FOOTBALL 2022 PREVIEWAREA NORTHERNCHASEEMPORIACOUNTYLEBOOLPEHEIGHTSHARTFORDMADISON
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— Junction City Emporia Football Schedule
B y J ohn S orce john@emporia.com
Emporia High School enters Year Two of the Keaton Tuttle era this year, and there are plenty of things to watch for.
Some other key returners for the Spartans this year are wide receiver/cornerback Jaxon Dial, tight end/linebacker Kyle Obermeyer, offensive/defen sive lineman Jaden Thomas, and kicker/punter Alex Allemang.
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There’s going to be a mix of upper and under classmen taking the field for Emporia in the fall. But Tuttle thinks the senior leadership could make a big impact.“Ikind of see it as we can go as far as [the seniors] going to lead us,” Tuttle said. “We’re going to have some younger guys that are going to play and we’re going to have some guys in positions that haven’t been in before. But those older guys have seen a lot. We had one of our better years when they were fresh men and we had one of our worst years last year, so they’ve kind of seen the whole gamut. By this point, they understand what it takes to be successful.”
That’s what it’s about for Tuttle – growing football players but also great young men. “I love seeing players grow and succeed in both life and football,” Tuttle said. “I want our kids to grow and mature as young men and football players. I’m trying to be the coach they need like I had when I played.”Theseason begins on the road for Emporia on Sept. 2 at Pittsburg. Tuttle is optimistic about their efforts this summer and is excited to get started.
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Emporia went just 1-8 last season. But there was a lot for Tuttle to learn as a first-year head coach, something he’s been working towards for a long time. He played high school ball in Iowa and played at Iowa Western Community College before finishing at Fort Hays State, where he met someone who had a lasting impact on his own coaching journey – even if he didn’t know it at the time.
With Cam Geitz graduating, Emporia will have a quarterback competition with senior Fred Jackson and junior Sheldon Stewart. Both athletes bring something different to the table.
“It’s not very often you have somebody of his size and athleticism,” Tuttle said. “He’s done amazing things in swimming and diving and he’s done gym nastics for a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody his size just start walking off the field and start doing backflips. I think he’ll be a really big ad dition for us and we’re excited to have him.”
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“I always reference back to the times when we didn’t like Coach Brown (at Fort Hays State) very much in the moment,” Tuttle said. “But after you’re done playing, you look back and start to realize how much he cared for you. Now, I’d probably jump in front of a car for him because you realize how much he taught you.
“I firmly believe my past was not to be a phenom enal college football player. I think I was there to learn lessons that I would use as a coach. That’s kind of how it feels to me and I put a lot of faith in that.”
“They’re a great group of kids,” Tuttle said. “We had a great summer. We’ve had some of our best at tendance at our camps and our weights that we’ve had in a while. It was almost double from what we had last year. So, I think they realize that and they want to see their team be successful.” (620) Sept. 2 at Sept. 9 Liberal Sept. 16 at Salina Sept. 23 at High Sept. 30 Manhattan Oct. Wichita Oct. at Oct. 21
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“Fred’s a little older, he does a few things running the ball a little better than Sheldon,” Tuttle said. “But Sheldon is good at throwing the ball and things like that. I think there’ll be a good competition and we’re curious to see how it plays out.” Whoever emerges as the signal caller will have a reliable target to throw to in senior wide receiver Parker Leeds, who totaled 617 yards and 5 touch downs last year. Bobby Trujillo tallied 111 tackles on defense and was honorable mention all-state last year.Emporia will get a boost on both sides of the ball with senior fullback/linebacker Braxton Higgins, who played as a freshman but took the last two sea sons to focus on gymnastics. But Tuttle is excited to have him back on the gridiron and expects him to make an impact.
Topeka
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“This has created competition at practice and has allowed us to play a JV schedule which helped tremendously in the development of our underclassmen.” Hadley said the trenches are where Lebo should re ally excel this year. The Wolves return all three starting linemen, led by all-state defensive lineman Austin Bailey. Senior Isaac Durst and sophomore Zach Oswald complete the“Thistrio. group averages 230 pounds and is looking to make a statement this season on both sides of the ball,” Hadley said. A key change to this year’s lineup is placing senior Landon Grimmett in the backfield. He will take over the quarterback position vacated by the graduation of super star quarterback Kyle Reese. Grimmett, who starred as an honorable mention all-state receiver last season, will now guide the Wolves through their eight-game campaign and postseason.“Wewill look to senior Landon Grimmett to lead the charge and replace 1st-team all-league Kyle Reese at quar terback,” Hadley said. “Landon played QB in a limited role last season (12-17 for 147 yards and one touchdown).”
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One crucial loss to Lebo’s spread offense is junior re ceiver Grayson Shoemaker, who sustained an ACL injury at the end of the basketball season. His production will be missed, but the Wolves will try to fill the gap with senior Addison Smith and sophomore Drew Konrade.
Sept. 2 — Lyndon Sept. 9 — @ Burlingame Sept. 16 @ Madison Sept. 23 — St. Paul Sept. 30 — @ Marais des Cygnes Valley Oct. 7 — Hartford Oct. 14 — @ Marmaton Valley Oct. 21 — Crest LeboEmporia
“Last year, we had 20 guys out for football and we are expecting to have 19 players this season,” Hadley said.
Gazette
“We return six starters, but we also return multiple guys who contributed throughout the season,” wrote fifthyear head coach Brian Hadley in an email summary sent to the Gazette. “Players have been buying in and working hard in the weight room knowing that this season is their chance to step up.” Hadley explained that Lebo’s deep run into the 2021 8-man DII playoffs provided a wealth of experience for the returning players. Add in valuable weight room gains this summer, and there’s plenty of room for optimism. Team numbers are helping too.
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Junior Corey Reese will be counted on to carry the rock. The 2nd-team all-league selection rushed 46 times for 412 yards and brought it to the house on six occasions. Reese is stout on defense as well, registering 50 tackles, seven for loss, and two interceptions. Senior Luke Davies will become multidimensional this year as he moves from his tight end position (20 catches for 365 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021) to a more utilitarian role. “Luke played mostly tight end for us last season but we will look to get the ball in his hands from multiple posi tions this season,” Hadley said. Davies can play a little bit of defense too. He broke up 10 passes, snagged three interceptions, picked up one sack, and made 46.5 tackles, seven for loss, last season.
Junior Kord Kiefer will also be called on to reinforce the Lebo defense. He recorded 30 tackles, seven for loss, and a sack in 2021. “What Kord lacks in size he makes up for with speed and toughness,” Hadley said.”
Football ScheduleBy chriStopher AdAmS The
Expectations are high for the Lebo Wolves football pro gram this year. The squad is chock-full of experience and looks to improve on their 9-2 season from a year ago.
COURTESY PHOTO/LEBO HIGH SCHOOL Back row: Jr. Grayson Shoemaker, Sr. Isaac Durst, Fr. Dallas Dinkel, So. Drew Konrade, Sr. Luke Davies, Sr. Landon Grimmett, Jr. Dominic Risner, So. Zach Oswald, Sr. Austin Bailey, So. Ashton Lattimer. Front row: Manager Colton Shoemaker, Manager Rayden Risner, Fr. Daniel Rausch, Jr. Gunner Graybeal, So. Taegan Kelley, Sr. Addison Smith, Jr. Corey Reese, So. Connor Bailey, Fr. Brayden Hopkins, Sr. Colton Crouch
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The speedy Turner is also the defending state 1A 100-me ter and 200-meter champion.
“Our strength is Bryson Turner returns for his senior year after a big junior season, averaging 18.2 yards per carry,” McMillian said. “Anytime you have the fastest guy on the field, good things usually happen in 8-man football.”
“Our biggest weakness is our varsity experience,” Mc Millian said. “We only return two offensive starters and three defensive starters. I am looking forward to the chal lenge of finding the right group of eight guys that want to stepNewup.”players expected to make an impact are Jesse Schneider, Packer Bolinger and Hayden Helm.
By Christopher Adams
McMillian said the keys to an accomplished season are health, protecting the football and the younger team mem bers ultimately performing at a high level.
The Emporia Gazette Madison High School crushed West Elk High School in the regional round of the playoffs last year. But that wasn’t enough.TheBulldogs succumbed to Little River High School in a close sectional game. Little River was subsequently defeated by Meade High School in a low-scoring 8-man DI championship game. Madison —10-1 in 2021 — is riding a four-year playoff streak and a string of league titles, but the state champion ship has proven elusive. Is 2022 the year? Head coach Alex McMillian, entering his seventh sea son, is maintaining a conservative approach to the season. He said the Bulldogs will “Continue competing for the league and district title and put ourselves in position to make the postseason.” And perhaps, one-game-at-a-time and one-week-at-atime is the mantra to play by, but a state championship can’t be too many degrees away from permeating the psyche.They still have some weaponry from last season that could help make the big game a reality. And it starts with senior all-everything, Bryson Turner. McMillian said Turner is the team’s strength. The Wich ita Eagle first-team all-state running back and Sports in Kansas first-team all-state athlete is coming off a monster season. He rushed for 1400 yards on 77 carries (a soulcrushing 18.2 yards per run) and 28 touchdowns. Receiv ing-wise, he killed it as well, amassing 698 yards on 26 receptions and 14 scores. That’s nearly 27 yards per catch.
MADISON HOPES TO CONTINUE POSTSEASON CONTENTION WITH YOUNG TEAM
The 8-man District 2 includes Burlingame High School, Chase County High School and Lyndon High School. All of those programs recorded winning records last year.
“I am excited to see what this group can accomplish. Our district/overall strength of schedule is much tougher than it has been in the past,” he said. “Our district is load ed with some of the best teams in the state.”
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Turner’s production was supplemented last season by junior tight end Lane Darbro who garnered 12 catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Darbro will also be a key ingredient in the defense. He was selected as an honorable mention all-state defensive end by the Wichita Eagle in 2021.However, a deep postseason run will be challenging without the play of Drew Stutesman, Casey Helm and Trace Dannels. All were major contributors to last year’s squad and graduated in the spring. The 2022 team is young and inexperienced.
Sept. 3 — at Herington Sept. 10 — Hartford Sept. 17 — at Southern Coffey County Sept. 24 — at Udall Oct. 1 — at Oxford Oct. 8 — Chase County Oct. 15 — at Flinthills Oct. 22 — at Burden-Central Madison Football Schedule
“Hopefully, if we can weather the storm of the regular season, that will give us a lot of quality minutes played go ing into the postseason,” McMillian said.
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Some seniors expected to make an impact are Hunter Smart, Drew Fields, and linemen Brett Mal colm and Shayne Mcgee. Other contributors will be junior Patrick Neidfelt and sophomore Gage Morri son. Callahan said Neifeldt and Morrison “have really grown as football players and should be able to make an instant impact for the team.” Rounding out the returning players are sopho mores Clayton Colliour and Gabe Beck. “We have a lot of young players that were able to get lots of varsity experience last year and that should help this year,” Callahan said. Two new varsity players who should contribute to the 2022 squad are twin brothers Aiden and Bos ton Eckstrom. Callahan is excited about the two ju niors’ potential, who have demonstrated exceptional growth.“They were first-year players last year and didn’t know much about football, but they are extremely hard working and ready to make a difference,” he said.
“As a Husker fan, we have adopted the Husker mot to of ‘Day by Day, we get better and better,’ and that is our goal,” he said. “Each day, we need to get better at technique, execution, reading defenses and so on. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Northern Heights digested last year’s adversity, some of it seemingly used as mental nourishment during the 2021 season, and some of it stored up as resiliency and perseverance for 2022. And perhaps the remain ing adversity became emotional waste. But Callahan is scratching optimism’s itch, despite losing several seniors to graduation. It seems justified. “Currently, we have a good handful of upcoming seniors and younger players who are stepping up in leadership roles,” he said. “Kids are starting to grasp concepts and the ‘why’ we do things the way we do. When they understand the ‘why,’ they focus on the what we need to do to accomplish the ‘why.’”
From a win-loss perspective, Northern Heights High School experienced a brutal Class 1A campaign in 2021. No victories. But second-year head coach Todd Callahan relishes the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young men. “If the only thing you take out of this is the final score, then you missed out on lots of opportunities to get better,” Callahan said in an interview last sea son. “You want to win, but you may have a season like we’ve had. I think we’ve learned a lot of things. Just about life and adversity and hard work and commit ment and getting better. And those things you have to apply in your every day.” And the Wildcats are back at it — they play a spread offense and utilize a base 4-4 8-man defense.
Northern Heights could be described as a work in progress, and Callahan isn’t rushing the process.
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INEXPERIENCED NORTHERN HEIGHTS LOOKS TO SIMPLIFY THE BIG PICTURE
THE EMPORIA GAZETTESaturday, September 3, 2022 Page 13 MEETTHE SPARTANS FredSeniorJacksonSheldonJuniorStewart MEETTHE SPARTANS PLANET CandlewoodSUBDrive Across from Walmart 620-343-1660 www.planetsub.com KadenFreshmanBosjelivacJaven SophomoreArndt COURTESY PHOTO NORTHERN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL WILDCATS
2 — at Hayden Sept. 9 — KC Bishop Ward Sept. 16 — Osage City Sept. 23 — Pleasanton Sept. 30 — at Northern Heights Oct. 7 — at Caney Valley Oct. 14 — at Jayhawk Linn Oct. 21 — Central Heights Olpe Football Schedule B
Olpe High School enters this season as the two-time defending Class 1A state champion and seeks to run it back for a three-peat in 2022. After dismantling Inman High School in Fort Hays last November 35-6, the Ea gles cast some inadvertent pressure over the 2022 season. Of course, the highly successful 2020 season added to it as well. And now expectations are high. Head coach Chris Schmidt — in his 16th season helming the Olpe pro gram — says the keys to 2022 success are identifying playmakers, trusting the process and leadership. Making the task more challenging is the schedule. New to the opponent ros ter are 3A Hayden High School (9-2 in 2021) and 2A Osage City High School (8-2 in 2021). And new faces in a variety of positions will be another adjustment critical to progress. “We have a lot of kids in new posi tions, so we have to learn our jobs and trust one another,” Schmidt said. “We have to develop new leaders.” The Eagles will miss the leadership and playmaking capabilities of last sea son’s quarterback Damon Redeker, who guided Olpe to its second consecutive championship.Schmidtsays the team will have to improve each week but believes the cur rent edition of Olpe football possesses the right mindset and grit.
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Sept. y c hri Stopher A dA m S
The Emporia Gazette
“We have kids who we feel will work hard and push each other to get better,” he Schmidtsaid. and coaching staff will rely on returning players Truman Bailey (17 receptions, 329 yards, nine touchdowns and 31 tackles) and Garret Cole (69 carries, 490 yards, 13 touchdowns and 81 tackles). Blake Redeker and Darren Heins also bring experience to the Eagle units.New players expected to contribute are sophomore Dexton Hoelting and juniors Ethan Redeker Jr. and Rowdy OrearButJr.Schmidt’s general plan is simple. At least on paper.
“Our goal is to get better each day, and hopefully make a run in the postsea son,” he said. “If we block, tackle and execute, we will compete with our op ponents.”Threechampionships in a row is a tall task for Schmidt but being a part of his players’ personal transformation keeps the veteran coach motivated. “I enjoy watching high school boys develop into nice, well-rounded young men,” he said.
DiegoSophomoreGuzman ChristianSeniorHageman
THE EMPORIA GAZETTESaturday, September 3, 2022 Page 15 MEETTHE SPARTANS Jim Pitman 608 Commercial Emporia KS, 66801 Phone: 620-704-4758 Email: jpitman98@gmail.com LandonSophomoreWholetzLuke SophomorePitman COURTESY PHOTO OLPE HIGH SCHOOL EAGLES MEETTHE SPARTANS EdgarSeniorNava JoseFreshmanVargas
By chriStopher
AdAmS
Blankley accumulated 78 tackles, 14 for loss, two sacks, and forced five fumbles. But the returning starters should make significant and immediate contributions during the 2022 campaign.
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The Emporia Gazette Hartford will have some new faces this season. On the sideline and the field. Perhaps, these individuals are the ingredients Hartford needs to cook up a winning season after posting a 4-5 record in 2021.The team tilts toward the younger side, which could bode well for first-year head coach Danen Kistner, who re places Colten Barrett. “The youth of this team is exciting,” Kistner said. “There is a lot of good young talent on our football team, and this will be a year for us to grow, develop and compete at the varsityKistnerlevel.”believes in the players-are-motivated-individually school of thought, saying that athletes possess their own motivating factors. He feels applying that concept will help in the underclassmen’s maturation.
Kistner graduated from Hartford in 2017, compiling a 16-5 record as an all-state quarterback. He led the Jaguars to a 7-3 record in 2015 and 9-2 in 2016. Kistner went the Sept. 2 — Madison Sept. 9 — @ Axtell Sept. 16 — @ Burlingame Sept. 23 — Crest Sept. 30 — Marmaton Valley Oct. 7 — @ Lebo Oct. 14 — St. Paul Oct. 21 — @ Marais des Cygnes Valley Hartford Football Schedule TEAM LOOKS TO COMPETE WITH NEW COACH
YOUNG HARTFORD
The senior threw for 700 yards last season along with nine touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Smith record ed 55 tackles, two picks, one touchdown, and grabbed a fumble.Senior Duncan Baker plays guard but stood out as a clutch defensive end in 2021, racking up 43 tackles, five for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He was selected to the All-Lyon County League second-team defense.
Please see Hartford, Page 17
Quarterback Ali Smith will lead the Hartford offense.
Sophomore linebacker Tysin Bulson should bolster the defense, coming off a season where he made 15 tackles and forced two fumbles.
“I have luckily coached most of these freshmen and soph omores in junior high football, so I know which buttons to push and when to push them for those athletes,” Kistner said. Three freshmen who could make an impact in 2022 are receiver Keenan Renfrow, defensive end Daden Wilson and linebacker Simon Blankley. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound Renfrow posted some solid num bers in middle school, amassing 800 yards while collecting 10 touchdowns.Wilsonregistered 55 tackles, 12 for loss, and two sacks.
THE EMPORIA GAZETTESaturday, September 3, 2022 Page 17
COURTESY PHOTO
“When it comes to motivation, I believe that every athlete is different in the aspect that not one singular thing is going to moti vate an entire team,” he said. “The challenge will be learning those factors for our junior and senior players as quickly as I can.”
HARTFORD From PAGE 16 HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL JAGUARS
Left to Right: Grayson Dailey, Tysin Bulson, Evan Mock, Keenan Renfrow, Blaine McComsey, Ali Smith, Duncan Baker, Nolin Trester, Daden Wilson, Simon Blankley, Bo Peters
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“Even with our youth, our team can be competitive this year in our district if we have good leaders step up and our kids con tinue to put in the work,” he said. However, building relationships with each player is what will count in the long run.“I feel like doing that provides an even bigger bond that will help our program grow as a whole,” Kistner said. “It lets the athletes know that us coaches are not only there for them on the field, but also off the field and allows both athletes and coaches the ability to earn each other's respect.”
MEETTHE SPARTANS
Avyion
SophomoreMorenoWyattFreshmanDobson hoops route in college, playing three years for the Bethel College Threshers. After college, he returned to Hartford and football, eventually obtaining the high school head coaching position. “I immediately began assisting Coach Barrett with the high school football team on game nights as the coach up in the ‘booth,’” Kistner said. “Once Coach Bar rett resigned, I put in my application for the head high school football coach.” However, with all of the positives, some challenges face the Jaguars. Five key play ers from the 2021 squad graduated, most notably Shayden Sull, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. Sull holds the 8-man state record for points scored in a game (90), set last year against Maranatha Academy. He’s also the owner of the most touchdowns scored in a contest, withNumbers13. will also test Hartford. Kistner said they will be suiting up between 10-13 players. Shallow depth requires a low mar gin of injury, as Hartford will endeavor to remainGettinghealthy.toknow the older players on the team and inducing strong play will also be crucial tasks for the new coach.
But Kistner said across-the-board team speed and checking a couple of team-charac teristics boxes can go a long way in achiev ing football success.
EricFreshmanRenteria
The Emporia Gazette Chase County High School came out on the wrong side of a close regional playoff game last year against Sedan High School, ending an exceptional 9-2 season. In a few weeks, they’ll begin their quest for a deeper postseason run. “Losing in the regional game last year left a bad taste in our mouth,” said head coach Brody VanDeg rift, who is in his seventh year in Cottonwood. “We will be out with a chip on our shoulder.”
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Also forecasted to provide significant support are receiver/corner Luke Budke and backup quarterback Wyatt“WeGriffin.return a lot of guys, a lot of experience,” Van Degrift said. “We need to go out and compete our butts off every day.”
For VanDegrift, success is formed at the granular level; attention to detail. “We have to work together and take pride in our per formance every day. We have to be intentional in every rep we take at practice and compete every down.”
BULLDOGS
Vandegrift would probably like to rinse his mouth out with a state title. He might have the group of chipped shoulders to accomplish that feat.
Returning players expected to make an impact on the Bulldogs’ run-first spread offense are senior quar terback Mitch Budke, who amassed a whopping 2003 yards on the ground in 2021, plus 604 in the air along with 58 touchdowns. And senior pass catcher Cal Kohlmeier, who recorded eight touchdowns last year. VanDegrift said the first two levels of Chase Coun ty’s 3-2 base defense should be an area of strength for Chase County. Anchoring the defense are Budke and senior Brock Griffin. Budke registered 109 tackles and four interceptions, while Griffin collected 104 tackles.
By chriStopher AdAmS
CHASE COUNTY
Sept. 3 — Moundridge Sept. 10 — Lebo Sept. 17 — at Valley Falls Sept. 24 — at Burden-Central Oct. 1 — at Flinthills Oct. 8 — at Madison Oct. 15 — at Udall Oct. 22 — Oxford Chase County Football Schedule
“We have our entire defense returning as well as seven of our offensive starters,” he said. “We need more experience in our secondary. All of our guys are returning starters but we always need more experi ence.”Rounding out the experienced side of the roster are linemen Gavin Francis, Emilano Zuniga and Jerrick Peyton, and skill players Collin Monihen, Tag Groh, Dominic Cauthers and Micah Cauthers.
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