SMITH CENTER REDMEN

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

After taking over for legendary head coach Roger Barta in 2013 and spending 10 seasons leading Smith Center, two-time state championship winning head coach Darren Sasse announced plans to take a break from coaching in late January to spend more time with family

A portion of that family includes son Jake, a key senior last fall at both fullback and linebacker for his father’s squad, helping Smith Center to an 8-3 record and a 1A quarterfinal berth.

Prior to his 2013 promotion, Sasse was the longtime junior high coach for SC where he implemented Barta’s system, providing continuity for players from grades seven through 12.

It’s only fitting that the next head coach is longtime Barta and Sasse assistant Mike Rogers, who was a member of seven state title winning staffs for the Redmen, and an eighth as an All-State running back for Barta in 1982 before playing college football at KU.

“What we call ‘Smith Center Football’ started 45 years ago when Coach Barta came to town in 1978,” Rogers said. “Most of the coaches we have had on staff the last 25 years or so have grown up and played for Smith Center, so there is a lot of pride in the tradition that has been established here. We also believe what we do, and how we do it, allows us to be successful every year.”

Rogers takes over a program with high expectations for 2023, thanks to the return of numerous starters, including senior twin brothers Eli and Luke Franklin. The duo are a devastating combination at linebacker with Eli leading the team in tackles last season with 59, to go with five tackles-for-loss, while Luke came in second, tied with the previously mentioned Jake Sasse, at 58. Luke bested his brother with seven tackles-for-loss, and added a forced fumble and a recovery.

“Eli and Luke have each had their own unique journey to get to the point that they are at now,” Rogers said. “I’ve been around long enough to have coached their father John (who played his first two seasons at Smith Center before following family to Scottsbulff, Neb., where he finished high school). They remind me a lot of him. They have both put in a tremendous amount of work in the weight room since this spring. We are expecting some big things from the Franklin boys this fall.”

Smith Center’s three losses last eason came against teams with a combined final record of 26-8. One of those games came against Wabaunsee, who they led 26-6 at half, before a second half collapse saw the game end 40-38 in one of the most thrilling finishes of 2022.

According to Eli, a key for Smith Center this year is not repeating those mistakes.

“We need to come out stronger after halftime. A lot of the games we had last year we dominated the first half when we came out, and didn’t play well in the second half.”

Smith Center also returns a strong group in the defensive backfield with seniors Benjy Carr (36 tkls., 1 INT), Teagan McKenzie (16 tkls. 2 TFLs), Cooper Jones (5 tkls., 1 INT), and junior Daveyon Orr (9 tkls., 1 INT), while the line brings back seniors Jason Desbien (47 tkls., 9 TFLs, sack) and Dylan Teselle (25 tkls., 2 TFLs).

On the offensive side of the ball Eli Franklin, Teselle, and fellow senior Kaden Weltmer are back from last year’s offensive line that paved the way for 310.8 rushing yards per game.

Luke Franklin led the team in rushing and receiving as a junior with 1,105 yards and 16 TDs on 147 carries, along with 11 yards on 4 receptions for another score. Desbien (19 car., 155 yds., 2 TDs) and Carr (9 car., 106 yds., 2 TDs) saw time in the backfield as well, while McKenzie returns at split end (2 rec., 37 yds., TD). The Redmen will again be tested by their early season Mid-Continent League schedule and a Week 4 rematch with a Wabaunsee team will be one of the most anticipated games in 1A.