ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SAINTS WICHITA COUNTY INDIANS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Wichita County took home the 8M-I title in convincing fashion last fall, winning the game against recent playoff rival Little River in WC’s closest contest of the year with a 54-36 final.

The championship was the first in school history for the program after head coach Brant Douglas took them to the cusp multiple times throughout his first five seasons with the team. Over that span the Indians have a 47-9 record with a state runner-up finish in 2020 and a semifinals finish in 2019.

“It was extremely rewarding to get the opportunity to experience that with this team,” Douglas said. “They have been shown the way by some phenomenal leaders throughout their years in high school. It was the culmination of many classes in a row doing the right things every day to ensure that they were mentally and physically prepared for a state run.”

Wichita County was unbeatable in 2022 thanks in large part to a defense that allowed an average of 12.3 points per game with five shutouts in their first nine matchups of the year A big part of that defensive dominance comes from the work done at both defensive end positions. Senior Christopher Michel and junior Khris Hermosillo seemingly spent more time in opponents backfield’s than any other location last fall.

Michel is the team’s top returning tackler with 74, to go with 13.5 tackles-for-loss, sevenand-a-half sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception.

Hermosillo, meanwhile, had a team-high nine-and-a-half sacks and 16 tackles-for-loss, along with 54 total tackles, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, six pass deflections, and an interception.

“It’s amazing playing with Christopher,” Hermosillo said. “Especially since he’s a great athlete and fundamentally sound. We’re always bringing the energy and intensity up when we are competing, which leads to making us great teammates.”

Damming up the space between those two is 6-1, 270 pound junior nose guard Juan Tapia (49 tkls., 4 TFLs), giving the Indians one of the most proven – and physically imposing – defensive fronts in the state going into this fall.

Senior linebacker Wyatt Gardner (37 tkls., 8 TFLs, 2 INTs) and junior defensive back Colton Harbin (47 tkls., 2 INTs) round out the group of returning starters for Douglas’ menacing defense.

Offensively, Hermosillo is the top returning rusher after toting the ball 132 times for 1,251 yards and 23 TDs on 9.5 yards-per-carry. Gardner added another 62 carries for 474 yards and six TDs, to go with 20 receptions for 413 yards and six more scores at receiver, while Harbin led the team in receiving with 24 catches for 478 yards and nine TDs at tight end.

Michel and senior center Brandon Price are back on the offensive line as well, with the former setting a goal of allowing no sacks personally and producing at least 3,000 yards rushing for the offense as a whole.

The Indians kickoff Week 1 against Wheatland/ Grinnell, and unsurprisingly have high expecta tions.

“We want to keep the win streak alive, have an undefeat ed regular season, and make it back to the state championship game,” Michel said.

Wabaunsee / from page 45

After starting out as a freshman splitting time between wide receiver and QB and fighting for a varsity spot, Wurtz is living proof for freshmen trying to find their way on the varsity field, that it does get better.

“He only played in one game his freshman year,” Rutledge said. “Unfortunately, that was when we only had 15 players due to quarantine and played at number two ranked Valley Heights in 2020. He definitely took some licks in that game, but also never seemed to be too rattled by it.“

The Chargers lost that game 58-0.

“In 2021, we still had Cade Oliver at QB, so Wyatt cut his varsity teeth at WR where he had some catches, but really separated himself by tying for the team lead in pancake blocks with 11. He also really shined at cornerback where he was also able to showcase his toughness.”

In 2022 Wurtz emerged as one of the state’s best.

“Last season was obviously his big coming out party as the starting QB where he excelled,” Rutledge said. “Along with being a unanimous first team All-State 1A selection at CB. We look for both he and Tate to carry these big past seasons into their final one at WHS.”

Lining up next to Wurtz in the backfield is running back Zach Frank (80 car., 486 yds., 9 TDs; 7 rec., 41 yds.), while Hernandez (11 rec., 194 yds., TD; 28 car., 218 yds., 4 TDs; 415 return yds., 3 TDs) returns at receiver along with Gehrt (3 rec., 16 yds.), and Cole Frank (3 rec., 11 yds.; 43 car., 225 yds., TD) provide further experience at skill positions.