MILL VALLEY JAGUARS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Mill Valley extended their current state championship streak to four straight last fall defeating the Avery Johnson-led Maize Eagles in the title game for the second consecutive year by a score of 28-14, finishing the year 12-1. It was the sixth title for Mill Valley since 2015, leaving head coach Joel Applebee’s Jags in one of the more dominant stretches in Kansas football history.

Mill Valley’s defense was dominant under coordinator Drew Hudgins – who took the Blue Valley North head coaching job this offseason – allowing more than two TDs just once all year, in their lone loss to Olathe North, though 12 of those 20 points came on interception returns for scores and can’t be pinned on the D. By the time the playoffs rolled around there was little anyone could do to get past Mill Valley’s defensive unit, as the Jags outscored opponents a grand total of 205-0 in the first four rounds before allowing two TDs to a loaded Maize offense in the title game.

The Jaguars had 19 players receive All-League nods, along with four KFBCA All-Staters, seven Sports in Kansas first team All-Staters, two KFBCA Top 11 recipients, and sent eight players to the college ranks. While a significant portion of that talent was lost to graduation, Applebee does retain some gems.

Just three starters return from that dominant D – senior Truman Griffith and junior Jayden Woods on the defensive line, and senior Evan Seifert at linebacker.

The 6-2, 250 pound Griffith is coming off a 37 tackle, 9.5 tackle-for-loss, six sack season, and is one of the top defensive line prospects in Kansas in the class of 2024. He currently holds offers from New Mexico State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, SEMO, and Eastern Illinois. Griffith is one of the strongest players in school history breaking the Mill Valley power clean record, hoisting 365 pounds for two reps.

“My goal is to win 5A Defensive Player of the Year,” Griffith said unequivocally. “This has been one of my goals ever since I heard of the award and I’ve been working very hard this offseason to achieve this.”

Meanwhile, Woods (6-3, 235) recorded 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, and six sacks during his sophomore campaign.

The junior is the second highest rated prospect in the class of 2025 and has offers from Alabama, Kansas State, Kansas, Notre Dame, Oregon, and numerous other top Power 5 programs.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Woods said of the recruiting process. “Focusing on the now and what I can control today. I believe that what you put in is what you get out, so I just give my all every day in everything I do.”

Seifert wasn’t a full-time starter for Applebee last season, but continued on page 66