ANDALE INDIANS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Andale’s 2023 state title marked their fourth consecutive under 2022 KSHSAA Coach of the Year Dylan Schmidt, who enters his seventh year in charge of the Indians this fall.

Overall this makes seven titles for the Indians since Gary O’Hair won the first three in 2006, 2007, and 2014, the last of which featured Schmidt on staff as one of O’Hair’s top assistants. Schmidt holds an incredible career record of 74-2 as Andale’s head coach, with a 51-0 mark the past four years. The current senior class has experienced nothing but unblemished state championship seasons, but making it number five for the program won’t be an easy task.

“We graduated the best senior class in school history,” Schmidt said. “We will need several people to step up and fill some roles, especially on the offensive line, most of our defensive unit, and offensive skill positions.”

The Indians bring back just two defensive and four offensive starters from last season, including All-League senior Karson Butts who returns from a 90-tackle junior season.

“The biggest takeaway from last season, obviously, is winning state for the fourth time in a row,” Butts said. “You can’t describe the feelings of winning in front of your hometown and family, knowing all the hard work you put in has paid off. Just overcome with joy to be state champs.”

Butts has had the privilege of playing with and learning from some of the most talented defenders in the state.

“Obviously over the last couple years we’ve had some of the best defenses in the state and in school history,” Schmidt said. “I think last year we gave up 5.2 (points) a game.”

If that type of dominance is to continue this fall it will depend largely on Butts leadership and dominance.

“(Karson) starts for us at inside linebacker in our 3-4 defense and, I mean he can really do it all. He just fits the part. He’s 6-2, 215, 220 pounds, so he has definitely got the size and he runs well for that size. I mean, he’s just got a motor.”

All-League HM junior D-back Landon Harp is also back for the Indians after recording 44 tackles and two INTs, and while he wasn’t a starter, senior D-lineman Ian Aouad still managed to garner All-League HM honors with 14 tackles.

Offensively, senior All-League running back Gage Prosser is back after rushing 95 times for 692 yards and nine TDs, along with Aouad, and All-League seniors Cody Engelbrecht and Henry Eck on the offensive line.

“We got some good guys coming up that we’re really excited about,” Schmidt said. “At the same time, the jury’s out, and the good thing for all those guys is they’ve played varsity a lot of times because of blowout wins and things like that. We’re replacing a lot of three year starters, so I’m always excited about our guys and I think they’ll hit the ground running, but you just never know.”

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