a season-opening date with the Andale empire that comes off a 4A-Division 1 state runner-up finish. The Wildcats get six opponents that won at least four games in 2017. 6-4 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV Coach: Daniel Myears (1st year) Assistants: Steve Nelson, Randy Fox, Taylor Zeka, David Dieker, Taylor Hageman Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 5 Defense Payton Wayman, OL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Jaret Plummer, OL/DL, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Brandon Dandurand, OL, 6-1, 280, Sr.; Kyle Smith, OL, 5-8, 240, Sr.; Drew Ellis, WR/DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Jacob Walker, WR, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Braden Webb, RB, 5-6, 170, Sr.; Blake Scott, DL, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Layne Shockey, LB, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Matt Beyer, OL, 6-4, 270, Sr.; Cole Diffenbaugh, RB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Trey Greer, LB, 5-11, 180, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
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PAOLA
Out to prove that 2016’s 4-5 mark was an aberration, Paola did just that in 2017. The Panthers returned to their winning ways with a 7-3 mark and returned to the playoffs after missing them for the first time in 15 years in 2016. A loss to Class 4A Division I semifinalist De Soto denied Paola the Frontier League title and a 28-27 loss to Fort Scott kept the Panthers from being district champions. The only other loss came to Labette County in the first round of the playoffs and was the only game where the Panthers failed to score at least two touchdowns. Veteran coach Mike Dumpert typically has a prolific ground game, but this year goes into the season with plenty of question marks in that area. Graduation claimed 95 percent of the team’s offense, including a trio of all-league backs in Kurt Golubski, Colton Gleghorn and Brandon Wilkes. The burden of filling that void will fall to senior Carter Holub and junior Evan Phillips who saw spot starts a year ago. They’ll have the luxury of running behind three returning starters on the offensive line, led by second-team all-leaguers Jeff Schartz and Mickey Stribling. Defense was Paola’s strong suit a year ago, allowing just 18.4 points per game, and should be again this year with six starters back. Senior linebacker Brendan Ohlmeier was a first-team all-leaguer who led the Panthers with 115 tackles a year ago, while junior defensive end Clay Essex also was a first-team all-league pick. Three other honorable mention all-league picks also return defensively. Paola will see two of the three newcomers to the league this year, including an opener with Bonner Springs. A non-league game with Fort Scott follows before the Panthers face traditional league foes the rest of the way with KC Piper mixed in. 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 4A Frontier League Coach: Mike Dumpert (18th year) Assistants: Mike Smith, Todd Weaver, David Kane, Darvin Willard, Steve Gorsuch Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Brendan Ohlmeier, LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Clay Essex, DE, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Jeff Schartz, DE/OT, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Seth Richmond, FS, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Mickey Stribling, OG, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Tyler McKinney, C, 6-2, 225, Sr.; Corbin Gant, WR, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Kip Rogers, NT, 6-4, 280, Sr.; Evan Phillips, RB/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Carter Holub, RB, 5-9, 185, Sr. Kyle McCaskey
PITTSBURG
Pittsburg’s second year as an independent went considerably better than its first. After going 5-4 in 2016 after leaving the Southeast Kansas League, the Purple Dragons nearly doubled their win total a year ago, going 8-3 and reaching the Class 5A state quarterfinals. Two of the three losses once again came to Missouri powerhouses, Webb City (34-13) and Carl Junction (37-17). Pittsburg knocked off its other Missouri foe, Harrisonville (37-21), and went undefeated against Kansas competition until running into eventual 5A runner-up Aquinas in the quarterfinals, falling 42-21. Tom Nickelson enters his seventh year as head coach just two wins shy of 50 in his career. The Purple Dragons return five starters on offense and six on defense and have proven players at every position group. Senior Dylan White is one of the top receivers in the state, catching 33 passes for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago. The question will be, who will be getting him the ball this year after graduation claimed standout Chase Curtis, who had 1,312 yards and 17 touchdowns passing a year ago. As the offense sorts out its personnel, Pittsburg will rely on an experienced defense led by senior lienbacker Jerek Butcher. Butcher had a teamhigh 111 tackles last year. The special teams will miss All-5A kicker Nathan Neef, who converted five of six field goal attempts last year. Pittsburg gets almost an entirely new landscape in 2018, dropping down to Class 4A after being a fixture in the 5A playoffs for the past decade. All three Missouri schools are gone from the schedule, but it doesn’t get any easier as the Purple Dragons added games with defending 6A champion Blue Valley North, 5A semifinalist Mill Valley, 4A semifinalist De Soto, 6A Olathe East and a Saturday mid-season game at Ulysses. 8-3 in 2017 / 4A Independent Coach: Tom Nickelson (7th year, 48-21) Assistants: Ben Bernhardt, Matt Butler, Matt Vaughn, Andrew Brennon, Leroy O’Bray, Jeff Johnson, Trevor Elliott, AJ Terry Offense: Multiple I Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 24 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Brayden Letterman, OL, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Dylan White, WR, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Sam Herring, OL, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Zach Sutton, WR, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Brandis Evans, RB, 5-9, 205, Sr.; Joel Kafka, SS, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Jerek Butcher, LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Dylan Jordan, LB, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Ty Roark, FS, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Bentley Boekhout, DT, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Peyton Steele, DE, 6-4, 220, Sr. Brent Maycock
ROSE HILL
Newly minted Rose Hill coach Lee Weber clearly has his vision to rejuvenate the football program, one that has been fun to watch unfold over the summer. Only so much Xs and Os can be imparted in June and July, but there is time to make an example of how Weber wants the aura of the program to be perceived. Weber is preaching a culture change that identifies which players feel ready to take leadership positions, he has been an avid fan of all of Rose Hill’s athletes even beyond the gridiron and there is a general, jovial, supportive tone pulsing through the school. Maybe those changes do not translate to wins on Friday nights. Maybe they do. There is no advanced statistic for sincerity and encouragement, but it certainly is not hurting the cause. And as far as the on-field product, Weber has schemes for that, too. His most recent coaching stop was Wamego, where he motivated the Red Raiders to two postseason bids in three seasons. Rose Hill has a hole to dig out of first, with its last postseason trek coming in 2013 and last winning season coming during a 13-1 state title run in 2011. “Quite simply, we are going to treat every game like our Super Bowl,” Weber said. “We have a tough row to hoe, but if this summer’s start is any indication, then there is no other group I would rather go to war with each week than these Rockets. We want to be a team that overachieves and is recognized for its speed, toughness, discipline and will to win.” Receiver Dalton Rapp offers a veteran presence. He hustled for nearly 300 receiving yards as a junior. Running back Travis Jones is a complementary piece to Rapp, rumbling for four rushing touchdowns. Linebacker Rylan Hingst will prowl on the defensive side after a 78-tackle season. “We have some fantastic young players, but they need to step up to the plate under the lights on Friday,” Weber said. “We have some definite holes to fill from a really talented group that graduated last year, but we have hungry kids that are ready to work for it.” 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 4A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV Coach: Lee Weber (1st year; 18th overall, 78-81) Assistants: Ryan Hill, David Penner, Brian Byers, Wade Weibert, Jim Madison, Brandon Barnhart Offense: New Mexico Style Spread Triple Option Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Tyce Carlson, QB, Sr.; Travis Jones, RB, Sr.; Dalton Rapp, WR, Sr. Kyle McCaskey
SPRING HILL
Coming off a landmark season in 2016 when it posted its first winning season in two decades and won a league title for the first time in nearly three decades, Spring Hill had a tough act to follow. Starting seven sophomores made things even tougher and the Broncos simply couldn’t build on the breakthrough. The program slipped back to a 2-7 campaign with the lone wins coming against Ottawa (27-19) and Eudora (19-7). The 46 points scored in those games represented nearly half of the Broncos’ total output for the season as Spring Hill scored just 107 points and was shutout twice. Fourth-year coach Jason Feeback expects improvement on that side of the ball with the Broncos returning nine starters. Senior Brennen Feeback was the team’s offensive MVP a year ago and is a three-year starter. He’s split time between quarterback, receiver and tight end on offense and totalled 1,000 yards last year, earning second-team all-league honors. He’ll be joined by junior back Zade Barker, who had more than 500 yards rushing, and senior receiver Devlin Davis, who had 500-plus total yards. The return of senior Bryce Scholze, after a year in Wisconsin, will help bolster the offensive line and linebacker spots. Senior linebacker Nolan Ewing is one of six returning starters on defense
SM-BISHOP MIEGE
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The drive for five is on at Miege. State champions in Class 4A Division I for each of its four years of existence, Miege enters the 2018 season looking to make it five straight crowns. No team has dominated its class in recent years like the Stags, who last year rolled through the postseason outscoring their foes 230-60. That included a 47-7 rout of Andale in the state championship game, capping a 13-0 season — Miege’s second undefeated title in four years. Even with Class 4A back to being one classification, Miege will be an overwhelming favorite to keep its run going. The Stags return seven starters on each side of the ball and 32 lettermen total from last year’s title team. That’s not to say there aren’t any big question marks for the Stags to answer. The biggest of those is how in the world does Miege replace starting quarterback Carter Putz? All Putz did in his three years as a starter was rewrite the state’s passing record books, setting career marks for yards (9,295), touchdown passes (124), completions (515) and completion percentage (71.9 percent) as well as single-season touchdown passes (50). The two-time Gatorade Player of the Year was 38-2 as a starter and Miege returns no one who attempted more than four passes last year. As a new starter takes over, don’t be surprised if the Stags lean heavily on junior tailback Brison Cobbins. A starter since day one as a freshman, Cobbins ran for 1,294 yards and 15 touchdowns last year and already has racked up 2,135 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground in his career. Even with the loss of All-5A center Jack Burns, Cobbins should find plenty of running room as the Stags return three starters up front, including allleague senior Josh Meurer and twins Taylor and Tylor Poitier. Leading receiver Daniel Jackson (54 catches, 1,270 yards, 16 TDs) also returns. The biggest holes defensively are in the secondary where senior Jaylen Scruggs is the lone returner. However, the front seven will be strong led by AllState linebacker Dylan Downing, the Eastern Kansas League defensive MVP a year ago after making 142 tackles (92 solo). Defensive lineman Jalen Williams added 90 tackles (26 tackles for loss) and had 11 sacks. 13-0 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Eastern Kansas League Coach: Jon Holmes (7th year, 66-10) Assistants: Assistant Coaches: Travis Grosdidier, Jim Giokaris, Andy Walter, Zach Mann, Steve Koesterer, Rex VanBuskirk, Mike Galvin, Kevin Mulvany, Mark Kellerman, Mitch Wille, Matt Eshelbrenner Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 32 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Brison Cobbins, RB, 5-7, 160, Jr.; Daniel Jackson, WR, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Phillippe Wesley, WR, 5-11, 170, So.; Josh Meurer, OL, 6-5, 300, Sr.; Taylor Poitier, OL, 6-3, 260, Sr.; Tylor Poitier, OL, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Jalen Williams, DL, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Sean Ryan, DL, 6-4, 295, Sr.; Mason Weber, DL, 6-3, 230, Jr.; Max VanMeter, DL, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Dylan Downing, LB, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Antonio Manning, LB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Jaylen Scruggs, DB, 5-9, 175, Sr. Brent Maycock
and had 105 tackles a year ago. Spring Hill will face all three newcomers to the Frontier League this year, getting Bonner Springs in week three and Tonganoxie and KC Piper in TONGANOXIE back-to-back weeks late in the season. Tonganoxie enjoyed one of the best seasons way to first-team all-league honors. Fellow linebacker The Broncos have a tough opener in Louisburg in school history last year, posting an undefeated Drake Pray was second in tackles with 64 and Riedel and the schedule also includes tough contests regular season before running into De Soto in the made 43. with Paola and DeSoto. first round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs. A 42-7 All-4A lineman LeeRoi Johnson will be missed, but 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 4A Frontier League Coach: Jason Feeback (4th year, 9-18) Assistants: Morgan Abel, Ben Gehring, Brian Hogan, Jerry Hunsaker, Nic Madelen, Alex Winkler, Tucker Woofter Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 6 Defense Brennen Feeback, QB/WR/TE/OLB, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Nolan Ewing, OLB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Devlin Davis, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Bryce Scholze, LB/OL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Zade Barker, RB, 5-5, 165, Jr. Brent Maycock
loss to the Wildcats denied the Chieftains a deep postseason run, but couldn’t take the shine off an otherwise stellar season. After an undefeated run in the final year of the now-defunct Kaw Valley League, Tonganoxie moves to the ultra-competitive Frontier League along with former KVL members Bonner Springs and KC Piper. The Chieftains will do so with a relatively new look after graduation claimed a bulk of the team’s offensive and defensive production. Senior back Korbin Riedel was a second-team all-league selection last year after running for 793 yards and nine touchdowns and will take on an even bigger load as the only proven returning skill player. He’ll be leaned on heavily early as the Chieftains look to replace tailback Dalton Bock (1,441 yards, 13 TDs) and quarterback Mason Beach (1.062 yards passing, 16 TDs). Tonganoxie’s defense was stout a year ago, giving up just 108 points in 10 games. Three of the top-four tacklers are back, led by junior linebacker Connor Searcy, who led the Chieftains with 73 tackles on his
senior Jake Miller and junior Cole Sample return with Sample coming off a runner-up finish in the shot put at the State Outdoor in May. Tonganoxie opens its season against former league rival Basehor-Linwood, which it beat 10-3 in last year’s regular-season finale to wrap up its perfect league record. 9-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 4A Frontier League Coach: Al Troyer (7th year, 33-25) Assistants: Matt Bond, Preston Troyer, Matt Thierolf, John Morgan, Josh Fahlgren, Clayton Neas Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 9 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Korbin Riedel, RB/SS, 5-7, 175, Sr.; Connor Searcy, TE/LB, 6-1, 195, Jr.; Jake Miller, OL/DL, 5-11, 250, Sr.; Cole Sample, OL/DL, 6-2, 270, Jr.; Drake Pray, RB/LB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Dallas Bond, TE/DE, 6-3, 175, So. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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TOWANDA-CIRCLE
Senior linebacker Corbin Ingrim will spearhead a Circle defense looking to rewrite the narrative around the program. Ingrim, an honorable mention Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division III selection, harvested 104 tackles – 10 for loss – and two sacks this past season. Roving safety Jared Greenwood has the tempo to clean up much of anything Ingrim cannot get to. Circle’s defense returns six starters. The Thunderbirds have several questions on offense, however, coming off a season averaging eight points per game. Circle lost two of its top skill position players, too, in quarterback Lane Coulter and wideout Hunter Lies. Coulter threw for 1,100 yards as a senior. Solomon Bowen displayed the beginnings of becoming Circle’s next premier receiving target, providing 358 yards as a sophomore. The road to victory has been tainted with potholes for Circle. The Thunderbirds carry a 16-game skid into this season, one that comes on the heels of a frustrating 36-game losing streak prior to it. Circle was the only 4A-Division I program without a win this past year, and one of only two without a W in 4A overall, with Bishop Ward the other. While taking nothing for granted, there is some wiggle room in the schedule for Circle. Six of its eight opponents won five games or fewer, including five in the first five weeks. The second half of the schedule toughens up with dates against powerhouses Buhler and McPherson in weeks six and eight, respectively. Still, this program reconstruction was going to be a long-term vision. Coach Logan Clothier starts his second year with the Thunderbirds. Clothier is a Topeka native and former Emporia State receiver. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 4A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division III Coach: Logan Clothier (2nd year, 0-9) Assistants: Les Zoch, Reese Richards, Matt Ingrim, Joe Zinn, Chris Oliver Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Corbin Ingrim, LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Jared Greenwood, FS, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Jarrett Harker, C/NT, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Easton Barrier, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Brandon Terrones, DE, 6-1, 230, Sr.; Lucas Scott, RT, 6-2, 330, Sr.; Curtis Wolf, LT, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Solomon Bowen, WR, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Tylar Cheek, OG, 5-11, 210, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
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WINFIELD
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2-7 campaign. “This being our third year, our kids will better understand our expectations and how hard you have to play to be successful,” said Winfield coach Linn Hibbs. “We feel good about the progress we have made. We are looking forward to a great season.” The defensive backfield may be the most reliable unit of the bunch. Led by speedy senior Landon Davis, the Vikings can plug four seasoned playmakers into the secondary. That, of course, feeds down the pipeline – a dependable secondary gives linebackers time to snuff out dump-off routes or clean up assignments, and that gives the linemen a couple more seconds to collapse the pocket or fluster a runner. For Winfield, that is imperative. The defense surrendered too many crevices, finishing in the lower third of 4A-Division I in points per game allowed. Winfield’s offense has veterans peppered throughout, which is bound to help the transition for the few new starters. While Winfield’s record left a little to be desired, the Vikings were, perhaps, closer to a breakthrough than the story told. The Vikings were competitive in a push to steal a postseason bid, with all three of its district losses coming by 15 points or fewer. The Vikings have a shot at a quick impression, traveling to Arkansas City (1-8) and hosting Circle (0-9) in weeks one and three, respectively. Outside of that, however, the layout will demand flawless execution, with six opponents touting at least four wins this past year. The Vikings last finished over .500 in 2013, in line with their most recent playoff bid. Long known and long tenured in the Wichita area - most notably with his ultra-successful career as head coach at Wellington - Hibbs begins his third year at Winfield.
The 2017 season took Wellington back to what seems its rightful crusade as perennial playoff participant. Wellington made the cut for the first time since a storied run of berths ended in 2010. While the format changes for 4A this year, the world seemed right again with Wellington making an annual postseason trek. The Crusaders must make strides with their offensive execution. In five losses this past year, Wellington combined for 33 points, putting too big a burden on the defense to try to be impeccable. Finding more ways to put the ball in the hands of De’Andre Washington will be a priority. Washington is emerging as one of the top receiving targets in the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League. However, that does not address offensive line concerns. “Having to replace the line on both sides of the ball will be a difficult task,” said Wellington coach Zane Aguilar. “Success early will depend on how quick our new linemen transition to the speed of Friday night.” The defense should jell quickly, buoyed by linebackers Caleb Reichenberger and Isaac Hilt, as well as Washington prowling the secondary. Wellington burst out to a 3-0 mark in 2017. A repeat performance will require A-grade performances from the first snap, as the Crusaders open with Wichita Collegiate, Andale and Clearwater. Wellington was an even 3-3 against teams on their 2018 docket. The Crusaders add Augusta – a team they played regularly earlier this decade – and Labette County, a squad coming off a 9-2 season. Wellington has four state titles in its history, including with Aguilar on the field for his alma mater 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 4A in 2001 and 2002. Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League IV Coach: Linn Hibbs (3rd year, 3-15; 21st overall, 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 4A 126-91) Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV Assistants: TD Buck, Lelin George, Zach Coach: Zane Aguilar (3rd year, 5-14) McDowell, Kyle Westerman, Joe Vargas Assistants: Ryan Elder, Daniel Farley, Nick Offense: Multiple I-Formation Defense: Multiple 50 Wellington, Tim Lira, Ross Foley Returning lettermen: 24 Offense: Pro/Power I Defense: 4-3 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Returning lettermen: N/A Nathan Fox, OL/DL, 6-2, 296, Sr.; Mark Clifford, 1-8 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 4A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense DB, 5-8, 147, Sr.; Sebastian Morrissey, TE/LB, 6-1, Great West Activities Conference Grey Hatfield, RF, 6-0, 195, Sr.; De’Andre 181, Sr.; Landon Davis, WR/DB, 5-10, 164, Sr.; Coach: Rick Cue (1st year) Washington, WR/DB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Trayson Probst, Jack Mull, RB/DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Jacob Weber, WR/ Assistants: Kyle Shryock, Chase Rietcheck, Bennie WR/P, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Julian Jimenez, WR/DB, 5-10, DB, 6-2, 172, Sr.; KC Crandall, QB, 5-7, 132, Jr.; Rodriguez 160, Sr.; Caleb Reichenberger, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Steele Morin, RB, 5-8, 170, Jr.; Isaiah AndersonOffense: Wing T Defense: Multiple Michael Ledbetter, QB/DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Isaac Lolar, OL/DL, 5-9, 251, Jr. Returning lettermen: 23 Hilt, RB/LB, 5-11, 195, Jr.; Zander Vargas, QB/DB, Kyle McCaskey Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense 5-7, 175, Jr.; Zane Cornejo, LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Silas Devin Walker, QB, 6-8, 215, Sr.; Andrew Nagel, Popplewell, TE/DE, 6-2, 200, Jr. RB/LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Julius Sifuentes, WR/DB, Kyle McCaskey 5-10, 165, Sr.; Victor Perez, WR/OLB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Sloan Hayden, TE, 6-6, 208, Jr.; Alex Corpus, OG, 5-7, 210, Jr.; Jace Garrison, OT, 6-1, 215, Jr.; Alonzo Martinez, OLB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Abelardo freshman. Sanchez, DE, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Trey Chavez, DE, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Darwin Maxwell, DT, 5-7, 220, Sr.; Senior lineman Jaden Eslinger (6-4, 285) will be a three-year starter. Several senior Koy Kenny, LB, 6-1, 190, So. Conor Nicholl linemen that coach Burke labeled “program kids” who have bided their time should
On July 24, tragedy struck Ulysses and southwest Kansas when longtime Tiger head football coach and athletic director Jason Kenny unexpectedly passed away. Kenny was in his 24th year overall with Ulysses and had served as head coach for 18 years with a career record of 135-60. The Tigers were a consistent 4A playoff team, most notably with state runner-up showings in ’73, ’96 and ’05 and four semifinal appearances from ’00-’07. Last year, Kenny had the youngest team in his career and took a three-win decrease to 1-8. Ulysses missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002. On August 6, the Garden City Telegram reported that Rick Cue, a long-time assistant coach at the school, will serve as interim head coach for 2018. According to previous reporting in the Telegram, Kenny, a Wallace County graduate, had started teaching at Ulysses in ’94 and became the school’s AD in ’09-’10. Kenny’s son, Koy, is a returning starter after he was a freshman linebacker last fall. Ulysses lost to Colby in Week 4 for the first time since 1992. Ulysses took multiple close losses, including versus Liberal (21-12) and at Hugoton (14-13) to start the year. After five straight defeats by at least 26 points, the Tigers beat Winfield at home, 29-14, in Week 8. Then, the Tigers lost at Wellington, 28-14, in Week 9 with a playoff berth on the line. The Tigers, a former 4A-I team, will stay in 4A West. A year after the Tigers returned five offensive and three defensive starters, Ulysses has seven offensive and six defensive starters back this year. Ulysses has two very tall returners with 6-foot-8 senior quarterback Devin Walker and 6-6 junior tight end Sloan Hayden. Additionally, senior wide receiver/defensive back Julius Sifuentes, senior running back/linebacker Andrew Nagel and senior lineman Darwin Maxwell are all entering their third years as starters.
Burke/from page 115______________________________
contribute this year. The group includes Gavin Siepel (6-1, 245), Eli Eslinger (5-9, 205), Dalton Hurt (6-4, 175) and juniors Gage Berry and Eric Helms, Isaac’s brother. “I have always enjoyed having senior linemen,” coach Burke said. Burke was an early adopter of the spread offense, a look he incorporated when Pick was his quarterback at Dodge City. In ’06, DC had a huge offensive improvement and went 6-3 with 33 points a game. In ’09, Burke’s last year, the Red Demons again finished 8-3 with 32.2 points a contest. “Grew up knowing it, and know the game of football better than most kids ever have a chance too,” Jake Burke said of watching and playing for his dad’s offense. Burke took over a Roadrunner program that had four straight 2-7 seasons and collectively averaged 15.1 points a contest. Chaparral, which has run the spread since his third season, has averaged 35.3 points per contest in his era. “As a quarterback, you’ve got to know your read keys and exactly who is going to be open at what time, what defense they are in,” Jake Burke said. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school teams across the state for more than a decade.
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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1. Andale 2. Sabetha 3. Hesston 4. Scott City 5. Topeka Hayden
CLASS 3A
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame In the east, Sabetha gave some indication, but no clear signs of a breakout season under coach Garrett Michael. The run-heavy Bluejays finished 9-2 in 2016. Last year, Sabetha, unranked in the preseason and most of the fall, went 12-1 and earned a surprise state championship. This fall, all signs point to another deep run for the Bluejays. Sabetha returns nose guard Elliott Strahm, the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year. The Bluejays bring back seniors Joe Gruber and Mitchell Engelken. They rushed for 1,213 and 967 yards, respectively. Junior Gabe Garber tallied 668 rushing yards and is expected to move to QB. Sabetha committed just 10 turnovers and finished plus-26 in turnover margin. Out west, Pratt has long played in Class 4A, and most recently Class 4A, Division II. In 2016, the Greenbacks unranked in the preseason and most of the fall, finished 12-1 and won 4A-II. After a 7-2 year last season, the Greenbacks return a significant number of key players, most notably first team all-state running back Travis Theis (1,691 rushing yards, 25 TDs). Theis will switch to quarterback this fall. Decorated offensive lineman Hunter Huber will shift to fullback. Pratt, too, has done well with ball control with just eight turnovers in ’17. This fall, Sabetha and Pratt’s storylines intersect as Kansas made changes to the classifications and playoff system. Class 3A formerly had 64 teams and 4A-I and 4-II each had 32. For 2018, 4A, 3A and 2A have 48 apiece with 1A – formerly 2-1A - at 31. “I am glad we won it when we did in 3A, because it was the biggest class, and I feel it was the hardest class just because there’s 64 teams,” Michael said. Class 3A now features the former 32 squads in 4A-II, along with the biggest 16 teams in 3A. “They just named us different, and they just added 16 teams to us,” Pratt coach Jamie Cruce said. “Everything else is the same. They just brought back 1A.” Previously, 3A and 4A-II were in four-team districts with the top-two squads from each district advancing to the playoffs. Districts were just the last three weeks of the regular season. Now, 3A is in eight six-team districts. After open scheduling the first three weeks, teams will play districts in Weeks 4-8. “You’ve got three games now to be at your best or see where you are at,” Michael said. After Week 8, the top-four teams in each district will advance to bracket play. In the past, 3A Week 9 was on Thursday, followed by Tuesday for the first round and the following Saturday for the second round. The Tuesday first-round playoff game was eliminated. Overall, Cruce is a fan of the new model. However, he would like to have seen the higher classification model of seeding after Week 8, and then the top seed earning home field in the postseason.
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Others: Frontenac, Galena, Halstead, Holcomb, Holton, Marysville, Pratt, Smoky Valley, Wellsville, Wichita Collegiate “All in all, it’s probably for the best,” Cruce said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to play three games in 10 days, so I understand changing. I would have probably liked to have seen it go to a little bit more of the 4-5-6A playoff.” Like Sabetha’s stable of returners and Pratt’s Theis, the new 3A has a significant number of returning allstate selections and traditional powers. Like Pratt, some teams’ schedules had little change, while others, like Sabetha, will play several newer teams. In terms of students, the biggest 3A team is powerhouse Topeka Hayden (7-5). The Wildcats lost in the 4A-II semifinals to Frontenac (9-4). In the championship, Holcomb (12-1) beat Frontenac. The Longhorns defeated rival Scott City (11-1) in the west side 4A-II sub-state contest. All of those teams are also in 3A, along with Columbus (7-3) and Smoky Valley (9-2). Scott City brings back 4A-II all-state defensive lineman Wyatt Hayes (1,161 rushing, 80 tackles) and all-purpose athlete Marshall Faurot (560 receiving). SV returns KPreps all-state offensive lineman Ethan Wampler and Tim Lambert, Jr., who won three golds at state track and set two state records. Andale, the defending 4A-I state runner-up, also switched down to 3A after a 12-1 year last fall. The Indians return tight end/defensive end Mason Fairchild, a South Dakota commit. Fairchild, running back Sawyer Simon and offensive lineman Cooper VenJohn return after first team all-league honors. Last year, Pratt was in 4A-II, District 8 with Kingman, Hugoton and Holcomb. This year, the Greenbacks are in 3A, District 7 with Kingman-Cunningham, Hugoton, Holcomb, Larned and Nickerson. The only change is the Greenbacks will play Hesston in a marquee Central Kansas League matchup and
won’t face long struggling conference foes Haven and Lyons. “We pick up Hesston, which obviously makes our schedule a lot more difficult,” Cruce said. Hesston (8-4) has arguably the classification’s best backfield combination with quarterback Cameron Cox and running back Parker Roth (1,895 rushing yards). Cox passed for 1,877 and rushed for 1,231 with 30 TDs accounted for. Four offensive lineman starters return. “We will work for another shot at November football,” coach Tyson Bauerle said. “Our goal in the new playoff format is to make it a fifth straight district championship and then take it one step at a time after that.” Last fall, Sabetha played in 3A, District 1 with Nemaha Central, Riverside and Hiawatha. NC and Riverside dropped to 2A. Sabetha is in District 4 with Hiawatha, Holton, Royal Valley, Marysville and Wamego. It marks the first time the Bluejays will face Marysville in the regular season since before ’06. Sabetha has not played Wamego since ’09. Big 7 rival, and traditional power, Holton and NCKL member Wamego were all in 4A-II. Last season, Sabetha defeated Marysville for the 3A state title. Sabetha will play Marysville in Week 4 to open districts. “Probably one of the toughest districts in 3A,” Michael said. Holton graduated four of its top-five tacklers, and its top-two rushers. Seniors Jayger Carson and Jackson Martin rushed for 584 and 581 yards respectively for the 7-4 Wildcats. Marysville (12-2) has first team all-state wide receiver Jacob Backhus (919 receiving, seven TDs, 637 kick return yards) returning. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school and college teams across the state for more than a decade.
and Michael remembers him as a youngster at the pool. Strahm, also the reigning 3-2-1A state wrestling champion at 285 pounds, still has a summer daily routine that includes weights, pool and work. “It’s fun to watch a big boy like that dive in and beat everybody, because everybody else is in his wake,” Michael said. He started playing football in fifth grade and loved the sport, especially defense. As a freshman, Strahm was on the defensive line against the No. 1 offense in practice. On a running play, Strahm got off the line, ran down and delivered a three-yard tackle for loss. Sabetha huddled, and Michael called the same play.
Strahm again registered a tackle for loss. He quickly earned the starting job as a freshman nose guard, a rarity at any classification, and helped Sabetha to the quarterfinals. In Strahm’s career, Sabetha is 29-8 with 13.2 points per game allowed. In the three years prior to Strahm, Sabetha was 17-15 with 19.4 points permitted. “Few and far between when you get guys like that,” Michael said.
Strahm/from page 101_____________________________________________
Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school teams across the state for more than a decade.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, By Conor NichollVolume 13
For Kansas Pregame In early summer, Pratt football coach Jamie Cruce missed a week of weights because of his ailing mother, Janet Rae Abrams, who lived in Salina. Senior Travis Theis sent texts of support to Cruce during his absence. Abrams died June 30. Theis talked with friends and said he was going to the funeral. Seniors Kadence Riner and Sevren Hance were available and rode with Theis. The kindness touched Cruce, now entering his sixth year. “It’s easier to do for someone that’s always been there for you like coach Cruce has for me,” Theis said. “And ever since I met coach Cruce, our relationship’s really grown, and he’s a great guy, and I wouldn’t miss anything like that for him.” The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Theis is entering his fourth season as a starter. He has been one of Kansas’ top football players since his sophomore season and lifts more weight than most collegians. A two-time all-state player, he helped Pratt win the Class 4A, Division II crown in ’16 and post a 7-2 record last fall. Theis, the third-oldest of five in an athletic family, is a three-sport athlete and carries a 3.7 GPA. Additionally, he loves to be around people and often thinks of others. Sometimes, Theis pulls Cruce aside, offers appreciation and tells him he loves him. “I didn’t spread the information around,” Cruce said. “They had just heard that she’d passed, and they drove two hours to go to the funeral and showed up, so he is very personable. He’s kind of a total package.” Entering the last week of July, Theis had maxes of 295 in bench, a school record 335 in clean and 560 in squat. He posted 4.44 seconds hand-timed 40-yard dash at two summer camps. Outside of NAIA, Theis has not received any scholarship offers. Cruce, the former Bethany College coach, believes Theis would a “difference maker” at Division II or NAIA. Multiple schools have shown interest, including Division I’s Wyoming, Air Force, and multiple FCS schools like South Dakota and South Dakota State. Theis knows schools are likely focusing on his size. “It’s hard to overlook 5-9, and I understand that when there’s bigger kids,” Theis said. “You can’t teach size, but you can’t teach heart either.” Theis has stayed positive and enjoyed the summer camp experiences. Theis said he had “good bonding time” with his parents, Lyndel and Rusty, on the long treks to South Dakota for workouts on back-to-back days. Theis’ older brother, Jerod, started at center for Pratt. Sister Brooke participated in volleyball at Pratt Community College last fall and was one of the leading attackers. Kami earned first team all-league pitcher as a freshman for the Pratt softball program. “I am pretty lucky,” Travis said. “I have a great family, great parents, very supportive, taking me all over this summer. Full-time jobs, but can take off whenever they need, come watch us play, come watch us do everything.” Cruce first saw Theis when he helped coach Pratt junior high basketball. He noticed Theis’ athleticism and incredible strength. As an eighth grader, Theis showed good form, strength and could outperform high schoolers in the weight room. Freshman year, Theis, then at 5-9, 170, became quarterback after an injury to Landen Studer. He took snaps from his brother, who was 6-1, 215. Travis liked chasing his brother’s personal bests in the weight room. Theis could squat more than 400 pounds and was just behind his brother’s numbers. “Just part of the game really,” Theis said of lifting. “I have always been a pretty strong kid, and making people drop their jaws, making people want to put that weight on, that sort of thing really, it’s just fun.” In ’16, Theis helped Pratt to an eight-win improvement and the surprise state title with 1,975 rushing yards. “High school level, he is nearly impossible to tackle,” Cruce said. Last fall, Pratt ran its winning streak to 15. The Greenbacks suffered its first ‘17 loss in Week 8 to Holcomb, 19-14. The Longhorns eventually captured state. In Week 9, Pratt missed the playoffs with a surprising 39-25 loss to Kingman. Theis finished with 1,691 yards and 25 scores. This fall, Theis moves back to quarterback and should switch to linebacker after 217 tackles at defensive back his last three years. “It’s easy to get content, to be OK with being average and it gets easier after you win something like a state title,” he said. “…We kind of let up, and that’s what got us beat. We weren’t as prepared our last two games. We had a tough loss to Holcomb, and it won’t happen again this year. We will be prepared.”
The Lyons Twin Mansions were completed in 1876. The beautiful, Victorian mansions are now one of the top Bed & Breakfast in the State of Kansas. Nate’s Place, located in the south mansion, serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Lyons Twin Mansions are available for tours.
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(Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com)
GREEN
TRAVIS TH
EIS, QB/
RB/LB/D
B A C KS
B, PRATT,
THE THEIS FILE
SR.
Hobbies: Sports Favorite subject: P.E., Lifetime Sports Favorite food: Ribs Favorite musician: George Strait Favorite pregame song: “College Football Pump Up” Most memorable high school football moment: “The journey to the 2016 State Title.”
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13 By Conor Nicholl
Page 101
For Kansas Pregame Off the field, Sabetha senior lineman Elliott Strahm is easy going, affable and pleasant. In the trenches, Strahm exudes a different personality. “In the classroom, in the hallways, you want him dating your daughter,” Sabetha coach Garrett Michael said. “He’s just always happy, always got a smile on his face, he’s always got a good attitude. Good work ethic, but when the lights turn on, and you’re an opponent, he doesn’t treat you real well, and so the competitive spirit comes out in him.” Strahm’s drive yielded an elite 2017-18 high school year for himself and Sabetha, which won state crowns in football, baseball, boys’ golf and girls’ track. “Something very impressive and not done every year,” he said. A longtime standout swimmer with football offers from Emporia State and Washburn, the 6-foot-2, 270-pound Strahm earned all-state on both sides of the ball from different publications. Offensively, Strahm helped Sabetha churn out 325 rushing yards a game and set a state mark with 81 carries in a playoff win against Osage City. Defensively, he was a constant disruptive force at nose guard. Strahm recorded 64 tackles, 3.5 sacks for the Class 3A state champion Bluejays. His impact went far beyond statistics. Strahm consistently drew double- and triple-teams and kept linemen off Sabetha’s linebackers and safeties, a key focus for Sabetha’s front. Strahm cramped almost every game, which the coaching staff attributed to his desire. “He just exerts so much force and effort,” Michael said. Michael remembered a snap in the 17-14 semifinal victory against Silver Lake. Strahm did not earn a tackle but pushed back the Eagle center and allowed his teammates to make a key play. “He takes great pride in taking the double team, or taking the triple team, and in his mind, he is basically making the tackle,” Michael said. “It’s hard for those guys to get credit, but they understand in our system what their job is, and they understand it’s very important.” Sabetha permitted 9.7 points per contest, second-best in Class 3A, as Strahm collected his classification’s defensive player of the year honors. The Bluejays, unranked virtually all season, defeated Marysville, 7-6, in the final seconds in the championship. Gabe Garber intercepted the Bulldogs just in front of the goal line to secure the win. Sabetha finished plus-26 in turnover margin and had more interceptions (24) than offensive pass receptions (21). “Our defense just has that mentality of ‘They are not getting in,’” Strahm said. On the way home, Sabetha endured devastating tragedy when Tanner and Carson Ukele’s family was in a car wreck. Strahm and his teammates heard the news on the team bus. The Ukele’s mother and sister passed away, and their father was seriously hurt. It marked the second time in five years Sabetha had a family member pass away surrounding a big game. In 2012, Sabetha defeated Riley County, 28-8, Michael’s first playoff win. Before the contest, Tim Edelman, who worked with the Bluejays’ film equipment, suffered a seizure on the track. His son, Alex, a Bluejay starter, left the stadium with his dad. He eventually passed away. Michael has used the motto of “faith, family, football,” which has helped Sabetha in difficult times. After last season, the football seniors designed a championship ring and put three stones on the side of the ring to represent the lives lost, a gesture that greatly impressed Michael. In Michael’s eyes, he is uncertain that he “will ever see” a squad again that had the leadership and unselfishness like 2017. “Just pray that this team inherits that,” Michael said. Strahm’s competiveness started in the water. He has swum for more than a decade continued on page 97
The LaRoche Baseball Complex was a vision of hometown baseball hero, Adam LaRoche. This 3.5 million dollar stadium is home to various tournaments throughout the summer, and is the home of the Fort Scott Tigers!
Elliott STRAHM
(Photos by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com)
BLUEJA YS
ELLIOT ST
RAHM, O
G/NG, SA
BETHA, S R.
THE STRAHM FILE
Hobbies: “Horseback riding, leather tooling, swimming and being outdoors.” Favorite subject: Government Favorite food: Steak Favorite music: Country Favorite pregame song: “Trenches” by Pop Evil Most memorable high school football moment: “Winning the 2017 Class 3A State Championship.”
For more info go to visitfortscott.com
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ANDALE
Coach Dylan Schmidt, a former Andale graduate and assistant coach, joined Colgan’s Shawn Seematter and Bishop Carroll’s Dusty Trail as first-year head coaches to lead teams to state championship games last fall. Andale had a four-win improvement from 8-2 and finished 12-1. The Indians had a big defensive improvement from 20.3 points permitted per game to 11.3. Andale graduated Shrine Bowler Parker Bruce, the state leader in interceptions, and LB Grant Fairchild, a Pittsburg State signee. However, tight end/defensive end Mason Fairchild, a South Dakota commit, is back, along with multiple other decorated players for one of the state’s traditional powers. Mason Fairchild, offensive lineman Cooper VenJohn and running back Sawyer Simon were first team all-league. Schmidt said Andale’s strength comes in its numbers with around 20 seniors and around 85 to 90 kids total. Andale has six returning starters on offense and three defensively. Schmidt listed keys as keeping players healthy and finding solid replacements from a “great 2017 senior group.” “Last year it was a total team effort to make it to the championship in 4A, Division 1, it will be much of the same this year in 3A,” Schmidt said. “We have a talented group of seniors that we will rely on heavily.” Senior offensive lineman Ethan Shackleford was a second team all-league selection, and QB Ethan Baalmann and running back Devin Marx were honorable mention. Defensively, Marx and junior Mac Brand were honorable mention all-league at linebacker. Junior Easton Hunter and senior Seth Bugner were first team all-league punter and kicker, respectively. Hunter also split time with Baalmann at quarterback. Last year, Andale defeated Clearwater (50-0), Collegiate (35-7), rival Buhler (17-6) in the regular season, and then defeated Wamego (64-13), Andover Central (40-10) and McPherson (20-13) in the playoffs. The Indians lost, 47-7, to Bishop Miege in the state title game. 12-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Ark Valley Chisolm Trail Division IV Coach: Dylan Schmidt (2nd year, 12-1) Assistants: Tim Fairchild, Ted Easter, Jeff Geist, Derek Deegan, Tyler Ryan, Mike Blasi, Chris Joy, Jordan Ungles, Ted Anderson Offense: Multiple 2-Back/3-Back Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 3 Defense Mason Fairchild, TE/DE, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Ethan Shackleford, OL, 6-2, 270, Sr.; Sawyer Simon, RB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Cooper VenJohn, OL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Devin Marx, RB/LB, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Ethan Baalmann, QB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Easton Hunter, QB/P, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Mac Brand, LB, 5-11, 200, Jr.; Seth Bugner, K, 5-11, 170, Sr. Conor Nicholl
BAXTER SPRINGS
As the temperatures fall, so, too does Baxter Springs’ win-loss record. Something about October does in the Lions. Baxter Springs is a perfectly cromulent 23-37 in non-district games over the past 10 years. Once district play begins, though, it turns disastrous. The Lions are 2-28 in district contests in that same span. The 2017 season followed the pattern. The Lions opened the year 4-2 with an average victory margin of 45.3 points. Admittedly, the competition was light – those four triumphs came against adversaries that were a combined 2-36 this past season – but Baxter Springs can only play the schedule laid out in front of them. Once district arrived, however, the Lions were swept out. A move to the six-team districts of the new-andimproved 3A provide ample looks to break the monotony, but the district assignment looks dire. Baxter Springs checks in with Columbus, Galena, Frontenac and Caney Valley, four returning playoff qualifiers. The non-district schedule is rough as it adds in two more postseason warriors in Girard and St. Mary’s Colgan. Baxter Springs has been in a playoff drought since 2006. The Lions displayed some scoring prowess this past season, raking in 30 points per game. They should be able to win shootouts as necessary, banking on the athleticism of senior quarterback Trey White. White is a three-sport star, a standout guard in basketball and state qualifier in the high jump. Despite some district doldrums, Baxter Springs has carved out a name for being a competitive weekly matchup. From 2011 to 2015, Baxter Springs compiled only five combined wins. The Lions reached that number in 2016 alone, and nearly did it again this past year.
In ‘17 Beloit switched from the Greg Koenig era – known for high-octane rush offense – to Brad Gober, known for his defense. The last two years produced 6-3 seasons but with much different numbers. In ’16, the Trojans’ average score was 41.6-33.6. Last year, Beloit’s average score was 31.9-18.2. Beloit’s main 2017 struggle came in close games. Last year, the Trojans went 1-2 in games decided by 12 points or fewer with a 13-6 season-opening home win against Concordia and then fell 28-22 at Ellsworth in Week 2. It ended a nine-game winning streak versus Ellsworth. In districts, Beloit fell 56-28 versus eventual state runner-up Marysville and then lost 12-0 at Riley County in Week 8. This year, Beloit is in Class 3A, District 8 with Colby, Concordia, Goodland, Russell and Scott City. Beloit returns multiple decorated players. Creighton Johnson was a first team all-league lineman, while Zac Meier (912 rush, 11 rush TDs) was a first team all-league running back. Hudson Smith was a first team all-league receiver and d-back. He recorded 22 catches for 424 yards and 14 offensive TDs. Tate Ahlvers (815 rush, five rush TDs) was a second team all-league running back. Linebacker Carson Cox was a second team all-league linebacker after he led the team with 80 tackles, with 17 for loss. Hudson Gray returns at QB after he completed 60 of 116 passes for 992 yards with a 19/6 TD/INT ratio. “Talented group of kids who are experienced,” Gober said. “We have all of our offensive weapons back from last season.” All the rushing yards are back from a team that averaged 244 yards and 6.8 yards a carry. Beloit has to replace two linemen but return all but one of its TDs. “We have a few new additions and young guys who are going to step in and be productive football players,” Gober said.
6-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A North Central Activities Association Coach: Brad Gober (2nd year, 6-3) 4-5 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Assistants: Kevin Harris, Casey Seyfert, Garry Lowry Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Offense: Pro Gun Defense: 4-2-5 Coach: Tim Parrish (5th year, 12-24) Returning lettermen: N/A Assistants: N/A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 10 Defense Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Creighton Johnson, OL/DL, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Collin Chandler, OL/DL, 6-2, 225, Sr.; River Paul, OL/ Returning lettermen: N/A DL, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Zac Meier, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey Carson Cox, FB/LB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Hudson Smith, WR/DB, 5-7, 145, Sr.; Grant Arasmith, LB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Tate Ahlvers, RB/WR/SS, 5-6, 155, Sr.; Vincent Palan, WR/DB, 5-10, 145, Jr.; Hudson Gray, QB/DB, 6-1, 180, Jr. Conor Nicholl
BURLINGTON
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After winning five games in John Petrie’s first year as head coach, Burlington improved to 7-4 last year, reaching the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs before suffering a hard-fought 30-24 loss to perennial power Hayden. Burlington shared the Pioneer League title for the first time since joining the league, splitting the crown with Wellsville and Santa Fe Trail. The Wildcats beat Wellsville 40-20 in the season opener, but were denied the outright title by Trail, losing 36-28 to the Chargers in week two. The bulk of Burlington’s success a year ago was the direct result of a huge senior season by quarterback Connor Jeffers. Accounting for more than half the team’s carries and every pass attempt, Jeffers put up staggering numbers, rushing for 2,031 yards and 30 touchdowns and throwing for 708 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to first-team All-Class 4A Division II honors. His graduation leaves a major hole in the backfield, but doesn’t mean the Wildcats don’t have playmakers back to take on a bigger load. Junior back Cael Johnson was second on the team in rushing a year ago with 560 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 10 yards per carry, while fullback Tegan Hess added 289 yards and three scores. As big of loss as Jeffers is, so too is the graduation of every starter on the offensive line, including All-4A Division II first-teamer Tate Petrie. Four starting defensive linemen return, however, and that experience will be big as most transition to starting roles on offense. Lineman Shane Wright was the team’s third-leading tackler a year ago with 60 and led the team with 11 tackles for loss. Johnson added 59 tackles and four interceptions and senior Brannon Nordstedt had five picks, giving the Wildcats a strong presence in the secondary. Burlington will join most of last year’s 4A Division II programs in Class 3A this year after the change in classification systems. 7-4 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 3A / Pioneer League Coach: John Petrie (3rd year, 12-8) Assistants: Tim Johnson, David Gilman, Justin Logan Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 6 Defense Jarred Lutz, DL, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Brannon Nordstedt, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Tegan Hess, LB/FB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Cael Johnson, DB/WB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Brett Bober, DL/LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Parker Meats, DL, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Shane Wright, DL, 5-10, 195, Sr. BM
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CANEY VALLEY
Part of Caney Valley’s four-win improvement from 2015 to 2016 was more firepower on offense. The Bullpups scored eight more points per game from the previous year. Caney Valley continued to improve on that into 2017 – now up to 39.4 ppg – but the Bullpups were able to pair that with a similar surge on defense. Caney Valley chopped eight points per game off the opponent’s score, allowing a slim 11.6 points on average. The Bullpups stifled five competitors to only single digits. It was another promising move forward, but Caney Valley was halted at 8-3. The Bullpups avenged a 22-16 week six loss at Cherryvale with a 55-22 home triumph in the opening round of the postseason, but the Bullpups were knocked out a week later with a road loss to Osage City, 37-21. Caney Valley has 18 playoff bids in its history, including eight straight going into this year, but has never pushed past the quarterfinal round. Yet the Bullpups’ aptitude for owning the regular season is a feat of its own to be proud of. They have back-to-back Tri-Valley League titles, with the only league loss the past two years coming in the
BELOIT
aforementioned defeat at the hands of Cherryvale. Additionally, Caney Valley has only been dealt one district loss in the past seven seasons, with the most recent coming to Neodesha in 2015. Caney Valley has a seven-game district win streak moving into this season. It will be intriguing to see if they can preserve it in an exciting new assignment. Clashes await with playoff vets Frontenac (9-4 and the 4A-Division II runner-up), Galena (11-1) and Columbus (7-3). Baxter Springs (4-5) and Parsons (1-8) round out the field. The Bullpups averaged eight wins per season since 2008. 8-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Tri-Valley League Coach: Criss Davis Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
Kyle McCaskey
Santa Fe Trail may have missed the playoffs for the second straight season, but it was more about being a victim of circumstance than anything. Stuck in a district with proven powerhouses Hayden and Holton, the Chargers couldn’t knock off either to return to the postseason and settled for a solid 6-3 campaign. Trail’s only other loss came to Wellsville, but the Chargers still shared the Pioneer League title with the Eagles and Burlington in a three-way tie atop the league standings. Last year’s success came with a relatively young team as Trail only graduated eight seniors. The biggest of those losses was leading receiver Angel Esparza (457 yards, 6 TDs) and second-leading tackler Alex Schmitthenner (78 tackles). That leaves the bulk of Trail’s production on both sides of the ball back with eight starters returning on offense and nine on defense. Senior Will Herren leads both units, serving as the team’s workhorse back and leading tackler. Herren logged half of the team’s carries a year ago from his fullback spot in the Wing T offense, rushing for 1,187 yards and 18 touchdowns despite missing one game. Carter Greenfield added 359 yards and two other backs who had over 175 yards on the season also return, as does junior quarterback Andrew Berckefeldt, who threw for 650 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year as starter. Herren led the defense with 91 tackles and three others who had at least 60 stops also are back. That unit improved as the season went along, including a late shutout against Jefferson West.
Since breaking a long losing streak four years ago, Trail has logged 31 wins. With 3A using a modified district format, the road back to the playoffs is a difficult one with the Chargers contending with Hayden, Wellsville, Perry-Lecompton and Jefferson West. 6-3 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 3A / Pioneer League Coach: Jayson Duncan (9th year, 31-46) Assistants: Bob Hug, Regan Erickson, Denver Ramsey, Don Herren Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 24 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 9 Defense Will Herren, FB/LB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Carter Greenfield, RB/OLB, Sr.; Scott Sheets, RB/OLB, Sr.; Gabe Dunnaway, TE/WR, Sr.; Andrew Berckefeldt, QB, Jr.; Otis Costlow, OG, Sr.; Jason Prettyman, OG/LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Reice Randles, OT, Sr.; Evan Dean, NG/ DT, 6-3, 275, Jr.; Riley Seals, DT, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Cody Tyler, DT, 6-2, 245, Sr.; Caleb Jeanneret, LB, Sr.; Mark Huddlestun, CB, Sr.; McClain Weekley, S, So. Brent Maycock
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
CHAPMAN
A team that at least one North Central Kansas League coach referred to as a “tough out” had a deceptive 1-8 record last fall. While the Irish were blown out in district losses to Clay Center (48-8) and Smoky Valley (43-12), Chapman kept all of the six other losses under the 21 point differential including a one-point week one loss to Jeff West (7-6), a week six two-point loss to Wamego (14-12), and a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to Rock Creek to close the season. The Irish did score an upset win in week two over consistent winner Southeast of Saline, the team’s only victory on the season. But second year coach Kurt Webster has a number of key players back to improve the win total this fall and expectations are to do just that. It all starts up front with brothers Kobey and Kel Stroud, two blocks of granite on the offensive line. Kobey, a 6-foot, 245 pound senior, earned first team all-league honors last year and is one of the strongest players in the NCKL. Brother Kel, just a junior, is a monster at 6-4, 260, and Webster says he carries the weight well and has tremendous upside. Senior Nick Woodbury and junior Zach Ferris will join forces with the Strouds to block for an emerging all-around player in central Kansas in returning honorable mention all-league fullback Dalton Harvey. Lanky 6-5, 185 pound quarterback Izek Jackson - a three-year starter - returns to get Harvey the ball. The versatile athlete is earning the attention of area colleges and picked up an offer from Butler Community College at the end of the summer after performing well at both quarterback and receiver at the Sharp Performance Top Prospect Camp. He’ll have 6-2 wide receiver Brandon Colston to throw to, an honorable mention all-NCKL pick a year ago. Harvey will anchor the defense from his linebacker spot after locking down all-NCKL honors last year and the Strouds will keep opposing offensive lines from getting a push up front. Jackson and Colston will also return in the secondary, where Colston earned honorable mention all-league recognition last year. The schedule doesn’t include many soft spots. After opening with Marysville - last year’s 3A runner-up - the Irish face Wamego, Abilene, Clay Center and Rock Creek before closing the season with three playoff qualifiers from a year ago in Smoky Valley, Hesston and Halstead. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A North Central Kansas League Coach: Kurt Webster (2nd year, 1-8) Assistants: Clint Merritt, Tom Smith, Brian Sweet, Ridge Foster, Wade Chamberlain Offense: Wing T Defense: 3-5-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Dalton Harvey, FB/LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Izek Jackson, QB/DB, 6-5, 185, Sr.; Kobey Stroud, OL/DL, 6-0, 240, Sr.; Kel Stroud, OL/DL, 6-4, 260, Jr.; Nick Woodbury, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Zach Ferris, OL/ DL/LB, 6-0, 220, Jr.; Blake Vercher, RB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Brandon Colston, WR/DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Anthony Wasylk, DB, 5-9, 145, Sr. John Baetz
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CHENEY
Shelby Wehrman enjoyed great success in his first year with Cheney, leading the Cardinals from 5-4 to 9-3. Cheney reached the quarterfinals in ’17 and tied the ’91 team with the best playoff advancement in school history. The Cardinals opened the playoffs with a 48-8 win against Douglass, a 56-0 victory against Marion and a 42-25 loss to eventual state runner-up Marysville. Wehrman played linebacker on Derby’s 1994 state championship team, earned four letters with the Kansas State football program and then served as a longtime assistant at Derby under coach Brandon Clark. In the last seven to eight years, Wehrman estimated he had applied at more than 10 head coaching positions and was turned down each time, including the Hesston job before 2017. Wehrman, who has six children with his wife, lived in Rose Hill. He thought about giving up on coaching, had applied for a Rose Hill teaching job and didn’t get it. Then, Cheney activities director Todd Hague reached out to Wehrman in late May. Wehrman, also Derby’s track coach, interviewed for the Cheney football coaching position on Memorial Day. Cheney offered Wehrman the following day. “I hardly even filled out an application or anything else,” Wehrman said. “…Something that God had His hand in for me. Just very thankful for the opportunity.” Wehrman changed the offense and incorporated t tight end on each play. Quarterback Micah Grover, a three-year starter, delivered a huge year with more than 25 TDs accounted for before graduating. Junior running back Riley Petz returns after he cleared 900 rushing yards. The Cardinals earned district runner-up out of challenging 3A, District 10. Conway Springs won the district at 3-0, while Cheney, Garden Plain and Chaparral were all 1-2. Cheney finished second at minus-5 in point differential, while GP was minus-19 and Chaparral was minus-38. Shane Gleeson graduated after he earned Kpreps all-state offensive lineman honors. Cheney finished fourth in 3A in scoring offense with 548 points for 45.7 points a contest. The Cardinals permitted 19.8 points a contest. Cheney had an average score of 33-24 in 2016. This year, Cheney is in challenging Class 3A, District 6 with Andale, Clearwater, Haven, Wichita Collegiate and Wichita Trinity. Overall, the schedule includes road games at Conway Springs, at Clearwater and at Collegiate. Wehrman listed the team’s goals as wanting to get better every week and reach the playoffs with a winning record. “The difference in our season will be determined by the commitment that our players display by coming to workouts,” Wehrman said prior to the summer.
CLAY CENTER COMMUNITY
CLEARWATER
Page 104
A consistent playoff qualifier during Todd Rice’s tenure, 2017 was no different for Clay Center. The Tigers made the playoffs for the seventh time in Rice’s 10 years, advancing to the second round before ending the season with a tough-luck 21-13 loss to perennial power Scott City. The Tigers finished 7-4 overall, which was the program’s best record in more than a decade. Clay Center finished as co-champion of the North Central Kansas League with eventual Class 3A runner-up Marysville, and the only other losses came to 3A semifinalist Phillipsburg and Smoky Valley. The 2018 season will be one of transition for Clay Center. Rice resigned after last season to return to North Platte (Mo.), where he coached prior to taking over at Clay Center in 2009. His replacement is Ted Brown, who spent the past two seasons at Hiawatha and previously coached at Ingalls. Brown has a 42-26 career record and had Ingalls as a consistent playoff qualifier in eight-man. Brown will pretty much be starting fresh with personnel as well. Clay Center returns only one starter on each side of the ball — junior offensive lineman Logan McDonald and senior linebacker Dylan Moon. Moon ranked ninth on the team in tackles last year with 34. The holes to fill obviously are numerous, none bigger than the one left by Peyton Lane. The All-Class 4A Division II first-teamer led the defense with 152 tackles and accounted for nearly 1,400 yards of total offense from his quarterback position. Moon and junior back Cooper Glavan are the leading returning offensive performers from a year ago, but neither rushed for more than 45 yards and logged just 31 carries between them. Clay Center will be in Class 3A with the revised classification system this year. The Tigers won’t see league foe Concordia this season and the schedule adds big tests in 3A playoff qualifiers Halstead and Hesston.
Clearwater is undergoing an extreme makeover of sorts. Nearly the entire starting lineup will be overhauled, pressed into fruition by the graduation of 10 all-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV representatives. Additionally, Dirk Ankerholz stepped away from the program after nine seasons. Ankerholz’ occupancy had its ups and downs – an eight-win season in 2011 and a state quarterfinal trek in 2014, but this past year ended at 1-8, the lowest win total of his tenure. Jeremy Scheufler accepted the gig, beginning his first foray into the head coaching ranks. Scheufler played at Ellinwood and Bethany College. He is well traveled as an assistant coach, most recently stopping as the offensive coordinator for Campus for six seasons. “Our ability to handle setbacks and continue to move forward will play a large role in how successful we will be this upcoming season,” Scheufler said. While one cannot argue with the final record, a case could be made that Clearwater was a handful of possessions away from a much more glamorous mark. Clearwater lost five games by 14 points or less. Clearwater earned a 19-point victory over Rose Hill in week four, but ended the year on a five-game skid. A road contest at Rose Hill, coincidentally, opens the schedule for Clearwater this year. Clearwater joins the newly revised 3A. The sixteam district it linked into is littered with unwelcoming opponents. Wichita Trinity (4-5) and Wichita Collegiate (5-5) rejoin Clearwater in the newly-pressed district. Andale, a machine of a school that comes off a 4A-Division I state runner-up showing, and equally impressive Cheney (9-3), also are in the mix. Haven (2-7) rounds out the field. Clearwater was lean on trips to the end zone in 2017. The search will be on to find a few new playmakers to electrify the offense. “We will look to improve every day and increase effort on a daily basis,” Scheufler said.
7-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A North Central Kansas League Coach: Ted Brown (1st year; 8th overall, 42-26) Assistants: Marc Henry, JD Lane, Ben Last, Phil Kasper, Christian Johnson Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 1 Offense, 1 Defense Logan McDonald, OL, 6-0, 260, Jr.; Dylan Moon, LB, 5-7, 170, Sr. Brent Maycock
1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV Coach: Jeremy Scheufler (1st year) Assistants: Tyler Hampton, Chuck Schrader, Jim Frickey, Joe Hubener, Kylan Ward Offense: Spread Defense: Odd Stack Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 1 Offense, 3 Defense Conner Snell, OL/DL, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Drake Beatty, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Nolan Streit, OL/LB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Tanner Cash, QB/DB, 6-1, 175, So. Kyle McCaskey
C NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS 9-3 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 3A N Central Plains League B • CONCORDIA • CLAY CENTER Coach: Shelby Wehrman (2nd year, 9-3) • BELLEVILLE • GREENLEAF Assistants: Lee Baldwin, Michael Brewer, Bill Block, THE www.thecnb.com Kevin Schultz CITIZENS Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 We want to be N ATIONAL Returning lettermen: 15 YOUR bank! BANK Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense Landon Gegen, OL/DL, 6-2, 213, Sr.; Kauy Kuhn, FS, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Coy Lampe, OL/DL, 6-1, 196, Sr.; Trey Patterson, TE, 6-4, 221, Sr.; Ben Klinkerman, OL, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Brendan Dewey, C, 6-3, 160, Sr.; Colby opened 4-0 in the first season with Rees Riley Petz, RB, 5-11, 153, Jr.; Zane Smith, DL, 5-7, McKinney, formerly the Moscow coach. The Eagles 250, Jr.; Seth Teague, LB, 5-7, 143, Jr. beat Ulysses, 51-8, in Week 4 for the first victory Conor Nicholl against the Tigers since 1992. At that point, Colby was 13-6 in its last 19 games. Before then, Colby was 3-26 in its previous 29 contests, including a 16-game losing streak. Colby, though, had trouble against the upper echelon in 4A-II, specially league foe Holcomb, the eventual state champion. The Eagles went 2-4 down the stretch and lost in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight year. After the Ulysses victory – part of three straight home games – Colby went on the road against Holcomb, Norton and Scott City, all teams that made the playoffs, and lost 27-0, 35-6, and 42-14. Colby earned a playoff spot with home wins versus COLBY, KS Concordia (32-14) and Goodland (50-32) before a 405 W. Horton405 Ave.W. |Horton Toll Free: Ave.800-532-6529 | 785-462-3391| 785-462-3391 first-round playoff defeat, 46-15, at Holcomb. This year, Colby is in Class 3A, District 8 with Beloit, Good Luck Eagles! Concordia, Goodland, Russell and Scott City. Colby averaged 27.6 points per game and allowed 33. Two years ago, the Eagles scored 31.5 and permitted 31.2. 980 S. Range Ave Colby returns senior all-purpose threat Jordan Schippers, one of the state’s top players regardless of class. Schippers recorded 122 carries for 886 785-462-8206 yards with 13 scores. Colby delivered 201 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry. Additionally, junior Calvin Stapp finished with 109 carries for 750 yards Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery and four scores. Stapp recorded 39 catches for WE COVER
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492 yards and four scores, while Schippers had 29 catches for 282 yards and one TD. Senior Xavier Slaven returns after 51 tackles, including 11 TFLs. In his career, Schippers has 304 rushes for 2,343 yards and 33 scores, along with 83 catches for 1,325 yards and 18 TDs, but could move to QB this fall to fill a team need. For the first time since 2010, Colby does not open with Oakley, located less than 20 miles away east on I-70. Instead, Colby will play host to Ulysses. McKinney set goals to: become better men, show up on time ready to work every day, eliminate excuses and do what’s right every time. He said the team’s key is “playing to our level and ability.” 6-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A Great West Activities Conference Coach: Rees McKinney (2nd year, 6-4; 3rd overall, 11-8) Assistants: Matt Sims, Brad Wildeman, Travis Betz, Todd Kane Offense: Wing Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 27 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Jordan Schippers, RB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Carter Stanley, RB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Thomas Cline, LT, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Tucker Branum, HB, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Isaac Rosales, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Xavier Slaven, RT, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Kyler Britt, LG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Aaron Kurth, C, 6-6, 285, Jr.; Calvin Stapp, RB, 5-10, 145, Jr.; Kory Kinley, RG, 6-0, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
COLUMBUS
Having played for the Class 4A Division II state title in 2014 and coming within a point of getting back to the championship game in 2015, Columbus’ past two seasons have come to somewhat disappointing ends. Despite enjoying solid regular seasons, the Titans have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round each of the last two years. Last year, it was a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to Burlington in the postseason opener. That capped a 7-3 season in which the Titans dropped a four-point decision to Galena and suffered its only other loss to 4A Division II runner-up Frontenac. For most programs, the year would’ve been a satisfying one. But expectations have been set high at Columbus and the early exits should leave the returning Titans hungry for more. In order to return to their lengthier postseason stays, the Titans will have to reload at the skill positions after graduation claimed a bulk of last year’s production. Gone is four-year starting back Keenan Stanley, who amassed more than 4,000 combined rushing and receiving yards in his career, including 1,362 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground last year. Also gone is two-year starting quarterback Ridge Smith, who threw for more than 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons. So too is leading receiver Kale Smith and All-Class 4A II lineman Sam Eddington. That’s not to say the cupboard is bare, though. Senior lineman Tyler Stice is a three-year starter and was the 4A powerlifting squat champion last year in his weight class. Junior back Grayson Walden ran for 567 yards and six touchdowns in a complementary backfield role last year and is poised to be this year’s workhorse. In all, four starters are back on offense and five return on defense, including linebacker Tommy Shallenburger (52 tackles) and safety Shawn Robinson (51 tackles). Like most of last year’s 4A Division II programs, Columbus moves down to Class 3A under the new classification system. The Titans’ district has a familiar feel to it with Baxter Springs, Frontenac and Parsons still there along with strong newcomers Galena and Caney Valley. 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Coach: Dan Grundy (11th year, 75-33) Assistants: Troy Haraughty, Blake Burns, Matt Crain, Heath Perry Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Tyler Stice, OL, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Grayson Walden, RB, 5-9, 171, Jr.; Bryce Davis, OL, 5-11, 260, Jr.; Clay Saporito, WR, 6-1, 160, Jr.; Shawn Robinson, WR/S, 5-8, 145, Sr.; Jared Graham, S, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Tommy Shallenburger, LB, 6-4, 215, Sr.; Zach Coble, DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Caden Soper, DL, 5-10, 175, Sr. Brent Maycock
CONCORDIA
Concordia enjoyed a three-win improvement from 1-8 in 2016. However, the Panthers could have had more victories. Concordia opened with two road losses to Beloit and Clay Center by scores of 13-6 and 28-26. Then, the Panthers won three straight, including a 22-16 home win against Marysville in Week 3. Marysville was the eventual 3A runner-up to Sabetha. In Week 6, Concordia took another close loss with a 14-12 home game against Wamego. In 4A-II district play, Concordia opened with a 20-19 home victory versus Goodland, then lost at Colby (32-14) before a 28-12 home defeat versus Scott City. With 4A-II dissolving, the Panthers are in Class 3A, District 8 with Beloit, Colby, Goodland, Russell and Scott City. The Panthers were 7-3 two years ago for their last playoff berth. “Our team goals for 2018 are to maximize everyday by getting better at the fundamentals of the game,” coach Austin Kingsbury said. “Strive to give a quality effort everyday, and focus on improving the little things.” In ’17, Concordia delivered 280 yards a game, including 172 on the ground with 20.2 points per game. The Panthers allowed just 276 yards a contest, second best in the six-team North Central Kansas League, and also permitted 20.2 points. Concordia forced 17 turnovers and was plus-4 in turnover margin. In ’16, the Panthers scored just 12.4 points a contest and finished minus-3 in turnover margin. The pass defense improved from ‘16. That year, Concordia allowed 28 points a contest, allowed teams to complete 58 percent of passes for 9.4 yards per attempt, 130 yards a game and just three INTs. Last year, the Panthers permitted 60 percent of passes completed but for 7.5 yards per attempt, 125 yards a game with seven interceptions. The Panthers graduated all three of its first team all-league players with offensive lineman Brent Beaumont, running back Rope Dorman and wide receiver Garrett Lawrence. Dorman rushed 122 times for 712 yards and seven scores. Billy Bechard also graduated after he rushed 114 carries for 628 yards and seven TDs. Sophomore Hunter Schroeder had a nice freshman year with 63 carries for 277 yards. Senior quarterback Dyelan Reed completed 47 of 106 passes for 691 yards with an 11/7 TD/INT ratio. Sophomore Wyatt Trost picked off three passes. Bechard also led the Panthers with 93 tackles. Sophomore Chas Carlgren had 45 tackles, six for loss. “We will rely heavily on our returning upper-classmen to lead our team,” Kingsbury said. “With our under-classmen, it is going to be vital to have a great summer to develop physically. Our young guys are going to have to step up and learn the speed of the game early in camp and early in the season. We really want to be committed to playing our best football for four quarters and playing to our potential day in and day out.”
FRONTENAC
Returning just one offensive starter from its 10-1 2016 squad, it was reasonable to expect it was going to take Frontenac a bit of time to find its footing in 2017. Sure enough, the Raiders began the season 1-2 and two-thirds of the way through they were just 3-3. But once Frontenac found its stride, it took off. The Raiders cruised through its district and then handled one playoff test after another to reach its first state title game since 2000. Frontenac couldn’t quite complete the magical run, falling 40-20 to Holcomb in the Class 4A Division II state championship game, but the 9-4 season was plenty satisfying. In making the title game, the Raiders avenged a gut-wrenching 2016 playoff loss to Holton and then knocked off tradition-rich Hayden in the state semifinals. Just as it did a year ago, Frontenac will have some rebuilding to do to continue the run of success it’s enjoyed since Mark Smith took over the program six years ago. Even though 28 lettermen return, only two starters are back on offense and four return on defense. None of those returning starters are linemen, an area upon which Smith says his team’s success hinges every year. Defensive end-tight end Broc Ginavan was a huge loss to both units, earning All-State honors a year ago. The losses on the line might have been eased if Frontenac returned any of its key skill players from a year ago. Instead, Smith must replace 1,000-yard rusher Jake Wilbert (1,172 yards, 21 TDs) and 1,000-yard passer Peyton Brown (1,370 yards, 18 TDs) as well. Seniors Brandon Ishimura and Gage Clothier will take on bigger roles in the offense this year and both are returning starters on defense as well. Ishimura had seven interceptions and 51 tackles last year and is one of three returners to the secondary which will miss first-team All-4A II pick Wilbert. Smith has his youngest team during his tenure, but hopes the tradition has kicked back in to keep things going and keep the Raiders among the elite in their class. Frontenac changes to Class 3A under the revised classification system, but has a familiar district lineup with Baxter Springs, Columbus and Parsons still in the group as well as CNC rival Galena and Caney Valley.
9-4 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 3A Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Coach: Mark Smith (7th year, 47-19) Assistants: John Palumbo, Bill Sullivan, Brady Hill, Troy Morris, Ryan Varsolona Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 28 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 3A Returning starters: 2 Offense, 4 Defense North Central Kansas League Coach: Austin Kingsbury (4th year, 11-17) Brendan Ishimura, WR/CB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Gage Assistants: Ken Meyer, Scott Coppoc, Doug Thoman, Clothier, HB/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Riley McDaniel, John Hake, Herm Dominguez CB, 5-9, 150, SR.; Alex Johnson, RB/WS, 5-11, Offense: Pistol Defense: 3-4 180, Jr. Returning lettermen: 12 Brent Maycock Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Alex Bonebrake, OL/DL, 5-11, 195, Sr.; Dyelan Reed, QB/S, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Paul Rundus, OL/DL, 5-10, 245, Sr.; Tryston Jochems, FB/LB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Ivon Owen, RB/OLB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Eyann Zimmerman, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Chas Carlgren, FB/LB, 6-3, 200, So.; Wyatt Trost, QB/S, 6-2, 175, So. Conor Nicholl
GALENA
Page 105
Galena went 11-1 overall, 7-0 in the CNC league and made a run to the Class 3A quarterfinals. The Bulldogs opened with a 66-14 win against Neodesha, then defeated Wellsville, 28-6, before a 13-6 loss to Silver Lake. Galena had multiple big wins throughout the season including Colgan (16-0) and Frontenac (28-21) in league play. Colgan finished as 2-1A runner-up, while Frontenac was the 4A-II runner-up. Galena had the No. 7 SOS in 3A, according to Prep Power Index, and had an average score of 40-12. Galena finished fifth in the final Kpreps 3A rankings after not being ranked in the preseason and picked to finish second in the CNC. The Bulldogs won their first CNC title since ’11 and seventh in school history. Galena will enter this season on a 12-game regular season winning streak. The Bulldogs have made the playoffs seven straight years. The Bulldogs had a three-win improvement from an 8-3 year in 2016, a season where they had an average margin of 36-18. Galena enjoyed one of the best seasons in school annals. The Bulldogs all-time best finish is a semis appearance in ’09 and has made the quarters five times, most recently ’11 before last year. Before last year, ’09 was Galena’s last perfect regular season. “The best part of last season was our kids went through a tough schedule and we continued to get better each week and competed hard all season,” coach Beau Sarwinski said. “Our kids had a good run through the playoffs. We had a great group of seniors who competed hard for us. Biggest challenge for us was having a big squad and getting them opportunities to play. It was fun as we were able to get a lot of kids a lot of playing time from freshman, JV and varsity level games.” Galena is 8-2, 6-5, 7-4, 8-3 and 11-1 in the last five years, along with 7-1, 4-3, 5-2, 5-2 and 7-0 league marks. The Bulldogs graduated 10 seniors, including all-state tight end Garrett Hall (594 receiving yards, seven TDs) and all-state offensive lineman Trevor Little. Honorable mention all-state back JC Shelton returns after he started at quarterback and linebacker. Shelton had shifted from running back before last season. He passed for more than 800 and rushed for over 400 yards last year. Joseph Helton cleared 900 rushing yards. Sarwinski said Galena’s goals are to be better on the offensive and defensive lines, and “grow up quick and improve.” The CNC will no longer offer a league title this year, but Sarwinski’s goals are to compete for district and state titles. Galena will play in 3A, District 1 with Baxter Springs, Caney Valley, Columbus, Frontenac and Parsons. “We will need our seniors to lead the way,” Sarwinski said. “We have some that have had a lot of Friday night experience. Some with not as much, it will be interesting to see who steps up and fills the voids. We are going to go out and compete hard for four quarters and play hard.” 11-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Cherokee-Neosho-Crawford League Coach: Beau Sarwinski (12th year, 89-32) Assistants: Derick Hunt, J.C. Dawes, Jacoby Martin, Ryan Byrd Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Kooper Lawson, RB/LB, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Joseph Helton, RB/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; JC Shelton, QB/LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Logan Henderson, RB, 6-4, 190, Jr.; Blake Booth, WR/DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Weston Ward, OL/DL, 6-3, 240, Sr.; Braydon Roberts, DE, 5-10, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
GARNETT-ANDERSON COUNTY
Without getting too defensive about it, Anderson County needs to make a concerted effort to shore up its defense. The Bulldogs posted one of the worst rates in 4A-Division II, allowing 41.9 points per game. That proved to be an overwhelming spread for an offense that had some rhythm, but not enough to keep pace. Anderson County will have a handful of pieces that can help turn that tide. Senior Ridge Pracht produced 66 tackles, including seven for loss. Joining him is junior Dallas Higginbotham, himself coming off 64 tackles and 12 for loss. The offense has firepower in the run game with senior Logan Allen, who reached 100 yards rushing in four contests. Allen comes off 1,172 yards and 13 touchdowns on 216 carries, a workhorse of reliability. The Bulldogs lack much playoff tradition, only carrying five berths in program history. The most recent came in coach Greg Welch’s second season in 2015. Welch is beginning his fifth year at Anderson
County. The Bulldogs reached the postseason three consecutive seasons from 2009 to 2011 under former coach Don Hilliard. But entering this season, Anderson County is stalled in a six-game district losing skid. This would be the year to make a move if ever. Only Burlington (7-4) finished above .500 among the six-team district. Prairie View (4-6) and Girard (4-6) were still qualifiers. Iola (3-6) and Osawatomie (2-7) round out 3A’s District 2. Anderson Co. opens the season at home against defending Pioneer League co-champ Wellsville. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Pioneer League Coach: Greg Welch (5th year, 9-28) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
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Girard has hovered around .500 for the past decade, sitting at 47-50 in that span. Aside from a 9-2 season that included a league title in 2012, there has not been many peaks or valleys. There is something to be said for consistently churning out a competitive program. The Trojans have made four consecutive trips to the postseason, but have only one playoff victory to show for it in that run. Girard rounded out this past year at 4-6, succumbing to eventual 4A-Division II runner-up Frontenac in the opening round. Smart money will be on the Trojans to make the postseason again in the redesigned 3A – what they can do with that opportunity should they make it is up to them. The district is a little forgiving, with Burlington (7-4) the only team to be bouncing off a winning campaign and to score a playoff victory. Prairie View (4-6) joins Girard as the only other postseason qualifiers in the pack. Developing a better offensive identity will be put at a premium. Girard was held in check for 12 points or less six times in 2017, putting too much stress on a defense that tried its best to live up to the challenge. Senior Kreed Curran is expected to take on a bigger role in the offense after providing nearly 400 yards from scrimmage in a complementary role. Defensively, Chandler Humble comes off a 76-tackle performance where he tracked down three sacks and two interceptions. Coach Neal Philpot treks into his second season with the Trojans. Philpot came from the college ranks, formerly an offensive coordinator at Ottawa University and several years at his alma mater, Pittsburg State. 4-6 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Coach: Neal Philpot (2nd year, 4-6) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
First-year coach Tyson Bauerle, after a successful run at Sterling, continued the success for the tradition-laden Swathers. In 2016, Hesston started 1-3 before nine straight wins and an overtime loss to Rossville in the Class 3A state finale. Last year, the Swathers opened 2-3 before six straight wins. In the playoffs, Hesston reached the quarterfinals after a 47-6 win versus Hutchinson Trinity, a 45-42 upset against previously undefeated Conway Springs and a 47-7 loss versus Phillipsburg. Hesston has 19 alltime playoff appearances and has made the playoffs every year since ’09. Hesston has four straight undefeated district championships and featured back-to-back regional titles for the first time. The Swathers have 19 straight winning seasons and five straight Shrine Bowlers after wide receiver Reese Nebel (1,065 receiving yards, 10 TDs) earned selection this past year. The Swathers return one of the state’s top quarterback/running back combinations regardless of class with senior signal caller Cameron Cox and running back Parker Roth. Cox completed 145 of 239 passes for 1,877 yards with a 16/15 TD/INT ratio. He rushed 211 times for 1,231 yards and 14 scores. Cox earned first team all-league and was all-state honorable mention quarterback. Roth had another huge season with 179 carries for 1,895 yards and 26 rushing TDs.
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GOODLAND
Goodland is 3-6, 3-6 and 2-7 in the last three years. In ’17, longtime assistant and Goodland graduate Chase Topliff took over as head coach. Goodland had multiple close losses against playoff teams. In Week 1, Goodland lost at home to Norton, 37-34. After a 45-6 win at Wray, Colo., Goodland fell to Clay Center (21-6), at eventual 4A-II champion Holcomb (26-14) and at Hugoton (28-20). After a 42-6 win versus Ulysses, Goodland lost 20-19 at Concordia, 28-0 versus Scott City and 50-32 at Colby. Levi Archer, who signed as a priority walk-on with Kansas State, earned Kpreps all-state all-purpose honors with 1,630 passing yards with 15 scores, along with 706 rushing yards and 11 TDs. Goodland averaged 23.6 points a game and permitted 24.7, a significant improvement from ’16 when the Cowboys averaged 18.7 points a game and permitted 31.9. Goodland has had an improved scoring defense in each of the last four years. This year, Goodland will play in 3A, District 8 with Beloit, Colby, Russell and Scott City. “Continue to develop and maintain a culture of accountability, commitment, and trust,” Topliff said of the team’s goals. “Develop our student-athletes into good football players, but even better people. Compete in the GWAC and our district. Get better everyday.” Goodland has a challenging schedule in the first three games with Holcomb at home, at Ulysses and at Scott City. Goodland committed just 10 offensive turnovers and was plus-6 in turnover margin. In addition to Archer, the top-seven tacklers graduated, along with all but one of the receptions. “We will be fairly young and inexperienced at multiple positions, except for a handful of our seniors,” Topliff said. “Staying healthy is going to be important for us as we work to develop our youth. Leadership from our seniors is going to be extremely important for our development. It is imperative that we get better every single day.” 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Greater West Activities Conference Coach: Chase Topliff (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Grant Wiegers, Jeremy Stefan, Forrest Trachsel, Bryan Kofford Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Chris Berls, OL/LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Landon Reicks, OL, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Ryan Volk, OL, 6-1, 270, Sr.; Mark Rodriguez, DE, 6-0, 220, Sr. Conor Nicholl
HESSTON
He caught 22 passes for 228 yards and two TDs. Roth was a finalist for Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year. Two years ago, Roth delivered 196 carries for 1,270 yards and 21 TDs. Hesston, against the No. 4 hardest SOS in 3A, according to Prep Power Index, averaged 36.2 points per game and permitted 27.2 a contest. Bauerle’s staff is very experienced with all having at least six years with the Swathers. Blake Martin was second team all-league, and Alex Koehn was all-league honorable mention. They join Sean Duerksen and Tyler Mason as returning offensive line starters. Grady Toews and Landon Spencer combined for 38 catches for 458 yards and three receiving TDs. Defensively, Roth had 56 tackles and four sacks and earned second team all-conference, while Cox (42 tackles, two INTs) and Toews (51 tackles) were key. Martin was second team all-league after 46 tackles and three sacks. Cox was also all-state baseball and second team all-league basketball. Roth has four top-four finishes in the sprints at state track. Hesston is in competitive 3A, District 5 with Chapman, Clay Center, Halstead, Smoky Valley and Rock Creek. Bauerle listed keys to success as leadership along the offensive line, positions filled, especially at linebacker and “key targets on the edge.” Bauerle
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HALSTEAD
Halstead had been 31-6 in the first three years under coach Jason Grider, including 9-2 in 2016. Last year, the Dragons dropped back to 4-6, but still returned to the Class 3A state playoffs as a district champion. The Dragons, Hutchinson Trinity and Sterling all tied at 2-1 in 3A, District 11, while Haven went 0-3. Halstead was plus-40 in point differential, Trinity was plus-12 and Sterling was plus-2. Halstead fell 54-30 to Marion in the first round. The Dragons have won four straight district titles. This year, Halstead will be in Class 3A, District 5 with Rock Creek, Smoky Valley, Hesston, Clay Center and Chapman. At quarterback, Braden Gerber and Scott Grider will battle for the starting position. Gerber started at tight end last year, while Grider led Halstead with 120 carries for 806 yards for an all-league season. At running back, junior Aric Propst – also an exceptional return specialist with a state-best 40.5 yards per kickoff return and two kick return TDs – had 50 carries for 265 yards. Junior Kaden Kraus will return as the starting fullback (86 rush, 484 yards). Senior David Schulte has started on the offensive line the last two years and was honorable mention all-state. Senior Cooper Kohr started several games at guard, but will likely play center this fall. Sophomore Doug Grider returns as starting guard after an injury-plagued ’17. Junior Kaden Kraus was an all-league linebacker and honorable mention all-state. Senior Bryant Odendahl and junior Scott Grider are both returning starters. On the defensive line, three seniors are returning starters: David Schulte, Braden Gerber and Jonathan Fulghum. Junior Ethan McDonald has started the last two years. “The Dragons had an uncharacteristic exit from the playoffs in the first round,” coach Grider said. “They did however clinch their fourth straight district title while playing a lot of underclassmen. The future looks bright as a lot of young players gained a lot of experience in 2017.” 4-6 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: Jason Grider (4th year, 35-12) Assistants: Adam Glendening, Chris Wilson, Ryan Voran, Jesse Mueller Offense: Veer Option Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 8 Defense David Schulte, OL/DE, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Braden Gerber, QB/DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Bryant Odendahl, SB/CB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Jon Fulghum, DL, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Kaden Kraus, FB/LB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Scott Grider, QB/RB/CB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Ethan McDonald, OL/DL, 6-3, 285, Jr.; Aric Propst, LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Doug Grider, OL, 6-1, 210, So. Conor Nicholl said “like most teams, we will go as our offensive line will go.” “The senior class overall has had a lot of success on the football field,” Bauerle said. “This group had many starters on the team that played in the state championship game in 2016. They have experienced the most November football of any class in recent years at Hesston. With many having multiple years of varsity experience heading into the season, our goals and expectations are set high.” 8-4 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: Tyson Bauerle (2nd year, 8-4; 4th overall, 18-13) Assistants: Doug Broadfoot, Phil Unruh, Parker Broadfoot Offense: Pistol Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense Alex Koehn, C, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Sean Duerksen, G/DT, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Tyler Mason, OT, 6-3, 340, Sr.; Blake Martin, OT/DE, 6-6, 220, Sr.; Grady Toews, WR/DB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Landon Spencer, WR/LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Parker Roth, RB/LB, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Cameron Cox, QB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.
Conor Nicholl
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HAVEN
Similar to 2016, Haven remained competitive in most contests but had trouble winning games. The Wildcats had a one-win improvement from 1-8 to 2-7. The Wildcats have earned just 17 wins and one playoff berth (2012) in the last decade. Last year, Haven had a brutal first month with three of the first four on the road. All four teams finished with winning records/made the playoffs and Haven lost 48-8 at Nickerson, 49-8 versus Pratt, 36-6 at Smoky Valley and 32-20 at Kingman. The Wildcats then defeated Lyons, 48-30, and Hillsboro, 14-13, with both games at home. In the Lyons win, Haven had three pick-sixes, which tied the state record for interception returns for scores in a game. “We need to play complete football,” coach Michael Hill said. “Last year, we would have a great defensive night and an average offensive night. We would put either our offense or our defense in bad spots by not playing up to our potential. There will be several upperclassmen that will add experience as they move into starting roles for us.” In districts, Haven lost 52-6 at Halstead, 27-0 at Sterling and 18-6 versus Hutchinson Trinity. Kingman and Trinity, whom Haven played close, both reached the postseason. This year Haven is in challenging Class 3A, District 6 with Wichita Trinity, Clearwater, Cheney and longtime powers Andale and Wichita Collegiate. “The main goals for Wildcat Football are very simple,” Hill said. “We will continue to build on the success we have had. Each year we have moved closer and closer to our full potential. As we focus on becoming harder workers and better teammates we will strive to show the state that we have the potential to play with anyone. Playing in the Central Kansas League gives us plenty of opportunities to play top flight opponents. With the new district system introduced by KSHSAA we have added the likes of Andale, Collegiate, Cheney, Clearwater and Wichita Trinity giving us that many more opportunities to show people what we are capable of.” Jacob Ediger is the leading returning rusher (53 attempts for 162 yards) and passer (5 of 6 for 92 yards). Wyatt Winter is the top returning tackler with 26 stops and two TFLs. Seniors Corby Nisly and Ryan Williams are a four- and three-year starters respectively. They will be joined by seniors Colt Falcon, Jonah Coffee and Addison Ehart on the offensive line. Ediger and senior Bryce Davis will likely split time with sophomore Darby Roper in the backfield. Seniors Tyler Regier and Nisly will anchor the defensive line. Sophomore Hunter Barlow and junior Noah Solley each weigh around 285 pounds. Winter and Dalton Smith return at inside linebacker. “We want to run our offense as close to perfection as possible and on defense we hammer home the thought of tackling with all 11,” Hill said. “The team first concept is a linchpin to us. By doing these things we will put ourselves in the position to keep building our program.” 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: Michael Hill (3rd year, 3-15) Assistants: Drew Thalmann, Thomas Cooprider, Cody Dick, Eric Long, Kendall Snyder, Trevor Turner Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 9 Defense Corby Nisly, OL/DL, 6-3, 285, Sr.; Ryan Williams, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Tyler Regier, TE/DE, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Jacob Ediger, DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Jeremy Nisly, DB, 5-7, 145, Sr.; Bryce Davis, OLB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Dalton Smith, ILB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Mario Quintero, WB/ DB, 5-4, 150, Jr.; Wyatt Winter, FB/ILB, 5-8, 165, Jr.; Hunter Barlow, DT, 6-2, 285, So. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
HIAWATHA
For the second time in three years, Hiawatha has a new coach. Ted Brown lasted two years as Red Hawks head coach, going 4-5 in his first season before slipping to 2-7 last year. Brown moved on and is now head coach at Clay Center. Taking over for Brown is Curtis Myers, who was an assistant coach for the Red Hawks the past two seasons after coming to Hiawatha with Brown from Ingalls. He’ll take over a program which has posted four straight losing seasons, but was in the 3A playoffs as recently as 2013. Brown didn’t exactly leave Myers with nothing to work with this year, either. In fact, Hiawatha only graduated two seniors off last year’s squad, giving Myers an experienced group to try to begin a turnaround for the program. Despite posting just two wins last year, Hiawatha did boast a prolific passing attack. Junior quarterback Tyler Brockhoff threw for 1,520 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore first-year starter and has bonafide targets with five different players snagging at least 12 catches a year ago. Junior Michael Moreno led the group with 38 catches for 710 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Kaiser Isaac added 24 catches for 287 yards and Andrew Woods and Alan Simpson each had more than 190 yards.
HOLCOMB
In the short-lived four-year existence of Class 4A, Division II, perhaps no team – especially on the boys’ side – enjoyed more success in Kansas than Holcomb. The Longhorns won championships in ’15 and ’17, the first football crowns in school history. Additionally, Holcomb reached the semifinals in ’14 and ’16. Before 4A-II, the best season in school annals was a semifinals in ’94. In basketball, Holcomb was first in ’15 and ’17 with a runner-up to Topeka Hayden in March. In baseball, the Longhorns won the 4A-II title in ’17. At the time, it was the first southwest Kansas team to win a baseball title at any level since Elkhart earned 2-1A in 2002. Last fall, Holcomb entered the season without graduated all-state players in running back/linebacker Dillon Williams (GCCC/Southwestern football) and Conner VanCleave (KU baseball). Holcomb opened with a 15-12 victory against Cimarron, an eventual 3A playoff team. Then, Holcomb fell, 23-14, at rival Scott City after leading 14-0 early. In Week 3, Holcomb trailed 8-7 at halftime against a struggling Ulysses team and then scored 28 unanswered points in the second half. Holcomb didn’t lose again. After a 26-14 Week 4 win against Goodland, Holcomb pulled off three shutouts versus quality teams – Colby (27-0), Lakin (21-0) and Kingman (36-0). Holcomb defeated Pratt at home, 19-14. In ’16, the Greenbacks gave Holcomb its only two losses en route to the 4A-II state title. The Longhorns defeated Frontenac, 40-20, to win the state crown after postseason victories against Colby (46-15), Smoky Valley (26-6), and Scott City (34-13). Holcomb had two early pick-sixes versus Scott City in the win. Holcomb again produced the best scoring defense in 4A-II with 10.7 points allowed while scoring 28.6 points scored per contest. In ’16, Holcomb had an average score of 37-14. In ’15, Holcomb’s average score was 35-10. The Longhorns are well-known for producing turnovers and had 26 last season with a plus-12 margin. Holcomb was plus-20 and plus-16 the previous two years. This year, Holcomb is in Class 3A, District 7 with Hugoton, Kingman-Cunningham, Larned, Nickerson and Pratt. Coach Kent Teeter set goals to win league, districts and state “but most important – get better every day.” Teeter said team keys are “the development and confidence of our players” and “improve each week.” Holcomb took substantial graduation losses, including all-state quarterback Trey Gilbert (2,293 passing, 28/7 TD/INT ratio). No one with more than 60 rushing yards returns, and more than 93 percent of the receptions graduated. Ten of the top-11 tacklers don’t return. Reece Morss transferred to Garden City after he had 107 stops, along with 96 carries for 587 yards and a team-best 10 rushing scores.
Finding balance with a running game will be a key for Myers as no Red Hawk ran for more than Woods’ 399 yards a year ago and Hiawatha mustered just 1,227 as a team. The only graduation losses came on the offensive and defensive lines, so plugging those holes will also be key. Senior linebacker Caleb Pilcher led the Red Hawks with 94 tackles, but more often than not, Hiawatha found itself in shootout mode last year as the defense gave up 39.8 points per game.
Starting five sophomores a year ago, Royal Valley faced a learning curve at times. But Panther coach Jake Lott could hardly complain about the 4-5 record his team fashioned as the Panthers “found ways to win the games we were supposed to.” The losses came to quality competition — Nemaha Central, Sabetha, Holton, Silver Lake and PerryLecompton, who combined for a 49-11 mark a year ago — with three of those shutouts. The Panthers only scored 20 points in the five losses, but put up 125 points in the four wins. 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 3A / Big Seven League Lott hopes the growing pains his team endured last Coach: Curtis Myers (1st year) year will pay dividends this year. The Panthers return Assistants: Gordon Gundersen, Michael Downard, seven starters on offense and six on defense and 15 Brent Krauter, Jim Cox lettermen overall. Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 The strength of the team should be up front where Returning lettermen: 18 the Panthers have plenty of experience and depth. Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Juniors Jaiden Wamego, Komesh Spoonhunter and Tyler Brockhoff, QB, 6-3, 165, Jr.; Andrew Woods, Greg Koon return as starters, while five others saw a WR, 5-5, 160, Sr.; Kaiser Isaac, WR/DB, 6-0, lot of playing time a year ago. 175, Sr.;’ Sage Meyer, WR/DB, 6-0, 145, Jr.; Alan Lott will look for more production from the backfield Simpson, RB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Mike Moreno, WR/DB, which started two sophomores a year ago. Senior 5-10, 160, Jr.; Hunter Pavlish, OL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Brandon Rodewald is a three-year starter and sophoHunter Moore, OL, 6-2, 245, Jr.; Caleb Pilcher, OL/ more Skylar Mechtley could make an impact. LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Trent Kolb, DB, 5-5, 135, So.; Rodewald and fellow senior Bryce Garrison will Julian Brown, LB, 5-8, 165, So.; Trevor Pederson, anchor the middle of the defense and help ease the DL, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Cade Lillie, DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; loss of departed backers Blake Chance and Dillon Lennon Bolinger, DL, 6-1, 295, Sr. Brent Maycock Smith. While Royal Valley stays in Class 3A under the new classification system, the Panthers find themselves in one of the toughest districts in the state. Defending Fielding one of its smallest seniors classes in recent history with just seven, Holton still found a way state champion Sabetha and runner-up Marysville to carry on its winning tradition. The Wildcats posted are also in the district, as are former 4A programs Holton and Wamego. a 7-4 mark and reached the Class 4A Division II quarterfinals, falling to eventual runner-up Frontenac 55-21 after ending the Raiders’ undefeated season in 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 3A Big Seven League 2016 in the playoffs. The only other losses came to Big Seven League Coach: Jake Lott (5th year, 15-21) Assistants: Dave Barta, Kyle Porter, David Boucher, rivals Nemaha Central (league champion) and Sabetha (3A state champion) as well as non-league Andy Gower Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 rival Hayden (district champion), each of those by Returning lettermen: 15 three touchdowns or less. Though the graduation losses were few, they were Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Brandon Rodewald, RB/LB, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Bryce also significant. All-Class 4A II linebacker Dylan Garrison, TE/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Kobe Mills, WR/DB, Aeschliman led the Wildcats in tackles each of 6-0, 160, Sr.; Jaiden Wamego, OT/DE, 6-3, 235, Jr.; the past three seasons, making 140 last year with Komesh Spoonhunter, OT/DT, 6-4, 270, Jr.; Gavin 79 of those solo stops. He also was the Wildcats’ second-leading rusher with 666 yards, less than 100 Cumpton, QB/RB, 5-11, 160, Jr.; Chance Lyming, RB/DB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Greg Koon, OG/DT, 5-11, behind departed back AJ Haussler, who had 763 250, Jr. yards in just eight games. Brent Maycock Returning backs Jayger Carson and Jackson Martin each ran for right over 580 yards last year, combining for 11 touchdowns and will lead a backfield that has plenty of options for veteran coach Brooks Barta to plug into his wishbone offense. Holton will lack the tremendous size it’s boasted during much of Barta’s tenure, but the depth is there with seven linemen returning who started at some point last year. All-leaguer Kyler Tannahill was a key loss to both fronts. In addition to losing Aeschliman, the Wildcat defense must replace its top-five tacklers from last year with Jackson Martin (50 tackles) and Richard Aguirre (49 tackles) tops among returners. Holton gave up 18.3 points per game a year ago with only three teams topping 30 points. With the change in the classification system in the offseason, Holton is now in Class 3A along with most of the rest of last year’s 4A Division II programs. Though Hayden no longer resides in the Wildcats’ district, it won’t be any easier as defending 3A champion Sabetha remains in the class and is in Holton’s district, as is last year’s 3A runner-up, Marysville.
HOLTON
7-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A Big Seven League Coach: Brooks Barta (23rd year, 216-45) Assistants: Joe Purcell, Mark Middlemist, Alex Bartel, Brian Meerpohl, Matt Hundley, LD Fletcher Offense: Wishbone Defense: Odd Front Returning lettermen: 28 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Dominic Hall, OL/DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Drew Morris, OL/ DL, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Noah Stotts, OL/DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Ethan Brownell, OL/DL, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Trasen Snavely, OL/DL, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Kilian O’Connor, 12-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A OL/DL, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Brett Brees, TE, 6-8, 210, Sr.; Great West Activities Conference Damon Ruckman, TE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Richard AguCoach: Kent Teeter (5th year, 45-7; 20th overall, 113- irre, TE, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Jayger Carson, RB/DB, 5-11, 67) Assistants: Jerry Johnson, Brandon Hill, Lance 165, Sr.; Jackson Martin, RB/LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Trey Cornelsen, Andrew Homer, Luke Harrington Wright, RB/LB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Taygen Fletcher, DB/ Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 RB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Kolby Roush, LB/RB, 5-6, 150, Jr.; Returning lettermen: 21 Parker Gilliland, DB/QB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Cael Jackson, Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense LB/RB, 6-2, 175, Sr. Damon Kepley, OT/DE, 6-5, 245, Sr.; River Amos, Brent Maycock TE/OLB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Jaden Blansett, OG/DT, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Caleb Clumsky, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr. CN
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HUGOTON
Nick O’Loughlin, who enjoyed great success as a strength coach and assistant football coach at St. Francis, is a first-time head coach back in his hometown of Hugoton. O’Loughlin, a Bethany College graduate who also served as St. Francis’ head track coach and junior high football/basketball coach, takes over a team that had a two-win decrease from 5-4 to 3-6. He had previously worked at Hugoton from Dec. ’11 to May ’12 in offseason development and as sprints/jumps coach before he went to SF. Hugoton had been a Class 4A, Division II team, but that class has dissolved and the Eagles will play in Class 3A, District 7, one of tougher 3A districts. Hugoton will face defending 4A-II champion Holcomb, Kingman, Larned, Nickerson and Pratt. Hugoton will also have a strong test when it plays host to power Scott City in Week 1. All the district teams finished with winning records and/or made the playoffs. O’Loughlin stated goals as competing for a playoff spot and building for the future. He listed goals as focusing one day at a time, developing many skills and playing at “above the line” standards. Hugoton is 7-12 all-time in the playoffs with recent trips in ’09, ’10, ’12, and a quarterfinal run in ’15, tying the furthest advancement in school history. The Eagles also made the quarterfinals in ’77, ’83 and ’84. Hugoton has not won more than five games since a 10-1 mark in 2009. Last year, Hugoton opened with a three-overtime loss to Lakin (30-28) and then defeated Ulysses, 1413. After a 14-12 loss at Colby, Hugoton fell 35-7 at Scott City before a 28-0 home win versus Goodland. Hugoton won, 34-0, at Southwestern Heights, before losses at Pratt (42-14), Kingman (10-6) and Holcomb (33-14). Hugoton has made a high number of one-score games in the last four years with marks of 1-1, 3-3, 1-2 and 2-3 in games decided by eight points or fewer, including 0-2 in overtime contests. QB Manuel Mendoza graduated after an efficient year where he completed 54 percent of passes for 324 yards with a 7/3 TD/INT ratio. Senior Dawson Kerbow is back after he led the team with 130 carries for 763 yards and eight scores. He accounted for 59 percent of the team’s rushing yards. He averaged 5.9 yards per rush and had all three of the team’s 100-yard rushing performances. Hugoton averaged 16.6 points per game and permitted 21.7 in its first season without all-state dual threat QB Valentino Degollado. In ’16, Hugoton averaged 29.5 points a game and permitted 24.8. Kerbow had three catches for a team-high 102 yards and two scores. Senior Jagger Hertel led the team with 79 tackles, and senior Peter Loewen tallied 12 TFLs. 3-6 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A Great West Activities Conference Coach: Nick O’Loughlin (1st year) Assistants: Tommy McClure, Jay Witt, Ross Addison, Cris Nelson Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Dale Austin, WR, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Nick Gold, RB/DL, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Michael Mendoza, OL, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Dawson Kerbow, RB/DB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Peter Lowen, OL/DL, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Jeff Persinger, OL/DL, 6-4, 230, Sr.; Jagger Hertel, LB, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Ivan Valles, DL, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Cristian Landa, OL, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Zaden Little, LB, 5-8, 160, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
IOLA
David Daugharthy is intent on changing the culture at Iola and even though the Mustangs went just 3-6 a year ago he felt it was a step in the direction he wants to take the program. Iola started a number of sophomores and freshmen and the experience gained could pay off this season. The Mustangs started last season 0-4 before winning three of their last five games. A 25-0 loss to Girard denied Iola a spot in the Class 4A Division II playoffs. Only nine lettermen return overall, but seven were defensive starters a year ago and six are back on offense. Iola has a pair of huge blocks on both lines in seniors Nic Zimmerman and Mat Karr, each of whom checks in at 300 pounds. They’re the only starters on the line, so filling holes around them will be a key. The backfield graduated its two leading rushers, but junior Casen Barker stepped in at quarterback as a sophomore starter last year and returns with sophomore Isaac Badders, who started as a freshman in the backfield. Iola only averaged 16.9 points per game last year and scored more than 14 just three times. The Mustangs will open with a team it beat last year, Parsons, and find themselves in Class 3A this year after the classification system overhaul. The district is filled with familiar foes Burlington, Anderson County, Girard, Prairie View and Osawatomie.
KC-BISHOP WARD
Pretty much everything will be new for Bishop Ward in 2018. For starters, there is a new league for the Cyclones, who were the first school last year to leave the Kaw Valley League, which is now no longer in existence. The smallest school in the league for years, Ward has moved to the Crossroads League, which in football consists completely of Missouri schools. Ward makes the move with a new coach as Eddie Minor takes over for Kam Ridley, who lasted just two years as head coach of the program. Minor has served as the Cyclones’ head track coach and previously was head football coach at KC Washington, Leavenworth and Marysville. Minor inherits a program which posted its seventh winless season in the last eight years, getting outscored 404-30 last year. Dropping to Class 3A this season under the new classification system, Ward plays three Missouri programs to open the year before starting play in a tough district with the likes of Hayden, Wellsville, Perry-Lecompton and Santa Fe Trail.
KINGMAN/CUNNINGHAM
Kingman played the last two years at Class 4A, Division II and reached the playoffs in ’17, the Eagles’ first trip since ’13 and second occasion since ’05. Kingman is 5-8 all-time in the postseason. Kingman lost 21-14 to Scott City in the first round of the playoffs after pulling off one of the state’s biggest upsets in Week 9 against rival Pratt. Kingman went 5-5 last year with 18.4 points per game and 20.5 points allowed. The Eagles went 3-3 in the challenging Central Kansas League. The Eagles opened with a 7-3 home loss against Hoisington, then won at Hillsboro, 20-6. In Week 3, Kingman lost at Halstead, 48-7. After a 32-20 home win versus Haven, Kingman beat Independent, 45-6. Kingman lost 30-14 to Hesston and 36-0 to Holcomb. Then, the Eagles won at Hugoton, 10-6, and, in a huge upset, defeated Pratt, 39-25, and knocked the defending state champion Greenbacks out of the playoffs. The offensive line paved the way for nearly 450 rushing yards. Will Milford delivered 15 carries for 286 yards and four scores. Kingman limited Pratt standout running back Travis Theis to 15 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 3A carries for 66 yards. Logan Waldschmidt intercepted Crossroads League Pratt quarterback Landen Studer with 1 minute, 18 Coach: Eddie Minor (1st year) seconds left in the contest, and then Milford scored Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A from 68 yards out. Kingman had been 2-9 in its last Returning lettermen: N/A 11 contests versus Pratt. Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense BM In 2016, the Eagles finished 3-6 with 12.3 points a contest and 30.2 points allowed a contest. In ’15, the 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 3A Eagles, in 3A, were 4-5 with 18.6 points a contest 828 Ave D East/ Pioneer League and 21.8 points a game. Coach Curtis Albin gave Coach: David Daugharthy (2nd year, 3-6) significant credit to defensive coordinator Dustin E Hwy 54 Assistants: Daniel Vaughn, Cody Hager, Dana Beam, the former Ellinwood head coach, for the ’16 Daugharthy, Ben Wiehn to ’17 defensive improvement. Albin labeled Beam Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 the “best defensive coordinator in the state.” 620-532-5111 Returning lettermen: 9 This season, Kingman will play in the Central Plains Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense after being in the Central Kansas League. Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery League Nic Zimmerman, OL/DL, 5-11, 300, Sr.; Mat Karr, Albin set goals to lead the league in turnover ratio, OL/DL, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Elijah Luedke, S, 6-0, 180, Sr.; have fewer than 15 pre-snap penalties and qualify for Devin Reiter, TE/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Kane Rogers, CB, the playoffs. Seniors John Molitor (628 rush, six TDs, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Casen Barker, QB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Zane team-high 13 TFLs) and Riley Krehbiel (329 passing, Whitney, LB/WB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Isaac Badders, RB/ 46 percent, 4/7 TD/INT) return. Kingman’s top-four LB, 5-9, 160, So. tacklers graduated, but Molitor and junior Gage Oller Brent Maycock (11 TFLs) are back. The Eagles will be 3A, District 7 with Holcomb, Hugoton, Larned, Nickerson and Pratt. “Development of a few key spots where we suffered losses of great seniors,” Albin said. “The two tackle spots on offense and two defensive end spots on defensive as well as corner position. We will not be as deep this year as in previous seasons, so like everyone we will need to stay healthy.”
Kingman
Western Region Johnson • Big Bow • Manter • Saunders • Dermot Rolla • Elkhart • Two Buttes • Vilas Walsh • Buckeye • Kendall • Syracuse Wild Horse • Hough
Eastern Region Cairo • Cunningham • Preston Turon • Penalosa • Brown Spur Waldeck • Calista • Arlington
5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A Central Plains League Coach: Curtis Albin (8th year, 30-36; 14th overall, 66-64) Assistants: Dusty Beam, Lance McGuire, Ross Bruggeman, Justin Reid Offense: Multiple Wishbone Defense: 3-3 Stack Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense John Molitor, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Andrew Reed, RB/LB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Logan Buehler, OL/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Kane Miltford, OL/LB, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Brendan McBeth, OL/NG, 6-2, 265, Sr.; Traegan Flanagan, TE, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Seth Siemens, DB, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Riley Krehbiel, QB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Gage Oller, LB, 5-8, 155; Luis Franco, K, 6-2, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
Page 108
LACYGNE-PRAIRIE VIEW
Kyle Littrell’s debut season as head coach at Prairie View met with mixed results. The Buffaloes couldn’t quite post a winning mark with a mid-season four-game losing skid hampering that bid. But they did return to the Class 4A Division II playoffs, rolling Osawatomie and KC Ward in district play to finish runner-up to Baldwin. The postseason ended quickly with a first-round loss to Hayden and Prairie View finished 4-6 overall. Now in his second season, Littrell, who formerly coached at Louisburg, hopes his program can take the next step. The Buffaloes welcome back 21 lettermen with seven starters returning on offense and eight back on defense. The spearhead for both sides of the ball is junior Hunter Boone. A first-team All-Pioneer League selecton at linebacker on defense and second-team pick at running back offensively, Boone enjoyed a big sophomore season and should be one of the top two-way players in Class 3A this year. Senior safety-receiver Gavin Cullor is a state champion wrestler and was first-team all-league on defense. The Buffaloes also return the bulk of their offensive and defensive lines, led by two-way second-team all-leaguer Sam Chambers and Wyatt Cox-Halliburton. Prairie View will move from 4A Division II to 3A under the new classification system and has a district made up largely of league foes with Girard crashing the All-Pioneer League party. 4-6 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A Pioneer League Coach: Kyle Littrell (2nd year, 4-6) Assistants: Will Shannon, Aaron Law, Joe Cullor Offense: Pro I Multiple Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 21 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Riley Rhynerson, OL/DE, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Johnny Molina, C/NG, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Wyatt Cox-Halliburton, OL/DL, 6-3, 255, Sr.; Mason Walker, TE/ OLB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Sam Chambers, OL/DL, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Brian Butler, OT/DE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Gavin Cullor, WR/FS. 5-10, 170, Sr.; Hunter Boone, RB/MLB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Chanz Gerleman, TE/DE, 6-0, 205, Jr. Brent Maycock
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Larned
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LARNED
AB Stokes engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in Kansas with Larned. He finished 27-32 in six years. Larned had finished 0-9 in 2012, the year before Stokes took over. Then, Stokes led the Indians to the playoffs in ’13, ’16 and ’17. Larned went 6-5 in 2017 and reached the second round of the playoffs for the second straight fall. The Indians had the No. 1 hardest schedule in Class 3A, according to Prep Power Index, and won District 15 over runner-up Hoisington. The Indians defeated Lakin, 42-6, in the first round, and then lost to eventual state runner-up Marysville, 36-28. Larned finished 4-3 in the highly challenging Central Kansas League. Larned defeated Smoky Valley, 28-14, and Hoisington, 29-22. Both teams won at least one playoff game. In ’16, Larned went 3-8 but upset Cimarron, 35-30, on the road after trailing 14-0 early. It marked the school’s first postseason victory since ’85 when the Indians defeated Haven, 10-6. Larned has eight total playoff appearances with three of them under Stokes. Former assistant Tad Remy, in his sixth year at the school, takes over the program. Remy said the team goals are to establish a physical culture, improve everyday, and “play our best football at the end of the year.” Stokes became the new defensive coordinator
at Bethel College under new head coach Terry Harrison, the former Wichita Heights head coach. Stokes played at Sterling College with Harrison. Larned returns three offensive and four defensive starters, including standout kicker Logan DeMond. “Our summer is always key, and this summer is no different,” Remy said. “It will be important to get our younger kids much stronger in order to get them ready to transition from JV to varsity level football. Eliminating mistakes and playing with consistent, great effort will be determining factors in our success.”
6-5 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: Tad Remy (1st year) Assistants: Mike Hensley, Rustyn Kerbs, Tim Coles, Israel Hagerman, Cody Colelam Offense: I Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense Jacob Smith, RB/LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Logan DeMond, K, 5-11, 150, Sr.; Mason Perez, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Brock Shelton, WR/DB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Brandon Ceniceros, OL/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Caleb East, OL/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
LINDSBORG-SMOKY VALLEY
After a 2-7 mark in his first season, veteran coach Tim Lambert has enjoyed another turnaround with 8-3 and 9-2 marks the last two falls. The Vikings have advanced to the Class 4A, Division II quarterfinals in both seasons, the program’s best finishes since 1998. Lambert returns seven offensive and six defensive starters for a team that moves down to Class 3A. Senior running back/free safety Tim Lambert, Jr. is back after an exceptional state track meet. Lambert, Jr., the coach’s son, won the 100- and 200-meter dashes and 300-meter hurdles. He ran 10.82 seconds in the 100, 22.11 in the 200, and the hurdles in 37.95. Lambert broke state records in the prelims when he ran 37.85 in the 300, and 21.76 in the 200. Last fall, Lambert, Jr. had 68 carries for 327 yards and four scores, and was the leading receiver with nine catches for 221 yards and a TD. Lambert, who also enjoyed turnarounds at St. Francis and Concordia, listed goals and keys as: get better every day, pay attention to detail, learn to play hard on every down and gaining confidence and improving every day. Last season, Smoky Valley lost, 28-14, at Larned in Week 2. The Vikings didn’t fall again until a 26-6 defeat versus eventual state champion Holcomb in quarterfinals. SV defeated Wichita Collegiate, 12-2, in the first round of the playoffs. SV tallied 29.3 points a game and allowed 13.3. Kyle Anderson graduated after an all-state year where he rushed 209 times for 1,371 yards and 19 scores. He also put up big numbers as a junior with 1,436 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs. SV’s ball control attack averaged 263 rushing yards a game and 5.4 yards per carry. The Vikings rushed the ball on 91 percent of snaps. SV graduated the top two tacklers but returns its third through eight tacklers, all whom had between 62 and 48. Lambert, Jr. and senior Lane Schrag tied for the returning high with 62. The defense forced 18 turnovers. Senior Ethan Wampler is a standout along both lines and one of the strongest players in the Central Kansas League who can clean nearly 300 pounds and squat more than 450.
MARYSVILLE
Only a few years removed from owning the state’s longest losing streak, Marysville’s turnaround nearly reached the ultimate pinnacle. The Bulldogs returned to the Class 3A state championship game for the first time since 2009 and came within a play or two of winning the program’s first state title. A goal-line interception denied Marysville in the final minute and despite having every possession in the championship game reach Sabetha territory, the Bulldogs couldn’t cash in and fell 7-6 to the Bluejays. The runner-up finish capped a 12-2 season for the Bulldogs, the only other loss coming to Concordia in North Central Kansas League play. Marysville wound up sharing the league title with Clay Center. Now that he’s transformed the program from also-ran to contender, sixth-year coach Dustin Heuer hopes the Bulldogs can show their staying power after graduation claimed a large, talented senior class which keyed the program’s turnaround. Marysville does return 32 lettermen, but only five starters each way and the losses are significant. For starters, there’s the departure of one of the top pass-catch combos in the state from the past two years. Quarterback Jack Blumer was second-team All-State and first-team All-3A after throwing for 3,165 yards and 31 touchdowns and running for another 994 yards and 10 scores. Top target Gabe Pieschl grabbed 57 passes for 1,269 yards and 14 scores and also was an All-3A selection. Whoever takes over for Blumer under center will have a solid group of skill players to work with. Senior receiver Jacob Backus had 80 catches for 926 yards and seven scores and junior tailback Atreyau Hornbeak emereged as a major threat in the backfield over the last half of the season and finished with 1,150 combined rushing and receiving yards. As tough as replacing Blumer and Pieschl will be, Marysville’s biggest task might be filling the holes up front. Senior Levi Nordhus is the only returning starting lineman from a year ago. Despite the holes, Heuer likes the athleticism his team has and believes the potential to keep things rolling exists.
MERIDEN-JEFFERSON WEST
The 2017 season started out well enough for Jefferson West. Despite fielding a relatively young team with just three returning senior starters, the Tigers won their first two games. From there, the season became a bit of a struggle as the Tigers dropped their final seven games. They were competitive in most of the losses, never losing by more than 23 points, and in the season finale, West pushed Hayden in a 35-28 loss. Veteran coach Steve Johnson felt his team made a lot of positive gains a year ago, however, and hopes that translates into victories this season. West will still be extremely young, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, but Johnson feels this year’s team is the most athletic squad he’s fielded in several years. Johnson turned his offense over to diminutive freshman quarterback Cade Ross a year ago and was rewarded for that decision. Despite being just 5-foot-7, 125 pounds, Ross enjoyed a big debut season, throwing for 1,670 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s got virtually all of his top targets back from last year, including junior receiver Quinn Neuenswander, who was an All-Big Seven League selection after leading the team in receptions and yards last year. Nine starters return on offense overall and junior lineman Kauli Saili was an all-league selection last year as a sophomore. Younger brother Pene Saili was all-league on the defensive line as a freshman last year and is one of eight returning starters on that side of the ball. Of West’s 17 returning starters, only four are seniors — receivers Zeth Unruh and Josh Lanum, lineman Nathan Herring and defensive back Derek Mosher. The Tigers will move to Class 3A in this year’s new classification system and open with a tough test right off the bat in league rival Holton. The back end of the schedule is tough as well with a four-game closing stretch against Hayden, PerryLecompton, Wellsville and Santa Fe Trail.
2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 3A Big Seven League Coach: Steve Johnson (12th year) 9-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Assistants: Dan Hypse, Doug Sideneer, Jake Central Kansas League Farrant, Chris Powers, Patrick Ross Coach: Tim Lambert (4th year, 19-13; 25th year, Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 184-83) 12-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 3A Returning lettermen: 30 Assistants: James Henderson, Allan Meier, Ben North Central Kansas League Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Elliott, Chuck Peters, Chris McClure Coach: Dustin Heuer (6th year, 23-29) Cade Ross, QB, 5-7, 125, So.; Bryce Clements, Offense: I-Formation Defense: 4-3 Assistants: Mitch Shepherd, Landon Wright, Bert RB, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Zeth Unruh, WR, 6-5, 190, Sr.; Returning lettermen: N/A Lord, Chris Butler Josh Lanum, WR, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Brayden Cruz, Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Offense: Multiple/Spread Defense: 3-4 WR, 6-2, 165, Jr.; Quinn Neuenswander, WR, Ethan Wampler, OL/DL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Konrad Returning lettermen: 32 6-2, 170, Jr.; Nathan Herring, OL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Peterson, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Cort Elliott, FB/ Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Kauli Saili, OL, 5-10, 290, Jr.; Pene Saili, OL, 6-1, OLB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Tim Lambert, RB/FS, 6-2, Jacob Backus, WR/DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Derek 225, So.; Gavin Schwinn, OL, 6-4, 275, Jr.; Henry 165, Sr.; Lane Schrag, SS, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Carson Roever, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Matt Lindhorst, Frahm, DE, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Joel Scott, LB, 5-11, Windholz, CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Nate Grosland, OL, WR/LB, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Atreyau Hornbeak, RB/LB, 170, Jr.; Joe Anderson, DB, 5-8, 140, Jr.; Derek 6-3, 280, Sr.; Jon Burks, C, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Blake 6-0, 190, Jr.; Storm Slupianek, LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Mosher, DB, 5-10, 150, Sr. Heble, DE, 6-1, 190, Sr. Levi Nordhus, OL, 6-3, 220, Sr. Brent Maycock Conor Nicholl Brent Maycock
NICKERSON
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One would like to think there is a relaxing transition period for a new coach. Nickerson’s new front man, John Wellman, will get thrown right to the wolves. Six of Nickerson’s eight regular season games are against teams coming off playoff berths, including four that won at least one playoff game. The first four weeks are against qualifiers, including state champion Holcomb. Pratt, the regular season finale, missed the playoffs, but was an impressive 7-2. The ‘reprieve’ in the schedule – Hugoton (3-6) – is a squad only one year removed from a winning record. Add that to the task of replacing folk hero Mike Vernon, who guided Nickerson to three consecutive postseason bids. If it sounds daunting … well, it is. But Wellman is a veteran. He spent time as an assistant to Vernon in Nickerson, and Wellman previously found multitudes of success in a lead role at Chase. The Panthers will continue to employ the flexbone, where they pounded opponents into dust while averaging 35.5 points per game this past year. Quarterback Tanner Schrag and running back Jarron Kaufman return, having combined for more than 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns. The trench, however, is an unknown. “We lost our top nine offensive linemen to graduation,” Wellman said. “We have good, young players that need to take a step forward and be physical players up front.” Linebacker Hunter Jones is a wrecking ball in pursuit, amassing 114 tackles – 12 for loss – as a junior. Logan Broomfield and Chandler Eaton help fill out the edges in Nickerson’s front six. The Panthers’ three-year streak of postseason gold was preceded by rough waters, with no berth since 2007. Nickerson’s deepest run was a quarterfinal appearance in 2001. Many members of this year’s Panthers roster found more postseason riches this past year in baseball, part of a 21-win squad that reached the 4A-Division II state tournament. 7-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: John Wellman (1st year; 7th overall, 40-19) Assistants: Mike Nugent, Todd Fulton, Jeff Penner, Riley Galyon, Reggie Langford, Roy Abousamra Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2 Returning lettermen: 13 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense Tanner Schrag, QB/CB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Hunter Jones, TE/LB, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Chandler Eaton, FB/LB/P, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Noah Salazar, WR/CB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Jarron Kaufman, RB, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Logan Broomfield, OT/DE, 6-2, 215, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
OSAWATOMIE
For the second straight year, Osawatomie logged just two victories. But whereas that was enough to get the Trojans into the playoffs in 2016, it wasn’t enough last year for a third straight postseason berth. A 57-40 shootout loss to Baldwin in district play kept the Trojans out of the playoffs, coming on the heels of a 26-8 loss to Prairie View to start district play. Osawatomie finished out the season on a high note, blanking winless KC Ward 49-0 in the season finale. The only other win was a 42-29 victory over Anderson County, the Trojans’ lone Pioneer League victory. On the season, Osawatomie was outscored 342-208 and none of the losses were by less than 17 points. For the second straight year, graduation took a heavy toll on Osawatomie. Only a handful of players who saw much time a year ago return a year after the Trojans returned just one letterman. Junior back Boyd Cole did lead the team in rushing a year ago with 684 yards and seven touchdowns. His presence will give the Trojans something to build upon offensively along with first-team all-league lineman Marc Chaplin.
450 N. Harrison St. The defense lost leading tackler Rustin Joeckel, who was a second-team all-league selection. Lindsborg Osawatomie drops to Class 3A this season 785-227-3395 under the new classification system. The Trojans won’t see all their league foes this year, but will get four of them in district play — Anderson Dine-in, Carryout & Delivery County, Burlington, Iola and Prairie View — along with Girard. Osawatomie opens the season with Class 1A contender Olpe and then takes on a veteran Santa Fe Trail squad in the second week. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 3A Pioneer League Coach: Rod Madden Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 110
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PARSONS
Parsons will be under its fourth coach in the past six years, with Kurt Friess landing the role. Friess is well known in the area, having played at Parsons as well as Pittsburg State. He has served as a school administrator for Parsons since 2000. “My goals for the 2018 season is to establish Parson Viking football as a program to be respected by our opponents, our players and our community,” Friess said. Friess has reason for optimism, inheriting a squad with several potential returning starters. Chief among them may be Patch Loadholtz, an electric receiver that brought in 41 receptions – eight for touchdowns – on his way to 722 yards. Loadholtz is one of four receivers back in the aerial attack that reached at least 200 receiving yards. That bodes well for the quarterback tandem of Gage Friess and DaQuan Johnson. Johnson is a true athlete, allowing him to fill multiple needs across the offense. “If we can develop a physical presence on the line of scrimmage, we have a chance to be successful,” Kurt Friess said. Unfortunately for Parsons, development will have to come with some immediacy if it intends to compete in districts. Parsons’ assignment includes four playoff qualifiers in Frontenac, Galena, Caney Valley and Columbus. All but Columbus won at least one playoff game. Frontenac was the 4A-Division II state runner-up. Baxter Springs, coming off a 4-5 season, is the lone non-qualifier. Parsons helped spoil that, scoring its only victory this past season in a 24-21 victory over Baxter Springs in week eight. 1-8 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 3A Southeast Kansas League Coach: Kurt Friess (1st year) Assistants: Deonta Wade, Jeff Schibi, Rob Barcus, Chris Beard, Brad Woolworth, Jaron Dixon, Don Barcus Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 27 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Gage Friess, QB/LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Patch Loadholtz, WR/LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Joel Schibi, RB/LB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; DaVonte Yates, WR/DB, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Nolan Proehl, WR/DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Josh Pierce, WR/DB, 5-10, 150, Sr.; Chris Hizey, OL/DE, 6-5, 215, Sr.; Noah Caven, DL, 5-9, 140, Sr.; DaQuan Johnson, QB/DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Ezekiel Lyons, WR/DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Aiden Obanion, OL, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Baxter Finley, OL, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Croix Hogan, LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Noah Ryan, OL, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Ricky Ellis, OL/DL, 6-0, 190, So. Kyle McCaskey
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PERRY-LECOMPTON
Perry-Lecompton entered the 2017 season with plenty of question marks, returning just two starters from its 2016 playoff squad. Instead of enduring a rebuilding year, however, the Kaws filled their numerous holes so well they enjoyed an even better season than 2016, going 7-4 and reaching the second round of the Class 3A playoffs before falling to eventual champion Sabetha. The Kaws hope to make a deeper run in the new-look 3A this year, one that includes a bulk of the former Class 4A Division II programs who have dropped down with the new classification system. Unlike a year ago, Perry has a strong nucleus to build around, returning seven starters on defense and six to an offense which averaged 42.4 points per game and scored less than 20 just twice. The bulk of that offensive production came from quarterback Dalton Kellum, who took the starting job and ran with it. Literally. As a junior first-time starter a year ago, Kellum racked up 1,555 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. Throw in another 1,295 yards and 12 TDs through the air and Kellum accounted for 69 percent of the Kaws’ offensive yards. He’s far from the lone weapon for the Kaws. Perry does have to replace second-leading rusher Tyler Erickson, but welcomes back senior back Blaine Pattin, who started two games as a sophomore before missing last year with an injury. Shane Quinlan, a track standout, accounted for more than 600 combined rushing and receiving yards last year, while Colton Mallonee added 437 receiving yards and six touchdowns — both earning honorable mention all-league honors. Defensively, the Kaws will be strong in the back half led by first-team all-league linebacker Scott Urban (67 solo tackles) and honorable mention linebacker Grant Roush (82 solos) as well as three starters in the secondary. Perry gave up 205 points a year ago, more than half of those coming in the four losses. 7-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A / Big Seven League Coach: Mike Paramore (18th year, 84-81) Assistants: Caleb Denton, Jordan Allen, Mitch McPherson, Mike Kelley, Jared Swafford Offense: Multiple/Spread Defense: Even Front Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Scott Urban, OG/LB, Sr.; Sam Kuenzi, C, Sr.; Spencer Funk, OT/DT, Sr.; Colton Mallonee, WR, Sr.; Shane Quinlan, WR/RB/DB, Sr.; Dalton Kellum, QB/DB, Sr.; Cole Logan, DE, Sr.; Grant Roush, LB, Sr.; Drew Ledbetter, DB, Sr. Brent Maycock
SABETHA
It wasn’t a perfect season, but it was as close to perfect as it could be for Sabetha in 2017. A 21-7 late-season loss to arch rival Nemaha Central denied Sabetha both Big Seven League and district titles. But the Bluejays weren’t going to be denied the Class 3A state championship. Returning to the title game for the first time in 20 years, Sabetha saw Marysville take every drive into Bluejay territory in the championship contest, but allowed just one touchdown. A late goal-line interception by Gabe Garber put the capper on an impressive defensive showing as Sabetha edged Marysville 7-6. The jubilation of the championship was immediately subdued when three family members of two Bluejay starters were killed in a car accident on the way home from the championship game in Hutchinson. The tragedy only brought an already tight-knit team and community closer together, a unity that has played a huge factor in Sabetha’s return to prominence under 10th-year coach Garrett Michael. The Bluejays should have staying power, even with Class 3A taking on a new look under the new classification system. Among 23 returning letterwinners are six starters on each side of the ball, including four who have started at least three years. Senior lineman Elliott Strahm was a third-team AllState and first-team All-Class 3A selection and is one of the top linemen in the state in any class, entering his final season as a four-year starter. He was the anchor for both line units which not only paved the way for a prolific ground game, but also keyed one of the stingiest defenses in the state. Senior Joe Gruber, a three-year starter, led the way
with 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns, while senior Mason Engelken added 967 yards and 12 TDs, Garber had 668 yards and 14 scores and reserve Joel Hackney had 585 yards and eight TDs. Garber likely will move to quarterback to replace departed starter Brandon Brownlee, but will return to his linebacker spot on defense where he was one of the best in 3A a year ago. In addition to his game-saving pick in the title game, Garber made a key interception in the 17-14 semifinal win over Silver Lake and finished the year with a team-high 123 tackles. Junior Cauy Rokey also returns as a three-year starter who had 106 tackles and Sabetha returns seven of its top 10 tacklers from a defense which allowed just 8.4 points per game.
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Pratt won the Class 4A, Division II championship in 2016, a surprising run after the Greenbacks were not ranked the majority of the season. Coach Jamie Cruce earned all-classes coach of the year honors as the Greenbacks won their second all-time title (’95). Last year, the Greenbacks won their first seven contests and ran their winning streak to 15 games. Then, Pratt lost its last two at Holcomb (19-14) and at rival Kingman (39-25) and missed the playoffs. Holcomb eventually captured its second state title in three years. The Kingman loss was a surprising defeat. Pratt took a 25-24 lead, but William Milford had a big game and scored again for Kingman for a 32-25 advantage. Pratt had a chance to tie or go ahead but the Eagles intercepted Pratt with 1:18 left. Kingman rushed for nearly 450 yards including 268 from Milford, who entered the game with 453 rushing yards. The Greenbacks had been 9-2 in their previous 11 contests versus Kingman. However, Pratt returns plenty of talent for this fall - many of whom will be in new positions. Pratt will be in 3A, District 7 with Holcomb, Hugoton, Kingman, Larned and Nickerson. Everyone made the playoffs and/or had a winning record last year except Hugoton (3-6). Travis Theis is a two-time all-state player with 4,136 career rushing yards and 58 TDs. He will move back to quarterback, which he played some as a freshman after an injury to Landen Studer. Hunter Huber was an all-state lineman at right guard last year and will switch to fullback. Andres Fernandez started at left tackle last season and will play center this year. Sevren Hance was a part-time starter at right tackle in ’17 and will be right guard this fall. Wyatt Schrag was a part-time starter at offensive lineman/tight end last year and will play right guard this season. Defensively, Hunter Huber recorded 55 tackles. Theis (217 career tackles) will move from safety to inside linebacker. Kadence Riner recorded 56 tackles with seven TFLs and earned first team allleague and honorable mention all-state. Brett Winsor recorded 66 tackles. Caden Blankenship returns after he was injured the last few weeks. He recorded 27 offensive touches for 226 yards and two scores with 28 stops. Pratt had an average score of 37-23 last season after 39-17 in the state title year. Pratt forced 12 turnovers last season and was plus-4. In the title year, the Greenbacks forced 29 and were plus-15. “Our players and coaches are looking forward to having a great summer session of weights and practices in order to prepare to reach our potential this fall,” Cruce said. “We play a tough schedule and will need to be sharp each contest in order to give ourselves a chance to be successful. While we return a large number of starters, there are some of those who are changing positions which will be an adjustment. We must improve our defensive play from last year and remain healthy in order to compete at a high level.”
7-2 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 3A Central Kansas League Coach: Jamie Cruce (6th year, 30-20) Assistants: Steve Landry, Jason Gallagher, Tyler Strong, Greg Enns, Larry Eisenhauer Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense Travis Theis, QB/ILB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Hunter Huber, FB/ILB, 5-9, 205, Jr.; Kadence Riner, SLOT/OLB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Caden Blankenship, SLOT/RV, 6-0, 13-1 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A / Big Seven League 180, Sr.; Brett Winsor, WR/FS, 6-3, 170, Sr.; Kaden Evert, WR/CB, 5-11, 155, Sr.; Raiden Kohman, LG, Coach: Garrett Michael (10th year, 58-41) 6-1, 260, Sr.; Andres Fernandez, C, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Assistants: Nathan Bauman, Aaron Frey, Alex Sevren Hance, RB, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Max Rickard, DT, McAfee, Kaleb Moeller, Josh Wertenberger 6-1, 255, Sr.; Offense: Splitback Veer Defense: 6-1 Conor Nicholl Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Elliott Strahm, OL/DL, 6-2, 260, Sr.; Cauy Rokey, OL/LB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Joe Gruber, RB/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Braeden Cox, K/WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Cory Geist, OL/DL, 5-10, 250, Sr.; Mason Engelken, RB/ DE, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Peyton Lippert, OL/DL, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Kamden Brownlee, TE/DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Ryan Stapleton, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Gabe Garber, QB/ LB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Carson Ukele, OL/DL, 5-10, 230, Jr.; Walker Lawdermilk, OL/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr. BM
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Jordan Echer was named Russell’s new football coach on May 30. Echer was formerly Bluestem’s head football and track coach, assistant athletic director and strength and conditioning teacher. He is a Valley Center native and Fort Hays graduate. Echer played football at Sterling College. Echer took over for Jeff Brull, a Victoria graduate who became a Dodge City assistant. Brull coached Russell for four seasons. Russell had just 11 victories from ’11-16 before a 4-5 record last fall. Last season, Russell opened with a 36-6 loss at Ellsworth, then defeated Sacred Heart, 49-7, at home, and earned a 28-27 road win versus Southeast of Saline. Russell had lost four in a row to SH and nine of the last 10. The previous three meetings were 60-12, 61-0 and 41-0. The SES win ended a nine-game losing skid in the series and halted the Trojans’ 11-game conference winning streak. Then, Russell captured two of its next three games by a combined 11 points and was 4-2 entering districts. However, the Broncos struggled against Norton (31-7), TMP (46-6) and Phillipsburg (56-6). Russell had its first four-win season since three straight 4-5 marks from ’08-10. Russell has not reached the playoffs since a 5-5 mark in ’06 and not had a winning season since a 7-3 mark in ’03. Russell scored 19 points a game and permitted 31.4 a contest. Russell is 3-4 all-time in the playoffs. “Our biggest team goal is to learn how to come together, and fight through adversity,” Echer said. “This was a 4-5 football team last year that was in a lot of football games. Most of the losses look much worse than they were, with a majority of the points being given up mid third quarter or the fourth. We will spend the summer challenging our players in every way possible, so that they learn how to overcome tough situations. We have a group of seniors that want to build on last year’s 4-5 season by making it to the playoffs for the fifth time in school history.” Senior dual threat Austin Price returns at quarterback/defensive back. He was a second team all-league defensive back last year. Senior defensive lineman Glenn Law was a second team all-league pick and will likely see significant time carrying the ball. Senior AJ Oste returns at outside linebacker, and senior Travis Tammen is back at wide receiver/ defensive end. “Our biggest key will be to have our offensive and defensive lines coming off the ball,” Echer said. “Offensively we have simplified the schemes for the offensive line to allow them to think less, and play in a more physical manner. A lot of times kids will slow down when they are worried about running the play correctly. We will also focus on moving the ball fast in our no huddle offense, and get the ball to as many kids as possible.” Price and Tammen are both three year starters. “We believe that if our offensive line can play sound, physical football that Glenn Law will have a big season for us on the ground, which will open up the rest of our offense,” Echer added. “Defensively, we will focus on forcing turnovers and getting to the ball. With players like Travis Tammen, Austin Price, AJ Oste, and Glenn Law returning on defense we feel like we can do some great things. We want Russell Bronco football to be the big time!” 4-5 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 3A North Central Activities Association Coach: Jordan Echer (1st year; 3rd overall, 5-13) Assistants: Raheeme Dumas, Braden Schultz, Dayton Smith, Chris Norris Offense: Spread Option Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Austin Price, QB/WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Travis Tammen, WR/DE, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Kyler Fritschen, DB, 5-9, 140, Sr.; Glenn Law, DT, 6-1, 220, Sr.; A.J. Oste, OLB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Brandon Fowler, LT, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Braden Flax, RT, 6-0, 170, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SCOTT CITY, KS 807 North Hwy80783North | TollHwy Free:83800-779-7244 | 620-872-7244 | 620-872-7244
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SCOTT CITY COMMUNITY
Scott City was a strong contender for the Class 4A, Division II title last year. The Beavers, after starting a rare 0-2 in 2016, avenged both losses with a 29-8 win at Hays High and 23-14 versus GWAC rival Holcomb in ‘17. Scott City won at Cimarron (34-6), an eventual 3A playoff team, in Week 3. After wins versus Hugoton (35-7) and at Ulysses (42-11), Scott City defeated two more eventual playoff teams at home in Wellington (28-6) and Colby (42-14). SC completed a 9-0 regular season with road wins versus Goodland (28-0) and Concordia (28-12). SC trailed Concordia, 12-0, early but then rallied for 28 straight points. The Beavers moved its district winning streak to 28 straight games and went 9-0 for the seventh time in the last 10 seasons. SC has won at least 10 games every year but one since ’07. In the first round of the playoffs, SC beat Kingman at home, 21-14, and won at Clay Center, 21-13. However, Holcomb, the eventual state champion, played host to the Beavers and SC lost, 34-13. Holcomb picked off the first play from scrimmage and returned it for a 24-yard pick-six versus the Beavers, then ranked No. 1 in the classification. Holcomb later took a 13-6 lead after another pick-six, this time from 20 yards. Senior defensive lineman/running back Wyatt Hayes returns after he earned Kpreps all-state 4A-II honors as a junior with 80 tackles, six sacks, five fumble recoveries, 1,161 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Hayes can clean 320, squat 365 and bench 245. Kpreps all-state linebacker Nick Nowak graduated after he delivered 130 tackles with four sacks, along with Kpreps all-state defensive back Jarret Jurgens (72 tackles, five INTs, 1,002 rushing, 10 TDs). Parker Gooden returns at QB after he completed 70 of 145 passes for 1,169 yards with a 12/9 TD/ INT ratio. Marshall Faurot is one of the state’s best athletes. He had 27 catches for 560 yards and nine scores and averaged 36 yards a punt with 12 inside the 20-yard line. Kyle Sherwood recorded 73 tackles. Jaren Berning, Faurot, Hayes, Sherwood, Cale Goodman, Gooden and Hunter Yager are all returning starters and three-sport athletes. Parker Vulgamore delivered 71 stops. Kicker Moses Hinojos had a solid season including a 40-yard field goal in the Holcomb victory. 11-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 3A Great Western Activities Conference Coach: Jim Turner (3rd year, 18-4) Assistants: Brian Gentry, Landen Frank, Todd Richardson, Alex Hutchins, Michael McEachern Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense Jaren Berning, C, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Chase Cupp, OT, 6-0, 255, Sr.; Marshall Faurot, SE/CB, 6-1, 165, Sr.; Wyatt Hayes, FB/DE, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Moses Hinojos, K, 5-7, 135, Sr.; Kyle Sherwood, OG/DE, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Parker Vulgamore, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Parker Gooden, QB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Cale Goodman, LB, 5-10, 195, Jr.; Hunter Yager, FS, 5-10, 165, Jr. CN A Class 3A semifinalist in 2015 and quarterfinalist in 2016, Wellsville only reached the second round of the 3A playoffs in 2017. Still, the season could hardly be called a disappointment as the Eagles still managed to extend their streak of winning at least one postseason game every year since 2010 and finish with a solid 9-2 record. Wellsville also shared the Pioneer League title with Santa Fe Trail and Burlington, a 40-20 loss to Burlington in the season opener denying the Eagles an outright crown and undefeated regular season. Wellsville followed with nine straight wins before falling 28-6 to Galena in the playoffs. Another deep run this year will depend on how well eighth-year coach Brad Burkdoll can plug the holes on his offensive and defensive lines. Senior offensive guard Andrew Galloway is the lone returner up front on either side of the ball and Wellsville has a huge hole to fill at center where Aaron Mosher was a three-year starter and all-league selection. If the line can come together, Wellsville is loaded at the skill positions to match last year’s production
620-872-5503 Scott City, KS
ST. GEORGE-ROCK CREEK
After getting out to a 2-1 start, Rock Creek lost five straight games before finishing the season with a 2827 win over Chapman. The Mustangs finished 3-6, missing out on the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Veteran coach Mike Beam enters his 27th and final season as head coach at Rock Creek as he plans to retire in January. He’s compiled a 140-117 record at Rock Creek and a 172-149 mark overall and would love nothing more than to go out on a high note. Improving a defense that allowed 29.1 points per game will be a big key to getting things turned around. The Mustangs only return four starters on that side of the ball, but Beam is optimistic the unit will be better with the back end being a strength with all four returning starters there, led by last year’s fourth-leading tackler Karter Carlson (59 tackles). Six starters return on offense and though the backfield will miss Sam Ringering (602 yards, four TDs), it got accustomed to his absence as his missed the final three games last year with an injury. Junior Taybor Vetter progressed as the season went along and wound up leading the Mustangs in rushing with 855 yards and 10 touchdowns, highlighted by his 195-yard, three-touchdown game against St. Marys. Sophomore Charlie Killingsworth took over at quarterback when Ringering went down and will begin the season as the starter. Senior Josh Feldkamp is the lone returning starter on the offensive line, so rebuilding that unit will be a key to the Mustangs’ success. Rock Creek’s special teams have a chance to be special with Vetter returning two punts for scores a year ago and junior Bryant Golden a weapon at kicker after hitting 25 of 28 extra-point attempts last year. Class 4A Division II for the past several years, Rock Creek drops to 3A under the new classification system. The district will remain familiar with the Mustangs once again paired with Clay Center, Smoky Valley and Chapman as they were the past two seasons, though new additions Hesston and Halstead add serious depth and quality after being among the top 3A programs the past few seasons. 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 3A Mid-East League Coach: Mike Beam (27th year, 140-117) Assistants: N/A Offense: Double Wing Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 4 Defense Nate Williams, FB/LB, Sr.; Taybor Vetter, RB, Jr.; Josh Feldkamp, OL, Sr.; Bryant Golden, RB/K, Jr.; Charlie Killingsworth, QB, So.; Jacob Caffrey, TE, Sr.; Mac Hayes, DB, Sr.; Karter Carlson, DB, Sr.; Connor Richards, LB, So. Brent Maycock
WELLSVILLE
which saw the Eagles average 36.8 points per game. Zach Vance stepped into the starting quarterback job and was a first-team all-league selection, throwing for 1,359 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushing for 736 yards and 13 scores. He’ll have second-team all-league receiver Luke Richards back along with senior receiver Jeff Ebeck, who was third on the team with 13 catches for 266 yards and a team-high five touchdown receptions. No other back returns who ran for more than 300 yards. The defense will miss not only its front three, but also All-Class 3A linebacker Anthony Geist, who had a team-high 86 tackles last year. Richards was second on the team with 70 stops and fellow linebacker Chase Farley had 50 tackles and a team-high 14 tackles for loss. Vance had a team-high six interceptions in the secondary and seven starters are back overall defensively from a unit which once again was among the stingiest in 3A, allowing just 12.6 points per game. A perennial contender in Class 3A, Wellsville finds itself in a loaded district in the new-look 3A this year
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WAMEGO
Hayden has long subscribed to the theory that what didn’t kill them competing as the smallest school in the Centennial League only made it stronger when it came time to take on schools its own size. Case in point, the 2017 season. Hayden went just 2-4 in league play with its only wins coming against Emporia and Topeka West. But once the Wildcats got into Class 4A Division II play, they didn’t lose until falling 37-21 to Frontenac in the state semifinals. Hayden did survive a couple scares in the late-season run, eking out a 35-28 win over Jefferson West in the district finale and a 30-24 win over Burlington in the playoff quarterfinals. The Wildcats finished with a 7-5 mark. Duplicating or exceeding that mark this year will require quite a bit of reloading on both sides of the ball. Graduation claimed a bulk of the Wildcats’ key personnel off last year’s team, including first-team All4A II receiver Deshawn Hanika and linebacker Brent Peavler. Hanika anjoyed a monster season, catching 71 passes for 1,284 yards and 14 touchdowns as Sampson Huston’s main target. Huston wound up throwing for 2,185 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he’s also gone. So are Hayden’s top-three ground gainers with sophomore Desmond Purcell the lone returning skill player who had any significant numbers, rushing for 277 yards and four touchdowns. Peavler was the Wildcats’ leading tackler each of the last three seasons, making 167 total tackles last year, including 76 solos. Fellow linebacker Brandon Van Becelaere is also gone, but junior lineman Andrew Schmidtlein (127 tackles), senior lineback Brady Bohannon (122 tackles) and senior defensive back Tre Miller (97 tackles) give veteran coach Bill Arnold some nice pieces to build around. With the overhaul of the classification system dropping Hayden to Class 3A this season, the Wildcats will only play three league teams this year — Topeka West, Seaman and Washburn Rural. Hayden’s district will include familiar faces in Santa Fe Trail and Jefferson West, but adds new foes in Bishop Ward, Perry-Lecompton and Wellsville.
Following a 1-4 start to the season, Wamego got hot late. Winning four of their final five games, the Red Raiders returned to the playoffs out of one of the toughest districts in Class 4A Division I. The postseason came to a quick end with a 64-13 loss to Andale, but the 5-5 season was a solid results after the sluggish start. Winning close games was a key to Wamego’s late-season success as the Red Raiders won all four games by a combined eight points, including big district wins over Abilene (28-27 in overtime) and Hays (24-21). After three years under Lee Weber’s watch, Wamego has a new coach in Weston Moody. The former Manhattan standout brings in almost an entirely new staff with only one assistant from a year ago remaining on staff. Moody also plans on employing new offensive and defensive systems so getting up to speed will be a key early for the entire program. Moody will have plenty of new faces to work with as Wamego only returns 12 lettermen from a year ago, including just three starters on offense and two on defense. Only one player who earned All-North Central Kansas League honors of any kind is back, senior kicker Jaran Johnson, who was first-team a year ago. In his multiple offense, Moody hopes to distribute the ball to a variety of playmakers and discovering who those players are will be an early task. Junior back Adler Pierson is the leading returning rusher, but only had 291 yards a year ago to rank second on the team to departed quarterback Justin Ebert (467), who also threw for 1,134 yards. Ty Cooper will take over at quarterback after playing receiver a year ago and ranking third on the team with 232 yards and a team-high 30 catches. Junior end Brad Sackrider was second on the team with 264 yards and 18 catches and also is the leading returning tackler, ranking fourth on the team a year ago with 37 tackles. After being a fixture in Class 4A, Wamego moves to Class 3A under the new classification system this year. The new landscape doesn’t look any easier, however, as the Red Raiders find themselves in the same district as defending 3A state champion Sabetha, last year’s 3A runner-up Marysville and perennial 4A power Holton.
7-5 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 3A Centennial League Coach: Bill Arnold (12th year, 157-54) Assistants: Wes Meier, Howard Tush, Scott Simons, Eddie Kidd, Chuck Thompson, Troy Slusser, Raymond Gragg, Daniel Gaito, JC Menke Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 30 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 5 Defense Philip Voegeli, OG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Daniel Hernandez, OG/DE, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Desmond Purnell, RB, 6-0, 185, So.; Conner McGehee, DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Evan Prohaska, DE, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Trey MIller, DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Brady Bohannon, OLB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Andrew Schmidtlein, DL, 5-9, 220, Jr.; Max Rickard, DT, 6-1, 255, Sr.; Brent Maycock
5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 3A North Central Kansas League Coach: Weston Moody (1st year) Assistants: Nathan Good, Nick Johnson, Tyler Wendland, Brad Koehn, Jeff Suther Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 2 Defense Ty Cooper, DB/QB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Dylan Riniker, C, 5-11, 285, SR.; Brad Sackrider, TE/WR/LB, 6-3, 200, Jr.; Adler Pierson, RB/LB, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Jack Kruse, WR, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Jaran Johnson, WR/DB/K, 5-10, 165, Sr. Brent Maycock
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after the classification system overhaul. The Eagles will face four teams which were Class 4A Division II a year ago in district play, including traditional power Hayden. 9-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 3A Pioneer League Coach: Brad Burkdoll (8th year, 56-23) Assistants: Duane McCarty, Mark Messer, Eric Sayler, Jason Spradling Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense Zach Vance, QB/S, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Luke Richards, LB/WR, 5-10, 150, Jr.; Dawson Reeve, CB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Tanner Shalkoski, FB/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Chase Farley, HB/LB, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Andrew Galloway, RG, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Jeff Ebeck, WR/CB, 6-1, 160, Sr. Brent Maycock
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
WICHITA COLLEGIATE
While 5-5 is a step back for tradition-rich Wichita Collegiate, that record comes with a five-pound bag of salt. The Spartans lined up against a gamut that would ultimately include six playoff participants – and that was before a season-ending loss to Smoky Valley in the first round of the postseason. What helped carry the Spartans was the same line item they will have to address this year. Collegiate had no shortage of stars in its 2017 senior class. Offensive lineman Mac Copeland was a stud, and now is on his way to the University of Kansas. Cody McNerney was a two-way luminary. He will be missed at quarterback, and so will trusty wideout Collin Egan. And let one not forget sturdy defensive lineman Grant Deiter. The list goes on and on. Collegiate has to replace 10 of its top 11 tacklers. District 6 in 3A is like running through quicksand, with state runner-up Andale, Cheney and Wichita Trinity among the quality opponents on the register. And still, Collegiate fans should breathe at least a little easy. Coach Mike Gehrer has done this plenty of times before. Even with a drop off in victories in 2017, the program has averaged nine wins over the past decade and produced a postseason bid every year since 2003. First-team Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV linebacker Trey Charbonneau is back after an 86-tackle campaign, and he offers familiarity to a reloading offensive line. So, too, will Connor Allen, an all-league honorable mention lineman. Kaden Ramos presents the next great Collegiate quarterback a heat-seeking target after pulling in six touchdown receptions. It is a transition year to be sure, but one Collegiate knows how to manage.
WICHITA-TRINITY ACADEMY
A decade of results officially put Wichita Trinity right in the middle, right at 45-45, never more than six wins in a season but never fewer than three. That leaves plenty to be proud of, but the one accomplishment that continues to elude the Knights is a playoff berth. That will become a primary goal for Wes Miller as he begins his first season as head coach, stepping in for Jared McDaniel after six seasons. For better or worse, Miller walks into a treacherous schedule, lining up against eight teams that combined for a 52-30 record. The district minefield now includes playoff qualifiers Andale, Cheney and Wichita Collegiate. It rounds out with Clearwater and Haven. “After graduating a group of talented seniors, we will look to some new faces to lead the way in 2018,” Miller said. “Some big-play ability and high-scoring potential that carried the team in 2017 is now gone, so we will look to play fundamental football defensively and find our identity offensively as the season progresses.” If that comes to fruition, it will flip the script of a year ago, when the Knights’ offense powered past foes with 20-or-more points in eight of nine games, but the defense stumbled, giving up the fifth-most points per game against in all of 4A. Nate Adler, a sturdy senior linebacker, will be asked to set the tone for a defensive revolution. He hammered down 54 tackles a year ago, including five for loss. Tucker Trevett cleaned up five tackles for loss, as well, from his post on the line. Trinity’s offense lost a terrific trio in quarterback Sammy Hardin, receiver Caden Williams and tight end Hillard Cozine – or for the statistically inclined, a 2,500-yard passer and pass catchers that combined for 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns. Hardin is off to Kansas State, while Hillard moves on to Butler. Junior running back Andrew Nordberg will take on much of the load after he produced 400 yards and three scores.
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Fort Hays/from page 169_________________________
Brown said he again keyed on “great character” in this year’s signing class, which included 21 in-state pickups. Smith Center’s Dalton Kuhn, offered in summer 2017 by the Tigers, stayed firm on his commitment. Kansas’ all-classes defensive player of the year, Kuhn had a priority walk-on offer at Kansas State, a deal many in-state products take. Instead, Kuhn, also with strong academics, headed to Hays. “Football is football,” Sasse said. “To me, it’s more about the culture, the coaches that are there and if you fit with them.” FHSU pickups Kuhn, Derby running back Brody Kooser and McPherson defensive lineman Wyatt Seidl, were named to the USA Today first team all-state squad. St. Marys running back Taegen Schoenfeld was a two-time all-state honorable mention selection. The Goddard trio of quarterback Blake Sullivan, defensive back Cole Caraway and wide receiver Owen Beason, who together led to Goddard’s emergence as a then 5A power, signed with the Tigers. Fort Hays returns star quarterback Jacob Mezera, key pieces of the receiving corps, and much of the back end of the defense, and opens ranked fourth nationally. “They want to continue to win playoff games and get to a national championship,” Brown said. “But we just have good people, good people that really care and that really want to work hard and are there in support of one another.” Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 3A Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division IV @ Kansas who Coach: Mike Gehrer (22nd year, 176-55) has covered Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 3A high school and Returning lettermen: N/A Central Plains League college teams Returning starters: N/A Coach: Wes Miller (1st year) 101 9 Kyle McCaskey Assistants: Jacob Ryan, Joe Dvorak, Grant Watkins, across the state BULL Trent Forrester for a decade. Offense: Spread Defense: 5-2 the
Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Felix Johnson, OL/DL, 6-5, 340, Sr.; Tucker Trevett, OL/TE/DL, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Nate Adler, QB/LB, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Andrew Davis, TE/LB, 6-4, 215, Sr.; Andrew Gerace, OL/DL, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Sam Dabney, OL/DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Andrew Nordberg, RB/DB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Mark Hedstrom, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Grant Dunham, OL/LB, 5-10, 210, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
2A Overview/from page 113______________________
Perry-Lecompton (30-13) and Sabetha (21-7) before the 25-7 defeat versus Silver Lake. Like Silver Lake, Conway Springs is a longtime traditional power that encountered heavy graduation losses. CS graduated Trenton Jones (2,137 rushing yards) and Colton Terhune (1,212), along with Riley Akiu (630). Seniors Aaron May, Zachary Mercer and Chase Ast, along with junior Collin Koester played well with limited carries. The quartet combined for 96 carries for 889 yards and 15 rushing scores. “We will lose several three year starters, but also have a solid core to build from,” Conway Springs coach Matt Biehler said. “Team depth will be something we are looking to build on. We will be led by a strong group of upper classmen who need to be great leaders. We are looking forward to the new schedule.” Humboldt had a three-win improvement from 4-6 to 7-3 and had a solid defense with just 18.6 points allowed. The Cubs have five offensive and seven defensive starters back, including six seniors: wide receiver/quarterback/defensive back Kyler Allen, fullback/linebacker Dagen Goodner and linemen/ends Teryn Johnson, Tucker Hurst, Caleb Klauman and David Watts. “We set our goals each year at the highest pinnacle in Kansas football, but we also are realistic in looking at each upcoming game as the biggest,” coach Logan Wyrick said. “So I think as an overall goal each year, we just want to show improvement on the previous season and I think we’ve done that each year I’ve been here at Humboldt. “We hope to build on consecutive trips to the playoffs now and want to hopefully have a couple championships instead of runner-up plaques like we had in both District’s and League last season,” he added. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school teams across the state for more than a decade.
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KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Conway Springs 2. Phillipsburg 3. Silver Lake 4. Nemaha Central 5. Hoisington Others: Chaparral, Cimarron,
Garden Plain, Humboldt, Hutch-Trinity, Lakin, Maur Hill, Osage City, Riley County
Hoisington and Norton with all teams having an opportunity for a top-four berth. Norton graduated quarterback Jace Ruder, a North Carolina signee who joined the team in January after graduating early, and running back Tevin Petrie. Both players cleared 1,000 rushing yards. Senior tight end/defensive end Hayden Wiltfong (44 tackles, five sacks) recently earned a scholarship offer from Emporia State, and junior Kade Melvin picked off five passes. Hoisington lost to Phillipsburg in the second round of the playoffs in ’17. Only a junior, Hoisington’s Wyatt Pedigo has put together back-to-back solid years with a collective 129 tackles, 10 TFLs, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs. “Always been a challenge for us, Norton, Hoisington, always have good programs, and we are going to have to be playing well,” Covington said. Phillipsburg returns four-year starting quarterback Trey Sides, an outstanding multi-sport athlete. Sides missed the Marysville loss with a thumb injury and helped win a 2-1A state crown his freshman season. The Panthers bring back Treylan Gross, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards, multi-year starters Kasen Keeten and Jaret Shelton and all-state kicker Jonathan Hunnacutt. Phillipsburg has lost to Hesston and Marysville in the playoffs the last two years, teams that have run the spread. The Panthers have learned from those teams and look to have a more wide-open offense this fall. “We feel like we are returning some quality players that have experienced much success over the last few years,” Covington said. Chaparral was expected to bring back nine starters on both sides, including a number of seniors. Senior lineman Isaac Helms, senior quarterback/defensive back Jake Burke, and senior running back/linebacker Drake Whealy had collected first team all-league. Helms was a Kpreps first team all-state selection on the
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CLASS 2A
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame Last year, Class 3A had 64 teams for the final time. Kansas’ largest classification featured 16 districts with four teams apiece and the top-two squads in each district qualifying for the playoffs. District play was the final three weeks of the regular season. Class 3A had its Week 9 contest on Thursday, then opened the playoffs the next Tuesday with the second round the following Saturday, a tight schedule. The state revamped the classification and playoff structure, mainly to fix Class 3A. Class 4A-I and 4A-II dissolved, and the state has now 48 teams in Classes 3A and 2A. For 2018, Class 2A is all virtually former 3A teams, and Ellinwood, which bumped from Eight-Man, Division I. A majority of the top-tier 3A schools stayed in 3A, including last year’s champion Sabetha and runner-up Marysville. Galena, the No. 5 team in the final Kpreps.com poll, remained in 3A. The retooled Class 2A is headlined by Phillipsburg and Silver Lake. They finished third and fourth, respectively, in the final 3A rankings. In sub-state, the Panthers lost to Marysville, while SL fell to Sabetha. Both squads finished 12-1. Nemaha Central (10-1) was the only team to beat Sabetha. The Thunder shifts to 2A, along with Conway Springs (10-1). The Cardinals led the classification in scoring defense with just 105 points permitted, and tied with Phillipsburg for second-best scoring offense at 588 points. Class “2A will be very difficult,” Phillipsburg coach J.B. Covington said. “A lot of good 3A teams came down to 2A, both on the west side and the east side, so we know that it’s going to be a great challenge going all the way through.” Class 2A now has eight six-team districts. After open scheduling the first three weeks, district play will be in Weeks 4 through 8. After Week 8, the top-four teams in each district will advance to bracket play that starts in Week 9. “I think it’s going to be a big challenge, and I like the playoff format where we cross-bracket with other districts, I think that will be fun,” Covington said. In the past, including the past two years, Conway Springs, Cheney, Garden Plain and Chaparral were often in the same 3A district with just two of the teams reaching the postseason. As well, Phillipsburg often had to contend with rival Norton and Beloit in the same four-team district. “That five-game scenario, you are going to have to be consistent,” Covington said. “You just can’t go in and win a couple of games at the end of the year.” Now, District 6 features Chaparral, Conway Springs, Trinity Catholic and Garden Plain. District 8 has Phillipsburg,
offensive line. He was the lone non-senior named to the 3A all-state team who will be in 2A this fall. However, Chaparral coach Justin Burke confirmed in late July that the 5-foot-11, 245-pound Helms is not expected to play this year due to past concussions. As well, senior lineman Miguel Gerber is not expected to play for personal reasons. Helms and Gerber had both started since their freshman year. These are huge losses for the Roadrunners and could affect the classification pecking order. Burke was honorable mention all-state at defensive back. He passed for 949 yards, rushed for 509 and tallied 18 offensive TDs. Whealy has 185 tackles the last two years. Senior Quinton Pfaff has more than 1,000 career receiving yards “Tough district again,” coach Justin Burke said. “Attitude and chemistry is the biggest concern. This could be a tremendous year, but the attitude of gratitude and integrity on and off the field are of high concerns.” Like Burke, Trinity Catholic returns Kaleb Hammeke, who has been an elite player at quarterback and on defense. Hammeke passed for 767 yards, rushed for 728 and accounted for 20 offensive scores. Hammeke picked off five passes. Sophomore running back Andrew Bergmeier led the team with 729 rushing yards. Silver Lake had a balanced offense with 166 passing and 159 rushing yards per game in ‘17. Senior Mason Griffin returns after he completed 149 of 252 passes for 1,883 yards with a 20/5 TD/INT ratio. Senior Mason Jones graduated after rushing for 1,103 yards, more than half the team’s total. Senior Christian Stoner could emerge into a key role. In just six games in ’17, he had 46 carries for 252 yards and four scores. The top-eight tacklers graduated. Nemaha Central has not lost a regular season game since 2014 and is 10-1, 12-1 and 10-1 the last three seasons under coach Warren Seitz. The Thunder earned key regular season victories against Holton (30-18), Centralia (13-0), continued on page 112
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
and reminds us of a Will Geary type. He could be a from page 23____ great run stopper at the next level. With interest from KU and K-State and an offer from Emporia State a FCS, or in-state DII offer. An exceptional senior season great senior season could propel Livingston to top tier should lead to that interest turning into offers for this recruit status in the class of 2019. under recruited 4-year starter from Colby. Isaac Mitchell, TE/DE, Salina South, Sr.: A state Jacob Schroeder, OL, Victoria, Sr.: A raw, still champion javelin thrower with massive upside this developing offensive linemen from 8-Man power 6’4”, 240 pound senior has offers from the Air Force Victoria grabbed everyone’s attention with his size Academy and Western Illinois and could pull in several 6’5”, 335 pounds. His mobility needs improvement, more with a standout senior season. He has great but a standout senior season and strong offseason length, push, pursuit and tackling ability and transdevelopment could lead to some opportunities for this lates well to the defensive end position beyond high massive lineman. school. He is a well-rounded athlete whose time on the Brayden Singer, RB/LB West Franklin, Sr.: While a basketball court could help should a school decide to college football scholarship may not be in play for this transition him to the tight end position. undersized (5’9”, 179 pounds) small school running Taylon Peters, RB, Salina Central, Sr.: One of the back and linebacker, Singer impressed with his 10 best running backs in Kansas who has spent time reps of 225 on the bench, his 30.3 inch vertical jump under-the-radar due in part to the recent struggles of and a 4.9 second 40 yard dash in his first time ever a once storied Salina Central program, Peters could performing combine tests. Perhaps a big senior season be poised for an exceptional season under new coach for a West Franklin team that should be improved will Mark Sandbo. Peters, whose height may keep him find a NAIA, JUCO or even DII scholarship opportunity from receiving FBS offers, caught the ball very well at for Singer. the Top Prospect Camp to go along with outstanding Komesh Spoonhunter, OL, Royal Valley, Jr.: numbers at the combine - 4.6 40, 4.2 pro agility, 9’2” An emerging class of 2020 offensive line prospect, broad, 32.7 vertical. Also a state placing wrestler the Spoonhunter has the size (6’4”, 270 pounds), mobility 5’9”, 190 pound senior could transition to slot receiver (5.4 40, 4.84 pro agility), explosiveness (8’6.5” broad, at the next level. 24.1” vertical), and strength (13 reps at 185) that colParker Roth, RB, Hesston, Sr.: Roth, a starter lege line coaches covet. His film shows a developing since his freshman year for the traditional small school player with a nasty streak. The next two seasons could power Hesston is one of the most physical players in put Spoonhunter on the map. Kansas. When running the ball or blocking he does Taye Washington, OL, Hoxie, Sr.: A starter along not shy away from contact and his performance at the the offensive line for the 2017 8-Man I State Champion Top Prospect Camp caught the eye of the media on Hoxie Indians, Washington has recruiters drooling hand. The 5’10”, 195 pound running back put up great over his Division I frame. At 6’5”, 325 pounds his numbers at the combine as well posting a 4.6 second measurables were not eye-popping (5.7 40, 5.25 Pro 40, a 4.43 pro agility, a 9’5” broad jump and a 33.6” Agility, 7’1” broad, 19.7” vertical, 6 reps at 225) but vertical along with 8 reps at 225. Roth has made hay his potential and shear size had every coach and for the Swathers posting over 1,200 yards rushing in media representative at both the combine and the Top each of the last two seasons and catching 22 passes Prospect Camp wondering if Washington might be the for 228 yards and two scores last year. This speed next great offensive line recruit from Kansas. merchant is also a two-time top three finisher in the 3A A number or prospects either solidified their position 100 meter dash. as big-time offer guys through the Top Prospect Camp, Ky Thomas, RB, Topeka, Jr.: Thomas made a or emerged with major interest, including: splash for the Trojans from the start of his high school Turner Corcoran, OL, Lawrence Free State, Jr.: career and has now emerged as one of the top recruits Corcoran was the main attraction at the late June Top in the class of 2020. The 5’11”, 180 pound running Prospect Camp and had regional media clamoring back is powerful and explosive, but is also an excellent to see him in action against other top linemen from pass catcher out of the backfield. His lateral quickKansas. The 6’6”, 270 pound Corcoran is a physical ness and vision are what separate him from the good specimen with natural size and athleticism that can’t running backs in the state and put him in a class by be coached, but as an added bonus Corcoran can be himself. Thomas has offers from Iowa, Kansas, Kansas coached and has a great personality and leadership State and Louisiana Tech and interest from a host of skills. His combination of size, strength, wing span other FBS programs. and mobility is why he is a 4-star Top 100 recruit in Scott Valentas, DB, Kapaun, Sr.: One of the state’s the class of 2020 by both Rivals and 247Sports. He top recruits with a number of FCS offers, Valentas peralready holds offers from most of the top programs in formed well at the March combine and then improved the country including Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma on that performance at the University of Nebraska’s and Notre Dame. Friday Night Lights event mid-summer. At 6’2”, 197 Myles Livingston, OL/DT, Emporia, Sr.: A nasty pounds Valentas could play safety or outside linebacklinemen who delivers more pancakes than IHOP er. His 4.6 forty, 4.4 pro agility, 9’2” broad and 35.5” from his offensive guard spot, this Spartan senior will vertical were impressive. He backs up a physical style partner with junior - and top 2020 recruit - Hayden of play on film with physical pass coverage in 7-on-7 Pauls to provide Emporia with one of the most intimdrills at camps and in competition. idating offensive lines in Kansas. But its Livingston’s Several players gained interest after the Top Prospect performance with his expanded role on defense that Camp and appear ready for a breakout seasons: could earn him a college scholarship. The 6 foot, 310 Preven Christon, WR, Maize, Jr.: Christon, a 6 pounder can lift a house (19 reps at 225 at combine) foot, 175 pound wide receiver for Maize emerged
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as a potential FBS prospect after the camp. His route running and pass catching ability were on display and his engagement with coaches was noteworthy - he was there to learn. Christon spent the spring and summer playing with the Sharp Performance elite 7-on-7 team and performed well at Nebraska and Kansas State tournaments. Darius Cooper, LB, Wichita Northwest, So.: Just a sophomore, Cooper could emerge as one of the top linebackers in the state playing alongside the likes of Josh Carter and Marcus Hicks for the Grizzlies this fall. He has the combination of size and speed that could make him a name to know in seasons to come. Cody Fayette, OL, Maize South, Jr.: A 6’5”, 285 pound offensive tackle from Maize South, Fayette showed tremendous potential in one-on-ones but needs to continue to work on pad level and footwork, especially in the run game. Fayette also spent time at center for the Mavericks last season and improved hips and footwork over the next two seasons could have the class of 2020 lineman emerge as one of the top line recruits in the Kansas. Tim Lambert, RB/DB/WR, Smoky Valley, Sr.: A relative unknown, the son of Smoky Valley head coach Tim Lambert, Sr. burst on the scene at the State Track Meet in May after setting class 4A state records in the 200 meter dash and 300 meter hurdles while also winning the 100 meter dash in a time of 10.82. Lambert is a solid running back, defensive back and return man for the Vikings, but could transition to the wide receiver position in college. If football is not in the future for the 6’1”, 160 pound Lambert a track scholarship is certainly going to be an option for this speed merchant. Small school QBs rule the day: In addition to Davenport, other small school QBs looked impressive throwing the ball at June’s Top Prospect Camp, especially considering the windy conditions. Dereck Gillett, QB, Rock Hills, Sr.: The Rock Hills senior is part of one of the most explosive backfields in Kansas (along with Zane Colson and Rylee Whelchel) but this mobile passer looked comfortable throwing passes to some of the state’s top receivers. At 6’3” tall and 180 pounds Gillett has the potential to be a college talent, but he’ll have to overcome the small school stigma. Playing on what should be one of the best 8-Man teams in Kansas this fall should help. Myles Menges, QB, Central Plains, Sr.: The 6’3”, 205 pound senior physically looked the part of a college quarterback and so did his arm. Accurate in spite of the wind he showed why he has thrown for over 2,800 yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions the last two seasons, including 1,059 yards, 19 TDs and just 3 interceptions for Central Plains as a junior after transferring from Ellinwood. He has also demonstrated mobility rushing for 340 yards and 5 TDs last year for the Oilers. Izek Jackson, QB/WR, Chapman, Sr.: At 6’5” and a slim 185 pounds Jackson may translate to the wide receiver position in college. An effective runner for the Irish from his quarterback position Jackson threw the ball well at the Top Prospect Camp and could be poised for a big season for a Chapman team that should be on the upswing for second year coach Kurt Webster. For more information on exposure opportunities with Sharp Performance find them on social media or visit sharp-performance.com.
Jake BURKE
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By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame Jake Burke served as a ball boy throughout childhood for his father, Justin. Coach Burke enters his 22nd year as a head coach, notably for a stint at Dodge City and now in his ninth season at Chaparral. At DC, Burke watched multiple Division I prospects, especially quarterback Kale Pick. He eventually started 28 games at quarterback and wide receiver for the University of Kansas and earned the prestigious Ironman and Gale Sayers honors from the Jayhawk program. Pick now serves as the Fort Scott Community College head coach. “A big role model for me,” Jake said. “He’s just a great quarterback.” Like Pick, Burke has excelled on the football field. He has started on defense since midway through his freshman season. Last year, he was first team all-league and honorable mention all-state defensive back. Overall, Burke has picked off 11 passes, including a key one in the end zone against league and district rival Conway Springs earlier in his career. In 2017, Burke took over at quarterback in midseason from incumbent Andrew Clark. Burke completed 60 of 106 passes for 949 yards with a 10/2 TD/INT ratio, and rushed 83 times for 509 yards and eight scores. Clark moved to running back and produced a team-high 11 rushing scores. “It’s fun watching him do a lot of smart things,” coach Burke said of his son. Chaparral again played in Class 3A, District 10 with Conway Springs, Garden Plain and Cheney, easily the classification’s hardest district. The Roadrunners went 5-1 in non-district but 1-2 in district. Chaparral tallied 41.2 points per contest, second-most in coach Burke’s era. Jake is the oldest of three and the only boy. “A very solid player, and it’s been fun,” coach Burke said. “I have been looking forward to this for a long time.” Burke led Chaparral to 9-2 marks in ’14 and ’16. The Roadrunners have never made a state title game with three semifinals, the last in ’89. In ‘17, Chaparral dropped to 6-3, and coped with the tragic death of Tanner Asper. The Aspers and Burkes are good friends, and Asper was expected to be a key player after 53 tackles in ‘16. He passed away in a car wreck in the summer. This year, the Roadrunners switched to 2A with a highly experienced senior class. At first, Coach Burke believed Chaparral was the best team in 2A west. Now, that thought has changed. The Roadrunners have two linemen entering their fourth year as starters – Isaac Helms and Miguel Gerber – who are unlikely to play. Coach Burke said Helms was not physically cleared due to past concussions, and Gerber decided not to suit up due to personal reasons. “You’ve just got to face adversity, and handle it the best you can,” Jake Burke said. “It goes a little rough at first, but then you’ve got to find a way to get over it, overcome it.” Still, the Roadrunners expect 12 to 14 seniors out, the most in coach Burke’s era. “Weapons on both sides of the ball, and we expect to have a great year, all of us together,” Jake Burke said. “Everyone is pushing each other to be the best. It’s senior year, so we are going to give it our all.” Senior Drake Whaley was first team all-league linebacker and has started on defense since midway through his freshman season. He has led the team in tackles the last two falls. Senior Quinton Pfaff was second team all-league defense and also began starting as a
ROAD
THE BURKE FILE
(Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingstonphoto.com)
RUNN
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Hobbies: Hang out with friends and go to the lake. Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: Cheeseburger Favorite music: “Older country and Red Dirt.” Favorite pregame song: “Right Above It” by Lil Wayne Most memorable high school football moment: “2016 when we beat Conway Springs to advance to the play-offs and secure the League Championship.”
JAKE BU
RKE, QB
/DB, CH
APARRA
L, SR.
Fort Scott is home to US National Cemetery #1. Established by Congress in 1862, the cemetery has approximately 7,500 graves. The cemetery is dressed with American flags during special holidays.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ANTHONY/HARPER-CHAPARRAL
In early summer, coach Justin Burke believed Chaparral was the best Class 2A team in the western half. A bulk of experienced seniors returned off a program that has made the playoffs in the last four even-numbered seasons. Chaparral is 9-2, 6-3, 9-2 and 6-3 in the last four years. However, senior lineman Isaac Helms and Miguel Gerber, both starters since their freshman years, are not expected to play. Helms, a Kpreps.com Class 3A first team all-state offensive lineman pick last year, was not cleared in late July due to past concussions. Gerber has decided not to play for personal reasons. However, Chaparral still has plenty returning off one of 3A stronger programs. The Roadrunners have consistently been in 3A’s hardest district with Conway Springs, Garden Plain and Cheney. Last year, the three teams entered district play with a combined record of 22-2. Last year, Chaparral, with an average overall score of 41-24, lost 29-28 at Wichita Trinity in Week 4. In districts, the Roadrunners lost at Cheney (39-14), beat Garden Plain (18-14), and lost at Conway Springs (53-19). This season, Chaparral will enter the season on a 10-game home winning streak that stretches back to Week 8 of ‘16. Chaparral is in 2A District 6 with Conway Springs, Hutchinson Trinity, Garden Plain, Whitewater-Remington, and Wichita Independent. The entire secondary returns with Jake Burke and Quinton Pfaff at safety. Bryce Cormack and Jarrett Shelton start at corners. Cormack was injured in Week 3. All four are seniors. Senior middle linebacker Drake Whealy is back after 185 tackles the last two years, 85 last fall. Burke was a first team all-league unanimous selection on defense. He has completed 60 of 106 passes for 949 yards with a 10/2 TD/INT ratio. Burke led the team with 83 rushes for 509 yards and was second with eight rushing TDs. Chaparral was plus-4 in turnover margin with 14 turnovers committed in ’17, after plus-8 in ’16. Pfaff, a returning wide receiver, has more than 1,000 career yards. 6-3 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Central Plains League Coach: Justin Burke (9th year, 46-32; 22nd overall, 107-66) Assistants: Britt Whealy, Jody Iams, Josh Inslee, Joel Gerber, Tyler Clubine, JC Zahradnik Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 21 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Jake Burke, QB/DB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Drake Whealy, RB/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Quinton Pfaff, WR/DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Bryce Cormack, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Jarrett Shelton, RB/DB, 5-5, 140, Sr.; Jaden Eslinger, OL/DL, 6-4, 285, Sr.; Cauy Thomas, OL/ DL, 5-8, 225, Sr.; Iverson Bello, RB/LB, 5-4, 155, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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The Vikings finished 0-9 in Class 3A last season but were competitive in multiple games. In Week 2, Arma lost, 20-14, at Yates Center and then fell, 38-30, versus Uniontown in double overtime the following week. In Week 5, Arma fell, 34-28, versus Oswego. In the last month, Arma had three straight road games and then a home contest versus Humboldt. Arma lost each contest by at least 36 points. Arma also finished 0-9 in 2016, though scored just 12 points all season. In ’15, the Vikings went 3-6. Arma enters this season on a 21-game losing streak. In ’15, Arma won at Marantha Academy, 35-32, in Week 2, defeated Oswego, 38-6, in Week 4, and won at Southeast-Cherokee, 34-24, in Week 6. “We go into each season with the goal to win the league and make the playoffs,” coach Phillip Hobbs said. “To reach those goals we need to be productive during the summer, improve each practice as a team and focus on one opponent at a time.” This year, Arma will be in 2A, District 1 with Cherokee-Southeast, Erie, Humboldt, JayhawkLinn and Riverton. Last year, Arma ran the pistol spread option and the 4-3. This year, the Vikings plan to use the flexbone and 3-4. Senior RB/DB Nathan Boswell, senior OL/DL Keatyn O’Dell and junior OL/LB Hunter Jackson are entering at least their third year as starters. “Defensively we need to attack the football better, we gave up to many yards after initial contact, or missed our assignment entirely,” Hobbs said. “Offensively, we will be making some modifications to what we have done in previous seasons to suit our personnel. We had a great winter, all of our linemen took part in our after school strength program and competed in several powerlifting meets. Our progress in strength and speed will be a big part of our success.” 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A Three Rivers League Coach: Philip Hobbs (11th year, 18-73) Assistants: Tommy Leftwich, Joey McDowell, Chase Cleland Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense Karter Dugan, QB, 6-0, 165, So.; Thomas Cronister, RB/LB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Hunter Jackson, OL/LB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Keatyn O’Dell, OL/DL, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Kalin Griffin, OL/DL, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Zach Cronister, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, So.; Gage Cronister, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, So.; Nathan Boswell, RB/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Daniel Balk, WR/DB, 5-8, 145, Jr.; Josh Dickey, WR/DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Kadin Dugan, TE/DE, 6-3, 200, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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The 2017 season sure had a familiar look to it for Maur Hill as the Ravens posted their fourth straight 7-3 season. In fact, it was nearly identical to the 2016 season with the losses coming to the same three teams — Jefferson North in the opener, Jackson Heights at mid-season and Sabetha in the first round of the playoffs. Maur HIll relied heavily on a talented sophomore class last year, particularly in the backfield, but saw little dropoff in terms of production. The Ravens averaged 33.9 points per game and allowed just 17.2 — the bulk of those points allowed given up in the losses to North (50-7) and Sabetha (66-14). After throwing for 1,535 yards and 19 touchdowns as a freshman, Jack Caudle avoided the sophomore slump and enjoyed an even bigger year last season, throwing for 1,701 yards and 23 scores. More importantly, he cut his interception total in half, getting picked off just five times after throwing 11 as a freshman. Injuries kept 2016 leading rusher Ronald FaulkTindal from following up on a strong 2016 season and he’s one of the few graduation losses. Junior Dylan Smith stepped up and led the Ravens in rushing a year ago with 412 yards and seven touchdowns. The biggest void offensively will be up front where All-Class 3A pick Cole Harris and two other starters have graduated. Seventh-year coach Jermaine Monroe could fill the holes with converted tight ends August Malm and Shane Sachse, though sophomores Jake Peltzer and Samuel Underwood could also factor into the mix to join returning starters Blaine Kramer, Abe Siebenmorgen and Austin Coder. Siebenmorgen ranked second on the team in tackles a year ago with 60, while Smith added 52 and Tate Vowels had 34 to rank fourth and fifth. Monroe expects a big year from sophomore linebacker Andrew Schwinn, while freshman Drew Caudle could also have an impact.
C.J. Madison has been a bit of a rambler around Kansas so far in his coaching career. A West Elk graduate, Madison made a promising stop out west in Moscow before stints coaching running backs and tight ends at Hutchinson Community College, where he also attended. Now, he heads back closer to home, taking over a Belle Plaine squad that, despite setting the first few pieces of a rebuild in place, still has to make major strides. “First goal is to have a winning season. None of these kids in the program have had a winning football season, and that’s what I want these kids to experience,” Madison said. “If we have a winning season, then we should have a great shot at making the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.” The Dragons were mired in a 31-game losing streak until 2016, where they finished 2-7. They reached the same record in 2017, and nearly qualified for the postseason. Had Belle Plaine defeated Wichita Independent in the regular season finale, the Dragons would have snuck into the playoffs. Instead, Independent captured the victory and held off Belle Plaine in a three-way points tiebreaker. The defense is in immediate need of some trauma surgery. The Dragons were touched up for 60-ormore points in six of their losses, giving up the most points per game in 3A. Conversely, the offense made incredible strides, pouring on nearly 13 more points per game in 2017 than 2016. That trend should be expected to continue with a formidable pairing of seniors, quarterback Bowen Gooch and wideout Taylor Douglass. “Our OL/DL will be young. If we can establish some success in the run game early in the season, then I think we will have the opportunity to compete in district play,” Madison said. The Dragons have yielded 41 consecutive Central Plains League defeats dating back to 2012. The first crack at it will be week three at home against Wichita Independent.
7-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 2A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Jermaine Monroe (7th year, 34-20) Assistants: Todd Caudle, Doug Bennett, Nick Bennett, Kyle Ricci, Brendan Wovington Offense: Power Defense: 5-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Jack Caudle, QB/FS, 6-3, 191, Jr.; Cameron Taft, RB/LB, 5-11, 220, Sr.; Abe Siebenmorgen, OL/LB, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Dylan Smith, RB/DB, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Blaine Kramer, OL/DL, 6-2, 250, Jr.; Tate Vowels, SB/ DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Sam Regan, WR/DVB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Parker Mispagel, SB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Austin Coder, OL/DL, 6-2, 210, Sr. Brent Maycock
2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Central Plains League Coach: C.J. Madison (1st year; 3rd overall, 8-9) Assistants: Josh Corbett, Storm Scott, Connor Burnette Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 9 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Bowen Gooch, QB/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Tristan Warren, WR/DB/K, 6-3, 180, Sr.; Taylor Douglass, WR/LB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Dresden Ray, TE/DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Sawyer Faulk, OL/DL, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Brent Atkerson, OL, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Luke Baker, LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Eli Wiseman, WR/DB, 5-8, 165, So.; Dalton Ezettie, OL, 5-10, 225, So. Kyle McCaskey
CHERRYVALE
Cherryvale was expected to improve from a 5-4 season in 2016 and went 7-3 with a return trip to the playoffs. The Chargers were part of a three-way tie for first for the Tri-Valley League title, its second in three years and sixth since 1977 – all coming since ’03. Cherryvale finished 5-1 in league play after an early loss against Humboldt. Cherryvale graduated 15 seniors after the program’s fifth straight winning season. The Chargers opened with a road win against Erie (49-0) before the road loss to Humboldt (22-8). Cherryvale ended a five-game winning streak versus the Cubs, who eventually finished 7-3. and Bryce Petersen combined for nearly 500 rushing Then, Cherryvale won four straight against Eureka yards a year ago. Brumback is the leading returning (47-18), Fredonia (48-13), at rival Neodesha (49-14) and a key home win versus Caney Valley (22-16). tackler after registering 52 as a junior. After a 41-8 loss at Galena, Cherryvale easily defeatCherokee’s most recent winning season (6-3) ed Riverton (42-0) and Southeast-Cherokee (35-6) came in 2012 under Clint Rider, now the coach of before a 55-22 first-round playoff loss versus Caney Blue Valley Northwest after a short but successful Valley. Cherryvale is 2-10 in its last 12 meetings stint at Hesston. The Lancers’ last playoff berth came in 2010 under Bryan Burdette, now coaching versus Caney. “Chargers let one slip away early at Humboldt, but at Maranatha Academy. The program’s deepest run the loss seemed to focus the Chargers for the rest was a quarterfinal appearance in 2004. of the TVL slate ending with a three-way tie for the TVL crown,” coach Harry Hester said. “The Chargers 0-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A played well down the stretch but too many big plays Three Rivers League in the playoff game couldn’t be overcome and cost Coach: Jerrad Hansen (5th year, 3-31) the Chargers a chance to advance.” Assistants: Nick Cheney, David Dainty This year, the Chargers will be in Class 2A, District Offense: Multiple Defense: 6-2 Stack Monster 5 with Belle Plaine, Douglass, Eureka, Fredonia and Returning lettermen: 23 Neodesha. Due to the classification revamp, the TVL Returning starters: 10 Offense, 10 Defense will not claim a champion this year. Brett Malle, QB, Sr.; Jaret Brumback, RB, Sr.; Cherryvale has the return of offensive linemen/ Noah Newcomb, OL, Sr.; Bryce Petersen, QB, Jr.; linebacker Seth Mahurin, a two-year starter and Jakob Tavenaro, RB, Jr.; Reece Jacobs, WR, Jr.; honorable mention all-league linebacker. He Garrett Evans, WR, Jr.; Gage Oplotnik, OL, Jr.; Blaise Prewitt, OL, Jr.; Dan Cheney, OL, Jr.; Zaden transferred back from Erie. Including Mahurin, three starters return. Just three of the current seniors Hendricks, RB, So.; Micah Uber, OL, So. Kyle McCaskey played last fall.
CHEROKEE-SOUTHEAST
Nearly every starter returns for CherokeeSoutheast as the Lancers make the transition from the Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League to the Three Rivers League. Cherokee’s 2A district includes reigning Three Rivers champion Jayhawk-Linn. Cherokee and Riverton join what was previously 3A District 6 quadrant – Jayhawk, Humboldt, Erie and Northeast – to form 2A District 1. Humboldt and J-L come off playoff berths, but no other team in the group won more than two games this past year. The Lancers carry a burdensome 28-game losing streak that dates back to a 27-20 victory over Northeast-Arma in 2014. While most final scores have been decisive, the Lancers were within 20 points in six contests during the streak. Additionally, while there is still a gap to overcome, Cherokee sliced 14 points per game off its differential from 2016 to 2017. When exactly the spell will be snapped is undetermined, but it is getting much closer. The offensive line is the pillar of the team. Noah Newcomb, Gage Oplotnik and Dan Cheney have started together for three years, while Blaise Prewitt and Micah Uber are veterans, as well. The Lancers will look to take advantage of that with a multifaceted ground game, where Brett Malle, Jaret Brumback
BELLE PLAINE
Junior Jacobi Burnett returns as the kicker/punter and is expected to start along the defensive line. Senior quarterback Cade Addis returns to lead the spread offense. He completed 62 of 136 passes for 1,141 yards with a 17/9 TD/INT ratio. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,015 yards with a 15/9 ratio. Juniors Wyatt Raida, Zaine Lantz and Wyatt Gillman will battle for the starting running back positions. Senior Garrett Novotny returns as a starting slot. He had 31 offensive touches for 269 yards and five scores. “The summer conditioning will prepare us for a tough district,” Hester said. “The underclassmen have waited for their turn under the Friday Night Lights.” Hester listed seven defensive linemen who could see significant time in the 4-3 front. Addis and Mahurin have starting experience at linebacker, while Novotny is back as a returning starter in the secondary. Five other players are expected to fight for starting secondary spots. The Chargers had an average score of 35.2-24.0 last season after a 24.6-21 margin in 2016. “Plenty of options on this side of the ball,” Hester said. “Players will be moved around if necessary to get the best 11 on the field.” 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Tri-Valley League Coach: Harry Hester (16th year, 81-65) Assistants: David Smedley, Aaron Rehmert, Chad Knight, Alex Mese, Drew Charles Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Cade Addis, QB/LB, 5-11, 189, Jr.; Garrett Novotny, WR/SR, 5-6, 138, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
CIMARRON
After a highly successful 11-year run at Beloit, coach Greg Koenig went to Cimarron and led the Bluejays to another playoff berth. As well, Mike Schartz, a longtime coach in the Wichita area and a Cimarron native, wanted to move home. He joined Koenig’s staff as the defensive coordinator. Cimarron made the playoffs for the fourth straight year, fifth time in six seasons and sixth occasion in the last eight falls. Cimarron is now 0-6 in the playoffs since ’10, including a 47-27 loss against Hoisington in ‘17. The Bluejays’ last playoff victory was a 21-6 result versus Holcomb in 1998. Koenig had multiple statistical improvements with Cimarron last year, including a 38-22 average margin of victory. Cimarron had the team’s best scoring defense since at least ’06. The offense improved by nearly 10 points per game from ‘16. Cimarron graduated three four-year starters with Jaylen Pickle (K-State signee), Josh Seabolt (Bethel football signee, two-time 3-2-1A wrestling champion), and guard/ defensive lineman Derek Bogner. Cimarron went 6-0 and won the Hi-Plains League. Seabolt rushed 243 times for 1,592 yards and 17 scores. Pickle rushed 69 times for 337 yards and 13 scores. Seabolt and Pickle were the top-two tacklers. Sophomore Tate Seabolt (Josh’s brother) had a strong year with 66 carries for 418 yards and two TDs. Cimarron committed 19 turnovers and was minus-6 in turnover margin. “We graduated 3 players who were 4-year starters, so we have to fill their positions on the field but also their leadership,” Koenig said. “We need to develop physical and mental toughness, resiliency, and grit to compete with the best teams in 2A. Although we return a large number of starters, we will have lots of competition for starting spots and playing time. We expect that competition to force us to improve throughout the season.” 7-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 2A Hi-Plains League Coach: Greg Koenig (2nd year, 7-3; 21st year, 126-82) Assistants: Mike Schartz, Ashley Seabolt, Iric Mawhirter, Cade Albert Offense: Double Wing Defense: Even Front Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Dylan Harrison, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Aaron Oyler, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr.; Bryan Chavez, OL, 6-0, 225, Jr.; Kyler Henry, TE/DE, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Dylan Newton, TE, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Cody Simmons, OL, 6-0, 275, Sr.; Tate Seabolt, RB, 5-7, 170, So.; Trevor Grasser, LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Justin Fugitt, DB, 6-0, 155, Sr.; Matt Mowry, DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Anthony Erives, DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Oscar Macias, LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Tanner Dewey, OL, 5-9, 195, Sr.; Conor Nicholl
CONWAY SPRINGS
Conway Springs enjoyed a three-win improvement and spent the majority of the year in the top-5 in the Class 3A rankings. The Cardinals earned attention after a dominant first month that featured a 98-18 win versus Belle Plaine and then three straight shutouts. CS earned quality wins at Wichita Trinity (62-35) and versus Mulvane (44-13) before challenging District 10 play, arguably the state’s hardest district regardless of classification. The Cardinals missed out on the playoffs due to tiebreakers in 2016. Last year, CS won at Garden Plain (26-6), versus Cheney (41-0) and versus Chaparral (53-19). All four district teams finished with at least six wins. After a 55-6 first-round victory against Wichita Independent, the Cardinals lost, 45-42, at home in an upset to Hesston. The Swathers kicked a last-second 24-yard field goal to win the game. Hesston converted a pair of fourth down conversions on the final drive. The game featured just one punt. Hesston outgained CS, 518-347, and also scored a touchdown on the final play of the first half. CS was ranked third in 3A at the time of the loss. This year, CS will play in 2A, District 6 with Chaparral, Wichita Trinity, rival Garden Plain, Remington and Wichita Independent. CS has won seven state titles, the first in ’98 and the last in ’11. All five assistants have been with the Cardinals at least seven years. In the last 21 seasons, CS has missed the playoffs three times (’99, ’06 and ’16). CS is expected to have 42 players out and the schedule features five home games, including Cheney in Week 2. The Cardinals are at Chaparral in Week 7. The Cardinals graduated Matthew Lange, the CPL’s defensive MVP after he had 13 TFLs, and Trenton Jones (2,165 rushing yards, 34 TDs), both all-state players. Quarterback Colton Terhune graduated after he had 108 rushes for 1,212 yards and 21 scores. Five starters return on both sides of the ball. CS rushed for 459 yards per game and averaged 11 yards a carry. The Cardinals broke the state record of 446.4 rushing yards per game set by Holton in 2003, according to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Senior Zach Mercer is the team’s top returning rusher with 25 carries for 268 yards and four scores. “We will lose several three year starters, but also have a solid core to build from,” coach Matt Biehler said. “Team depth will be something we are looking to build on. We will be led by a strong group of upper classmen who need to be great leaders. We are looking forward to the new schedule and Districts!”
It was deja vu all over again for Council Grove in 2017. For the fifth straight year, the Braves posted a 6-3 record. For the fifth straight year, that winning season felt a little unsatisfying as the program couldn’t return to the Class 3A playoffs. Council Grove missed the postseason last year on points, finishing 2-1 in district play to tie for first. The tiebreaker didn’t fall in the Braves’ favor and district foes Mission Valley and St. Marys advanced to the playoffs while the Braves sat home for the postseason. Arguably the highlight of the year was knocking off three-time defending 3A state champion Rossville 14-12 in the season finale. All three losses came to playoff teams with the 51-11 loss to St. Marys ultimately being the costliest for Council Grove’s playoff hopes. It wasn’t a secret what the defining line for Council Grove was a year ago. In it’s six wins, the Braves turned the ball over three times. In the three losses, they had 15 turnovers. Shoring up that area will be a key for fourth-year coach Nathan Teichgraeber. Council Grove only graduated six seniors off last year’s team, but that included three players who accounted for the Braves’ first-team All-Flint Hills selections including two-way lineman pick Jacob Ziegenhirt. Leading rusher Treyse King and starting quarterback Carter Finch, who accounted for nearly 1,400 yards of offense, also are gone. Four starting offensive linemen do return, led by senior Preston Gilbert and junior Peyton Tischhause. Junior fullback Trey Marshall led the team in rushing for the first two weeks of the season while King was injured and was an honorable mention all-league selection at linebacker as well. Senior Dedric Frese will take over at quarterback after being second-team all-league on defense. Council Grove’s path to the postseason will take on a different look this year as the Braves move to Class 2A under the new classification system. Some of the district foes remain familiar — Mission Valley, St. Marys and Rossville — with perennial postseason qualifiers Riley County and Southeast of Saline also joining the mix.
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DOUGLASS
Similar to the past several seasons, Douglass has struggled against the top teams in the Central Plains League but then earned a playoff spot out of a weaker district. Last year, Douglass entered Class 3A, District 9 play with an 0-6 record. None of the four district squads won more than three contests. Douglass won the district with ease as the other three teams all finished 1-2. The Bulldogs won at Belle Plaine, 64-20, defeated Wichita Independent, 46-14, and then won at Bluestem, 32-14. In the playoffs, Douglass fell 48-8 against Cheney. Douglass scored 24.8 points a contest and permitted 43.4 points a game. In 2016, Douglass went 2-1 and earned District 9 runner-up behind Wichita Independent. The Bulldogs finished 3-7 with 27.8 points per game and 46.3 points allowed. The Bulldogs lost, 48-16, at Chaparral. In ’15, Douglass went 2-7 and didn’t make the playoffs. The Bulldogs scored 10.4 points a contest and allowed 41.7. Douglass also finished 2-7 in ’14. This year, Douglass is in Class 2A, District 5 with Cherryvale, Eureka, Fredonia, Neodesha and Belle Plaine. Senior running back/linebacker Zach Dressler has started since his freshman year and is second team all-league the last three years. “We expect to compete in our district and position ourselves to make the 2A playoffs,” coach Kelly Sayahnejad said. “Health is always a key factor for our team. We also need to fill a few spots on both sides of the line.”
3-7 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 2A Central Plains League Coach: Kelly Sayahnejad (4th year, 8-21; 7th overall, 10-47) 6-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A Assistants: Phil Keys, Casey Dressler, Don Flint Hills League Patterson, Darby Jones Coach: Nathan Teichgraeber (4th year, 18-9) Assistants: Zach Dreher, Steve Casey, Blake Gehring Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 19 Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense Returning lettermen: 15 Kolby Caster, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Kaden Pichler, 10-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 2A Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Central Kansas League Trey Marshall, FB/LB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Brodey King, TE/ QB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Ryan Kiekel, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Cole Martin, LB, 5-11, 150, So.; Zachary Coach: Matt Biehler (10th year, 87-15) WR/S, 6-2, 170, Jr.; Jalen Tompkins, RB/CB, 5-7, Assistants: Brent Martens, Gregg Hullinger, Ryan 160, Sr.; Dedric Frese, QB/S, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Preston Dressler, RB/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Jacob Woody, OL/DL, King, Darrin Seiwert, Brent Andra Gilbert, OT, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Peyton Tischhauser, OG/ 6-3, 210, Sr.; Kyiowa Greenfield, OL, 6-0, 180, So.; Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-4 DT, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Wyatt Buchman, OT, 6-6, 270, Jr.; Kyle Hurd, OL/DL, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Landon Ramey, OL, Returning lettermen: N/A Tucker Day, OG, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Cooper Blackledge, 6-0, 275, Sr.; Kaleb Hurd, TE/OLB, 6-3, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense S, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Corbyn Miller, CB, 5-7, 145, So.; Zach Mercer, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Aaron May, RB/ Brandon Meadors, LB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Bo Kraus, DT, DB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Chase Ast, FB/DT, 6-0, 200, Sr.; 5-10, 180, Sr. Tim Bernstsen, OL/DE, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Daniel Becker, Brent Maycock OL/DT, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Dominic Pauly, LB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Peyton Winter, DB, 5-11, 155, Jr. Conor Nicholl
EASTON-PLEASANT RIDGE
A slew of early-season injuries could have completely derailed Pleasant Ridge’s 2017 season. Instead the rams stayed tough and overcame them and an 0-3 start to win four of their last six games and return to the Class 3A playoffs. Starting six freshmen by the season’s end, Pleasant Ridge was dumped 59-26 by Nemaha Central in the first round of the playoffs, ending the season 4-6. The woes endured last year could make for a brighter 2018 season as a lot of players got key minutes. Pleasant Ridge only graduated five seniors and returns eight players who started at some point eight way. Though the graduation losses are small in numbers, they’re big in production. Gone is quarterback Breydon Baragary, who threw for 959 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 986 yards and 10 scores. He accounted for 71.9 percent of his team’s offense a year ago and departed tailback Konner Walker was the team’s second-leading rusher with 318 yards. Only 439 of last year’s 2,702 rusing and passing yards are back with sophomore fullback Jake Heckman responsible for 266 of those. He’s battling senior Colton Comer for the starting quarterback job, but could return to the backfield and become a bigger part of the offense along with sophomore Keaton Comer. The top returning weapon is tight end Clayton Richter, who had 31 catches for 647 yards and five touchdowns last year, including a school-record 211
COUNCIL GROVE
EFFINGHAM-ATCHISON COUNTY COMMUNITY
Despite having a lead in four games a year ago, Atchison County couldn’t finish off any of those strong enough to secure a win for first-year coach Corey Thomas. The Tigers finished the season 0-9, the closest game a 28-20 loss to Hiawatha. Thomas felt his team was one bad quarter away from breaking through a year ago and with a year under his belt, hopes the Tigers can take the next step this season. A change of scenery could help the process as well. Atchison County has left the rigors of the always-tough Big Seven League and has joined the Northeast Kansas League. The Tigers were a 4-6 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A member of the old Delaware Valley League from Northeast Kansas League 2010 to 2013 before it dissolved in 2014 — most of Coach: Pat McCollim (7th year, 29-31) its members forming the Northeast Kansas League. Assistants: Steve Watkins, Jim Clay, Dave Parrish Atchison County was 0-2 against NEKL members Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 last year, falling 28-18 to Pleasant Ridge and 47-8 Returning lettermen: 16 to Maur Hill. But five of this year’s eight scheduled Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense games will come against new league rivals, starting Clayton Richter, TE/DE, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Hunter with Oskaloosa and Jackson Heights in the first two Wagner, OL/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Eli Schwinn, OL/ LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Carson Bertrand, OL/DL, 6-0, 270, weeks. The Tigers should be able to hit the ground Sr.; Colton Comer, QB/DE/LB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; George running with Thomas’ Wing T offense after a year of Blue, OL/DL, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Bryce Lansing, OL/DL, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Robert Gwartney, OL, 5-10, 190, Jr.; adapting to the new system a year ago. Senior back Tucker Smith ran for more than 800 yards and nine Caullan Thompson, SB/DB, 5-6, 130, Jr.; Caden Ramos, WR, 5-11, 150, Jr.; Jake Heckman, RB/LB, touchdowns as the feature back a year ago and had 5-9, 175, So.; Chase Wohlgemuth, DB, 5-9, 145, So.; a solid complement in quarterback Matthew Oswalt, Nate Wilburn, DB, 5-7, 140, So.; Aiden Williams, OL/ LB, 5-7, 155, So.; Keaton Comer, RB/DB, 6-1, 180, So. Brent Maycock yards and three scores against Jayhawk-Linn. Defensively, senior linebacker Hunter Wagner is a three-year starter in the middle of the defense and led the team in tackles a year ago with 52. Heckman added 47 tackles and Richter had 46 as the Rams return their top-three tacklers from a year ago. Pleasant Ridge drops to Class 2A this year under the new classification system. And though the district contains power Nemaha Central and Maur Hill, none of the other three teams won more than three games last year.
who threw for more than 800 yards. Their success will hinge largely on how well the Tigers can fill the holes up front. Only two starting linemen return, seniors Brandson Brull and Lane Scoggins, with Scoggins a three-year starter. Senior Shawn Boos and junior Trystin Myers return to flank Smith and Oswalt in the backfield. In all, Atchison County returns seven starters each way. With the new classification system, Atchison County drops to Class 2A this season, but will see familiar faces in district play with the new class formed largely of old 3A programs. Former Big Seven rivals Nemaha Central and Riverside headline the district. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 2A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Corey Thomas (2nd year, 0-9) Assistants: Paul Courter, Matt Oswald Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Tucker Smith, RB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Matthew Oswalt, QB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Shawn Boos, FB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Trystin Myers, RB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Levi Navinskey, WR, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Branson Brull, OL/DL, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Lane Scoggins, OL/DL, 5-10, 270, Sr. Brent Maycock
221 N. Douglas Ellsworth, KS 67439
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13 512 Kunkle Dr.
Ellsworth
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After four years of eight-man football, Ellinwood is one of the rare teams to shift back to 11-man. Ellinwood had a count of 116 in its bottom three classes, which was above the 100 student cutoff. All schools above 99 students must play 11-man football, while schools below 100 have the option to do so. Ellinwood went 14-22 in eight-man after years of struggling in 11-man. The Eagles will jump two classifications from 1A to 2A. Class 1A has 31 teams and 2A has 48 squads. Ellinwood is 5-12 all-time in the playoffs with the last appearances coming from ’00-’04. “Our team goals entering the 2018 season is to compete in every situation of every game we are in. We want to be competitive in our first year back in 11man, and turn some people’s heads,” second-year coach Alex Birney said. Last year, the Eagles took a one-win drop from 3-6 to 2-7. The Eagles scored 20.2 points a contest and permitted 45.6 points per game. In ’16, Ellinwood averaged 33.6 points a game and permitted 39.6 with quarterback Myles Menges. Last year, Menges transferred to nearby Central Plains and started for the 9-2 Oilers. In ’15, the Eagles went 6-3 with an average score of 37.1-22.0. In ’14, the Eagles finished 3-6 with 28.9 points per game and 38.2 points permitted. Before the eight-man era, Ellinwood’s last winning season was a 7-3 mark in ’04. Ellinwood opened with a 30-0 home win against struggling Kinsley and then dropped seven in a row. The only contest closer than 24 points was a Week 5 road loss to St. John, 30-22. In Week 9, Ellinwood won at Canton-Galva, 52-26. “Our numbers are way up from the years past, so depth will be key,” Birney said. “We have to play with heart and learn to compete, if we do that we can do anything we want. Our kids have had a great off-season in the weight room and if we can translate that type of work ethic onto the field it will be fun to watch.” 2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 2A Central Prairie League Coach: Alex Birney (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Monte Doll, Dave Kempke, Luke Keller Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Bryce Baker, OL/DL, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Kody Koetter, RB/ LB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Ethan Hayes, TE/LB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Landon Robl, WR/DL, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Zeb Hughes, OL/ DL, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Kyler Doll, QB/DB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Ryan Niles, RB/DB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Isaak Fisher, RB/ DB, 5-9, 175, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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ELLSWORTH
Josh Homolka had a strong first year with the Bearcats, leading Ellsworth to a one-win improvement and its most wins since 2011. “We look forward to seeing if we can continue to progress,” Homolka said. “We have a lot of new pieces to the puzzle this season. This summer will be a great opportunity to find leaders to step up. Consistency will be the key. We are a young team so we need to learn to perform on a consistent basis.” Last year, Ellsworth graduated all-state speedster and multi-purpose threat Kaden Davis, who went on to play at Butler Community College last fall. The Bearcats had a drop in offensive production to 24.4 points a contest, but Ellsworth permitted just 21.7 points a game. In ’16, Ellsworth scored 38.2 points a contest and allowed 26.9. The Bearcats had their best scoring defense since permitting 19.3 points a game in ’10. Ellsworth has now had a scoring defense improvement seven straight years, according to Prep Power Index archives. In 2012, Ellsworth allowed 32.6 points per game. The number has gone from 30 to 29.6 to 29.2 to 26.9 to 21.7 last year. Ellsworth finished 4-0 at home and opened with three straight victories. The Bearcats defeated Russell (36-6) and Beloit (28-22 in overtime) followed by a 22-6 road win versus Republic County. It ended a nine-game losing streak against Beloit. After a five-point loss at La Crosse, Ellsworth moved to 5-1 with a 38-27 win versus Sacred Heart and 22-6 at Minneapolis. However, in district play, the Bearcats lost 45-8 at Hoisington, defeated Lyons 42-0, and then lost at Larned, 50-0. Quarterback Zac Schneider graduated after he passed for 957, rushed for 901 and accounted for 21 offensive scores. Ellsworth forced 14 turnovers and finished minus-1 in turnover margin after being minus-5 two years ago. Senior linebacker Grant Gwinner is back after he paced the team with 85 tackles. Homolka, a Claflin native and former University of Kansas linebacker, served as a defensive coach in the college ranks for many years, mainly as Ottawa University’s defensive coordinator for seven seasons. 6-3 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A North Central Activities Association Coach: Josh Homolka (2nd year, 6-3) Assistants: Jason McWilliam, Tanner Rippen, Joe Schrock Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense Bransen Schulte, WR/CB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Avery Haxton, TE/LB, 6-1, 185, So.; Brendan Tripp, OL/ DL, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Morgan Kelley, QB/CB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Kash Travnichek, OLB/Slot, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Grant Gwinner, FB/LB, 6-0, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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Mission Valley finished 6-4 and used close wins 785.472.3155 over Rossville (33-27 in overtime) and St. Marys www.petersonkasper.com www.petersonkasper.com (26-13) in district play, offsetting an 18-14 loss to Council Grove and allowing the Vikings to share the ERIE Four teams will wiggle their way out of 2A’s District district crown, but settle for the runner-up spot in the 1. With a manageable list of district competitors, Erie playoff bracket. The Vikings fell to Silver Lake in the has every right to be headstrong and believe it can first round for the second straight year, but played the Eagles tough in a 29-7 loss. be one of those representatives. The 2018 season will be another year of transition The district has two returning playoff squads in Jayhawk Linn (8-2) and Humboldt (7-3). Both would for the program as Savage left to take the Doniphan be favorites in Vegas to do the same this season, but West job. New coach Justin Duncan gets his first that still leaves two bids to lock in. While Erie comes head coaching gig, but he’s no stranger to the off a woebegone 2-7 season, the rest of the district program or school, having served as an assistant for field – Riverton (1-8), Southeast Cherokee (0-7) and several years for the football team and also as the Northeast Arma (0-9) – also sputtered in 2017. Erie head coach for the Vikings’ successful baseball team. Duncan will bring back the flexbone offense the was dealt losses by Jayhawk-Linn and Humboldt a year ago, but handily dispatched Arma in a 40-point Vikings used under Witte and helped produce a monster season for Clay Phillips in 2016. Last year’s win. The Red Devils have not played Southeast or Riverton since 2013. Both were losses, but five years starting quarterback, Cade Clark, is gone after throwing for 1,019 yards, but senior Trevor Moore saw has changed the fortunes of each program. some snaps under center and threw for 246 yards. There is hope for Erie to pull out its 15th playoff He’s the lone returning skill player that had any bid in program history and first since 2015, but not meaningful stats a year ago as graduation hit hard without resetting its offense. The Red Devils were in the backfield, claiming not only Clark but leading in the bottom 10 of the 64-team 3A field in scoring, rusher Blake Roberts (897 yards, 18 TDs) and secunable to reach double digits five times. Erie held opponents to single digits in both its wins, but caved ond-leading rusher Trenton Marcotte (392 yards, 9 TDs). The Vikings should be solid up front with three for 28-or-more points in each loss. returning starters on the line, including sophomores Erie was 6-5 as recently as 2011. Nolan Parker and Ben Rudeen who stepped into The Red Devils’ non-district slate offers revenge starting jobs last year as freshmen. opportunities with showdowns against Fredonia, As the offense takes shape, Mission Valley will Neodesha and Cherryvale, three adversaries that lean heavily on a defense which returns four of last handed losses to Erie this past season. year’s top-five tacklers. Cohle Phillips’ 54 stops are tops among returners, while Moore, Caleb Hinck and 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Cardin Roberts each had more than 30. Phillips also Tri-Valley League had a team-high six sacks and Moore shared the Coach: Sterling Hudson (4th year, 7-21) team lead with two interceptions. Assistants: N/A Mission Valley is in Class 2A this year under the Offense: N/A Defense: N/A revised system. The Vikings’ district, however, will Returning lettermen: N/A have a familiar look to it with Rossville, St. Marys and Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey Council Grove, along with the addition of consistent winners Southeast of Saline and Riley County.
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6-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A Flint Hills League Coach: Justin Duncan (1st year, 0-0) Assistants: Josh Parker, Matt Bisnett, Skyler Beam Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Cohle Phillips, LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Trevor Moore, QB/ DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Tanner Metzger, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Chase Meyer, OL/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Caleb Hinck, DL, 6-2, 165, SR.; Nolan Parker, OL, 6-0, 265, So.; Ben Rudeen, OL/DL, 6-0, 200, So.; Cardin Roberts, DL, 5-10, 210, So. Brent Maycock
FREDONIA
The Yellowjackets took a four-win decrease from 7-3 in 2016 to 3-6 last year. Fredonia graduated running back Isaac McPherson, a 2,000-yard rusher who was a finalist for the prestigious Kpreps Get Busy Livin’ award. For all the bumps and bruises that come with five opponents finished .500 or below. All six teams Fredonia opened with a 69-6 home loss against football, the sport has an uncanny way of healing. in Eureka’s district were 3A programs now in the Labette County, which eventually won a playoff game The town of Eureka is in the recovery phase from a redesigned 2A. in 4A-I and finished 9-2. Then, Fredonia defeated tornado that struck in late June. Thankfully, no casuEureka lost six of its final seven games as it Douglass (34-28) and Erie (28-8). Fredonia lost on alties were reported, but dozens of homes were dam- wrapped up this past season, but two losses were by the road to Cherryvale (48-13) and then defeated aged, including some that were a total loss. In a town 11 points or less. Defense befell the team one time Bluestem, 55-49 in double overtime on the road. of about 2,500 people, everyone knows someone too many, allowing 36.8 points per game. Fredonia lost 36-7 to Humboldt, lost at Neodesha affected. For a few Friday nights in the fall, football Eureka’s furthest run on the calendar was a state (34-7) and Eureka (30-26) and versus Caney Valley is the welcome reprieve that brings the community semifinal appearance in 1991. The program’s most (49-14). together, and for those few hours, the town can feel recent playoff entry came in 2013. “Our 2017 team did not have the record that we whole again. Unfortunately, the field damage will had hoped and worked to achieve,” coach Marc keep the Tornadoes - yes, that is the team’s mascot 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Svaty said. “One thing that last year’s team did do - from playing home games this fall, but that hasn’t Tri-Valley League was prepare very well to win games. We return dampened the optimism around the program. Coach: Jason Nichols (1st year; 4th overall, 9-18) and have developed a lot more talent than we had Eureka will introduce a new coach, as Jason Assistants: Scott Miller, Brendan Ptacek, Derk to compete with on the field in 2017. We made the Nichols takes the helm from Mike Davison. Davison Larcom, Stephen Coulter, Gary Frederking statement at the end of the season that we won on was 11-26 over four seasons. Nichols makes a short Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 talent in 2016, we prepared and turned the culture of trek east after beginning his head coaching career at Returning lettermen: N/A the team and expectations in 2017. It is time that we El Dorado. Nichols was 9-18 with the Wildcats, mak- Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense follow through and continue to improve with a quality ing respectable progress for an El Dorado program Cade Burden, QB/DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Jonathan product on Friday nights in 2018.” that previously lived in the doldrums for years. Tucker, OL/DL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Tristan Young, WR/ Last year, Svaty listed spread as the base offense “The key to our season is our players buying in to DB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Zach Hare, RB/LB, 5-11, 175, and 50 as the base defense. This year, he listed the new philosophy, new schemes and new ways of Jr.; Justin Zimmers, WR/DB, 5-11, 155, Jr.; Brandon hybrid bone as the offense and 4-3 as the defense. doing everything,” Nichols said. Darbyshire, OL/DL, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Cade Larcom, He said the key to success will be turnover ratio. Nichols and his Eureka squad walk into a blended WR/DB, 6-0, 140, Jr.; Braden Rucker, OL/LB, 5-11, Fredonia forced just seven turnovers last year. schedule that highlights challenging foes but opportu- 175, So.; Brennan Lowe, RB/LB, 5-7, 140, So. Additionally, Svaty said Fredonia “cannot have critical nities for victories. Five of Eureka’s eight opponents Kyle McCaskey penalties and plays for lost yards,” must churn out made postseason appearances in 2017. However, first downs offensively and need to be efficient inside
EUREKA
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ESKRIDGE-MISSION VALLEY
the red zone. Fredonia is in Class 2A, District 5 with Neodesha, Eureka, Douglass, Cherryvale and Belle Plaine. Fredonia has eight offensive starters and nine defensive returning. Two years ago, the Yellowjackets had four back on offense and three defensively. “We have some different talent coming through right now than we had in 2016 and 2017,” Svaty said. “With that being said, we are going to make some changes in schemes and philosophies for our 2018 team. I am sure that we will do a good job teaching and our kids will do a good job learning and executing our schemes.” 3-6 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A Tri-Valley League Coach: Marc Svaty (3rd year, 10-9; 12th overall, 47-56) Assistants: Carl Dinkel, John Boss, Brent Trujillo, Matt Camacho Offense: Hybrid Bone Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 19 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 9 Defense Hunter Reddick, DB, 5-7, 125, Sr.; Isaac Jennings, RB/DB, 5-7, 145, Sr.; Jaden Schmidt, WR/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Lorenzo Celani, RB/LB, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Grayson Coulter, RB/DB, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Matt Weilert, OL/DL, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Ty Ivey, RB/DL, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Owen Blandamer, RB/LB, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Buddy Claibourn, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, So.; Jamie Wright, OL/ LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Bryar Hebb, OL/DL, 6-0, 300, Sr.; Kaden Ratzlaff, OL/DL, 6-2, 300, Sr.; Nick Hibbard, TE/LB, 5-11, 175, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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GARDEN PLAIN
Somewhere in the Kansas State High School Activities Association handbook, there reads an edict that says Cheney, Conway Springs, Chaparral and Garden Plain can never depart from one another. The nobility of the Central Plains League always finds its way to each other. So even with the drop to 2A for Garden Plain, Conway Springs and Chaparral were destined to follow the Owls into their district, and while Cheney stayed in 3A, the Cardinals draw Garden Plain in the season opener. District 6 in 2A will likely be top-heavy, with Conway Springs (10-1), Garden Plain (7-2), Hutchinson Trinity (6-4) and Chaparral (6-3) the early favorites in the clubhouse. Wichita Independent (1-9) and Remington (1-8) round out the lot. Graduation came calling for the Owls and it hit hard, pulling integral skill players and hogmollies alike. Brady Klein and Alex Cordova offer two senior anchors as the offensive line is remodeled. That should provide some relief for returning junior signal caller Matt Pauly. The defense was not invincible in 2017, but it was always sound enough to keep Garden Plain within striking distance. With only two returning starters, however – Ethan McGregor in the secondary and Locke Byers on the line – it will be mandatory for newcomers to make an impact week one and onward. The Owls are a playoff qualifier more often than not – every year from 1999 to 2012, and again in 2015 and 2016 – but despite a 7-2 mark in 2017, Garden Plain missed the cut, losing out on district points to Cheney. Entering his fourth season, Owls coach Ken Dusenbury has never dropped more than two games in a season. 7-2 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Central Plains League Coach: Ken Dusenbury (4th year, 26-6) Assistants: Greg Gegen, Will Bergkamp, AC Poynter, Cory Brack, Eric Rockers Offense: Shotgun Wing T Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 3 Offense, 2 Defense Brady Klein, OL, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Alex Cordova, OL, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Ethan McGregor, DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Locke Byers, DL, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Matt Pauly, QB, 5-8, 170, Jr. Kyle McCaskey
GYPSUM-SE OF SALINE
After four straight 7-3 seasons, the Trojans slipped back to 4-5 last year, its worst mark since 2012. SES averaged 38.2 points per contest and permitted 31.1 a game, a rare positive margin of victory for a losing team. In ’16, SES averaged 37.4 points a contest and permitted 19.8 points a game. SES moves to 2A in a district with teams it does not normally play, including Council Grove, Mission Valley, Rossville, Riley County and St. Marys. Hunter White graduated after he passed for 1,329 yards with a 12/8 TD/INT ratio. He also rushed 232 times for 1,481 yards and 30 scores. The top-two receivers, who accounted for 50 of the 87 catches, graduated. Senior Kyler Berry, who had 889 all-purpose yards, including 310 in the return game, is back. Berry was an honorable mention all-league RB. Defensively, though, SES is expected to return the vast majority of its playmakers. The top returner is senior lineman Dylan Marks, an all-state honorable mention player who had 113 tackles with 13 TFLs in ’17. Marks led the team in tackles and TFLs. Behind him, the second through fifth leading tacklers were all non-seniors, along with the seventh and eighth. Senior Rudy Rodriguez was a first team all-league linebacker with 63 tackles, third-most on the squad. Junior Seth Eklund is back after three INTs. “We have high expectations for success,” Gebhardt said. “We take one game at a time and with the way the new Districts are set up now every game is important. We must control the things we can control. The work we put in during the summer will be a big key for the 2018 season.” 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A North Central Activities Association Coach: Mitch Gebhardt (9th year, 47-30; 17th year overall) Assistants: Chance Ptacek, Trenton Douglas, Kent Jacobson, Todd Baird Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Gavin Adams, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Rudy Rodriguez, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Nick Montgomery, SE/DB, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Kyler Berry, RB/LB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Hunter Baird, OL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Abram Calzada, OL, 6-3, 272, Sr.; Seth Eklund, DB, 5-10, 145, Jr.; Tyler Breeding, LB, 5-11, 155, So.; Sterling Harp, OL, 5-9, 200, So. Conor Nicholl
HORTON
The season began well enough for Horton last year as the Chargers shut out eventual Class 3A playoff qualifier Pleasant Ridge. After that, however, Horton only managed two more wins. The Chargers finished 3-6 and wound up getting outscored 279-204 for the season. Nick Dowell stepped down as head coach after the season, but will stay on as an assistant coach for new Charger coach Mark Friess. Friess is a 26-year veteran, who has compiled an 81-117 record in his career. Friess takes over a team which returns only six lettermen from a year ago. The good news is all six started at some point, giving his a solid nucleus to build around as he tries to build Horton back into a consistent winner. Last year’s top-two offensive producers return to the backfield. Senior quarterback Matthew Lobdell accounted for more than 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, throwing for 594 yards and five scores and rushing for 544 yards and eight touchdowns. Marshall Randall added 476 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns. Senior receiver Gunner Madere tied for the team lead with 14 catches last
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year, but had just 194 yards. Horton graduated its top-three tacklers with Randall’s 55 tops among returners. The Chargers will remain Class 2A under the new system and their schedule is a tough one with five teams who either had winning records or made the playoffs last year. It starts right away with an opener against defending Northeast Kansas League champion Jackson Heights followed by Valley Heights in week two.
785-637-5481 Gorham, KS HAYS-TMP-MARIAN
In Week 1 last year, TMP quarterback David McFarland completed 41 of 63 passes for 648 yards with four scores and two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Abilene. McFarland set the state record for passing yards in a game. McFarland finished with 2,913 passing yards, fifth-best in Kansas for all classes. McFarland easily shattered the school record of 2,056 passing yards set by Nick Hammeke in 2011. TMP had a one-win improvement from 2-7 and finished 5-13 in the two-year Jason Cauley era. Cauley took a job in Arizona, and David Bowen, the former Stanton County coach, takes over. Last year marked the most wins for TMP since a 5-4 year in ’11. The Monarchs have not reached the playoffs since ’02. Against the No. 11 SOS in 64-team Class 3A, TMP scored 271 points and allowed 318. In ’16, the Monarchs scored 166 points and permitted 370. TMP earned wins at Ellis in Week 2 (49-13), versus Oakley in Week 6 (46-0), and versus Russell in Week 8 (46-6). However, TMP struggled against upper echelon teams with losses against Smith Center (6114), Plainville (24-6), Cimarron (44-35), Phillipsburg (81-33) and Norton (57-15). Bowen served six years as an assistant at power Ada, Okla., and then coached two seasons at Stanton County. Ada holds the Oklahoma record with 19 state crowns. Last year, the Trojans scored 12 points a game and permitted 37.1 for a 3-6 record. In ’16, SC went 2-7 and scored 8.6 points a contest and permitted 38.9. Bowen is an Ada native, Paola High graduate and Pittsburg State graduate. This year, TMP is in Class 2A, District 8 with Ellsworth, Minneapolis, Hoisington, Norton and Phillipsburg. Kaleb Hagans returns after he led the team with 148 tackles. Former TMP standouts T.J. Gottschalk and Parker Cox return as assistant coaches. Bowen said “ball control and defense” are key. “Improve daily in all areas of the game, while moving forward to accomplish one goal at a time,” Bowen said.
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HOISINGTON
The Cardinals had a five-win decrease from a 12-1 season in ’16 - the best in school history - where the Cardinals advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in Cardinal annals. Hoisington has made the quarterfinals three times in ’90, ’07 and ’15. However, Hoisington still posted another nice year with a 7-4 mark. Hoisington is 9-3, 11-1, 12-1 and 7-4 under coach Zach Baird. The Cardinals have not been under .500 since a 4-6 year in ’04. Hoisington went 1-1 in two road games to open the season with a 7-3 victory versus Kingman and a 35-20 loss against Collegiate. After a 53-28 home win versus Hillsboro and a forfeit victory against Washington County, Hoisington lost versus Pratt 35-28. Hoisington won at Nickerson (32-14), beat Ellsworth (45-8) and lost to Larned (29-22). Hoisington won at Lyons, 55-0. Hoisington scored 35.7 points a game and permitted 19.6. Hoisington was 3A, District 15 runner-up to Larned, and then travelled to Cimarron in the first round of the playoffs and won, 47-22. Hoisington lost at home, 35-6, to Phillipsburg. The Cardinals played the No. 22 strength of schedule out of 64 Class 3A teams, according to Prep Power Index. Sean Urban delivered a Kpreps 3A all-state season with 1,539 rushing yards and 23 rushing scores. Sophomore Mason Haxton was the starting quarterback last year when he completed 17 of 41 passes for 182 yards with a 1/3 TD/INT ratio. Junior Wyatt Pedigo, a starter since his freshman year, had 88 carries for 630 yards and seven rushing scores. Pedigo is the only one of the top-six tacklers back and was second with 70 stops. In his career, Pedigo has 129 tackles with 10 TFLs. Hoisington had just five offensive turnovers and was plus-10 in turnover margin.
7-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Central Kansas League Coach: Zach Baird (5th year, 39-8) Assistants: Matt Koelsch, Bob Brungardt, Kyle Haxton, Robert England 3-6 in 2017 / 2-4 in district / 2A Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Mid-Continent League Returning lettermen: 14 Coach: David Bowen (1st year, 3rd overall, 5-13) Returning starters: 7 Offense, 5 Defense Assistants: T.J. Gottschalk, Parker Cox, Josh Allen, Xavier Robinson, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Braxton Bryce Hofmeister Donovan, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Jason Bradley, Offense: Run First Defense: 4-3 OL/DL, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Wyatt Pedigo, RB/LB, 6-0, Returning lettermen: 7 195, Jr.; Riley Philbern, OL/DL, 6-3, 275, Jr.; Kam Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Schneweis, OL, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Chandler Blackwell, Kaleb Hagans, FB/MLB, Sr. Conor Nicholl OL, 6-3, 200, Jr. Conor Nicholl
HUMBOLDT
The Cubs have reached the playoffs the last two years and four of the last six. Humboldt finished 7-3 last year with an average score of 32-19 against the No. 48 strength of schedule out of 64 teams in Class 3A, according to Prep Power Index. Humboldt earned runner-up in District 6 to Jayhawk-Linn. This year, Humboldt should be equipped to navigate 2A, District 1 with Arma-Northeast, CherokeeSoutheast, Erie, Jayhawk-Linn and Riverton. “We set our goals each year at the highest pinnacle 3-6 in 2017 / 1-4 in districts / 2A in Kansas football, but we also are realistic in looking Northeast Kansas League at each upcoming game as the biggest,” fourth-year Coach: Mark Friess (1st year) coach Logan Wyrick said. “So I think as an overall Assistants: Nick Dowell, Josh Lutz goal each year, we just want to show improvement Offense: Spread Defense: Odd or Even on the previous season and I think we’ve done that Returning lettermen: 6 each year I’ve been here at Humboldt.” Returning starters: 6 Offense, 4 Defense Wyrick listed one of the biggest keys is health Matthew Lobdell, QB/FS, 5-10, 150, Sr.; Marshall Randall, LB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Gunner Madere, WR/CB, throughout the season. Last year, Wyrick said 5-10, 155, SR.; Isaiah Cortes, WR/LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Humboldt had “decent depth at a lot of positions” and were able to overcome sickness and injuries. This Noah Mathias, C, 6-0, 235, So.; Cody White, WR/ CB, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Emery Negonsott, DT, 6-0, 265, Jr.; year, Humboldt returns five all-league players in Kyler Allen, Dagen Goodner, Tucker Hurst, Conor Haviland Kyle Hammersmith, WR/DB, 6-0, 150, Sr. Brent Maycock and David Watts and three all-staters in Goodner, Hurst and Haviland. Goodner is possibly moving from fullback to quarterback and Hurst from offensive line to tight end. Haviland will likely be in a “bell-cow” role at running back rather than a change of pace back like he had been the previous two seasons. Allen completed 23 of 47 passes for 450 yards with a 5/3 TD/INT ratio. Overall, Humboldt threw for 636 yards with a 36 percent completion rate with a 7/6 TD/INT ratio. The top-two rushers graduated, including leader Jacob Barker, who easily led the
Cubs with 160 carries for 1,123 yards and 14 rushing scores. Haviland (359 rush) and Allen (185) each averaged more than seven yards a carry. Humboldt finished plus-7 in turnover margin with 21 turnovers forced. Humboldt has significantly more numbers returning on defense with the top-three tacklers back in Goodner (105), Watts (66) and Haviland (61). Watts, Hurst and Goodner led the team with 18, 15 and 10 TFLs, respectively. “I truly believe we have the talent to have an even better year than we had in 2017, but I don’t see a lot of depth in some key positions so hopefully that doesn’t come back to bite us,” Wyrick said. “Also, we have a good amount of talent back, but we will be moving some All-State and All-League kids into new roles and positions. … Some movement at some key skill positions on offense could make or break some things for us this year.” 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Tri-Valley League Coach: Logan Wyrick (4th year, 15-14) Assistants: David Taylor, Jason Weilert, Jeremy Weilert Offense: Power Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 7 Defense Kyler Allen, WR/QB/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Dagen Goodner, FB/LB, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Teryn Johnson, TE, 6-1, 200, Sr.; Tucker Hurst, OL/DE, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Caleb Klauman, DE, 6-2, 180, Sr.; David Watts, DT, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Conor Haviland, DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Josh Hull, DE, 6-5, 225, Jr.; Taylor Lassman, 6-0, 215, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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HUTCHINSON-TRINITY
Following a breakout 8-2 debut season in 2014, Hutch Trinity coach Jordan Bell had to turn to a youth movement. A player like Kaleb Hammeke, thin as a light pole back then, was chored with fortifying a role as a freshman. Fast forward. Hammeke is groomed for his senior season, coming off 767 passing yards and 728 rushing yards as he orchestrated 20 touchdowns, and on defense settling in as a vise-grip defensive back. Hammeke still is not the bulkiest kid on the corner of 17th and Lorraine, but this is what Celtics fans were waiting for – let the youth movement phase in and witness the dividends further down the pipeline. Eight starters are back on offense. Andrew Bergmeier took 133 carries for 729 yards and eight touchdowns. Nolan Clarke added 386 receiving yards. Alex Hammersmith sustained his growth into a punishing lineman. “The offense will continue to operate out of multiple formations and a no-huddle look,” said Trinity coach Jordan Bell. “The coaching staff is extremely happy with the way the summer has gone for the offense as the installation of the offense continues to grow. Senior dual-threat quarterback Kaleb Hammeke will lead the offense for the third straight season.” Aaron Guerrero and Jack Neal combine to anchor the front seven. They collectively registered 141 tackles and 13 sacks. The Celtics dropped below .500 only twice in the past decade – and the two previous head coaches that buoyed that run of success stories, Sean Racette and Brad Hollinger, remain on staff in support of Bell. The most recent finish with a losing record was 2015, this senior class’ freshman year. Trinity tasted the playoffs this past year in a 6-4 season. This squad will be tested from the jump, with four of the first five opponents winning at least seven games a year ago. “Continued development of underclassmen will remain a priority to sustain the success of the football program in future years,” Bell said.
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KISMET-SOUTHWESTERN HEIGHTS
LAKIN
Former Fowler coach Matt Bell takes over a Southwestern Heights program that has not been over .500 since an 8-2 mark in 2007. Bell replaces Matt Scripsick, who remains on staff as the athletic director, math teacher and assistant track coach. The Mustangs are 4-5, 4-5, 1-8, 2-7, 1-8, 3-6, 2-7, 4-5, 2-7 and 2-7 in the last 10 years. Last year, SWH opened with a 42-6 win at Sublette and defeated Stanton County, 28-6, in Week 4. The Mustangs had several close games, including a 33-20 defeat versus Syracuse and 40-24 against Cimarron in Weeks 7 and 9, respectively. The Mustangs scored 158 points and permitted 320. The Mustangs struggled in their passing game with 40 percent completion for 383 yards and a 4/13 TD/INT ratio. The Mustangs return all but nine of their 1,566 rushing yards. Junior Demetrio Flores had 123 carries for 514 yards and six rushing TDs, all team-bests. Southwestern Heights moves to 2A and will play teams that have normally been 3A in recent years with Cimarron, Lakin, Lyons, Sterling and Ellinwood. Two former standout all-state quarterbacks who reached the Shrine Bowl and played against each other in high school are now on staff together. Kellan Hernandez (Meade) and La Crosse’s Tayler Stull, last year’s head coach at Moscow, join for the first time. Bell said the team keys will be participation in summer camps and weight room sessions, ability to learn and adjust on the fly, mental and physical toughness and “loving the brotherhood.” “We must become tougher, both mentally and physically,” Bell said. “We have a new system to learn both offensively and defensively so we must focus on getting better each and every day.”
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Coach Chris Bamberger, already known for turning around Ness City and winning a state title with the Eagles, has also led a big improvement with Lakin. The Broncs are 2-7, 5-5 and 7-3 in his three seasons. Last year marked the most wins for the program since 2004. The Broncs finished second to Cimarron in the Hi-Plains League and had multiple thrilling wins. Lakin finished 5-1 at home and had an average score of 34-17. In Week 1, Lakin defeated Hugoton, 28-20, in three overtimes. The game had a long lightning delay and resumed play well after 11 p.m. Neither team scored in overtime before Lakin had a score and two-point conversion in the third overtime. In Week 2, Lakin defeated Meade, 30-28. Meade led 28-0 at halftime before Lakin scored 24 points in the third quarter and six in the fourth for the win. Lakin ended a seven-game losing streak against Meade. The Broncs earned another key victory, 34-18, versus Elkhart in Week 3. The Broncs started 5-0 before a 21-0 loss versus Holcomb, the eventual 4A-II champion, and then fell 32-8 at Cimarron. The Holcomb game was delayed by 30 minutes to start the game because of weather, and then had an hour delay after the first play. Lakin had just 29 yards of offense in the game. In the first round of the playoffs, Lakin lost to Larned, 42-6. Lakin is part of Class 2A with the classification reconfiguration this year. The Broncs are in district with Cimarron, Southwestern Heights, Lyons and Sterling. Bamberger said getting “our new guys prepared and playing at a high level very quickly” after a large senior class graduated is key. Lakin graduated its 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A top-four rushers and quarterback Hunter Kirby. Hi-Plains League Twenty-eight of the 33 receptions graduated. Coach: Matt Bell (1st year) Lakin was plus-16 in turnover margin. Junior Assistants: Kellan Hernandez, Mitchell Burns, Tayler Hadley Panzer finished second with 82 tackles and Stull led with 17 TFLs. Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-4 “That will help set the tone for the season and Returning lettermen: 14 school year for our sports,” Bamberger said. “Our 6-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense second goal is to be competitive early in the season Heart of America League Efren Mercado, QB/LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Jaziel Martinez, and improve fast enough to be playing our best Coach: Jordan Bell (5th year, 22-16) RB/DB, 5-5, 140, Sr.; Jesse Olvera, RB/TE/DE, 6-0, football through our district schedule. Our third goal Assistants: Sean Racette, Mike Miller, Brad Hollinger, 165, Sr.; Juan Garcia, WR/DB, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Omar is to win enough district games to earn a spot in the Jonathan Burkhart Perez, OL/DL, 5-9, 240, Sr.; Juan Torres, FB/OL/DL, playoff bracket.” Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 5-8, 195, Jr.; Steve Diaz, OL/DL, 5-8, 245, Jr. Returning lettermen: 15 Conor Nicholl 7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Hi-Plains League Nolan Clarke, WR/LB; Raul Diaz, OL; Kaleb Coach: Chris Bamberger (4th year, 14-15; 9th year, Hammeke, QB/DB/P; Alex Hammersmith, OL/LB; 49-25) Isaac Miller, WR/DB; Jack Neal, OL/DL; Landon Assistants: Chris Pollart, Colby Hamel, Travis Neufeld, OL; Andrew Bergmeier, RB/LB; Aaron Johnson Guerrero, LB; Evan Remar, LB Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-3 Kyle McCaskey Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Logan Guglemeyer, OL/DL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Juan Banuelos; QB/DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Kayden After taking a step forward in 2016 with a 4-5 in good shape. record, McLouth took a big step back last season. The biggest question mark both ways, however, Christiansen, RB/LB, 160, Jr.; Hadley Panzer, OL/DL, 245, Jr.; Erik Moreno, OL/DL, 250, Jr.; Dawson Aller, The Bulldogs couldn’t carry over the momentum is up front. Senior George Bogard is the only and stumbled to a winless campaign. returning starter on either line, though Freeman OL/DL, 190, So. Conor Nicholl
MCLOUTH
Only three of the nine losses were by 10 points or less with the closest games a 14-8 loss to playoff qualifier Doniphan West and 28-20 to KC Christ Prep. McLouth struggled offensively, scoring just 126 points (14 per game) and topping 20 just three times. A group of 10 seniors, many of whom have started since their freshmen or sophomore years, should be hungry to experience another reversal of fortune and get McLouth back on track this season. Leading the way is senior quarterback Jeremy Carlton, who is a four-year starter and two-time All-Northeast Kansas League selection. McLouth coach Gary Freeman likes Carlton’s ability to make plays with his arm and legs and the bulk of the experience McLouth returns around him comes from his receiving corps. Senior receivers Garrison Pope and Caleb Richardson also are four-year starters and fellow receiver Asher Robbins is a two-year starter. McLouth will have to fill holes in the backfield around Carlton, but the passing game should be
likes the depth he has at the position even though most of it is inexperienced. Defensively, McLouth gave up 339 points and has to rebuild its complete linebacking corps, though Carlton and Richardson are expected to fill holes there. McLouth will remain in Class 2A and has a front-loaded schedule with 2017 playoff qualifiers Maur Hill, Jefferson North, Pleasant Ridge and Silver Lake in the first four weeks of the season.
0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 2A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Gary Freeman (4th year, 5-22) Assistants: Rodney Carlton, Tony Kuckelman Offense: Veer/Power Pistol/Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Jeremy Carlton, QB/LB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Caleb Richardson, WR/LB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Garrison Pope, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Asher Robbins, WR/DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; George Bogard, OL/DL, 5-11, 150, Sr.; Jaxson Pope, WR/DL, 6-4, 185, Jr. BM
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Lyons has lost 20 straight contests and finished last year with four straight shutout losses. The Lions’ closest game was a 48-30 road loss at Haven in Week 5. Lyons’ last three victories came in Weeks 6-8 in 2015 when the Lions defeated Hillsboro (39-6), Sterling (28-24) and Ellsworth (21-13) and reached the playoffs with an eventual 3-7 record. This year, Lyons will move to Class 2A, District 7 with Cimarron, Ellinwood, Southwestern Heights, Lakin and Sterling. None of those squads won a playoff game last year. “We want to be a lot more competitive and win some games,” Johnston said. “We need to improve our running game and our run defense. We need someone to step up at QB.” Lyons is 4-13 all-time in the playoffs with its last four trips coming in ’05, ’08, ’09 and ’15. Lyons returns seven starters on both sides of the ball for Johnston, who had previously coached at South Barber and won a state title. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A Central Kansas League Coach: James Johnston (7th year, 11-44; 30th overall, 166-131) Assistants: Brian Friess, Bill Foster, Mark Johnston Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Wade Foster, OL/LB, 5-8, 215, Jr.; Alijandro Pena, HB/LB, 5-8, 215, Jr.; Chris Goans, WR/S, 5-9, 140, Sr.; Peyton Schwerdtfeger, OL/DL, 6-5, 280, Sr.; Ethan Saenz, OL/DL, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Eddie Burrola, OL, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Irlick Moreno, DL, 5-7, 150, Sr.; Ishmael Reyes, RB, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Ivan Jaime, S, 5-7, 150, Sr. Conor Nicholl
MINNEAPOLIS
Minneapolis finished a surprise 8-4 in 2014 and then is 0-9, 1-8 and 2-7 the last three years. The Lions finished 0-3 in district and 1-5 in league play. Last year, Minneapolis opened with a 41-20 home loss against Sacred Heart, and then earned its lone two victories on the road against Republic County (54-6) and Lyons (35-0). Both of those squads finished winless. The Lions lost their final six contests and were competitive in two games. In Week 4, Minneapolis fell 27-18 against Russell, and lost, 22-8, versus Ellsworth in Week 6. The Lions had a challenging district with Riley County (7-3), Marysville (state runner-up, 12-2) and Beloit (6-3). Minneapolis dropped each contest by at least 38 points. The Lions played the No. 42 strength of schedule out of 64 3A teams and scored 174 points with 331 allowed. Two years ago, Minneapolis scored 150 and permitted 350. In ’15, it was 163 scored and 361 allowed. This year, Minneapolis will play in 2A, District 8 with Ellsworth, TMP, Hoisington, Norton and Phillipsburg. The Lions are 4-10 against Ellsworth since ’04, also a league school. However, it marks the first meetings against Hoisington since a 17-14 playoff win in ’14. Minneapolis has not played Norton and Phillipsburg since ’13 and has not faced TMP since before ’04. Minneapolis went 0-5 at home and 2-2 on the road. The Lions graduated first team all-league running back Evan Keating. He was also honorable mention defensive back. Second team all-conference offensive lineman Dalton Wilson graduated, and Gaton Heald was a junior. Heald was recognized as second team all-league on both lines. 2-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 2A North Central Activities Association Coach: Jhon Haehn (5th year, 11-28) Assistants: N/A Offense: Triple Option Wishbone Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
MOUND CITY-JAYHAWK LINN
Randy Leach has turned around the Jayhawk-Linn football program with seasons of 5-5, 9-1 and 8-2. The Jayhawks have reached the playoffs four straight years, all in Class 3A, but have lost in the first round each time. Jayhawk-Linn is 0-11 in the playoffs. From 2006-13, Jayhawk-Linn played four years in Class 3A and then four seasons in 2-1A. The Jayhawks went 2-7, 2-7, 1-8, 2-8, 1-8, 1-8, 1-8 and 2-7. In ’14, the Jayhawks went 3-7, 2-1 in district play. The Jayhawks have increased its points in seven straight seasons from 73 to 90 to 115 to 119 to 204 to 344 to 354 last year. Two seasons ago, the Jayhawks had the first perfect regular season in school history and had the fewest points allowed in Class 3A (92). However, the Jayhawks have played an easy schedule since moving back up to 3A four years ago. Their strength of schedule has ranked 61, 63, 64, and 63 out of 64 Class 3A teams, according to Prep Power Index. This year, Jayhawk-Linn should contend for a Class 2A playoff berth in District 1 with Northeast-Arma, Southeast-Cherokee, Erie, Humboldt and Riverton. Leach listed goals as “improve each day” and “staying positive and fighting through adversity.” Jayhawk-Linn graduated standout Brandon Gray, a multiple year starter who earned first team Kpreps all-state Class 3A honors at tight end after he had 16 catches for 545 yards and eight scores. In the regular season, Jayhawk-Linn defeated playoff teams Neodesha (28-26), at Pleasant Ridge (38-22) and at Humboldt (34-30) before falling to Osage City (48-14) for the second straight year in the postseason. The only regular season loss was a Week 6 home game against Drexel (Mo.), 22-20. Two seasons ago, Jayhawk-Linn fell to Osage City, 20-14, in the playoffs. In ’15, Jayhawk-Linn lost to Colgan, 49-6, in the playoffs, and fell 46-7 to Colgan in the playoffs four years ago. Jayhawk-Linn is 10-2 in district play the last four years, including eight straight district wins. The Jayhawks have won 10 straight league contests in the last three years.
NEODESHA
John Black has continued to bring Neodesha to the playoffs in his first eight seasons as coach. The Blue Streaks have now made the playoffs in 2010, ’11, ’12, ’14, ’15 and ’17. Neodesha finished 5-4 in 2016 before 5-5 last year and a first-round playoff loss to Galena (66-14). Neodesha opened the year with a 28-26 loss at Jayhawk-Linn, then defeated Oswego, 38-6. After an 18-7 home defeat versus Humboldt, Neodesha won at Erie (34-14). The Blue Streaks lost versus rival Cherryvale, 49-14, before wins at Bluestem (60-18) and Fredonia (34-7). After a 47-7 loss at Caney Valley, Neodesha effectively clinched a playoff berth with a 54-28 home win against Eureka. Neodesha averaged 30.2 points per game and permitted 32.5, significant changes from 2016. That year, the Blue Streaks averaged 22.1 points a game and permitted 12.2. Neodesha lost all four games by 14 points or fewer in ’16. The big difference came in district play when Neodesha had lost to Fredonia in ’16 before last year’s win. In ’17, Neodesha averaged 76 passing yards and 221 rushing yards per game with 6.3 yards per play and 48 snaps a game. Senior Randall McKinnis, who led the team with 607 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores, returns. The top-three rushers all had at least 500 rushing yards, though the next two rushers graduated. Neodesha had some struggles in the passing game with 818 passing yards on 44 percent completion with a 1/8 TD/INT ratio. Three of the top-four tacklers return, led by McKinnis’ 84 stops, 15 more than any teammate. Neodesha forced 19 turnovers. Black listed his philosophy as “improve every day” and “finish the year at our best.” “We should be much improved but still lack depth,” he said.
NORTON COMMUNITY
Norton will start a new era at quarterback after Jace Ruder, a four-year starter and North Carolina commit, graduated. The Bluejays have posted six straight winning seasons and reached the playoffs all four years under Ruder with 10-1, 9-3, 7-4 and 7-3 records. Additionally, the Bluejays graduated standout running back Tevin Petrie. Coach Lucas Melvin said goals are “to continue to grow and improve” and “try to be in mix for an MCL title, and make the playoffs.” Last year, Petrie rushed for 1,282 yards and 15 scores, while Ruder had 1,032 rushing, 1,232 passing and 28 offensive TDs accounted for. The top-two in receiving yards are back with junior Kade Melvin (24 catches, 400 yards, two TDs) and senior Hayden Wiltfong (17 catches, 239 yards, three TDs in eight contests). Norton forced 31 turnovers and was plus-11 in turnover margin. Three of the top-four tacklers graduated. Ruder finished his career with 312 of 636 passing for 4,817 yards, which was by far the most in the storied Mid-Continent League history, according to mclkansashighschool.com, which has long kept league archives. He was nearly 1,000 yards ahead of second place. Ruder also passed for 45 career touchdowns, which is also the league record, five ahead of Ellis’ Easton Smith. Petrie finished his career with 3,406 rushing yards, tenth best in conference history, along with 36 rushing TDs. Ruder rushed for 2,158 yards with 37 rushing TDs. Ruder finished second all-time in MCL annals in total yards with 6,975, more than 1,400 ahead of third and trailing only Plainville’s Hayden Friend (7,339). Norton will be in 2A, District 8 with Ellsworth, 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A TMP, Hoisington, Minneapolis and Phillipsburg. Tri-Valley League Norton went 5-0 at home and 2-3 on the road. Coach: John Black (9th year, 49-31) The Bluejays opened 3-0 including a 37-34 road Assistants: Jeff Piatt, Dave Gillett, Chris Hinshaw, Hunter Keith win against Goodland, but then lost at rival Smith Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Center in Week 4, 43-0. After three victories, 8-2 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 2A Returning lettermen: N/A Norton lost at rival Phillipsburg (56-0) before the Three Rivers League Returning starters: 9 Offense, 10 Defense Bluejays defeated TMP, 57-15, and lost in the first Coach: Randy Leach (4th year, 22-8) Randall McKinnis, RB/DB, 5-9, 195, Sr.; John round of the playoffs at eventual state runner-up Assistants: Clint Johnson, Joe Wunderly, Jason Wallace, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Blaze Grimes, QB/ Marysville, 62-21. Casner RB/DL/LB, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Levi Frasier, OL/DL, 5-10, “We will need several young players to step Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-4 210, Sr.; Jon Newland, OL/DL, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Swade up,” Melvin said. “We will have to work hard this Returning lettermen: 20 Scott, OL/DE, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Toby Curtis, WR, 6-0, Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense 165, Jr.; Bryan Adams, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Kadien summer and we will need to avoid injuries.”
Zach Nickelson, OG/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Hayden Fuller, TE/LB, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Mayson Ellis, LB, 5-10, Broyles, RB/CB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Mason Barrett, WR/ 210, Jr.; Phoenix Carpenter, LB, 5-9, 190, So.; CB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Treyton Compton, QB/SS, 5-9, 155, Conor Nicholl Sr.; Wes Batcheler, OL, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Conor Nicholl
7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A Mid-Continent League Coach: Lucas Melvin (12th year, 89-38) Assistants: Jeremy Hawks, Tony Fiscus, Alan Neal, Kevin Jilka Offense: I Defense: 5-2 OSKALOOSA Returning lettermen: 15 After serving as Oskaloosa’s defensive coordinator come by a year ago as the Bears managed just over Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense the past three seasons and an assistant coach for 260 yards per game. Departed back Jared Miller Hayden Wiltfong, TE/DE, 6-5, 215, Sr.; Brady the Bears since 2007, Matt Johnson takes over as accounted for nearly a third of that total, leading Sumnder, LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Kade Melvin, WR/ head coach. He’ll switch places with longtime head the team with 863 yards rushing and 13 of its 24 DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Carter Jones, WR, 5-6, 155, Jr.; coach Scott Whaley, who will stay on as an assistant touchdowns. Dante Smith, OL, 6-1, 270, Jr.; Christien Hawks, coach after going 74-69 in 12 seasons. Senior Hunter Reed is the top returning ground OL/DL, 6-5, 240, So. Johnson previously was head coach at Spearville, gainer, having rushed for 438 yards and five scores. Conor Nicholl going 20-20. He takes over a program which hasn’t He’s in a battle for the starting quarterback job with posted a winning season since 2014. Last year, the Bears started the season with back-to-back wins over McLouth and Horton before dropping six of their last seven games to finish 3-6 — the only win in that stretch a 54-14 rout of Maranatha. Two of the losses were by a six points and the other four came to playoff teams with three of those shutout defeats. Offensive production was somewhat difficult to
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fellow senior Eli Tarwater, who completed 61 percent of his passes a year ago, but only threw for 258 yards. Both lines will be young with just two returning starters, both of whom are underclassmen — junior Chris King and sophomore Jeremy Cole. Oskaloosa is in Class 2A this season under the new classification system, but still finds itself in the same district as perennial power Silver Lake. The rest of the district only has one team which made the playoffs last year, Osage City.
3-6 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 2A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Matt Johnson (1st year) Assistants: Scott Whaley, Rod Stottlemire Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Hunter Reed, QB/WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Eli King, RB/ LB/DB, 6-0, 185, So.; Eli Tarwater, QB/WR/DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Chris King, OL/DL/LB, 6-0, 240, Jr.; Jeremy Cole, OL/DL/LB, 5-9, 230, So. Brent Maycock
OSAGE CITY
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Riding a huge senior season from quarterback Tucker Kimball, Osage City enjoyed one of, if not the best, seasons in school history. The Indians tied the school record for victories and reached the Class 3A quarterfinals for the first time in program history, finishing with a 9-3 record. A 56-13 playoff loss to eventual 3A state champion Sabetha kept it from being a truly historic campaign. But it hardly diminished from the season as a whole as Osage City went 6-1 in Flint Hills League play, finishing runner-up to Lyndon, which handed the Indians one of their other two losses. Kimball wound up throwing for 2,331 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for another 871 yards and 17 scores, earning first-team All-Class 3A honors. He’s now at Kansas State as a preferred walk-on, leaving a pretty serious hole in the Indian offense. It’s one of only a few holes, however, as seven starters return on that side of the ball. The bulk of Osage City’s other weapons do return, led by senior Trenton Plinsky, who was the Indians’ top receiver a year ago with 35 catches for 712 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Krimzyn Clark is the leading returning rusher, but managed just 257 yards a year ago. He was more effective in the passing game, catching 20 passes for 410 yards. Senior Colton Prunty added 260 yards and four touchdowns receiving. Senior Brant Dayhoff was a first-team all-league pick on the offensive line, but is one of only two returners up front along with sophomore Dane Whalen, who was an emerging force as a freshman. Senior linebacker Mycah Ritchie led the Indians in tackles with 103 and Plinsky was right behind with 95. Seven defensive starters return overall, including the top-three tacklers. If a suitable replacement can be found for Kimball, Osage City has enough back to return to the postseason. This year, the Indians are in Class 2A under the new classification system. The new-look district contains powerhouse Silver Lake, but the other four teams combined to go just 6-30 last year. 9-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A Flint Hills League Coach: Andrew Gantenbein (10th year, 45-44) Assistants: CJ Marple, Jordan Tice, Mitch Foote Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 25 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Trenton Plinsky, WR/DB, Sr.; Brant Dayhoff, OL/ DL, Sr.; Krimzyn Clark, WR/RB/DB, Sr.; Mycah Ritchie, LB/RB, Sr.; Colton Prunty, DB/WR, Sr.; Dane Whalen, DL/OL, So.; Derrick Cooley, SB/OLB, Sr.; River Davis, RB/DB, Sr.; Coleton Mitchell, OL/DL, Sr. Brent Maycock
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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PHILLIPSBURG
Phillipsburg is 9-2, 10-2, 11-2, 11-1 and 12-1 the last five years. The Panthers lost to eventual state runner-up Marysville, 30-24, in the 3A state semifinals last fall. Phillipsburg graduated several multi-year standouts, including running back Kirk Coomes (Shrine Bowler, Kansas State walk-on) and linebacker John Gower. The Panthers, now in Class 2A, have plenty of talent coming back and plan to open up the offense with four-year starting quarterback Trey Sides. He had 775 passing yards and 18 touchdowns accounted for. Three players were first team all-league players: Kasen Keeten and Jaret Shelton on the line and running back Treylan Gross, while Sides was second team all-league. Gross rushed for around 1,300 yards. Shelton has started at center the last two seasons. Senior RB Cha’ron Ellis played well in spot time last season and is expected to play a major role. Phillipsburg, which was ranked No. 1 in Class 3A part of the year, outscored teams in the first quarter, 206-0, before the Marysville loss. Sides missed the Marysville game due to a thumb injury. “We are going to turn him loose this year,” coach J.B. Covington said. “He is going to be running some no-huddle, tempo game for us. He understands completely what we want to do offensively, so he will have complete control of it, he’s really looked good in the summer throwing the ball.” Nathan Moon had 57 tackles and Keeten will have 91 stops. Moon is back at safety, while Keeten will switch from inside linebacker to middle linebacker and replace Gower. Junior Noah VanKooten returns up front. All-state kicker Jonathan Hunnacutt was first team all-league after he made 75 of 84 extra points and 8 of 11 field goals. Phillipsburg has retained the same coaches from middle school through high school. “We feel like we have a great chance to compete with the best teams in this class if we stay healthy,” Covington said. “Our young men had a tremendous off-season and summer.”
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FALCONS POMONA-WEST FRANKLIN
Mike Einspahr’s first season at West Franklin may not have produced a winning record, but the groundwork was laid for the Falcons to feel good about the possibilities of that happening in year two. West Franklin was just 3-6 a year ago, but two of the losses were one-score games — both coming in the first two weeks of the season to Council Grove (12-6) and Anderson County (50-45). Win those and 2017 might have had a completely different look. Instead, the Falcons started 0-4 before ripping off three straight wins. With a year of Einspahr’s Wing T offense under their belt, expect the Falcons to hit the ground running in 2018. It certainly helps having both of last year’s leading rushers back. Senior back Brayden Singer led the way with 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior quarterback Clayton Noyons added 921 yards and nine scores. Noyons only threw for 254 yards, but the Falcons only attempted 72 passes all season as Einspahr kept things grounded in his debut season. Three starting linemen also return, including twoway starters Cameron Hower and Tanner Sink. Six starters return to a defense which will need to make improvement after allowing 46 or more points in five of the six losses and 32.3 points per game overall. Junior linebacker Shane Birzer ranked third on the team in tackles last year with 40, but no other returner had more than 30. Einspahr’s staff takes on former Lebo head coach Troy McArthur and also former Centralia All-Stater Michael Glatczak. West Franklin is in Class 2A under the new classification system and though Wellsville is no longer in the same district, perennial power Silver Lake joins a group which also includes Osage City, McLouth, Oskaloosa and Central Heights.
3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 2A Flint Hill League Coach: Mike Eisnpahr (2nd year, 3-6) Assistants: Mike Glatczak, Troy McArthur, Brandon Bucknell Offense: Wing T Defense: 4-4 12-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 2A Returning lettermen: 20 Mid-Continent League Coach: J.B. Covington (16th year, 130-41; 21st year, Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Shane Birzer, LB, Jr.; Cameron Hower, OL/DL, Sr.; 173-64) Assistants: Joe Buresh, Cory Jacobs, Kendall Fiscus Lane Johnson, FS, Sr.; Clayton Noyons, QB, Sr.; Ryan Schmidt, CB, Sr.; Brayden Singer, RB, Sr.; Offense: Pistol Flexbone Defense: 3-4 Tanner Sink, OL/DL, Sr.; Philip Swank, WR/CB, Jr.; Returning lettermen: 17 Zach Yelland, OL, Sr. Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Brent Maycock Kasen Keeten, G/LB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Jaret Shelton, C, 5-10, 240, Sr.; Treylan Gross, RB, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Trey Sides, QB/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Nathan Moon, DB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Noah VanKooten, DL, 6-5, 250, Jr.; Austin Even the Los Angeles Rams’ defense needs a little Miller, DE, 6-5, 190, Jr.; Jon Hunnacutt, K, 5-11, 190, support from its offense on occasion, so it stands Sr.; Trey Sides, P, 6-0, 170, Sr. that the Riverton Rams will need more pizzazz from Conor Nicholl its offensive 11. Riverton spit out only 6.3 points per game, tied with Lyons for the fifth-lowest production each week in all of 11-man football. Riverton was kept in single digits seven times. Riverton wrapped up a 1-8 season. After suffering losses the first six weeks, the Rams got in the win column with an offensive outburst of sorts, hammering Southeast Cherokee, 32-12. Although the current state of affairs is not rosy, Riverton has history of which to be proud. The Rams own 20 playoff appearances. That includes state titles in 1990 and 1993 and a runner-up finish in 1991. Riverton was a state semifinalist as recently as 2008. The Rams 950 State St qualified in 2014 and 2016, so if even-year luck holds true, this could be their year. Riverton received a practicable draw in its reassign785-543-2139 ment to 2A’s District 1. Jayhawk Linn and Humboldt come off postseason trips, though neither made a Delivery available 4:30-8:45pm Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery sustained run. Meanwhile Erie, Northeast Arma and
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RICHMOND-CENTRAL HEIGHTS
For the second time in three years, Central Heights went winless. An 18-point loss to Eureka — the only team the Vikings beat in 2016 — and 19-point loss to Northern heights were the closest the Vikings came to wins and for the season they were outscored 415-85. Richard Mobley’s two-year tenure as head coach is over with Bob Risch taking over the program. He inherits a team which graudated just seven seniors off last year’s roster, though honorable mention All-Flint Hills League linebacker Brec Furst and starting quarterback Seth Burroughs are among the departed. Senior receiver Matt Cubit also was an honorable mention all-league selection and returns. The Vikings could rely heavily on a big sophomore class. Heights is in Class 2A under the new classificiation system and is in a district that includes perennial power Silver Lake and league rivals West Franklin and Osage City as well as Northeast Kansas League schools McLouth and Oskaloosa. Silver Lake and Osage City were the only district foes to post winning marks last year.
RIVERTON
Phillipsburg
RILEY COUNTY
After posting three straight 5-5 seasons, Riley County enjoyed its best season since 2011, going 7-3 and reaching the second round of the playoffs. All three losses came to teams which combined for just four losses a year ago, including a 48-13 loss to 12-1 Phillipsburg to end the season. The only other losses came to 3A runner-up Marysville and 3A semifinalist Silver Lake, the latter denying the Falcons a Mid-East League title. With eight starters back each way, Riley County should be in good position to match or surpass last year’s success. The strength of the team will be up front as four starters return on the offensive line, led by first-team all-leaguer Brett Halstead. There’s enough depth in the trenches that Halstead will shift to linebacker on defense after being a first-team all-league selection on the defensive line a year ago. He'll join returning leading tackler Mikey Waggoner, a first-team allleague pick a year ago. Waggoner’s presence will also be key offensively after he ran for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and was the power to go with standout quarterback Tyler Halstead, who 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 2A ran for 1,045 yards and 14 scores but has Flint Hills League graduated. All-league receiver Ty Nelson is also Coach: Bob Risch (1st year) gone. Assistants: N/A Other than Waggoner, no returning back gained Offense: N/A Defense: N/A more than Tristan Kulp’s 126 yards and Wyatt Returning lettermen: N/A Earhart’s five catches for 85 yards are tops Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense among returning receivers. Filling those holes in Brent Maycock the skill positions on offense will be the biggest determiner for the Falcons’ success in 2018. Riley County is in Class 2A under the revised classification system and has a new-look district after being shifted north and west in previous seasons. The schedule is difficult early with Rock Creek, Centralia, Silver Lake and Rossville in the first four weeks.
Southeast Cherokee combined for only two wins among them – both Erie’s – showing there is room for quick ascension up the hierarchy. Coach Johnny Mallatt starts his second season back at Riverton, a school he coached in the 80s. Mallatt gets a shot at his alma mater in week one against Galena. Riverton is the second-largest 2A school, behind only Riley County. 1-8 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Coach: Johnny Mallatt (2nd year, 1-8) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
Kyle McCaskey
7-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A Mid-East League Coach: Steve Wagner (35th year, 232-115) Assistants: Erik Willimon, Danny Grater, Derek Winter, Jason Klein, Ian Peters Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Tristan Kulp, WR, 175, Sr.; Wyatt Earhart, SE/ OLB, 175, Sr.; Dylan Anderson, OT, 250, Sr.; Trystin McCoy, OG/DL, 200, Sr.; Brett Halstead, OT/LB, 210, Sr.; Westyn Claar, WR, 180, Sr.; Wyatt Thurlow, OT, 240, Sr.; Keaton Koenig, DB, 145, Sr.; Luke Richard, LB, 155, Sr.; Derrick Duncan, DL, 230, So.; Kameron Brown, DL, 270, Jr., Mikey Waggoner, RB/LB, Sr. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ROSSVILLE
SENECA-NEMAHA CENTRAL
ST. MARYS
Rossville’s reign atop Class 3A ended with a rather anti-climatic thud in 2017. Having to replace a large bulk of the players responsible for three straight state championships, the Bulldawgs battled youth, injuries and a loaded schedule last year. The result was a disappointing 2-7 campaign — five more losses than the program had experienced in all of Derick Hammes’ first four years as coach. The last ties to the title runs are gone and it’s up to a new wave of Bulldawgs to try to return the program to its recent place of prominence on the state scene. Despite its woes a year ago, Rossville darn near made it back to the playoffs. Though they went 0-3 in district play, the Bulldawgs were close, suffering an overtime loss to Mission Valley and a 14-12 loss to Council Grove. The highlight of the season was a 38-30 win over a Burlington team that reached the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs. Though a number of skill players return among nine offensive starters, Rossville will still enter the season wondering just where its production will come from. Departed starting quarterback Sheldon Hulbert threw for 1,563 yards and ran for 688, accounting for 2,251 of the Bulldawgs’ 2,749 yards and 18 of their 22 touchdowns. Senior Garrett Carver, sophomore Bo Reeves and freshman Torrey Horak will battle for Hulbert’s vacated starting job and if the last name rings a bell, it should. Horak is the younger brother of former All-Stater Tucker Horak, who enjoyed one of the greatest prep careers in state history. Whoever wins the job should have a solid receiving corps to work with. Senior Elijah Daughty is one of five returning Bulldawgs who had double-digit catches and more than 100 years, leading the team with 38 grabs for 630 yards and five scores. Senior Trevor Johnson is the leading returning rusher, having 363 yards and four touchdowns last year. Hulbert was also the team’s leading tackler last year and senior linbeacker Payton Catron (49 tackles) is the only returner who had more than 25 tackles a year ago. Rossville is in Class 2A under the revised classification system this year and finds itself in a district boasting four teams which made the playoffs a year ago, including Mid-East League foes Riley County and St. Marys. The season gets off to a difficult start with Centralia and Silver Lake in the first two weeks.
For the bulk of the 2017 season, Nemaha Central seemed unstoppable and on a fast track to capturing the first state championship in program history. The Thunder rolled through the regular season, outscoring its foes 368-56 and not having a game closer than 12 points. But after thumping Pleasant Ridge 59-26 in the playoff opener, Nemaha Central was knocked off 25-7 by Silver Lake in the second round, prematurely ending the Thunder’s title hopes. Despite finishing with a 10-1 record and a third straight undefeated Big Seven League title, the ending left a somewhat dissatisfying taste. Entering the 2018 season on a 29-game regular-season winning streak, Nemaha Central will face one of its biggest tests in keeping things rolling as graduation hit hard. A senior class which helped the program to a 32-3 mark over the past three years contained eight players who earned all-league honors, including two-way first-teamers Mitchell Henry, Eli McWilliams, Camron Feldkamp and Caleb Henry. Henry and McWiliams were first-team All-Class 3A selections as well. In his first year as starting quarterback, Henry accounted for more than 2,000 yards of total offense, throwing for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns and running for 979 yards and 26 scores. Replacing Henry’s presence in the backfield will be difficult even though Nemaha Central does return its next two leading rushers with Luke Reitz and Noe Gauna each rushing for just over 300 yards. Both were threats in the passing game along with returning first-team all-league tight end Matt Baumgartner and senior receiver Cole Kramer. In addition to McWilliams, Nemaha Central must replace its entire starting offensive line, which also graduated first-team all-leaguer Eli Wilson. Baumgartner and senior defensive tackle Seth Wilson are the lone returning starters to the defensive front, making rebuilding both lines a top priority for the Thunder. Nemaha Central could remain in its position as a title contender in the newly revised Class 2A if those holes can be filled. The schedule is front-loaded with the Thunder opening against defending 3A champion and arch rival Sabetha before taking on Holton in week three. Nemaha handed Sabetha its only loss last year.
02-7 in 2017 / 0-3 in districts / 2A Mid-East League Coach: Derick Hammes (6th year, 55-9) Assistants: Dan Schneider, Jeremy Stephenson, Todd Reeves, Thatcher Horak Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 9 Defense Taegan Sumner, WR, Sr.; Garrett Carver, WR/QB/ DB, Sr.; Tyree Sowers, RB, Sr.; Bo Reeves, WR/QB, So.; Elijah Daughty, WR/CB, Sr.; Trevor Johnson, RB/ OLB, Sr.; Cody Dyche, OL/DL, Sr.; Payton Catron, OL/LB, Sr.; Kody Davoren, OL/DE, Jr.; Kaiden Brown, LB, So.; Callen Bahner, DL, Jr.; Kaleb Badura, DB, Jr. Brent Maycock
10-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 2A Big Seven League Coach: Warren Seitz (8th year, 60-15) Assistants: Terry Stueve, Cory Bass, Jason Hajek, Kelly Williams, Mark Mayberry Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Matt Baumgartner, TE/DE, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Cole Kramer, WR/SS, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Luke Reitz, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, SR.; Noe Gauna, RB/CB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Seth Wilson, DT, 5-10, 260, Sr. Brent Maycock
One of the best linebackers in the Heart of America League, and perhaps on a trajectory to being a top linebacker in the state, is set to anchor the defense for Sterling as it vies to rejoin the playoff picture. Brady Myers was an easy all-HOA first-team selection on defense – and he is only a junior. Myers cannot get complete credit for Sterling’s reimagined defensive prowess, but there was an unmistakable development on the unit. In 2016, the Black Bears were thumped for 31 points per game. Only a year later, that was chopped down to 17 points each week. Four times antagonists were held to single digits. Indisputably, it was a focus for thenfirst year coach Derek Schneider. “Prioritize and execute excellent fundamental blocking and tackling,” Schneider said. “Build strong relationships among team members, especially between upper and lower classmen.” The rub, though, is fortifying an offense to match the defense. Myers is partly tasked with that, too – he was a second-team HOA selection at quarterback – but in recent memory, Sterling has benefitted from plug-and-play skill weapons. “Develop an inexperienced and young offensive line after losing four starters while being creative with the number of skill players returning,” Schneider said. Sterling only missed the postseason once between 2002 and 2013. After a two-year absence, the Black Bears returned in 2016. Sterling was certainly playoff-caliber a season ago with a 6-2 finish and wins over quality opponents such as Halstead and Marion.
However, Sterling was 2-1 in district play, same as Halstead and Hutchinson Trinity, but was edged out in the points race. The Black Bears are now 2A in the classification shuffle, now the fourth-smallest school in the 48team field. Even so, Sterling will be a favorite to walk Injuries derailed Riverside in 2016. Last year, the away from the district with one of the bids. Cimmaron Cyclones just never found their footing. Riverside began the season 0-4 and wound up and Lakin made playoff appearances, but Lyons, 2-7 with the lone wins coming against winless Ellinwood and Southwestern Heights combined for only four victories in 2017. Atchison County and Hiawatha. The Cyclones struggled offensively all season, managing just 100 6-2 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 2A points for the year with 34 of those coming in the Heart of America League win over Atchison County. Coach: Derek Schneider (2nd year, 6-2) Eighth-year coach Scot Koranda hopes to get Assistants: Brian Richter, Eric Wenzel things turned around this year, though the Cyclones Offense: Spread Defense: 4-4 must replace starting quarterback Andrew Miller, Returning lettermen: 8 who bounced back from an injury-plagued 2016 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense to have a solid season under center last year. His Conan Ball, RB/DB, Sr.; Gage Farney, WR/LB, Sr.; spot will likely be filled by Bradley Libel, who started Dylan Stewart, OG, Sr.; Brady Myers, QB/LB, Jr.; at receiver last year, but saw some time at quarterLogan Weigel, WR/K, Jr.; Alan Anderson, LB, So. KM back as a freshman in 2016 when Miller got hurt. Koranda will have the luxury of a proven back to carry the load in Dawson Dick, a three-year starter. Three starting offensive linemen also return, including three-year starting center Brock Blair. Defensively, the Cyclones return just four starters from a unit that allowed 38.8 points per game a year ago. An entirely new corps of linebackers will (620) 278-2244 Sterling, Ks. www.aldenst8.com take on starting roles, while the secondary will be a strength with the return of Dick, Libel and three-
STERLING
SILVER LAKE
Another year, another stellar season for Silver Lake and legendary coach C.J. Hamilton. Riding a defense which gave up just 12 points and 175 yards per game, the Eagles rolled to an undefeated regular season and second straight Mid-East League title. Silver Lake then knocked off undefeated and No. 1 Nemaha Central 25-7 in the second round of the playoffs to avenge its only loss in 2016 and returned to the Class 3A state semfinals before ending the season with its only loss, 17-14 to eventual champion Sabetha. The 12-1 campaign pushed Hamilton’s career record to 412-91, far and away the best in state history. The league title was the program’s 34th overall. Silver Lake entered last season knowing its defense would be stout with six returning starters. This year, it’s a huge question mark as only three starters are back. The unit will miss its heart and soul for the past three years, linebacker Josh Boyd, who led the team in tackles three straight years and was a two-time first-team All-Class 3A selection. Graduation claimed the Eagles’ top-eight tacklers from last year with senior corner Tristan Stoner tops among returners with 39. Linebackers Jake Lindstrom and Gideon Remer are the only other returning starters, but combined for just 50 tackles last year. Things on offense are a little more certain for the Eagles. In his first year as starting quarterback Mason Griffin flourished. The first-team all-leaguer completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 1,883 yards and 20 touchdowns while getting picked off just five times. Though last year’s top-two receivers are gone, senior Wyatt Heiman had 23 catches for 351 yards and five touchdowns and senior Dillon Byrne had 25 catches for 295 yards and two scores. The ground game lost 1,100-yard rusher Mason Jones and will turn to Christian Stoner to be the workhorse. He ran for 252 yards in limited duty, seeing his season cut short by injury after week five. 12-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts /2A Mid-East League Coach: CJ Hamilton (43rd year, 412-91) Assistants: Warren Bledsoe, Travis Hamilton, Nick Hamilton, Loren Ziegler, Mike VandeVelde Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 3 Defense Mason Griffin, QB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Ethan Schulz, C, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Wyatt Heiman, WR, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Dillon Byrne, WR, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Ethan Kortan, OT, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Jake Lindstrom, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Gideon Remer, LB, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Tristan Stoner, CB, 5-11, 165, Sr. Brent Maycock
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After winning just five games in Myron Flax’s first two years as coach combined, St. Marys matched that mark last year. The Bears rebounded from a 1-3 start to win four straight and clinch a playoff berth following a three-way tie for the district title with Mission Valley and Council Grove. Three of the five losses were by 13 points or less, including a tough 27-20 loss to Class 3A semifinalist Silver Lake and a 27-21 loss to PerryLecompton in the first round of the playoffs. St. Marys logged wins over traditional powers Olpe and Rossville and scored 70 in a shutout win over Yates Center. In order to carry the momentum of the breakthrough season over to 2018, Flax will have to almost completely rebuild his offense. Four starters are back, but senior backs Jonas Cruz and Reece Hurla were mostly complementary pieces, combining for just 282 yards rushing. The offensive load a year ago was carried by the senior trio of Taegan Schoenfeld, Mitchel Flanagan and Austin Rieschick. Flanagan threw for 1,412 yards and 17 touchdowns with Rieschick his favorite target with 26 catches for 617 yards and 11 scores. Schoenfeld combined for just more than 900 combined rushing and receiving yards in eight games and joined Rieschick as a first-team All-Mid-East League selection. The line will also have to replace four of five starters, including all-league first-teamer Peter Trausch. Junior Peter Borderlon is the lone returning starter up front on offense and senior end Jory Schindler and junior end Scott Ewing are the only ones back on defense. Cruz ranked second on the team in tackles a year ago with 71 stops and Hurla added 53 to give the Bears a solid 1-2 linebacker punch after graduation claimed first-team all-leaguer Jonathan Brase and leading tackler and first-teamer Trevor Acker at strong safety. The unit gave up just 19.1 points per game last year, allowing more than 30 just once. As is the case with most 3A schools, the Bears will now be Class 2A this year in the new classifictaion system. Mission Valley, Rossville and Council Grove remain as district foes with Riley County and Southeast of Saline joining the mix. The Bears will find out a lot about its newcomers right away, opening with Silver Lake. 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts / 2A Mid-East League Coach: Myron Flax (4th year, 10-18) Assistants: Troy Biladeau, Casey Flax, Mark O’Halloran, Kevin Vanderbilt Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-2-5 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Jonas Cruz, LB/RB, 5-7, 163, Sr.; Reece Hurla, RB/LB, 5-9, 206, Sr.; Jory Schindler, DE/TE, 6-3, 204, Sr.; Peter Borderlon, OT, 6-1, 230, Jr.; Scott Ewing, DE, 6-3, 175, Jr. Brent Maycock
WATHENA-RIVERSIDE
year starer Cornelious Anderson. Riverside is now in the revised Class 2A under the new classification system and will be in a district that includes perennial playoff qualifiers in Nemaha Central and Maur Hill. The remaining two playoff berths should be up for grabs, however, and the Cyclones should be hungry after missing the postseason for two straight years after being a fixture in Koranda’s first five seasons. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 2A Big Seven League Coach: Scot Koranda (8th year, 37-29) Assistants: Dave Losey, Bryce Paden, Dustyn Holland Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Dawson Dick, RB/SS, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Brock Blair, C/ DL, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Cornelious Anderson, WR/DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Caleb Liechti, RG/DT, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Kenton Sharp, RT/DE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Bradley Libel, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Jr. Brent Maycock
WHITEWATER-REMINGTON
Graduation will bring sweeping changes to what was Remington’s calling card – a competitive, durable core in the trenches. The Broncos lost first-team Heart of America League selection Grant Janzen, who was recognized on both sides of the line. Second-team linebacker Chase Bowen departed, and so, too, did honorable mention offensive lineman Gavino Lopez. That leaves only senior Harrison Meyer, an honorable mention pick on the o-line, as a returnee with honors, and that is where Remington will look for stability as it hopes to reload. The Broncos lost their first six battles in 2017 before securing a road win at Inman, 21-14. That would hold as Remington’s lone victory, though the Broncos were within 14 points in two losses. Remington was held in check to single-digit scoring five times, and never mustered more than the 21 it pasted on Inman. Remington has scored playoff bids five times in its history. The most recent came in a 7-3 campaign in 2010. It will be a daunting task to break
the drought. Conway Springs (10-1), Garden Plain (7-2), Hutchinson Trinity (6-4) and Chaparral (6-3) would seem to have a stranglehold on the four bids that will be bestowed out of 2A’s District 6 after each came off impressive seasons. Playoff berths are not handed out for what happened last year, though. Trinity is the only team of those four that Remington has played in the past decade. Coincidentally, Trinity eliminated the Broncos from their last postseason berth in 2010. Remington stands as the seventh-smallest school in the new 48-team 2A.
All any team can do is play the schedule laid out in front of them. So while Wichita Independent’s 1-9 record may not have drawn much applause, that one victory – a 41-28 triumph over Belle Plaine in the regular-season finale – was enough to propel Independent into the playoffs for a third straight year. The Panthers were knocked out in the first round by Conway Springs. The combined record of Independent’s district opponents in 2017 was 8-20. Independent did its part, but the Panthers certainly benefited from the slate. Now, as they transition to a five-week district crash course in 2A, the schedule becomes unforgiving. Chaparral, Conway Springs, Hutchinson Trinity, Garden Plain and Remington combined for a 30-18 mark, a 34 percent bump in winning percentage from Independent’s past district lineup. To get up to speed with those district powerhouses, Independent must gather its composure on defense. The Panthers gave up at least 40
points eight times. Senior Jeyton Sanders is among the leaders on the defensive unit. Offensively, both Matt Dougherty and Wyatt Chance took reps at quarterback. Chance was also utilized as a weapon in the run and receiving games. Kobey Fields also established himself as a budding receiving threat for Independent. The Panthers have six playoff appearances, but only one postseason victory for the effort. That came in 2015. Independent’s last winning season was in 2012.
1-8 in 2017 / 1-3 in district / 2A Heart of America League Coach: Ben Wertenberger (3rd year, 3-15) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
WICHITA-INDEPENDENT
1-9 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 2A Central Plains League Coach: Eric Swenson (2nd year, 1-9) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2017 2016 2015 2014
2013 2012 2011 2009
2008 2007 2006 2003
2001 1980 1997 1974 1994 1973 1985
WE BUY HOUSES
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Smith Center 2. Pittsburg-St. Mary’s Colgan 3. Centralia 4. Jackson Heights 5. Plainville Others: Elkhart, Ell-Saline, Jefferson North, Lyndon, Marion, Olpe, Sedgwick, Valley Heights
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CLASS 1A
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame One of Kansas high school football classification changes that will take effect this year is the return of Class 1A for the first time since 1984. However, 1A is extremely similar to the former Class 2-1A. Last season, 2-1A had 35 teams. This year, 1A has 31, the smallest of any Kansas classification. By Prep Power Index’s statistical ratings, the top-14 teams in 2-1A in 2017 will play 1A this year, including champion Smith Center, runner-up Pittsburg-Colgan and semifinalists Olpe and Plainville. Additionally, Sedgwick and Ell-Saline both are in 1A after making the 2-1A playoffs last year. The Heart of America opponents have two of Kansas’ top quarterbacks in Sedgwick four-year starter Hooper Schroeder, and Ell-Saline’s Nick Davenport, who has picked up multiple college offers. Overall, 74 percent of last fall’s 2-1A squads are now in 1A. Several of the 2-1A districts did not change this season. Class 2-1A, District 7 has been Ellis, La Crosse, Oakley and Plainville the last several years. This fall, the quartet forms District 6. District 6 had Smith Center, Republic County, Sacred Heart and Ell-Saline. Those four squads are District 5 this year. “We just changed by name,” La Crosse coach Jon Webster said. The first seven districts have four teams. District 8, tucked in the far southwest corner, has just three with Elkhart, Stanton County and Syracuse. Class 1A went through a playoff change. Teams now play eight games with all teams advancing to the playoffs starting in Week 9, similar to the large class model. “I think overall for all the football classifications, the change is a good thing,” Webster said. “I think for us, I would have liked to seen 1A have some bigger districts.” A thought shared by 1A coaches, including Webster and Ellis’ Craig Amrein, is the long-term future of the classification. Currently, teams with fewer than 100 students in grades ninth, 10th and 11th grades can choose to play 11-Man or eight-man football. Class 1A’s bottom 16 teams are under 100 students and are eligible for eight-man football. Much of that group includes 2-1A’s traditional powers like Smith Center, Troy, La Crosse, Olpe and Centralia. Centralia, Troy and Valley Heights are the only two 11-Man schools in the Twin Valley League now after Washington County and Doniphan West moved to eight-man. La Crosse has long been the only 11-Man school in the Central Prairie League, which has made scheduling challenging. This year, La Crosse and Ellis, less than 40 miles apart, will play each other twice to avoid a long trip and/or neutral site game for either school. In the recent past, Class 2-1A schools have typically struggled against larger 11-Man schools. Webster, in his 10th year as head coach at his alma mater, would like to have 1A teams face as many 1A teams as possible. Last year, 2-1A squads went 49-85 against other classifications, according to Freeman Ratings. From ’13-16, 2-1A finished 42-84, 28-78, 38-67 and 62-80 versus other classes. “Talking with coach Amrein over at Ellis, our big fear is, I think there are 16 schools that are currently playing 11-Man football that could go to eight-man in the next cycle if numbers stay relatively the same,” Webster said. “And honestly, we want to make sure that those 1A schools are playing 1A schools so they don’t get forced down because of the scheduling. And we felt like having bigger districts would increase the chances of those schools staying 11-Man.” Smith Center finished 12-1 last fall, beat Colgan 43-7 in the final, and won its first title since 2008. It marked the first state
championship in the post-Roger Barta era. Centralia graduated all-state quarterback Trenton Flentie, Darren Sasse, now in his sixth year with the Redmen af- who had more than 1,700 yards of total offense. Olpe brings ter a long stint as the head junior high coach, led a dominant back senior all-state running back Blaine Hinrichs with 835 squad that outscored teams 664-78. The Redmen lost only to rushing yards, 15 offensive scores, 79 tackles and nine for Phillipsburg, a Class 3A semifinalist, in Mid-Continent League loss. All-state lineman Derek VanDorn returns for Centralia. play. SC graduated multiple all-state players, including Dalton In ’15, Plainville reached the state title after two wins Kuhn, the all-classes defensive player of the year and a Fort against Smith Center, in Week 1 and sub-state. Last year, the Hays commit. Cardinals lost to SC in Week 1 and again in sub-state and Still, SC has multiple running backs that put up big per-carry went 8-4. Plainville earned the district crown over La Crosse. numbers with seniors Ethan Peterson, Hesston Maxwell and The Cardinals had significant graduation losses, but return Colby Benoit. They combined for 141 carries for 1,343 yards several elite players. Quarterback Jordan Finnesy passed for and 23 scores. Junior Joel Montgomery (11 TFLs) and senior 1,236 yards and rushed for 1,291. Junior Jared Casey has Austin Hobelmann (10 TFLs, excellent blocker) are back. started since his freshman year and recorded an all-state sea“Staying healthy will be key to success along with under- son with 73 tackles, seven for loss. Tanner Copeland was an classmen stepping up to fill the holes left by graduation,” all-state kicker after he made 29 of 34 extra points. Sasse said. Also on the west, Elkhart returns a bevy of skill players Shawn Seematter led Colgan to the state title game in his after an 8-3 season and the fourth playoff win in school anfirst year as coach. The Panthers (10-3) opened 2-2 in league nals. Coach Chris Hattabaugh said the Wildcats have “a lot play against bigger schools before nine straight victories. continued on page 126 Colgan reached the title game for the first time since 2010. Six starters return on both sides, including all-state lineman Garrett Bolinger, quarSAME NEW TION terback Cade Simmons and FACES & SERV ICE LOOK & LOCA standout sophomore fullback Dominic Bevilacqua. Colgan graduated eight seniors. “We will have to have another great off-season and build off of last year’s state runner-up finish,” Seematter said. “It will start with another excellent summer of commitment and dedication in the weight room.” Jackson Heights finished 8-2 under coach Caleb Wick, a INVESTMENT PLANNING • RISK MANAGEMENT • COLLEGE FUNDING RETIREMENT SAVINGS • DISTRIBUTION PLANNING Smith Center graduate. Wick started two freshmen and a sophomore on the offensive line last year due to injuries. Carson Williams, now a junior, is one of state’s top linemen for the class of 2020. John Webb ~ Kelli Webb ~ Jordan Webb ~ Eddie Balluch Senior Conlan Bruggeman had a strong year at linebacker pathway@ofgfinancial.com in ’17. Williams had 52 tackles, 120 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina, KS 67401 10 for loss, en route to honorP: 785-820-8161 able mention all-state. Toll Free: 888-756-6670 Centralia enjoyed a seven-win improvement to 8-3 and lost to Colgan in the quarterfinals, 25-18. In the semifiPreviously Webb & Associates nals, Colgan defeated Olpe, 15-12. Securities offered through OFG Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
1A Overview/from page 125______________________ of potential” with all-state quarterback Lane Whisennand and receiver Javier Gomez pacing the squad. Whisennand passed for 1,231 yards and rushed for 2,054. Gomez and Elian Prieto combined for 34 catches and 10 scores. Chace O’Hair recorded 75 tackles, eight for loss. While Elkhart graduated multiple linemen Hattabaugh believes the Wildcats have capable replacements. Sophomore Tyler Reeves is now around 6-foot-2, 270 pounds, and Hattabaugh expects him to be a physical player. Junior Tanner Hattabaugh is around 6-3, 240 pounds and will be the starting center. Senior Westin Boaldin started last year and played some as a sophomore. Boaldin is about 190 pounds with nice strength and speed and will play quick side tackle. Junior lineman Barry Clark has tested well. “We’ve got to go out and execute at a high level, but we are fortunate to have some nice players back,” coach Hattabaugh said. Ell-Saline (8-2) and Sedgwick (5-5), both in the Heart of America League, reached the 2-1A playoffs last year. E-S defeated Sedgwick in Week 1 and again in the first round of the playoffs. Sedgwick then fell to Plainville in double overtime in the second round. Ell-Saline’s Davenport has received interest as both quarterback and linebacker. He has recent offers from NAIA Concordia (Neb.) University and Division II’s Missouri Southern and is on the radar of FBS programs, including Kansas State. Davenport recorded 920 rushing yards and 19 scores, along with 1,280 passing yards, 11 TDs, and 51.5 tackles and 10 TFLs. “We have a good bunch of boys returning that have played a lot of ball together and have learned how to win,” Ell-Saline coach Terry King said. “Looking forward to working with them. Sedgwick, long known for its “more offense” mantra and high-flying attacks, brings back Schroeder from a team that averaged 40 points a contest. Last year, Schroeder completed 68 percent of passes for 2,601 yards with a 30/7 TD/INT ratio. He had 302 rushing yards and three scores. Colton Smith delivered 115 carries for 703 yards and seven scores. Kale Schroeder recorded 45 catches for 715 yards and seven TDs. For his career, Hooper has passed for 4,706 yards with 55 scores. He is expected to pass Brylie Ware - now a senior for the University of Oklahoma baseball team - as the school’s alltime passer this year. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school teams across the state for more than a decade.
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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The 2017 Redmen pose with their state championship trophy and two Frogs, the revolutionary new total body workout tool that was added to the Redmen strength program last summer. (Courtesy Photo)
Redmen dominate 2-1A in ‘17
By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Elkhart quarterback Lane Whisennand accounted for 41 offensive scores. He led the Wildcats to just the fourth playoff win in school history. However, when asked for his favorite play, Whisennand quickly said it was the second offensive snap in the 2-1A quarterfinals versus Smith Center. The Redmen scored, and Elkhart responded with a long pass that yielded a touchdown. The Wildcats eventually lost 64-7 but matching SC early left a mark. “Their varsity hadn’t been scored on since Week 3,” Elkhart coach Chris Hattabaugh said. “So, it was definitely exciting.” After the Elkhart win, the Redmen rolled again with a 51-0 semifinal victory versus Plainville. Smith Center had opened last season with a 16-7 turnover-filled win against the Cardinals. In the championship, Smith Center controlled Colgan, 43-7, to finish 12-1 and capture the school’s first football title since 2009. It marked the Redmen’s ninth title, and first without legendary coach Roger Barta, who retired after 2012. In 2017 Smith Center, led by a veteran, talented group of seniors, echoed the dominance of the mid-2000 Redmen who set the state mark with 79 straight wins. Dalton Kuhn earned all-classes defensive player of the year honors. SC coach Darren Sasse, a Redmen alum, and 44-13 since he replaced Barta, served as a Shrine Bowl assistant coach this summer. Class 5A and 6A coaches told Sasse that Kuhn would definitely have played for them. The only team to beat Smith Center was Mid-Continent League rival Phillipsburg, an eventual 3A semifinalist. The Panthers won 23-0 in Week 2, though Phillipsburg couldn’t block Kuhn with one player and needed a running back to help. Phillipsburg coach J.B. Covington was highly impressed with SC’s left side of the offensive line with Kuhn, Avery Hawkins (both graduated) and senior to be Austin Hobelmann, one of the team’s top returners this fall. Quarterback/defensive back Colton Hutchinson, end Brett Meyer, Hawkins and running back Jesse Staples collected first team all-state and/or signed to play in college. Kuhn, Hutchinson, Meyer and Hawkins started at least three years. Of the 10 seniors last fall, seven were returning starters. “Those guys had all played for them since they were sophomores, so they were just a handful,” Covington said. SC was 5-4 when the ’17 seniors were freshmen, and then reached sub-state the last two seasons. “Everybody points to that last game, but just the whole journey along the way and watching those kids really from their freshman year on up to their senior year – and we had a special group of seniors that were leaders for us,” Sasse said. Smith Center outscored teams, 659-78, and paced 11-Man football in scoring offense and defense. “We talked about it a little bit,” Hobelmann said of the comparing ’17 to past Redmen squads. “We thought it would be pretty fun to see how our team would stand up against them.” Little has changed from the Barta tenure. SC has kept the same base 4-3 defense with Brock Hutchinson, the long-time defensive coordinator. The Redmen led 2-1A in scoring defense the last two falls. “He just makes sure we know everything before it’s going to happen,” Hobelmann said. Mike Rogers, another Redmen alum, is the veteran running backs coach. Sasse has incorporated the pistol bone from successful Holton coach Brooks Barta, Roger’s son and a Smith Center alum as well, and changed up the Redmen’s spread look, used more than in the past, but still rarely. Sasse would love to talk to the elder Barta “everyday if I had the opportunity.” Coach Barta comes to practice occasionally and travels to see his grown children and grandchildren. Sasse and Barta often will talk in the locker room or on the phone after games. “He is such a humble guy,” Sasse said. “He has always tried to stay in the background, even though I would love to have him around more.” SC averaged 338 rushing yards a game and 10 yards a carry, up from 287 and 6.7 in ‘16. In addition to the experience, differences from ’15 and ’16 came in health and turnovers. In the two previous falls, SC had at least one key skill player miss ample time. Last fall, the Redmen, with a senior-laden backfield, committed six turnovers in the first three games – and then just two the rest of the year. SC was plus-16 in turnover margin in ’15, followed by plus-17 and plus-25 the last two years. “Those backs weren’t getting hit in the backfield and sometimes not even at the second level, so those front guys keeping it clean made a big difference,” Sasse said.
This Redmen football feature is brought to you by Frog Fitness, makers of the revolutionary total body trainer, The Frog. The Frog is scientifically proven to be the single most effective total body training device ever invented. It provides the benefits of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Strength Training simultaneously. The Smith Center Redmen, long one of Kansas’ top football programs, added The Frog to their workout program in the summer of 2017. Weights and Physical Education instructor, and long-time Redmen defensive coordinator, Brock Hutchinson, said The Frog improved the team’s overall core strength and is easily adapated to “any sport position or athletic stance you want to train.” “The Frog is one of the best core workout machines I’ve ever used or had a chance to be in contact with,” Hutchinson said. Smith Center started with two Frogs and added five more after the football season. Stockton Athletic Director, Weights and P.E. instructor, and long-time wrestling coach, Clint Bedore, said he was excited to add The Frog to their program this offseason. “We decided to add it to our program due to the variety of exercises it allows for,” Bedore said. “Also, it is something new and different. The injury prevention that it should provide was a plus as well. I really think our student athletes have enjoyed using it. If you have never used one, you need to try it. In less than five minutes you can get a great complete body workout.” Smoky Valley P.E. and Weights instructor, head football coach and assistant track coach Tim Lambert added four Frogs to their weight room shortly after seeing a demonstration this summer. Now, two other members of the Smoky Valley staff are considering adding Frogs for their personal use. “It is a great total body workout that emphasizes the core,” Lambert said. “I think it will be a great supplement to what we are trying to do in the weight room.” Thirty of 32 professional football teams, a number of college programs and dozens of high schools have added The Frog to their training programs. For information about how you can add The Frog to your team, call Rehnan Overmiller at (225) 329-4236.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame Elkhart quarterback Tyler Sklenar started for three seasons before he signed with Kansas Wesleyan. Last summer, Sage Hoskinson, the previous backup, and Lane Whisennand, who had never played signal caller before, competed for the starting job. Both players split reps entering the Fort Hays summer camp. In coach Chris Hattabaugh’s eyes, Whisenannd took the lead primarily because Elkhart was winning when he played. As the summer progressed, Whisennand became the starter. Hoskinson switched to slot and became one of the team’s best blockers. Before the season opener against La Crosse, Hattabaugh offered a prediction to his superintendent. “Lane is going to break out this year,” Hattabaugh said. He led Elkhart to a 30-20 season-opening win at La Crosse. Whisennand completed 8 of 9 passes for 163 yards and a score. He rushed 17 times for 255 yards and three TDs. “I remember how well he saw the field,” La Crosse coach Jon Webster said. “He cut back on us for a lot of his yards. We didn’t take great angles. We didn’t really tackle as a team much. He had us on our heels, and that kid, he was special, and had just enough to go with it to keep you honest where you couldn’t just load the box up.” Whisennand, one of two 2-1A all-state quarterbacks, completed 56 of 96 passes for 1,231 yards with a 13/5 TD/INT ratio. He set a school record with 2,054 rushing yards on 226 carries and 28 rushing scores. Before last year, the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder had never thrown a high school pass and recorded just six rushes for 16 yards. “It was pretty exciting,” Whisennand said. “I didn’t really know what to expect coming in as my first year of quarterback, but we had a good, up front line and a bunch of seniors on the line that I told them at the beginning of the year they just give me some blocking, and then I do what I can with it, and they took over on the line. They got me big holes.” Elkhart, located in the far southwest corner, finished 8-3 and defeated La Crosse, 35-6, in the first round of the playoffs before falling to eventual champion Smith Center in the quarterfinals. It marked the fourth playoff victory in school history. “Elkhart I think was a very underrated team last year because they are so far out there, and a lot of teams out east don’t get to really see them,” Webster said. “And I thought they were very, very good. He was a true dual-threat, and he had really good receivers.” Hattabaugh called Whisennand “a bright kid” in the pistol option, an offense that requires a read on most plays. Hattabaugh wants his players to bench 150 percent of their body weight and squat 200 percent. Whisennand, who is on line with those numbers, rarely goes down on first contact. Whisennand credited coaches Hattabaugh and Thane O’Hair for improving his footwork and skill players, including senior wide receivers Javier Gomez and Elian Prieto. The duo combined for 34 catches for 881 yards and 10 scores. Known for his strength and relaxed demeanor, Gomez enters his third season as a starter with 57 career catches for 1,154 yards and 10 scores. “The one thing I’ve learned over the years in high school ball especially is teams tend to forget about a tight end when they are attached, so we hit Javy
Lane WHISENNAND S T A C D L WI
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continued on page 133
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THE WHISENNAND FILE Hobbies: “Hunting and hanging with friends.” Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: Steak Favorite band or musician: None Favorite pregame song: None Most memorable high school football moment: “Throwing bombs to my boys, Elian and Javier.”
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Since making the playoffs in 2015, Northern Heights has struggled. The Wildcats posted a 2-7 mark in 2016 and followed it with a 3-6 season a year ago. Heights’ three wins came against teams which combined for just four wins and in the six losses, the Wildcats scored more than one touchdown just once. Graduation claimed All-Flint Hills League lineman Michael DeWeese, who also was the team’s leading rusher with 560 yards. Starting quarterback Justin Redelfs is also gone as nine players graduated off last year’s team. The Wildcats will be young this year with just five seniors out. The good news is four of those are on the offensive line, giving Heights plenty of experience up front with Jarrett Morris and Moses Guerrero returning as starters. The other senior, Marcus Waters, will move from receiver to quarterback to replace Redelfs. He’ll have a solid target in junior end Tee Preisner, but the rest of Heights’ skill players are largely untested. Waters also is the leading returning tackler, having made 46 stops last year. The Wildcats gave up 33 points per game in 2017. Veteran coach Greg French will return to co-head coaching duties this year with Darwin Sweetman moving up from an assistant role to share the job. 3-6 in 2017 / 1-3 in districts / 1A Flint Hills League Coach: Darwin Sweetman/Greg French Assistants: N/A Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Tee Preisner, TE/LB, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Jarrett Morris, OT/ DL, 6-1, 285, Sr.; Moses Guerrero, C/DL, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Marcus Waters, QB/LB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Evan Berges, WR/FS, 5-11, 160, So.; Isiaiah Smith, RB/ LB, 5-3, 130, So.; Hunter Plankinton, WR/CB, 5-8, 130, So. Brent Maycock
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Republic County went 5-6 in 2016, the first playoff appearance for the Buffs since Belleville and Hillcrest consolidated in the mid-2000s. Neither Belleville/ Hillcrest had made the playoffs since at least ’99. RC dropped back to 0-9 last season and is now on its third head coach in three years. Well-traveled coach Faron Kraft takes over the Buffs after coaching at multiple schools, including Ness City-Dighton, Leoti, Medicine Lodge and most recently Topeka Highland Park for the last three years. Kraft is from Utica, Kan., and played football for Bethany College. Highland Park finished last year with a 34-game losing streak. The Buffs were competitive in several contests. In the first five weeks, the only game within 44 points was a 22-6 home loss to Ellsworth in Week 3. In Week 6, the Buffs had a 28-26 home defeat against Russell. In Week 7 and 9, RC fell by 19 points at EllSaline (27-8) and versus Sacred Heart (45-26). Nine starters return on both sides of the ball. RC struggled with the passing game with 29 of 89 passes for 259 yards and a 0/10 TD/INT ratio. Nick Allsman had 969 yards as a junior and 958 yards last season with nine rushing TDs. He was the lone player with more than 111 rushing yards. The top-five tacklers all graduated. “Main goal as always is to improve on year before,” Kraft said. “Ultimately we need to just get better each week and put ourselves in a position to make a run at end of season. The biggest key will be the continued improvement of our underclassmen. A lot of them got quality reps last year but with a small senior class they need to step up even more.”
0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 1A North Central Activities Association Coach: Faron Kraft (1st year; 11th overall) Assistants: N/A Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Tate Lapo, QB/DB, Jr.; Coday Dahl, QB/DB, So.; Kaleb Talkington, WR/DB, So.; Tyler Stindt, WR/LB, So.; Dan Rieke, OL/DL, Jr.; Trevor Martin, OL/DL, Jr.; Joel Benson, CPA Cormik Reynolds, OL/DL, Jr.; Jared Edwards, OL, Sr.; Jared Baxa, RB/DB, So.; Hunter Hartner, LB, Jr. Mary Benson, CPA Conor Nicholl
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Consider the 2016 a mere hiccup for the Centralia program. One of the state’s top small-school programs for the past two decades, the Panthers showed a bit of mortality in 2016, going just 1-8 as injuries, youth and a loaded schedule proved too much to overcome. What didn’t kill the Panthers only made them stronger, however. Centralia bounced back just fine in 2017, going 8-3 and reaching the Class 2-1A state quarterfinals before falling to Colgan 25-18. The only other losses came to Class 3A state champion Sabetha (28-6) and 10-1 Nemaha Central (13-0) as Centralia returned to its position of power. The Panthers reclaimed the Twin Valley League title after seeing its run of 17 straight league crowns end in 2016, a 30-22 win over Valley Heights late in the season clinching the title. That win was one of only three games where the Panthers gave up more than 20 points as Centralia allowed just 13.2 points per game and held five opponents to less than 10 points. Five starters are back from that defense, though the Panthers must replace their top-four tacklers and five first-team all-league selections. Senior lineman Derek VanDorn is tops among returners with 56 tackles and was a first-team all-league pick. He also earned first-team all-league honors on the offensive line and is one of three returners up front for a unit which averaged 35 points per game and scored at least 40 five times. Replacing spinner back Trenton Flentie witll be the biggest hole to fill after he rushed for 1,297 yards and 17 touchdowns, but junior
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Kamble Haverkamp stepped into the position as a freshman in 2016 when Flentie was hurt and last year ran for 538 yards in a complementary role. Isaac Gore added 455 yards on the ground and Noah Quigley chipped in another 276, giving veteran coach Larry Glatczak some reliable weapons. He’s also got a weapon in kicker Kenton Talley, who made 31 of 37 extra points and his only field goal attempt. One of the smallest schools playing 11-Man football, Centralia will shift to the newly formed Class 1A after the KSHSAA voted in new classification systems last year. The Panthers should be on the short list of title contenders for the class and another difficult non-district schedule which includes the likes of Colgan, Riley County, Rossville and St. Marys will prepare Centralia for a potentially deep postseason run. 8-3 in 2017 / 4-0 in districts / 1A Twin Valley League Coach: Larry Glatczak (13th year, 113-37) Assistants: Roger Holthaus, Jim Kramer, Dusty Thompson Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Derek VanDorn, OL/DE, 6-4, 280, Sr.; Daegan Steinlage, TE/DE, 6-6, 240, Sr.; Nathan Haufler, OL/ LB, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Isaac Gore, TB/LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Kamble Haverkamp, QB/CB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Kenton Talley, K, 6-0, 160, Sr. Brent Maycock
Led by its offensive line and smashmouth principles, Valley Heights posted its second straight seven-win season with a 7-2 mark. The Mustangs, though, were the odd team out in competitive District 2 with Centralia (8-3) and Jackson Heights (8-2). VH was the only 2-1A team to finish with a winning record and not make the playoffs. This year, Tony Trimble, in his 24th year overall as head coach and 14th with the Mustangs, returns plenty of talent. Last fall, Cameron Beardsley was the starting quarterback as a freshman after then-senior Bryan Yungeberg suffered multiple injuries. “Having a returning QB is always a plus even if he is just going to be a soph.,” Trimble said. “Cameron was thrown into the fire last season as a freshman and performed above expectations.” Cole Coggins was a big surprise in 2017 with more than 1,200 rushing yards. Brady Trimble will be a three-year starter and the offensive line’s leader. “A big part of Cole and Cameron’s success was because of our offensive line,” coach Trimble said. Overall, VH ranked No. 12 in the 35-team Class 2-1A in scoring defense at 22.9 points permitted and stood fifth in offense at 38.8 points per game. The Mustangs were the only one of the classification’s top-15 offenses to not make the playoffs. Trimble said keys are finding a fullback and linebacker. Trimble said the fullback especially is crucial in the triple option attack. VH lost six seniors and will likely have multiple players change positions this year. “On defense, we should be pretty solid up front and in the secondary this year,” Trimble said. “We have simplified some things on defense to help our kids have a better understanding and to play faster. We could be bigger up front than we have been in several years.”
7-2 in 2017 / 2-2 in district / 1A Twin Valley League Coach: Tony Trimble (14th year, 67-57; 24th year, 135-88) Assistants: Lew Whitson, Ron Lee Offense: Triple Option Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Brady Trimble, OL/LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Jeremy Reed, TE/DE, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Payden Yungeberg, LB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Cole Coggins, RB/DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Tyler Wagner, OL/DL, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Cameron Beardsley, QB, 6-0, 160, So.; Jackson O’Toole, DB, 5-11, 150, Conor Nicholl So. Dine-in, Carryout & Delivery
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Ell-Saline was expected to be much improved in 2017 and enjoyed a five-win improvement after backto-back 3-6 years. The Cardinals spent all season around the top-5 in 2-1A. In the season opener, EllSaline defeated Sedgwick, 31-21, at home. Sedgwick was then ranked fifth in the classification. In Week 5, the Cardinals beat Hutchinson Trinity, 14-6, at home. Week 6 yielded an odd occurrence in a road game versus Sterling. Weather wreaked havoc all across the state. E-S and Sterling started the contest but couldn’t agree on a makeup time and the game was never concluded. E-S won the HOA title with a 5-0 record, but never played Marion, which finished 5-1 in league and had lost to Sterling. In Week 8, the Cardinals escaped late with a 24-21 road win against struggling Sacred Heart in a game that clinched a playoff berth. In Week 9, E-S fell 54-0 to eventual state champion Smith Center at home. E-S won, 44-41, at Sedgwick in the first round of the playoffs, before a 27-20 double overtime home loss versus Plainville. The Cardinals graduated all-state lineman Avery Bradley but return all-state all-purpose player Nick Davenport, a second-year QB who shined on both sides of the ball. He had 920 rushing yards and 19 TDs, 1,280 passing yards and 11 TDs with 51.5 tackles and 10 TFLs on defense. “We must remain healthy, numbers will be low,” coach Terry King said. “Need to develop a backup QB, need to develop some younger lineman. We do have linemen that haven’t played much varsity ball that I do believe have the ability to become very good.” King, in his 19th year on staff, has had little staff overturn with his assistants. All four assistants are entering at least their eighth year, while Kevin Patrick and Joe Roche have been there for all 18 previous years. E-S has seven players back on offense who started part of season. “Our team goals are to spend enough time together this summer in preparation for 2019 season that we learn to play for each other as a team,” King said. “We learn that team comes first and we respect all individuals on the team, learn to become responsible and hold each other accountable. The rest will take care of itself. We have a good bunch of boys returning that have played a lot of ball together and have learned how to win.” 8-2 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 1A / Heart of America Coach: Terry King (19th year at school) Assistants: Kevin Patrick, Joe Roche, John Luddes, Brandon Toll Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Treyton Peterson, S, 6-1, 165, So.; Luke Parks, RB/DB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Owen Bradley, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Caleb Hammonds, LB, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Nick Davenport, QB/LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Sawyer Kramer, RB/DB, 5-8, 136, Sr.; Joel Came, RB/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Patrick Giersch, OL, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Reis Jennings, OL, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Clayton White, OL, 6-0, 220, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Page 131
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Elkhart
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Hillsboro
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ELKHART
Elkhart enjoyed one of its best seasons in school history last year and returns seven starters on offense and defense, including a pair of all-state players in senior quarterback Lane Whisennand and senior receiver Javier Gomez. Elkhart finished 5-2 in Hi-Plains League action and 3-0 in district. Elkhart lost at Lakin (34-18) in Week 3 and at Cimarron (306) in Week 6, both 3A league teams. The Wildcats had multiple quality wins, including at La Crosse (3020) in Week 1, and 35-6 versus the Leopards in the first round of the playoffs. Elkhart clinched the district with a Week 8 win versus rival Meade (18-15). The Wildcats fell 64-7 to eventual state champion Smith Center in the second round. From ’08-16, Elkhart was 1-8 against Meade. Since ’09, Elkhart is now 4-0 against La Crosse. The Wildcats had an average margin of 36-19. “We return a ton of talent on both sides of the ball,” coach Chris Hattabaugh said. “Schedule is favorable.” Whisennand, in his first year as the starter having never previously played quarterback at any level, completed 56 of 96 passes for 1,231 yards with a 13/5 TD/INT ratio. He rushed 220 times for 2,054 yards and 28 scores. Elkhart averaged 7.8 yards per rush and 12.6 yards per pass with just eight total turnovers. The defense forced 17 turnovers for plus-9 in turnover margin. In ’16, Elkhart had 5.4 yards per rush and 7.1 yards per pass with nine turnovers and plus-12 in turnover margin. Gomez hauled in 24 catches for 466 yards and five scores, while senior Elian Prieto tallied 10 catches for 415 yards and five TDs. Junior Chace O’Hair was second with 75 tackles and led with eight TFLs. Elkhart is 4-12 all-time in the playoffs. The quarterfinals showing was the second-best in school history behind a semifinals showing in ’93 that yielded two playoff victories. Since ’05, last year and an 8-2 mark in 2013 are the most wins in a single season for the program.
ELLIS
Ellis had 29 players in ’16 and finished 4-5. Last year, the Railroaders had a very young team with just 22 players, five seniors and more than 40 percent of the roster as freshmen. Ellis dropped back to 3-6, tied with the ’13 season for the fewest wins since ’03. The Railers have one playoff berth in the last six seasons, a 6-4 mark in ’15. This year, coach Craig Amrein, in his fourth year as head coach and 11th at his alma mater, returns his entire offensive line. Amrein expects seniors John Groff and Cade Lewis to lead the unit. Groff was listed at 6-foot-1, 312 pounds in ’17. Ellis had wins in Week 1 against Syracuse (18-12), Sublette in Week 3 (47-0) and Oakley in Week 9 (35-27). “Sophomore Konnor Pfeifer will look to be the main weapon in the backfield,” Amrein said. “On defense, Ellis will be deep in the defensive back position.” Joseph Eck graduated after he led the team with 129 rushes for 825 yards and 12 scores in his only season at quarterback after he switched from running back. Ellis struggled passing with 31 of 88 for 360 yards for a 35 percent completion and a 5/11 TD/INT ratio. Junior Zach Eck, Joseph’s brother, is expected to play quarterback this year. Bryce Younger also graduated after he had 89 rushes for 448 yards and four scores, second-most on the team. Konnor Pfeifer had a solid freshman year with 69 rushes for 301 yards and a score. Ellis returns just five of 30 receptions. The Railers had 13 turnovers and were minus-4 in turnover margin. Pfeifer had 54 tackles in ’17, thirdmost, and best among returners. Ellis has had several long-distance regular season contests the last several years, including some at neutral sites. The Railers have played Maur Hill, Valley Heights, Syracuse and Sublette, among others. This year, Ellis will play La Crosse twice, one in the regular season and again in districts. Good friends, Amrein and La Crosse coach Jon Webster coordinated it at the scheduling meeting when the teams realized they would likely have another long trip if they didn’t face each other twice. Ellis lost, 19-6, to La Crosse last year, its closest defeat of 8-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 1A the fall. The Railers finished No. 23 in the 35-team Hi-Plains League Coach: Chris Hattabaugh (3rd year, 14-7; 9th overall, classification in both offense and defense with 19.1 points scored and 34.7 points permitted. 42-34) Assistants: Thane O’Hair, Kerry Overmiller, Alan 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A Hibdon Mid-Continent League Offense: Pistol Option Defense: 4-2-5 Coach: Craig Amrein (4th year, 13-15) Returning lettermen: N/A Assistants: Jake Dreiling, Art Schoenthaler Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-4/3-5 Lane Whisennand, QB/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Javier Returning lettermen: N/A Gomez, WR/DE, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Chace O’Hair, RB/ LB, 5-11, 185, Jr.; Elian Prieto, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Auntonio Jones, DB/RB, Sr.; John Groff, OL/DL, Sage Hoskinson, WR/LB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Traquan Miller, OL/DL, 5-10, 250, Sr.; Westin Boaldin, OL/DL, Sr.; Cade Lewis, OL/ILB, Sr.; Konnor Pfeifer, FB/ 5-10, 190, Sr. OLB, So.; Jake Eck, OL, Jr.; Zach Eck, SS, Jr.; Talon Conor Nicholl Torline, OL/DL, Sr.; Landis Fischer, RB/DB, Jr. CN
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HILLSBORO
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HOLTON-JACKSON HEIGHTS
Hillsboro reached the playoffs every season from ’06-’12, including a semifinal run in ’06 and a 10-1 mark in ‘12. Since then, the Trojans have not made the playoffs. Hillsboro is 4-5, 2-7, 0-9, 3-6 and 1-8 since. Last year, Hillsboro opened with a 32-0 road win against Lyons and then struggled against the challenging Central Kansas League schedule. Hillsboro was competitive in a Week 2 home loss, 20-6, against Kingman, an eventual playoff team. In Week 6, Hillsboro fell at Haven, 14-13. In 2016, Hillsboro opened with a 35-0 victory against Lyons that ended a 12-game losing streak. The Trojans had the No. 25 SOS in the 64-team Class 3A last year, according to Prep Power Index. This year, Hillsboro drops down to the new Class 1A, District 2 with Bluestem, Marion and Olpe. “To get better every week and be prepared and playing our best football come Week 9,” coach Devin Metzinger said. “Before then we want to improve on last years record and have a winning season. Most importantly is to stay healthy. We have a number of kids we are excited about what they can do on the field for us but making sure we keep those around them healthy is important for us.” Hillsboro returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, five seniors and two juniors. Senior lineman/ linebacker Wes Shaw is the team’s most experience player as a three-year starter. When Metzinger took over the program, Hillsboro was coming off a winless year with a team that had no seniors. He grew up on a hog and cattle farm near Arkansas City and took over the Trojan program at 24. He played defensive line all four years at Southwestern College, and then coached at Bluestem as an assistant in football and track. He came to Hillsboro after Lance Sawyer went back to his hometown of Inman. “We also have a number of young guys in the freshman/sophomore range that can be of greatest importance in preparing us for Friday night and hopefully find a spot to help contribute on the field at some point in the year,” he said.
Starting six sophomores and freshmen a year ago, youth could have been a hindrance for Jackson Heights. Instead, it served the Cobras well. Very well. Heights hit the ground running, opening the season with a 68-0 rout of Maranatha and winning its first eight contests. The run wrapped up a second straight undefeated Northeast Kansas League title and included four shutouts. A 32-14 loss to Centralia in the season finale denied Heights a district title and undefeated season and the Cobras fell the following week in the first round of the playoffs to co-NEKL champion Jefferson North 36-20. Still, the 8-2 campaign was a satisfying showing for a team which broke in almost an entirely new backfield and started two freshmen and two sophomores on the offensive line. The offense averaged 37 points per game, while the defense allowed just 14 points a contest. For the second straight year, Heights’ wishbone attack will feature plenty of new faces carrying the load. Graduation claimed All-2-1A back Brady Holiday, who led the Cobras with 1,470 yards and 22 touchdowns and fellow home-run threat Sebastian Butto, leaving junior Cooper Williams as the lone returner. He started at quarterback last year, but could move to a running back spot to become Heights’ feature back. Whoever fills the remaining holes will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line which is not only experienced with three three-year starters, but also is the biggest in Caleb Wick’s seven years. All five starters are back to the unit, led by first-team all-league junior Carson Williams. Heights will compete in Class 1A this year in the new-look classification system. The Cobras have made the playoffs two of the last three seasons, and just as last year’s district was tough, so will this year’s, featuring three teams that weren’t on the schedule a year ago but whom have made deep playoff runs in recent years — Jefferson North, Lyndon and Troy.
1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 1A Central Kansas League Coach: Devin Metzinger (3rd year, 4-14) Assistants: Scott O’Hare, Dennis Boldt Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Hunter Hein, WR/LB, 5-9, 156, Jr.; Brooks Gardner, RB/LB, 5-10, 173, Sr.; Caleb Potucek, RB/LB, 5-8, 160. Jr.; Darian Ratzlaff, WR/DB, 6-1, 168, Sr.; Wes Shaw, OL/LB, 6-3, 250, Sr.; Lane Fleming, OL/DL, 5-10, 177, Sr.; Josiah Driggers, WR/DB, 6-3, 155, Sr.; Conor Nicholl
8-2 in 2017 / 3-1 in districts / 1A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Caleb Wick (7th year, 39-19) Assistants: Tobias Cowdin Offense: Wishbone Defense: 4-4 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Curtis Niehues, OG, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Lane Thomas, TE, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Carson Williams, OT, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Riley Watkins, OT, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Taylor Wamego, OG, 5-10, 250, So.; Colby Doyle, C, 5-8, 240, So.; Cooper Williams, RB, 5-6, 150, Jr. Brent Maycock
JOHNSON-STANTON COUNTY
Bret Kendrick is a 1983 Stanton County graduate and coached at his alma mater for 19 seasons, the first nine as an assistant and the last 10 as head At October’s end, Inman concluded a frustrating while Meade and Sedgwick were playoff qualifiers, coach. From ’04-12, he posted records of 6-3, 0-9 season on the gridiron. Zip ahead four months, both ending at 5-5. While Meade and Sedgwick 6-4, 8-2, 4-6, 4-6, 3-6, 10-2, 9-2 and 8-2. The 10-2 and quarterback Payton Froese, wideout Jack will still be the favorites, it is not to say a Bishop season in ’10 finished with a sub-state runner-up Doerksen, defensive end Mason Thiessen and Miege-type of dynasty is in the way of ending a showing. SC reached the quarterfinals in ’11 and had others are in the state tournament, now on the playoff drought that extends back to 2003. Inman’s its last playoff berth in ’12. hardwood. Inman’s stay in the 2A state basketball most recent winning season came in 2012 and 2013 Kendrick then stepped aside as his son, Quinn, an festivities was brief – an opening-round exit to even- with 6-3 marks. Those years were guided by Mike all-state quarterback, went to college. tual undefeated state champion Central Plains – but Vernon, now the coach a few miles southwest at Since then, SC has had three head coaches and it was a little salt and pepper to spice up their junior Hutchinson. posted records of 3-6, 0-9, 1-8, 2-7 and 3-6. David years. The Teuton faithful are anxious to see if that Bowen took the job at TMP-Marian in Hays, and taste of achievement can be the match that ignites 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 1A Kendrick, also a longtime official, missed coaching the football program. Heart of America League and again became Trojan coach. Numbers have “Our players will be fast and athletic. Throw in Coach: Lance Sawyer (3rd year, 3-15; 12th overall, varied throughout the summer, but he is looking for the fact that we are as strong as any team I have 33-67) around 30 players this year. coached, I expect that we will be as physical as any Assistants: Bill Garst, Caleb Hendricks Last year, SC scored 108 points and permitted 334. team I have had,” said Inman coach Lance Sawyer. Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Kendrick in unsure who his quarterback will be after There is benefit to having nine starters back on Returning lettermen: N/A probable starter Michael Aleman sustained an injury each side that have been through the lumps, but Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense in the summer. Five senior starters return, though, a lot of ground will need to be gained. Inman was Payton Froese, QB/DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Jack Doerksen, most will likely play a different position compared to fourth-worst in the old 2-1A format in both points WR/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Mason Thiessen, TE/DE, 6-7, last year. scored and points against. Only one loss came within 235, Sr.; Michael Bledsoe, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Seniors Jalen Tucker could be a defensive end/ Jaxon Eddy, WR/DB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Wyatt Meier, single digits. offensive tackle, John Daniels is expected to play “We get back a majority of our o-line and d-line, OL/DL, 5-9, 290, Sr.; Connor Brown, RB/DB, 6-0, center, and Cantry Williamson will be on the offensive so we will be counting on that experience paying 175, Jr.; Payton Larson, OL/DL, 5-8, 200, Jr.; Nate line. Trevor Trujillo was listed as a quarterback/ dividends,” Sawyer said. Shober, RB/DB, 5-9, 155, So. running back last year. Trayton Gerard played The Teutons have a distinctly divided four-team 1A Kyle McCaskey wide receiver/defensive back. Kendrick could see district. Inman and Sublette were winless in 2017,
INMAN
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him playing defensive back but might move him to guard because of his strength and quickness and possible ability to pull. Sophomore Rogelio Martinez, a returning starter, is expected to be on the offensive line. Juniors Gio Callejas and Austin LeBlanc both started last year, too. Stanton County will be in the lone three-team district in the 31-team Class 1A with Elkhart and Syracuse in District 8. The Trojans have a threegrade count of 109 students, sixth-most in 1A, but like many 1A teams, SC will likely have to consider eight-man football if it drops below 100 students. “I think we are going to have to visit that, and I hate to say that, because back whenever I had Quinn and that group of kids, we actually probably could have gone eight-man,” Kendrick said. “And had we gone eight-man with them, there could be a (state) ring sitting in my dresser drawer, but I don’t know with the current levels now, it’s scary.” 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A Hi-Plains League Coach: Bret Kendrick (11th year) Assistants: Steve Pittman, Aaron Sperber Offense: Multiple Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
LA CROSSE
After a 26-player roster last year, Coach Jon Webster said La Crosse is expected to have 20 players out, the Leopards’ fewest in his decade as head coach. Webster said this is his smallest team sizewise, too. La Crosse is 3-6, 5-6, and 6-4 the last three years. Last season, La Crosse finished No. 12 in the 35team Class 2-1A with 27.4 points per contest, and No. 13 in defense with 24.5 points allowed. In ’16, La Crosse scored 33 points a game and permitted 26.4 points a contest. La Crosse finished second to Plainville in district play for the second straight year and then lost, 35-6, to Elkhart in the playoffs. The Leopards opened the season with a 30-20 home defeat versus Elkhart. After a 49-7 road loss at 4A-II playoff qualifier Colby, La Crosse won six straight games, including 31-26 versus 3A’s Ellsworth in Week 3 and versus Ellis (19-6) and at Oakley (43-23). The latter two wins clinched a playoff berth. La Crosse finished 4-1 at home and 2-3 on the road. The Leopards will be in 1A, District 6 with Ellis, Plainville and Oakley – the same district La Crosse had been with 2-1A the last several years. Running back/outside linebacker Christian Suppes in the only returning senior starter. La Crosse graduated multiple three- and four-year linemen starters, including all-stater Kadin Trower, and Jacob Showalter and Kale Mongeau. Suppes finished with 103 carries for 587 yards and six scores. He was second or tied for second on the team in all three categories. Leading rusher Zak Brown (680 rush, 12 rush TDs) graduated. Webster said the team needs Suppes “to be much more consistent this year” with a couple big plays a week. “Every week knowing we can depend on him to give us anywhere from 80 to 100 yards,” Webster said. Junior Kalen Thielenhaus will likely move from the backfield to offensive line. Freshman Colby Stull, younger brother of former La Crosse Shrine Bowler Tayler, has speed and could be an offensive spark. He ran in the low 12s in the 100-meter dash in junior high. Junior Brock Brown is back after he played center last year, and junior Michael Showalter returns at quick tackle. Junior Keldon Day is back at tight end for now, but could move. Webster listed goals to limit turnovers, stay healthy and compete on every play. La Crosse had nine turnovers last season and was plus-eight in turnover margin. Two years ago, the Leopards committed 18 turnovers and was plus-three in turnover margin. La Crosse underwent significant scheduling changes from the previous two-year cycle. The Leopards’ first six games last year were Elkhart, Colby, Washington County, Ellsworth, Sublette and Stanton County, teams that are either bigger than La Crosse and/or present long trips. This year, La Crosse will play Ellis twice, once in pre-district, too. Ellis is just a 38-mile trip. The five pre-district games are at Ellinwood, at Russell, versus Republic County, versus Ellis and at Salina-Sacred Heart. All teams are 2A or below. The three road games collectively total 400 miles round-trip. Washington County, Stanton County and Elkhart were each at least 360 miles round trip for La Crosse. “We want to get better every week,” Webster said. “Our goal is to be playing the best football we can during districts and playoffs.”
LEON-BLUESTEM
Rare is the coaching search that leads to the prospect of a college coach stepping in to the program. Jeremiah Fiscus takes charge of Bluestem this season, replacing Jordan Echer, who accepted the lead role in Russell. Fiscus made pathways in the college ranks, with stops as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State and Texas Christian before latching on as offensive coordinator at Henderson State. Fiscus is a Stafford native who played center for Dodge City Community College and McPherson College. Translating college concepts to the high school level will be prudent for Fiscus as he takes over a Bluestem squad that has increased its win total each of the past two years, but has only two playoff appearances in school history. Junior Nicholas Laidler offers a bonafide playmaker to tinker with from the start. Laidler snatched 13 passes for 313 yards as a sophomore and has six career interceptions on defense. Hunter Clift will likely be the focal point on offense after surpassing 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns as a junior. All the firepower in the world is moot without a refined defensive strategy, however. Bluestem was burned for 42 points per game. The Lions were road warriors in a 3-6 season – they were 3-1 in away games, but 0-5 in friendly confines. Bluestem also learned to close out tight contests, with its three wins coming by a combined 10 points.
LYNDON
For the first time in six years, Lyndon will enter the season without a Swinehart on its roster. How well that bodes for the Tigers remains to be seen. But this much is for sure, having a Swinehart on the field has been good for Lyndon. Following in the footsteps of older brother Dawson, Dexton Swinehart was as productive of a player as there was in Class 2-1A over the past three seasons. During that span, Swinehart amassed 4,043 yards rushing, 1,097 yards receiving and 445 yards passing, accounting for 89 touchdowns. That included 1,302 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing and 854 yards and 12 touchdowns receiving a year ago on his way to All-Class 2-1A honors for the second straight year. His loss alone would be enough. But fifth-year coach Brent Hoelting may have his biggest rebuilding job yet as eight other starters each way have also graduated, including 1,500-yard passer Jamie Reed and leading tackler Mason Slusher, the latter also an All-2-1A selection. That leaves the Tigers with just two returning starters and only seven returning lettermen. Sophomore lineman Beau Baker was an honorable mention AllFlint Hills League selection both ways as a freshman a year ago and the only other returning starter is junior back-linebacker Shawn Hinck, who ran for 270 yards and three touchdowns and ranked sixth on the team with 42 tackles. A perennial playoff contender in 2-1A for the past decade, Lyndon captured its eighth straight Flint Hills 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A / Tri-Valley League League title and posted at least eight wins for the Coach: Jeremiah Fiscus (1st year) seventh straight year. The Tigers won their first eight Assistants: Joe Burgardt, Grant Bachuera, Ethan games — none closer than 13 points — before an Haworth, Wade McHone, Jacob Hernandez epic 41-33 five-overtime loss to Olpe in the district Offense: Spread Option Defense: 3-4 and regular-season finale. The season ended with a 48-6 loss to Colgan in the Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey first round of the playoffs, capping an 8-2 season. Now Class 1A after the classification system revamp, Lyndon finds itself in a loaded district with Jefferson County North, Jackson Heights and Troy. Meade started the next era after the highly successful Scott Moshier era produced a pair of state The Tigers will only face four league teams this year, titles in 2010, ’12 with semifinal showings in ’08 and missing out on facing Mission Valley, Council Grove ‘13. Longtime assistant Justin Powell, now in his 13th and Chase County. year at the school, led the Buffs to another playoff trip with a 5-5 mark. The Buffs finished 4-3 in challenging 8-2 in 2017 / 2-1 in districts /1A Flint Hills League Hi-Plains League and lost 21-0 at Plainville in the Coach: Brent Hoelting (5th year year, 34-9) first round of the playoffs. Meade is in 1A this year Assistants: Toby Baker, Todd Griffin in far-ranging District 7 with Inman, Sedgwick and Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Sublette and should contend for a playoff spot. Meade has made the playoffs every year since ’05. Returning lettermen: 7 The Buffs had a three-win dropoff from ’16 but have Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Beau Baker, OG/DT, 6-0, 225, So.; Shawn Hinck, posted a non-losing season every year since a 4-5 Brent Maycock mark in ’05. Meade opened 0-2 with an opening loss RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr. versus Hooker (Okla.), 47-7, and then fell, 30-28, at Lakin in Week 2. Meade led 28-0 at halftime. After a 49-16 victory at Southwestern Heights, Meade fell After more than a decade of deep playoff runs, 28-0 against Cimarron. Oakley went 1-8 in each of the last two seasons, The Buffs won three straight by at least 20 points including last year with first-year coach Jeff Hennick. followed by a key 18-15 district loss against Elkhart. But those hard knocks could pave the way for a Meade finished the season with a 61-8 victory versus breakout as the Plainsmen return 12 offensive and Sublette and the playoff loss versus Plainville. Meade 10 defensive starters for 2018. averaged 27.8 points a game, 11th best in the 35Oakley’s only victory was a 21-0 win versus team 2-1A, and permitted 19.7 points a contest, 10th Sublette in Week 2. Oakley struggled until the last in the classification. two weeks with closer losses against La Crosse (43Meade averaged 252 rushing yards a game in its 23) and Ellis (34-27). In 2016, Oakley’s only win was single-wing offense it used under Moshier. Tristan a 62-14 victory versus Sublette. Haynes, who has graduated, transferred in after Senior quarterback Kade Hemmert returns after he a standout career at Minneola. He was the Buffs’ completed 52 of 119 passes for 514 yards with a 3/8 quarterback and completed 43 of 100 passes for 357 TD/INT ratio. All of the rushing and receiving yards yards with a 9/8 TD/INT ratio. The top-four and five of came from non-seniors. 6-4 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 1A the top-six rushers graduated. The top four tacklers return, along with 207 of last Central Prairie League Haynes led the team with 217 carries for 957 yards year’s 225 tacklers. Last year, Oakley had 28 players Coach: Jon Webster (10th year, 75-25) and 12 scores. No returner had more than 71 rushing and just three seniors, with two of them linemen. Assistants: Chris Delimont, James Courtney, Gabe yards. All 42 of the receptions graduated. Five of the Oakley is again in a district with La Crosse, Ellis Dierksen, Derek Couch top-six tacklers graduated. Senior Gatlin Clawson and Plainville, though will be in renamed Class 1A, Offense: Veer Defense: 4-3 was third with 51 stops and 8.5 TFLs. Meade finished District 6 after the classification change. Returning lettermen: 12 plus-4 in turnover margin and forced 16 turnovers. “We hope to be disciplined and minimize our menReturning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense “Our goals for this year is to compete every night tal mistakes on the field while limiting the number of Hunter Morgan, QB/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Keldon Day, in a tough Hi-Plains League and make a run at the negative plays,” Hennick, who enjoyed a great run TE/LB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Christian Suppes, RB, 5-8, 140, playoffs,” Powell said. “With an inexperienced team, of success at his alma mater Sharon Springs, said. Sr.; Michael Showalter, OL/LB, 5-8, 195, Jr.; Brock it is crucial that we improve each and every week “We hope be physical up front on each side of the Brown, OL, 5-8, 232, Jr.; Blake Herrman, DB, 5-7, and peak at the end of our season. We have an ball, and continue to grow as a unit to compete at a 150, Jr.; Kalen Thielenhaus, DE, 6-2, 225, Jr. offensive line that we will rely heavily on throughout high level. We need to stay healthy week in and out. Conor Nicholl the year.” We also need to become better on each side of the ball while limiting our number of negative plays and 5-5 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 1A / Hi-Plains League mental mistakes. We need to trust each other on the Coach: Justin Powell (2nd year, 5-5) Assistants: Chad Rudzik, Bryan Luetters Offense: Single Wing Defense: 4-2-5 Hwy 54 West Returning lettermen: 9 Doors & Windows • Gates All building materials Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense Posts & Fence supplies Gatlin Clawson, RB/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Jarret Phone 785-852-4245 • Fax 785-852-4233 Stapleton, RB/CB, 5-7, 150, Sr.; Treven Hegwood, 620-873-5415 108 E. Second St. • PO Box 220 • Sharon Springs, KS OL/DL, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Marco Ornelas, OL/DL, 6-0, Mike and Jason Hennick • mikehennick@wbsnet.org 285, Sr.; Mason Brenner, OL/DL, 5-8, 190, Sr. CN
MEADE
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It has been 30 years since there was a question as to who the football coach was in Marion. Everyone just understood it was Grant Thierolf, coming back, year after year, the reliable old pickup truck engine that kept the program on a steady stream of conquest, navigating any speed bumps along the way. Thierolf chose to step away this past fall, leaving an incredible impression on the Warriors. Thierolf was 185-103 in his time, supervising an average of six wins per season. Marion stayed in house to fill the vacancy, promoting Thierolf’s offensive coordinator, Shaun Craft. Craft certainly created an offense that hummed, averaging just shy of 40 points per game during this past year’s 8-3 run. “We have some talented and capable athletes. It will be interesting to see if we can mold them into a team that plays with one heartbeat,” Craft said. “On offense, we return our starting quarterback. Chase Stringer took over the job last season and had a great season.” The non-district schedule allows for a learning curve in a transition year for coaches and players. Marion drops down to newly-minted 1A, opening a three-game District 2 slate at home against Hillsboro, a team the Warriors defeated in 2017. Next up is a testing road trip to 2-1A semifinalist Olpe. The swing game may be a road date at Bluestem to close the regular season, another program installing a new head coach. “We have a lot of question marks going into this season, but we believe that we have the talent to be very successful and fight for the league, district and state championship once we figure out where all the pieces fit,” Craft said. “We will have quite a few upperclassmen, but with little varsity experience.” Marion has won at least six games each of the past five years. The Warriors were the Heart of America League runner-up a season ago, behind Ell-Saline. 8-3 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 1A Heart of America League Coach: Shaun Craft (1st year) Assistants: Kyle Gfeller, Jordan Metro Offense: Multiple Formation Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Chase Stringer, QB/FS, 6-3, 180, Sr.; Evan Heidebrecht, RB/OLB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Blaine Mermis, TE/DT, 6-4, 250, Sr.; Brandon Nguyen, OG/DE, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Jarred Rahe, OC/LB, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Noah Dalrymple, CB, 6-3, 165, Sr. Kyle McCaskey
OAKLEY
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field and take care of our job on the field.” 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 1A Mid-Continent League Coach: Jeff Hennick (2nd year, 1-8; 5th year, 31-14) Assistants: Jeff Dennis, Drew Siruta, Logan Stephens, Mike Rains Offense: Option Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 22 Returning starters: 12 Offense, 10 Defense Kade Hemmert, QB/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Lane Shirley, OL/DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Morgan Rains, RB/LB, 5-11, Sr.; Preston Nollette, RB/LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Grant Kuhlman, OL/DL, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Wyatt Abell, TE/DL, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Brandon Schwarz, TE/LB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Darien Dilka, OL/DL, 5-9, 225, Sr.; Ethan Abell, RB/ DB, 5-9, 150, So.; Wyatt Glassman, OL/DL, 5-8, 230, Jr.; Dane Scheetz, TE/LB, 6-2, 180, So.; Ellis Slack, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
OLPE
Opening the season against four straight teams which wound up making the playoffs, Olpe got off to a somewhat slow start. The Eagles dropped two of their first three contests to 3A qualifiers St. Marys and Osage City and then narrowly edged 4A II qualifier Burlington 13-8 in week four. From there, however, Olpe rolled. The Eagles posted shutouts in five of their next seven games and outlasted Lyndon 41-33 in five overtimes to clinch a district title. The run finally ended in the Class 2-1A playoff semifinals with the Eagles coming within an eyelash of returning to the state championship game. A 15-12 loss to Colgan denied Olpe a shot at Smith Center in the title game, but hardly detracted from a 9-3 season. Defense carried Olpe as the Eagles allowed just 125 points in 12 games, boosted by those five shutouts. The Eagles will return five starters on that side of the ball this year, led by standout linebacker Blaine Hinrichs, who led the team with 87 tackles a year ago. The secondary will miss two-time All-2-1A selection Damon Schmidt, who also was the Eagles’ top receiver, as well as Garrett Pimple (4 interceptions). But enough returns to keep Olpe strong defensively, always a trademark of Eagle teams. So to is a punishing running game and Olpe should have that as well. Hinrichs ran for 855 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He’ll be joined by three other returning starters in the backfield, including senior slot Camden Hoelting and junior quarterback Colby Hoelting. Filling holes up front both ways will be the Eagles’ biggest question marks with just two starters back each way on the line. One of the smallest schools still playing 11-man football, Olpe finds itself in the newly formed Class 1A after the classification system overhaul in the offseason. The Eagles will have an all-new district look, joined by Bluestem, Marion and Hillsboro. The early-season slate remains strong with games against 3A Osawatomie and Burlington.
PITTSBURG-ST. MARY’S COLGAN
Shawn Seematter was one of three first-year coaches to lead a team to a state title game in his first year as head coach last fall. He joined 5A Bishop Carroll’s Dusty Trail, which paced the Golden Eagles to the state crown, and 4A-I Andale’s Dylan Schmidt, whose Indians lost to Bishop Miege. Both Trail and Schmidt had served as assistants, and Schmidt was an Andale alum. Seematter was the Halstead d-coordinator for the previous three years. He became just the third Colgan football coach since 1961 and replaced legendary Chuck Smith, who finished 343-75 with five state titles. After four straight 3A quarterfinals, Colgan dropped back down to 2-1A, reached the semifinals in ’16 and eventually lost to Smith Center, 43-7, in the ‘17 championship. Colgan opened 2-2 in always challenging CNC play against primarily bigger schools. The Panthers lost 16-0 at Galena in the season opener and defeated Frontenac, 20-0, in Week 3. Frontenac was 4A-II state runner-up. In Week 4, Colgan fell 23-8 versus Columbus. Eight straight wins followed, including Lyndon (48-6), Centralia (25-18) and Olpe (15-12) in the playoffs. Colgan had a two-win improvement from an 8-4 season in ’16. The Panthers are now fourth all-time in Kansas annals in playoff appearances (32), second in victories (84, 11 behind Silver Lake) and tied for second in runner-up finishes (eight), according to Prep Power Index archives. Overall, Colgan has seven state titles, which is in a four-way tie for eighth in state history. Last year marked the first time Colgan reached a state title game since ’10. Colgan’s last titles came in a four-year run from ’00-’03. Since then, the Panthers have been runners-up five times. Colgan leads Kansas in all-time overall winning percentage. Seematter set goals to win league, win district and state. Colgan will be a strong state title contender in 1A this year and will be in District 1 with Pleasanton, Uniontown and Yates Center. Pleasanton was a playoff qualifier in Eight-Man last year. Colgan ranked fifth in points allowed per game in the 35-team 2-1A with just 13.4 permitted. The Panthers ranked No. 10 in offense at 30.2 points scored a contest. Colgan graduated Kpreps all-state players with linebacker/running back Max Wilson (93 tackles, 1,088 rushing yards) and defensive back/tight end Jeremiah Buche (87 tackles, six INTs, 33 catches, 500 yards), but returns all-state offensive lineman Garrett Bolinger. “We will have to have another great off-season and build off of last year’s state runner-up finish,” Seematter said. “We lose eight outstanding seniors, so it will be up to this incoming senior class to take over the leadership role on and off the field, before and during the season.”
PLAINVILLE
Two years ago, the Cardinals were a huge surprise with an 11-2 season that featured wins against Smith Center in Week 1 and then again in the sub-state title game. Plainville eventually lost to Troy in the 2-1A state finale. The Cardinals had an eight-win improvement from 2015. Last year, Plainville again made a deep run to the sub-state championship. The key difference came in losses to Smith Center in Week 1 (16-7) and sub-state (51-0). Both games were in Smith Center, while in ’16 both contests against the Redmen came in Plainville. Smith Center had a dominant ’17 playoff run en route to the 2-1A state title. Plainville opened the season 0-3 with losses to SC, Norton and Phillipsburg and then won eight straight, many in blowout fashion. The Cardinals defeated TMP (24-6), Republic County (50-6), at Sacred Heart (50-0), versus Oakley (39-0), at Ellis (47-14) and versus La Crosse (49-6). In the playoffs, the Cardinals defeated Meade, 21-0, and then won at Ell-Saline, 27-20, in double overtime. Stephenson, now in his fourth year, retains veteran assistant coaches Ryan Becker and Justin Casey. He said keys are team chemistry, effort and leadership and goals are to “win our district and then work to win each game week by week after that.” The Cardinals returned just four starters but three are exceptional players. Plainville graduated standout Hayden Gillum, a Kpreps all-state offensive lineman who signed with Kansas State. Gillum led the team with 13.5 TFLs. Three of the top-four and six of the top-eight tacklers graduated. Junior Jared Casey earned Kpreps all-state honors after he had 73 tackles, seven TFLs, three INTs and a pair of fumble recoveries. Casey will enter his third year as a starter. Senior Tanner Copeland was the Kpreps 2-1A all-state kicker with 29 of 34 made extra points and four field goals. Junior dual-threat quarterback Jordan Finnesy returns after a big sophomore year. Stephenson made several offensive tweaks last fall. At the start of the year, he went no-backfield spread with a lot of jet sweeps. He incorporated Gillum and then Casey into fullback as the year progressed to spell Finnesy in the backfield. He completed 76 of 158 passes for 1,236 yards with a 10/8 TD/INT ratio. He rushed 242 times for 1,291 yards and 13 rushing scores. Casey had 74 carries and eight rushing scores – both second to Finnesy – with 354 rushing yards. He recorded his first carry in the Oakley game. Plainville will again be challenged early with games against Smith Center, Norton and Phillipsburg in the first month. The Cardinals switched to 1A but the district is the same with Ellis, La Crosse and Oakley. Plainville is again the likely favorite after posting a 6-0 record in district play the last two years with all wins by at least 33 points.
PLEASANTON
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Pleasanton enjoyed a nice improvement last year and moved from 4-5 to 6-4 and reached the Eight-Man, Division II playoffs. The Blu-Jays, with an unusual regular season schedule, ended a 12-year playoff drought with a strong fall, especially offensively. Pleasanton finished 3-1 in league play and lost to Hutchinson Central Christian (66-34) in the first round. Pleasanton was competitive in a season-opening home loss against St. Paul (32-8), the eventual Division I runner-up. After a 54-8 home victory versus MdCV in Week 2, Pleasanton played four straight road games and five of the next six away from home. That included a 1-1 record against non-KSHSAA schools. Pleasanton defeated Osceola (Mo.), 38-26, in Week 3 and lost, 64-42, to Wichita Homeschool in Week 5. After a close 44-28 loss at Waverly – an eventual 8-2 team - in Week 6 – Pleasanton posted three straight shutout wins by the 45-point margin to clinch the playoff berth. Pleasanton averaged 44.6 points a game and permitted 25.4. The year prior, the Blu-Jays tallied 31.1 a game and allowed 33.1. The 13.5-point per game offensive improvement ranked fifth-best in the eight-man ranks. Numbers-wise, Pleasanton has now had an offensive and defensive improvement each of the last four years. Two years ago, Pleasanton dropped its defense from 53.8 points allowed to 33.1, a change of 20.7 points a game, which ranked sixth among teams that played eight-man in both ’15 and ’16. This year, Pleasanton moves back up 11-Man and will be 1A, District 1 with Colgan, Uniontown and Yates Center. Pleasanton is 4-5, 1-8, 1-8, 4-5, 6-4 in the last five seasons. Pleasanton bumped to 104 students in grades 9-11, five over the eight-man cutoff. “Making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, it was a goal of ours to get back in the tournament after so long,” coach Dustin Johnson said. “Everyone worked hard in the summer and it carried over to the season. I think just dealing with real expectations for the first time with this group and it was full of highs and lows but overall the most rewarding season of my career.” 9-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in districts / 1A Pleasanton returns the McKees with quarterback/ Lyon County League linebacker Kaden and wide receiver/defensive back Coach: Chris Schmidt (12th year, 96-35) Kasen. Kaden had 1,500 passing yards with 22 Assistants: Terry Smith, Todd Robert scores and 600 rushing. He delivered 80 tackles Offense: I-backs Defense: 5-2 with three interceptions. He was honorable mention Returning lettermen: 10 all-state quarterback by the Topeka Capital-Journal Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense and first team all-league linebacker. Blaine Hinrichs, RB/LB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Camden “Kaden Mckee has taken every single snap for Hoelting, SB/DB, 5-10, 150 Sr.; Jacob Argabright, us since his freshmen year - he commands the OL, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Carter Cox, DE, 6-1, 180, Sr.; huddle and the line of scrimmage with our up tempo Jose Garcia, DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Colby Hoelting, pace,” Johnson said. “Our overall team speed (is a QB/LB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Joel Dieker, OL, 6-0, 190, Jr.; strength). We have a stable of receivers and they are Kynden Robert, RB, 5-7, 160, So. seasoned and disciplined. They get off the ball every Brent Maycock down regardless of what’s called and our defense 10-3 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 1A 8-4 in 2017 / 4-0 in district / 1A should fly to the ball.” Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League Mid-Continent League Kasen was also HM all-state by TCJ after 47 catchCoach: Shawn Seematter (2nd year, 10-3) Coach: Grant Stephenson (4th year, 22-12) es for 760 yards and 16 scores. WR/S Ben Hockmen Assistants: Brad Snow, Stuart Jeck, Clint Heffern Assistants: Ryan Becker, Justin Casey had 30 catches for 480 yards and eight scores. TE/ Offense: Option Defense: 4-4 Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2 DE Austin Ralle recorded 15 catches for 200 yards, Returning lettermen: 34 Returning lettermen: 10 along with 45 stops. NG/OT Turner Dent had 60 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense tackles with 12 sacks. RB/LB Tim Anderson recorded Cade Simmons, QB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Garrett Ryan Junkermeier, OL/DL, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Tanner 200 rushing yards with 40 tackles. Bolinger, OL/DL, 5-11, 235, Sr.; Luke Orender, OL/ Copeland, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Jared Casey, Johnson has set goals to win league, districts and OAKLEY, KS LB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Matt Lomshek, RB/DL, 6-1, RB/LB, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Jordan Finnesy, QB/DB, 6-1, get back to the playoffs. 170, Jr. 205, Sr.; Whit Dungan, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Cal 3670 US Hwy3670 40 | USTollHwy Free:40800-209-4001 | 785-672-3272 | 785-672-3272 “We always talk about no matter what happens, Marquardt, RB/LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Evan Ward, OL, Brent Maycock good or bad, we will always ‘row the boat’ forward 5-11, 190, Sr.; Conor Price, DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; and move on to the next play because we can’t Good Luck Plainsmen! Dominic Bevilacqua, RB/DL, 5-11, 225, So. CN control the past, but we can influence the future with a relentless effort,” Johnson said.
Whisennand/from page 129____________________
on a lot of stuff - crossing routes and things like that from the tight end position,” Hattabaugh said. Elkhart returned the season-opening kick against La Crosse for a score, but Gomez was called for a clipping penalty. Hattabaugh chewed Gomez for the mistake. Gomez said, “I got it, coach, we’re good.” He finished the game with four catches. “He’s brought a lot of success, a lot of confidence,” Gomez said of Hattabaugh. “He has taught us so many things, how to be successful, and just how to live life.” Later in the season, Gomez delivered a signature moment in a district-clinching 18-15 win against Meade on Oct. 20. Just before halftime, Elkhart ran a midline play. Whisennand had some pressure, Gomez found a window and caught it down on his knees. Overall, Elkhart upped its scoring average from 25.4 to 35.6 points per contest from ’16 to ’17. “I just threw the ball up, and it didn’t matter where it would be, they would either run it down or they would adjust to it,” Whisennand said of his receivers.
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6-4 in 2017 / 5-1 in district / 1A / Three Rivers League Coach: Dustin Johnson (4th year, 11-17) Assistants: Dillon Roberts, Jason Toms, Seth Gabbert, BJ Skipper Offense: Air Raid/RPO Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Kaden McKee, QB/LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Kasen McKee, WR/DB, 5-8, 140, Jr.; Ben Hockmen, WR/S, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Austin Ralle, TE/DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Turner Dent, NG/OT, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Jeb Ralle, C/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Tim Anderson, RB/LB, 5-11, 150, So. Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SALINA-SACRED HEART
Sacred Heart had a drop in record for the third straight season and has not posted a winning mark in the last four falls after many years of playoff berths. Sacred Heart last made the playoffs in ’15. The Knights missed the postseason just one year between ’99 and ’15, though just had one trip past the quarterfinals, a semifinal run in ’02. Last year, the Knights scored 21.7 points a game but permitted 41.6. The Knights stood No. 29 in defense in the 35-team Class 2-1A. Offensively, Sacred Heart ranked No. 18 in the first season under coach Garrett Galanski. In ’16, the Knights averaged 15.7 points per game but permitted just 29.9. Sacred Heart will be in 1A but will have the same district opponents as last year with Republic County, Ell-Saline, and defending 2-1A champion Smith Center. Last year, the Knights opened with a 41-20 road win against Minneapolis, and then lost 49-7 at Russell, which ended a four-game winning streak in the series. After a 40-14 home defeat versus Beloit, the Knights had more close league losses versus rival Southeast of Saline (44-41) and at Ellsworth (38-27). After big losses versus Plainville (50-0) and at Smith Center (78-0), Sacred Heart nearly pulled off a big upset and made the playoffs with a district loss to then-undefeated Ell-Saline in Week 8 last year. SH fell 28-21 in a home game. E-S took its first lead with an 11-yard scoring run with 1:48 left to play. The Knights reached the 13-yard line before time ran out. The Knights finished the season with a 45-26 road win versus Republic County. David Anderson, who has played quarterback since he was a freshman, completed 110 of 204 passes for 1,630 yards with a 13/12 TD/INT ratio. For his career, Anderson has thrown for 2,408 yards with a 16/28 TD/INT ratio. Gradauted senior Jacob Faerber had 115 rushes for 544 yards and seven scores. As a sophomore, Faerber set the school single season rushing record with 1,537 yards. He played in just seven games as a junior and recorded 531 yards. The top-two receivers return for this fall return in senior Charlie Skidmore (31 catches, 512 yards and five scores, all team-highs) and junior Mark Prendergast, who, in just three games, recorded eight catches for 264 yards and three TDs. Almost all of the yards came in the season opener against Minneapolis when he recorded seven catches for 235 yards and three TDs. Galanski set goals to finish through an entire game, limit the number of penalties per game, limit the number of points scored against us per game and win each week. Galanski said the keys will be “fighting as a single unit instead of participating as a bunch of individuals.” Seven offensive and six defensive starters return, including senior Trace Leners and junior Blaise Kaiser, who are each entering their third year as starters. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A North Central Activities Association Coach: Garrett Galanski (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Jordy Webb, Travis Adamson, Shane Richards, Michael Broome Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 30 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Trace Leners, WR/LB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Charlie Skidmore, WR/SS, 6-2, 185, Sr.; David Anderson, QB, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Ben Del Real, TE/DE, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Anders Mikkleson, OL/DL, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Gustavo Campa, OL/ DL, 6-2, 210, So.; Blaise Kaiser, OL/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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SEDGWICK
Sedgwick opened the season ranked fifth in 2-1A before a 1-4 start. However, the Cardinals recovered and continued three trends: averaging at least 30 points a game, posting an undefeated district record and falling early in the postseason. Sedgwick rolled through district play with wins of 58-7, 41-7, 43-0 and 66-0. In the first round of the playoffs, the Cardinals took another close playoff loss, 44-41, at home versus Ell-Saline. Sedgwick opened the season in a highly anticipated game with a 31-21 road defeat versus Ell-Saline. In the playoffs, Sedgwick led 24-7 late in the first half and 31-14 after three quarters before E-S standout quarterback Nick Davenport rallied the team once he returned from injury. After a 31-21 Week 2 home win versus Sterling, Sedgwick lost at Marion (38-35), versus Hutchinson Trinity (32-19) and versus Cheney (74-46). All of the losses came versus playoff teams. Sedgwick had posted a 38-3 league record from ’10-’16 before a 4-3 mark last year. Sedgwick had made the playoffs eight occasions in the last nine years and has seven straight undefeated district crowns. Sedgwick, with 12 seniors, averaged 40.1 points per game and permitted 25.4. The Cardinals have averaged at least 34.1 points per contest every season in the last decade, all but one under coach Jeff Werner, who took a one-year hiatus in ’16. Sedgwick has lost in the first round the last four years with 7-3, 9-1, 7-3 and 5-5 records. From ’11-’13, the Cardinals went a combined 30-5. “The team was young and inexperienced last year, but those excuses are gone,” Werner said. “Goals remain high, as the team expects to be competitive in both league and district play. Winning a playoff game is the main goal for this team.” Sedgwick will again be the favorite to win another district in Class 1A, District 7. The Cardinals and Meade are the head of the class, followed by Inman and Sublette. Sedgwick graduated Shrine Bowl defensive back Neal Bever and Brayden Francis, the school’s all-time leading receiver. “Replacing their production will be key,” Werner said. “New faces will need to step up and play a physical style of football in order to help our offense produce. We won’t have many players blessed with size, so knowing assignments and executing good technique will be critical. New players in key special team spots will be an area that will need to improve.” Sedgwick returns plenty on the offensive side with quarterback Hooper Schroeder and running back Colton Smith, and big play receiving threats with Cauy Root and Kale Schroeder. The offensive line has three starters back in Werner’s spread offense. Schroeder had five total scores and 359 passing yards in the playoff loss. “The defense will look to reload with LB Gannon Resnik in the middle and newcomer Gavin Fitch in the secondary,” Werner said. “Experience at QB in the spread system is always a big strength. Schroeder is a 3-year starter. In addition to experience, speed and quickness will be team strengths as well.” 5-5 in 2017 / 4-0 in district / 1A Heart of America Coach: Jeff Werner (12th year, 80-33) Assistants: Doug Mabry, Dwight Wilkes, Chris Bailey, Tim Hendrickson Offense: Spread No Huddle Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Colton Smith, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Hooper Schroeder, QB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Kade McGinn, OL/ LB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Creighton Park, OL/DL, 6-2, 220; Mason Lacey, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Kale Schroeder, WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Cauy Root, WR/DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Andrew Hoffsomer, OL/DE, 5-10, 180, Sr. CN
SMITH CENTER
Smith Center enjoyed a dominant season and rolled through 2-1A en route to the state championship, its first since 2008, the last of its five straight titles. The Redmen now have nine state titles, tied with Kapaun for second-most in state history, and one behind Lawrence for the all-time lead. SC is third all-time in playoff victories (75) trailing just Silver Lake (95) and Colgan (84), according to Prep Power Index. SC is now 9-3 all-time in state finales. SC had multiple players sign with college programs, most notably lineman Dalton Kuhn (Fort Hays). Kuhn was Top 11 all classes and named the state’s all-class defensive player of the year by multiple publications. Kuhn finished with 95 tackles and a team-high 20 for loss. Additionally, Avery Hawkins was all-state at tight end for his blocking and led the team with 102 tackles. Colton Hutchinson was a multi-year all-state defensive back and finished with 101 stops. Hawkins, Hutchinson and receiver Brett Meyer all signed with NAIA schools. SC outscored teams 659-78 and led all of Kansas in fewest points allowed per game. In the playoffs, SC won 84-7, 64-7, 51-0 and then 43-7 versus Colgan in the championship. SC will again be a state favorite in the newly formed Class 1A and will have the same district as last year with Republic County, Sacred Heart and Ell-Saline. SC has three of its first four games on the road against challenging Mid-Continent League brethren Norton, Phillipsburg and Plainville. SC’s only loss came against Phillipsburg last year, and the Redmen have lost seven in a row versus the Panthers. Seniors Ethan Peterson, Hesston Maxwell and Colby Benoit return after they combined for 23 rushing scores. All of them had between 625 and 233 rushing yards. Junior Joel Montgomery (11 TFLs) and senior Austin Hobelmann (10 TFLs) are key. “Practice hard, improve, make playoffs and see what happens,” coach Darren Sasse said of the team’s keys and goals. “We again lose a quality senior class, but, we have good experience returning. As always, staying healthy will be key to success along with underclassmen stepping up to fill the holes left by graduation. “
SUBLETTE
Lance Carter, also Sublette’s athletic director and head boys’ basketball coach, takes over as football coach for this fall from Matt Fox. The Larks have struggled in recent seasons and enter this year on a 23-game losing streak. Carter is in his fourth year at the school. “One of our main goals is trying to experience some success to build a future for this program,” Carter said. “These kids have struggled through some tough seasons. I believe we have some solid leadership to give some success. Our success will start with how good we can be up front. We have several offensive line spots open. We will have to find guys willing to work and be physical.” Sublette will be in District 7 with Inman, Meade and Sedgwick. Last year, the Larks’ closest contest was a 21-0 Week 2 road game against Oakley. Sublette scored no more than single figures in every game last fall. Sublette’s passing game delivered 278 yards on 26 percent completion with a 1/9 TD/INT ratio. Among returners, junior Dylan Watson had 48 tackles, and sophomore Brice Williamson delivered 43 stops. “We will need to be assignment sound on defense, become more physical than we have in the past, and become a great tackling team,” Carter said. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 1A Hi-Plains League Coach: Lance Carter (1st year) Assistants: Ross Coomes, Andy Short Offense: Pistol Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Dylan Watson, TE/LB, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Jaren Giesick, WR/S, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Carson Thornton, WR/CB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Brice Williamson, QB/S, 5-10, 175, So.; Reese Garetson, FB/LB, 5-11, 205, Jr.; Tyson Lundeblade, DT, 6-4, 240, Jr. Conor Nicholl
12-1 in 2017 / 3-0 in district / 1A Mid-Continent League Coach: Darren Sasse (6th year, 44-13) Assistants: Mike Rogers, Brock Hutchinson, Shawn Stansbury, Matt Haack, Kody Molzahn Offense: Wishbone Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Austin Hobelmann, OL, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Hesston Maxwell, RB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Joel Montgomery, OL, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Charlie Timmons, OL, 6-1, 220, So.; Colby Benoit, DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Ethan Peterson, LB, 5-11, 180, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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SYRACUSE
Dustin Doze replaced longtime coach John Guerrero. Doze played high school football in Brewster, Kan., and has served as a junior high assistant two seasons and a high school assistant two years in Syracuse. Last year, the Bulldogs went 3-6 for the second straight fall, though had several close losses. In Week 1, Syracuse fell at Ellis, 18-12. After a Week 2 road win, 30-6, versus Beaver, Okla., the Bulldogs lost 14-8 at Stanton County, fell 60-12 versus Elkhart and 27-7 against Meade. Syracuse won at Sublette (35-0) and Southwestern Heights (33-20). The Bulldogs took big losses against Cimarron and Lakin to end the year. Syracuse moves down to 1A, a 31-team classification. The Bulldogs are in 1A’s only three-team district in District 8 with Elkhart and Stanton County. Doze listed “get better every single day” and “senior leadership” as the keys. Because of a bye, Syracuse will play just seven regular season contests. Last season, Syracuse scored 145 points and permitted 265. The Bulldogs last reached the playoffs in ’15, the first time since ’04. Syracuse’s last winning season was a 5-4 mark in 2005. 3-6 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A Hi-Plains League Coach: Dustin Doze (1st year) Assistants: Bryce Simon, Casey Finlay, Robert VanKranenburg Offense: Wishbone Defense: 5-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Reece Hart, Sr.; Payson Hawkins, Sr.; Kaine Chavez-Buddy, Sr.; Austin Damson, Sr.; Edgar Gonzalez, Sr.; Garret Upson, Sr.; Drake Durler, Jr.; Damian Ramirez, Jr.; Juan Aguilar, Jr. Conor Nicholl
TROY
After graduating virtually every starter off its 2016 Class 2-1A state championship team, it was going to be nearly impossible for Troy to stay at that elite level in 2017. Sure enough, the Trojans got off to a 1-4 start with the lone win over an Atchison County team which went winless. But as the season continued, the new faces began to gel and Troy finished strong. The Trojans won three of their last four games, scoring at least 34 points in each contest and the lone loss coming to 10-1 Jefferson County North. The growing pains Troy endured a year ago should pay dividends this year as the Trojans look to rebound from a 4-5 season after reaching the state championship game the previous two seasons. Troy will return 16 lettermen, including 10 starters on offense and nine on defense. Senior lineman-linebacker Marcus Martinez is the only holdover starter from the 2016 title team and ranked among the team leaders in tackles a year ago. While the offense couldn’t match previous year’s numbers, the law firm pass-catch combo of Jasper and Jasper was effective enough to help the Trojans average 24.5 points per game. Kipp Jasper threw for 1,366 yards as a sophomore starter, while Reid Jasper caught 44 passes for 584 yards. Developing a running game to go with them will be a big key for this year’s offense with senior back Tysen Williams looking to fill that void. Four of five starting linemen return as well with graduation claiming Kohlbe King. The Trojans will be in one of the toughest districts in 1A with Jefferson North, Jackson Heights and Lyndon all coming off seasons in which they won at least eight games. 4-5 in 2017 / 2-2 in districts / 1A Twin Valley League Coach: Derek Jasper (6th year, 44-13) Assistants: Heath Whetstine, Cody Israel Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 10 Offense, 9 Defense Gus Collins, SS, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Brayden Wiedmer, FS, 5-7, 142, Sr.; Jacob Moore, FB/DE, 6-0, 181, Jr.; Reid Jasper, DB/WR, 5-9, 147, Sr.; Kipp Jasper, QB, 6-0, 155, Jr.; Tysen Williams, RB/DE, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Tate Smith, WR, 6-0, 177, Jr.; Dillon Wells, OL/LB, 5-8, 195, Jr.; Marcus Martinez, OL/LB, 5-8, 212, Sr.; Jacob Mott, OL/DL, 6-3, 256, SR.; Owen Root, OL/ DL, 6-2, 218, Sr.; Kendrick Jeschke, OLB, 5-9, 156, Sr.; Bray Davies, WR, 5-6, 134, So. Brent Maycock
WINCHESTER-JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH
Since Jeff Schneider took over as head coach in 2015, Jefferson North has developed into not only a consistent winner, but one of the better programs in Class 2-1A. The Chargers posted a two-win improvement from year one to year two and duplicated that feat again last year in Schneider’s third year. North ran the table in the regular season, capturing its second straight Northeast Kansas League title and returning to the playoffs for the third straight year. A hard-fought 7-0 second-round playoff loss to Olpe ended Jefferson North’s bid for an undefeated season, but the 10-1 mark was the program’s best in a couple decades. The task facing Schneider this year will replacing a big, talented senior class which has helped the program to a 24-7 record the past three years. Graduation claimed six players who earned all-league honors on offense and five on defense, including two-way first-team selections Ridge Robertson and Jacob Schrick. Only nine lettermen return, though North’s junior varsity went undefeated last season. Five of those are returning starters with the strength and depth of the time coming on the offensive and defensive lines. Senior lineman Kyle Budy was a first-team all-league selection on defense and second-team on offense, while fellow senior Caden McAfee was second-team on defense. Their experience will be key as the Chargers break in an entirely new cast of skill players. Robertson
was an All-2-1A selection after running for 1,574 yards and 27 touchdowns, while first-team all-league quarterback Boston Lane and first-team receiver Brayden Summers (411 yards, 7 TDs) also leave significant voids. Junior Logan Budy will take over for Robertson, while junior Boyd Tweed and sophomore Landon Gutschenritter will battle for the quarterback job, the loser filling another spot in the backfield. North was as balanced as you get a year ago, leading Class 2-1A in scoring in the regular season and finishing the year averaging 42 points per game. The defense was second in points allowed, giving up just 101 (9.2 per game) and allowing more than 10 just three times. Dropping to Class 1A in the new classification system, the Chargers find themselves in a district loaded with teams enoying plenty of recent success — Lyndon, Troy and Jackson Heights.
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UNIONTOWN
In 2006, Uniontown posted a 9-2 record. Then, the Eagles did not post a winning record from ’07 to ’12. Since then, the Eagles are 6-3, 6-4, 9-1, 2-7 and 4-5. Last year, Uniontown returned to the 11-Man ranks, listed just 16 players on its MaxPreps roster and played its three district games with 12-13 players total. The Eagles had multiple exciting games throughout the year. Uniontown opened the fall with a 16-13 road win against Southeast-Cherokee, then lost 36-0 to Jayhawk Linn. The Eagles had just one senior on the team. Coach Jeremy Neville is in his second year as head coach and fifth at the school. “It was truly a miraculous effort by our young men,” Neville said. “We finished every game with 11 on the field and came very close to making the playoffs.” In Week 3, Uniontown won at Northeast-Arma, 38-30, in double overtime. After two big losses, Uniontown beat Maranatha Academy (34-26) and won at Oswego (34-18). However, Uniontown fell 24-22 at home versus Yates Center in Week 8, and then lost at Colgan, 57-8. Uniontown finished third in District 4 behind Colgan and Yates Center. This year, Oswego shifts down to eight-man, and Pleasanton goes from Eight-Man, Division II to 1A. The Eagles are in District 1 with Colgan, Pleasanton and Yates Center. Uniontown is 6-15 all-time in the playoffs with its last berths in ’09, ’14 and ’15. The Eagles return seven offensive and eight defensive starters. Junior Andrew Reed has started at quarterback since his freshman year, and junior wide receiver/ defensive back Ty Davidson has started since he was a freshman. Senior wide receiver/linebacker Hayden Miller will enter his third year as a starter. Neville wants to “build on last football season” and “play up to our full potential every week and make significant improvement.” He has set goals for a league title, playoffs and a playoff run. Neville would like to see numbers increase and resume playing a JV schedule. Uniontown has not played a JV schedule since 2011, but Neville anticipates being able to do that this season. “The overall depth has to improve more than anything,” Neville said. “We will need to overcome injuries and increase our competitiveness in practices. We have a lot of areas to improve in a short amount of time. Our backfield should have some dynamic capabilities between Andrew Reed, Ty Davidson, and Hayden Miller. If we can improve our line play and add some other threats, we have a chance to compete well.”
WABAUNSEE
After banging heads with its larger Mid-East League rivals for years, Wabaunsee will no longer stay a member of the league for football. The Chargers have won only a handful of league games over the past decade, so the move will help alleviate the struggles the program has faced in trying to establish a winning culture. Injuries sabotaged Wabaunsee’s shot at following up a solid 4-5 2016 season. Leading rusher Kolby Droegemeier was lost for the season in the first game and four-year starter Riley Tubbs missed the last half of the year. It all added up to a 1-8 mark with the lone win a 12-9 victory over winless Washington County in district play. Jess Rutledge takes over as head coach, replacing Brian Henry who led the Chargers to a handful of playoff appearances during his tenure. Rutledge takes over a program which does return plenty of experience with 13 lettermen back and eight starters on each side of the ball. All five starting offensive linemen are back, but Noah Mills is the lone senior in the bunch as the Chargers started three sophomores and a freshman up front a year ago. Wabaunsee pieced together a backfield last year after the injuries, but still has to replace its most productive player, departed quarterback Chase Nelson. Even then, offense was hard to come by a year ago as the Chargers scored just 58 points all season, getting shut out three times and scoring more than 14 just once — a 50-20 loss to Valley Heights. Wabaunsee is in Class 1A under the new classification system and only faces two teams which were on the schedule a year ago — Valley Heights and Centralia. Both of those are district games as the Chargers find themselves in one of the toughest 1A districts.
1-8 in 2017 / 1-3 in districts / 1A Mid-East League Coach: Jess Rutledge (1st year) Assistants: Kolby Harris 4-5 in 2017 / 1-2 in district / 1A Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Three Rivers League Returning lettermen: 13 Coach: Jeremy Neville (2nd year, 4-5) Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Assistants: Clint Johnson, Josh Hartman, Jean Cook Tanner Imthurn, RB/LB, Sr.; Travis McCall, RB/LB, Offense: Wishbone Multiple Defense: 53 Monster SR.; Conner Brown, QB/S, SR.; Keaton Johnson, Returning lettermen: 13 OL/LB, Jr.; Adam Miller, OL/DL, So.; Noah Mills, OL/ Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense LB, Sr.; Austin Miller, OL/DL, Jr.; Jakob Schutter, OL/ Hayden Miller, RB/LB, 6-1, 171, Sr.; Nick Hathaway, DL, Jr. OL/DL, 6-0, 191, Sr.; Ty Davidson, QB/DB, 5-7, Brent Maycock 138, Jr.; Andrew Reed, RB/LB, 5-11, 171, Jr.; Kolby Martinez, OL/DL, 6-0, 298, Jr.; Drew Perry, DB, 5-6, 112, So.; Jake Harvey, DB, 6-0, 139, So.; Zach Franklin, OL/DL, 6-1, 146, So.; Ryan Harper, OL, 5-7, 148, So. Conor Nicholl
YATES CENTER
Yates Center did not win more than two games in a year from 2004-12. In ’13, Yates Center had a seven-win improvement to 7-4 and advanced to the second round of the Eight-Man, Division I playoffs. Yates Center then moved back up to 2-1A and dropped down to 0-9, 2-7, 2-7 and 3-7. The Wildcats reached the playoffs last year as the runner-up behind Pittsburg-Colgan in District 4. All three of Yates Center’s victories were close. The Wildcats defeated Northeast-Arma in Week 2 (20-14) and then at Uniontown (24-22) and versus Oswego (20-18) in Weeks 8 and 9. The latter two wins earned the Wildcats a playoff berth. In the playoffs, YC lost, 62-0, at Olpe after falling 61-0 to the Eagles in the regular season. YC went 3-0 in Three Rivers League play. In the 35-team classification, the Wildcats finished 10-1 in 2017 / 4-0 in districts / 1A No. 30 in offense and No. 32 in defense with 10.1 Northeast Kansas League points per game and 45 points allowed a contest. Coach: Jeff Schneider (4th year, 24-7) This year, YC will be in 1A, District 4 with Colgan, Assistants: James Tweed, Brett Robertson Pleasanton and Uniontown. Ryan Panko, who has Offense: Option Defense: Multiple Base previous head coaching experience at Fredonia, will Returning lettermen: 9 return eight starters on both sides of the ball. Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense “Pretty simple, we just want to get better as the Kyle Budy, DE/OL, Sr.; Cade McAfee, DE/OL, Sr.; year goes on,” Panko said. “What I mean by that is Ryan Pierson, OL/DT, Sr.; Hayden George, LB, Sr.; hopefully as the year progresses, we become more Trevor Lindsay, OL/DT, Sr.; Logan Budy, RB/LB, Jr. polished: not turning the ball over, no silly penalties, Brent Maycock not committing avoidable mistakes. While I hope
that we can do that sooner than later, I feel if we are able to overcome all of those things that we will be a tough team down the stretch.” Last year, YC listed 27 players on the roster with six seniors. Panko said staying healthy will be important. Seniors Thayne Smith (RB/LB), Quin Lowder (RB/DB), Tytan Smoot (TE/LB) and junior Trent Burton (OL/DL) are all entering at least their third year as starters. “Historically, the football numbers have been down around here in regards to number of players on the roster,” Panko said. “If we can stay healthy, get those younger kids’ skills honed, things will look up for 2018 and beyond.” 3-7 in 2017 / 2-1 in district / 1A Three Rivers League Coach: Ryan Panko (3rd year, 10-8) Assistants: Ben Wiehn, Eric Busteed Offense: Unbalanced Wing-T Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Thayne Smith, RB/LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Quin Lowder, RB/DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Zack Holmquest, OL/DL, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Cade DeWitt, OL/LB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Tytan Smoot, TE/LB, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Trent Burton, OL/DL, 5-11, 235, Jr.; Kayle Smith, QB/DB, 5-8, 145, Jr.; James Hess, RB/LB, 5-9, 145, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Hoxie 2. Victoria 3. Central Plains 4. South Central 5. Hodgeman County Others: Argonia/Attica, Burlingame, Caldwell, Clifton-Clyde, Macksville, Sedan, Solomon, Spearville, St. Francis Plains and Hoxie on the west, along with Clifton-Clyde, South Gray, Hodgeman County, St. Francis and Victoria. On the east, South Central, 9-2 the past two falls and a playoff participant the last five, is in depth-laden District 2. Solomon, in District 4, is expected to be much improved after an injury-plagued 5-4 season. CP and Hoxie enter 2018 with varying strengths. The Oilers have five straight playoff berths and finished 9-2 last year with their third straight quarterfinal loss to Spearville. Senior quarterback Myles Menges is back after a 61 percent completion rate, 1,059 yards and a 19/3 TD/INT ratio. CP returns 58 percent of its rushing yards, though did graduate its top-six tacklers. “First off, with limited numbers, we have to stay healthy to be successful,” coach Chris Steiner said. “We have to take one game at a time and we want to improve each week and win games on both sides of the football. We need our young kids and some kids that didn’t play very much last year to step up and fill some spots and create depth that was depleted by a talented graduating class.” Hoxie’s strength comes from its line with Dible, Heskett and center/nose guard Taye Washington, all entering at least their third year as starters. Junior Wylie Weems, a significant contributor on defense since his freshman year, is expected to take over for Schwarz at tailback, the classification’s offensive player of the year. Senior Jared Kennedy returns for third year as the starting quarterback. “You look at our interior guys, Taye, Colton and Jarrod, just all three of those guys have really bought into the technique, using the proper footwork, using the proper technique that we do,” Baar said. “They are still trying to improve.” South Central, which lost 30-25 at Hoxie in the quarterfinals, has arguably Kansas’ top small-school kicker in junior Gage Girk. He made 3 of 4 field goals with a long of 46 and picked off a team-high five passes as a defensive back. SC was plus-20 in turnover margin and ranked in scoring defense (9.3). Chayde Snyder returns for his third season at quarterback, and the Timberwolves bring back 55 percent of its rushing yards. The Timberwolves are in District 2 with Caldwell, ArgoniaAttica, Medicine Lodge, Udall and Oxford, all squads that had a winning record and/or made the playoffs in ’17. “As always the main goal is to stay healthy; including commitment to off season training and being physical enough to stop the power game of larger teams,” third-year coach Billy Nichols said. “We have extreme speed and we must find ways to use it to our advantage.” Solomon both scored and permitted 40.4 points per game in 2017. The Gorillas play in what is likely a more manageable district this season. Senior Braden Nielson completed 53 of 92 passes for 1,047 yards with a 19/3 TD/INT ratio and led the team with
8-MAN I
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame Eight-Man, Division I had a wildly unpredictable 2017. One of the prevailing storylines involved District 8 where Hoxie defeated Atwood and lost to St. Francis. Atwood then beat St. Francis. The trio combined for a 26-4 record in the west. In the playoffs, St. Francis lost to Spearville. In the substate title game, Hoxie defeated Spearville. On the east side, West Elk beat St. Paul to win District 1. Then, Burlingame beat WE in the postseason. St. Paul upset No. 1-ranked Burlingame in sub-state. The championship game featured Hoxie, ranked sixth in the Kpreps preseason poll, and St. Paul, which was not in the preseason top-10. “It’s just everything coming together at the right time for us last year,” Hoxie coach Lance Baar said. “It seemed like early in the season we were still playing well, but we were just having minor detail things that we weren’t doing correctly, we were missing blocks here, we were missing the hole in the backfield, we were missing the guy we were trying to throw to.” Hoxie, led by its dominant front and running back Latham Schwarz, rolled over St. Paul, 54-14. The Indians went 12-1, captured their first state football title and finished second in scoring defense with just nine points per game allowed. Atwood led the classification with 8.8 points permitted. “Just how much we dominated, not so much offensively, but defensively,” Hoxie lineman Jarrod Dible said. “Like on the line, and with the linebackers, and just how pass coverage was just dominating.” A year later, virtually all of the all-state selections, especially the skill players, have graduated. On the non-specialist side, just two Kpreps all-state picks return: Hoxie offensive lineman Colton Heskett and Central Plains defensive back Devin Ryan. St. Paul and Osborne, the Division I champion in ’13 and ’16 and a quarterfinalist last year, both drop down to Division II. The only other non-senior all-state selection, Satanta all-purpose threat Gabe Salas, moved to Division II, too. In ’16, the Kpreps Division I all-state team had 11 non-seniors on offense/defense, including six at the skill positions. In ’15, there were eight all-state non-seniors offense/defense, four at skill. In ’14, there were seven offense/defense, three skill. “One thing I really think this year, I think (2017) was a very senior-heavy, talented division,” Baar said. “All those seniors are now gone, and you have your guys that were juniors and sophomores stepping up, so it will be interesting to see.” Powers Spearville and St. Francis have new coaches for 2018. Burlingame, which has made Division I sub-state three straight years, had significant graduation losses. The Bearcats do return part-time starting quarterback Montana Giffin (16 TDs accounted for), back Seth Greenwood (1,025 rushing yards) and lineman Keller Snesrud (109 stops). Defending Division II state runner-up Hodgeman County and Caldwell (9-2 in Division II last year) both moved up. Former 11-Man teams such as Medicine Lodge and Moundridge are now in Division I. Medicine Lodge reached the 2-1A playoffs in 2017, but has long struggled in 11-Man. Eight-Man I will feature eight six-team districts with the topfour teams advancing from district play to a bracket format that will begin in Week 9. Previously, the top-two squads from each district advanced to the postseason after Week 9. The relatively wide-open class is headlined by Central
Page 137
735 rushing yards. The Gorillas bring back 63 percent of its rushing yards. Solomon was even on turnover margin. “We must stay healthy, we won’t be too deep,” coach Steve Tiernan said. “We had more injuries/sickness/poison ivy outbreaks/weed eater attacks than I’ve ever seen last season.” Far-ranging District 7 stretches from Washington County to Hill City, a distance of 176 miles. Clifton-Clyde (7-2) has virtually everyone back, including leading rusher Drake Steinbrock (714 yards) and defensive standout Nathan Ohlde (9.5 TFLs). Four of the top-six tacklers were non-seniors, sophomore quarterback Aiden Rudolph is back (6/1 TD/INT ratio) along with 95 percent of the rushing yards. Victoria has made the playoffs 15 of the last 16 seasons and went 7-3 in ’17 after a 34-24 road defeat against Burlingame. The Knights have quarterback Cooper Windholz, a rare returning starter under center for Doug Oberle, and senior lineman Jacob Schroeder. Victoria beat Central Plains in Week 1 last year. A season after the Knights allowed 31.6 points a contest, worst in the Oberle era, Victoria had a sizable improvement to just 16 points permitted, a top-15 defense in eight-man. “Improve defensively, improve tackling, improve blocking,” Oberle said of team keys. Spearville is 45-3 in the last four seasons but will have a much different look after Matt Fowler and his single wing went to Oswego. Travis Callaway, previously at Onaga, takes over and will move to the I-formation. Veteran Lancer assistants Chris Sohm and Andrew Kempke return. All-state running back Bailey Sites graduated. Quarterback Kolby Stein (72 percent completion and 14/2 TD/INT ratio) is back. Leading tacklers Carson Rich and Stein return. Spearville will be in challenging District 6 where South Gray (7-2), Ness City (5-5) and Hodgeman County (10-3) all had strong years. “The keys to this season are first how quickly the players adjust to a new offensive style,” Callaway said. “Second, we are going to need some guys to step up and fill in positions along the line. Third, with a big experienced senior class leaving we will need some guys to step up and fill that leadership void.” Spearville’s rival, Hodgeman County lost four-year starting quarterback Jacob Salmans, among several all-state players. Coach Matt Housman, who also led the Longhorns to the ’13 Division I title game, has the other two Salmans’ brothers – all-state running back Eli and Issac – returning. Isaac is expected to take over for Jacob at quarterback. St. Francis returns quarterback Brady Dinkel and running back Jordan Raby for new coach Nick Fawcett. Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered the state for more than a decade.
Dible-Heskett/from page 139____________________
every time. And so I just try to hone my technique and outwork the other guy until I break his will, and once I break his will, he’s done.” In the last few years, Hoxie’s d-linemen have improved against option offenses, including the zone read, a key play in the modern game. Before then, Baar said Hoxie’s d-linemen had “a big problem of getting upfield.” Linemen would take a first step, get hands on, and then just continue up field. Now, Baar has shifted his scheme. He wants his players to take three steps, and if they are not getting blocked, to “just sit.” The work paid off in the quarterfinals against South Central’s variety of offenses, including spread, and Spearville’s single wing in the semifinals. Hoxie defeated Spearville, 44-20, the Lancers’ fewest points and first home loss since Week 5 of 2013. “Our offensive line, defensive line dominated throughout the game,” Dible said. “We got told all week that we weren’t going to be fast enough, we weren’t going to be smart enough to be able to contain it or anything. Then, we just went out and did what we were supposed to do.”
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Colton HESKETT
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
(Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Hoxie supporters have asked head coach Lance Baar a question: Which lineman is better, Jarrod Dible or Colton Heskett? Baar can never decide between the seniors and four-year starters. “It’s a week to week thing,” Baar said. “And they are both great players.” Dible and Heskett, along with senior Taye Washington, have played on the same line since flag football. Dible stands at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, while Heskett is 6-3, 200. Known for his weight room work, Dible is considered just a little more athletic than Heskett. He has played tight end and guard. Heskett has always started at guard and was the only non-senior named to the Kpreps Eight-Man, Division I all-state offensive team last year. Heskett’s greatest strength is continually asking questions and fixing his weaknesses. If Baar doesn’t say anything to Heskett in a Monday film session, Heskett will ask coach for critiquing. “He wants to do everything right,” Dible said. “And that’s how our whole team is, we all want to do it right, but then he’s the only one that’s man enough to sit up and ask what he did wrong.” The 6-5, 315-pound Washington, a starter since his sophomore season, has anchored the line at center and nose guard. Defensively, Heskett and Dible start at end. Last year, the trio combined for 201 tackles, 52 for loss. In 2017, they helped Hoxie to a 12-1 season and the Division I state title, the first in school history. The Indians overwhelmed St. Paul, 54-14, in the finals. Before the contest, St. Paul coach Keith Wiatrak said Hoxie’s size “was like scouting a small juco team.” “They had all the tools,” Wallace County coach Kevin Ayers said. “They had everything in place. You really struggled breaking them down on film to find a weakness – a kid you maybe thought you get some things against.” Hoxie switched to eight-man football in 2010 and has now posted eight straight winning seasons, all under Baar. The Indians have continually improved their scoring defense, going from 23.7 to 22.2 to 21.0 to 19 points allowed in a 10-2 mark in 2013, Baar’s best mark before last season. In the last four years, Hoxie has permitted 16.7, 14.5, 19.3 and nine points a contest. “Baar has really started a great tradition there,” Heskett said. “And it’s just family, a lot of past players come back and watch and support us.” Heskett developed his questioning and easily accepting criticism from his father. Heskett’s family farms near Hoxie, where he started to work on the farm at very young age. He enjoys farming and seeing his hard work pay off, traits that, in his eyes, carry over to football. “My dad always told me, ‘Ask questions so you don’t mess up out here or get yourself hurt,’” Heskett said. Dible started to lift because he was inspired by his older brother, Steven Yergey-Dible, a solid player who graduated from Hoxie in 2013. Jarrod wanted to get stronger and began lifting his freshman year. He has maxes of 300 in clean, 225 in bench and 420 in squat. “I’ve just loved being in there,” Dible said of the weight room. “It gets me hyped. I like just being able to go in there, talk with our coach, talk with our team and just lift.” Baar, a former college football player at Tabor College, coaches the Hoxie lines, too. He preaches the proper THE DIBLE FILE technique and breaks line intricacies down to one-step progressions. Last year, the line helped Latham Schwarz Hobbies: “Other sports and hanging out with friends.” rush for 1,718 yards and gain classificaFavorite subject: Math tion offensive player of the year. Favorite food: “Any food honestly.” “Baar, everyday in practice, we do steps Favorite rapper: Lil Wayne and punches everyday, and that’s really Favorite pregame song: helped me getting off of the ball faster,” “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC Heskett said. “And I come up against a Most memorable high school football moment: “Seeing the final seconds tick off of the scoreboard at bigger guy than me, that’s bigger and the state championship game.” tougher, technique will beat strength continued on page 138
Jarrod DIBLE
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INDIANS
INDIANS SKETT, COLTON HE
LE, JARROD DIB
, SR.
XIE OG/DE, HO
, SR.
, HOXIE TE/OG/DE
THE HESKETT FILE Hobbies: “Work, other sports and hang out with friends.” Favorite subject: Woods, Lunch, History Favorite food: Steak Favorite band: “I don’t have a favorite.” Favorite pregame song: “Appalachian State’s Pump Up” Most memorable high school football moment: “Winning state.”
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ATTICA/ARGONIA
Argonia-Attica continued to post another strong season but saw its three-year playoff streak end. The Titans finished 12-1 in ’14 and ’15 and took Eight-Man, Division II runner-up honors to Victoria both seasons. In ’16, A-A went 7-3 and lost to Central Plains in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, A-A opened with a 38-20 home win against Central-Burden, an eventual district champion. Then, the Titans lost 38-20 at Caldwell. After a 46-point win at Flinthills, A-A defeated South Barber, 34-30, an eventual 9-2 team and also another undefeated district champion. Three more victories followed by at least 36 points. In the last two weeks, A-A lost 42-22 to Macksville and 49-0 at South Central in a pair of key district games. The Titans finished third in District 6 and missed the postseason. Senior Masen McDaniel, one of eight-man’s top players, is a returning starter along the line and is expected to play some at fullback this season. He led the squad with 111 tackles, 44 more than any other player. He has 224 stops in his career. A-A had some struggles in the passing game (42 percent, 13/16 TD/INT ratio) and will need to find a new quarterback this year after Trevor Pierce graduated. Pierce also led the team with 606 rushing yards. However, the second through fifth leading rushers are back, led by junior Mason Miller (81 carries, 474 yards, team-best eight receiving TDs). Senior Blake Harnden and Miller played a key role in all three phases with Titans-best 883 and 871 all-purpose yards, respectively. Harnden, McDaniel, senior Ezra Goodman and Miller are all entering at least their third year as starters. The Titans had 28 turnovers and finished minus-6 in turnover margin. In ’16, A-A was minus-10 in turnover margin after plus-20 in ’15. “To get better each week and put ourselves in position to compete for a district championship,” coach Luke Greenwood said of team goals. “We will need our seniors to step up and become the leaders of the team. We will also have to find the packages that best fit our personnel.”
ATWOOD-RAWLINS COUNTY
Atwood was the best statistical defense in eightman football and lost just one game to the eventual state champions on the road – but still missed the playoffs. Atwood, titlist Hoxie and St. Francis, which was ranked No. 1 some of the year, led Division I, District 8 in a three-team race. This was one of the prevailing stories of the 2017 football season. In Week 4, Atwood lost 22-6 at Hoxie. In Week 5, Atwood had a bye, and Hoxie fell 16-8 at St. Francis. The following week, Atwood defeated SF, 40-32, on the road in the Yoke Bowl rivalry. It remains St. Francis’ only regular season loss in three years. Because of the tiebreakers, the Buffs were left out of the playoffs as Hoxie went 12-1 and SF finished 7-2. Hoxie was plus-92 in district play, SF was plus-84 and Atwood was plus-76. Since ’08, Sedan in ’16 and Atwood last year are the only two eight-man teams to lose just one game and not make the playoffs. Those three teams all finished in the top-eight in eight-man football in scoring defense. The Buffs allowed 8.8 points per game, while Hoxie was second at nine points permitted per contest. SF stood eighth at 12 points allowed. Atwood averaged 45.8 points per contest, just outside of the top-15 in eight-man scoring offense. The year prior, the Buffs went 7-2 and fell, 52-6, to Spearville in the first round of the playoffs. Atwood made the playoffs every year from ’05-’10 and ’13-’16 and lost in the first round each year. Sophomore Cyrus Green is the only returning starter, though several non-seniors are expected to play key roles, including juniors Henry Kastens, Dominique Cassaw and Anthony Koel and sophomore Travis Chvatal. Quarterback Maverick Green, a multi-year starter under center, graduated after he contributed 26 total scores with 828 passing yards and 953 rushing yards. Atwood will again play in District 8 with Hoxie and St. Francis. “To build off the successes that have occurred in the past and continue to get better everyday,” coach Matt Smith said. “As long as we control the things we have control over, do our jobs and control the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. 6-3 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man I We need to continue to work hard in the weight South Central Border League room. We need to avoid injuries and play mistake Coach: Luke Greenwood/Lance Vandeveer (5th year, free football. If we control the factors we have control 42-12; 9th year, 59-31) over, we let the big things fall into place.” Assistants: Monte Miller, Monte Haxton Offense: Pistol Defense: 3-3 7-1 in 2017 / 5-1 in district / 8-Man I Returning lettermen: 10 Northwest Kansas League Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Coach: Matt Smith (3rd year, 14-3; 17th overall) Blake Harnden, WR/RB/DB, 6-0, 145, Sr.; Masen Assistants: Matt Green, Andrew Melia McDaniel, OL/FB/DL, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Ezra Goodman, Offense: Pistol Defense: 35/32 TE/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Michael Vandeveer, TE/DE, Returning lettermen: 8 5-11, 175, Sr.; Brady Bohrer, OL/DL, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Returning starters: 1 Offense, 1 Defense Mason Miller, RB/DB, 5-9, 175, Jr. Conor Nicholl Cyrus Green, FB/LB, 6-0, 200, So. Conor Nicholl
BURLINGAME
Coming off a third straight 11-1 season, one would think Burlingame has little left to prove as it enters the 2018 season. Under Jeff Slater’s watch, the Bearcat program has become one of the best in eight-man football, reaching the state semifinals each of the last three seasons. Yet, Slater and the rest of Kansas is somewhat eager to see if the winning culture has truly taken hold in Burlingame, or if the program was merely riding the talents of an exceptional senior class which posted a 39-6 overall mark during their four years. Their departure leaves Burlingame some major holes to fill this season. Graduation claimed 11 players who earned All-Lyon County League honors of some kind, including two-way first-teamers Tristan Lee and Colton Noonan. Lee was a two-time firstteam All-Eight-Man Division I selection as well and was a four-year starter, anchoring the offensive and defensive lines. The cupboard is hardly bare, and though Burlingame only returns three starters, Slater couldn’t ask for a much better nucleus to build around. Senior running back Seth Greenwood emerged in a big way last year, rushing for 1,025 yards and 22 touchdowns, including a 177-yard, 5-touchdown game in a playoff win over West Elk. He’s joined in the backfield by senior quarterback Montana Giffin, who stepped in for injured starter Dalton
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Sporing a year ago and threw for 738 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior lineman Keller Snesrud is the only other returning starter and was a first-team all-league selection on the defensive line a year ago. He ranked second to Lee in tackles a year ago with 109 stops, including 11 for loss. Greenwood added 59 tackles and Giffin had 48 on a defense which posted seven shutouts and allowed just 129 points all season. About the only thing missing from Burlingame’s résumé in recent years is a trip to the state championship game. The Bearcats have fallen in the Eight-Man Division I state semifinals each of the last three years with last year’s loss arguably the most heartbreaking. Up 34-20 on St. Paul with 10 minutes left in the semifinal contest, Burlingame saw the Indians score the final 23 points of the game to rally for a 43-34 victory. The crushing loss denied the Bearcats their first trip to the state finals since winning the 1972 1A state championship. Burlingame’s quest to end that drought has a much different path this season. Burlingame only faces three teams it saw a year ago and eight-man newcomers Chase County and Maranatha joined the Bearcats’ district.
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BENNINGTON
Bennington enjoyed a four-win improvement last year from 2-7 to 6-3, which tied for third-best in all of eight-man football. The Bulldogs opened 5-0 and then lost three straight in highly competitive District 4. Osborne won the district at 5-0, while Victoria was second at 4-1, and Logan-Palco, Bennington and Solomon went 2-3. All five teams finished the year with winning records. Bennington defeated Little River, an eventual playoff team 42-20, in a Week 2 road game. In district play, Bennington beat Lincoln, 54-6, then fell 48-14 at Victoria in a game moved to Saturday afternoon because of storms. After a 68-62 home loss to Solomon, Bennington lost 32-16 at Osborne before ending the season with a 34-32 home victory versus Logan-Palco. Bennington is now 5-4, 5-4, 2-7 and 6-3 in the last four years. The Bulldogs have again dropped back to the eight-man ranks in the last two seasons. Bennington averaged 43.6 points per contest and permitted 25.8. The Bulldogs improved their offense by 7.6 points per game from 2016 and permitted 26.9 fewer points per contest. The defensive improvement was the second-best in all of eight-man football, trailing only Northern Valley (32.8). The big difference came from assistant Jay Macy, who now takes over as head coach after David Gillett departed after three years. Macy coached Bennington to multiple successful falls, including an Eight-Man, Division I runner-up finish in 1994, still the best finish in school annals. Macy served as principal at Bennington and Minneapolis, then retired from education and was selling insurance. He wanted to return to coaching and talked to Bennington athletic director Jason Feil in May 2017 at church. Macy switched the defense from a 3-3/3-4 look in ’16 to 3-5 last year, a rare defense for an eight-man team. In ’16, Bennington averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 167 rushing yards a game with 69 percent of its snaps coming on the ground. Last year, the Bulldogs averaged 5.5 yards per carry, 227 rushing yards a game and ran the ball on 83 percent of snaps. JJ Allen graduated after an all-state season with 1,345 rushing yards and 28 total scores. Younger brother Javon, one of the state’s fastest return men, will likely take on an expanded role as a junior. Seniors Layne Wilton and JT Ohlson are back after finishing 1-2 in tackles with 77 and 74, respectively. Senior linebacker Clayton Gish returns after he suffered a knee injury in Week 1. Macy set goals to make the playoffs out of District 4 with Canton-Galva, Herington, Peabody-Burns and Solomon. 6-3 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I Heart of America Coach: Jay Macy (1st year) Assistants: Bryan Shamburg, Storm Myer Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 9 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 5 Defense JT Ohlson, RB/LB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Layne Wilton, RB/ LB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Clayton Gish, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Tyler Stanley, DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Javon Allen, TE/DB, 5-11, 166, Jr. Conor Nicholl
BURDEN-CENTRAL
Burden – the name of the community home to Central High School – is also a description of their football schedule. It is not wrong to point out that Central needs to jump to a quicker start after beginning 0-5 in 2016 and 0-4 in 2017. It is also easier said than done. The Raiders faced seven teams that finished .500 or better in 2017 on their way to a 5-5 mark. The first four weeks of this year did not order any cupcakes from the bakery, either – Oxford, Attica-Argonia, Udall and West Elk combined for 26 wins. On the bright side, the exhausting first half of the season seemed to prepare Central-Burden for district play. The Raiders charged forward to run out the regular season with five consecutive triumphs and a district title. Burden sputtered in the opening round of the playoffs against eventual 8-Man-Division I runner-up St. Paul, but the extra week of game prep and experience should benefit the Raiders’ returners. “We look to build off of last year’s success,” coach Anthony Blair said. “We have a good group of seniors returning that are looking to make the playoffs and make a run this year. Another goal is to have a winning record. Last year we were .500, so we look to improve on that.” The Raiders can rely on size that few 8-Man programs are blessed with. Linemen Payton Edwards and Jonathon Hood check in at 285 and 245 pounds, respectively, while Tanner Groene and Hayden Powell are two 6-foot targets at tight end. Bruising pinball Clayton Cook shoves 225 pounds of muscle at opposing defenders coming out of the backfield. “Our senior leaders will be key to our success,” Blair said. “Also limiting mental mistakes throughout the course of the year will be essential.” Central-Burden has ridden up-and-down seasons the past decade, with seven-or-more victories five times but three-or-fewer four times. The 2017 campaign split the difference. The Raiders were a quarterfinalist as recently as 2015. 5-5 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Anthony Blair (5th year, 18-21; 9th overall, 42-36) Assistants: Gregg Mettling, Leland Hill Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 16 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Tanner Groene, TE/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Jonathon Hood, OL, 5-10, 245, Sr.; Jacob Haws, CB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Clayton Cook, FB/DE, 6-1, 225, Sr.; Hayden Powell, TE, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Payton Edwards, OL/DL, 6-4, 285, Sr. Kyle McCaskey
CALDWELL
Caldwell enjoyed another strong year in Eight-Man, Division II and will move to Division I this season. The Bluejays finished 7-2 in ’16 but missed the playoffs. Last year, Caldwell improved to 9-2 after an 8-0 start. The Bluejays again fell to Hutchinson Central Christian in Week 9 for the second straight year, this time by a 74-28 margin. Caldwell won at Waverly, 42-34, in the first round of the playoffs before a 58-12 home loss against two-time defending state champion Hanover in the second round. Caldwell has recently reached the quarterfinals in ’09, ’10, ’12, ’15, and ’17 and also made the playoffs in ’14. Caldwell will be in District 2 with ArgoniaAttica, South Central, Medicine Lodge, Oxford and Udall. All the teams either made the playoffs and/or finished above .500 last year, including a 9-2 mark from South Central. “Our team goal for the 2018 season is to continue to improve each week and build the best football team we can,” coach Sean Blosser said. “We jump up to Division 1 this year and are excited about the opportunity to play different teams.” 11-1 in 2017 / 6-0 in districts / 8-Man I Caldwell finished 12th in eight man with 47.6 points Lyon County League per game. The Bluejays permitted 22.4 points per Coach: Jeff Slater (5th year, 39-6) contest. The Bluejays have averaged at least 39.8 Assistants: Eric West, Nick Brungardt points per contest in the last four seasons. Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 Senior end/linebacker Jalen Risley is one of Returning lettermen: 11 eight-man’s top returning players. He earned Kpreps Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense all-state honors with 41 catches for 812 yards and 13 Montana Giffin, QB/DB, 6-3, 170, Sr.; Seth Greenwood, RB/LB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Keller Snesrud, scores. Dakota Volavka, a running back/defensive OL/DL, 6-3, 275, Sr. Brent Maycock back, graduated after he played in the Kansas eightman all-star game. He had 123 carries for 818 yards
and 10 rushing scores. “The key to our success will be younger players stepping up and filling a couple key roles,” Blosser said. “We graduate 2-3 starters on each side of the ball and need players to fill these positions. Due to injuries a couple players have had starting experience at the positions.” 9-2 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Sean Blosser (7th year, 43-27) Assistants: Jason McVeigh, Randy Sawyer Offense: Spread Option Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Jalen Risley, TE/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Corbin Rice, QB/ DB, 6-1, 165, Sr.; Dylan Schmidt, OL/DE, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Kolbe Muns, OL, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Marshall Ward, 6-1, 170, OL; Dru Volavka, WR/DB, 5-10, 150, So.; Colby Lee, LB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Trey Strand, DE, 6-0, 175, So. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
CANTON-GALVA
The schedule is challenging but manageable, there is continuity in the coaching ranks and several starters return – even if there is no senior among them. All tallied, this could be a fruitful two-year stretch upcoming for Canton-Galva. The Eagles come off a 4-5 season, the first under alumnus Shelby Hoppes, with six starters back on both sides of the ball. That crop is led by quarterback and defensive back Landon Everett, a junior coming off honorable mention Wheat State League recognition. The defensive line offers a veteran presence, with four returnees that saw time. That will be a focal point for a squad that rode highs and lows – the defense held three opponents to six points or less, but five managed to surpass 50. Canton-Galva is hungry for a postseason berth. Its most recent came in 2007, ending a streak of four appearances in a row. The district shuffle may aid that pursuit, pulling the Eagles out of a loop that previously included Central Plains and Little River. Coincidentally, every team coming from 8-Man Division I’s District 4 will be looking to quench a playoff drought, as none of the six schools were playoff qualifiers. Bennington (6-3) and Solomon (5-4) come off winning campaigns. Peabody and Goessel, both 2-7, were handed defeats by Canton-Galva this past season. Herington (3-6) rounds out the group. The Eagles have familiarity with most of the group, but Bennington and Herington are mostly unknowns to their schedule. The Eagles’ deepest playoff spurts came with state runner-up showings in 1979 and 1991. Their most recent seasons above .500 were back-toback 5-4 marks in 2013 and 2014. 4-5 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I Wheat State League Coach: Shelby Hoppes (2nd year, 4-5) Assistants: Tyler O’Connor, Ted Regehr Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Landon Everett, QB/DB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Nick Pearson, OL/DL, 5-9, 215, Jr.; Jay Nightingale, OL/DL, 5-9, 230, Jr.; Kinser Colgin, WR/DB, 6-0, 155, Jr.; Mason Reedy, OL/DL, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Brandon Huff, OL/LB, 5-10, 160, So.; Tyler Rummel, OL/DL, 5-10, 180, So. Kyle McCaskey
CEDAR VALE/DEXTER
Bouncing off a 4-5 campaign and mixing back in several reliable parts, Cedar Vale/Dexter will hope to thrust itself into the postseason conversation in 8-Man Division-I’s District 1. The road certainly has some barricades in the way. West Elk comes off an extended playoff stay, and Central-Burden was a qualifier. Additionally, Sedan comes off a six-win season. For the rest of the district, Oswego drops down from the now-defunct 2-1A, while Flinthills was winless in 2017. All but Oswego are South Central Border League rivals for the Spartans. Cedar Vale/Dexter has two playoff berths as a collective, coming in 2010 and 2014. Separately, the schools have a combined 21 more appearances, including four semifinal trips. The run game is in good hands, starting with junior burner Braiden Mattocks, who showed off a penchant for the end zone. Senior Jasper Young offers a change of pace back for a two-headed attack. Clayton Henderson is likely to slot in at quarterback after making strides in his sophomore season. Henderson and Young will be called upon to solidify the other side of the ball. There were blips of gains made on defense, but it was never consistent. Six times opponents dropped more than 40 points on the Spartans, though they were able to turn one of those high-scoring affairs into a victory.
Central Plains opened last season as the No. 1 team in Eight-Man, Division I. The Oilers opened with a 34-8 home loss versus conference rival Victoria. Then, CP won nine in a row by at least 24 points and again rolled through district play. The Oilers had five shutouts in the regular season. In the first round, the Oilers defeated Macksville, 58-12, before a heart-breaking 32-28 road loss against Spearville in the second round of the playoffs that came down to the game’s final offensive play. Spearville scored with one second to go on a quick out pass at the seven-yard line from Kolby Stein to Waylon Strecker. CP took a 28-26 lead with 62 seconds left. Spearville converted a 4th-and-7 from its own 18-yard line that helped lead to the final score. CP won the state title in ’14 with a second-round playoff win versus Spearville, and then lost in the second round to Spearville in each of the last three years. CP is 9-2, 13-0, 9-2, 10-1 and 9-2 in the last five years. The Oilers have captured five straight undefeated district titles. Of the seven losses, three apiece are against Spearville and Victoria. CP finished the season fifth in the final Kpreps poll for the second straight year. Senior quarterback Myles Menges completed 57 of 94 passes for 1,059 yards with a 19/3 TD/INT ratio. Senior Alex Hickel had 67 carries for 580 yards for 16 TDs in nine games; the latter two statistics led the team. All-state wide receiver Alex Barton graduated after 23 catches for 506 yards and nine TDs. CP had nine offensive turnovers and was plus-10 in turnover margin. Steiner called the Central Prairie League “very competitive” and said the goals are to win the district 4-5 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I and “try to make another deep run” in the playoffs. South Central Border League CP tied for tenth in eight-man offense at 48 points a Coach: Richard Artherton (4th year, 12-15) contest and was fifth in defense with just 11.1 points Assistants: N/A allowed per game. Offense: N/A Defense: N/A “First off with limited numbers we have to stay Returning lettermen: N/A healthy to be successful,” Steiner said. “We have Returning starters: N/A to take one game at a time and we want to improve Kyle McCaskey each week and win games on both sides of the football. We need our young kids and some kids that didn’t play very much last year to step up and fill some spots and create depth that was depleted by a talented graduating class.”
COLDWATER-SOUTH CENTRAL
South Central has made the playoffs for the last five years. The Timberwolves are 8-2, 6-4, 8-2, 9-2 and 9-2 in that span. Last year, the T-Wolves had significant defensive improvement. In ’16, SC scored 39.9 points a contest and permitted 23.8. Last year, SC scored 41.2 and allowed 9.3. The T-Wolves ranked as the third-best scoring defense in eight-man football, trailing only Atwood (8.8) and state champion Hoxie (9.0). Its 14.5-point per game defensive improvement stood ninth-best in eight-man football. Additionally, SC had one of the season’s top moments in Week 3 with a 53-6 home win against Ingalls. In a special moment for the team and community, longtime team manager Zach Jellison, who has spina bifida, scored a one-yard touchdown in his wheelchair. In Week 4, SC fell, 30-27, at home against Hodgeman County, the eventual Division II runner-up. SC then earned a critical road district win, 23-16, at Macksville the following week. After three straight shutouts, SC had its fourth consecutive shutout with a 49-0 victory against Argonia-Attica to clinch the district title. The T-Wolves beat Little River, 27-20, in the first round of the playoffs. Nichols changed his offense to the spread for the second round at Hoxie facing the Indians’ big line. SC led Hoxie, 19-6, before the Indians came back to win, 30-25. The T-Wolves have now won playoff contests in ’04, ’07 and the last two years since Coldwater and Protection consolidated but have not surpassed the quarterfinals. Junior Chayde Snyder returns for his third year as the main quarterback after he completed 47 of 75 passes for 637 yards with a 14/4 TD/INT ratio. SC returns 55 percent of its rushing yards. Snyder was second with 568 yards and led with 16 rushing scores. Senior Ethan Jellison and sophomore Jonny Robles combined for 29 carries for 309 yards and six scores. Each averaged more than 10 yards an attempt. SC committed just 11 turnovers and was plus-20 in turnover margin. Junior Gage Girk led the team with
CLAFLIN-CENTRAL PLAINS
five interceptions and was Kansas’ top eight-man kicker. He converted 17 of 25 extra points and 3 of 4 field goals. His three field goals came from 45, 46 and 44 yards. He tied for fourth nationally among eight-man kickers in field goals made, according to MaxPreps. The 46-yarder, key in the Macksville win, is believed to be the nation’s longest eight-man field goal in 2017. Three of the top-four tacklers graduated, though No. 2 tackler Ethan Jellison returns after 81 stops. Junior Eli Jellison has posted 10.97 in the 100 meters and is 187 pounds. He has been hampered by injuries in the past but is expected to see significant carries this year. Seniors Ethan Jellison, Andrew Erickson and Christian Hess will be counted on as blockers and freshmen Owen Herd and Kayden Bond were impressive in camp. SC will be in District 2 with Argonia-Attica, Caldwell, Medicine Lodge, Oxford and Udall, all teams that won at least six games and/ or made the playoffs last year. “Start believing in ourselves more,” coach Nichols said of keys. “But may be quite a step because we graduated a lot of speed and strength from last year’s team. As always the main goal is to stay healthy; including commitment to off season training and being physical enough to stop the power game of larger teams. We have extreme speed and we must find ways to use it to our advantage.”
9-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I Central Prairie League Coach: Chris Steiner (8th year, 63-14; 9th overall, 64-22) Assistants: Dustin Robison, Bryce Steiner Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Myles Menges, QB, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Alex Hickel, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Devin Ryan, CB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Mason Doll, OL/DL, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Brett Liebl, TE/DE, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Jerred Bieberle, LB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Conor Nicholl
CLIFTON-CLYDE
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The 2017 season had a pretty familiar feel to it for Clifton-Clyde. Eerily familiar. In 2016, the Eagles went 8-2 with their only losses coming to Burlingame and Osborne. In 2017, the Eagles went 8-2 with their only two losses coming to Burlingame and Osborne. In all seven wins (Clifton-Clyde received a forfeit win), the Eagles scored at least 46 points and only once did they give up more than a touchdown. Clifton-Clyde posted four shutouts and allowed just 150 points total, 112 of those in the losses to Burlingame (48-0) and Osborne (64-14). With its entire backfield back from an offense that averaged 44.3 points per game, Clifton-Clyde has the firepower to go after its goal of winning 10 or more games and making a run at the program’s first title since the consolidation of Clifton and Clyde, each of whom captured championships. Senior Drake Steinbrock ran for a team-high 723 yards and 18 touchdowns, while quarterback Aiden Rudolph (346 yards, 5 TDs) and Christian Seifert (267 yards, 5 TDs) were solid complements who should post even bigger numbers this year. Rudolph also threw for 330 yards and six scores and returns his top-two targets in senior end Nathan Ohlde (155 yards, 5 TDs) and Seifert (131 yards). They key for Clifton-Clyde’s success in 2017 will be determined by how well new-look offensive and defensive lines mesh. Senior Skylar Robbins is the only returning starter on offense while Ohlde was a first-team All-Twin Valley League pick defensively after ranking third on the team in tackles with 59 and making a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss. Rebuilding a linebacking corps that graduated both starters is a priority, though Steinbrock will move from the secondary to that unit after making 41 tackles last year. The road back to the playoffs takes on a much different look this year as the Eagles only face one team on this year’s schedule they saw last year, Valley Falls in week two. Clifton-Clyde gets its first look at league foe Wetmore and then heads west for district play against Hill City, Lincoln, Stockton, Victoria and Washington County with Washington County a league foe dropping to eight-man for the first time this year. 8-2 in 2017 / 5-1 in districts / 8-Man I Twin Valley League Coach: Russ Steinbrock (18th year, 102-51) Assistants: Ryan Baxter, Rocky Fahey Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 9 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Drake Steinbrock, RB/DB/LB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Skylar Robbins, OL/DL, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Aiden Rudolph, QB/ DB, 5-11, 170, So.; Christian Seifert, RB/WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Brant Douglas, WR/DB, 5-10, 155, SR.; Nathan Ohlde, TE/DE, 6-1, 210, Sr. Brent Maycock
COTTONWOOD FALLS-CHASE COUNTY
Chase County went 6-3 in 2016 with an average score of 28-13. The Bulldogs had stood fourth in the classification in scoring defense, trailing only Smith Center, Plainville and Meade. CC narrowly missed the playoffs and lost all three games close. In the regular season, the Bulldogs fell 9-6 to Council Grove and 42-20 versus Mission Valley in home games in Weeks 3-4. In 2-1A district play, CC fell 20-7 at Lyndon in Week 8. In District 3, CC was the team left out of the playoffs in a three-way tie at 2-1. Lyndon was plus-28, Olpe was plus-20 and Chase County was plus-15. CC ended the string of four straight 2-7 marks and enjoyed its first winning season since 2011. Last year, CC took a five-win dropoff and fell to 1-8, including 0-3 in district play. The Bulldogs graduated 1,000-yard rushers Kraig Hatcher and Doyle Conley. The lone victory was a Week 5 home win versus Central Heights, 49-8. The Bulldogs had trouble competing and took every loss by at least 24 points. They took shutouts 9-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I at Mission Valley, at Olpe and versus Lyndon. CC Southern Plains Iroquois averaged 11.8 points per game and permitted 42.1. Coach: Billy Nichols (3rd year, 18-4; 16th overall, This year, the Bulldogs drop down to Eight-Man, 109-55) Assistants: Gene Glenn, Charles Austin Division I, District 3 with Burlingame, Lebo, Madison, Offense: Carnival Defense: 4-Diamond Maranatha Academy and Valley Falls. Returning lettermen: 14 Maranatha is also a new eight-man team after a Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense 2-7 mark in 11-Man last year. Burlingame was the Ethan Jellison, TE/LB, 5-11, 164, Sr.; Chayde only district opponent to finish better than 5-4 last Snyder, QB/LB, 6-0, 167, Jr.; Gage Girk, SE/CB/K, season. The Bearcats have reached the eight-man 5-10, 174, Jr.; Jonny Robles, WR/CB, 5-11, 158, semifinals the last three years but took heavy So.; Christian Hess, OL/DL, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Andrew Erickson, C/DL, 6-0, 244, Sr. Conor Nicholl graduation losses.
Both CC coach Brody VanDegrift and Madison coach Alex McMillian are former Victoria assistants. VanDegrift set goals to “be competitive” with new eight-man teams, improve blocking and tackling week in and week out and reach the playoffs. CC had just four returning starters on both sides of the ball last year, and has nine back this season. The Bulldogs will miss graduated lineman Joseph Stout. Junior QB Cael Budke is in his third year as a starter. Chase County is 4-11 all-time in the playoffs with its last three berths coming in ’03, ’08 and ’09. “We have to be fundamentally sound and play four complete quarters of good football every game,” VanDegrift said. “We have to play as a team and trust in each other to do our individual jobs so that our schemes and game plans work to the best of their abilities week in and week out.” 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 8-Man I Flint Hills League Coach: Brody VanDegrift (3rd year, 7-11) Assistants: Derick Budke, Brady Stout, Jerrod Barett, Cade Witte Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Cael Budke, QB/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Cory Johnson, WR/DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Chase Owen, OL/LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Caleb Stout, TE/DE, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Tanner Koch, WR/DB, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Wyatt Reyer, OL/DL, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Trent Rogers, RB/DB, 5-10, 150, So.; Cole Gooden, OL/DL, 6-3, 210, Sr.; Brayden Schroer, WR/DE, 6-4, 190, Sr. Conor Nicholl
Goessel had a three-win decrease from 5-4 to 2-7 that included a forfeit against St. John. The Bluebirds started 3-1 in 2016. Last year, Goessel opened 0-5 with a road loss against Wakefield (68-20), versus Lost Springs (66-20), at Solomon (48-0), versus Peabody-Burns (44-38) and versus Little River (57-12). Goessel won at Ellinwood, 72-38, and then earned the forfeit against St. John. Goessel lost its last two games by a shutout and the 45-point margin. The Bluebirds went 0-6 in Wheat State League play. “We had many young players gain important Friday night experience last year,” Hiebert said. “It will be important that our returning players step into leadership roles immediately and play with maturity from the beginning of the season. Continued leadership development will be key for us. We are looking to create an atmosphere where each player is invested in the success of each of their teammates just as much as they are invested in their own success.” Goessel is 4-9 all-time in the playoffs with the last appearance in ’12. Before then, the Bluebirds made the postseason every year from ’05-’09. The 2012 season marked the last winning record at 6-4. Goessel scored 20.4 points a contest and permitted 52.6 last year. Senior Zach Zogleman (RB/ DB) and junior Dylan Lindeman (QB/DB) are both three-year starters. “Another goal of ours is to strive for precision in everything that we do – academics, warm ups, every rep at practice, and every play on Friday nights,” Hiebert said. “Finally, we must have a great summer as a team in the weight room. We need to get bigger, faster, and stronger if we want to reach our goals. I aim for us as a team and individuals to break through barriers and get better every day as we work towards our goals.”
GREENSBURG-KIOWA COUNTY
Kiowa County had a two-win improvement from a 2-7 season in 2016. Since a 10-1 mark in ’13, the Mavericks are 4-5, 5-5, 2-7 and 4-5. Last year, KC scored 29.1 points a contest and permitted 33.3. Two years ago, the Mavericks scored 21.3 points a game and allowed 37.8. Kiowa County has three playoff appearances in school history in ’12, ’15 and a quarterfinals showing in ’13. This year, KC returns seven offensive and six defensive starters. The Mavericks will be in District 6 with Kinsley, defending D-II runner-up Hodgeman Co., South Gray, Ness City and Spearville. “Our main goal is to get better every day. Every time we touch a ball, get on a field, or watch film we are looking at improving ourselves as men and football players,” coach Tye Remy said. “With the new playoff format this year, we are optimistic about making a run at the end of the season and are happy to be playing meaningful football each and every week. We are looking to have a winning record this year to continue improving upon some successes from last season.” Last year, KC was also in a challenging district and finished fourth behind South Central, Macksville and Argonia-Attica, a trio that all captured at least six wins. All of the Mavericks’ losses came by at least 34 points, while all but one of the victories came by the 45-point margin. Senior quarterback Cale Thompson returns after a solid year where he completed 58 of 126 passes for 777 yards with an 8/4 TD/INT ratio. As a sophomore, Thompson completed 62 of 155 for 986 with an 11/11 TD/INT ratio. All of the rushing yards return from a team that averaged 160 rushing yards a game and 4.9 yards per carry. Two years ago, KC delivered 147 rushing yards a game and 3.1 yards per carry. Junior Cooper Zenger had 77 carries for 522 yards and eight TDs, while Thompson finished with 76 carries for 400 yards and 12 TDs. Fifty-one of the 56 receptions are back. KC was plus-10 in turnover margin. The previous two years, KC was minus-7 and even on turnover margin. The top-seven tacklers return, led by Zenger (71 tackles, three INTs, team-highs). “Buying in will be key,” Remy said. “Transitioning from an importance on individual achievement to a more team centric mentality is key for the success for any team. This is the first year at Kiowa County where I have felt we have veteran leadership and I am looking forward to the team coming together.”
2-7 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I Wheat State League Coach: Garrett Hiebert (7th year, 19-36) Assistants: Jacob Gouvion Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 7 Offense, 8 Defense Zach Zogleman, RB/DB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Justice Johnson, OL/DL, 5-8, 210, Sr.; Dylan Lindeman, QB/ DB, 6-2, 160, Jr.; Jacob Hagewood, RB/LB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Luke Freeman, OL/DL, 5-7, 140, Jr.; Luke Wiens, QB/DB, 5-8, 150, So.; Kale Funk, TE/DB, 5-8, 140, So.; Eddie Gaeddert, DL, 6-0, 160, So. Conor Nicholl 4-5 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Tye Remy (3rd year, 6-11; 4th year, 13-23) Assistants: Thomas Derstein Offense: N/A Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 6 Defense Cooper Zenger, FB/MLB, Jr.; Cale Thompson, QB, Sr.; Brandon Boyles, TE/S, Jr.; A.J. Owens, HB/S, Sr.; Antaeus Behee, OG/DE, Sr.; John Gwin, OG/ DE, Jr.; Rhylan Tedder, TE/OLB, Sr.; James Brack, S, So.; Braiden Merhoff, FB/OG/OLB, Sr.; Gage McDonald, RB/LB, Jr.; Koby West, OLB, Jr. CN
HOWARD-WEST ELK
West Elk continues to win postseason games and continue the best stretch in school annals. The Patriots are 9-1, 6-3, 10-1, 9-2 and 10-1 in the last four years. Last fall, WE defeated Udall, 42-0, in the first round and then lost, 63-42, to Burlingame in the second round. West Elk is 3-9 in the postseason with all three playoff wins in the last three years. WE graduated standout dual-threat quarterback Cade Miller, last year’s Kansas boy winner of the High School Heisman. Miller passed for 1,208 yards and rushed for 1,300 with 47 offensive TDs. Miller produced three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons. WE had an average score of 50-14 and finished in the top-12 in eight-man in both offense and defense. “We are very excited about the upcoming season and our main goal is to become a better football team each day as the season progresses,” coach Chris Haag said. “We want to be able to put ourselves in the same position to be successful as we have the past three seasons.” Senior William Silvey returns after a strong junior year. He had 137 carries for 855 yards and 13 TDs, all numbers that were second to Miller. Silvey had 20 catches for 525 yards, both team-highs, and had five receiving TDs. Silvey was 3 of 6 passing for 28 yards with 0/1 TD/INT ratio in spot duty and had a Patriotbest 216 kickoff return yards with a kickoff return TD. Three of the top-four tacklers graduated. The only one is back is junior Nic Moreno, who was third with 76 stops. Haag said one key is to replace the senior leadership lost to graduation.
“We are very confident in the guys who will be accepting that role,” Haag said. “It is crucial that we have a great summer to get our younger men ready to compete on Friday nights. Our younger men are expected to fill the void of our graduating seniors and handle the challenges presented to them as the season progresses. We will not have as much depth as the past two seasons and will need to remain healthy for us to be successful. We can’t wait to get the season rolling and see what it has in store for us.” 10-1 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Chris Haag (17th year) Assistants: Kevin Weber, Keaton McCracken Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense William Silvey, RB/QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Codie Cannon, TE/RB/DB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Conery Noll, OL, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Nic Moreno, LB, 6-0, 175, Jr. CN
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Herington struggled immensely in the 11-Man ranks. The Railers collectively finished 11-78 from 2005-’15. Then, the Railers dropped to eight-man for ‘16 and quickly went 7-2. Herington missed the postseason with losses against Clifton-Clyde (50-36) and Burlingame (46-0). However, Herington graduated all-state defensive back Jonathan Lollar and all-state quarterback Tate Becker. Last year, The Railers took a four-win decrease to 3-6, which tied with five other teams for the fifth-biggest wins drop among eight-man teams last year. Herington opened 0-3 and 1-4 with all losses by at least 20 points in the season. The Railers’ three victories came Week 3 at home versus Onaga (4230), in Week 5 at Valley Falls (46-20) and in Week 8 at MdCV (36-20). The passing game especially struggled with a 34 percent completion rate for 510 yards with a 6/11 TD/INT ratio. Herington averaged 4.4 yards per carry for just 152 rushing yards a game. The Railers committed 15 turnovers and finished minus-4 in turnover margin. In ’16, the Railers posted a 39 percent completion rate for 1,014 yards with a 15/6 TD/INT ratio. Herington averaged 6.6 yards per carry with 256 rushing yards a game. Herington committed nine turnovers and was plus-22 in turnover margin (one of eight-man’s leading marks), including 11 interceptions and three fumble recoveries from Lollar. The top-four rushers graduated from last year. However, the second- and third-leading tacklers return with seniors Lucas Anschutz (68 tackles) and Mark Stokes (56 stops). This season, Herington is a manageable District 4 with Bennington, Canton-Galva, Goessel, PeabodyBurns and Solomon. None of the teams reached the playoffs last year, though, Bennington went 6-3. Herington is 4-10 all-time in the playoffs with its last appearance coming in ’02, the school’s lone postseason since ’93. After four returning starters on both sides of the ball in ’17, Herington has six on both sides, though none started before last year. In 2017, Herington scored 21.1 points per game but permitted 45.3. Two years ago, the Railers scored 45.8 points per contest and just 28.2 allowed. In its last season of 11-Man football, Herington scored just 9.7 points per game and 49.2 permitted. “Develop leadership,” coach Tom Flax said of the team’s keys. “We are young at many levels but have some guys with leadership ability. I would like to continue to develop leadership so that we can grow as a team. Staying healthy is always a key. We have some different skill sets as well and we will need to adjust a little on both sides of the ball to make use of the skill sets that we have this year.” 3-6 in 2017 / 2-4 in district / 8-Man I Wheat State League Coach: Tom Flax (6th year, 11-34) Assistants: Kyle Barton, Jon Stegman Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Brody Brown, LB, 5-10, 150, Jr.; Mark Stokes, RB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Kayland Alenxander, E/S, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Holden Coffman, OL/DE, 5-11, 195, Jr.; Kevin Gerhke, NG, 5-11, 190, So.; Lucas Anschutz, G/LB, 5-9, 220, Sr.; Kevin Ansell, LB, 6-0, 170, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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HILL CITY
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Entering Week 8, Hill City had an opportunity to significantly shake up the playoff system and the EightMan, Division I rankings. The Ringnecks were 5-2. At that point, St. Francis was fourth in the rankings, Hoxie fifth and Atwood had just one loss. Hill City played Hoxie in Week 8 and Atwood in Week 9. If the Ringnecks – who were a heavy underdog in both games – won both, they would be in the playoffs. HC dropped the contests but still enjoyed one of its better seasons in recent history. The Ringnecks had a one-win improvement in the first year with Travis Desbien, a former Palco standout, in his fifth year at the school. The Ringnecks improved their win total for the third straight year and clinched its first winning record since ’14 and second since ’10. In ’10, Hill City had its last playoff team when it enjoyed the best season in school history with an 11-2 record and Division I runner-up finish. Hill City will go east for districts this year against teams it generally does not face. District 7 features Clifton-Clyde, Lincoln, Stockton, Victoria and Washington County. HC is 2-1 against Clifton-Clyde since ’09, and 10-4 against Stockton (a league foe) since ’04. In the last 13 years, HC has not played Victoria or Washington County and has one meeting versus Lincoln, a playoff win in ’10. Last year, Hill City scored 31.9 points a contest and permitted 35.3. In ’16, the Ringnecks averaged 28.3 points and permitted 32.9. Last fall marked HC’s best offensive average since 32.7 points a game in 2011. Quarterback Ethan Hamel graduated after he passed for 1,204 yards, rushed for 732 and accounted for 27 scores. However, sophomore Jayce Hamel led the team with 94 carries and was second with 544 rushing yards and six scores. Junior Dalen Journigan was key in the return game with 370 yards. He finished second with 713 all-purpose yards. “Continue to build the Ringneck football culture, develop our young athletes, and reach the post season for the first time in nearly a decade,” Desbien said of team goals. “Our key to success this year will be the offseason development of our young athletes. Last year our skill players were an experienced group and this year we will be breaking in a new group of skill players.” 5-4 in 2017 / 3-3 in district / 8-Man I Mid-Continent League Coach: Travis Desbien (2nd year, 5-4) Assistants: Vince Walker Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Aaron McDowell, OL/DE, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Alyzae Moreno, ATH, 5-7, 165, Sr.; Dalen Journigan, RB/ DB 6-0, 170, Jr.; Jacob Larson, OL/DL, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Jayce Hamel, QB/RB/DL, 5-11, 180, So.; Brody McDowell, WR/DB, 6-0, 145, So. Conor Nicholl
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HOXIE
Hoxie returned everyone from a 6-3 team in 2016 and added Chris Cox, an all-state fullback/defensive lineman and wrestler, a transfer from Oakley. The roster, led by its mammoth line and standout running back Latham Schwarz, propelled the Indians to a 12-1 season and the first football state title in school annals. Hoxie had permitted a collective 17.1 points per game in ’15-’16, sixth best in the eight-man ranks, but did not make the playoffs either year. Last season, the Indians, ranked sixth in the preseason by Kpreps, posted the second-best scoring defense in eight-man football with just nine points allowed. District foes Atwood-Rawlins County (8.8) and St. Francis (12.0) finished first and eighth in scoring defense. Hoxie’s six-win improvement marked eight-man’s best. Hoxie opened the season with three straight shutouts and then defeated Atwood in a critical district contest, 22-6, at home in Week 4. In Week 5, Hoxie lost, 16-8, at then-No. 1 St. Francis. In Week 6, Atwood defeated St. Francis, 40-32, at home. All three teams finished with one district loss, and then Hoxie earned the points tiebreaker and district at plus-92. St. Francis was second at plus-84, while Atwood finished third at plus-76 and missed the playoffs. In the postseason, Hoxie opened with a 50-0 win against Ness City, then held off South Central, 30-25, in a quarterfinal home victory. SC completely changed its offense the week of Hoxie and threw the Indians off guard especially in the first half. In the semifinals, Hoxie went to Spearville and won, 44-20. In the championship, Hoxie rolled over surprising St. Paul, 54-14. Hoxie, which had finished second in ’78 and ’81, has eight straight winning seasons. Schwarz graduated after he rushed for 1,718 yards and 37 offensive scores. Cox also graduated after he had 68 tackles, 27 TFLs and 13.5 sacks. Twins Taylor Burris (seven INTs) and Troyal Burris (39 yards a punt) were all-state seniors last year, too. Senior to be Colton Heskett was all-state offensive line and will be a four-year starter for an offense that averaged 44.8 points a contest. Hoxie is expected to have 30 players this year, a deep eight-man roster, and senior quarterback Jared Kennedy completed 47 of 100 passes for 811 yards with a 13/8 TD/INT ratio. Junior Wylie Weems had 68 carries for 419 yards and eight scores. Senior Jarrod Dible, like Heskett, has started since he was a freshman. Heskett had 25 TFLs, Dible delivered 19.5 and senior Taye Washington had 7.5. Hoxie forced 37 turnovers and finished plus-18 in turnover margin. This year, Hoxie returns much of its elite front. Coach Lance Baar, the reigning Hays Daily News and classification coach of the year, has set goals for league and district titles and a “deep, successful run in the playoffs.” Hoxie will again be in District 8 with AtwoodRawlins County, Leoti-Wichita County, OberlinDecatur Community, St. Francis and WaKeeneyTrego. 12-1 in 2017 / 5-1 in district / 8-Man I Northern Plains League Coach: Lance Baar (10th year, 60-29) Assistants: J.R. Kaiser, B.J. Beiker Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Jarrod Dible, OL/DE, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Colton Heskett, OL/DE, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Taye Washington, OL/DL, 6-5, 315, Sr.; Jared Kennedy, QB, 6-0, 140, Sr.; Wylie Weems, S, 5-10, 180, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Leoti-Wichita County had four straight 1-8 seasons in the 11-Man ranks before 5-4 and 3-6 the last two falls in its inaugural eight-man seasons. Cale Warden coached the team four years before Brant Douglas took over for ‘18. Two years ago, Leoti scored 34.7 points a game and permitted 29.4. Last season, WC scored 19.8 points a contest and allowed 42.9 a game. This year, WC will be in Division I, District 8 and will go north with defending state champion Hoxie, Atwood, Oberlin, St. Francis and WaKeeney-Trego. WC had faced mainly southern teams in districts the last two years. WC opens with a rare neutral site contest versus Pretty Prairie at Otis-Bison, and will play at Hoxie in Week 4. PP went 7-3 last season and averaged 46.3 points a contest. Warden ran the option offense,
JETMORE-HODGEMAN COUNTY
Hodgeman County finished as Eight-Man, Division II state runner-up to Hanover, four years after the Longhorns were Division I runner-up to Osborne. The Longhorns had a five-win improvement from 5-4 to 10-3. HC had an average score of 41.3-28.7 two years ago and improved to 46.6-20.5 last season. The five-win improvement tied with South Gray for the second-best eight-man wins improvement last year. Division I champion Hoxie had a six-win improvement. HC was ranked third in the preseason but had some injuries in the regular season before getting key players healthy in the postseason. In Week 2, HC fell, 64-34, versus rival Spearville at home. The week before, Luke Shiew suffered a career-ending neck injury. He had led HC with 114 tackles in ’16. After Week 2, the Longhorns won six straight contests. In Week 4, HC beat South Central, 30-27, a 9-2 team the last two seasons. In districts, the Longhorns earned key home wins at Sharon Springs (27-6) and versus Dighton (46-6). In Week 9, HC traveled to Otis-Bison in a district matchup for both district spots. The Longhorns lost, 58-26. However, in the postseason, HC won at Northern Valley (59-14), beat South Barber (52-6) and then defeated O-B in the rematch, 42-16. At state, the Longhorns mounted a big second half comeback and lost to Hanover, 54-48, in the title game. Hanover led 48-14 midway through the third quarter before HC scored 26 fourth-quarter points. HC graduated Jacob Salmans, a four-year starter at quarterback and all-state pick who passed for 1,202 yards, rushed for 775 and accounted for 28 scores. His brother Isaac, who started when Jacob was hurt for part of ‘17, should take over under center. The third brother, Eli, was all-state running back after 1,460 rushing yards and 24 rushing scores. Their dad, Oliver, is the longtime assistant coach. Both Jacob and Eli were banged up in the first O-B game. In the second O-B contest, the Cougars had multiple key players hurt, notably all-state running back Blake Bahr. HC coach Matt Housman said the “injuries almost kind of flipped.” HC also graduated all-state end Trevor Morgan (15 offensive scores) and all-state linebacker Treyton Coats (144 stops). The Longhorns bump up to Division I and will play in District 6, likely one of the stronger eight-man districts with Kiowa County, Kinsley, South Gray, Ness City and Spearville. HC had just six turnovers and finished plus-16 in turnover margin. After Coats, the second through fourth tacklers are back with Eli (108 stops), Issac (104) and Ethan Eckhoff (84). Two years ago, the Longhorns had nine turnovers and were plus-10 in turnover margin. “We want to improve every week and build depth as we go throughout the season,” Housman said. “We will be in a competitive district and hope to be playing our best football by the end of the season. We have most of our experience up front on the line so winning at the line of scrimmage is something we must do. We will have some new skill players that will need to fill the gaps left due to graduation.”
KINSLEY
Former Kinsley standout Kyle Burkhart looks for his first win in his third season with his alma mater. The Coyotes have posted back-to-back 0-9 marks with similar statistical profiles. Last fall, Kinsley scored 11.3 points a contest and permitted 54.6. The Coyotes were closer than 30 points in just one game last year, a 66-58 Week 7 home loss to Wichita County. Two years ago, Kinsley scored 15.6 points a game and permitted 54.9. Kinsley returns six starters on both sides of the ball and will play in Eight-Man, Division I, District 6, likely to be one of the stronger Division I districts. Hodgeman County was the Division II state runner-up, Ness City made the playoffs last year, South Gray went 7-2 in ’17 and Spearville is an established power with a state crown and two semifinals showings in the last three falls. NC, SG and Spearville were all with Kinsley in district play the last two seasons. Kinsley will enter this season on a 21-game losing streak. The Coyotes’ last two victories came in Weeks 5-6 in 2015 at St. John (38-32) and versus Macksville (60-32). Those two wins ended a seven-game losing skid. Kinsley is 3-6 all-time in the playoffs and have not made the playoffs since a four-year run from ’90-93. Assistant Cory Dunlap is back on staff in his second year in the Kinsley school district. Now also the athletic director, Dunlap was a former eight-man standout as a multi-year starter at QB for Natoma.
and Douglas will transition to the spread. Leoti is 3-5 all-time in the playoffs with the last berth in ’02. Last year, Leoti struggled in the passing game with 23 percent completion for 353 yards and a 7/6 TD/ INT ratio. Its top-two rushers were both freshmen. Jesse Gardner had 87 carries for 384 yards and six scores, while AC Hermosillo recorded 89 carries for 287 yards and four rushing TDs. Leoti had 14 turnovers and was even in turnover margin. The top-eight tacklers all return, paced by 100 stops from senior Ronald Michel. He had 30 more tackles than any other player. Of the 28 Indians last season, just three were seniors and seven were juniors. “The team goals for this season are: make the playoffs, have a winning record, and develop a solid foundation for the program to grow upon in upcoming seasons,” Douglas said. “The keys to success for this
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Lebo had a statistical quirk the last two years. In 2016, Lebo won six games in a row and then fell, 108-62, at home to Hutchinson Central Christian in the first round of the playoffs. Including the ‘16 playoffs, the Wolves pushed their losing streak to six contests with a 0-5 start in ‘17. Then, Lebo finished the season with four straight victories. Lebo went 7-3 and 4-5 the last two years. Last season, Lebo scored 32 points and permitted 40.8 per game. Two seasons ago, the Wolves scored 41.2 and permitted 28.4. In ’15, Lebo finished 3-6 with 25.3 points a game and 42.4 permitted. Last year, all five losses came by at least 40 points. Four of the five teams Lebo lost to went to the playoffs, including two-time Division II champion Hanover. All four victories came against teams that didn’t make the playoffs and finished with a losing record. Three of the four wins came by the 45-point margin, except for a 50-44 Week 8 win at Colony-Crest. Coach Troy McArthur’s tenure ended after seven years and a 42-24 record. Lebo graduated all-state receiver Peyton Baldwin after he had 40 catches for 723 yards and 13 receiving scores. Brian Hadley, a former assistant, takes over a program that is 8-13 all-time in the playoffs. Most recently, Lebo reached the playoffs with a semifinal run in ’10, and appearances in ’11 and ’16. Lebo moved up to Division I this year and will be in the relatively wide open District 3 with Burlingame, eight-man newcomer Chase County, Madison, Maranatha and Valley Falls. Hadley has set goals to win the league and make the playoffs. He will change the offense from the pistol to the single wing. Lebo has no returning senior starters. Four of the returning starters were freshmen last year. “Keys to our success this season will be staying healthy, minimizing turnovers and not taking plays off,” Hadley said. “We are a young team that returns numerous starters from a team that finished the season on a four-game win streak.”
0-9 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man I Central Prairie League Coach: Kyle Burkhart (3rd year, 0-18) Assistants: Corey Dunlap Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Kellen Herrmann, QB/WR/LB, Sr.; Bryce Herrmann, QB/WR/DB, Sr.; Andrew Fagan, OL/ DL, Sr.; Bret Gleason, OL/DL, Sr.; Tyler Gearhart, WR/DB, Sr.; Cole Gleason, WR/DB, So. 4-5 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man I Conor Nicholl Lyon County League Coach: Brian Hadley (1st year) Assistants: Dennis Becker, Oakley Baldwin Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Avery Peek, RB/LB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Kaden Schroeder, WR/DB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Jerome Ferguson, TE/DE, 5-10, 165, So.; Devan McEwen, QB/DB, 6-1, 170, So.; Andrew Bailey, RB/LB, 5-8, 165, So.; Caleb Fehr, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, So. Conor Nicholl
10-3 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Matt Housman (8th year, 65-20; 9th year, 71-22) Assistants: Oliver Salmans Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 17 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Ethan Eckhoff, OL/DL, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Dellon Shelton, C/DL, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Spencer Bowman, S, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Eli Salmans, RB/LB, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Taylor Stein, OL, 5-11, 205, Jr.; Isaac Salmans, QB/DE, 6-2, 200, So. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
LINCOLN
After winning just two games in two seasons under coach Don Long the Leopards welcome former Canton-Galva head coach Dustin Patee to the helm. The Leopards opened the 2017 season with a 48-0 shutout of Tescott and lost a heartbreaker to St. John’s Beloit/Tipton in week four - a game where the Blujays stopped the Leopards on a two-point try with only seconds left to secure the win - but the boys in blue struggled with the rest of their schedule. The Leopards scored more than eight points only twice and were shutout in each of the final three games of the season while allowing at least 38 points in every contest but the opener. Patee, a young and energetic coach who spent time as an assistant at St. John’s Beloit/Tipton and served as head coach at Logan prior to his role as head man at C-G, hopes to change the culture and put a competitive team on the field each Friday night. “Our first goal is to create a culture that makes young men want to be a part of what we are doing, but also pushes them to achieve their potential,” Patee said earlier this summer. “Then, we must establish the mentality that will become the Leopard way. We will work our hardest to put a product on the field that represents Lincoln.” Fortunately for Patee, the Leopards do have several talented players returning including senior quarterback Drew Biggs, sophomore running back Tyler Good and junior defensive back Zach Obermueller. The Leopards also have two big lineman returning in senior Logan Sneath and junior Jordan Lyne. Patee will count on junior Jerry Marinhagen and sophomores Kenton Myers, Landon O’Hare and Dillon Baxter to contribute as well. The current group of sophomores and juniors had two successful seasons in junior high. If Patee can get numbers out this fall and keep everyone healthy, the Leopards have a manageable schedule that should include several opportunities for competitive games. District play features traditional powers Victoria and Clifton-Clyde, both home games, along with lengthy road trips to Stockton and 8-Man newcomer Washington County sandwiched around a home contest with Hill City. The season opens with non-district match-ups with Tescott, Wilson and Sylvan-Lucas. Keys to success, Patee said, include “lowering the amount of penalties, winning the turnover margin, and staying healthy.”
LITTLE RIVER
Little River has made the playoffs the last two seasons and three of the last four. Last year, the Redskins went 7-3 and fell to South Central, 27-20, in the first round. The Redskins went 5-0 in league play and 4-1 in district and finished as runner-up to Central Plains. LR opened with four teams that finished with winning records and went 3-1. The Redskins won at Centre, 50-42, then lost versus Bennington, 42-20. LR defeated Wakefield at home, 56-12, and won at Solomon, 50-26. In Week 5, LR won at Goessel, 57-12. After a 52-12 home loss versus Central Plains, Little River had three straight wins by at least 46 points before the playoff defeat. In ’16, LR also finished as district runner-up with a 4-6 mark. LR tied for the fourth-largest eight-man win improvement from ’16 to ’17. In ’16, LR also lost in the first round to South Central, falling 54-28. Little River will again be in Division I and will play in District 5 with multiple familiar teams, including Central Plains, Macksville, Moundridge, Pratt-Skyline and St. John-Hudson. Second-year head coach Chad Lafferty is in his tenth year at the school. Little River averaged 43.9 points a game and allowed 24.5. The Redskins improved its offensive output from ’16 by 9.1 points per game and lowered its defensive average by 10.7 points a game. Senior Hunter Thomas returns after he had 93 carries for 711 yards and 17 scores. Peyton Harvey graduated after a standout multi-purpose career. He accounted for 48 offensive scores (30 rushing), 3,285 all-purpose career yards and 222 tackles, including 100 last year. Junior Brayden Sears had 103 tackles to lead the team. “This season our goals are to come into the season from the first day of practice and get better everyday,” Lafferty said. “Last year we implemented some new things and it took us a while to acclimate to all the new sets and plays and I didn’t feel we always got better everyday. This year we hope to feed off of our offensive line and make teams adjust to what we run versus us adjusting to them.”
MACKSVILLE
Macksville was one of the state’s premier eightman programs from ’02 to ’11. The Mustangs made the playoffs every year but one and went 13-0 with a state championship in ’07. However, after a 10-1 season in ’11, Macksville slipped to 4-5, 1-8, 0-9, 1-8 and 4-5 in the next five years. Last fall, fourth-year coach Chet Skinner led another three-win improvement and brought Macksville back to the playoffs. Macksville’s three-win jump tied for the fifth-biggest in eight-man football. The Mustangs scored 34 points a game and permitted 42.7 in ’16. Last year, Macksville scored 46 a contest and permitted 25.1. The Mustangs had the No. 15 best scoring offense in eight-man football. Its 12 point-per-game offensive improvement stood eighth, while its 17.6 point-per-game defensive improvement was sixth in the eight-man ranks. Macksville qualified as the runner-up out of Division I, District 6, a competitive district that featured four teams at 4-5 or better and three with at least six victories. Macksville opened 3-1 including a 60-20 home win versus Ness City, an eventual playoff team. In districts, the Mustangs lost, 23-16, to South Central, the eventual district champion, in the opener. After a pair of 46-point wins versus Kiowa County and PrattSkyline, Macksville won at Argonia-Attica, 42-22, for a quality victory that clinched the runner-up spot. Macksville ended the regular season with an 84-38 home win versus Fairfield, and then lost at Central Plains, 58-12, in the first round of the playoffs. Skinner set goals for the team GPA to be 3.0 and above, increase offensive production, hold opponents to 20 points a game or less, have at least five explosive plays a game, and win the turnover battle. Jacob Rein graduates after an all-state season at receiver that featured 24 offensive scores. Senior quarterback Kolton Mead, in his first year as the starter, returns after he completed 83 of 166 passes for 1,237 yards with a 25/8 TD/INT ratio. Senior Karson Waters had 22 catches for 276 yards and five TDs in just nine contests. He was all-state two years ago with 56 catches for 920 yards and 14 receiving TDs. Macksville committed just 10 turnovers and finished plus-15 in turnover margin. 7-3 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I The second through fifth tacklers graduated, Wheat State League though junior Harley Blaske led the team with 73 Coach: Chad Lafferty (2nd year, 7-3) stops in just nine games. His 8.1 tackles per game Assistants: Tyson Konen were 1.5 more per contest than any other player. Offense: Double Tight I Defense: 3-2 Skinner expects two other seniors to help with kicker Returning lettermen: 9 Luis Fuentes and wide receiver/defensive back Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Darien Miller. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man I Hunter Thomas, RB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Ethan “The Mustang’s keys to success in 2018 will rely Northern Plains League Schafer, OL/DE, 5-10, 195, Sr.; Kody Hawkinson, on the returning players,” Skinner said. “We have a Coach: Dustin Patee (1st year; 5th overall, 12-23) OL/DE, 5-11, 265, Sr.; Trey Baldwin, OL, 6-3, 285, solid core group of guys that have been starters for Assistants: Ed Prince, Heath Brandyberry Sr.; Brayden Spears, TE/LB, 6-0, 230, Jr.; Graham multiple years now. Our athleticism will look to stretch Offense: Option Defense: 3-2 Stephens, QB/RB/DB, 5-10, 170, So.; Bronson the field and give defenses trouble at defending both Returning lettermen: 13 Rains, WR/DB, 5-10, 140, Sr. the run and pass. A strong summer weights and Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Conor Nicholl conditioning off-season will be vital for the Mustangs Drew Biggs, QB/LB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Tyler Good, RB/LB, to stay one of the top teams in the district.” 6-0, 170, So.; Jordan Lyne, OL/DL, 6-2, 250, Jr.; Zach Obermueller, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Logan Sneath, 7-3 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I Little River State Bank OL, 6-3, 285, Sr. John Baetz Central Prairie League Coach: Chet Skinner (5th year, 12-25) w w w. l yo n s s t a t e b a n k . c o m Assistants: Kyle Bright Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 PO Box 336 • Little River, KS Returning lettermen: N/A (620) 897-6218 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Karson Waters, WR/DL, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Kody Mead, Toll-Free 1-800-656-2313 QB/DL, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Kaleb Lickiss, C/DL, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Harley Blaske, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Zane Johnson, OL/LB, 5-11, 185, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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MADISON/HAMILTON
After a 3-6 season in the first year under Alex McMillian, Madison opened 4-0 against the Lyon County League. The Bulldogs won each game by the 45-point margin in dispatching MdCV, Lebo, Hartford and Wetmore. None of those four teams finished with a winning record. In districts, Madison lost at eventual Division I runner-up St. Paul, 54-8, and then fell at home to an improved Marmaton Valley team, 46-6. After a 28-24 road win versus Southern Coffey County, Madison lost 28-6 versus Sedan and 60-14 at West Elk. Every team in District 1 finished with a winning record, including 11-2 for St. Paul and 10-1 West Elk, except Southern Coffey County. SCC went 2-7 but owned a road win against Waverly, an 8-2 squad that won a Division II district. Madison has not reached the playoffs since ’14 but is a longtime state power with three championships (‘84-’10-’11) and two runner-ups (‘73-’89). Last year marked the first winning season since a 7-3 mark in ’14. Last year, Madison had an average score of 32.9-29.1. In ’16, Madison scored 26.9 points per game and allowed 40.2. The 11.1-point defensive improvement ranked No. 13 in eight-man football and was the program’s best scoring defense since it allowed 24.4 in ’14. Madison has had just three seniors in each of McMillian’s first two years. McMillian, who previously enjoyed great success as a Victoria assistant on the state title teams in ’14 and ’15, said the goals are to win the league title and compete for a playoff spot in the new district. Madison will play in District 3 with Burlingame, Chase County, Lebo, Maranatha and Valley Falls. Burlingame has reached the last three Division I sub-state games. The teams have not played since ’15 when Burlingame won 48-0. Madison and Burlingame tied for the Lyon County title last year. Before then, the Bulldogs had won seven straight since ’08. Madison is 8-3 versus Lebo in the last 11 years. Chase County and Maranatha move down from 11-Man. Valley Falls was 0-9 last season. “Continuing to buy into the program and hard work in the weight room,” McMillian said of the team’s goals. “Limit turnovers, play mistake free football and ultimately stay healthy.” 5-4 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Lyon County League Coach: Alex McMillian (3rd year, 8-10) Assistants: Dustin Stutesman Offense: Option Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 13 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Austin Watts, DB, 5-8, 165, Sr.; Davin Stutesman, OL, 5-11, 235, Sr.; Duke Beyer, LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Dylan Maltbie, RB/LB 5-6, 150, Sr.; Sebastian Bolinger, OL/DL, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Colton Fife, DB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Nasun Wasson, DB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Joseph Stubbs, NG, 6-0, 175, So.; Chase Harrison, TE, 6-0, 180, So.; Hunter Engle, DE, 5-11, 180, So. Conor Nicholl
SHAWNEE-MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
After struggling to establish itself as an 11-Man program over the past four seasons, Maranatha makes the move to eight-man football this year. The Eagles were in Class 3A the past two years, going 2-7 last year. Youth was Maranatha’s main hindrance a year ago. The Eagles started eight sophomores for the bulk of the season, including four on the offensive line. The growing pains the group endured should help in the transition to eight-man and give fifth-year coach Bryan Burdette plenty of experience to draw from this year. Maranatha returns 10 starters overall, losing only a handful of seniors off last year’s squad. The youth particularly showed defensively as Maranatha gave up 400 points in nine games, including 34 or more in all seven losses. Marantha did show some offensive punch, mainly in the passing game. Junior quarterback Nate Burdette threw for 1,580 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore starter last year and has back his favorite targets in fellow juniors Brock West (61 catches, 976 yards, 13 TDs) and Andrew Fortin (33 catches, 470 yards, 4 TDs). Developing a running game to complement the passing game will be a big key. Maranatha only ran
for 563 yards as a team last year with Gabe Wiley’s 295 yards leading the way. The lack of a run game allowed opposing defenses to focus on the Eagles passing game and Burdette was picked off 22 times. Playing home games at St. Joseph Catholic School in Shawnee this year, Maranatha faces a district which includes three-time Eight-Man Division I semifinalist Burlingame, fellow eight-man newcomer Chase County and Lyon County League members Madison and Lebo. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-2 in districts / 8-Man I / Independent Coach: Bryan Burdette (5th year, 7-30) Assistants: Alfredo Behena, Brian Chiles, Myron Thomas Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 10 Offense, 10 Defense David He, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Zach Pelham, LB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; David Breazeale, OL/DL, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Nate Burdette, QB/DB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Brock West, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Gabe Wiley, RB/LB, 5-6, 160, Jr.; Logan Gourley, OL/LB, 5-10, 185, Jr.; Andrew Fortin, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Jr.; Nicholas Higginbothem, OL/DL, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Jack Porter, OL, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Caleb O’Neal, OL/LB, 5-10, 160, Jr. Brent Maycock
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
MEDICINE LODGE
MONTEZUMA-SOUTH GRAY
Moundridge announced in Oct. 2017 that it was going to drop to eight-man football. Wildcat administration believed it needed to shift down to have a chance for success in football. Moundridge has 74 students in grades ninth, tenth and 11th grades, in the mid-tier for Division I. The Wildcats went 3-7 and 2-7 in the last two years. Moundridge will be in a tough District 5 with Central Plains, Little River, Macksville, PrattSkyline and St. John-Hudson. Moundridge last made the playoffs in ’16 and ’11. Since a 7-4 season in ’08, the Wildcats went 3-7, 3-7, 5-5, 1-8, 3-6, 2-7, 3-6, 3-7 and 2-7. Last year, Moundridge, in the 35-team 2-1A classification, was No. 21 in offense (18.3 points per game) and No. 15 in defense (27.4). Former Moundridge coach Courtney Moddelmog is an assistant. Before coming to Moundridge, Meeks spent four years helping coach football at McPherson College. Before working at McPherson, Meeks was the Pawnee Heights head football coach. Last year, Moundridge was competitive against several quality teams including the first three weeks against eventual playoff teams with a 36-26 home loss to Marion, 30-19 at Hutchinson Trinity and 28-14 at Ell-Saline. In Week 5, Moundridge won at WhitewaterRemington, 20-19. In Weeks 8 and 9, Moundridge lost at home, 15-6, to Medicine Lodge that cost Moundridge a playoff berth. In Week 9, Moundridge lost, 28-22, versus Prue (Okla.). “To continue to build on past success and keep progressing as a team,” Meeks said of team goals. “Build and grow our young players and make the playoffs. This is the goal set by our team and our seniors. Developing a young offensive line and making the adjustments to the speed of the 8-Man game. The line will need to be a key for us to control the run game. We have some young players up front that will need to develop, we will lean on our older skill position players early in the season.”
NESS CITY
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Ness City reached the playoffs for the second straight year under coach Marc Cowles, though had a two-win dropoff from 7-3 to 5-5. However, the Eagles played the No. 18 strength of schedule in Division I two years ago and faced the No. 10 last year. In ’16, Ness City scored 43.9 points a game and permitted 34. Last year, the Eagles scored 36.7 and permitted 33.6. NC opened 0-2, including a 60-20 season-opening defeat against Macksville. The Eagles led the contest 20-6 and then permitted 54 unanswered points. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Eagles against the Mustangs, an eventual playoff team. In Week 2, NC lost, 44-20, to Central Plains, the thirdmost points the 9-2 Oilers permitted all year. Ness City then won three straight. Eight-Man, Division I, District 7 play featured Spearville as the favorite, and Ness City, Satanta and South Gray in the mix for the runner-up spot. In Week 6, NC fell to Spearville, 58-8, and then lost at South Gray, 32-24. In Week 8, with its playoff hopes on the line, NC trailed 28-6 against Satanta and tied the game at 28 entering halftime. In the third quarter, the Eagles had a score and a pick-six by sophomore Alex Rodriguez for a 44-28 lead. Then, quarterback John Pfannenstiel found Landon Reinhardt for two TD passes. NC eventually beat Satanta, 80-50, for the key road win. In Week 9, NC won versus Wichita County, 60-14. Satanta won at South Gray, 46-36. Spearville earned the district title at 5-0, while NC, SG and Satanta were all 3-2. NC earned the runner-up because of points (plus-34), while SG was plus-12 and Satanta plus-10. Ness City is 10-14 all-time in the playoffs with a state title in ’12 and ’14 semifinals. Cowles is 4-8 all-time in his career in the playoffs. This year, the Eagles will again be in a challenging district with District 6 with Kinsley, Kiowa County, Division II state runner-up Hodgeman County, South Gray, and Spearville. The latter three teams finished with a winning record and/or made the playoffs last year. Standout Brennan Chacon - a weight room warrior - signed with Sterling College. NC returns Angel Guzman, a three-year linebacker. He was a first team all-league player and is expected to be the defensive leader and a key part on offense. Pfannenstiel, one of the state’s top basketball 2-7 in 2017 / 2-2 in district / 8-Man I players, is a three-year starter at quarterback. He Heart of America League 7-2 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man I completed 74 of 173 passes for 1,315 yards with Coach: Jeremiah Meeks (3rd year, 5-14) Southern Plains Iroquois a 19/9 TD/INT ratio. He delivered 89 rushes for Assistants: Courtney Moddelmog, Bret Lange Coach: Jesse Hodgson (3rd year, 9-9) 426 yards and eight scores, all second-best for the Offense: Spread Option Defense: 3-2 Assistants: Ty Clark Eagles. Senior Andres Rios moved to defensive Returning lettermen: 9 Offense: Bunch Option Defense: 2-2-4 end last year. He ranked third with 79 tackles, first Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Returning lettermen: 6 in TFLs (eight) and sacks (six). Rios will also be a Trevor Kohl, C/DL, 6-0, 265, Sr.; Dillon Vogts, Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense key contributor at WR/TE. Junior Nate Gabel led the QB/S, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Cody Hazelton, RB/DB, Adam Thiessen, TB/OLB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Aaron team with 110 tackles and was a first team all-league. 5-10, 185, Sr.; Brady Helms, TE/DE, 6-4, 190, Skidmore, TB/LB, 6-2, 190, So.; Austin Jantz, QB/ He was the team’s leading receiver from the slot and Jr.; Corbin Unruh, QB/DB, 5-10, 155, So.; Daniel LB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Eli Bullinger, OL/DT, 5-10, 200, will likely have a bigger role in the offense. Kaufman, TE/DL, 6-1, 190, Jr. Sr.; Benny Thiessen, TB/CB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Stone Cowles set goals to “creating some efficiency and 4-6 in 2017 / 3-1 in district / 8-Man I Conor Nicholl consistency on offense,” need to be able to run the Torres, OL/DL, 5-9, 205, Sr. Independent Conor Nicholl ball, control the clock and “not be content or satisfied” Coach: Josh Ybarra (5th year, 12-34) with ’17. NC is expected to have seven seniors. Assistants: Shane Hahn, Jake Bjostad, Dale Dvorak, “Learn how to compete in big games,” Cowles Nathan Honas Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 also said. “We did not do that very well last year. We Returning lettermen: 9 have an experienced group of seniors returning and Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense an exciting group of underclassmen coming back. Garrett Burden, QB/DB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Michael As always, we need to avoid injuries and we will Thompson, OL/DL, 5-9, 230, Sr.; Kirk Fisher, WR/ MONTEZUMA, ULYSSES, KS KS need some talented young skill kids to step up and LB, 5-10, 140, Jr.; Cason Liebst, OL/LB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; contribute. Offensive and defensive line play will also Tyce Lonker, OL/DL, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Grant Ricke, OL/ 2718 West Oklahoma 501 E. TEXCOCO Ave. | Toll STREET Free: |800-356-3460 (620) 322-5010| 620-356-3460 be crucial to this team’s success.” DL, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Josh Bowman, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, So. Conor Nicholl GoodLuck LuckTigers! Rebels! Good 5-5 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man I Central Prairie League Coach: Marc Cowles (5th year, 15-14; 17th overall, Oberlin has dropped from 8-2 to 3-6, 2-6 and 2-6 similar grouping with Atwood, Hoxie, Wichita County, 78-72) Assistants: Shawn Starr, Brandt Rogers the last three years under veteran coach Joe Dreher, St. Francis and WaKeeney-Trego. Offense: Option Defense: 3-2 entering his seventh year as head football coach “We hopefully look to improve from last season,” Returning lettermen: N/A and 24th season at the school. Oberlin was in highly Dreher said. “The team needs to get better each Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense competitive District 8 the last two years that featured week. Our main goal coming into the season is to Guzman, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; John Hwy 281/Jnct 160 Division I champion Hoxie, St. Francis and Atwood make the postseason. The key to success for us will Angel in ’17. Those three teams combined for just one be individual diversity. Our kids have to be willing to Pfannenstiel, QB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Matthew Delaney, LB, 5-10, 180, So.; Easton Seib, DB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; non-district loss. The Red Devils opened 0-4 with all help out where the team needs them the most.” Alex Rodriguez, OL/LB, 5-10, 200, Jr.; Nate Gabel, defeats by at least 30 points. Oberlin beat Quinter RB/DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Andres Rios, WR/DE, 6-2, (58-12) and WaKeeney-Trego (34-16). 2-6 in 2017 / 2-4 in district / 8-Man I 200, Sr.; Landon Reinhardt, TE/DE, 6-4, 185, Sr.; 620-886-3784 In Week 7, Oberlin lost at home, 53-50, to Hill Northwest Kansas League Conor Nicholl City. After a Week 8 bye, Oberlin fell, 50-0, to Hoxie. Coach: Joe Dreher (7th year, 24-31) Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery Oberlin scored 23.8 points a game and allowed 43.5 Assistants: Brandon Gehring, Trevor Williams points a game. In ’16, the Red Devils averaged 22 Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-2 points a game and permitted 47.8 points a contest. Returning lettermen: 7 In ’15, Oberlin averaged 27.6 points a contest and Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Hwy 36 scored 35.1 a game. In ’14, the last playoff year, Reegon Witt, OL/DL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Rowdy Farr, Oberlin had an average margin of 47-19. OL/DL, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Dawson Kempt, RB/LB, 5-8, Oberlin graduated its top-two rushers, but senior 155, Jr.; Isaiah Mason, RB/DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Drew 785-475-3638 Isaiah Mason returns after he had 82 carries for 317 Juenemann, TE/DB, 5-8, 145, Sr.; James Garner, yards and three TDs. He is the top returning receiver TE/DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Gavon Uehlin, RB/LB, 5-8, with six catches for 136 yards and two scores. 175, So. Conor Nicholl Dine-in or Carryout This year, Oberlin will again be in District 8 with a
Medicine Lodge had been 8-28 in the previous four seasons including a 0-9 record in ’16. ML had lost four games by seven points or less. Then, the Indians posted a 4-6 mark and Class 2-1A playoff berth last year, the program’s first since 2011. ML went 2-1 in games decided by nine points or fewer, including a key 15-6 road win at Moundridge in Week 8 that effectively clinched a playoff berth. The Indians averaged 19.6 points per game, which ranked No. 19 in Class 2-1A, and permitted 38.4 points a contest, which stood 26th in the 35-team classification. In the winless season, the Indians averaged 20 points a game and permitted 41.1 points a contest. Medicine Lodge fell, 84-7, at Smith Center in the first round of the playoffs. SC went on to win the 2-1A state title. Drew Honas graduated after earned 2-1A Kpreps all-state wide receiver honors. He had 54 catches for 1,049 yards and nine receiving scores. Medicine Lodge will drop down to the eight-man ranks in Division I, District 2, a highly challenging district where every team made the playoffs and/or had a winning record last year. Caldwell and South Central, both 9-2 teams last fall, headline the district. “We expect to build on our success from last season,” coach Josh Ybarra said. “We were able to make it into the 2-1A state playoffs last season and now we hope we can do the same in 8-Man Division 1. We return a solid core of starters that we hope can get us through this transition from 11-man to 8-man and we feel like if we can get some quality reps this summer, we might have a little success. “ Including non-district, Medicine Lodge has a very challenging road schedule with games at South Gray (7-2 in ’17), Oxford (5-4), Udall (5-5), and ArgoniaAttica (6-3). “We are going to be playing teams that have had plenty of success at the 8-Man level and we are going to have to hit the ground running,” Ybarra said. “Our schedule is made a little tougher due to the fact that we only have three home games in our first eight games of the season. Being on the road for five games is going to be tough.” ML gets both South Central and Caldwell at home. Additionally, the Indians get powerhouse Hodgeman County in Week 2 at home. Hodgeman County has reached eight-man finals in ’13 and ’17. “Our key to success will be adjusting to all the challenges we have ahead of us and using the summer to make those adjustments,” Ybarra said. “We feel like we have two big challenges ahead of us this coming season. The obvious one is transitioning to 8-Man. This is going to be a new experience for the kids and most of our coaching staff. The other obstacle ahead of us is our schedule. We have a tough schedule from top to bottom.”
South Gray enjoyed a five-win improvement under third-year coach Jesse Hodgson in 2017. It tied for the second-best one-year turnaround in eight-man football behind Division I champion Hoxie (plus-6) and Division II runner-up Hodgeman County (plus-5). It marked the first winning season for the program since 2011, which was the best season in school history and the team’s last playoff appearance. The Rebels finished as Division I runner-up to Madison that year. South Gray has enjoyed tremendous success in other boys’ sports, including back-to-back 1A track champions and Class 1A, Division I second and first place finishes in basketball the last two winters. Senior Austin Jantz, a key starting guard for basketball, is back under center. He completed 49 of 90 passes for 755 yards with a 17/4 TD/INT ratio. He led the team with 205 carries for 813 yards and 11 scores. The Rebels ran the ball on 79 percent of snaps. South Gray averaged 41.8 points per contest and permitted 22.7. The Rebels had the second-best eight-man offensive improvement in 2017 with plus19.3 points per game better than ‘16. SG delivered the fourth-biggest defensive improvement when it allowed 21.33 points fewer than ’16. The Rebels opened 4-0, including a 48-26 home win against eventual playoff participant Ingalls in Week 1, before a 48-2 loss to Spearville in Week 5. In Week 7, the Rebels beat Ness City, 32-24. In Week 9, SG fell 46-36 versus Satanta and narrowly missed the playoffs. NC, SG and Satanta all went 3-2 in districts, though the Eagles had the tiebreaker at plus-34. SG was plus-12, and Satanta was plus-10. “The next step for us is going to be making the playoffs and making a run once we get there,” Hodgson said. “We want to be balanced run/ pass ratio on offense. We are at our best when we play that style of football. We have a really good dual-threat QB who has come a long way in his previous two years of starting, and a really solid core on the offensive line that has been starting since they were sophomores. Our kids fly around the field on offense and defense and we feel we play a really fun high energy style of football. The kids have bought in and are excited to get going this summer and hit the ground running this fall.”
MOUNDRIDGE
OBERLIN-DECATUR COMMUNITY
Medicine Lodge
Oberlin
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
OSWEGO
One of the state’s biggest offseason coaching moves came when Matt Fowler, who built Spearville into an elite power, moved from the Lancers to Oswego to be closer to his parents. The Indians are transitioning down from 11-Man to 8-Man. Oswego is 1-3 all-time in the playoffs with appearances in ’03, ’09, and ’16. Fowler had posted 8-2, 10-1, 13-0, 11-1 and 11-1 records in the last five years. Spearville captured the 2015 Eight-Man, Division I crown against Hanover for the lone state football title – and championship game appearance – in school annals. Fowler is well known for his Single Wing offense, physical play and few turnovers. Spearville lost to St. Francis and eventual champion Hoxie in the semifinals the last two years. In the eight-man ranks, the Lancers tied for tenth in offense at 48 points a game and were 11th in defense with 14 points permitted a contest. The Lancers finished last season ranked second in Division I in the final Kpreps rankings. Oswego finished 1-8, 0-3 in district play, and had just 12.8 points per contest and permitted 41.1. Oswego will play in District 1 with Central-Burden, Cedar Vale/Dexter, West Elk, Flint Hills and Sedan. C-B and WE each won districts last year, while Sedan is 14-4 in the last two years. Oswego’s lone win was a 34-28 road victory against NortheastArma in Week 4. The Indians were competitive in a Week 9 loss, 20-18, at Yates Center. Oswego is expected to have 21 players out with four seniors. In the last four seasons, the Indians have had 21, 20, 21 and 21 after 34 in ’13 and 31 in ’14. Student body-wise, Oswego is tied for eight-man’s sixth-biggest enrollment (87 students) for ninth, tenth and 11th grade, according to KSHSAA figures. Fowler has kept the same goals he had at Spearville: play hard-nosed, physical football, make our community proud by playing hard and with class, improve every day in-season and out of season. Fowler listed team keys as having a great summer in the weight room, how quickly the team gets comfortable in eight-man football and with new scheme, and managing factors that we can control and win the turnover battle. He returns 11 starters on offense and 12 on defense. Junior lineman Chris Goddard has started since his freshman year. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-3 in district / 8-Man I Three Rivers League Coach: Matt Fowler (1st year; 10th overall, 62-32) Assistants: Steve McBrien, JD Walker, Jeff Schreppel, Lance Smith Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 11 Offense, 12 Defense Ethan Evans, RB/LB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Dathan Gray, OL/DL, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Trenton Thomas, DB, 5-6, 135, Sr.; Jace Wilson, RB/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Chris Goddard, OL/DL, 5-10, 215, Jr.; Will Daniels, OL/ DL, 6-4, 220, Jr.; Lance Teal, RB/DB, 5-10, 150, So.; Chase Evans, RB/LB, 5-10, 165, So.; Isaac Elliott, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, So.; Mayson Mills, OL/LB, 5-8, 160, So.; Tristan Gray, OL/DL, 5-8, 220, So.; Isac Elkins, TE/DB, 5-10, 150, So. Conor Nicholl
OXFORD
From 2015 to ’16, Oxford climbed from 1-8 to 7-3. The plus-six win improvement tied for the fourth-best turnaround in eight-man football that year. Oxford scored 21.6 points per game more than ’15, and permitted 23.8 points fewer a contest. Among teams that played eight-man football in both ’15 and ’16, it marked the second-best offensive turnaround and the best defensive improvement. Oxford scored 45.6 points per game and permitted 30.6. The Wildcats reached the playoffs for the first time since a five-year run from ’02 to ’06 but then lost to West Elk, 54-30, in the first round. Oxford returned its top-four rushers from ’16 for last season as Dalton Silhan, Dylan Hills, Cal Shimkus and Luis Alata combined for 2,340 rushing yards and 36 rushing scores. Oxford went 5-4 and scored 36.9 points per game with 31.6 allowed a contest. Oxford dropped from 5-0 in district play in ’16 to 3-2 last year. After a 60-14 win at South Haven, Oxford fell 56-6 at West Elk and 46-0 versus Sedan. Following a 48-24 home victory against Stafford, Oxford lost 50-30 at Udall. Three district wins by at least 46 points followed before a key Week 9 contest at Central-Burden that the Wildcats dropped, 60-12. Oxford graduated all but 26 of its 2,281 rushing yards. The bulk came from Silhan, who rushed 157 times for 1,397 yards and 22 scores. He cleared 100-yards six times. Junior Ty Carter returns after he caught 13 passes for 212 yards and six scores. Oxford committed just seven turnovers with a plus-3 turnover margin and averaged 7.8 yards per play. Six of the top-seven tacklers were seniors. Carter was third with 38 stops and returned two kicks for scores. In ’16, Oxford averaged 6.9 yards per play. A big difference came in the passing games and turnovers forced. Oxford had a 14/7 TD/INT ratio in ’16 compared to 6/4 last year. The Wildcats forced 21 turnovers in ’16 and just 10 last year. Coach Shawn Burkes has spent more than 10 years as head coach and nearly three decades at the school. He listed the team’s goals to “be competitive in our district” and “stay healthy and develop players” after losing nine seniors. Oxford is in highly challenging District 2 with Argonia-Attica, Caldwell, South Central, Medicine Lodge and Udall. All the teams either made the playoffs and/or finished with a winning record last fall. 5-4 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Shawn Burkes (12th year, 38-60) Assistants: Kyle Green, Joe Chrisman Offense: I Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Ty Carter, QB, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Hunter Norland, OL, 5-10, 195, Jr.; Kyle Jones, TE, 5-10, 155, Sr. Conor Nicholl
ROSALIA-FLINTHILLS
It was baptism by fire for Daniel Scribner last year in his first season as head coach for the Flinthills Mustangs. The Mustangs went winless in Scribner’s inaugural season, but the good news is 11 returning lettermen, including nine total starters, got game experience that could pay off this fall. Scribner says the team should be more settled into the offense and defense and be better equipped to physically compete. He believes a team concept more than a focus on the individual will serve the Mustangs well as they try to break a 33 game losing streak which dates back to week three of the 2014 season. Of the nine starters back for the Mustangs three are seniors while six are juniors.
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0-9 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Daniel Scribner (2nd year, 0-9) Assistants: Chase Casteel Offense: DTSW Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Bryant Harris, OL/DT, 5-9, 270, Sr.; Caden Sangals, OL/DE, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Peyton Girty, FB/LB, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Drew Taylor, TE/DE, 6-3, 215, Jr.; Braden Wright, RB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Kedryn Morse, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Isaac Bugner, RB, 5-8, 120, Jr.; Levi Brown, S, 5-11, 145, Jr.; Hadley Girty, LB, 5-9, 160, Jr. Drake Koops
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PEABODY-BURNS
Longtime coach David Pickens’ tenure ended after a 2-7 season. The Warriors have had a wins drop the last four years from 9-1 to 6-4 to 5-4 to 2-7. Including a 6-5 mark in ’12 and an 8-2 season in ’13, P-B had made the playoffs four straight seasons before missing the last two. Overall, the Warriors are 7-15 all-time in the playoffs. Since ’77, the best advancements are quarterfinals in ’89 and ’03. This year, Kody Tegtmeier, most recently an assistant at Bird City-Cheylin, takes over the Warrior program. Tegtmeier started at Cheylin in fall ’14. He has also served as an assistant at Hanover and head coach at Downs-Lakeside. He graduated from Hanover in ’04 and Kansas Wesleyan in ’09. “Being new to Peabody, the kids here and South Central Kansas, our main goal is to come out and compete in every game,” Tegtmeier said. “Do everything in our power to put us in positions to win games.” P-B will be in District 4 with Bennington, CantonGalva, Goessel, Herington and Solomon. None of the teams made the playoffs last year. Additionally, P-B opens against Centre-Lost Springs, Little River and eight-man newcomer Chase County. Centre had a top-10 offense in eight-man last year and returns much of its personnel, and LR has made the playoffs three of the past four falls. The Warriors scored 29.1 points per game and permitted 40.4 in ‘17. The year prior, P-B scored 37.8 points a contest and permitted 41.1. “Effort, execution, and the want and will to win,” Tegtmeier said of team keys. “We have to come prepared mentally and physically for each and every game of our very tough 2018 schedule. Year one in a new offense is never easy, therefore we have to maximize and utilize every minute spent on the practice field.”
PRATT-SKYLINE
Page 146
Pratt-Skyline begins its second year behind Andrew Nation. Nation led the Thunderbirds to a 2-7 finish in his first try, a one-win improvement over the year prior. The Thunderbirds will feel the losses of a few notable graduates, including offensive cogs Jackson Dunn and Corbin Keeling and the field position flipping of punter Carson Lee. Nation still returns two building blocks in juniors Braden Tyler and Eli Temanson. Tyler and Temanson provide two running threats while Skyline maps out the rest of the offensive cache. The pair are leading tacklers on defense, as well, with Tyler coming off a Heart of the Plains League honorable mention from his post in the secondary. The schedule was mostly overhauled, but Skyline did not pull a victory from any of the three back on the slate – Kiowa County, Attica-Argonia or Macksville. Macksville, the 8-Man, District 6 runner-up, joins Skyline in a transition to District 5. Two other playoff teams, Central Plains and Little River, await in the new district. The six-team field is rounded out by Eight-Man newcomer Moundridge and St. John. Juicing up the offense will be a priority, as Skyline must find a way to keep pace with its high-scoring brethren. The Thunderbirds were held to 22 points or less in all seven of their losses, but reached 46 and 56 in two victories. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Heart of the Plains League Coach: Andrew Nation (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Kenny Eddy Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Wheat State League Coach: Kody Tegtmeier (1st year) Assistants: Bob Kyle Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Conor Nicholl
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SEDAN
Since 2008, just three teams have finished 8-1 and not made the playoffs, twice that team was Sedan. The Blue Devils went 8-1 in 2011 in Eight-Man, Division I, and again in 2016. Last year, Sedan went 6-3 and again narrowly missed the playoffs. Sedan finished third in challenging District 1 with West Elk, St. Paul, and Marmaton Valley. All four teams finished with winning records, while West Elk went 10-1 and SP was the state runner-up. This year, Sedan is in newly configured District 1 with Flint Hills, new eight-man team Oswego, Cedar Vale/Dexter, Central-Burden and West Elk. The latter two teams reached the playoffs. Last year, Sedan averaged 33.4 points per game and permitted 20.3. Two years ago, the Blue Devils were at 48.7 points per game and 20 permitted. Sedan had just 14 players last year, the smallest roster under Holt, and had graduated 96 percent of its rushing yards from ’16. Sedan opened 4-0, including home wins in Weeks 2 and 4 against Central-Burden (24-22) and Udall (52-6), two squads that made the playoffs. C-B was a district winner. After a 36-28 road loss to Marmaton Valley, Sedan beat Southern Coffey County (54-28), lost at West Elk (48-8), won at Madison (28-6) and then lost versus St. Paul, 37-18. Sedan graduated all-state end Kiefer Brewer, a great blocker who had 15 catches for 389 yards and nine scores. Last year, Sedan rushed for 221 yards a game and passed for 55. Holt listed the team’s goal to “win our district” and the main key as “stay healthy and have our passing game develop.”
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Junior quarterback Tayte Halderman has started since his freshman year. He completed 25 of 74 passes for 495 yards with a 10/7 TD/INT ratio. The top-three rushers return with senior Cody Joslin (168 carries, 1,013 yards, 13 rush TDs), Halderman (111743-11) and junior Nile Osburn (21-107-2). Joslin had seven 100-yard rushing games for a team that averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Joslin didn’t play football his first two high school years. He was a tight end in junior high. At summer camp at Southwestern College, Joslin played well, and Holt switched him to running back. Joslin was the team’s fastest player. Halderman also excels on defense where he picked off nine passes. Sedan is 7-3 versus Central-Burden, 6-1 against Cedar Vale/Dexter, 4-8 versus West Elk, 2-0 against Flint Hills and 5-3 versus Oswego since ’04. Since ’10, Sedan is 7-2, 8-1, 4-5, 2-7, 4-5, 5-4, 8-1 and 6-3. The Blue Devils last made the playoffs in ’09. 6-3 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Mick Holt (9th year, 44-28; 14th overall, 76-51) Assistants: John Pray, Austin Flitingberger Offense: Spread Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Tayte Halderman, QB/S, Jr.; Nile Osburn, OL/DL, Jr.; Cody Joslin, TE/DE, Sr.; Eli Campbell, TE/DB, So.; Zac Smylie, OL/DL, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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“It’s Not What You Make...It’s What You Keep”
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
SOLOMON
Longtime successful coach Steve Tiernan had a rare season without a playoff appearance in ‘17, his first since an injury-plagued 6-3 year with Osborne in 2012. Solomon was hit by the injuries last year, too, and played in highly competitive Eight-Man, Division I, District 4. Every team except one finished with a winning record. Osborne won the district with a 5-0 mark, followed by Victoria at 4-1. Logan-Palco, Bennington and Solomon were 2-3 in district play. This year, Solomon is again in District 4 but with likely a much more manageable slate with fewer traditional powers. The district features Bennington, Canton-Galva, Goessel, Herington and PeabodyBurns. Only Bennington finished with a winning record and none of the squads reached the playoffs last year. Solomon is at Bennington in Week 5 in what will likely be a key contest. “Get better every day,” Tiernan said of team goals. “Stay focused all year, win every game we should and one we shouldn’t. We must stay healthy, we won’t be too deep. We had more injuries/sickness/ poison ivy outbreaks/weed eater attacks than I’ve ever seen last season.” Solomon opened 3-0 in ’17 with wins against Canton-Galva, Herington and Goessel, all by at least 20 points. Then, the Gorillas lost to Little River (50-26) before opening district play. The Gorillas fell to Osborne, 58-40, and defeated Lincoln (38-6) and Bennington (68-62). With playoff berths on the line, Solomon lost to Logan-Palco, 64-16, and Victoria, 56-8 in the final two weeks. Solomon scored and allowed 40.4 points a game. In ’15, the Gorillas reached the semifinal game with a 10-2 mark with an average margin of 46-20. In ’16, the Gorillas dropped back to 6-4 with an average margin of 45-39. Senior Braden Nielson returns for his third year under center. He completed 53 of 92 passes for 1,047 yards with a 19/3 TD/INT ratio. He led the team with 107 carries for 735 yards and 15 scores. Junior Cobey Fiske tied for the team high with 17 receptions (most among returners) and delivered 358 receiving yards and four receiving TDs, both second-most. Three of the top-four tacklers graduated. Solomon’s defense produced just eight turnovers in each of the last two seasons. In ’15, the Gorillas forced 27. 5-4 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man I Wheat State League Coach: Steve Tiernan (4th year, 21-10; 18th year, 150-32) Assistants: David Strait, Mitch Engelken Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 5 Defense Logan Kraus, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Braden Neilson, QB/DB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Jobe Fowles, OG/DE, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Shane Garmin, OG/NG, 5-9, 220; Eli Basvic, OG/ LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Cobey Fiske, TE/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Jake Lofdahl, C/NG, 6-0, 260, Jr. Conor Nicholl
SPEARVILLE
Matt Fowler, behind his Single Wing offense, led Spearville to its greatest football run in school history before he took the job at Oswego, which is close to his parents and hometown in Missouri. After an 0-9 season in 2011, Spearville went 5-4, 8-2, 10-1, 13-0, 11-1 and 11-1 in the last six seasons. The Lancers won the Division I title in ’15, the first football crown in Lancer history. Spearville lost to St. Francis in the semifinals in ’16 and to eventual champion Hoxie last year. The Lancers defeated Central Plains, 32-28, in the quarterfinals. Spearville is 3-1 against Central Plains in the quarterfinals in the last four years, including three straight victories. Last fall, Spearville won the game on the contest’s final offensive play when Kolby Stein, from the seven-yard line, threw a quick out pass on a bunch formation to Waylon Strecker. The Lancers fell, 44-20, to Hoxie at home in the semifinals. The senior class, led by Strecker and Bailey Sites, won 45 games, second most in the eight-man ranks behind Hanover (49) and four ahead of any other team. The Lancers finished tied for tenth in eight man in offense (48 points/game) and 11th in defense (14 points/ game). Spearville again had a low turnover rate with just nine miscues and plus-18 in turnover margin. The Lancers, which won the 2-1A baseball crown this spring with many of the key football players, have not lost a regular season game since a 38-14 defeat versus rival Hodgeman County on Oct. 4, 2013. Spearville graduated Sites, who rushed for 1,135 yards and 26 TDs and picked off five passes, and Strecker, a four-year starter who had eight interceptions in the last two years. The Lancers do return Stein, a senior who completed 54 of 75 passes and nearly set the eight-man state record for completion percentage (72 percent) with a 14/2 TD/INT ratio. He was second to Sites with 99 carries for 645 yards and 10 scores. The top-two tacklers are back with junior Carson Rich (85 tackles) and Stein (69 stops). Veteran assistants Chris Sohm and Andrew Kempke will help new coach Travis Callaway navigate District 6 with Kiowa County, Hodgeman County, Kinsley, South Gray and Ness City. Callaway, who coached at Onaga the last two years, will change to the I-formation. Onaga was 3-15 the last two years in its first seasons of eight-man football and averaged 36.7 points per game in 2016, including a 114-68 Week 9 victory at Valley Falls, the highest scoring contest in Kansas football history. Last year Onaga didn’t win until the final game of the season - again against Valley Falls - but scored at least 30 points in five games. “The keys to this season are first how quickly the players adjust to a new offensive style,” Callaway said. “Second, we are going to need some guys to step up and fill in positions along the line. Third, with a big experienced senior class leaving we will need some guys to step up and fill that leadership void.” 11-1 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man I Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Travis Callaway (1st year; 3rd overall, 3-15) Assistants: Chris Sohm, Andrew Kempke Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Kolby Stein, QB/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Cole Stephenson, TE/DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Albert Evins, OL/DL, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Carson Rich, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Jr. Conor Nicholl
STOCKTON
Stockton entered last season with high expectations after a 4-6 year and district crown produced the school’s first playoff berth since 2002. The Tigers lost to Wallace County in the first round of the playoffs but led the game late in the first half. Stockton scored 36.2 points a contest but permitted 49.4. Last year, the Tigers took a step backwards and struggled to a 1-8 record. The Tigers averaged just 20.7 points per contest and permitted 48.7. Fourth-year coach Phil Conyac, a Stockton alum in his seventh year at the school, said the key was to “build off last year” and “turn it into wins.” He listed staying healthy, coming together defensively and replacing two senior linemen as the keys. Last year, Stockton opened 0-6 and then earned its lone win with a 60-6 home victory against Wilson. The Tigers had two close games with a 40-34 season-opening home loss to WaKeeney-Trego, and 30-20 at Thunder Ridge in Week 6. Senior quarterback Brady Beougher and senior running back Jalen Basart are experienced players – Beougher in his third season as the starting signal caller and Basart has started since he was a freshman. Beougher completed 46 of 74 passes for 418 yards with a 5/3 TD/INT ratio. He led the team with 122 carries for 698 yards and 11 TDs, while Basart
had 116 carries for 532 yards with six scores. All but five of the team’s 1,512 rushing yards (4.7 yards per carry) return. Stockton committed 20 turnovers and was minus-2 in turnover margin. Basart was the second-leading tackler and tops among returners with 75 stops. Troy Rogers had a nice freshman year with 69 tackles, along 17 carries for 171 yards and two TDs, and 10 catches for 92 yards and a score. Stockton bumps up to Division I and will play in District 7 with likely favorites Clifton-Clyde and Victoria, along with Hill City, Lincoln and Washington.
1-8 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Mid-Continent League Coach: Phil Conyac (4th year, 7-21) Assistants: Justin Basart Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Brady Beougher, QB, 6-3, 180, Sr.; Jalen Basart, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Nathan Thomas, OG/DE, 6-5, 200, Sr.; Gage Conyac, OG/DE, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Ben Rogers, RB/S, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Trevor Miller, OLB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Troy Rogers, RB/OLB, 5-10, 175, So.; Jace Hull, TE/LB, 5-10, 170, So.; Logan Hemphill, OG/NG, Conor Nicholl 5-9, 210, So.
ST. FRANCIS
Coach Rodney Yates quickly built St. Francis into an eight-man state power. In his first season, Yates led SF to a five-win improvement to a 10-1 season. In 2016, the Indians went 11-1 and took Eight-Man, Division I runner-up to Osborne for the best finish in school history. Last year, SF was ranked No. 1 in Division I for part of the year and eventually finished 7-2 with a first-round playoff loss at Spearville. SF had just 13 players dressed for the 42-20 loss against the Lancers, half as many as Spearville. Yates was named the new head football coach at Cambridge, Neb., on March 27. The Indians, though, were the only team to defeat eventual Division I champion Hoxie. SF opened 4-0 and permitted just 12 points before a 16-8 home win against Hoxie in Week 5. However, the following week, SF lost 40-32 to Atwood. Hoxie, SF and Atwood all tied for District 8, though Hoxie won the district and the Indians were second due to point differential. Defensively, Atwood finished first in points allowed per game in eight-man football (8.8), Hoxie was second (9.0) and the Indians were eighth (12.0). Offensively, SF scored 43.1 points per contest. The Indians took significant graduation losses, specifically all-purpose threat Tate Busse, a Shrine Bowler, three-sport standout and Wichita State basketball walk-on, and Trayton Doyle, a four-year starter on the line. In addition to Yates, assistant coach Nick O’Loughlin left to become head coach at Hugoton. Nick Fawcett, a former assistant at Cimarron, Ingalls and then Hays High the last three years, takes over. Fawcett said the Indians “will be young” after nine seniors graduated. Junior Brady Dinkel enters his second year as the starting quarterback, and senior Jordan Raby, one of eight-man’s fastest players, is a three-year starter. “Establishing a new culture, get our young players experience and get better as the season progresses,” Fawcett said. 7-2 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I Northwest Kansas League Coach: Nick Fawcett (1st year) Assistants: Scott Carmichael, Devin Dinkel, Brandon Seger Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 3 Defense Brady Dinkel, QB/DB, 6-2, 175, Jr.; Jordan Raby, RB/ DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Tayton Weeter, K/DE, 6-0, 170, Sr. Conor Nicholl
ST. JOHN-HUDSON
Page 147
St. John motions to its third coach in three years after a 2-7 season under Mike Joiner. Math teacher Mike Simpson steps in to take his place. Some simple math shows this will be a work in progress. St. John’s median win total the past five years is two, a far cry from an 8-2 mark and a playoff trip in 2012, the end of three consecutive years above .500 for the program. The Tigers mustered 144 points this past season, but more than one-third of that came in a 56-24 week two victory over Kinsley. St. John was shut out four times. Simpson has a centerpiece to work with in Cashe McVey, the team’s top rusher and receiver this past season. McVey also runs wild on defense, showcasing a propensity for chase-down tackles. There was some shuffling in 8-Man Division I’s District 5, but not of any real benefit to the Tigers. Reigning district champ Central Plains (9-2) and runner-up Little River (7-3) were the only two to stay with the Tigers. Meanwhile another playoff qualifier, Macksville (7-3), squeezed into the picture, too. St. John suffered losses to all three programs this past year. The district rounds out with Moundridge (2-7), making a drop down from 11-man football, and Pratt-Skyline (2-7), where St. John will try to avenge a three-game losing streak that has been on hold since 2015. St. John has 11 playoffs appearances in its history. Its best run was a dash to the state quarterfinals in 1983. The Tigers are the fifth-smallest school in 8-Man Division I. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Central Prairie League Coach: Mike Simpson (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
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UDALL
Udall enjoyed a three-win improvement, tied for fifth-best in the eight-man ranks, from 2-7 to 5-5. Udall had the No. 14-hardest strength of schedule out of 50 teams in Division I, according to Prep Power Index. Last year, Udall played in Division I, District 2 and went 4-1, second to Central-Burden. This year, Udall returns nearly all of its key players and enters into Division II, District 2, which is arguably the toughest in the classification. “We return almost everybody from last year’s team,” coach Wyatt Williams said. The Eagles have a non-district game with power West Elk (10-1 in ’17) at home in Week 2, then are at Central-Burden (5-5), South Central (9-2) and Argonia-Attica (6-3) in Weeks 3-5. The latter two are district contests. Udall is at Caldwell (9-2) in Week 8. Additionally, the district also includes Medicine Lodge, which dropped down from 2-1A, and Oxford (5-4). Last year, Udall lost to West Elk, 42-0, in the first round of the playoffs. Udall is 2-10 all-time in the playoffs with ’08, ’09, ’11, ’12 and ’14 the most recent appearances before last year. In ’14, the Eagles had its best finish since ’73 when it reached the quarterfinals after a 62-12 win against Uniontown. Udall then fell 62-14 to Hanover in the next round. Last year, Udall rushed for 228 yards a game and passed for 20 – a ratio the Eagles would like to improve. “We must have a great summer in the weight room, as outside of Tristen Scurlock, we do not have much size,” Williams said. “We have to get stronger and in shape. Our passing game has been non-existent for the last two years, so we must be able to complete a few passes to stop teams from loading the box again this season.” Josh Fielder returns for his third year as the starting quarterback and Williams said he “will be one of the fastest guys in the state.” Sophomore Dylan Bishop rushed 143 times for 857 yards with 15 rushing scores, while Fielder collected 117 rushes for 646 yard and 14 rushing TDs. Bishop “has a chance to be one of the best running backs that I have ever coached here in Udall,”
Williams said. “We also return four starters on the offensive line, and are counting on rising junior Trevor Whiteman to give us a reliable receiver that we have lacked the past two season. Our defense really improved last season.” Junior linebacker Isaac Patteson led the team with 103 tackles in just nine games, 28 more than any other player. Williams said junior linemen Peyton Miller (62 tackles) and Alan Garton (54 stops) “both had great seasons” in ’17. Udall is expected to have 24 players out, which Williams labels “very experienced and deep.” Udall was plus-3 in turnover margin with 14 offensive turnovers. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, which will not be easy in a district that includes Caldwell, Argonia/ Attica, South Central, Medicine Lodge, and Oxford,” Williams said. “If we can be one of the four teams from our district to advance to the playoffs, we feel that we can make a run. 5-5 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I South Central Border League Coach: Wyatt Williams (12th year, 65-50) Assistants: Barney Rockey, Blake Wilkey Offense: Pistol Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Josh Fielder, QB/DB, 5-10, 135, Sr.; Dylan Bishop, TB, 5-9, 185, So.; Drake Lette, TE, 6-1, 155, Sr.; Erick Peak, G, 5-7, 155, Sr.; Tristen Scurlock, OL/DL, 6-4, 350, Sr.; Dominic Jirak, OL, 5-9 210, Sr.; Trevor Whiteman, DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Isaac Patteson, LB, 5-8, 155, Jr.; Peyton Miller, LB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Alan Garton, DL, 5-9, 165, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
VALLEY FALLS
The move to eight-man football hasn’t provided the spark Valley Falls was looking for when it became the only Northeast Kansas League team to make the switch. After going 1-8 in its debut season at that level, Valley Falls was winless last year. An offense that ended 2016 in a record-setting shootout with Onaga never fired on all cylinders a year ago, mustering just 94 points all season. The defense couldn’t bail the Dragons out either as they surrendered 566 points, allowing at least 52 points in every game and 60 or more eight times. Third-year coach Nick Cummings hopes to gain a little ground this year, though he’ll still be relying on young and inexperienced players. The program has gained a handful of players who weren’t out in the past, which should help depth, and freshmen will likely start at both cornerback slots. One of those freshmen, Nick’s son, Creston Cummings, could also start at quarterback with two-year starter Tyler Lockhart moving out to an end position to take advantage of his size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds). Cummings has the ability to run the option and could battle junior Drew Pickerell for the starting job. Senior Garrett Steinlicht is a three-year starter on the line, but is one of only a couple seniors on the squad. He’s the only returning lineman on offense and that unit will be small, but quick. Defensively, Steinlicht and Lockhart give the Dragons a solid set of bookends up front and juniors Lucas Welborn and Pickerell form a solid linebacking duo. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-5 in districts / 8-Man I Northeast Kansas League Coach: Nick Cummings (3rd year, 1-17) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Tyler Lockhart, TE/DE, 6-4, 205, Jr.; Lucas Welborn, FB/MLB, 5-10, 190, Jr.; Garrett Steinlicht, OG/DE, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Drew Pickerell, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Jr. BM
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VICTORIA
Victoria made the playoffs from 2002-’15 before a 5-4 season and rare playoff miss with a very young team in ’16. Last year, Victoria returned to the postseason with a 7-3 mark. The Knights had a big improvement in scoring defense. Victoria tallied 42.4 points per game and permitted 16 points a contest. The Knights scored 40.2 points per contest and allowed 31.6 points per game in ’16, which was the highest scoring defense in the coach Doug Oberle era. The defensive improvement of 15.56 points ranked seventh best in the eight-man ranks. Victoria opened the season with a signature win, 34-8, at Central Plains. The Oilers were ranked No. 1 in the state and eventually finished 9-2. Victoria opened 3-0 before a 22-20 loss at Otis-Bison. After key district wins versus Logan-Palco and Bennington, the Knights narrowly lost at Osborne, 36-30, and finished as runner-up in one of the state’s most competitive districts. Five of the six teams finished with winning records. Victoria had to travel more than 200 miles to Burlingame to open the playoffs and fell 34-24. The Knights went 5-0 at home in ’17. Oberle said the team’s goals are “get better everyday, develop leadership, grow as a team and young man” and “improve defensively, improve tackling and blocking.” Senior Cooper Windholz returns for his second year at quarterback, a rare returning starter under center for Oberle, who is 3-1 in state title games as a head coach. Victoria will be in District 7, a far-reaching district that includes Clifton-Clyde, Hill City, Lincoln, Stockton and Washington County. C-C and Victoria are likely favorites. 7-3 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man I Central Prairie League Coach: Doug Oberle (13th year, 108-27) Assistants: Danny Rogers, Jared Pfeifer Offense: Veer Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Jake Wellbrock, OL, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Jacob Schroeder, OL, 6-5, 325, Sr.; Wyatt Dreiling, DL, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Caden Oberle, TE, 6-4, 195, Sr.; Cooper Windholz, QB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Walker Braun, DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Tyler Knowles, DB, 5-6, 150, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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WAKEENEY-TREGO COMMUNITY
WaKeeney-Trego is now 2-7, 2-7, 6-3, 3-6 and 2-7 in the five-year Pat Haxton era. The Golden Eagles have not made the playoffs since a 4-6 season in 2008. Trego opened with a 40-34 overtime home win against Stockton, and then lost to South Gray, 40-26, in Week 2. The Rebels picked off five passes and returned three for scores. SG eventually finished 7-2. The Golden Eagles defeated Quinter, 50-0, in Week 3 and then fell six straight contests. All of the losses came by at least 18 points. The Golden Eagles are 5-1 in the first three weeks of the season the last two years but 0-12 after that. This year, senior Keagan Shubert returns after he completed 109 of 221 passes for 1,072 yards with a 13/10 TD/INT ratio. The top-three rushers all return led by junior Hunter Price (96 carries, 453 yards, three rush TDs, all team-highs). Shubert had 83 carries for 316 yards and two rush TDs, while senior Dallas Schneider had 35 carries for 170 yards. Overall, WaKeeney averaged 119 rushing yards a game and 4.4 yards a carry. Only 22 of the 109 receptions return. The Golden Eagles committed 23 turnovers and were minus-9 in turnover margin. WaKeeney will again be in challenging District 8 with Atwood, Hoxie, Wichita County, Oberlin and St. Francis. WaKeeney averaged 21.1 points a contest and permitted 39.4. Two years ago, the Golden Eagles scored 20.9 a game and permitted 34.3. Three seasons ago, in the 6-3 year, Trego scored 34 and permitted 28. “Get better every practice and every game,” Haxton said. “Compete at a higher level than we have the last couple of years. Being able to run the ball and stop the run! Our OL and DL must be more physical than we have been. Our seniors also will need to be good leaders and make sure we practice and play hard.”
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before he took over as head coach last fall at his alma mater. Ashland expects to have the power run and 2-1-3 as the base offense, and former Bluejay standout Giles Fox is back as assistant. “Ashland always has good athletes, and I think them going to 6-Man is going to help them a lot, and Moscow has got a lot of speed,” Chambers said. Ashland returns five offensive and six defensive starters with 6-3 senior Konnor Maule, 5-11 juniors Cade Brown and Hayden McPhail and sophomores Kash McPhail, Gage Branson and Braton Kay. “Use our offseason improvements to compete as newcomers in the 6-Man division,” Ben Fox said of the team’s goals and keys. “Learn how to put a complete game together to get a win, like our final game last season. Staying healthy and eligible – with 10-12 guys, we cannot afford to miss practices or games.” The North features Weskan, Bird City-Cheylin, Golden Plains, Natoma and Western Plains. The top-six will qualify for the playoffs with the No. 1 seeds in each division getting a bye. North No. 2 will face South No. 3, and vice versa with winners advancing.
Washington County continued to improve following a 3-5 record in 2011 and 3-6 in ’12. Helped by standout running back Hunter Kier, now in his second season at Buthler Community College, and a number of other standout skill position players, WC went 4-5, 6-3, 10-1 and 8-3 in the next four years. The 10-win season included a victory in the 3A playoffs, while ’16 featured a 2-1A postseason win. Last year, WC struggled with numbers in 2-1A and went 0-9, including a forfeit Week 4 against Hoisington. Just two offensive and one defensive starter returned for ’17, while six offensive and six defensive starters return this year. This season, Washington County drops down to Eight-Man, Division I and will be in far-ranging District 7 with Clifton-Clyde, Hill City, Lincoln, Stockton and Victoria. C-C should be very strong, while Victoria has made the postseason in 15 of the last 16 years. Both squads lost in the first round of the playoffs last fall. Fourth-year coach Doug Thompson set goals to “stay healthy and make playoffs.” 0-9 in 2017 / 0-4 in district / 8-Man I Twin Valley League Coach: Doug Thompson (4th year, 18-13) Assistants: Scott Romeiser Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Tyler Nelson, TE/LB, 6-2, 195, Jr.; Garrett Otott, OL/ LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Sean Bruna, OL/DT, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Drew Buhrman, QB/CB, 6-0, 160, So.; Trevor Grace, TE/DE, 6-0, 180, So.; Seth Bonar, OL/DT, 5-8, 180, Jr.; Connor Linenberger, OL/DT, 5-9, 215, Jr.; Kope Swain, RB/CB, 5-10, 190, Jr. Conor Nicholl
2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man I Mid-Continent League Coach: Pat Haxton (6th year, 17-27; 20th overall, 89-100) Assistants: Taylor Haxton, Jason Draper Offense: Spread One-back Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Keagan Shubert, QB, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Dallas Schneider, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Nathaniel Werth, OL, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Parker Opat, OL, 6-0, 250, Jr.; Dillon Dunn, NG, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Hunter Price, LB, 6-2, 185, Jr. Conor Nicholl
WaKeeney
6-Man/from page 162__________________
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WASHINGTON COUNTY
The season will last a week longer and again end in Dodge City. Chambers believes Golden Plains will be a contender. The Bulldogs, under longtime coach Travis Smith, have 15 returning lettermen, five offensive and six defensive starters. Smith listed the goal to make the Wild West Bowl championship game. Seniors Dylan Spresser (RB), Caleb Korte (RB/DE), Nolan Ritter (TE/LB) and Miguel Monge (DL) are back, as well as junior Harley Weese (QB/DB) and sophomore Wade Rush (OL/DL). Golden Plains returns all but four of its rushing yards. Weese threw for 597 with a 6/2 TD/INT ratio. Korte collected Kpreps Defensive Player of the Year honors with 71 tackles, 17 sacks and five fumble recoveries, and Ritter was honorable mention. Korte, also all-state Utility Player, led the team with 116 carries for 937 yards and 21 scores, and Spresser had 99 carries for 927 yards and 12 TDs. Korte finished with 24 catches for 275 yards and three TDs, and Ritter had 18 grabs for 248 yards and eight scores. Because of the divisions, Pawnee Heights and Golden Plains will not play each in the regular season. “We should see a lot of success,” Smith said. “Getting off to a quick start against Deerfield and Moscow will be a key to our season! At a small school, keeping everyone healthy is
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key, but getting great senior leadership is important this year. Seniors will make up a majority of our starters.” Weskan has all-state junior quarterback Jace Mackley, and Pawnee Heights all-state senior defensive lineman Dalton Hamby returns. Cheylin’s top returner is sophomore quarterback Colton McCarty, an honorable mention all-state pick. He passed for 743, rushed for 877 and accounted for 23 scores. Hamby stands 5-10, 215 and has set multiple school weight records, including 365 in bench, 500 in squat, 385 in clean, and 475 in deadlift. He could play multiple positions. Senior end/nose guard Logan Williams (6-4, 250) is back, along with junior lineman Preston Stonebarger (6-2, 250), and junior defensive back Shawn Peterson. Freshman Adam Hands is expected to make an impact as is sophomore Cody Amspacker who joins the team for the first time. Chambers will again run the offense, and adds new assistant Dale Coverdale, a football coaching veteran, as the defensive coordinator. Overall, PH expects 15-16 players out. “We feel confident in what we are doing, because we feel like sideline to sideline, I don’t know that there’s a team that can literally line up and outrun every one of us from sideline to sideline,” Chambers said.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KPG PRESEASON RANKINGS
8-MAN II
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame The nexus for Hanover football’s success is assistant coach John Bruna’s family room. Head coach Matt Heuer, assistant Chris Beikmann and Bruna live within a block of each other in Hanover. The trio meets at Bruna’s home, which is in the middle of the other two houses. The coaches often spend four to five and, depending on the opponent, and if the Wildcats are in the postseason, sometimes six nights a week at Bruna’s. On average, the coaches meet three to four hours at a time either forming, fine-tuning or making adjustments to the game plan. Generally all the activity takes place in the family room, known as “the film room.” All three coaches are Hanover graduates. Beikmann and Bruna played on Heuer’s early squads, now entering his 14th year as Wildcat head coach. Heuer’s and Bruna’s wives are good friends, and Beikmann’s girlfriend comes over. The partners can have a ladies’ night while the coaches game plan. “His wife has always been very accepting of the fact that she kind of gains a couple people during football season,” Heuer said. Senior quarterback/defensive back Daiken Stallbaumer is entering his third year as a starter and is a two-time all-state player. He called Heuer “the smartest coach in the state.” “They prepare us very well for every game, every single week,” Stallbaumer said. “They spend more time watching film than they probably do with us at practice, which sounds crazy.” “And then obviously the rest of it is just all the kids getting together and putting in the work, so they can either get the starting spot they want or get the starting spot back that they had the last year, so they can make us the best team we have,” he added. The combination of the coaches’ time and Hanover’s steady supply of elite talent and depth has produced 25 straight wins and back-to-back Eight-Man, Division II championships. Hanover, 12-0 and 13-0 the past two falls, is again the state favorite this fall, though Heuer always asks his team to stay in the present and view August just as important as November. Eight-man went through a playoff change starting this year. Teams will now play eight regular season contests. Division II will feature eight, six- to seven-team districts. The top-four teams from each district qualify for the postseason starting in Week 9. Previously, the top-two squads from each district qualified for the playoffs after Week 9. “This year might be the most dominant or physically gifted team that you are going to play for or play with,” Heuer said. “So it’s one of those things that we make sure that our kids live in the moment, and they are not looking for their senior year or they are not looking back on last year or anything like that. It’s this season and that’s the main focus, and the main goal.” Hanover is 4-3 in state games under Heuer, 4-0 in Division II contests. Hanover, in District 3, returns Stallbaumer and allstate running back/linebacker Carter Bruna, three-year starter Cade Cohorst and electrifying playmaker Thomas Atkins. All are seniors. Last year, Stallbaumer accounted for 34 scores, Bruna had 825 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Atkins scored seven times on just 27 offensive touches. Cohorst has started in multiple places and might return to the line, where Hanover graduated classification defensive player of the year Carlos Emanuel. The Wildcats return senior starting lineman Jonah Weber (6-3, 240). Hanover will break in some new linemen starters, a group that includes seniors Gavin Pralle (6-3, 240) and Pete Peters (6-3, 175).
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1. Hanover 2. Rock Hills 3. Osborne 4. Otis-Bison 5. Axtell Others: Dighton, Ingalls, Northern Valley, Satanta, South Barber, St. Paul, Centre, Wallace Co. “Our athleticism and hunger should give us opportunities to be flexible and keep pressure on the opposition throughout the entire game,” Heuer said. Last season, Mankato-Rock Hills was just two points down at halftime at Hanover in the first round of the postseason before a 62-32 loss led to an 8-2 record and No. 5 final ranking. Administration on both sides worked together to pair the teams together in ‘18. Rock Hills will travel to Hanover in Week 3 for the first of possibly two matchups on the eastern side. Like Hanover, RH, in District 4, returns plenty in the skill positions. Senior running back/linebacker Zane Colson enters his fourth season as a starter after he rushed for 1,502 yards, 23 rushing TDs and recorded 118 tackles, all team-highs. Speedy junior Rylee Whelchel accounted for 27 TDs. Senior quarterback Dereck Gillett passed for 759 yards with a 15/3 TD/INT ratio. Junior Cheyenne Mohler is the lone returning lineman starter, and RH is expected to have juniors Sam Underwood and Caden Slate among those up front. “Rock Hills will return a talented group of skill position players in the backfield but will have to continue to develop guys across the offensive line, losing four of the five starters from last season,” coach Brock McMillan said. Osborne, less than an hour southwest of Mankato, is one of leading western half favorites in District 5, after playing in the eastern half of 8-Man I last fall. Hodgeman County, which earned runner-up to Hanover last season, has bumped to Division I. “I think this is one of the toughest years to call on the west side, there’s just been changes and with the new playoff system, I think it’s just a tough year to call...,” Wallace County coach Kevin Ayers said. “If Jetmore-Hodgeman County was still down (in DII), I would have picked them.” The Bulldogs have been a Division I powerhouse with state crowns in ’13 and ’16. Last year, Osborne went 9-2 and lost to St. Paul, the eventual Division I runner-up, in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs have new coach Brandon Wise, though former coach Cullen Riner remains as assistant. Similar to Hanover and Rock Hills, Osborne’s greatest strength comes in its skill players. Senior quarterback Darnell Holloway accounted for 26 scores, and his brother, junior Darrien, scored 20 times. Senior Kade Miller has recorded 13 career interceptions. Otis-Bison, in District 8, went 10-2 and was the Division II west favorite for much of 2017 after a district win versus Hodgeman County. O-B had some injuries late in the year, and HC defeated the Cougars in the sub-state finale. The Cougars return dual-threat quarterback Anton Foust (40 TDs accounted for) and all-state lineman Luke Higgason. He recorded a team-high 14 TFLs in ‘17. Maitland Wiltse delivered 19 catches, 12 for TDs last fall. “Improvement throughout the season,” O-B coach Travis Starr said of team keys. “Hopefully that will lead us into the
playoffs and make a run.” South Barber permitted just 11.5 points per game in ‘17, second to Hanover’s 11.4 in the classification. The Chieftains are 9-2 each of the last two years and lost to Hodgeman County in the second round. SB, the likely District 7 favorite, returns junior quarterback Trevor Rooks and senior running back Neal Gugelmeyer. Rooks had a 23/6 TD/INT ratio, and Gugelmeyer has tallied 1,533 rushing yards in the last two seasons. “Win District, make deep run in the playoffs,” coach Matt Cantrell said of team goals. “We have been to the second round of the playoffs two years in a row. We want to bust that door down and move deeper.” Dighton, which is 19-3 in the last two years, and Wallace County are expected to pace District 6. The Hornets return the majority of their skill players with Dalton and Blair Hoffman and David Cramer. Blair Hoffman accounted for 30 offensive TDs. WC had reached the playoffs every year from ’06-’16 before a 3-6 mark last year. Senior quarterback Luke Johnson leads five returning starters. Three other teams that were Division I last year – District 8’s Satanta, St. Paul in District 1 and Lost Springs-Centre in District 2 – could also be in contention. Satanta (7-2) returns senior running back Gabe Salas, an explosive player with 1,363 rushing yards and 22 overall scores, including three in the return game. After the surprising run to the state title, St. Paul took significant graduation losses, though returns junior Adam Albertini, who rushed for more than 900 yards. Lost Springs-Centre and Waverly, also in District 2, were two of just seven teams in eight man to average at least 50 points a game last year, a group that also included Hanover (54.2) and Rock Hills (51.4). The Cougars went 5-3, and Waverly was 8-2. Centre five offensive and six defensive starters back, led by junior quarterback Braxton Smith and senior lineman Kyle Naerebout.
Colson/from page 151___________
“Dereck did a really good job of reading defenses and was able to call audibles,” Colson said. In the past, McMillan said RH had a “traditional power lineup” and “never really had any burners.” However, with Colson and Rylee Whelchel, RH had plenty of speed. Whelchel enjoyed a breakout season with 86 offensive touches for 1,132 yards and 27 scores. All three offensive playmakers return. “He is quick off the line,” Colson said. “He is explosive, and he can just get downfield real fast, and it’s really hard for the defensive backs to cover him, because he is just gone.” Conor Nicholl is a sportswriter in western Kansas who has covered high school teams across the state for more than a decade.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13 By Conor Nicholl
For Kansas Pregame Zane Colson grew up with three older siblings, brothers Perry and Chance, and sister Bret. All are currently between the ages of 26 and 30 and were former standout athletes. Perry, who now runs a farm near his hometown of Mankato, was a high school running back. Chance is in the Navy after he started at fullback all four years. Bret was a state track meet qualifier for Mankato and lives in Salina. Perry and Chance saw Zane’s talent at a young age and continually pushed him. From Perry, Zane learned to gain at least three yards every carry. Perry told Zane to treat every rushing attempt as if it’s his final one. Zane watched Chance’s unique intensity and toughness. Chance was around 150 pounds but Zane said he played like he was 6-foot-6, 250. “They turned me into a tough kid,” Zane said. “They were constantly picking on me, beating up on me, but they were always constantly teaching me how to use my talents, how to outsmart your opponents.” A starter since his freshman year for Mankato-Rock Hills, Colson has become of one of eight-man’s top players and a three-sport standout. He joins with nearby Beloit for wrestling and was fourth at state last winter. In the spring, he earned second on the Rock Hills 400-meter relay. Last fall, he helped the Grizzlies finish 8-2 and earn the No. 5 final ranking in Eight-Man, Division II. “I just needed to step up and fill shoes,” Colson said. “I wanted to be able to show my brothers that I took in whatever they taught me, and that I am going to use it, and they showed me what a leader can be.” Colson collected all-state honors at running back with 152 carries for 1,502 yards and 23 scores. A starting linebacker, he delivered a team-high 118 tackles and tied for first with 17 TFLs. Overall, Colson, a senior, has delivered 2,744 rushing yards, 49 total scores, 293 tackles and 27 for loss. In ’17, the Grizzlies lost only to No. 2 Pike Valley in overtime in the regular season and No. 1 Hanover in the first round of the playoffs. Rock Hills trailed Hanover, the two-time defending champions, by two at intermission before a 62-32 loss. “Those games that you are in in the first half and everything is working kind of like you need them to work, and then you let those things get away, those are the most frustrating for me,” coach Brock McMillan said. “And I think it’s the same for the kids. … Things like that provide so much motivation for the following year.” This year, Hanover, on a 25-game winning streak, and Rock Hills are expected to be state favorites. RH travels to Hanover in Week 3, the first of two possible meetings. “They were very shifty, very fast, and they hit hard, and they were a very, very good opponent,” Hanover senior all-state running back/linebacker Carter Bruna said. “And they were ready to play us. I remember they just fought hard the whole game.” McMillan grew up in the Mankato/Jewell area. He knew Colson’s brothers. McMillan still recalls Colson running around at games when he was a little kid. McMillan attended Fort Hays. In 2012, coach Sam Meyers paced the Grizzlies to a state runner-up finish and then bumped to principal. McMillan quickly put his name in for head coach and earned the job at 22. Colson was in junior high, and McMillan knew he was a “special” player. Colson earned significant time as a freshman, including 12 tackles in a playoff loss to Burlingame. “I knew I could definitely give something to the team if I worked my butt off, and everybody at practice, I want to be the hardest working kid on the field, not just for myself but to show by example,” Colson said. Last year, Rock Hills bumped its scoring average from 45.2 to 51.4 points per contest, fifth-best in eight-man football. The Grizzlies allowed 16 points a game for the second straight year, which stood top-15. Quarterback Dereck Gillett, in his first year as a starter, threw for 759 yards with a 15/3 TD/INT ratio. continued on page 149
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Zane COLSON
ES I L Z Z I R G
ILLS, SR.
LB, ROCK H
ON, RB/ ZANE COLS
(Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
THE COLSON FILE Hobbies: “Hunting, fishing, hanging out with friends.” Favorite subject: History Favorite food: Lasagna Favorite band: Nickelback Favorite pregame song: “Put Me On The Frontline” by Rob Bailey Most memorable high school football moment: “Playing Hanover last year in the playoffs, a lot of people didn’t give us a chance coming into the game, but we definitely gave them a run for their money.”
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ALMENA-NORTHERN VALLEY
Northern Valley enjoyed a banner 2017-18 year across multiple sports. Helped by a key defensive change during the season, the Husky football team went 7-3, won their district and made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. NV’s volleyball team and boys’ basketball program each won state titles and ended long championship droughts in both sports. Both track teams earned top-seven at state. Chuck Fessenden, the Huskies’ longtime football, boys’ basketball and track coach, returns for his 42nd year with Northern Valley. The Huskies had another strong offensive season with 43.6 points per game and permitted just 23.3 points a contest. NV had easily eight-man football’s best defensive improvement with a drop of 32.8 points per game allowed from 2016. The Huskies had a three-win improvement, which tied for fifthbest in the eight-man ranks. Last year, NV started 1-1, including a 70-14 loss versus rival Logan-Palco in Week 2. The Huskies had mainly used a 3-3 stack and incorporated a 4-3 look versus the Trojans. Then, the Huskies changed to a 3-2 defense. NV finished the regular season 6-1 and permitted just 62 points. In Week 7, the Huskies defeated SylvanLucas, 46-6, in a signature win that led to the district title. NV fell to eventual state runner-up Hodgeman County, 59-14, in the first round of the playoffs. Standout dual threat quarterback/defensive back Caden Kinderknecht graduated and running back Nick Stutsman will move from running back to quarterback. Kinderknecht passed for 679 yards with a 9/6 TD/INT ratio, while Kinderknecht rushed for 1,495 yards with 22 scores. Stutsman had 888 rushing yards and 16 rushing scores. All 707 of the Huskies’ receiving yards came from non-seniors. NV had a plus-6 turnover margin. Kinderknecht led the team with 122 tackles, while the second to fifth-leading tacklers are back. The Huskies will be in District 5, a group headlined by Osborne. Fessenden has won three state football titles in ’86, ’87 and ’90 and finished second four times in ’82, ’83, ’88 and ’89. “We would like to repeat as district champions and qualify for the playoffs,” Fessenden said. “We need to continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball. We will need to find a capable replacement for Nick Stutsman at running back as he will make the move to QB.” 7-3 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Western Kansas Liberty League Coach: Chuck Fessenden (42nd year, 285-139) Assistants: Brad Cox, Marvin Gebhard Offense: Midway Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Aidan Baird, C, 5-9, 145; Jesus Saenz, E/DE, 6-0, 200; Ross Cole, E/CB; Fabian Loya, DE, 6-3, 195; Alex VanPatten, G, 5-10, 165; Gunner Yocum, C, 5-10, 195; Caden Bach; RB/LB, 6-1, 185; Nick Stutsman, RB/LB, 6-1, 175 Conor Nicholl
AXTELL
After going 4-5 with an extremely young and inexperienced team in 2016, Axtell returned to its winning ways last year. Despite having only two seniors on the roster, the Eagles posted a 6-4 record with two of the four losses coming to teams which played for state championships a year ago — Eight-Man Division II champion Hanover and Division I runner-up St. Paul. The other losses were to undefeated St. Mary’s Academy and Division II semifinalist Pike Valley. In all, the combined records of the teams that beat Axtell a year ago was 41-3. Axtell might be an even tougher out this year with virtually its entire roster back. There might not be a better pass-catch combo in eight-man football than junior quarterback Quinn Buessing and senior receiver Hunter Koch. The two settled into their positions in 2016 and then took off a year ago as Buessing threw for 1,788 yards and 27 touchdowns with Koch on the receiving end for 71 catches for 1,058 yards and 20 of the scores. Koch earned first-team All-Eight-Man Division II honors and Buessing was a first-team all-leaguer. The duo will miss having Michael Swanson as a complement not only in the passing game (53 catches, 567 yards, 7 TDs) but also in the running game as he led the Eagles with 731 yards and nine touchdowns rushing. Buessing did run for 435 yards and 10 touchdowns, but no other returning back had more than 100 yards. Senior Nate Buessing is one of four linemen back that saw starting time and he also led the Eagles with 102 tackles, 46 more than the next-closest Eagle. Improvement on that side of the ball will be a big key as Axtell gave up 38 points per game, just a shade under the 41.8 points per game its offense averaged. A state semifinalist in 2015, Axtell returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, but was bounced in the first round by Pike Valley. The Eagles are poised for a longer stay this time around, but to win the district title they’ll have to find a way to beat Hanover, which has won two straight Division II state championships. 6-4 in 2017 / 4-1 in districts / 8-Man II Twin Valley League Coach: Eric Detweiler (6th year, 35-14) Assistants: Dale Buessing, Craig Wiebe Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense Quinn Buessing, QB/LB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Tristan DeKoning, OL/DE, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Hunter Koch, E/ DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Nate Buessing, OL/LB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Kolby Talbot, 6-0, OL/DL, 6-0, 210, So.; Derek Buessing, WR, 5-11, 150, Jr.; Ethan McElroy, OL/DL, 5-10, 165, Sr. Brent Maycock
BURRTON
Burrton went 1-44 in a five-season stretch that included an 0-9 record in 2016. Last year, the Chargers finished 1-8 with third-year coach Chris Jensen. Burrton opened the fall with a 66-40 home victory against Fairfield, and then dropped eight straight. The Chargers were competitive in just one defeat, a 48-32 road loss against South Haven in Week 6. Burrton scored 17.1 points a contest but permitted 58.6, fifth-worst in the eight-man ranks. It marked the program’s highest scoring offense since 2014. The Chargers played the No. 21 strength of schedule in the 48-team Division II. This year, Burrton will play in Eight-Man, Division II, District 7 with a familiar grouping of teams that
has Fairfield, Norwich, South Haven and returning playoff participants South Barber, Hutchinson Central Christian and Pretty Prairie. The Chargers have not captured more than two wins in a season since 2007 and have not made the playoffs since ’03.
Entering the 2017 season, Altoona-Midway hadn’t tasted a football win since 2010. The drought included four winless seasons and two canceled seasons and the Jets entered last year on a 34-game losing streak. The skid reached 36 games before Altoona-Midway got the streak buster. A 44-26 win over Chetopa was the program’s first since beating Tyro Christian in the 2010 season finale and for good measure, the Jets added another victory before last season was over, beating Marais des Cygnes Valley 40-36 in district play. The two wins were the most in a season since a 2-6 mark in 2007. Zach Lackey returns as coach, last coaching the Jets in the 2014 season.
The Jets’ district gets a new look with St. Paul, Marmaton Valley and Southern Coffey dropping down from Division I to join the Jets, Colony-Crest and Chetopa. St. Paul was the Division I state runner-up a year ago and Altoona-Midway’s schedule also features two teams — Maranatha and Oswego — making the drop from 11-man football this season.
1-8 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man II Heart of the Plains Coach: Chris Jensen (4th year, 2-25) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Conor Nicholl
BUFFALO- ALTOONA MIDWAY
2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in districts / 8-Man II Three Rivers League Coach: Zach Lackey Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
BELOIT-ST. JOHN’S/TIPTON
Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton took heavy graduation losses and returned just two starters in 2017. The Blujays took a two-win drop but still enjoyed their sixth straight winning season. BSJT is now 8-2, 11-1, 7-3, 6-3, 7-3 and 5-4 since coach Keith Kresin turned around the program. The Blujays scored 26.9 points a contest and permitted 31.3 a game. Two years ago, BSJT scored 36 and permitted 23.2. The Blujays had two close wins by a combined 18 points. BSJT opened with a 28-12 home victory against Chase and then played three straight road games. The Blujays lost to Osborne (48-0), Bennington (56-6) and defeated Lincoln (44-42). Then, BSJT beat Linn (53-6), at Tescott (48-12) and versus Southern Cloud (49-0). With playoff spots on the line the last two weeks, BSJT lost at Pike Valley (52-6) and versus Rock Hills (54-8). All four losses came against teams that finished 6-3 or better and three of the four opponents captured at least eight wins. Ty Brummer graduated after an exceptional all-around season when he had 153 carries for 915 yards and 16 rushing scores with five 100-yard rushing games. BSJT rushed for 150 yards a game and 5.1 yards per carry, its third straight year of improvement after 3.3 and 4.7 the last two seasons. He easily paced the squad in receptions with 22 catches for 309 yards and two scores. BSJT committed 17 turnovers and finished minus-3 in turnover margin for the second straight year. However, the Blujays were key with turnovers in the close Chase win, when BSJT was plus-3 in turnovers with a pick-six. The Blujays notched four defensive/special teams scores. Junior Alex Ketter returns after he averaged 27 yards per punt with 15 of 18 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Brummer led the team with 118 stops, but the second through sixth-leading tacklers return. Senior Kail Dubbert finished with 101 tackles, second-most, and a team-high six TFLs. The passing game struggled with just 463 yards on 35 percent completion with a 4/12 TD/INT ratio.
BUCKLIN
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Bucklin had trouble staying competitive last season. After an 0-3 start and a Week 4 bye, Bucklin won at Ashland, 30-26. In the final month, the Red Aces’ closest contest was a 29-12 loss at Stafford in Week 8. Bucklin will play in District 8 with Chase, Minneola, Stafford and likely favorites Ingalls, Otis-Bison and Satanta. “Continue to implement a Culture of excellence in all that we do, strengthen our execution of the details in all phases of our game, and compete for a playoff opportunity one game at a time!” coach Brad Estes emphasized. Bucklin is 5-10 all-time in the playoffs with its last appearance in ’06. Before then, the Red Aces previously made the postseason from ’95-99. Eight offensive and seven defensive starters return, including junior quarterback Talon Estes. Estes, junior running back/linebacker Cristian Cruz-Ramirez and tight end/linebacker Gabe Ellis have all started since they were freshman. “We must stay healthy, play team football with great leadership from our upperclassmen and execute our game plan with surgical precision and extreme aggression,” Estes said. “This year, as our numbers have continued to improve, we anticipate having a full JV program for the first time in 12 years which will allow us to develop our kids the right way rather than throwing our freshman to the wolves. The kids, coaching staff, administration and townsfolk are extremely excited to get the year started!”
1-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man II Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Brad Estes (4th year, 6-19) Assistants: Van Kenton, Mark Shelton Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Talon Estes, QB/WR/DB, 6-1, 155, Jr.; Gabe Ellis, TE/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Ryan Durr, WR/RB/DB, 6-0, 155, Jr.; Cooper Levering, C/DL, 5-10, 265, Sr.; Xavier Cid, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, So.; Cristian Cruz5-4 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Ramirez, RB/LB, 5-7, 185, Jr.; Josh Stout, QB/WR/ Northern Plains League DB, 6-0, 160, So. Coach: Keith Kresin (9th year, 45-33; 116-64 overall) Conor Nicholl Assistants: Aren Coppoc Offense: Power I Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Kail Dubbert, FB/DT; Ben Towner, OG/LB; Anthony Henke, TE; Alex Ketter, QB; Eric Koeningsman, TE; Brady Palen, TE/S; Blake Perez, CB; Brayden Perez, 110 W Main • Beloit, KS • 785-534-1111 CB; Alex Ketter, S; Anthony Henke, LB; Dalton Schmitt, DL www.cunninghamtelephoneandcable.com Conor Nicholl
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
CHASE
CHETOPA
Chetopa has struggled with youth and inexperience in the last three years. In the last five seasons, Chetopa is 7-3, 10-1, 2-6, 2-6 and 0-9. The Green Hornets had just one close game, a 44-26 loss to Altoona-Midway in Week 3. Chetopa enters this season on a 12-game losing streak dating back to a 46-0 home win versus MdCV in Week 5 in 2016. Jaunc Bradshaw, who has coached for 13 seasons, said ’17 had “a lot of freshmen” play due to low numbers and injuries. Bradshaw was a former assistant to Sean Price before he took over. Bradshaw played on the St. Paul state title teams in ’00 and ’02. “They fought hard and competed to the best of their ability,” Bradshaw said of last year’s team. “We will see a group of sophomore’s get a lot of playing time like they did last year as freshman. We will work hard each day and compete on Friday’s to get better. We will need to stay healthy as a team so we can keep everyone on the field for practice and game times. Getting stronger with the younger group along with confidence will be another big challenge this year.” Chetopa returns four starters on both sides of the ball. Senior running back/linebacker Colten Vannata and junior running back/linebacker Gabe Johnson are each entering at least their third year as starters. Chetopa will play in District 1 with Altoona-Midway, Leroy-Southern Coffey County, Marmaton Valley and St. Paul, the defending Division I state runner-up. “I expect us to compete each and every day to the best of their capabilities,” Bradshaw said. “We will get better every day in practice that will prepare us to compete with class and determination every time we step onto the football field. I expect each player to be fully committed and come ready to compete for playing time and want to compete for time on Conor Nicholl the football field. Our fans can expect to see a team that competes at a high level as hard as they can. We will compete with class and represent Chetopa community proudly.”
In 2016, Chase went 6-5 and won its first playoff game since a surprise runner-up showing in 1986. The Kats won at Ingalls, 92-44, before a 51-6 home playoff loss to eventual state runner-up Dighton. John Wellman went 40-19 as a head coach, including 9-1 seasons in ’14-’15. Last year, Travis Tesone, a former coach at Sterling College, led the team to a 2-7 mark. Chase had graduated all-state running back Kebren Julian. This year, Brent Schneider, also the athletic director, takes over the Kats program. Schneider has formerly served as an El Dorado assistant and head coach at Ellsworth. Schneider was the Ellsworth head coach from 2013-’16. In ’15 and ’16, he posted 5-4 marks. In ’14, Ellsworth went 5-5 after a 3-6 record in ’13. Last fall, Chase opened the season with a 28-12 loss at Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton and then defeated Wilson, 32-18. The Kats lost four straight games, three versus teams that made the playoffs. Chase fell 64-18 at Rock Hills, 56-14 against Sylvan-Lucas, 28-22 versus Stafford and 20-0 versus South Barber. Then, the Kats won at Bucklin, 52-6, and lost to Pretty Prairie (49-0) and at Ashland (56-26). Chase will play in District 8 with Bucklin, Ingalls, Minneola, Stafford and likely favorites Otis-Bison and Satanta. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Brent Schneider (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
0-9 in 2017 / 0-6 in district / 8-Man II Three Rivers League Coach: Jaunc Bradshaw (4th year, 4-21) Assistants: N/A Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-2/4-2 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Colten Vannata, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Gabe Johnson, RB/LB, 5-7, 165, Jr.; Braydon Kepner, OL/DL, 5-10, 185, So.; Eryk Anderson, OL/DL, 6-1, 195, Sr. Conor Nicholl
COLONY-CREST
Last year, Crest had another season around the .500 mark as Brandt Miller took over for Chuck Mahon. Since 2013, Crest is 4-5, 5-4, 6-4, 4-5 and 4-5. Crest did reach the quarterfinals in ’10 and ’12 and also earned playoff berths in ’08 and ’15 in recent history. Last year, Crest averaged 30.4 points and permitted 37.3. In ’16, the Lancers scored 27.1 points a game and allowed 35.6. In ’15, Crest was at 35.4 points scored and 35.8 points allowed. 2014 marked the last time the Lancers cumulatively outscored their opponents with 33.9 points tallied and 29.1 points allowed a contest. In ’17, Crest opened with a 70-34 road win versus Blue Valley Randolph before big losses against Marmaton Valley and Waverly. The Lancers went 3-1 in the next month with victories at Chetopa (62-12), versus Altoona-Midway (50-6) and at MdCV (42-34). Crest was in playoff contention with two weeks left but lost 50-44 at home versus Lebo, and 54-0 at Pleasanton. Crest will play in Eight-Man, Division II, District 1 with Altoona-Midway, Chetopa, Southern Coffey County, and likely favorites Marmaton Valley and St. Paul, last year’s Division I state runner-up.
and finished minus-9 in turnover margin. Senior Drew Cunningham graduated after he had 122 carries for 780 yards and 13 rushing scores. Senior Peyton Johnson also graduated after he caught 31 passes for 703 yards and nine receiving TDs, all team-highs. He paced the Knights with 1,335 all-purpose yards. Three of the top four tacklers graduated. Sophomore Wyatt Eberle was third with 71 tackles in ’17. Lakeside will play in Division II, District 4 with Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton, Linn, Pike Valley, Southern Cloud, Tescott and likely favorite Rock Hills.
7-2 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Northwest Kansas League Coach: Ken Simon (8th year, 43-26) Assistants: Chris Fullmer, John Payne Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 4 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense Blair Hoffman, QB/DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Dalton Hoffman, RB/DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; David Cramer, E/LB, 5-10, 165, Sr. Conor Nicholl
FRANKFORT
Frankfort struggled against the top teams on its schedule in the second year of the Nick Anderson era and dropped back from 5-4 to 4-5. Frankfort started with a 58-42 road win against Onaga and then lost to Clifton-Clyde and St. Paul by the 45-point margin. C-C went to the playoffs, while St. Paul was the Division I runner-up to Hoxie. After a 52-6 victory against Valley Heights, Frankfort lost 50-36 at Axtell, 56-8 at Wakefield and 60-0 against Hanover, the two-time Division II state champion. Axtell reached 3-6 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II the playoffs, and Wakefield finished 6-3. Frankfort Northern Plains League finished the season with a 78-38 win at Wetmore and Coach: Drew Duskie (4th year, 9-28) a 48-0 home victory versus Blue Valley Randolph. Assistants: Brandon Smith, Travis Eberle Frankfort went 1-4 versus C-C, SP, Axtell, Wakefield Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2 and Hanover the previous year with a 70-20 win Returning lettermen: 6 versus Axtell. Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense Caleb Hake, QB/DE, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Mason Duskie, C/ Anderson set goals to reach the playoffs, a DE, 6-4, 240, Sr.; John Stanton, G/DT, 5-10, 158, Sr.; standard Frankfort hasn’t seen since 2011, and finish in the top-third of the always challenging Twin Valley Carter Brown, RB/DB, 5-6, 140, Jr.; Wyatt Eberle, 5-11, 160, So. Conor Nicholl League. Anderson listed four keys: commitment level and “buy in” during the offseason, leadership from upperclassmen, improvement, growth and development as a team, and staying healthy since K-14 & U.S. Hwy 24 “depth will be a concern.” Junior running back Garret Dalinghaus and junior lineman Brian Joseph were both all-league players. 785-738-5706 All but four of the team’s rushing yards are back. High HearSchool every StFootball Johns Tipton GameBlujay of thegame Week Dalinghaus will enter his third year as a starter. He Friday Friday nights at @ 6:40pm 6:40pm Delivery available 5pm-close rushed 124 times for 695 yards, both team-highs, on KVSV on KVSV AM 1190 FM105.5 & FM 105.5 Carryout, & Delivery and tied junior Branden Bussmann for the team high and listen and at live kvsvradio.com at kvsvradio.com
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In 2016, Dighton enjoyed the best season in school annals when the Hornets finished 12-1 and took Eight-Man, Division II runner-up to Hanover. Last year, the Hornets virtually always played the same eight players on offense and defense and finished 7-2 in District 6, the hardest Division II district. District 6 produced all four sub-state teams on the western half of Division II in the last two seasons. Dighton opened 6-0 including quality wins versus Northern Valley (36-20) and Wallace County (20-8). In Week 7, Dighton fell 54-8 at Otis-Bison in a key district contest. The following week, Dighton lost 46-6 at Hodgeman County, the eventual state runner-up. In Week 9, Dighton beat Greeley County, 56-6. Dighton is 5-4, 12-1 and 7-2 the last three years. The five-win drop tied for the second-most in eight-man football last year. Dighton tallied 36.2 points a game and allowed 16.4. The defense was on par with ’16, a unit that permitted 16.1 points a contest. Coach Ken Simon said Dighton’s goals are to get to the playoffs and improve in all phases of the game. Dighton returns the majority of its skill players, especially with the Hoffman seniors. Blair Hoffman completed 51 of 91 passes for 683 yards with a 9/6 TD/INT ratio. He rushed 166 times for 1,035 yards and 21 scores. Dalton Hoffman had 78 carries for 4-5 in 2017 / 3-3 in district / 8-Man II 531 yards and seven rushing TDs. Senior David Three Rivers League Cramer and Dalton Hoffman were Dighton’s top-two Coach: Brandt Miller (2nd year, 4-5) pass catchers. Both had 20 catches. They combined Assistants: N/A for 527 yards and six receiving TDs. Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Dighton graduated two-time all-state lineman Logan Returning lettermen: N/A Lingg, along with Isaac Torson, a multi-year starter Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense who earned all-state last year with 96 tackles and 14 Conor Nicholl TFLs, both team-highs. Cramer and the Hoffmans were second, third and fourth-leading tacklers with 87 for Cramer, 70 for Blair and 65 for Dalton. “We must replace an effective offensive and defensive line from the past couple of seasons,” Simon said. “We have to develop some players early on for these positions as we will be relying on players that played sparingly last season and several newcomers to the program. Once again numbers and depth will be a concern, obviously staying healthy is a huge key.”
DOWNS-LAKESIDE
Lakeside played the No. 4-hardest schedule in Division II last year and finished 3-6 after a 3-7 season and playoff berth in ’16. Lakeside opened 0-6 against a brutal slate that featured six playoff teams: Pike Valley, Division I champion Hoxie, Osborne, Rock Hills, Northern Valley and Sylvan-Lucas. The Knights lost every game by at least 40 points and scored just 30 points total in the contests. Lakeside ended with three victories against teams that did not make the playoffs: 28-14 versus Thunder Ridge, 6620 at Wilson and 74-34 versus Stockton. Fourth-year coach Drew Duskie said team goals are to improve the record, win district and return to the playoffs. He listed the keys as establishing a run game with good upfront blocking, replacing the seniors lost from last year, getting stronger in the weight room and playing more consistent week after week. Senior quarterback Caleb Hake completed 53 of 134 passes for 831 yards with a 12/19 TD/INT ratio. Lakeside again struggled with turnovers and had 27 overall with a minus-14 turnover margin. In ’16, then-quarterback Dawson Johnson threw for 23 interceptions as the Knights committed 32 turnovers
DIGHTON
900 Morgan Ave. • Downs, KS (785) 454-3323
with 11 rushing scores. Bussmann had 97 carries for 496 yards. Frankfort scored 31.1 points per game in its first year after all-state quarterback Adam Kenworthy (University of St. Mary signee) graduated, a drop from 39.6 points per game in ’16. Frankfort struggled in the passing game with 36 percent completion on 110 attempts in ‘17. The previous two seasons, Frankfort tallied 41.6 and 43.1 points per contest. The defense has permitted at least 29.8 points per game in the last four years, including 38.4 last year, the highest in that time span. Dalinghaus led the team by a wide margin with 100 tackles, 39 more than any teammate. Senior Jarett Gros recovered four fumbles and blocked a punt. 4-5 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man II Twin Valley League Coach: Nick Anderson (3rd year, 9-9) Assistants: Jay Kennedy, Branton Smith Offense: Single Wing Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Carson Schreiner, RB, 5-7, 130, Sr.; Jarett Gros, OL/LB, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Josh Tynon, OL, 5-6, 185, Sr.; Garret Dalinghaus, RB/LB, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Brian Joseph, OL/DL, 6-1, 225, Jr.; Branden Bussmann, B/LB, 6-1, 155, Jr.; Trey Estes, 6-1, 160, LB; Aiden Gerstner, DB, 5-9, 130, So. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
GRAINFIELD-WHEATLAND/GRINNELL
Wheatland-Grinnell returns to eight-man football after two years of playing at the six-man level. The Thunderhawks finished 3-5 last year but lost its final four games after a 3-1 start. In ’16, W-G went 1-7 in an injury-plagued year. After last season, the Thunderhawks graduated Chandler Ostmeyer, a four-year starter and standout basketball player. Ostmeyer is W-G’s record holder in single season and all-time passing yards. First-year coach Jesse Vincent takes over for Todd Flinn, who coached four seasons. The Thunderhawks will play in Division II, District 6 with Dighton, Quinter, Sharon Springs, Greeley County and Triplains-Brewster. W-G’s schedule alternates home/away games. The Thunderhawks open with Fairfield at home, at Logan-Palco and versus Northern Valley before district play. W-G is at Sharon Springs, home against Greeley County, at Quinter, versus Triplains-Brewster and at Dighton. This season will mark the first time W-G will play Gove County rival Quinter in football since ’11. W-G is 0-4 against the Bulldogs since ’04 with all the meetings coming from ’08-11. W-G has never made the playoffs as a consolidated team. Grinnell last made the postseason in ’02. Wheatland had one all-time playoff berth in ’73. W-G did go 6-3 in ’11 and lost to Sharon Springs in a winner-take-all game for a playoff berth in Week 9. After that, the Thunderhawks went 5-4, 0-9, 3-6 and 3-6 before the drop down to six-man. Vincent is expecting around 20 players out for football with 13 of those being juniors and seniors. Top players include junior wide receiver Kyler Haffner and senior wide receiver Zach Gillespie. Haffner played quarterback mostly last year. Additionally, other key returners are sophomore lineman Elliot Godek, junior lineman Ethan Beckman, junior defensive back Dean York, sophomore running back/linebacker Trevor Zarybnicky and senior running back Andrew Taylor. “The upcoming season looks promising as the Thunderhawks return to 8-Man Division II play this year,” Vincent said. “After sitting out of the previous two year cycle and playing 6-Man football, the participation numbers are back up. There is a solid core of juniors and seniors with some talented freshman and sophomores rounding out the roster. If everyone can remain healthy, the team should be competitive and have a foundation to build on for the future.
HANOVER
Hanover enters this season on a 25-game winning streak with back-to-back Eight-Man, Division II state championships. While Hanover rolled through the ’16 playoffs, the Wildcats had a tougher road last year. In the first round, Hanover led 26-24 at halftime against Mankato-Rock Hills and won 62-32. After a 58-12 victory against Caldwell, Hanover defeated Pike Valley, 36-24, with a 22-6 margin in the fourth quarter. Hanover won the championship, 54-48, when it held off Hodgeman County in the highest scoring eight-man state championship in state history, according to Prep Power Index archives. HC scored 26 fourth-quarter points. The Wildcats graduated classification Defensive Player of the Year Carlos Emanuel (87 tackles, 14 TFLs, Kansas State walk-on) and all-state running back Kevin Diederich, but returns a bevy of talent from a team that had an average score of 54-11. “Every week we stepped up our play and were able to improve each time we took the field and that helped us play at an elite level,” coach Matt Heuer said. “It was a playoff run that took us through some extremely tough teams and the boys responded well each time.” Senior QB Daiken Stallbaumer was an all-state d-back as a sophomore (10 INTs) and then replaced eight-man record-setting QB Will Bruna last year. Stallbaumer rushed for 645 yards, passed for 1,018 and had 34 offensive TDs with just one interception. Senior RB/LB Carter Bruna returns for his third year as a starter after an all-state year where he recorded 74 stops, 11 TFLs and three forced fumbles. He led the team with 97 carries for 825 yards and was third with 17 rush TDs. Senior G/E/LB Cade Cohorst is back for third year as a starter. Cohorst could move back to the line where he started in ’16. Heuer said there could be several Wildcats who could switch positions. Senior Thomas Atkins has been an electrifying playmaker for two years, though missed last year’s state game. Senior Jonah Weber is in his second year as a starter on the line. Senior Pete Peters (6-3, 175) has logged time on both lines. Senior E/LB Justin Naegele (6-1, 165), senior OL/ DL Gavin Pralle (6-3, 240), senior OL/DL Dayton Shockley (6-2, 220) and junior RB/DB Taegan Schwartz (6-0, 170) are key returners as well. Hanover opens at Pike Valley, the opponent the Wildcats beat in the semis the last two years. PV 3-6 in 2017 / 8-Man II suffered significant graduation losses. In Week 2, Western Kansas Liberty League Hanover travels to Doniphan West, a new eight-man Coach: Jesse Vincent (1st year) team and in the Wildcats’ district. In Week 3, Hanover Assistants: N/A plays host to Rock Hills in a highly anticipated Offense: N/A Defense: N/A contest between a pair of top-five teams. Returning lettermen: N/A “The kids have been working hard once again Returning starters: 6 Offense, 2 Defense throughout the offseason but we still have a long way Zach Gillespie, WR, Sr.; Kyler Haffner, WR, Jr.; Ethan to go to reach our team goals,” Heuer said. Beckman, OL. Jr.; Elliot Godek, OL, So.; Dean York, DB, Jr.; Trevor Zarybnicky, RB/LB, So.; Andrew 13-0 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Taylor, RB, Sr. Conor Nicholl Twin Valley League Coach: Matt Heuer (14th year, 127-25) Assistants: John Bruna, Chris Beikmann Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 14 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Carter Bruna, RB/LB, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Daiken Stallbaumer, QB/DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Cade Cohorst, G/E/LB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Jonah Weber, OG/DE, 6-3, 240, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Page 154
HARTFORD
With a new coach and new set of skill players, the 2017 season figured to be one of transition for Hartford. Coming off a 9-2 season in 2016 when the Jaguars boasted one of the most explosive offenses in eight-man football, the Jaguars slipped to 2-7 a year ago. Hartford showed flashes of its 2016 production, scoring 78 in a win over South Haven and 74 in a win over Burrton. But in the seven losses, the Jaguars managed only 98 total points, giving up at least 52 points in six of those games. For the second straight season, the Jaguars will have to replace its major weapons. Graduation claimed starting tailback Justice Kemmerer, who had a big season in his first year as the feature back, rushing for 1,190 yards and 20 touchdowns. Also gone is starting quarterback Kolton Neill, who had 652 combined rushing and passing yards. Second-year coach Colten Barrett is expecting breakout seasons from senior Dalen Kistner and junior Cody Thomas. Kistner figured to be a key contributor a year ago, but was lost for the season in week two. Thomas, meanwhile, was Hartford’s leading receiver a year ago with 20 catches for 323 yards and seven touchdowns and will be Kistner’s go-to guy in his first year as starting quarterback. No returning back had more than 50 yards rushing, so developing a ground attack will be a big key for the Jaguars. Hartford does return two of three starters on the offensive line, but must replace two-time first-team All-Lyon County League pick Zack Larson. All six of Hartford’s returning lettermen also are returning starters, giving Barrett a solid nucleus to work with as he tries to get Hartford back to the postseason after a one-year absence. He’ll rely heavily on a talented freshman class with Shayden Shull and Aiden Goodman expected to fill key roles this season right away. Neither of the teams Hartford beat a year ago are on this year’s schedule and the Jaguars’ entire district is different from a year ago. The intriguing matchup comes in week six against Marais des Cygnes Valley, which is coached by Lewis Whitson, who was the Jaguars’ head coach before leaving last year. 2-7 in 2017 / 2-3 in districts / 8-Man II Lyon County League Coach: Colten Barrett (2nd year, 2-7) Assistants: Ben Dandrea Offense: Pistol Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Dalen Kistner, QB/LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Cody Thomas, WR/CB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Jesse Baker, TE/LB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Gabriel Metcalfe, C, 5-11, 225, Jr.; Kristian Trujillo, OL/DE, 6-0, 250, So.; Trenton Schroeder, CB, 5-8, 150, So. Brent Maycock
HIGHLAND-DONIPHAN WEST
The 2018 season will be one of transition for Doniphan West in many ways. For starters, there’s a new coach. Jeff Savage takes over the program after Rob Randall guided the Mustangs to a 6-4 mark and the Class 2-1A playoffs a year ago. Randall spent two years at the helm, compiling a 8-11 mark. Savage spent last year as head coach at Mission Valley, but enters his 34th year as a head coach overall. he’s 219-118 in his career. Savage made his mark as an eight-man coach, which will be a major plus as Doniphan West drops from 11-Man to eight-man football this season for the first time. The program does have history at the eight-man level with Midway-Denton, a powerhouse program before consolidating with Highland to form Doniphan West. Savage’s trademark was high-powered offense, but he’ll start mostly from scratch this season. Graduation claimed all but two players off last year’s team, including 1,600-yard passer Levi Watts and every player who accounted for an offensive yard last year. In all, Doniphan West will have returning seniors Norman Miller and Tucker Holzhey surrounded by 10 freshmen and a first-year sophomore and junior. Miller and Holzhey both started on the line a year ago, but Holzhey will move to receiver. Freshman Trent Spiker will step in at quarterback and Miller will be flanked by freshmen Riley Schuneman and Cooper Clark, who do have good size with both 210 pounds or bigger. The Mustangs enjoyed a solid final season in 11-Man football, returning to the playoffs for just the third time in program history. Two of the four losses came to powerhouse Centralia, while another came to regular-season unbeaten Jefferson North. Doniphan West will begin eight-man play against another eight-man newcomer, Washington County, whom the Mustangs beat in last year’s opener. The schedule is filled entirely with Twin Valley League rivals, including a week two meeting with two-time defending Division II champion Hanover. 6-4 in 2017 / 3-1 in districts / 8-Man II Twin Valley League Coach: Jeff Savage (1st year, 0-0) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 2 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 1 Defense Norman Miller, OL/DL, 270, Sr.; Tucker Holzhey, WR/ LB, 160, Sr. Brent Maycock
INGALLS
Ingalls has been one of eight-man’s top teams in the last five years. Since ’13, Ingalls has made the playoffs every fall. The Bulldogs went 7-3 last season, a year that included a forfeit against Moscow and a bye. Ingalls finished 4-0 in districts, defeated Pretty Prairie, 50-32, in the first round of the postseason and then lost, 60-14, at Otis-Bison. Ingalls opened the year with a 48-26 loss at South Gray, an eventual 7-2 team. Ingalls defeated Bucklin, 54-0, and then lost at South Central, 53-6. Ingalls rolled off six straight victories, including three shutouts in non-forfeitures. Coach Vestal Teeter, formerly as an assistant, is 16-5 as a head coach and 44-11 in his coaching Over two years, Central Christian has amassed an the consistent Garrett Burns manning a linebacker career at the school. Ingalls is 19-0 in district play absurd 1,388 points. Given five years to keep pace, post. Enough talent returns to demand continued the Cleveland Browns are still behind the Cougars respect from opponents, but it may take a few games the last four years and 23-1 in the past five. The last district loss came in a 50-0 loss at Fowler on Oct. 11, (the Browns have 1,383 points). to mesh it. 2013. Ingalls has posted records of 7-3, 10-1, 9-2, At 63.1 points per game the past two years, the Central Christian will be a favorite to come out of Cougars are wearing out highlight films. They have District 7 with a postseason bid. The slate includes stormed past 50 points in 19 of 22 games. The crux Norwich, Burrton, Pretty Prairie, Fairfield and South of the conversation, though, is the endings that slam Haven, five foes the Cougars handled with relative the brakes on the Cougars’ speedy attack. In two ease this past season. But a week three date at consecutive quarterfinal exits, Central Christian was South Barber poses a critical showdown in the district limited to zero and six points, respectively. That is race, pitting two defending district champions not to derail the applause the Cougars deserve since rejoining the KSHSAA after years as a club team, 10-1 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II only a clear pivot point demonstrating there is work to Heart of the Plains League (785) 377-2224 do to reach another rung. Coach: Lee Smith (5th year, 24-15; 10th overall, “We want this to be the best that we can be with 48-39) the talent that God has blessed each one of us Assistants: Tony Urwiller with,” said Central Christian coach Lee Smith. “We Offense: Spread Option Defense: 3-2 105 W. North St. • Hanover, KS control our effort and our attitude – if we do well in Returning lettermen: 10 those areas that we can control, the season will be a Returning starters: 4 Offense, 5 Defense 785-337-2598 success, regardless of the wins and losses.” Richie Oswalt, WB/LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Marshall Smith faces an intriguing retool. Gone are three Walton, TE, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Bailey Nachtigal, DE, 5-11, “Proud supporters of first-team Heart of the Plains League selections and 170, Sr.; Garrett Burns, RB/LB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Adam the backbone of the offensive line. Back are talented Hall, TE/S, 5-11, 155, Jr.; Dawson Urwiller, CB, 5-8, Hanover athletics!” receivers Richie Oswalt and Adam Hall, as well as 135, So. Kyle McCaskey
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8-2 and 7-3. Ingalls has reached the quarterfinals in ’14, ’15 and ’17, three of the school’s five trips to that round. The only time the Bulldogs have gone further is the ’84 state title. Ingalls graduated running back Mikel Osborne, who delivered more than 1,100 rushing yards and all-state lineman Zach Barrie. Ingalls used dual quarterbacks last year with freshman Tate Davis and sophomore Timothy Gillen. Ingalls averaged 41.2 points a game and permitted 25.2. “We want to continue our postseason play,” Teeter said. “We will work to go further than we did last year. We want to continue growing as a team. We have a good foundation to build on.” 7-3 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Vestal Teeter (3rd year, 16-5) Assistants: Braden Pelischek, Travis Leverett Offense: Wing T Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Benny Hernandez, OL/DL, Sr.; Timothy Gillen, QB/ LB, Jr.; Easton Irsik, WR/CB, Jr.; Nick Beavers, OL/ DL, Jr.; Antonio Escobedo, RB/LB, Jr.; Tate Davis, RB/CB, So.; Edgar Ruiz, WR/LB, So. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
KENSINGTON-THUNDER RIDGE
Joel Struckhoff, a 2012 Thunder Ridge graduate who led the Longhorns to the 2011 Eight-Man, Division II state championship and still holds eight-man career records for rushing yards (6,919), touchdowns (127) and total points scored (856), has taken over as head football coach at his alma mater. Struckhoff’s teams went 34-9, including 13-0 his senior year with a win against Baileyville B&B in the state title game. In 2012, Thunder Ridge earned state runner-up in Division II to Baileyville. In ’13, the Longhorns were top-five in the preseason and finished 7-2 with a first round playoff loss at Wallace County. In ’14, Thunder Ridge was again top-five and narrowly missed the playoffs with a 6-3 record after an injury-plagued year. That season marked the first time the Longhorns missed the playoffs since ’09. Then, Jerry Voorhees, who served as coach of Kensington/Thunder Ridge for nine seasons, stepped aside. Voorhees went 58-16 as Thunder Ridge’s head coach after TR opened in ’08 following the consolidation of Agra-Eastern Heights and Kensington. Overall, Voorhees had a 75-20 record. Thunder Ridge has struggled mightily the last three years with 1-7, 0-9 and 2-7 records. Now, Struckhoff, who has served in multiple other roles within the district, takes over with two of his former teammates as assistant. Blane Hrabe and Dillon Coomes, the standout quarterback and lineman on the state team, are also on staff. Coomes served as an assistant last year. Thunder Ridge will play in Division II, District 5 with Northern Valley, Logan-Palco, Osborne, Sylvan Grove and Wilson. Thunder Ridge returns seven starters on both sides of the ball. Senior end Landon Gering, senior center/ linebacker Brandon Shaw, senior lineman Brice Hendryx and junior quarterback/defensive end Riggs Reneberg are all entering at least their third year as starters. Struckhoff took over for Otis Hendryx, the coach for the last three years. Struckhoff set goals to go over .500 and make the playoffs. He listed offensive keys as turning the ball over less, sustaining drives, becoming more disciplined on following blocks and making smarter throws. Defensively, Struckhoff wants to not give up the big plays, stick to positional assignments and play disciplined football. Thunder Ridge averaged 18 points a game and permitted 42.9 a contest last year.
KIOWA-SOUTH BARBER
South Barber has posted 6-3, 9-2 and 9-2 records under coach Grant Cantrell, in his 22nd year at the school. South Barber went 5-0 in Heart of the Plains League action and 5-0 in district play for the second straight year. In the last three seasons, SB is 13-1 in league play. The Chieftains opened ’17 with three straight shutouts against Skyline, Norwich and Burrton. In Week 4, SB lost 34-30 at Argonia-Attica. In districts, SB delivered wins against Pretty Prairie (60-13), at Chase (20-0), versus Stafford (52-6), Ashland (54-8) and at Bucklin (52-6). In the first round of the playoffs, SB defeated Rolla, 68-8, at home. In the second round, the Chieftains lost to eventual state runner-up Hodgeman County, 52-6. This fall, the Chieftains are Division II, District 7 and will likely be the favorite in a group that has Burrton, Hutchinson-Central Christian, Fairfield, Norwich, Pretty Prairie, South Haven. SB scored 44.2 points a game and permitted 11.5, which ranked seventh in the eight-man ranks. Those numbers were virtually identical to ’16 when SB scored 46.5 and permitted 11.1 en route to a second-round playoff loss against Wallace County. “Win District, make a deep run in the playoffs,” Cantrell said of team goals. “We have been to the second round of the playoff’s two years in a row. We want to bust that door down and move deeper in the playoffs this year!” SB graduated all-state defensive back Trae Rathgeber. He had 79 tackles, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. However, the Chieftains return many of its other top players. Junior Trevor Rooks stepped in well for allstater Grant Cantrell at quarterback and completed 74 of 129 passes for 1,048 yards with a 23/6 TD/ INT ratio. He led the team with 133 carries for 702 yards and finished second with 13 rushing scores, one behind Rathgeber. Senior Neal Gugelmeyer had an exceptional sophomore year (1,021 rush, 109 tackles) but played in only six games in ’17. He averaged 9.3 yards per carry with 55 carries for 512 yards and nine scores. SB finished plus-15 in turnover margin, a key strength the last two years. In ’16, the Chieftains were plus-11 after plus-2 in ’15. SB and eventual Division I champion Hoxie were the last eight-man teams scored upon last year. “The upperclassmen need to continue the work ethic and the tradition we have here at South Barber!,” Cantrell said. “We will have to have some young guys step in in certain spots in order for us to be a high level team. Having several upperclassmen with a lot of experience should help with this. We will have to stay healthy as well, developing some depth will be goal for us as well.”
Page 155
LANGDON-FAIRFIELD
Fairfield has fallen on hard times. The Falcons have one win in the past three seasons, and begin this season pursuing an end to a taxing 17-game skid. Fairfield’s most recent win came week one of 2016, a 40-30 home triumph over Burrton. Despite struggles in the immediate past, Fairfield is not far removed from accomplishing 18 combined wins from 2012 to 2014. First and foremost will be identifying the next great slasher for a program tradition-rich at running back. Fairfield will feel the departure of David MacMahon heavily after toting the rock for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. That may push the focus toward wideout Kyle Canady, who led the team in receiving across the board with 10 receptions, 246 yards and three vacations in the end zone. Scoring, however, is not the pressing concern. Fairfield’s defense was humbled by coughing up at least 54 points each week on its way to an 8-Man Division I-worst 63.3 points per game against. Only Deerfield (69.1) was worse among all of 8-Man. Fairfield has little history with the postseason, only making one appearance back in 1995. The Falcons reached the quarterfinals that year. Changing that narrative this season would require a monumental breakthrough in a loaded 8-Man District 7. Fairfield will run into playoff veterans Hutchinson Central Christian, South Barber and Pretty Prairie, as well as Norwich, which itself came off a near-miss of the postseason. South Haven and Burrton fill out the remainder of the district calendar. 0-9 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man II Heart of the Plains League Coach: Heath Hewitt (3rd year, 1-17) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Kyle McCaskey
LINN
eight points in any of the four wins including shutouts of BV Randolph and Tescott. But the squad was similarly outmatched in losses to Clifton-Clyde, Hanover, St. John’s Beloit/Tipton, Rock Hills and Pike Valley allowing at least 52 points in each contest and scoring only four total touchdowns while converting no extra point tries. 4-5 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man II Twin Valley League Coach: N/A Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
A loaded schedule proved to be too much for Southern Coffey a year ago as the Titans went 2-7 under first-year coach Todd Griffin, who left to join the staff at Lyndon. Trevor Smith will take over as coach. All seven losses came to teams which posted winning seasons with four to teams who finished with two or fewer losses, including Division I state runner-up St. Paul and Division II champion Hanover. The Titans only played one team which posted a losing record overall (Hartford) and picked up a win over 8-2 Waverly in the second week, beating the Bulldogs for the second straight year. The Titans didn’t graduate much off last year’s team with only one player who earned All-Lyon County League honors moving on, second-team running back Luke Gillis. In all, the Titans return four players who earned postseason honors of some kind, including first-team all-league receiver Dawson Leimkuhler, second-team defensive end Cooper Harred, second-team defensive back Kolgan Ohl and honorable mention defensive back Jett Harvey. The schedule gets a little different look this year as the Titans drop from Division I to Division II. Southern Coffey still opens with league power Burlingame and sees league foes Hartford and Waverly in the next two weeks. But the district isn’t nearly as loaded as last year with St. Paul and Marmaton Valley the only teams with winning marks last year.
2-7 in 2017 / 0-5 in districts / 8-Man II Lyon County League Coach: Trevor Smith (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense Brent Maycock
LOGAN/PALCO
Logan-Palco has continually posted strong seasons in the last several years but has trouble overcoming 2-7 in 2017 / 1-5 in district / 8-Man II challenging districts and reaching the playoffs. L-P is Northern Plains League now 5-4, 4-5, 7-2, 7-2 and 6-3 since the co-operative Coach: Joel Struckhoff (1st year) agreement was formed. The Trojans had three playAssistants: Dillon Coomes, Blane Hrabe ers sign to play in college from last fall’s squad. Offense: N/A Defense: 3-3 David Thompson, a two-time all-state running Returning lettermen: N/A back, signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense University. Athletic Riley Allen, who played wide 9-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Landon Gering, TE/DE, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Jeran Hale, receiver and quarterback, signed with McPherson CB, 150, Sr.; Britt Bauman, WR/NG, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Heart of the Plains College for football. Colton Greving signed with Coach: Matt Cantrell (4th year, 24-7) Brandon Grauerholz, WR/CB, 5-10, 155, Sr.; Brice Bethel College for basketball. Assistants: Berton Walz Hendryx, OL/DL, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Brandon Shaw, C/ Thompson rushed for 1,347 yards and 21 scores, LB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Joseph Ferguson, RB/LB, 5-7, 175, Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 while Allen passed for 414 yards with a 6/1 TD/ Returning lettermen: 9 Jr.; Riggs Reneberg, QB/DE, 5-8, 175, Jr.; Colton INT ratio and rushed for 547 yards and 13 TDs. Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Davis, TE/LB, 5-8, 170, Jr.; Tyler Krueger, OL/DL, Thompson had 4,764 rushing yards and 385 Neal Gugelmeyer, RB/LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Nick Malone, tackles in his career. Three of the top-four tacklers 6-1, 200, Jr. Conor Nicholl TE/LB, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Cole Coggins, TE/DB, 6-2, graduated. 170, Sr.; Gage Cantrell, RB/DE, 6-1, 170, Jr.; Trevor The Trojans opened 4-0 and allowed just 22 points Rooks, QB/LB, 6-0, 170, Jr. and then started play in a competitive district where Conor Nicholl all but one team finished with a winning record. L-P trailed 24-0 early at Victoria and fell 50-26. Then, the Trojans lost, 44-10, versus Osborne. After wins against Lincoln (50-0) and Solomon (64-16), L-P fell In early August it appeared that former junior over Blue Valley Randolph, Wetmore, Southern 34-32 to Bennington. LP had an average score of high coach Ron Smith would be moved to Cloud and Tescott and allowing no more than 45.3 to 18.4. The Trojans finished 18th in all of eight
the high school position after Jeremy Miller’s departure at the end of the school year to take on the head coaching position at Pike Valley. Miller replaces veteran coach Don Melby who retired after 37 seasons as head coach of the Panthers. According to a report from the Linn-Palmer Record, Linn was expected to have around 12 players out for football this fall. The Bulldogs were dominate in their four victories last year, scoring at least 46 points in wins
LEROY-SOUTHERN COFFEY CO.
man in scoring offense, and 19th in scoring defense. The Trojans improved its defensive average by 13.3 points a contest from ’16, the tenth-best eight man improvement. L-P dropped down to Division II this season in District 5 with Northern Valley, Thunder Ridge, Osborne, Sylvan Grove and Wilson. “Team goals are to put ourselves in a position to make a deep run in playoffs,” coach Mike Jenner said. “Stay healthy. Get better each week! Number 1 key to success is to stay healthy. Number 2 is to have some underclassmen step up and help replace the loss of some very good talent from last year’s team that have graduated.” 6-3 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man II Western Kansas Liberty League Coach: Mike Jenner (4th year, 20-7) Assistants: Michael Delimont, Robert Weber Offense: Power Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Bodey LeRoux, E/DE, Sr.; Matt Kirkendall, C, Sr.; Michael Daniels, DE, Sr.; Jed Peace, G/NG, Jr.; Cody Brown, G, Jr. Conor Nicholl
@ John Baetz
101 9 BULL the
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
LOST SPRINGS-CENTRE
MANKATO-ROCK HILLS
Rock Hills has four straight winning seasons, including 7-2 and 8-2 the last two falls, and is a viable Eight-Man, Division II state championship contender this year. Rock Hills’ best finish is a Division I runner-up to Ness City in ’12. Two years ago, Rock Hills narrowly lost out on a playoff spot with a 34-32 Week 9 home loss to Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton. Last year, RH barely lost the district title to Pike Valley. In Week 6, Rock Hills started its key home contest versus Pike Valley on Friday but the game had to finish Monday because of the weather. The Grizzlies lost 28-22 in overtime. Rock Hills finished as district runner-up and had to play Hanover in the first round. The Grizzlies challenged Hanover and trailed just, 26-24, at halftime. Hanover pulled away and won, 64-32, at home en route to its second straight state title. Hanover has captured 25 straight wins. Rock Hills finished fifth in the final Division II Kpreps rankings. This season, Rock Hills has a high-profile Week 3 non-district game against Hanover. Senior Zane Colson, a starter since freshman year, was an all-state running back with 1,502 rushing yards and 25 offensive TDs. Additionally, Colson had 118 tackles and fumble recovery for a score. Junior Rylee Whelchel delivered 67 carries for 663 yards and 15 rushing TDs, along with 19 catches for 469 yards and 12 TDs. Senior Dereck Gillett was 46 of 75 passing for 759 yards with a 15/3 TD/INT ratio. Rock Hills graduated all-state linebacker Tycen Higer, who played multiple positions on both sides. He finished with 75 stops, 15 TFLs. Rock Hills had just 11 turnovers and finished plus-17 in turnover margin. The Grizzlies finished fifth in eight-man in scoring (51.4 ppg) and 13th in points allowed (16.0). RH is expected to have multiple players step up into key roles, including senior offensive lineman 5-3 in 2017 / 4-2 in district / 8-Man II Derric Luong and a trio of sophomores: QB/TE Wheat State League Jerrod Gillett, FB/TE Mason Higer and lineman Coach: Kelly Steiner (9th year, 38-35) Caden Slate. Eight seniors graduated, including four Assistants: Jason Stika, Tim Vinduska of the five offensive starters. Offense: Balanced Defense: 3-2 “The kids will use last year’s first round playoff Returning lettermen: 8 exit as motivation going into this upcoming season,” Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense coach Brock McMillan said. “We have to be able to Kyle Naerebout, G/NT, 6-0, 265, Sr.; Xavier Espinoza, E/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Braxton Smith, QB/S, come together as a group early on in the season and learn to trust each other and communicate during 6-2, 210, Jr.; Jensen Riffel, FB/LB, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Dalton Stika, OL/LB, 6-1, 215, Jr.; Lane Methvin, E/ games. I was really happy last year with our focus and preparation from week to week. Now that we CB, 5-9, 150, So. Conor Nicholl have lost a sizeable group of senior leaders, hopefully that habit can continue on with the next wave of underclassmen.” Centre returns five offensive and six defensive starters for a team that averaged 50 points a game, seventh-best in all of eight-man last fall. The Cougars also improved its offense by 20.9 points per contest from 2016, the best scoring improvement in eightman. It marked the program’s first winning season since 2013. Last year, Centre finished 5-3 with losses against Little River (50-42), Burlingame (58-12) and Clifton-Clyde (46-26), all squads that made the playoffs. Centre’s last playoff appearances came in 2011 and ’15. Centre has dropped down to Division II under coach Kelly Steiner, in his ninth year as head coach and 13th season overall. Steiner said the team will need to “work to get better everyday,” and listed having a good offseason, staying healthy and “summer weights will be very important” as the team’s keys. Centre is home against perennial power Waverly in Week 5 in what will likely be a key game in District 2. It is the first meeting between the programs since the Cougars lost 76-36 in 2011. Senior lineman Kyle Naerebout was a first team all league and all-state honorable mention pick. Senior Xavier Espinoza had 24 catches for 506 yards with eight scores, along with six interceptions (three pick-sixes) and was key in the return game. Junior fullback Jensen Riffel delivered 101 rushes for 603 yards and 14 scores. Junior quarterback Braxton Smith missed three games due to a high ankle sprain. He finished with 50 rushes for 351 yards and six scores. He completed 34 of 51 passes for 667 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, Centre permitted 33.1 points a game two years ago and cut it to 27.5 allowed last year.
8-2 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Brock McMillan (6th year, 31-16) Assistants: Matt Railsback, Travis Cox Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Zane Colson, RB/LB, Sr.; Dereck Gillett, QB/TE/ DE, Sr.; Rylee Whelchel, RB/TE/LB, Jr.; Cheyenne Conor Nicholl Mohler, OL, Jr.
MORAN-MARMATON VALLEY
In ’11-12, Marmaton Valley advanced to the quarterfinals each season and tied the furthest advancement in school annals with ’88 and ’07. In ’12, MV went 10-1. In ’11, the Wildcats were 7-3, and in ’07, MV also went 10-1. After ’12, the Wildcats have continued to improve. MV is 1-8, 2-7, 4-5, 5-4 and 6-3 last season. The Wildcats averaged 44.2 points a game and permitted 27.1 a contest. It marked a 15.6 points per contest improvement from ’16, which ranked fourth-best in eight-man football. Marmaton Valley opened 5-1 with four blowout wins, including three shutouts. The only loss came 58-20 versus Greenfield (Mo.) in Week 3. MV defeated Sedan 36-28 in Week 5. Sedan finished 6-3. In Weeks 7 and 8, the Wildcats had playoff spots on the line with home games versus St. Paul and West Elk but lost 74-26 and 62-28. SP finished as Division I runner-up, and West Elk was 10-1. MV ended the year with a 68-22 win at Southern Coffey County. The Wildcats were 4-0 on the road. This year, the Wildcats bump down a classification to Division II, District 1 with Altoona-Midway, Chetopa, Colony-Crest, Southern Coffey County and St. Paul. “Our district the past two years has really been tough,” third-year coach Gavin Cole said. “Talented, well coached teams every week. To navigate that district you really needed to be playing your best every week. Unfortunately we fell short of one of our team goals by not finishing top two in the district and missing out on the playoffs.” Senior Isaac Heskett was an honorable mention allleague offensive guard. Senior Caiden Elliot had 57
rushes for 302 yards and five scores. As the changeof-pace Wildcat quarterback, he completed 5 of 10 passes for 139 yards and three TDs. William Lowder delivered 47 tackles with one sack. MV graduated Trevor Wilson (1,269 rush, 25 TDs). Senior running back/linebacker Xavier Bauer transferred last year from Humboldt. Junior DL Nate McAloon (5-11, 250) had a knee injury last year but played as a freshman. Junior DL Braden Allison (6-0, 260) is playing for the first time since Cole coached him in the seventh grade. The senior class has played with Cole since junior high. Cole believes the team’s strength will be the offensive line. Defensively, Cole believes the team’s strength will be physicality. Cole wants to improve open-field tackling and pass defense after struggling against WE and SP in those categories, and maintaining blocks and replacing the large senior class from last year will be key. “For me last season was another step in the right direction as we try to continue to develop our identity as a team, and improving our work habits that will bring continued success in the future,” Cole said. 6-3 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Three Rivers League Coach: Gavin Cole (3rd season, 11-7) Assistants: Derek Scharff, Garret Ericson Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: 2 Offense, 3 Defense Isaac Heskett, OG/DE, 6-0, 255, Sr.; Caiden Elliot, RB/OLB, Sr.; William Lowder, LB, 5-10, 175, So. Conor Nicholl
MELVERN-MARAIS DES CYGNES
Coach Lew Whitson enjoyed a big turnaround with Hartford and put up high-octane numbers. Last year, Marias Des Cygnes Valley (MdCV) posted its second straight one-win year. However, the offensive numbers showed marked improvement from 2016. That year, the Trojans averaged 11.5 points per game and permitted 45.3 with coach Brandon Wise, now the Osborne head coach. Last year, MdCV permitted 42.4 points per game but scored 21.6 under Whitson. The plus-10.1 offensive points per game improvement ranked 12th in all of eight-man football. This year, the Trojans are in Eight-Man, Division II, District 2 with Hartford, Lost Springs-Centre, Rural Vista, Wakefield and Waverly. MdCV made four straight playoff berths from ’12-’15, including quarterfinals in ’13-’14. Whitson led Hartford to marks of 2-7, 4-5, 7-3 and 9-2, including a quarterfinals showing in ’16. In Whitson’s last season, Hartford averaged 53.5 points a game, a 14.5-point per game climb from the year prior. None of the district opponents won a playoff game last year, though Waverly (8-2) and Centre (5-3) both ranked in the top-seven in eight-man scoring offense. Whitson set multiple goals including “keep the main thing, the main thing,” get kids in the weight room and involved in our summer workouts, get our student-athletes to attend our summer camp, get our students to get out on the football field and participate and have the football players buy into “we is greater than me.” Senior lineman Gannon Schimmel, senior halfback/defensive back Ethan Cannon and fullback/linebacker Koby Vanderpool are all entering at least their third years as starters. “Putting in work during the summer,” Whitson said of the number one key. “Getting physically more powerful, mentally tougher, and learning the offensive and defensive schemes we plan to have in when season starts. A large part of our team success next year will literally be getting kids involved, having them buy into our program and participate in it, and understanding a lot of things in football depend on what they do before a football is ever snapped on the field in the fall.”
MINNEOLA
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Minneola had reached the playoffs in ’12, ’14, ’15 and ’16 with quarterfinal showings in ’14-’15, the best finishes in school history since its lone state crown in ’80. The Wildcats have generally had an outstanding running back and big offensive line. In ’16, Minneola went 6-4 and averaged 39 points a game for the second straight year. Tristan Haynes enjoyed a Kpreps all-state season with 1,450 rushing yards and 22 rushing scores. He had 56 tackles, fourth-most, and was the only one of the top-six that was a non-senior in ’16. However, Haynes then transferred to Meade where he led the Buffaloes to the playoffs and started at quarterback. He passed for 357 yards with a 9/8 TD/ INT ratio and led with 217 carries for 957 yards and 12 scores. Without Haynes and a key senior class from ’16, the Wildcats had a five-win dropoff to 1-8. The Wildcats scored just 13.1 points per contest and allowed 40.3. Minneola had a Week 5 bye and its only victory came in a 56-0 home performance against Deerfield in the season’s final contest. In Week 8, Minneola fell to Rolla, 48-42, on the road. The Wildcats had a very young team in ’17 and averaged 168 rushing and 15 passing yards a game. Junior Bryton Lantz led with 104 carries for 784 yards and nine rushing scores. All but two of the team’s 1,514 rushing yards return. All 21 of the receptions came from non-seniors. All but one of the 353 tackles are back. Lantz led with 80 stops. Minneola committed 14 turnovers. Minneola has primarily played the far southwestern schools in recent years, but Deerfield, Moscow and Rolla are moving to 6-Man football. Now the Wildcats will play in District 8 with Bucklin, Chase, Ingalls, Stafford and likely favorites Otis-Bison and Satanta. While Bucklin and Ingalls are usual opponents, it marks the first meeting against Satanta and Stafford since ’15. Since ’04, Minneola has not played OtisBison or Chase.
1-7 in 2017 / 1-3 in district / 8-Man II Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Reigo Hahn (6th year, 26-22) Assistants: N/A 1-8 in 2017 / 1-5 in district / 8-Man II Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Lyon County League Returning lettermen: N/A Coach: Lewis E. Whitson Sr. (2nd year, 1-8; 6th year, Returning starters: N/A 23-25) Assistants: Danny Rice, Dirk Canon Offense: Single Back Spread Defense: 5-1 Returning lettermen: 3 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Gannon Schimmel, OG/NG, 5-9, 205, Sr.; Ethan Cannon, HB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Koby Vanderpool, FB/LB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Garrett Holloway, OG/DE, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Steven Clower, C, 5-6, 190, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Conor Nicholl
NORWICH
Mike Wilmott has been good for Norwich, rerouting the trajectory for a program that slogged through five consecutive losing seasons before his arrival. After a 2-7 finish his first year, Wilmott has produced backto-back 5-4 campaigns. There was a pretty clear delineation in Norwich’s 5-4 mark. The Eagles beat who they would have likely been expected to, but fell short against top-tier talent. Victories came against adversaries with a combined 9-36 record, but losses came to foes with a 30-12 collective finish, including three state quarterfinalists. The next step is to chase down a playoff bid, an accomplishment that has eluded Norwich since 2008. The 8-Man-Division II District 7 will not allow for any missteps along the way for the Eagles. Hutchinson Central Christian, South Barber and Pretty Prairie all come off postseason berths. South Haven, Burrton and Fairfield round out the seven-team field. “The key for our success this year is to get stronger and continue to build depth with our younger guys,” Wilmott said. “We have a good number of guys returning that have seen significant playing time, and we will be looking to them to lead our team.” Norwich had limited experience returning in 2017,
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but still succeeded. The Eagles are better equipped with veterans this season, with five starters back on offense and defense. Junior defensive end Ethan Poe wrote himself into stat sheets by shoving his way behind the line of scrimmage. His counterpart, sophomore Bradey McIntire, is learning to do the same. Offensively, running back Luke Hilger flashed potential in a secondary role. Blake Allender saw time at wide receiver but will hunker down at quarterback, where he saw reps a year ago.
5-4 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Heart of the Plains League Coach: Mike Wilmott (4th year, 12-15; 11th overall, 36-54) Assistants: Don Hall Offense: I-Formation Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Hunter Fitch, RB/DB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Blake Allender, QB/DB, 6-1, 160, Jr.; Luke Hilger, RB/DB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Ethan Poe, OL/DE, 6-0, 220, Jr.; Bradey McIntire, TE/DE, 6-0, 190, So. Kyle McCaskey
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
ONAGA
Year two as an eight-man program didn’t go any better for Onaga. In fact, it was worse. After going 2-7 in 2016, the Buffaloes slipped to 1-8 last season. The lone win was a 60-6 victory over Valley Falls in the season finale to avoid a winless campaign and two of the program’s three eight-man wins have come against the Dragons. Onaga will look to get things turned around with a new coach in charge. Travis Callaway left to become head coach at Spearville and taking his place will be Ben Kolterman. A standout for the Buffaloes in the 1990s, Kolterman hopes to return the program to the consistent winner it was when he played. The good news for Kolterman is seven of the eight lettermen who return were starters a year ago. The bad news is one of the few players lost to graduation was the guy who did virtually everything for the Buffaloes last year. Tanner Marten was a one-man wrecking crew, rushing for 1,051 of the team’s 1,494 yards and throwing for 321 of its 397 yards. He accounted for 25 of the team’s 29 offensive touchdowns and also led the Buffaloes with 109 tackles. Kolterman may have to go with a committee approach this year, spreading the offense between the returning skill players. Kameron Henneberg and Quinton Norris combined for 415 rushing yards and three touchdowns last year, while KC Koelzer will step into the quarterback spot to replace Marten after seeing a handful of snaps a year ago. There’s enough depth at the skill spots that Henneberg could move to the offensive line this year, joining returning starters Tommy Kaberline and Ethan Shclegel, both juniors. He also is the leading returning tackler with 62 a year ago, while Norris added 50. Onaga drops down to Eight-Man Division II this season after debuting at the Division I level the past two years and playing in one of the toughest districts in the state. This year’s district won’t be any easier with two-time reigning champion Hanover and experienced Axtell leading an All-Twin Valley League grouping. 1-8 in 2017 / 1-5 in districts / 8-Man II Twin Valley League Coach: Ben Kolterman (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 7 Defense K.C. Koelzer, QB/DB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Aaron Schwartz, E/OLB, 6-2, 150, Sr.; Quinton Norris, RB/DB, 6-0, 150, Sr.; Kameron Henneberg, OG/LB, 5-9, 180, Jr.; Tommy Kaberline, C/DT, 5-8, 210, Jr.; Ethan Shlegel, OG/DT, 5-8, 210, Jr.; Trenton Cott, E/OLB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Sam Kufahl, E/DB, 5-11, 140, So. Brent Maycock
OSBORNE
In ’16, Osborne won its second Division I title in four years and also broke its own state mark for eight-man scoring offense with 764 points. Last year, the Bulldogs had some personnel ups-and-downs but still produced a 9-2 season and trip to the quarterfinals. Since ’10, Osborne has three semifinals, two titles and a quarterfinalist showing. Bulldog head coach Cullen Riner, who has served in various roles in the program for more than decade, resigned as head coach after the season and is now again the assistant. Brandon Wise has become head coach. Wise listed goals as “compete, and be the best team we are capable of being” and keys to success “are going to be working hard and buying into the system.” Osborne scored 45.5 points per game, just outside of the top-15 in eight-man football, and permitted 19.4 points per contest. The Bulldogs were a top-five team virtually all season. Osborne lost at Pike Valley, 30-28, in Week 4 in a game that came to the final play. In the playoffs, the Bulldogs lost, 35-24, at St. Paul in an upset. Osborne led 16-0 in the first half. St. Paul eventually converted a 4th-and-15 for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Osborne junior standout Darrien Holloway suffered injury in the game. St. Paul eventually reached the state title game where it lost to Hoxie. This year, both Osborne and St. Paul bump down to Division II, and Osborne will move back to the western half of the state in District 5. Osborne will likely be the favorite in a district that has Northern Valley, Thunder Ridge, Logan-Palco, Sylvan-Lucas and Wilson. Osborne averaged 286 rushing yards a game and 74 passing. Senior Darnell Holloway had 51 of 84 passing for 783 yards with a 12/5 TD/INT ratio. Denton Schurr graduated after he rushed for 1,788 yards as a junior and 1,311 last year. However, Darrien Holloway returns after he had 82 carries for 626 yards and 17 rushing scores as a freshman, and 114 carries for 840 yards and 15 TDs last year. Darnell Holloway recorded 88 carries for 808 yards and 14 rushing scores. Darrien led the team with 255 receiving yards, tied for the team-high with four receiving scores and hauled in 16 passes. Kade Miller, now entering his third year as a starter, delivered a Bulldog-best 19 catches for 245 yards and four scores. Osborne had just eight turnovers and finished plus-12 in turnover margin. In his career, Miller has 139 tackles, 14 TFLs and 13 interceptions. 9-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Brandon Wise (1st year; 2nd overall, 1-8) Assistants: Cullen Riner Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 4 Defense Darnell Holloway, QB/DB, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Darrien Holloway, RB/DB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Jordan Wherry, OL, 6-5, 250, Sr.; Kade Miller, TE/LB, 6-1, 165, Sr.; Steele Wolters, WR/DB, 5-8, 140, Jr. Conor Nicholl
OTIS-BISON
Otis-Bison enjoyed a four-win improvement from a frustrating 6-3 season in 2016 to 10-2 last year and sub-state championship game finish. O-B had the fourth-biggest win improvement of any eight-man team from ’16. O-B lost, 36-12, at Central Plains in Week 3, and then beat Victoria, 22-20, at home the following week. In ’16, O-B narrowly missed the playoffs with losses against Wallace County and Dighton. The Cougars had more yards than WC and lost to Dighton in the final seconds. In ’17, O-B beat WC, 70-24, and played well in a 54-8 win versus Dighton. In Week 9, O-B beat Hodgeman County, 58-26, and clinched the district title. However, running back Blake Bahr was hurt in the game and never recovered for the rest of the playoffs. He had an all-state season with 1,035 rushing yards and 24 offensive scores, along with 12.6 yards per carry. Landon Hoopingarner collected allstate honors along the offensive line, but graduated. Additionally, HC, notably running back Eli Salmans, became healthy. O-B all-state lineman Landon Hoopingarner became banged up as November went along. The Cougars won their first two playoff games by a combined score of 120-40 in home wins versus Sylvan-Lucas and Ingalls. In the sub-state title game, the injuries had mounted for O-B, while the Longhorns were healthy. O-B lost 42-16. Returning senior Anton Foust enjoyed a standout year in his first season as quarterback when he completed 44 of 79 passes for 883 yards and a 20/2 TD/INT ratio. He rushed 138 times for 1,171 yards with 20 rushing scores. Seniors Luke Higgason (team-high 14 TFLs) and Maitland Wiltse (team-high 453 receiving yards, 12 receiving TDs), along with junior Bevan Gradig (99 tackles, second-most on team) are among key returners. “Compete hard every game,” coach Travis Starr said of the team’s keys. “Improvement throughout the season. Hopefully that will lead us into the playoffs and make a run. How well our underclassman can fill positions vacated by our graduating class (is also key).” 10-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Central Prairie League Coach: Travis Starr (14th year, 82-49) Assistants: Curtis Little Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Anton Foust, QB/LB, 190, Sr.; Maitland Wiltse, TE/ DB, 190, Sr.; Luke Higgason, OL/DL, 215, Sr.; Seth Hoopingarner, DL, 180, Jr.; Kaden Schwartz, DL, 185, Sr.; Bevan Gradig, OL/LB, 170, Jr.; Hunter Mitchell, OL, 200, Jr. Conor Nicholl
0-8 in 2017 / 0-6 in district / 8-Man II Northwest Kansas League Coach: Micah Roehl (3rd year, 0-16) Assistants: Brian Roesch Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Connor Havlas, TE/DE, 6-5, 200, Sr.; Oura Chester, TE/DB, 5-5, 130, Sr.; Kasen Ostmeyer, RB/DB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Clay Mader, OL/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Tucker Gillespie, RB/LB, 6-0, 190, So.; Carson Selensky, OL/DE, 5-10, 175, So.; CT Borger, OL/DL, 5-10, 210, Jr. Conor Nicholl
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The names pair like a law office. You can count on Livingston and Detter to get you top dollar on your claim. Regardless of their future interest in the legal profession, Samuel Livingston and Lane Detter have been cornerstones for Pretty Prairie’s success the past couple years, booking the Bulldogs a playoff bid a year ago. Livingston and Detter allow Pretty Prairie to pencil in two locks in the secondary. Livingston flipped the field with nine interceptions. Detter clocked 84 tackles. On offense, Livingston ran for 1,256 yards and 27 touchdowns while adding 520 yards and 10 scores through the air. The majority of those targets are shipped to trusty sidekick Detter, who secured seven touchdown receptions. The senior duo will ensure Pretty Prairie can remain competitive for another year. Whether the Bulldogs can ascend from there – including a longer stint in the postseason after a one-and-done loss at Ingalls – is a trial determined by who else will step up to argue their own case. “We must stay healthy, and find a way to replace key losses to graduation, specifically on the line,” said Pretty Prairie coach CT Young. Pretty Prairie was third in the Heart of the Plains League behind co-champs Hutchinson-Central Christian and South Barber. Both opponents will join Pretty Prairie in a top-heavy district. Norwich adds another roadblock. But Burrton, Fairfield and South Haven – the rest of the district field – combined for only three wins among themselves. Pretty Prairie showcased some defensive tenacity, holding six teams to 20 points or less, including the last four regular season games. Junior Scott Baughman, who frazzled quarterbacks with six sacks, will strive to keep the pressure off Livingston and Detter. Pretty Prairie has four consecutive winning seasons, but 2017 was its first season back in the playoffs since 2012, a year polished with a quarterfinal run. Pretty Prairie hoisted a state title in 1993, and has been runner-up two other occasions. 7-3 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man II Heart of the Plains League Coach: C.T. Young (17th year, 114-49) Assistants: Hunter Pittman, John Markus Offense: Multiple Formation Spread Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 11 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Samuel Livingston, QB/S, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Andrew Brewer, FB, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Lane Detter, WR/S, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Scott Baughman, DE, 6-2, 170, Jr.; Cade Fairchild, TE/LB, 6-0, 150, Jr. Conor Nicholl
RANDOLPH-BLUE VALLEY
Already fielding a young squad, BV-Randolph saw key injuries derail any hopes the team had of putting out a winning campaign in 2017. Starting quarterback Cole Montgomery and end Brayden Young each missed the last six games with injuries with Montgomery suffering a knee injury and Young breaking his collarbone. The results were to be expected. The Rams finished 1-8 with the lone win a 38-34 victory over led by 6-foot-5 senior Connor Havlas, one of the state’s top basketball players. Quinter scored just Tescott. The Rams nearly topped Southern Cloud the next week, falling 22-14, but didn’t come closer than 40 points and permitted 427 against the No. 11 strength of schedule out of 50 Division I teams, ac- 34 points to an opponent the rest of the way. Montgomery and Young are both back and will give cording to Prep Power Index. Havlas led the team the Rams two more weapons to go along with senior with 11 catches for 159 yards and both receiving back Lane Peter. scores, and made 21 tackles. Peter had a solid year as a marked man in the “We need to keep our focus on improvement Rams backfield a year ago, racking up nearly 1,000 each day,” coach Micah Roehl said. “This will lead yards of total offense. He ran for 616 yards and four us to any overarching goals in the W/L columns. TDs and caught 20 passes for 203 yards and a TD. We will need to stay healthy and continue to improve each day. We will need our line on both sides of the ball to step up and be able to control the line of scrimmage as well.”
QUINTER
A shift to Class 1A, Division II proved extremely helpful for Quinter last year in volleyball, boys’ basketball, and most notably, girls’ basketball. This fall, Quinter football, on a 28-game losing streak, looks to have success with a bump down to Eight-Man, Division II. The Bulldogs have just 45 students in the three-grade state football count, which is in the bottom 15 in the 52-team classification. Quinter’s last football win came in a 54-34 home victory against Logan-Palco in Week 6 of 2014. In volleyball, the Bulldogs have posted 21-15 and 1817 records the last two falls. In ’17, Quinter won the first set and eventually lost to eventual state champion Northern Valley in three sets at sub-state. In boys’ basketball, Quinter lost by two to Otis-Bison in the sub-state title game. Two years ago, girls’ basketball qualified for 1A-I state tournament as the No. 8 seed and lost in the first round. Last winter, Quinter won the 1A-II state title. Quinter will be in Division II, District 6 with Dighton, Wheatland-Grinnell, Wallace County, Greeley County and Triplains-Brewster. None of the teams made the playoffs last year and it’s the first time Quinter has played several of the schools in multiple years. It marks the first meeting against in-county Wheatland and Wallace County since ’11 and the first matchup with Triplains-Brewster since ’09. Quinter returns seven starters on both sides,
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Junior Brody Barr took over for Montgomery at QB last year, but will move back out to a receiver spot. The biggest holes for the Rams will be up front where second-team All-Twin Valley Leaguer Josh Johns and four-year starter Nate Martin have graduated. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-6 in districts / 8-Man II Twn Valley League Coach: Matt Schreiber (12th year, 38-70) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 9 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 4 Defense Cole Montgomery, QB/DB, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Lane Peter, RB/DB, 5-6, 150, Sr.; Jeremiah Duncan, TE/LB, 6-1, 140, So.; Dakota Hagenmaier, TE/DE, 6-0, 150, Sr.; Brayden Young, TE/DE, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Brody Barr, TE/DE, 6-2, 150, Jr.; Bryson Brockman, TE/DE, 5-9, 140, Jr.; Dalton Clark, OL/DL, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Will Johnson, OL/DL, 5-9, 195, Jr. Brent Maycock
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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SATANTA
RURAL VISTA (WHITE CITY/HOPE)
Jeff Hostetter, a Hope graduate, finished with a 221-76 record in 27 years as head coach, first at Hope and then at Rural Vista when the two schools combined. Last year, Adam Flowers, a former assistant, took over for Hostetter, who retired. The Heat has now switched coaches again with Derron Reddick taking over as head coach. The Heat is now 5-4, 7-3, 5-4 and 4-5 since the cooperative agreement between the two schools. RV finished fourth in District 3 behind Burlingame, Clifton-Clyde and Centre-Lost Springs. This year, the Heat move to Eight-Man, Division II, District 2 with Hartford, Lost Springs-Centre, MdCV, Wakefield and Waverly. Lost Springs went 5-3 and returns the bulk of its personnel, while Waverly finished 8-2. Both teams finished in the top-seven in eight-man scoring offense at least 50 points a game. Reddick is in his first year as head coach. He served as an assistant for two years under Lee Weber at Council Grove and Wamego, and the last two seasons under Nate Teichgraeber at Council Grove. Reddick listed goals as attack everything we do with a 1-0 mentality, take a step forward from 4-5 finish last year, make playoffs week 9, finish top 3 in our district, and increase number of kids out for football. He listed keys as staying healthy, taking a step up in the weight room this offseason and carry that momentum into the season and development of our new O/D systems. Last year, the Heat averaged 25.1 points per game and permitted 40.2. In ’16, RV averaged 42.7 and permitted 25.3, In ’15, the playoff year, the Heat averaged 40.8 and permitted 25.6.
Just three eight-man teams won at least seven games and missed the playoffs in 2017: AtwoodRawlins County, Dighton and Satanta. The Indians had its playoff hopes end in Week 8 in a unique home game against Ness City. Satanta led 28-6 before the Eagles scored 52 unanswered points. Satanta eventually lost 80-50. NC tied the game at 28 before halftime. The Indians had opened 6-0 and had permitted just 98 points before the Eagle defeat. Satanta finished 4-1 in Southern Plains Iroquois play. Overall, Satanta averaged 44.2 points a game, just outside of the top-15 in eight-man football, and permitted 23.8 a contest. The year before, the Indians went 5-4 with 36.7 points per game and 29 points allowed. In ’15, the last playoff appearance, the Indians finished 6-4 with 45.2 points per game and 29.9 allowed. This season, District 8 will likely be manageable with Otis-Bison expected to be the favorite. Satanta is 1-7 all-time in the playoffs with the lone victory coming in ’97. The Indians last made the playoffs in ’14 and ’15 after a drought that extended back to ’99. This fall, the Indians return plenty of talent and dropped down a class to Division II and became of one of the largest schools in Kansas’ smallest classification. Satanta is at powerhouse Spearville in Week 1. The Indians are 0-4 against Spearville since ’12, including 72-24 and 64-16 losses the last two seasons. After the losses at Spearville in Week 7 and Ness City in Week 8, the Indians finished with a 46-36 win at South Gray, a 7-2 team. Junior Houston Friend returns after he completed 47 of 84 passes for 702 yards with a 12/3 TD/ INT ratio. Senior Gabe Salas is one of eight man’s premier players with 106 carries for 1,363 yards and 16 rushing scores. Overall, he accounted for 2,096 all-purpose yards and 22 total scores, including three punt return TDs. Senior Kris Wagner led the team with 13 TFLs. He and Salas are the team’s top 4-5 in 2017 / 3-3 in district / 8-Man II returning tacklers with 60 and 54 stops, respectively. Wheat State League “We need to start by filling the leadership roles Coach: Derron Reddick (1st year) with the departure of nine seniors from last season,” Assistants: Tyler Sisson third-year coach Justin Helton said. “Those seniors Offense: Pistol Defense: 3-2 Flex have been productive on the offensive line, in the Returning lettermen: 8 backfield, receiving, on defense and gave us depth the past two seasons. We expect to be competitive Returning starters: 3 Offense, 3 Defense and reach the playoffs that have eluded us the past Dylan Worrell, QB/LB, 5-10, 165, So.; Jackson Greenwood, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Josh Sandow, two seasons. Our key to success will be the growth WR/DB, 6-3, 175, Sr.; Cameron Campuzano, OG/ of our younger players and having players step in a fill roles they didn’t have to play last year.” DT, 6-4, 200, So.
Conor Nicholl
7-2 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Southern Plains Iroquois Coach: Justin Helton (3rd year, 12-6) Assistants: Tommy Nichols Offense: Pistol Spread/Double Wing Defense: 3-3-2 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense Gabe Salas, RB/S, 5-11, 150, Sr.; Kris Wagner, C/ NG, 5-11, 240, Sr.; Brando Salas, WR/CB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Houston Friend, QB/S, 6-2, 160, Jr.; Alan Olivas, Conor Nicholl WR/LB, 5-11, 185, Jr.
SOUTH HAVEN
The storyline for South Haven will be if the Cardinals can take a wrench to a leaky defense that was second worst in points per game given up in 8-Man Division 2 – an unforgiving stat that comes one year after finishing fifth-worst in all of 8-Man. South Haven gave up at least 26 points to every foe in 2017, even in its two victories. As coach Cody Wolf identifies possible solutions, he will lean heavily on the prowling of Rustin Blaylock to encourage his defensive colleagues. Slade Wiley and Chris Arreguin add two more playmakers to defend the end zone. The offense has punch. Arreguin closed in on nearly 1,000 yards on the ground as a junior, and Blaylock solidified a role as a vertical threat in the passing game. Cooper Wolf showed flashes of success, but will need to cut down on interceptions to take another step forward in his development. The new District 7 includes Hutchinson Central Christian (10-1), South Barber (9-2), Pretty Prairie (7-3), Norwich (5-4), Burrton (1-8) and Fairfield
(0-9). South Haven took losses to Central Christian and Norwich a season ago. The Cardinals have not played South Barber or Pretty Prairie since 2015, but those were also losses. It makes for a difficult path to sneak a postseason bid. South Haven does have some recent success to look back upon for inspiration. The Cardinals punched out 10 consecutive postseason tickets from 2004 to 2013, including a state runner-up finish in 2007 and semifinals in 2011. South Haven was 8-2 in 2013, the end of an impressive string of seasons under former coach David Hughes. 2-7 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man II South Central Border League Coach: Cody Wolf (4th year, 7-20) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
SCANDIA-PIKE VALLEY
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SHARON SPRINGS-WALLACE COUNTY
Don Melby retired after 40 years at the school, 39 on the sidelines and 37 as head coach. He finished his career with a 216-143 career mark on a field that bears his name. Melby graduated from Scandia High School and won three state titles. PV is the consolidation of Scandia and Courtland, which occurred in August ’79, Melby’s first year on staff. PV lost to Hanover in the sub-state title game each of the last two seasons and went 5-6, 8-3, 10-2 and 11-1 in the past four years. Last fall, PV tied the school record for single-season victories before the 36-24 loss to Hanover. PV graduated three four-year starters, including quarterback Davante Hammer, end/linebacker Cole Strickler and running back Lane Peters. Hammer passed for 1,146 yards with a 19/2 TD/INT ratio, along with 547 yards and 13 rushing scores. Strickler had 105 tackles, 877 rushing and 513 receiving yards last year. Peters was injured most of ’17 but still finished with more than 4,000 career rushing yards, including 650 yards and 14 TDs. Anton Reeves also graduated following an all-state defensive back year that featured 67 tackles, eight interceptions – including a game-sealing one against Osborne on the final play – and six fumble recoveries. First-year coach Jeremy Miller listed goals as winning the Northern Plains League and win District 4 with Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton, Lakeside, Linn, Southern Cloud, Tescott and likely favorite Rock Hills. Miller said the top key is “how quickly we can come together as a team.” Senior Brody Carlgren is the only returning starter with 57 carries for 378 yards and six rushing scores last fall. He led the team with 120 tackles. “We must have commitment from the whole team throughout the building process. We will have a lot of roles to fill,” Miller said. “So we will need to prepare to work. 2. We have a young but large and athletic group of men gearing up to dominate the offensive line of scrimmage for a senior driven RB core in Brody Carlgren and Kane Johnson. 3. Our numbers will be down some so staying healthy will be important.”
Wallace County reached the playoffs every year from ’06-’16. In the previous four years, the Wildcats went state runner-up and then three trips to the sub-state game. Last season, WCSS had a five-win decrease from 8-4 to 3-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time in coach Kevin Ayers’ entire career. Sharon Springs played a brutal schedule and finished with the No. 1 SOS in Eight-Man, Division II, according to Prep Power Index. Wallace County opened with Division I’s St. Francis, Atwood and Hoxie, three teams that went a combined 26-4. In districts, WCSS was again in District 6. In the last two years, all four western sub-state teams came from District 6 (WCSS, Dighton, Otis-Bison, Hodgeman County). After the opening three defeats by shutouts, Ayers set a motto to be “the most improved team in the state.” WCSS was competitive in district play against Dighton (20-8 loss) and Hodgeman County (27-6). Dighton was 7-2, and Hodgeman County was state runner-up. It marked one off the season low in points for HC. “Our kids just kept battling, and it was a rewarding year,” Ayers said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the year. I know a lot of people said, ‘Man, only three wins, you must be devastated.’ I said, ‘No I am not. I am actually really pleased.’ I wanted to win more games no doubt, but a lot of times teams get down like that early in the season, and they don’t recover. … We just kept battling, and it says a lot about the character of the boys.” This year, WCSS doesn’t play Hoxie or Atwood and is in the much more manageable District 6 with Dighton, Wheatland-Grinnell, Quinter, Greeley County and Triplains-Brewster. None of the teams made the playoffs last year and two of the squads were winless. WCSS should have around 14 to 15 players out and graduated all-state players Carlin Springsteel and Seth Johnson. Senior Luke Johnson, a great leader, returns at quarterback after the Wildcats graduated 92 percent of its offensive production. Johnson has gained 20 pounds to 145. Ben Johnson, an assistant for Ayers on the ’07 state team, returns to the sidelines.
11-1 in 2017 / 5-0 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Jeremy Miller (1st year) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 4 Returning starters: 1 Offense, 1 Defense Brody Carlgren, RB/LB, 5-10, 160, Sr. Conor Nicholl
3-6 in 2017 / 2-3 in district / 8-Man II Northwest Kansas League Coach: Kevin Ayers (10th year, 76-22; 19th year, 155-33) Assistants: Ben Johnson, Brad Willems Offense: Option Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 7 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Luke Johnson, QB/DB, 5-11, 145, Sr.; Josh Daily, OL/DL, 6-2, 295, Sr.; Champ King, OL/DL, 6-5, 170, Sr.; Corbin Smith, OL/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Esteban Rodriguez, OL/LB, 6-0, 220, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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SOUTHERN CLOUD (MILTONVALE/GLASCO)
Southern Cloud opened last year with a home loss against Sylvan-Lucas (46-0) and a road defeat versus Axtell (70-20). Then, the Warriors ended its 22-game losing streak with back-to-back victories. SC, a co-op between Glasco and Miltonvale schools, beat Wilson (92-48) and Blue ValleyRandolph (22-14), both at home. After four straight losses where the Warriors tallied just eight points, SC fell, 38-30, at home against Tescott in Week 9. Overall, SC scored 170 points and permitted 427. The roster listed 16 players and three seniors. SC rushed for 125 yards a contest and passed for just 12 yards a game. Morgan Coleman, listed at 6-foot, 160 pounds, started at QB as a freshman and threw every pass for the team. He completed 13 of 45 for 108 yards with a 3/5 TD/INT ratio. The top-two rushers return. Senior Blake Gumm had 72 carries for 415 yards and six scores, while senior Carson Bellows delivered 95 carries for 396 yards and nine TDs. The rest of the team combined for just 312 rushing
St. Paul was not ranked in the top-10 to open the season and didn’t enter the top-5 until late in November. However, the Indians earned statewide attention with their remarkable playoff run through the eastern side of Eight-Man, Division I. St. Paul opened the playoffs with a 56-6 road win against Central-Burden after it finished second in district play following a 36-22 home loss to West Elk. In the quarterfinals, St. Paul defeated Osborne, 35-24, and then beat Burlingame, 43-34. Both games came at home and came down to the wire. Against Osborne, SP trailed 24-8 in the third quarter before 27 unanswered points. In the finals, the Indians were overwhelmed by Hoxie’s size and lost, 54-14. The Indians had a two2-7 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man II win improvement from a 9-2 mark in ’16 where SP Northern Plains League Coach: Rick Hatfield (2nd year, 2-7; 4th overall, 5-22) lost to Burlingame in the playoffs. Before then, the Indians had not made the playoffs for four years. Assistants: N/A Offense: Slot I Defense: 3-4 St. Paul had its best finish since a state crown Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Conor Nicholl in 2002. The Indians are 3-4 all-time in state titles, along with titles in ’86 and ’00 and runner-up finishes in ’91, ’98 and ’99. The Indians have significant graduation losses, most notably lineman Anthony Albertini, a Shrine Bowl selection and classification co-defensive player of the year with Burlingame’s Tristan Lee. Albertini helped the Indians average 44.5 points That’s why our Trezor IT On Demand per game and permit 19.7. As well, St. Paul is here to protect and enhance your graduated several other multi-year starters including quarterback/defensive back Braven Born, lineman/ business. We deliver competitive linebacker Koby Spielbusch and lineman Grant Hutcherson. Albertini and Spielbusch earned Kpreps advantage and 24/7 peace of mind all-state honors. St. Paul had 21 players and nine through an array of customizable seniors last year. Seniors Caleb Pecha and Brenden Doherty both services for one monthly price. yards. SC had 15 turnovers and was plus-3 in turnover margin. Coleman led the squad with 78 tackles. He is only one of the top-four tacklers back. SC is 1-8, 0-9, 0-9 and 2-7 the last four years. From ’07-13, the Warriors went 1-8, 2-7, 4-5, 5-4, 0-9, 5-4 and 6-4. The playoff appearance in 2013 marked the program’s only playoff appearance since ’02. Overall, the Warriors are 1-5 all-time in the postseason. This year, SC is in District 4 with Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton, Lakeside, Linn, Pike Valley, Tescott and favorite Rock Hills, a preseason top-five team in Division II. 6-3 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II
played as seniors in ‘17 and made key catches in the playoff run. Pecha was hurt in ’16, while Doherty wasn’t on the team. Junior running back Adam Albertini, who led the Indians with more than 900 rushing yards in an injury-plagued fall, has impressed at offseason combines. In an email to Kansas Pregame this summer he said he anticipates St. Paul making a return trip to the playoffs. “We have a solid group of seniors coming back and a couple of good classes coming up,” Albertini said. “We have a great mix of lineman as well as athletes.” Senior linebacker Collin Carlson is the only other returning starter to join Albertini, but the Indians to have 10 returning lettermen.
11-2 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man II Three Rivers League Coach: Keith Wiatrak (5th year, 29-13) Assistants: N/A Offense: I-formation Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 2 Offense, 2 Defense Adam Albertini, RB/DB, 5-10, 145, Jr.; Collin Carlson, FB/LB, Sr. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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United Ag Service www.csbanc.com STAFFORD
Stafford was outscored by 107 points last season but enjoyed a three-win improvement from ’17, tied for the fifth-best in all of eight-man football. The Trojans went from 1-8 to 4-5 behind a significant statistical defensive improvement. In ’16, Stafford scored 15.1 points per game and permitted 51.8. Last year, the Trojans tallied 20.3 points per game and allowed 32.2 points a contest. The 19.6-point difference defensively ranked as the fifth-best in eight-man from ’16 to ’17. In a schedule that featured a unique three home games, Stafford won two games by a combined 23 points with wins against Chase (28-22) and Bucklin (29-12). This year, Stafford will have co-coaches in second-year coach Taylor Bauman and first-year coach Robert Hall. “Our goal is to be tough, disciplined and patient,” Bauman said. “Our defense has to work on making the play when it is presented to them, play their position and not try to play for someone else. We have to play within the system and the returning players have a great understanding of what has to be done.” Stafford is 7-3, 8-2, 4-5, 1-8 and 4-5 in the last five years. The playoff appearances in ’13 and ’14 marked the first for the program since ’90. Stafford’s passing had 31 percent completion on 74 attempts for 388 yards with a 4/7 TD/INT ratio. Every running back who earned positive yards from ’17 returns. Senior Caleb Hildebrand had 127 carries for 920 yards and 14 scores. The top-four tacklers are back, led by 140 stops and 15 TFLs from Hildebrand. “We have to be simple on defense, so that they can play fast and not think,” Bauman said. “Offensively, we need to be discipline and continue to build on the work we have put in over the summer. I expect great character and leadership from our returning players.” 4-5 in 2017 / 3-2 in district / 8-Man II Heart of the Plains League Coaches: Robert Hall (1st year)/Taylor Bauman (2nd year, 4-5) Assistants: Jimmy Brozek Offense: Veer Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 12 Returning starters: 7 Offense, 7 Defense Caleb Hildebrand, RB/LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Justice Manning, QB/LB, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Nick Gift, WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Salem Lowe, OL/DL, 5-9, 220, Jr.; Ethan Hildebrand, WR/DL, 6-4, 195, Jr.; Kenny Sanders, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, Jr.; Alex Herrera, WR/ DB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Kleyton Schreiber, OL/DL, 6-3, 195, So. Conor Nicholl
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Sylvan-Lucas cruised through last regular season with only a week seven hiccup against Northern Valley tarnishing an otherwise sterling record. The Mustangs scored at least 46 points in each of their eight wins and appeared poised to be a factor in the Division II playoff race, but a late season injury to multi-year starting quarterback RJ Haberer left the Mustangs with a serious question mark entering postseason play. Nevertheless, the Mustangs battled a talented OtisBison team in the opening round of the playoffs, even leading early, but couldn’t hold off the Cougars in the second half, falling 60-26. Seventh year coach Ben Labertew said goodbye to a talented senior class that included Haberer, end Dylan Streit and running back Owen Krueger - the latter two earning 8-Man All-Star nods. Krueger, a transfer from Lincoln second semester of his junior year, rushed for over 1,100 yards and 14 TDs and earned Kpreps.com All-State honors. The graduation of significant experience and talent could have the Mustangs take a step back this fall, but Labertew does welcome back 10 lettermen and five players with starting experience including talented senior running back Tyler Barrientes and key linemen Sam Princ, a senior, and Tra Barrientes, a sophomore who qualified for the state wrestling tournament this winter as just a freshman. Junior Beau Batchman filled key roles along the line his first two seasons, but will transition to the backfield this fall. “We lost a bunch of seniors last season that were very good leaders,” Labertew said. “We have to have guys step up and fill those spots.” 8-2 in 2017 / 4-1 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Ben Labertew (7th year, 29-27; 18th overall, 64-66) Assistants: Eric Nitsch, Ryan Batchman, Craig Batchman Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-3 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 4 Offense, 3 Defense Tyler Barrientes, B, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Sam Princ, L, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Beau Batchman, B, 6-1, 175, Jr.; Tra Barrienties, L, 5-7, 215, So.; Wyatt Hiitter, E, 5-11, 160, Sr. John Baetz
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TESCOTT
Entering last season with just 11 players the goals at Tescott were simple - just get through the year. The Trojans were resilient, playing their last six games with just eight players suited up while avoiding a forfeit, and, as one would imagine, the end result was not spectacular. Tescott finished the season 1-8, allowing at least 38 points in all eight losses, but closed the year on a high note with a 38-30 victory over Southern Cloud. A 38-34 loss to Blue Valley-Randolph in week three was the only other contest closer than 34 points all season. The good news is the Trojans return six experienced starters from a year ago. The bad news is numbers will again be a challenge. Veteran coach Daymon Walker listed goals as “to use each day to improve, to grow as individuals and as young men and to make it through another season as we will again be battling numbers.” Tescott will miss the graduation of Logan Srna, an 8-Man All-Star in June, now playing football at Concordia University in Nebraska. The Trojans open with Lincoln and kick off district play in week two against Pike Valley. A week eight match-up with Onaga is the only other non-district game on the regular season schedule. Rock Hills is the heavy favorite in a district that includes Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton, Lakeside, Linn, Southern Cloud and the aforementioned Pike Valley. 1-8 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Daymon Walker (13th year) Assistants: Josh Hunley Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 6 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Cameron Case, DL/OL, Sr.; Conner Case, RB/LB, Sr.; Zach Perry, QB/S, Jr.; Remington Peterson, DL/ OL, Jr.; Cody Flax, DL/OL, Jr.; Braydon Peterson, E/S, So. John Baetz
WAKEFIELD
Wakefield came within a touchdown of returning to the Eight-Man Division II playoffs last year, falling 2822 to Axtell in a key district game that ultimately kept the Bombers from making the postseason. The only other losses in a 6-3 season came to Little River in a game that decided the Wheat State League title and to eventual Division II state champion Hanover. It marked the Bombers’ fourth straight winning season, though they fell a win short of their fourth straight seven-win campaign. In order to keep that streak going, 10th-year coach Chris Freeman will have to reload an offense which scored 52 or more points in all six victories. The backfield lost leading rusher Justin Carver, who had
’s y o B y l F t i s i V
Tara Kubick
927 yards and 19 touchdowns as well as fellow back Ashton Pickering, who added 483 yardsd and 10 scores. Freeman will have the luxury of a veteran under center with Skylur Merritt entering his third year as starting quarterback. After racking up 1,500 yards of total offense as a sophomore, Merritt was slightly less productive last year with 657 yards and 11 touchdowns passing and 455 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. He’ll have to carry the load as the rest of the backfield falls into place. He’ll also have an entirely new cast of receivers with no player returning who caught a pass a year ago. Perhaps the biggest loss to graduation, however, is lineman Nathan Jackson, who was a first-team AllEight-Man II selection on defense after leading the Bombers with 68 tackles last year. He also was the team’s leading receiver and a four-year starter. Merritt ranked second on the team with 51 tackles, while sophomore Konner Murphy was fifth with 42 stops, eight tackles for loss and five sacks. If Freeman can fill the numerous holes left by the graduation of seven seniors, a new-look district could provide a great opportunity to return to the posteason. Instead of knocking heads with Hanover and Axtell, Wakefield moves to a district where Waverly is an established contender, but only one other team had a winning record last year — Wheat State rival Centre, whom Wakefield didn’t play a year ago. League foe Rural Vista also is in the district as a new opponent. 6-3 in 2017 / 3-2 in districts / 8-Man II Wheat State League Coach: Chris Freeman (10th year, 51-40) Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense
TRIBUNE-GREELEY COUNTY
Despite playing in Eight-Man, Division II’s most challenging district the last two seasons, Greeley County has remained competitive with 4-5, 4-5, 3-6 and 4-5 records the last four years. Last season, the Jackrabbits played the No. 23 hardest strength of schedule out of 48 Eight-Man, Division II teams, according to Prep Power Index. Greeley County went 0-5 in District 6 two years ago and 1-4 last fall. In ’16, District 6 had the two Division II western semifinalists with Wallace County and Dighton. Last year, the western semifinalists again came from District 6 with Hodgeman County and Otis-Bison. In ’17, Greeley County scored 27.1 points a game and permitted 35.1. In ’16, the Jackrabbits scored 17.8 points per contest and allowed 31.8. In ’15, GC scored 28.9 points and permitted 38.9. Last fall, the Jackrabbits listed 15 players on the roster and just one senior, lineman Kaleb Alexander. GC opened with a 54-0 road loss against Hoxie, the eventual Division I state champion. Then, the Jackrabbits defeated Quinter (54-8), Rolla (48-0) and at Deerfield (70-0) before district play began. After losses to Hodgeman County and Otis-Bison by the 45-point margin, Greeley County won at Triplains-Brewster, 44-30. GC lost its last two games to Wallace County and at Dighton by 50 points apiece. Greeley County has a solid opportunity to compete for a playoff berth out of District 6 this year. None of the teams reached the postseason in ’17, though Dighton and Wallace County are the favorites. Quinter and Triplains-Brewster each were winless, and Wheatland-Grinnell is transferring back up from six-man football. 4-5 in 2017 / 1-4 in district / 8-Man II Western Kansas Liberty League Coach: Kyle Finder (4th year, 11-16) Assistants: Drew Zerr, KC Higley Offense: Option Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: 10 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Jose Chavez, QB/DB, Sr.; Axel Sanchez, RB/DB, Sr.; Jaly Yanez, C/DL, Sr.; Kody Edzards, G/NG, Sr.; Frank Mendoza, G/DL, Sr.; Jacob Miller, WR/ DB, So.; Seth Williams, RB/LB, So.; Manuel Chavez, TE/DL, So.; Edwin Manzanares, G/DL, So. Conor Nicholl
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
WAVERLY
The 2018 season will mark the end of an era in Waverly as Mike Hevel enters his final year as head coach of the Bulldogs. It’s been a remarkable run for Hevel, who is entering his 26th season and is 183-69 in his career, guiding the Bulldogs to Eight-Man state titles in 2005 (Division II) and 2006 (Division I). Last season was another good one for the Bulldogs. Waverly posted an 8-2 mark and were 14 points from being undefeated through 10 games, suffering a 24-18 loss to Southern Coffey in week two and a 42-34 loss to Caldwell in the playoffs. For the season, Waverly averaged 52.8 points per game while giving up just 18.8 points a contest. A bulk of that production came from departed All-EightMan II tailback Tristan Patterson, who took over as the Bulldogs’ feature back and delivered in a big way, rushing for 1,241 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was far from the Bulldogs’ lone offensive threat, however. Senior to be Jake Newton split carries in Waverly’s offense and topped the 1,000-yard mark with 1,121 yards and 19 TDs. Patterson earned unanimous All-Lyon County League honors at linebacker as well, making 112 tackles. But just as he did offensively, Patterson had a pretty solid complement at linebacker last year with senior Jon Lee leading the Bulldogs with 114 tackles and 5.5 sacks, earning first-team all-league honors. The return of Newton (103 tackles) and Lee, a firstteam all-league pick on the offensive line, give Hevel a solid nucleus to build around for his final season. Senior end Eric White also returns after earning postseason honors and senior quarterback Drew Pyle is a three-year starter.
WETMORE
Getting its program started in 2015 and playing a full schedule and going winless in 2016, Wetmore looked to get the ball rolling a year ago. Sure enough, the Cardinals started out with two straight wins, beating Valley Falls (60-18) and Onaga (62-36) in the first two weeks. The Cardinals won only one more game the rest of the way, a 42-8 win over Blue Valley-Randolph, but the 3-6 season could be considered a huge success. Veteran coach Rick Schnacker hopes to build of that success this season, but will have to replace a solid senior class that was the backbone for the rebirth of the program. Among the losses were leading rusher and receiver Kyler Vance, who had 817 yards and 11 TDs rushing and 295 yards and five TDs receiving, as well as second-leading receiver Ethan Osterhaus, who had 274 yards and seven TDs. That duo also ranked second and third in tackles, leaving big holes on that side of the ball as well. The good news for Schnacker is he had a solid nucleus to build around with seven five starters among seven lettermen back. The argument could be made that senior Joel Hutfles was the team’s most productive player a year ago. A three-year starter, Hutfles threw for 501 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 677 yards and nine more scores. Hutfles also led the defense with 115 tackles and four interceptions last year. Dakota Johnson and Johnathan Hladky-Bailey ranked fourth and fifth in tackles, respectively and will anchor an experienced defensive line.
3-6 in 2017 / 1-4 in districts / 8-Man II Twin Valley League 8-2 in 2017 / 5-0 in districts / 8-Man II Coach: Rick Schnacker (4th year, 3-15) Lyon County League Assistants: N/A Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Coach: Mike Hevel (26th year, 183-69) Returning lettermen: 7 Assistants: Ty Piper, Nick Fraenza Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Offense: Double Tight Split Backs Defense: 3-4 Joel Hutfles, QB/LB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Johnathan Returning lettermen: N/A Hladky-Bailey, E/DL, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Dakota Johnson, Returning starters: N/A Offense, N/A Defense OL/DL, 6-0, 220, Jr.; Kael McQueen, RB/DB, 5-10, Brent Maycock 120, So.; Ross Shumaker, OL/DL, 5-11, 180, So. BM
6-MAN
Wilson was 6-2 and 5-4 the last two years and was expected to contend for a playoff berth out of District 5, expected to be a district with teams of similar talent. In ’16, Stockton won the district and Lakeside was second. Last year, Northern Valley earned the crown, and Sylvan-Lucas was runner-up. However, the Dragons finished 1-8 and scored just 16.7 points a game with 54.2 allowed. In ’15, Wilson averaged 47.6 points a contest and permitted 38.8. In ‘16, the Dragons tallied 39.8 a game and permitted 37.1. Last year, Wilson started with three straight road games and lost to Rock Hills (48-0), Chase (32-18) and Southern Cloud (92-48). Then, the Dragons had three straight home games. Wilson started with a 46-12 win versus Tescott, and then lost to Thunder Ridge (62-12) and Northern Valley (68-0). Wilson dropped the final three contests by the 45-point margin and tallied just 26 total points in those games. Collin Hoeffner graduated after he was named to the summer Eight-Man, Division II all-star game in Beloit. This year, Wilson will play in District 5 with many of the same teams and Division I power Osborne, a preseason top-five Division II team. The district features Northern Valley, Thunder Ridge, LoganPalco and Sylvan-Lucas. Wilson’s last three playoff appearances came in ’06, ’07 and ’09. 1-8 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man II Northern Plains League Coach: Tony Brokes (20th year, 75-118) Assistants: N/A Offense: Spread Defense: 3-2 Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
Chambers said the players made “a difference” in the weight room for 2017. The result yielded a dominant 9-0 season, including a forfeit win versus Natoma. PH beat Weskan, 51-6, in the regular season in a neutral site game at Ransom and then again, 53-47, in overtime in the state semifinals. Pawnee Heights, a little rusty after a first-round playoff bye, needed a comeback in the semis in a great contest. “Those types of games are ones that you just don’t want to see come to an end,” Chambers said. PH defeated Bird-City Cheylin, 62-12, in the championship game. It marked the first football state title in school annals. Pawnee Heights senior Kade Scott is an exceptional player who earned Kpreps.com 6-Man Offensive Player of the Year, along with all-state on defense at linebacker and return specialist. Chambers has interest in Scott from many junior colleges in Kansas and Oklahoma, along with Sterling College, Fort Hays, KU and K-State. Scott’s maxes are 255 in bench, 360 in squat, 315 in clean and 405 in deadlift. Chambers said Scott (6-1, 190) improved his upper body strength last year and has focused on the legs this summer. He has a 33-inch vertical jump. “He’s just got the knack of being that athlete,” Chambers said. “And they come along once in a blue moon for a coach. It makes you better as a coach. I know that. I don’t beat around the bush that we’re good because we’ve got some good athletes right now, and that makes a difference. “But yet the thing that’s helped us the most is the fact that I have got kids all the way down into the fourth grade that are
By Conor Nicholl, For Kansas Pregame Rozel-Pawnee Heights had enjoyed multiple strong football teams from ’04-09 with records of 5-4, 3-6, 5-4, 9-3, 10-2 and 6-3 with coaches that included Oliver Salmans and Matt Housman. In 2010, Jeremiah Meeks took over and the Tigers went 2-6. Housman and Salmans have now paced nearby Jetmore-Hodgeman County to a pair of state eight-man runner-ups in the last five years, and Meeks is the new Moundridge head coach. After ’10, Pawnee Heights didn’t have a football team. In 2014, 6-Man football returned to Kansas for the first time in 11 years. While 6-Man primarily provided the smallest eight-man schools a better opportunity, it also gave Pawnee Heights a chance to re-start its football program. Between ’11-’15, Pawnee Heights formed a co-operative agreement with Larned but few players traveled the 20 miles due east on Hwy 156. In ’16, Jeff Chambers became Pawnee Heights head coach after nine years at Kinsley. The Tigers instantly enjoyed success in six-man with a 6-3 record and lost, 36-18, to Weskan in the inaugural Wild West Bowl state championship in Dodge City. “The people wanted it, the kids wanted it,” Chambers said. “It was an opportunity for a small school that doesn’t have enough kids to play at an upper level to be able to actually put a uniform on again and go represent their community and their school, and that’s the thing that we wanted to make sure that we did, was just give them something to be WHEELER, KS proud of.” 685 Kansas Ave. 685 Kansas | Toll Free: Ave.800-832-2124 | 785-332-2124 | 785-332-2124 In the Tigers’ eyes, the main difference between them and Weskan was strength. Good Luck Cougars!
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WILSON
WINONA-TRIPLAINS/BREWSTER
Triplains-Brewster went 6-3 and 7-3 before heavy graduation losses. The Titans finished 1-8 in ’16 and 0-9 last year. Triplains-Brewster played in District 6, the classification’s most challenging district. All four of the western Eight-Man, Division II semifinal teams came from District 6 with Wallace County and Dighton two years ago, and Otis-Bison and Hodgeman County last year. Wallace County and Triplains-Brewster finished 1-2 in Division II strength of schedule in 2017, according to Prep Power Index. The Titans scored just eight points in the first three games and then lost, 34-22, versus Leoti-Wichita County. Triplains-Brewster tallied just six points total the following two weeks and then fell, 44-30, at home versus Tribune-Greeley County. The Titans had just eight points total in the last two weeks. Senior Zach Johnson returns after a Kpreps first team all-state season on the defensive line. He recorded 64 tackles, 13 for loss and three sacks, all team-highs. T-B has their top-five tacklers return. Last year’s roster listed 24 players but just five seniors. Triplains-Brewster struggled in the passing game with 425 yards on 43 percent completion with a 1/14 TD/INT ratio. Junior Weston Schmidt had 116 carries for 457 yards and three scores, and senior Dakota Enslow was next at 99 rushes for 296 yards and four scores. The Titans averaged 120 rushing yards a game and 3.5 yards per rush. Senior Aaron Platt was easily the team’s leading pass catcher with 21 grabs for 289 yards and two scores.
0-9 in 2017 / 0-5 in district / 8-Man II Western Kansas Liberty League Coach: Brett Gfeller (3rd year) Assistants: N/A Conor Nicholl Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Returning starters: N/A
Conor Nicholl
going, ‘We can’t wait to play Pawnee Heights football,’ and that’s how you build a program,” he added. As a sophomore, Scott rushed 192 times for 2,437 yards and 31 scores with 105 tackles en route to 6-Man Defensive Player of the Year. Last season, he delivered 136 rushes for 1,827 yards and 35 TDs, along with 97 stops. Honorable mention all-state senior quarterback Trace Baker (5-8, 170) returns after he completed 34 of 57 passes for 703 yards with a 9/2 TD/INT ratio. Baker had a season high 190 passing yards in the state title. He delivered 108 tackles. “He came in as a sophomore and wasn’t very strong,” Chambers said of Scott. “But he has really, really decided that this is what he wants to do, and he is the first kid usually in the weight room, and he’s usually the last kid out, and he has gained numerous strides in the things that he does and how he prepares himself.” Weskan went 7-3, while Cheylin went 6-3, and Golden Plains was 6-4. Fowler, in its first year of 6-Man, went 2-5. Natoma and Ransom-Western Plains have struggled with numbers and finished 1-6 and 0-8 respectively. WheatlandGrinnell, which chose to bump back up to Eight-Man, Division II this year, was 3-5. This season, 6-Man now has 11 teams and will feature North and South divisions with an eight-game regular season. The South has newcomers Rolla, Moscow, Ashland and Deerfield, along with Pawnee Heights and Fowler. Ashland went 1-8 last year and is 11-16 in the past three with Ben Fox, formerly a Bluejay assistant for two years
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Turf completes Bill Snyder Family Stadium turf replacement By John Baetz Publisher For brothers Jake and Bryce Farrant, owners of Kansas Turf, a turf replacement and installation company based in Meriden, Kan., it was a dream come true - the replacement of the turf at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, a place they had visited many times as kids and college students. The project was completed earlier this year. “We were thrilled to be chosen as the turf replacement contractor for Bill Snyder Family Stadium,” Kansas Turf CEO Jake Farrant said. “We have a lifelong connection to that place, and as a locally owned, Kansas based company, we couldn’t be more proud to finish this worthwhile project.” The Kansas Turf Facebook page tracked the company’s progress on “The Bill,” as its affectionately referred to by fans of Kansas State football, from turf removal, to turf installation, to the “cutting in” of hashmarks, media lines, numbers and finally, the iconic Powercats. Kansas Turf was proud to partner with AstroTurf on the BSFS project. The inventor of synthetic turf, AstroTurf is one of the most recognized brands in American sports. Since 1965, the AstroTurf brand has been driven by forward thinking ingenuity. Today AstroTurf continuously improves its system design to deliver playing surfaces with the most realistic, sport-specific performance, longest lasting durability, and sound player protection. Kansas State is the first FBS program in the country to install the latest artificial turf innovation from AstroTurf RootZone Trionic 3D. “Kansas Turf has completed many jobs for AstroTurf in the past and are eager to continue building the relationship,” Farrant said. Kansas State University Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Neiderwerder said he enjoyed working with Kansas Turf on the installation.
“Kansas Turf has been a great partner through the entire process of replacing the surface at Bill Snyder Family Stadium,” Niederwerder said. “They remained ahead of schedule throughout the entire installation process and have provided us with a surface that will greatly enhance our student-athlete performance on the field as well as the viewing experience for our fans and television viewers across the country.” And the field at Bill Snyder Family Stadium is just the latest project for the northeast Kansas company that also does traditional natural sod installation and cemetery turf renovation. “We streamline all of our removal and install processes by having state of the art equipment and high character employees that have a passion for what they do and take great pride in their work,” Farrant said. Other noteworthy projects include the Bettis Family Sports Complex north of Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Kan., Northern State University’s Swisher Field in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and the Jefferson West High School football field, where turf was removed from the Superdome in New Orleans and installed on the Jeff West field in Meriden. “We are a big enough company to complete any job, but are small enough to take care of our customers the way they should be treated,” Farrant said. “The people you call for a bid will be the people on the job getting their hands dirty, and those same people will be available for years to come for maintenance calls and questions or new projects.” Kansas Turf has completed over 20 fields in the last 18 months, and hopes to continue its expansion, Farrant says, noting that their prices are often lower than many of their larger competitors. To follow Kansas Turf’s progress on any of their other turf installation projects visit their Facebook page or find them on Twitter. For more information, visit their website at www.kansasturf.com, or call Kansas Turf at 785-400-6136.
Kansas Turf documented their progress on the turf installation at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan earlier this year with numerous photos. The project is one of many Kansas athletic field installations for the Meriden based company. (Photos courtesy Kansas Turf)
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
By Ryan Atkinson For Kansas Pregame If it seems like Kale Pick made a quick transition from player to head coach, you’re not mistaken. Pick, just 28 years old and six years removed from his playing days at the University of Kansas, is heading into his second year as head coach at Fort Scott Community College. According to Pick, he’s still the youngest head coach at any level of college football. “It really helps in recruiting and helps me relate to the players,” Pick said. “The players really feel comfortable enough to come into my office and ask how I did it as a player and a coach. I really value that close relationship that I have with the players.” Pick was a standout dual-threat quarterback at Dodge City High School before heading to Lawrence, where he played quarterback and receiver under a host of different head and position coaches. He jumped into coaching immediately after his playing days ended, becoming a graduate assistant at Kansas and Texas A&M. He took over as offensive coordinator at Fort Scott in 2016, quickly installed the Air Raid offense and took the Greyhound offense from last in the conference to first. “I always tried to learn something each and every year at KU and at Texas A&M. As a player, whether it was good or bad, I was learning what to do and what not to do,” Pick said. “I think that has helped me step into coaching and make a difference right away.” Pick played for three head coaches -- Mark Mangino, Turner Gill and Charlie Weis -- and five position coaches during his five years at Kansas. He backed up quarterback Todd Reesing as a redshirt freshman in 2009 before starting the 2010 season opener. That was his lone collegiate start at quarterback. Pick switched to receiver for his final two seasons, leading the Jayhawks in receptions and receiving yards in 2012. While he says the coaching and position changes carried the expected negative aspects as a player, it has only helped him develop his coaching style and methods. “It was a revolving door with coaches when I played,” he said. “It was a negative then, but it has helped me now. It kind of put me on the fast track and helped me learn different ways to coach different positions and different offensive schemes.” Pick’s time at Texas A&M under head coach Kevin Sumlin and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has had a direct impact on his time so far at Fort Scott. He installed the Air Raid offense
Kale PICK
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(Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com) in his lone year as the Greyhounds’ offensive coordinator, which was ran by quarterback Nathan Rourke, now on the Davey O’Brien Award watch list at the University of Ohio. “It was a great learning experience that helped me a lot with my first year as a head coach,” Pick said of his time at A&M. “Jake, at 31, was the youngest OC in the country. I took what he taught me and how he approached the game, coaching at a young age with older guys around him.” Pick has also adjusted to the junior college coaching life, which he says requires getting a lot more out of a lot less. “You just don’t have the resources the Division I coaches have and you have more turnover,” he said. “You have to recruit at double the pace as a four-year school because it’s double the turnover. You also have to develop players twice as fast. If you’re a four-year school and can redshirt a kid, he may be a project. You can take on projects that eventually turn into good players.” Pick’s young coaching staff also takes care of weight room coaching, academic advising and every aspect of recruiting.
While he spent five years in Lawrence, Pick said he entered Fort Scott relatively in the dark about the eastern part of the state. “Growing up in Dodge and playing football and living there my whole life, you get to know the western side of the state really well,” he said. “When I came here, I knew nothing about Fort Scott. I’d been to Kansas City plenty of times, but anything south -- Fort Scott, Pittsburg -- I never went there.” Entering his third year in Southeast Kansas, however, Pick said he’s built relationships that will help continue his quest to build the Fort Scott program into what he envisions. “It has really helped me build relationships in the eastern part of the state while keeping my great relationships on the western part of the state,” he said. “The goal is to have this program be statewide, from border to border.” Ryan Atkinson is a journalist in the Kansas City area with more than 10 years experience covering Kansas high school and college teams with the Joplin Globe, Pittsburg Morning Sun and Kansas City Star.
Fort Scott Community College offers a variety of technical courses including construction trades, welding, masonry, HVAC, and Harley-Davidson Technology alongside our general studies. FSCC has three convenient locations in Crawford County, Bourbon County, and Miami County, Kan. Our technical programs offer hands-on training and two options of achievement; certificate only or an associates in science. For more about academic programs and athletic opportunities at Fort Scott Community College visit fortscott.edu.
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
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FORT HAYS
Rising
By Conor Nicholl For Kansas Pregame Fort Hays State University football has continued a steady improvement under coach Chris Brown culminating in the greatest season in school history last fall. FHSU went 3-8 before Brown took over. Since then, the Tigers are 4-7, 5-6, 6-5, 7-4, 8-4 and 8-4. Last fall, Fort Hays finished 11-1, set the school record for wins and captured the MIAA championship. Brown, a Liberal graduate and former All-American defensive back at Pittsburg State, lists themes such as trust, continuity and character as program foundations. “As time has gone on, and meeting with parents, we look for the kids that have great character,” Brown said. “We’ve got to find great character kids and kids that care about academics, because that is very important to us, and kids that really love football. If I can find a kid that has all three of those, we are going to win a lot of football games.” Brown notes the consistency in his coaching staff, where all the key assistants enter at least their fourth year on staff. He does not call plays. Brown and defensive coordinator Cooper Harris have been great friends since their collegiate days at PSU in the ’90s. Harris and Brown had coached previously together at Washburn. After a year apart, Harris came to FHSU in 2012. Before Harris took over, Fort Hays had five defensive coordinators in five years. Last fall, Fort Hays permitted just 15.2 points per game, ninth best in Division II. Fort Hays allowed 307 yards a game, the seventh straight year FHSU had a drop in yards allowed per contest. In the two previous seasons to Brown, Fort Hays was a collective minus-4 in turnover margin. “We understand each other,” Brown said. “We are good friends. It’s easy. We think exactly alike on the football side.” Under Brown, Fort Hays is collectively plus-36 in turnover margin and has ranked in the top-four in the conference the last four years. Linebacker Jose Delgado, a Derby product, said the defense has to force at least two turnovers every practice. If not, there’s extra conditioning. “Turnovers are a major part of our defense,” he said. Fort Hays has two key support staffers, health and human performance professor Dr. Jeff Burnett, the team chaplain, and Doug Boucher, the strength and conditioning coach. Burnett, in his 16th year at Fort Hays, won the MIAA SAAC Mentor of the Year Award in June 2018. Boucher, a former long-time assistant at Smith Center, has helped all Fort Hays programs in the indoor facility that was built early in Brown’s tenure. For personal growth, Brown gives “all the credit” to his wife of 19 years, Daphne, and his church, Celebration Community Church, in Hays. Brown complimented the players on buy-in and belief in the program. “We finally all just were on the same page and clicked,
Fort Hays State University football enjoyed its best season in school history last fall, winning 11 games and the MIAA championship. Liberal native Chris Brown, in his eighth year, is developing the program with a focus on “great character” Kansas kids. (Photos courtesy Fort Hays State Sports Information) so I feel like everyone just bought into coach Brown,” Delgado said of last fall. Brown has focused on bringing in a high volume of players, especially in the immediate Hays area. When Brown first replaced Kevin Verdugo, FHSU had around 65-70 players. In 2010, Verdugo’s last year, Fort Hays had 30 Kansans. Brown should have 130 total players this year. Brown always has a significant number of walk-ons. While some head coaches don’t recruit, Brown’s territory is western Kansas. He eschews social media. From ’11-’16, Fort Hays routinely averaged between 40 to 50 Kansans per year. “Coach Brown has set out to win western Kansas again,” La Crosse coach Jon Webster said. In the last two seasons, that number has jumped to approximately 70 as more in-state recruits are heading to NAIA and Division II now that the Kansas junior colleges don’t have out-of-state recruiting restrictions. It has helped the Tigers jump from average attendance of 3,699 in 2016 to 5,156 last fall. “Impressed with him all the way around, and his program,” Smith Center coach Darren Sasse said. Abilene’s Harley Hazlett caught the junior college national championship winning touchdown pass as a freshman at Garden City, and then hauled in a 66-yard score against Northwest Missouri for the key touchdown last fall. Delgado led with 107 tackles. “He was genuine,” Hazlett said of Brown. “He was invested, he kind of was checking in on me, he asked me how my family was and stuff like that. So I felt like he cared, and there’s only been a few coaches that have been like that that recruited me in college.” *** Ellis’ standout lineman Matt Erbert, a 2010 Shrine Bowler, was a key early signing. Kansas State and Pittsburg State each sent coaches in-person to watch Erbert. The only time Fort Hays, then under Verdugo,
contacted Erbert was a phone call from a graduate assistant. Erbert went to PSU. “I wrote them off, and I don’t regret that at all, because I don’t think that that staff had it together at that time, and I will be very candid in saying that,” Erbert said.
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Year in and year out, Eagle Communications offers the most comprehensive and insightful coverage of Fort Hays State University athletics. Each week, Eagle Radio of Hays broadcasts Tiger football live on KJLS-101.3 FM, with the pregame show starting one hour before kickoff, featuring Voice of the FHSU Tigers Gerard Wellbrock. Wellbrock also hosts a comprehensive postgame show including Coach Chris Brown’s postgame press conference and player interviews. Each week, Eagle produces Tiger Talk featuring in-depth interviews with Brown and other coaches. The show is broadcast on radio, Eagle TV and online at HaysPost.com. HaysPost.com also is home to Coach Brown’s weekly press conference. Tune in or check out HaysPost.com for the best of Tiger football this season.
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Washburn had offered significantly more money. Brown watched him play basketball against TMP in Hays. Right then, Brown knew he wanted Hoekman. He upped the scholarship offer, and Hoekman signed. A two-year starter, Hoekman recorded 86 tackles in ’17 after 50 as a redshirt freshman. Goodland’s Kolt Trachsel tallied 55 stops. JOSE DELGADO HARLEY HAZLETT LAYNE BIEBERLE TANNER HOEKMAN “I would say the coaching staff, I just really kind of bought into what they had to say,” Hoekman said. After 2010, Erbert decided not to return to the Gorillas. he had to be to get the program going. …. Now it’s kind Since Tara finished playing, Hoekman has seen the of transitioned to he is still that guy that will be right on He contemplated ending his football career before he growth in facilities. Now, FHSU has a much larger fan them, but it’s more that fatherhood type mentality.” ultimately went to Fort Hays. FHSU talked to Erbert base on Saturdays. *** throughout 2011. “Student section is full, you can’t barely see a seat After a season away, Erbert was back in spring ’12 and Fort Hays, under Brown, has convinced many in-state open where the parents sit,” Hoekman said. The regular became the starting right guard. That fall, he became the recruits to choose the Tigers over other programs. fans that come now, the tailgating - that’s another thing, Topeka Hayden’s Alex Schmidtberger had limited first non-specialist from the northwest Kansas area to that’s unreal now here at Fort Hays and that really interest from schools in his immediate area. He came start for FHSU since ’08. wasn’t a big thing back then.” on a visit. The coaches didn’t know where he was going “We needed a kid like him on our team, not only just Webster, in his 10th year at La Crosse, never had a to play. He picked up the wrong jersey at practice and because of his size but because of his leadership,” Fort Hays coach visit him before Brown. ended up on defense. Brown said. Since then, FHSU has notably picked up defensive end Schmidtberger eventually moved to linebacker. He Erbert eventually started three years on the offensive Sheldon Schmidt and wide receiver/returner Andrew Jay, finished his career in 2016 and was an All-American and along with tight end Marshall Musil, an Oklahoma transline, and collected honorable mention All-American team captain. honors as a senior. fer. Schmidt, pursued hard by several schools, recorded “By the time he was done here, he was probably one He teamed with several other Kansas products 21 tackles and three sacks in ’17. of the biggest scholarships any of our kids ever had, who started multiple seasons, such as tight end Zack Jay was originally headed to Garden City and switched and that’s just because of who he was, his work ethic,” Gaughan (Hays High), defensive lineman Jesse Trent to FHSU late. Central Plains wide receiver Layne Brown said. (Dodge City) and kicker Drew O’Brien (TMP). Bieberle has enjoyed an exceptional first two years, Bandit back Tanner Hoekman, from Abilene, had come including 40 catches in ‘17. Erbert said he “wouldn’t trade” anything about his time to several Fort Hays football contests when his older with the Tigers. Currently employed at a bank in Hays, “Andrew didn’t have a lot of money to start, and he is a Erbert remains in contact with the program. He has seen sister, Tara, played on the Tiger volleyball team from kid who earned more scholarship money just by showing 2011-13. “It was almost like a high school, game-wise, of up and working hard everyday,” Webster said. “I think Brown’s demeanor change. attendance,” he said. “It started out as kind of this bold-faced guy that was those guys just outworked the rest of the coaches that Hoekman was “really teetering” between schools and right down your neck on everything,” Erbert said. “But were recruiting them.” continued on page 112
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DIVISION II KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
Last year, Kansas State opened No. 20 nationally. With five games left, the Wildcats stood at just 3-4 and in danger of not making a bowl. The Wildcats won five of their final six games and return multiple key pieces from that squad to set the stage for 2018. A week after sputtering to a 30-20 win at rival Kansas in late October the Wildcats pulled off a thrilling 42-35 overtime win on the road against Texas Tech to open November. The Wildcat offense struggled a week later in a narrow 28-23 home loss to West Virginia, but the offense exploded on the road the next week, and the defense held on late, to beat No. 10 Oklahoma State, 45-40, one of the more notable upsets of the 2017 season. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak in Stillwater dating back to 1999. In one of the most exciting home finales in program history, K-State ended the regular season with a 2019 win against Iowa State on a one-yard touchdown pass from Skylar Thompson to Isaiah Zuber with no time remaining. In the Cactus Bowl, Thompson started and Hays’ Alex Delton replaced him in the second half. Delton earned bowl game offensive MVP honors when he accounted for four scores. The Wildcats trailed 17-7 at the half and won 35-17. Kansas State posted an 8-5 record, its second straight bowl victory, and the seventh winning season in the last eight years. This season, the Wildcats return eight offensive and five defensive starters for 27th-year coach Bill Snyder (210-110-1). Delton and Thompson have competed for the starting job all spring and to start fall camp and likely enter the season as 1a and 1b on the depth chart. Delton, a junior, rushed for 500 yards and eight scores and passed for 638 with a 3/2 TD/ INT ratio. Thompson rushed for 267 with three TDs,
and added 689 yards passing with a 5/3 TD/INT ratio. Junior running back Alex Barnes, a former Kansas Pregame coverboy from Pittsburg, was named third team preseason all-Big 12 by Phil Steele. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry with 819 yards rushing. The Wildcats delivered 4.98 yards per carry, tied for third all-time in school annals. Senior right tackle Dalton Risner anchors the line with 38 career starts and two-time first team all-league honors. He is on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list for nation’s best lineman. Junior left tackle Scott Frantz, a Lawrence Free State product, is back with 26 career starts. The Wildcats averaged 32.3 points a game in ‘17. K-State finished plus-10 in turnover margin, the fourth time in seven seasons it was plus double digits in turnover margin. At receiver, Isaiah Zuber and Dalton Schoen (BVNW) return after a combined 74 catches. Denzel Goolsby (Bishop Carroll) was the Cactus Bowl Defensive MVP. Highly acclaimed for his leadership, Goolsby was the starting strong safety in ’17 after he never played the position before. He is the team’s top returning tackler with 78 stops and a pair of interceptions. Junior defensive tackle Trey Dishon (Horton) is back to anchor the interior of the line. Junior Kyle Ball (Shawnee Mission East) is expected to step in at d-end after 16 appearances the last two falls. The Wildcats have finished first, third and first in Steele’s all-encompassing special teams rankings the last three years. The Wildcats lost every key contributor from the unit, including punter Nick Walsh (Lyndon) and returner D.J. Reed (two ST scores). The Wildcats play host to Mississippi State in Week 2, and have five Big 12 road games on its nine-game conference slate, including at West Virginia on Sept. 22, at Oklahoma on Oct. 27 and at TCU Nov. 3. CN
NAIA
JUNIOR COLLEGE UNVERSITY OF KANSAS
Linebacker Joe Dineen, a Free State product, earned second team All-American honors and paced the nation with 7.8 solo tackles per game last season. In ’15, he had 86 tackles with 6.5 TFLs. After a medical redshirt in ’16, he produced 137 stops and 22.5 TFLs last season. He headlines an experienced Jayhawk group that returns nine offensive and 10 defensive starters for fourth-year coach David Beaty. According to Phil Steele, the 19 returning starters lead the country. In addition to the starters, KU has 91 percent of its yards, 81 percent of its lettermen and 87 percent of its tackles back. The experience could yield a bump in victories for struggling KU. New athletic director Jeff Long, previously at Arkansas, hired Mike Vollmar as the senior associate AD for football administration in early August to provide stronger commitment to the program. While Long has indicated a wait-and-see approach with KU, the Jayhawks likely need to see an improvement this fall for Beaty to retain his job. KU has not made a bowl game since 2008 and is 0-12, 2-10 and 1-11 under Beaty, who took over a program in shambles after the Charlie Weis era. KU enters this season with 49 straight losses away from home, including a NCAA record 46 straight in true road games. The Jayhawks have quickly looked to rebuild their offensive line since spring practice. In a roster release in early August, KU confirmed four new offensive linemen after two graduate transfers early in the summer. The group includes Ohio State’s Kevin Feder and Reuben Lewis from Coffeyville Community College. Quarterbacks Carter Stanley and Peyton Bender both return. They posted similar overall numbers and combine for 2,717 yards with a 14/17 TD/INT ratio.
EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
Emporia State posted their third straight winning season and fifth in the past six years. The record though was not to the level that the Hornets have come to expect for their recent standards. Following a bowl game in 2012 (10-2) and playoff appearances in 2013 (9-2), 2015 (11-3) and 2016 (11-2), Emporia State finished 2017 with a 6-5 record. Two of the losses were by a total of just seven points and a third was a loss to Pittsburg State in a game that had to be finished on Sunday due to weather. The Hornets have been one of the most successful programs in the MIAA since 2012. The program’s 51 wins and four postseason appearances are second most in the conference during that stretch. The Hornets return one of the top offensive duos in the MIAA. Hometown product Braxton Marstall was named to the All-MIAA team for the 2017 season after earning second team honors in 2016. Marstall threw for 2,893 yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Lining up to his outside will be wide receiver Justin Brown. The first team MIAA receiver missed a 1,000 yard season by just one yard. Brown was third in the league for yards per game and second in receptions per game. The duos career numbers will continue to climb the all-time charts at ESU. Marstall has thrown for 6,869 yards and 58 touchdowns while rushing for another 815 yards. The senior signal caller will need 1,753 yards to become the school’s career passing leader. Brown has compiled 178 receptions for 2,004 yards, sitting just outside the top five, and 20 scores. On the defensive side of the ball Eudora native Gabe Cleveland is gone after a senior campaign leading the team with 112 tackles, 11.5 for loss and grabbing three inteceptions. Luke Meyer, out of Wellsville, will look to help fill the role after ranking third on the team in tackles during his redshirt-freshman season. Meyer was tied for third in total tackles with Sedgwick graduate and Kansas State transfer Logan Thompson. Both inebackers will look to lead the way on the defensive side of the ball. Emporia State finished in a tie for sixth in the MIAA. The number certainly reflected their statistics. The Hornets were sixth in scoring at 29.3 points per game while allowing 28.3 points which ranked eighth. The total recruiting class for coach Garin Higgins hit 36 this year. Fifteen of those players graduated from Kansas high schools. A pair of big offensive linemen are showcased in the signings. 6-6, 275 pound Xavier Cason out of Junction City was Shrine Bowl participant and named to the 6A honorable mention team. 6-5, 320 pound Aaron Clark from Great Bend was a KFBCA All-State selection, honorable mention for two more All-State teams and also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. The Hornets also landed the 2-1A Offensive Player of the Year, a Kansas Pregame coverboy, Lyndon’s Dexton Swinehart. Dustin Armbruster
Liberal native Chris Brown took over the Fort Hays State University football program in 2011. The Pittsburg State graduate and Washburn University assistant coach inherited a program that had lost their final eight games of the 2010 season and was looking for a new path. Brown secured four wins that season, allowing 382 points. Fast forward to the fall of 2017 and the still Chris Brown led FHSU Tigers are preparing to defend their first MIAA football title after completing a perfect 11-0 sweep through the conference while allowing just 152 points through the MIAA portion of the schedule. The only disappointment of 2017 came in a home playoff loss to Ferris State for a final 11-1 record. Graduation left two rather large sets of shoes to fill for the Tigers. Nathan Shephard is now a New York Jet after being drafted in the third round. He was the conference’s defensive player of the year. Wichita Heights product Kenneth Iheme graduated following a season that landed him as one of thirty-four candidates for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the award presented to the Division II College Play of the Year. Don’t expect any of that to damper expectations leading into the upcoming season though. After earning All-American status, Derby graduate Jose Delgado looks to lead a defense that ranked second in the MIAA in yards allowed. Delgado led the Tigers in tackles and was fourth in the MIAA. La Crosse native Sheldon Schmidt led the team with three fumble recoveries and will be part of the defensive line that tries to replace the production of Shephard. Tanner Hoekman of Abilene was second on the team in tackles and led the team in forced fumbles. Overall the defense returns their top eight tacklers. On the offensive side of the ball Florida native Jacob Mezera returns after throwing for 2,824 yards and 23 touchdowns versus just six interceptions. Two of his top returning targets hail from the state of Kansas. Layne Bieberle of Central Plains and Harley Hazlett from Abilene will each have a large role for a receiving corps that is as well known for their blocking abilities as their pass catching skills. The offense in 2017 averaged 441.5 yards and 32.3 points per game both ranking third in the MIAA. The Tigers seemed to take advantage of their MIAA title while recruiting in the state of Kansas. Twenty-one Kansas high schoolers signed letters of intent to play for FHSU. Thousand yard receiver Owen Beason of Goddard, Derby’s Brody Kooser, who tallied over 3,800 yards and 65 touchdowns in his career, Smith Center’s Dalton Kuhn, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year in Kansas, and Shrine Bowl participant Wyatt Seidl of McPherson highlight a talented group signed in February. Coach Brown also gets the opportunity to coach his oldest son, signing Hunter this past offseason from Hays High. Dustin Armbruster
Pittsburg State sat just 2-4 through the first six weeks of MIAA play in 2017. The Gorillas had just lost back to back games to in-state rivals Washburn and Fort Hays State when the season turned around. Tim Beck’s squad posted five consecutive wins to finish the regular season. The streak included a 20-10 win over Northwest Missouri State and a 27-10 victory against Emporia State. The late season victories also earned the Gorillas a trip to the Agent Barry Live United Bowl where they beat Arkansas Tech 48-31 in Texarkana, Arkansas. Beck enters his ninth season as head coach for Pittsburg State and heads into the 2018 season with five offensive starters and ten defensive starters returning to the field. The Gorillas tied for fourth in the MIAA in scoring at 31.8 points and were sixth in yards at 391.6. Defensively they finished third in yards allowed and also third in points allowed at 21.6. Kansas native and Pittsburg State standout Nate Dreiling was named defensive coordinator during the off-season. Dreiling was a four-time All-American with the Gorillas while setting the school and MIAA record in career tackles at 491. Top offensive producer Michael Rose is gone to graduation opening the door for Tucker Horak of Rossville to take over. Horak was second in rushing for the Gorillas this past season during his redshirt freshman campaign. QB John Roderique has had bad luck with injuries in previous seasons and returns for a senior season out of Webb City, Missouri after playing in nine games last season. The offensive line for the Gorillas allowed just 17 sacks over 12 games. Josh Hornback, a Bishop Carroll grad, led the team in tackles from his safety position. He also recorded two interceptions and blocked two kicks which helped him claim an honorable mention on the All-MIAA team. Manhattan’s Darian Taylor enters his senior season after also being placed on the honorable mention All-MIAA team and finishing the 2017 season third on the team in tackles which included two sacks. Taylor will also serve as one of the team’s captains in the 2018. Each of the top four tacklers from last season return with three of them from Kansas. Creighton Sanders, a safety, and standout track athlete for the Pitt. State track team, joins that list out of Wichita Heights. Seven players on Pittsburg State’s signing class from February are from the state of Kansas. Two time 5A All-State selection Joe Clune of St. Thomas Aquinas, Andale’s Grant Fairchild, who earned All-State honors at both linebacker and offensive line, two time 6A All-State offensive lineman from Shawnee Mission East, Justin Finnigan, and two time 4A-I All-State linebacker Joe Watskey, who totaled more than 300 career tackles) from Bishop Meige highlight the signing class. Dustin Armbruster
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Wichita Northwest product and Colorado State transfer Deron Thompson could factor in at running back. He had 28 carries for 86 yards last season. Senior wide receiver Steven Sims returns after 59 catches for 839 yards and six scores. Hesston’s Ryan Schadler is back as the primary kick returner after a solid 2017. He had 25 returns for 562 yards and caught 21 passes for 181 yards. Senior linebacker Keith Loneker and junior nickel back Bryce Torneden - also Free State products - are returning starters. Loneker has started 16 games with 89 tackles the past two falls. Torneden finished with third team all-Big 12 honors and 61 tackles. KU allowed 43.4 points per contest, mainly because of a defensive line that had just 22 sacks and a porous pass defense that permitted 69 percent completion and a 31/4 TD/INT rate from opponents. The Jayhawks again struggled mightily in conference play with losses by at least 38 points to Texas Tech, Iowa State, TCU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Additionally, the Jayhawks have lost eight straight to the rival Wildcats by an average margin of 29 points. The first month’s schedule presents winnable games with a season-opening home contest against FCS Nicholls State. Then, KU goes to MAC’s Central Michigan. Last season, the Jayhawks opened with a 38-16 win versus FCS Southeast Missouri, and then lost to CMU, 45-27. In Week 3, KU gets Rutgers, a struggling Big 10 team, at home. The Jayhawks lost, 27-14, to Rutgers in ’15. The game marks the first non-conference home game versus a Power 5 opponent since 2010. In Week 4, the Jayhawks travel to Baylor, which finished 1-11 last season with its lone victory versus KU. Conor Nicholl
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
The Washburn Ichabods are coming off a 2017 campaign that included a postseason victory at the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl to finish the season at 7-5. The win gave 17th year head coach Craig Schurig win number 110 in his career. The 128 year old football program will look to get a boost thanks to the Washburn Board of Regents approval of a $19.9 million indoor football and track facility. The new facility will feature 110 yards of football field, a banked 200 meter track, along with room for soccer, baseball and softball. The Ichabods will enter 2018 with 21 returning starters (9 on offense, 8 on defense, 4 on special teams) for a squad that finished 6th in the always tough MIAA. Washburn Rural grad Blake Petersen started 10 of 12 games at quarterback while accounting for 2,761 total yards and 22 touchdowns. His favorite target and MIAA honorable mention receiver James Brania-Hopp returns following a 41 catch, 702 yard, six touchdown junior campaign. The receiving corp will also get a boost with the return of Buhler standout Jace Williams who appeared in four games beforing missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Williams also plays on the Washburn basketball team. Defensively the Ichabods ranked fourth in scoring, allowing 26.1 points per game. Topeka-Hayden product Derrick McGreevy led the team with 131 tackles. His junior season ranked him 12th in the nation in tackles and garnered second team MIAA honors. Will Jones, another Washburn Rural product and Hutch CC transfer, will look to build off of a solid sophomore campaign at defensive end where he led the team with 4.5 sacks while starting nine games. Shawnee Heights graduate Corey Ballentine enters his senior season not only as a standout in the secondary, where he was named to the conference’s second team, but also as a top notch return specialist. Ballentine was placed on the MIAA first team, averaging 30.6 yards per kickoff return which ranked fifth in the nation. He has also excelled in the Ichabod track program posting eight of the school’s ten fastest 100 meter times and six of the fastest 200 meter runs. Washburn Rural alum Perry Schmeidler is set to etch his name in Washburn sports history in 2018. He needs just three points to be the all time kick scoring leader and currently sits sixth overall in scoring. The Ichabods signed 14 Kansas high school graduates. Included in the group is first team 6A lineman Jacob Glendinning (Washburn Rural), first team all-state linebacker Jack Hamilton (Washburn Rural), first team all-state lineman Cole Harris (Atchison-Maur Hill), Shrine Bowl selection Peyton Lane (Clay Center), KFBCA all state selection Brent Peavler (Hayden), and first team all-state lineman Braden Rose (Buhler). Dustin Armbruster
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
BAKER UNIVERSITY
After making the 2016 NAIA national championship, the Baker Wildcats were hopeful for a return trip to NAIA’s biggest stage. Baker cruised through the Heart of America Conference slate before being tripped up by Missouri Valley. Two weeks later, the Wildcats dropped a nail-biting 36-33 decision to No. 12 Georgetown, stopping the pursuit of a national title. Fortunately, Baker has 14 starters and 34 lettermen back for another crown quest. Baker is young, however, featuring just 32 upperclassmen out of a roster of 138 athletes. Baker does lose quarterback Logan Brettell, who threw for 2,550 yards and 24 touchdowns, but the strength is clearly in the backfield. One of Baker’s three All-Americans is tailback JD Woods (Lawrence, Kan.). The Missouri Western State transfer tore up defenses, rushing for 1,618 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first season. The former Chesty Lion averaged 6.9 yards per carry and accumulated the third-most rushing yards in the nation. The Wildcat defense has a chance to be truly special with returning All-American cornerback Nate McLaurin. The senior picked off five passes and returned two for touchdowns while racking up the fifth-most tackles with 49. Grant Elston (Tonganoxie, Kan.) looked on pace to see his numbers increase after having 75 tackles and four interceptions, but an offseason injury will see Elston miss the season. Not every day does a team gain a player of the year from another conference, but that’s what happened to Baker. Evan Sprayberry, graduate transfer from Tabor, earned the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year award following a 60-tackle campaign. The All-American also accumulated 10 sacks and should be a force in the HAAC. The linebacker group shows promise with three All-HAAC guys. Indie Allen (Holton, Kan.) recorded 113 stops a season ago, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Classmate Kegan Shumann (Sabetha, Kan.) wasn’t too bad himself, making 80 tackles with two interceptions. Combine the two former Big Seven League foes with 2016 all-conference linebacker Mikeice Adams and the defense looks stout on paper. Adams was fourth on the team in tackles two years ago with 75. Head coach Mike Grossner believes this team can compete for a national championship if depth develops up front on both sides of the ball. Baker opens the 2018 campaign with a road matchup against William Penn. Three of the next four contests are in Baldwin City as the Wildcats host Grand View, Culver-Stockton and Benedictine. The second road tilt in September is at Graceland. In Octobor, Baker travels to Peru State, MidAmerica Nazarene and Central Methodist before wrapping up the regular season with Missouri Valley and Evangel at home. Pat Strathman
DIVISION II BENEDICTINE COLLEGE
Benedictine was awfully close to making some noise in the NAIA playoffs last year. BC’s two losses in the regular season were to No. 2 Baker (44-37) and Grand View (30-27). The Ravens tough luck continued in the first round of the playoffs, drawing No. 1 Saint Francis. The Ravens held their own, barely falling 26-21, ending their season with a 9-3 record. A couple extremely talented players are gone, but head coach Larry Wilcox enters his 39th campaign with many excited fans. Benedictine averaged 48.6 points per game a season ago and tailback Ejay Johnson was a giant reason for that, tallying 1,398 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s gone, but Marquis Stewart is ready for the spotlight. Stewart picked up 735 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 85 carries - a whopping 8.6 yards a tote. While Stewart is capable of gathering yards himself, the offensive line features second team NAIA All-American Garrett Bader. BC lost plenty of experience on the line, making it a focal point for 2018. Throwing the football should be no issue with second team All-HAAC quarterback Shaefer Schuetz and first team receiver Aaron Jackson returning. Shaefer completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,169 yards and 27 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions. Jackson received the bulk of the targets, recording 956 yards and 15 TDs on 50 catches. Offensively, the Ravens are exceptional, but maybe the defense is the true star on this squad with seven All-HAAC selections returning. Benedictine is loaded at linebacker, bringing back first-team pick Jalen James and second-team selections Tyler Thrasher and Brett Shepardson. James paced the Ravens with 76 tackles while Thrasher and Shepardson created issues in opposing backfields. The dynamic duo of Thrasher and Shepardson combined for 108 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Oh, and Tyler Shepard returns after leading BC with 8.5 sacks. The secondary looks promising with first team All-HAAC member Keegan Bell and honorable mention pick Dayton Bush. Bell finished with two interceptions and 36 tackles last year while Bush added 38 stops and three picks. Ely Lilly anchors the defensive line after a 19-tackle performance in 2017. The stars have certainly aligned for Benedictine, although its most challenging opponents are all on the road. BC welcomes Bethany on August 25. September has Benedictine traveling to Missouri Valley, Evangel and Baker with a home game against MidAmerica Nazarene. Three of the next four games are in Atchison, featuring Central Methodist, Graceland and William Penn. The Ravens head to CulverStockton in October before facing Grand View on the road and Peru State at O’Malley Field. PS
FRIENDS UNIVERSITY
At first glance, Dion Meneley’s first season looks disappointing. A 4-7 campaign is far from glossy, but the Falcons challenged every opponent. Friends started 2017 with three straight defeats, one by five to Midland and a triple-overtime thriller to Ottawa to open conference play. Friends followed with losses to KCAC champion Sterling (19-18), Kansas Wesleyan (26-13) and Bethel (13-0). Low-scoring affairs scream defensive intensity and the Falcons had that up front in KCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Tim Hamilton, and Kelechi Chukwuka. Both combined for 16.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss, and the dynamic duo needs to replaced. Defensive tackle Jordan Brookins and defensive end CJ Pore (Wichita, Kan.) hope to be the answer. Brookins was seventh on the squad with 43 tackles while Pore made 20 stops in nine games. Brookins also recorded three sacks. Leading tackler Josh Lewis is gone after a stellar senior season, leaving the linebacker core exposed, but the secondary should be solid. Defensive backs Desean McKinnon and Sherman Arthur showcase different strengths. McKinnon is quite the tackler, earning the fifth-most on the squad with 56. Arthur only had 24 stops, but he had the most interceptions with six in 2017. The offense has key pieces to be great, starting at
quarterback with Brennan Whitaker and Dan Dawdy (Derby, Kan.). Whitaker played the first four games of the season before Dawdy took over, throwing for 857 yards and six touchdowns. Dawdy had 839 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games. Top two receiving threats are gone in Sam Camp and Jacob Cron, combing for eight of the 12 receiving TD’s. Still, there is potential with Blair Perry and Blake Crandall (Winfield, Kan.). Perry had 30 catches for 300 yards while Crandall reeled in 18 for 256. The future looks bright in the backfield with Noah Diaz, who rushed for 853 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman. Up front, two freshmen turned sophomores are ready for more success in Jacob Kerby (Ellsworth, Kan.) and Brock Johnston. Coach Meneley believes this squad can compete for a KCAC title as long as the squad can mesh quickly and play clean football. Three of the first four games are at home this year for Friends as the Falcons welcome Doane from the GPAC and KCAC challengers in Southwestern and Tabor. Kansas Wesleyan, Sterling and McPherson are road tests in September. The Falcons get Bethany, Saint Mary and Bethel at home while traveling to Avila and Ottawa. Pat Strathman
NAIA
JUNIOR COLLEGE BETHANY COLLEGE
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The goal for the Bethany Swedes this year is to finish the season. In 2017, Bethany started the season 5-1, upsetting KCAC co-champion Sterling 30-28 at Anderson Stadium. The Swedes were just as close to a perfect 6-0 beginning to the year, barely falling to Saint Mary 33-29. However, the Swedes were plagued with injuries down the stretch, closing the 2017 campaign on a four-game losing streak. An impressive 18 starters are back, including 10 on the defensive side of the football. The main tackling machine is safety Rhett Mizer (Atwood, Kan.), who compiled 101 tackles and is searching to be the program’s all-time leader in stops. Others back in the secondary include Javon Moore and Deauntre Roberts. Both recorded three interceptions in 2017. Up front, the Swedes bring back Dahari Gray, Mickey Stewart Jr. and Salveccho James. Gray had the most TFLs with 12.5 while picking up three sacks. Bethany has no shortage of talent returning on the offensive side of the ball, highlighted by QB Isaiah
Salazarr. The senior threw for 2,072 yards, 21 TDs and 18 INTs in 2017. Salazarr has plenty of weapons to play with in wide receivers Dalton Goodwin (Abilene, Kan.), Michael Milbourne, Jafar Thomas and Peter Garza. Milbourne pulled in the most footballs with 48 receptions for 570 yards and six touchdowns. Goodwin might see an increase in time with the loss of Michael Wimberly, recording 24 catches for 260 yards and a pair of TD’s. Thomas slides from the tailback position to receiver for more open space. Thomas ran for 672 yards and four touchdowns, and with the loss of Aaron Knox, the door is open for a new running back. On the offensive line, Hunter Coronel, Marcus Horduno and Cooper Burkhart are expected to lead the war in the trenches. Fourth-year head coach Paul Hubbard saw improvement last year, and will look for more when the Swedes open the year August 25 at Benedictine. PS
The Threshers go into 2018 with a new staff, recruiting class, playbook and facilities. Leading the charge is Terry Harrison, who took over as head coach on December 18, 2017. Harrison goes to North Newton after serving as head coach at Wichita Heights. In five seasons, Harrison compiled a record of 38-16, winning four Class 5A regional titles. Coach Harrison has eight returning offensive contributors including two rush-first quarterbacks in Zach Esau (Hesston, Kan.) and Dominic Webb (Wichita, Kan.). Out of 88 NAIA teams, Bethel ranked 83rd in total offensive in 2017. Esau and Webb split time and that trend could continue for 2018. Leading rusher Tyshawn Simon is back after earning All-KCAC honorable mention, rushing for 386 yards and five TDs. Kobe Pickens saw time in eight games and should help the running back group. At wide receiver, Bethel takes a hit with the loss of Montero DuBose. But, Bethel brings back Gary Jolivet, who made 24 catches for 394 yards and a pair of TDs. Bronson Hill (Junction City, Kan.) should
receive a boost in playing time after seeing action in five tilts last year. The offensive line can turn into the team’s biggest strength with four guys back in Henry Baxter, Peter King, Robert Graham and Morgan Murphy (Newton, Kan.). Alex Cochran (Junction City, Kan.) and David Kinnicut plan to battle at camp for the final spot. The Thresher defense is in decent shape with seven guys returning. Bethel’s strength in 2017 was in the secondary, ranking as the seventh-best pass defense in the nation. Charles Johnson is the main threat, pulling in three interceptions a season ago. Jordan Bell (Wichita, Kan.) highlights the linebackers group, making the second-most tackles with 64. Keondre Churchwell sees his playing time jump after recording 35 stops in eight contests last year. The defensive line brings back Joseph Winfield, Curtis Bent (Wichita, Kan.) and Luke Unruh (Goessel, Kan.). Winfield is a two-time All-KCAC pick and the only guy back with a sack. Pat Strathman
BETHEL COLLEGE
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
For the third consecutive year, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes were a victory shy of a KCAC championship. In the waning seconds, KWU fell to Olivet Nazarene in the season opener, lost to post-season qualifier Sterling on a last-second field goal and stumbled against Tabor, conference co-champion. This fall, fifth-year head coach Matt Drinkall is hoping to get over the hump with 16 starters back. The main weapon is junior All-American tight end Trenton Poe-Evans, who tied a school record with 16 touchdown receptions. The man delivering the ball to Poe-Evans and other receivers is still up in the air with the loss of quarterback Kelly Cordova, who accounted for 1,135 total yards and 19 touchdowns in the final three games of the year. Senior Wesley Geisler and Fullerton JC transfer Johnny Feauto are the two top options. Geisler made two starts in conference play last year against McPherson and Friends, accumulating 373 total yards and four touchdowns. Whoever is the victor will have a solid pair of running backs in juniors Demarco Prewitt and Jerrod Ferguson. Three senior offensive linemen are gone, but senior tackle Eli Smith (West Elk, Kan.) is ready to lead the group in the trenches. Defensively, the Coyotes have some hurdles to overcome up front. Christian McQueen and Kretien Webb combined for 15 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss a season ago. With both gone, seniors Josh Davis and Brad Coombs are expected to have bigger roles. The KCAC’s leading tackler Garrett Updegraft moved on after a 120-tackle season, but coach Drinkall is counting on seniors Mitch Persinger (Hugoton, Kan.), Pierce Williams, and sophomore Jacob Marcotte (Salina, Kan.) to fill the void. Williams is the leading tackler returning, making 48 stops in 2017. Marcotte had a pleasant freshman campaign, making 39 tackles in all 11 games. The secondary can be a strength, highlighted by senior safety Zeriam Jackson, who has the most interceptions returning out of the group. Jackson was seventh on the team in tackles, recording 39 of them last year. Cornerback Jevaughn Codlin had a frustrating year, being unable to secure a pick, but the junior is poised for a bounce-back campaign. Kansas Wesleyan opens the 2018 campaign in September with a road trip to Fort Worth, Texas to face Texas Wesleyan. KWU follows with the home opener against Friends, trip to Sterling, home contest against Ottawa and a showdown with rival Bethany in Lindsborg. Pat Strathman
MCPHERSON COLLEGE
In 2017, McPherson posted a 3-7 mark. Third-year head coach Paul Mierkiewicz is hoping the young talent takes the next step and propels the Bulldogs to their first winning season since 2010. Sixty lettermen are back, including a pair of quarterbacks battling for the starting job. Electrifying Ed Crouch started out as the main weapon. The dual-threat signal caller threw for 1,152 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also rushed for 436 yards and six touchdowns in seven games. Crouch did get banged up, allowing the coaching staff to send out Jake Tiernan (Solomon, Kan.). The former Gorilla developed quickly and turned into the starter. Tiernan accumulated 1,049 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six picks. Whoever wins the battle has a top weapon in receiver Jackson Goodmiller (St. George, Kan.). The Rock Creek High School product led McPherson in catches (51), yards (527) and touchdowns (8) in 2017. Tight end Brandt Wolters (Osborne, Kan.), wasn’t too bad himself, recording 24 catches for 306 yards and two touchdowns. In the trenches, McPherson is led by a pair of seniors, Logan Anderson and David Deramee. Both plan to provide much-needed experience to allow the offense reach new heights. Defense was a concern last year as the Bulldogs gave up 40 or more points in six games. The defensive line plans to top that with the whole group back in Isaiah Hill, Chandler Tisby and Joey Hale (Hutchinson, Kan.). The trio combined for 13 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. Top tackler Thomas Lanktree has returned to highlight the linebackers. Lanktree tallied 93 stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. The biggest problem for McPherson is in the secondary as the Bulldogs try to replace every position. McPherson was last in pass defense last year, giving up 298 passing yards a game. Plenty of challenges remain for McPherson, but the biggest hurdle of all could be the addition of six new assistant coaches. Developing chemistry is key. Three of the first four games are at McPherson Stadium as the Bulldogs host Bethany, Southwestern and Friends with a road test at Avila in week two. McPherson then has four of the next five away from home at Bethel, Ottawa, Tabor and Sterling. The last two home contests are against Kansas Wesleyan and Saint Mary. Pat Strathman
DIVISION II MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIV. OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
For the last couple years, a traditionally strong MidAmerica Nazarene program has hovered around .500. Last year, the Pioneers started strong, winning the first three contests, which included a 31-12 over then-ranked William Penn. MNU followed with a six-game losing skid, featuring close defeats to Peru State, Evangel and Avila. New head coach Todd Sturdy wants to change that after serving as an assistant/coordinator at Eastern Washington, Washington State, Iowa State and Northern Iowa. Prior to 2007, Sturdy was the head coach at Saint Ambrose, where he became the winningest coach in program history. For the last two years, though, coach Sturdy helped coach his son’s high school team. The former OC at various NCAA Division I schools sees a pair of returning tailbacks for his inaugural season. Marquis McQuire was the leading rusher, gathering 662 yards on 5.9 yards per carry and four touchdowns. Dahmir Pross wasn’t too far behind, accumulating 507 yards and five TDs. The biggest hurdle to overcome for coach Sturdy is at quarterback with the loss of do-it-all signal caller Trey Cooper. Cooper racked up nearly 3,000 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns. Christian Bates (Blue Valley Northwest) was the backup last year and appears to be in the running to be named the starter. Top receiver Jordan Samson is gone after reeling in 41 balls for 633 yards and six touchdowns. Marcus Moody was the No. 2 receiver and he’s back after picking up 551 yards and four TDs. The defense has a chance to be special with a bulk of the front seven coming back. Ryan Huerta leads an extremely talented linebackers group. Huerta was No. 1 on the team with 98 tackles to go with 6.5 sacks. Isaiah Robinson was a nice sidekick, recording 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, both highs for MNU. Justice Jardine was quite the player as well, making 30 stops with three sacks. In the trenches, Jaron Reed and AJ Reeves are impressive, each recording 30 tackles and a combined 7.5 sacks. Jakob Jordan is the lone guy back in the secondary after a three-interception campaign. The HAAC is always stout and the same can be said this year. MNU has a balanced schedule with every other week being on the road. The Pioneers travel to Midland, Culver-Stockton, Benedictine, Grand View, Evangel and Missouri Valley. As for games in Olathe, MNU plays Graceland, William Penn, Peru State, Baker and Central Methodist. Pat Strathman
For just the second time under 15-year head coach Kent Kessinger, the Ottawa Braves are coming off back-to-back losing seasons. In 200607, Ottawa went 5-14 and turned things around by winning eight games the following year. Maybe OU can have history repeat itself as the Braves finished 7-15 in 2016-17. Thirteen total starters are back, but none more important than sophomore running back James Reeder (Lawrence, Kan.). Reeder was a star in his first season in the KCAC, picking up 976 yards and two touchdowns en route to an AllKCAC First Team selection. The Lawrence native averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 108.4 yards a game, good for 14th in the NAIA. Those numbers might dip, though, as coach Kessinger stated that this year’s team is set to throw the football more. However, there is a battle at quarterback as Ottawa has two college transfers in Conner Kaegi of Arizona Western and Spenser Lewis of Avila. Whoever wins the war has limited experience back for the receiving group. Dylan Foos (Dighton, Kan.) has the most returning receiving yards with 165 on 16 catches in four games. He’ll need some help to replace Mauricio Uribe, who reeled in 60 footballs for 551 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Dylan Wheeler (Mayetta, Kan.) should help with eight catches for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns in eight games. Defensively, the strength is in the secondary in Rodney Latham, Jerrell Taylor and Marcus Fenderson. As a junior, Latham earned All-KCAC honorable mention after finishing second on the team with 66 tackles and a surprising three sacks. Fenderson was also an honorable mention selection, ending up third on the team with 58 tackles. Taylor had quite the year, making 47 stops and intercepting three passes. The defensive line has a few guys back in Cole Greenwood (Lawrence, Kan.) and Jacob Garcia. Garcia made the All-KCAC honorable mention list, recording 32 stops, three tackles for loss and a sack. Greenwood accumulated 35 tackles and six for negative yardage. Ottawa has many question marks in the linebackers corps. Leading tackler Markie Beltram is gone as well as Elisha Allen, leaving competition for a couple spots. Ottawa opens 2018 with a road test at Bethel, followed by a return trip home to face Saint Mary. The Braves travel to Bethany before facing “murderer’s row”, going to Kansas Wesleyan, hosting Tabor and then hitting the road to Sterling. OU stays at home for three of the final four contests, welcoming McPherson, Southwestern and Friends. The last road game is at Avila on October 20. Pat Strathman
STERLING COLLEGE
Following 13 long campaigns, a man without the last name Lambert will be in charge of the Sterling football program. Offensive coordinator Chase Hansen takes over for Chuck Lambert, last year’s Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Chuck replaced older brother Andy - now head coach at Southern Nazarene - in 2016. Even with the coaching change, expectations couldn’t be higher as the Warriors played in the NAIA playoffs after claiming the KCAC title. Sterling made things interesting in 2017, though, as seven of the 12 games were decided by eight points or fewer. The offense hopes that isn’t the case as eight starters are back. Quarterback Cedrick Phillips was robbed of a season, hurting his knee in the season opener. That allowed Eric Butler to step in and succeed as the starter. Butler threw for 2,001 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The athletic speedster relied more on his legs, rushing for 617 yards and eight touchdowns while gaining 4.3 yards a carry. Butler’s main target is back in wide receiver Darryl Terrell, the reigning KCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Terrell reeled in the third-most footballs in the nation last year with 85. His 1,045 receiving yards were good for top-10 in the nation
as well. The offensive line should be in good hands as All-KCAC First Team member Rigo Guzman plans to lead a physical group of linemen. For years, Sterling relied on hardnosed defense. In order for that to continue, the Warriors must limit the damage of six lost starters. Defensive back Maurice Rucker is the headliner, earning All-KCAC honors a year ago. Rucker made 43 tackles in 2017. The linebackers took the biggest hit, losing top tackler Kenya Edner, who recorded 111 stops. Nicholas McGrew hopes to fill Edner’s shoes after a 45-tackle season. In the trenches, Sterling only racked up just 14 sacks as a team. Vincent Haider didn’t have one of them, but he’s preparing for an increased role for 2018. Coach Hansen’s motto for his team this year: “Don’t flinch. Play fast, fierce and free.” The new era begins with new KCAC member Avila in Sterling. The Warriors follow with a trip to Southwestern, two home contests with Kansas Wesleyan and Friends and a trek to Saint Mary. October features a home tilt with Ottawa and trips to Bethany and Tabor. Sterling wraps up the year with McPherson and Bethel. Pat Strathman
Page 172 NAIA JUNIOR COLLEGE SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY
Southwestern made some huge strides in 2017. The Moundbuilders won their final four contests, matching their best record since a 5-6 campaign in 2013. With 60 lettermen and 15 starters returning, Southwestern could get over .500 for the first time since 2004. The offense has no shortage of talent, bringing back all but one starter. Quarterback Christian Gordon is back for his senior campaign. The Southwestern offense hinges on good decisions, and Gordon improved in that department, throwing for 1,606 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for 243 yards and five scores. The big bowling ball that is Silas Jefferson is no longer available at running back after tallying 701 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. However, the speed is back in the backfield in All-KCAC Second Team member Keyshawn Wyatt. Wyatt had a solid freshman campaign, rushing for 677 yards and six touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry. Southwestern brings back its top three receivers in Carvontez Gates, Donny Ebanks and Tanner Spencer (Arkansas City, Kan.). Gates had the most receptions, bringing in 40 for 384 yards and two touchdowns. Ebanks was the sparkplug, racking up 519 yards and seven touchdowns on 28 catches. Spencer only had seven grabs for 69 yards, but was used in special teams. Up front, Southwestern only needs to replace the right guard with Marcus Miyatake, Yancey Vanosdell, Dustin Rivera and Mason McDowell (Arkansas City, Kan.) all returning. Not one is a senior, but tight end Paxton Noll (West Elk, Kan.) is ready for his final season up front, making this a stout group. While the defense features the majority of questions, the defensive line shouldn’t be an issue with the return of David Matthews, Grant Newton and Zack Gray. Gray has the most tackles out of the group with 39 while Matthews recorded a pair of sacks. Top tackler David Ashilonu moves on after graduation, but Grant Torgerson is back to highlight the linebacker core. Torgerson had the most tackles for loss with 10.5 while tallying 88 tackles. The secondary also took a blow with the losses of Tomunci Whitfield and Ka’Darius McQueen. McQueen was third on the team with 62 tackles. Whitfield picked off a KCAC-best seven passes. Travon Crockett is ready for the spotlight after making 46 stops and two interceptions. Fourth-year coach Brad Griffin believes his team is ready for compete for a KCAC title. Southwestern opens the year on August 25 against Graceland. September features road games at Friends and McPherson to go with three home contests against Sterling, Bethany and Avila. Three of the last five are away from Winfield at Tabor, Ottawa and Saint Mary while the Moundbuilders host Bethel and Kansas Wesleyan. Pat Strathman
After an 8-3 season in 2016, the Saint Mary Spires took a step back. Saint Mary went from being tied for second two years ago to finishing eighth with a 3-6 conference mark in 2017. Injuries played a major role, but so did the turnover war as the Spires finished near the bottom in forcing and limiting mistakes. Fifth-year head coach Jay Osborne is hoping to turn that around and having a four-year starter at quarterback should help. Drew Cortez was a one-man wrecking crew, throwing for 3,637 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 19 interceptions were a bit too high, but Cortez averaged 331 yards through the air a year ago. In his career, Cortez has thrown for 8,045 yards and 58 touchdowns, and he expects to get over the 10,000-yard mark for passing in 2018. Solidifying the offense are four returning linemen. Andrew Ramirez (Kansas City, Kan.), Trey Perkins, Garrett Booth (Wathena, Kan.) and Vinny Prud’homme expect an increase in offensive production with their ability to pass block. As a team, Saint Mary only rushed for 895 yards, but when tailback Ryhler Estenbaum touched the ball, good things happened. Esternbaum only carried the ball 62 times, but averaged 4.8 yards per carry to go with two touchdowns. The Spires have a handful of receivers to catch the ball. The number one option is Bryan Barnhart, who pulled in 44 balls for 594 yards and three scores. Defensively, the Spires don’t return a ton of experience, but coach Osborne is excited about the newcomers, which includes some redshirts. Elijah Creighton transitioned to the secondary last year and has potential to be a top player in the KCAC, recording three interceptions. Nick Holmes (Lansing, Kan.) also returns after making two picks and recording 29 tackles as a safety. Up front, Jon Cereceres and Cody Adams look to provide leadership. Saint Mary lost linebacker Dwain Taylor, an All-KCAC guy who made 66 tackles, leaving a gaping void in the heart of the defense. The Spires feel better about their team chemistry for 2018. They will need it as Saint Mary opens with Tabor in Leavenworth. The Spires hit the road to Ottawa and Avila before finishing September with a home showdown with Sterling. A road tilt with Kansas Wesleyan starts October, followed by home contests with Bethel and Bethany. Two of the last three games are away from Leavenworth at Friends and McPherson with a matchup with Southwestern smashed in the middle. Pat Strathman
For the third consecutive year, the Tabor Bluejays claimed at least a share of the KCAC championship, sharing the title with Sterling. Coach Mike Gardner enters his 12th season with an astonishing 79-32 record, but 2018 presents a monumental challenge. Offensive coordinator Billy Hickman moved to Luther College for the same position at the NCAA Division III level. All but six starters are gone as Tabor stares in the face of a complete rebuild for the first time since 2011. Developing young players is key as Tabor boasts 63 true freshmen on the roster. The Bluejays will rely heavily on All-KCAC First Team tailback Drevion Cooper. Cooper was 12th in the nation last year in rushing, gathering 1,218 yards on 10.2 yards per carry. Cooper also scored 11 times. He’ll need some help and freshman Thane Unruh (Haven, Kan.) plans to help shoulder the load. Returner Justin Swims and the rest of the receivers group have a tough task in replacing All-KCAC performer Zach Johnson. Johnson recorded 858 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Swims hopes to come close to those numbers after putting up 146 on 14 catches. The biggest question focuses on the quarterback position with eight newbies squaring off at practice. All-KCAC signal caller Curry Parham was a monster last year, accumulating 28 total touchdowns
and 2,103 yards. Lawson Luetters (Meade, Kan.) redshirted last year and hopes to be the main weapon for 2018. Matt Kloxin (Haysville, Kan.), Change Gorges (Nickerson, Kan.), Rayshawn Tate and Kaiser Kussman (Scandia, Kan.) are all new offensive linemen trying to earn starting jobs. The defense is in better shape, although the loss of KCAC Player of the Year, Evan Sprayberry, hurts tremendously. Sprayberry accounted for nearly half of Tabor’s sacks and a quarter of tackles for loss. Jonah Rogers and Kole Long (Mulvane, Kan.) are two newcomers to watch. First Team All-KCAC linebacker Brad Kistner highlights the linebackers squad. Last year, he was the top tackler, making 84 stops. Returner Kaleb Neuschafer (Cimarron, Kan.) joins Kistner after a 49-tackle campaign to form the true heart of the defense. As for the secondary, incoming freshman Zach Roth (Wichita, Kan.) has a chance to become a youthful leader. The toughest test in years starts with two trips to Saint Mary and Friends before three straight home games against Bethel, Ottawa and Southwestern. The middle of October might decide the KCAC championship as Tabor goes to Kansas Wesleyan before hosting Sterling. The Bluejays close 2018 with back-to-back home contests against McPherson and Bethany before traveling to Avila. PS
TABOR COLLEGE
Kansas Pregame, Volume 13
BUTLER
Turnover and turnovers are the main two themes facing Butler football heading into 2018. Turnover of players, which is common at the two-year level, is heavy this year as the Grizzlies replace all but two starters from last year’s 8-3 team. Turnovers were the biggest issue facing Butler a year ago. In the three losses, Butler’s offense had five turnovers that became defensive TDs, with another two turnovers that became 1-yard scoring drives. The Grizzlies lost those three games by a combined 16 points. “This conference is loaded and there is no margin for error,” head coach Tim Schaffner said. “You can’t give away all of those touchdowns.” Butler hopes the quarterback play is improved, as redshirt Trae Self (Richland, Texas) was the most polished during spring ball. Also competing for the spot is Chase Oberg (Andover), Louisiana Tech transfer Justin Stolberg (Covington, La.) and true freshman Jordan Seymore (Hazelgreen, Ala.). The Grizzlies appear to have a running back by committee with Vinnie Shabazz (Olathe North) being the only returner at the position. Shabazz carried the ball 52 times for 231 yards and pair of touchdowns. Grahm Roberts (Wilmington, Del.), Connecticut transfer Ja’kevious Vickers (Belle Glade, Fla.) and Tevin Petrie (Norton) will be in the mix. Little experience is back at the receiver position as Larry Jones (Arlington, Texas) is the only returner with a reception, hauling in eight passes for 139 yards and a TD. Speedster Kaden Davis (Ellsworth) gained 20 pounds from a year ago and impressed the staff during the spring. Both Isreal Watson (SM West) and Jovon Baldwin (Junction City) redshirted a year ago and are expected to contribute. On the o-line, Butler returns its only two offensive starters in Zach Ingram (Independence, Mo.) and Jaden Rosenthall (Grandview, Mo.). Will Valentas (Andover) saw time last season and should start. Highly recruited by Power 5 schools, Jacoby Jones (St. Louis, Mo.) should anchor the d-line after having 16 tackles with 3.5 sacks a year ago. Returning on the line will be Josh Davies-Balogun (Richmond, Texas), Esaias Carpenter (Wichita) and Peerlus Walker (Derby). Hunter Kier (Washington) and Amari Barno (Blythewood, S.C.) return at linebacker, while Maurice Farr (Hayti, Mo.) is back at safety.
GARDEN CITY
After leading Garden City to its first NJCAA football national title in 2016, the Broncbusters slipped backwards last year with an 8-4 overall record, a 48-41 loss to Trinity Valley (Texas) in the Heart of Texas Bowl and finished in a second-place tie in the Jayhawk Conference. But make no mistake that Garden City is expected to reload under head coach Jeff Sims (22-12, fourth season), as the Busters were predicted to finish behind conference favorite Independence by the Jayhawk coaches. Garden was also a No. 2-preseason pick by Street & Smith’s annual college football preview, trailing only Iowa Western. Garden City’s offense is expected to be highlighted by a returning 1-2 punch at running back with Charles West (Coppell, Texas) and Dedrick Mills (Waycrocc, Fla.). West led the Busters in rushing last season with 972 yards on 176 carries and eight touchdowns as he earned All-KJCCC honorable mention honors, while Mills played in only three games with 61 yards rushing on seven carries. The Busters appear strong on up front on offense with former Illinois lineman Howard Waktins (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Bam Olaseni (London, United Kingdom) returning. Olaseni, at 6-8 and 320 pounds, has Power 5 offers from Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Minnesota and Oklahoma State. “Offensively, we’ve got incredible talent in a number of positions,” Sims told the Garden City Telegram. “We’ve got some work to do at quarterback, but we could have some of the best running backs in the country, and our offensive line could be really special. But everything is predicated on how hard they work, and how well they learn what we coach them to do.” Garden City returns starters in all three phases of the defense – line, linebacker and secondary – with LB Joe Jay Smith (Bethlehem, Pa.) recording 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups in ‘17. The Busters will also have homegrown talent in former Garden City standout and Shrine Bowl participant Demarcus Elliott. “He’s working hard and chasing his goals,” said Sims of Elliott. “Demarcus is the epitome of what we are doing. He can come in here, work hard and have a chance at some other D-I offers.” Elliott’s father, James, played at Garden in the early 90s and then played at Oklahoma State.
DIVISION II COFFEYVILLE
Perhaps the top feel-good story of the Jayhawk Conference comes out of Coffeyville, as head coach Aaron Flores (37-27 overall) begins his seventh season on the sidelines for the Red Ravens. Flores underwent a double-lung transplant in mid-March, then, following a three-month rehabilitation process, returned back to resume coaching duties. Before getting the call for surgery, Flores was on the sideline for only the first two games of the Ravens’ ‘17 season. Despite missing most of spring ball while rehabbing after surgery, Flores likes what the 2018 season brings for Coffeyville. “We’ve got a number of guys returning with some experience, but not great experience, on either side of the ball,” said Flores, who served as Butler’s offensive coordinator for 10 seasons (2001-10). However, Flores was mum when mentioning any players during Jayhawk Conference media day. “To single anybody out wouldn’t be fair at this time, because we’re hoping a number of guys step up and are able to fill that role for us,” Flores said. Coffeyville’s top two offensive players to watch will be running back Monta Thomas (Hermitage, Ark.) and o-lineman Finley Felix (Fort Meyers, Fla.). Thomas, who played at Northwest Mississippi and rushed for 453 yards on 99 carries with seven touchdowns in eight games last season, is described as a very athletic running back with break away speed. With his 6-7, 335-pound frame and making all 12 starts last season, Felix gives the Red Ravens size and experience up front. On the defensive side, safety Marquese Ball (Bridgeton, N.J.) transfers in from the University of Maryland after not playing for the Terps in 2017. Ball, who brings size and great ball skills, was highly recruited by Power 5 schools – including Clemson, Michigan, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Rutgers. Coffeyville signed a handful of Kansas talent for 2018, including former Labette County defensive back and Shrine Bowl participant Keshaun Anderson. The Ravens will have some new faces on the coaching staff with offensive coordinator Ryan Lusby and co-defensive coordinator Matthew St. Germain beginning their first seasons.
HIGHLAND
New improvements to Kessinger Field has the Scotties’ football program buzzing, as a synthetic RamTurf and a new scoreboard/video board is being installed this summer. Highland was the lone remaining KJCCC school with a grass field, but now boasts the lone football-only facility in the conference. “When you come up to our place, you’re going to play on an outstanding turf field,” said coach Aaron Arnold. “It’s going to be a first-rate facility when we get done. I think it’s really going to put us in a unique spot where we’ll be one of the few junior colleges in the country that has a dedicated football-only facility.” With a 4-6 overall record in ‘17, Highland boasted one of the top defenses in the NJCAA, but offensive struggles led to four of those six losses coming by four points or less. Highland held three of the Jayhawk’s top four teams (Hutch, Butler, Independence) to 13 points or less, but lost all three contests. Backfield experience will be key to offensive improvement, as Highland returns running back Kevin Brown (Mt. Pleasant, Ga.), who averaged 68 rushing yards per game but was limited to four contests due to injury. Sophomore running bacls Justin Ruiz (Atlanta, Ga.) and DD Hull (Iva, S.C.) finished averaging 5.8 and 6.3 ypc, respectively, which gives Highland some extra familiarity at running back. QB is undecided heading into fall camp, but the favorites appear to be returner Xavier Shephard (Atlanta, Ga.) and Coastal Carolina transfer Avery McCall (Dillon, S.C.). Highland went through four QBs last season, which resulted in a conference-low 293.5 yards per game with just 86.5 passing ypg. The other offensive skill positions and offensive line will have a new makeover, as only wide receiver Tra Parker (Augusta, Ga.) has limited experience. The Scotties will attempt to rebuild its defense, which finished sixth in the NJCAA in total yards allowed per game (241.3). Returning is linebacker Reco Hannah (Randolph Clay, Ala.), who was an All-KJCCC honorable selection while finishing as the Scotties’ third leading tackler with 63 stops. Highland also brings back South Carolina commit and top-ranked JUCO d-tackle Jahkeem Green (Sumter, S.C.), while All-KJCCC second-team safety Darius Johnson (Gray, Ga.) is expected to lead the secondary.
NAIA
DODGE CITY
JUNIOR COLLEGE FORT SCOTT
The Conquistadors look to rebound from a 4-7 finish – the lowest performance in the five-year tenure of head coach Gary Thomas (29-26 overall, 6th season). Since finishing 9-3 with a split of the conference championship with Butler in 2015, Dodge City has a seen a downward slide in wins. Dodge City had a promising 3-1 start to open the 2017 campaign but lost six of its final seven games to end the season. The lone victory came against Fort Scott by a close 36-29 score. “We had an unusual year last year by our standards, at least,” Thomas said. “We were just incredibly young and immature and incredibly injured. All of that led to not a very successful season. We’ve got a much better group that’s more of a cohesive group in what we’ve accomplished in the offseason.” “We do have a lot of guys back and I feel we’ve got a chance to be pretty good if we can stay healthy and be organized.” Predicted to finish fifth by the Jayhawk Conference coaches, Dodge City will bank on experience with 16 starters and 20 lettermen returning, which includes the team’s top two tacklers in All-KJCCC second-team linebacker Lakia Henry (Vidilia, Ga.) and defensive back Koby Perry (Alcovy, Ga.). Henry was the Conqs’ top tackler with 87.5 tackles and 57 solos, while Perry recorded 56 tackles in the secondary. Most of Dodge City’s experience lies on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to Henry and Perry, the Conquistadors return four defensive lineman – Brandon Penerton (Homestead, Fla.), Louis Chandler (Memphis, Tenn.), Avery Edward (Lakeland, Fla.) and Shange Savage (Irmo, S.C.). Helping Henry at linebacker will be Sekou Diaby (Hillside, N.J.) and Darius Miller (Cohutta, Ga.), while Kadarius Satterwhite (Newnan, Ga.) joins Perry in the defensive secondary. Offensively, the Conquistadors bring back four o-lineman – Martin Brooks (Walker, La.), Jake Whitehead (Pisgah, Ala.), Khalique Washington (Lebanon, Pa.) and Demarcus Tinsley (Granville, Ga.). Sophomore wide receiver Eugene Minter (Birmingham, Ala.) is the Conqs’ top returning receiver with 11 catches for 177 yards and a TD, while receiver Tyrice Richie (Glenwood, Ill.) also comes back. Tight end Zack Leininger (Hugoton) is the only in-state returner.
HUTCHINSON
Last season, Hutchinson returned to the postseason with a 7-5 record and finished above .500 in conference play with a fourth-place league finish under Rion Rhoades (80-45, 12th season), who is the longest tenured coach in the conference. “I’m really excited about our team this year as much as any team we’ve had,” Rhoades said at KJCCC media day. “I think we are going to have a very good team. Will that mean eight wins, 10 wins, I don’t know. I know we have a good team, but so does everybody else.” Hutchinson will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball, as former Langston University (NAIA) OC/QBs coach Roderick Taylor will run the offense. Nathan Powell will split defensive coordinator duties with Andrew Krause, who begins his third season at Hutch. Powell has spent 11 years in the Alabama high school system, most recently at Foley High School the past three seasons. The offense is expected to be the strength for the Blue Dragons, with seven returners and 12 lettermen coming back. Wide receiver Jaylen Erwin (Charlotte, N.C.) is the Dragons’ top returning receiver after making a team-high 24 receptions for 429 yards and team-high eight touchdowns during his freshman campaign. Running backs Dezmon Jackson (El Dorado, Ark.) and Andrew Lee (Folkston, Ga.) both made contributions in the backfield. Jackson had 411 yards rushing and averaged 6.6 yards per carry with four touchdowns, while Lee totaled 241 yards on 23 carries. However, Hutchinson does not have a returning quarterback for the first time since Rhoades’ first year. The Dragons will bring six signal callers to camp, including Tennessee transfer Bart Harris and Southern Illinois transfer Brandon George. “Really for three years now, we haven’t been good at quarterback and that’s really hurt us,” said Rhoades. “We have a really good chance to be better, maybe a lot better, at quarterback this year.” The offensive line has limited experience with Jared Butler (Aiken, S.C.), Jason Toussaint (Apopka, Fla.) and Brian Thomas (New Orleans, La.). Heading into the season, Hutch’s defense appears to be a weakness with only two starters back. Hutchinson native and long snapper Dylan Chesterman is the team’s only returner on special teams, and Rhodes calls him “the best in this conference and maybe the best in the country.”
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After a 4-6 overall finish in his first season at Fort Scott, head coach Kale Pick not only will look to improve the Greyhounds’ program on the field, but also must replace his entire coaching staff. Despite a last-place prediction in the Jayhawk Conference coaches’ poll, Pick feels Fort Scott will have the ability to compete after having to work with just 40 out-of-state scholarships last year. “Our administration has done an incredible job this offseason to make us competitive and have 85 outof-state scholarships like most of the conference,” said Pick, who also added that the Greyhounds have a new athletic training room and locker room. As far as players on the field, Pick highlighted eight transfers that will be expected to be impact players for the Greyhounds in 2018, none bigger than Michigan transfer running back Kareem Walker (Irvington, N.J.), who had his signing confirmed at media day. Walker appeared in just five games for the Wolverines last fall with 20 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. ESPN rated Walker as the No. 4 running back, No. 45 overall recruit and No. 2 prospect from New Jersey in the 2016 class. The Greyhounds also signed former Michigan and Rutgers wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell (Egg Harbor, N.J.), who was suspended by Michigan for the 2016 season and left the program the following spring. Kent State quarterback transfer Justin Agner (Woodstock, Ga.) joins Fort Scott after playing in just one game during the 2016 season. Other offensive transfers included Ohio offensive guard Dez Noel (Cincinnati, Ohio) and former West Virginia redshirt receiver Steven Smothers (Reisterstown, Md.), who was at Arizona Western last year but did not play. On defense, Pick called three DI transfers possible impact players - Cincinnati d-back Rashaad Stewart (Clearwater, Fla.), North Carolina State safety Raven Saunders (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Bowling Green d-lineman Derion Hitchens (St. Charles, Mo.). Pick also praised Bonner Springs wide receiver/d-back Alonzo Hokes during media day, saying, “He gets up at 6 a.m. and he’s out on the practice field doing his backpedals by himself before the sun comes up.” Hokes was a first-team All-League d-back, and three-time State track qualifier in the 4x100-meter relay.
INDEPENDENCE
After being one of the long-standing doormats of the Jayhawk Conference, Independence took home its first league title since 1987 with a 9-2 overall record and winning its first bowl game in the program’s history last year. The Pirates’ 2017 underdog season was captured by Netflix’s “Last Chance U” documentary, putting the spotlight on head coach Jason Brown (14-6, third season). As conference champions, it become no surprise that Independence was the Jayhawk favorite to win the league in 2018. “I’m honored to be picked to win the conference, but I don’t think there’s much difference between us and Fort Scott, to be honest,” said Brown, who has 18 returning lettermen and five returning starters. Concerning the players on the field, the big buzz surrounding the Pirates is defensive end Jermaine Johnson (Eden Prairie, Minn.), tabbed as the top junior college prospect in the nation by 247sports. com and recently committed to the University of Georgia. Johnson made 58 tackles with eight sacks in 11 games last season. “He has the accolades and all the offers, but what does he do when the lights turn on? He’s going to have to show up,” said Brown of Johnson during media day. Independence’s offense appears to be relying on DI transfers in Georgia Tech redshirt dual-threat quarterback Jay Jones (McCalla, Ala.) and Oregon wide receiver Bruce Judson (Cocoa, Fla.). At receiver, the Pirates return All-KJCCC second-team member Markiese King (Dallas, Texas) and Marqwell Odom (Nashville, Tenn.). King snagged 16 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns and saw time on special teams returns, while Odom caught 14 passes for 179 yards. Brown said the Pirates will have unknowns at both the running back and offensive line positions. “We lost six offensive lineman to Division I scholarships, so replacing that will be a tall task,” said Brown. Johnson headlines a “veteran savvy” d-line group, which also features returner T’Marion Johnson (Detroit, Mich.), who made 28 tackles last season. Logan Schaefer (Delton, Fla.), who recorded 39 tackles in just eight games, returns at linebacker. Highly-touted defensive end/linebacker prospect Kuony Deng (Aldie, Va.) - sought after by Nebraska, Texas ,Texas A&M - and returning d-back Kion Holder (Miami, Fla.) will be expected to contribute.
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