Prep Kickoff 2017 by CJ Media

The Topeka Capital-Journal | Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | 1B

One of two four-page special sections previewing

the 2017 prep season

TOPEKA HIGH’S ky thomas

iNSIDE GLIMPSE MARK YOUR SCHEDULE Schedules for every Kansas football team in classes 6A, 5A, 4A-I and 4A-II. Page 2B HIGH-CLASS TEAMS We rank the top five teams in all eight of the state’s classes, as well as others to watch. Page 13B WATCH OUT, PART I We list 25 standouts from all across the state you’ll want to keep an eye on this year. Page 13B WATCH OUT, PART II We list 25 standouts from the city you’ll want to watch this season. Page 14B

chris neal/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

After amassing more than 1,300 yards of total offense last year, Washburn Rural junior Jordan White is one of a number of city players to watch this year.

2016 file photograph/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Topeka High’s Ky Thomas, right, pushes off Washburn Rural’s Chandler Rogers as he looks for a block against the Junior Blues last season. Thomas piled up 1,956 all-purpose yards and scored 19 touchdowns a year ago, earning All-City and city newcomer of the year.

No doubt in Thomas Already receiving Division I interest, Trojans’ standout running back enters sophomore campaign with high hopes, strong self belief

By Rick Peterson | rick.peterson@cjonline.com

ith just one high school football season under his belt, 15-year-old Topeka High running back Ky Thomas has already received a scholarship offer from Kansas. While he’s honored, Thomas is not shocked the Division I schools have started calling. In fact, that was part of his master plan. “It was a goal of mine to get (a Division I) offer going into my sophomore year so it happened and it was a huge relief,” said Thomas, who will open his season Friday night against Hayden at Hummer Sports Park. “It was an accomplishment I was shooting for and I got it. It was a special moment and I’ll always remember that.” Now the 6-foot, 180-pounder wants to keep adding “special moments” after bursting on the city scene last fall when he piled up 1,956 all-purpose yards (1,272 rushing) and scored 19 touchdowns, earning All-City Top 11 and city newcomer of the year. “It didn’t surprise me what I accomplished,” Thomas said flatly. “I always knew what I could do. I

emily deshazer/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Only a sophomore, Topeka High’s Ky Thomas already has a Division I scholarship offer from the Kansas Jayhawks.

‘‘

didn’t think I was going to get the opportunity to do that because we had some seniors ahead of me, but once I got my chance I knew I was going to take full advantage of it.” Thomas also knows his work is far from over. “It was a big year, but if I want to get closer to my goals I’m going to have to keep on building up, building up,” he said. “That was a good year, but I’m looking to have an even better year this year.” Topeka High coach Walt Alexander expects nothing less out of Thomas, although he knows his rising star won’t sneak up on anybody this fall as the Trojans try to improve on last season’s 5-4 record. THOMAS continues on 14B

Players like him don’t come around very often and when he did what he did last year he was 14.” TOPEKA HIGH COACH WALT ALEXANDER

on All-City sophomore running back Ky Thomas, left

coming thursday COVER STORY Defending state champions Rossville, Troy and Hanover won’t give up their crowns without a fight. Page 1B

MORE SCHEDULES Schedules for every Kansas football team in classes 3A, 2A, 8-Man I and 8-Man II. Page 2B WATCH OUT, PART iii We will list 25 area players to watch from classes 6A, 5A, 4A-I and 4A-II. Page 13B WATCH OUT, PART iV We will list 25 area standouts to watch from classes 3A, 2A, 8-Man I and 8-Man II. Pages 14B

file photo/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Coach Derick Hammes and Rossville will be bidding for their fourth straight Class 3A state championship this season.

more online

PREVIOUS COVERAGE Visit our website for previously published stories about all nine football teams in Shawnee County and capsule looks at every league in northeast Kansas. CJOnline.com

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL’S PRESEASON SUPER 10 RANKINGS | SEE PAGE 13B FOR CLASS RANKINGS Team 2016 record 1. Derby....................................................13-0 Panthers have won three of last four Class 6A titles and are coming off first undefeated season in school history. 2. SM East................................................. 10-2 Lancers could have their best defense yet, but they will have to entirely rebuild the offense this season.

Team 2016 record 3. Miege.....................................................12-1 Stags have completely dominated Class 4A Division I, seeking fourth straight state championship. 4. Mill Valley.............................................9-4 Jaguars shook off sluggish start to capture second straight Class 5A crown, return serious firepower on offense.

Team 2016 record 5. Aquinas..................................................8-4 Saints have almost everyone back from semifinal squad and added impact transfer to a stacked defense. 6. Blue Valley...........................................12-1 Coming off two straight 6A runners-up, expect emotional season for Tigers, who lost head coach Eric Driskell in offseason.

Team 2016 record 7. Goddard................................................ 11-2 Lions enjoyed best season in school history last year, came within OT turnover of their first state title. 8. Wichita Heights................................... 9-2 Falcons have offensive weapons galore after making a quarterfinal showing last year in 5A playoffs.

Team 2016 record 9. BV North................................................ 7-4 Surging team in ultra-tough Eastern Kansas League, Mustangs could survive brutally tough schedule. 10. Carroll...................................................7-3 Longtime coach Alan Schuckman retired, but the beat should go on for the Golden Eagles.

2B | Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal

2017 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES CLASS 6A

CLASS 5A

BLUE VALLEY Allen Terrell 12-1 S01 at Miege S08 Blue Valley West S15 at Blue Valley North S22 Mill Valley S29 at St. James Academy O06 Blue Valley Southwest O12 Blue Valley Northwest O20 at Aquinas

GARDEN CITY Brian Hill 9-1 S01 at Wichita East S08 Castle View, Colo. S15 Wichita South S22 at Hays S29 at Liberal O06 at Wichita Northwest O13 Dodge City O20 Great Bend

OLATHE NORTH Chris McCartney 3-6 S01 Wichita Heights S08 Olathe East S15 at Blue Springs South, Mo. S21 at SM East S29 at Lawrence O06 SM West O12 Olathe Northwest O20 at SM Northwest

TOPEKA HIGH Walt Alexander 5-4 S01 Hayden S08 Junction City S15 at Emporia S22 Manhattan S29 at Shawnee Heights O06 at Washburn Rural O13 Topeka West O20 at Highland Park

ANDOVER Cade Armstrong 6-4 S01 at Salina Central S08 at Kapaun S14 Goddard S22 Andover Central S29 at Campus O06 Newton O13 Eisenhower O20 at Valley Center

GODDARD Scott Vang 11-2 S01 at Olathe Northwest S08 Derby S14 at Andover S22 Eisenhower S29 at Salina South O06 at Arkansas City O13 Valley Center O20 Newton

KAPAUN Dan Adelhardt 2-7 A31 at Wichita Southeast S08 Andover S15 Wichita East S22 at Wichita South S29 Wichita Northwest O06 Wichita Heights O13 at St. James Academy O20 at Carroll

SALINA CENTRAL Michael Hall 0-9 S01 Andover S08 at Arkansas City S15 at Hutchinson S22 Campus S29 at Newton O06 Derby O13 Maize O20 at Salina South

BLUE VALLEY NORTH Andy Sims 7-4 S01 at Blue Valley Northwest S08 Aquinas S15 Blue Valley S22 at Miege S28 at Gardner-Edgerton O06 Blue Valley West O12 Mill Valley O20 at Blue Valley Southwest

GARDNER-EDGERTON Marvin Diener 4-6 S01 Aquinas S08 at Miege S15 at St. James Academy S22 Blue Valley Southwest S28 Blue Valley North O05 at Blue Valley Northwest O13 at Blue Valley West O20 Mill Valley

OLATHE NORTHWEST Chip Sherman 3-6 S01 Goddard S08 Olathe South S15 at Lee’s Summit North, Mo. S22 SM North S29 at Leavenworth O05 Free State O12 at Olathe North O20 at SM South

WASHBURN RURAL Steve Buhler 7-4 S01 Highland Park S08 at Manhattan S15 Shawnee Heights S22 at Junction City S29 Hayden O06 Topeka High O13 at Seaman O20 at Topeka West

AQUINAS Randy Dreiling 8-4 S01 at Gardner-Edgerton S08 at Blue Valley North S15 Miege S22 Blue Valley West S29 at Mill Valley O06 St. James Academy O13 at Blue Valley Southwest O20 Blue Valley

GREAT BEND Erin Beck 10-2 S01 at Coffeyville S08 at Hays S15 Wichita Northwest S22 at Dodge City S29 Wichita West O06 Wichita East O13 Liberal O20 at Garden City

LANSING John McCall 4-5 S01 Leavenworth S08 at KC Ward S15 SM North S22 at KC Piper S29 Tonganoxie O06 at Basehor-Linwood O13 KC Turner O20 at Bonner Springs

SALINA SOUTH Sam Sellers 1-8 S01 at Valley Center S08 Carroll S15 Campus S22 at Maize S29 Goddard O06 at Hutchinson O13 at Derby O20 Salina Central

BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST Clint Rider 2-7 S01 Blue Valley North S08 at Mill Valley S15 at Blue Valley West S22 St. James Academy S28 at Blue Valley Southwest O05 Gardner-Edgerton O12 at Blue Valley O20 Manhattan

HUTCHINSON Ryan Cornelsen 9-2 A31 at Olathe East S08 Newton S15 Salina Central S22 at Derby S29 at Eisenhower O06 Salina South O13 Campus O20 at Maize

OLATHE SOUTH Craig Lewis 4-6 A31 SM East S08 at Olathe Northwest S15 at Lee’s Summit, Mo. S22 Olathe East S28 Free State O06 at Lawrence O13 at Leavenworth O20 SM North

WICHITA EAST Bill Coffman 2-7 S01 Garden City S08 at Wichita North S15 at Kapaun S21 Carroll S29 at Wichita Southeast O06 at Great Bend O13 Wichita South O20 Wichita West

ARKANSAS CITY Braden Smith 3-6 S01 at Campus S08 Salina Central S15 at Valley Center S22 at Winfield S29 Maize O06 Goddard O13 at Newton O20 Eisenhower

HIGHLAND PARK Faron Kraft 0-9 S01 at Washburn Rural S08 Seaman S15 at Manhattan S22 at Emporia S29 Junction City O06 at Topeka West O13 Shawnee Heights O20 Topeka High

LEAVENWORTH Mark Littrell 1-8 S01 at Lansing S08 at SM West S15 North Kansas City, Mo. S21 at SM South S29 Olathe Northwest O06 SM North O13 Olathe South O20 at Olathe East

SEAMAN Glenn O’Neil 8-3 S01 Topeka West S08 at Highland Park S15 Hayden S22 Shawnee Heights S29 at Manhattan O06 at Emporia O13 Washburn Rural O20 at Junction City

BLUE VALLEY WEST Josh Koerkenmeier 2-7 S01 at Blue Valley Southwest S08 at Blue Valley S15 Blue Valley Northwest S22 at Aquinas S28 Miege O06 at Blue Valley North O13 Gardner-Edgerton O19 St. James Academy

JUNCTION CITY Randall Zimmerman 8-2 S01 Emporia S08 at Topeka High S15 at Topeka West S22 Washburn Rural S29 at Highland Park O06 at Manhattan O13 Olathe West O20 Seaman

SM EAST Dustin Delaney 10-2 A31 at Olathe South S08 at SM Northwest S15 Rockhurst, Mo. S21 Olathe North S29 at SM North O06 at Olathe East O12 Lawrence O19 SM West

WICHITA NORTH Scott Moshier 0-9 S01 Wichita South S08 Wichita East S15 at Wichita Southeast S22 Liberal S29 at Wichita Heights O06 at Wichita West O12 Wichita Northwest O20 Pittsburg

BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST Anthony Orrick 2-8 S01 Blue Valley West S08 at St. James Academy S15 Mill Valley S22 at Gardner-Edgerton S28 Blue Valley Northwest O06 at Blue Valley O13 Aquinas O20 Blue Valley North

KC HARMON Steve Jackson 0-8 S01 KC Sumner S08 at KC Wyandotte S15 at Hogan Prep, Mo. S22 at El Dorado S29 Frontenac O06 at Atchison O13 KC Washington O20 KC Schlagle

LIBERAL Jason Dunlap 4-5 S01 at Ulysses S08 Guymon, Okla. S15 Hays S22 at Wichita North S29 Garden City O06 Wichita Southeast O13 at Great Bend O20 at Dodge City

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Jason Swift 3-6 S01 Manhattan S08 Topeka West S15 at Washburn Rural S22 at Seaman S29 Topeka High O06 at Hayden O13 at Highland Park O20 Emporia

CAMPUS Greg Slade 3-6 S01 Arkansas City S08 Valley Center S15 at Salina South S22 at Salina Central S29 Andover O06 at Maize O13 at Hutchinson O20 Derby

KC WYANDOTTE Michael Lockett 2-6 S01 at Louisburg S08 KC Harmon S15 Open S22 at Atchison S29 at KC Schlagle O06 at KC Washington O13 KC Sumner O20 KC Turner

SM NORTH Ben Bartlett 6-5 S01 SM South S07 Lawrence S15 at Lansing S22 at Olathe Northwest S29 SM East O06 at Leavenworth O13 SM Northwest O20 at Olathe South

WICHITA NORTHWEST Steve Martin 6-4 A31 Carroll S08 Wichita Heights S15 at Great Bend S22 at Wichita West S29 at Kapaun O06 Garden City O12 at Wichita North O20 Wichita Southeast

BONNER SPRINGS Chad Eaddy 4-6 S01 at KC Turner S08 at DeSoto S15 KC Piper S22 at Tonganoxie S29 at Basehor-Linwood O06 Paola O13 at Pittsburg O20 Lansing

KC SCHLAGLE Dwayne Williams 8-2 S01 at KC Southeast, Mo. S08 at KC Central, Mo. S15 Atchison S22 KC Washington S29 KC Wyandotte O06 at KC Sumner O13 KC Northeast, Mo. O20 at KC Harmon

MAIZE Gary Guzman 7-3 S01 at Newton S08 Eisenhower S15 at Derby S22 Salina South S29 at Arkansas City O06 Campus O13 at Salina Central O20 Hutchinson

ST. JAMES ACADEMY Tom Radke 6-5 S01 at Mill Valley S08 Blue Valley Southwest S15 Gardner-Edgerton S22 at Blue Valley Northwest S29 Blue Valley O06 at Aquinas O13 Kapaun O19 at Blue Valley West

DERBY Brandon Clark 13-0 S01 at Eisenhower S08 at Goddard S15 Maize S22 Hutchinson S29 Carroll O06 at Salina Central O13 Salina South O20 at Campus

LAWRENCE Dirk Wedd 6-4 A31 at SM Northwest S07 at SM North S15 Lee’s Summit West, Mo. S22 at SM West S29 Olathe North O06 Olathe South O12 at SM East O20 Free State

SM NORTHWEST Bo Black 1-8 A31 Lawrence S08 SM East S15 at Grandview, Mo. S22 at Free State S29 SM West O06 at SM South O13 at SM North O20 Olathe North

WICHITA SOUTH Paul Lopez 4-5 S01 at Wichita North S08 Wichita West S15 at Garden City S22 Kapaun S29 Dodge City O06 at Carroll O13 at Wichita East O19 Wichita Heights

CARROLL Dusty Trail 7-3 A31 at Wichita Northwest S08 at Salina South S15 Wichita West S21 at Wichita East S29 at Derby O06 Wichita South O13 at Wichita Heights O20 Kapaun

KC SUMNER Andrew Wright 2-6 S01 at KC Harmon S08 at Atchison S15 Eudora S22 Open S29 KC Ward O06 KC Schlagle O13 at KC Wyandotte O20 KC Washington

MILL VALLEY Joel Applebee 9-4 S01 St. James Academy S08 Blue Valley Northwest S15 at Blue Valley Southwest S22 at Blue Valley S29 Aquinas O06 Miege O12 at Blue Valley North O20 at Gardner-Edgerton

TOPEKA WEST Ryan Kelly 1-8 S01 at Seaman S08 at Shawnee Heights S15 Junction City S22 at Hayden S29 Emporia O06 Highland Park O13 at Topeka High O20 Washburn Rural

DODGE CITY Dave Foster 5-4 S01 at Wichita West S08 Wichita Southeast S15 at Wichita Heights S22 Great Bend S29 at Wichita South O06 Hays O13 at Garden City O20 Liberal

MANHATTAN Joe Schartz 9-1 S01 at Shawnee Heights S08 Washburn Rural S15 Highland Park S22 at Topeka High S29 Seaman O06 Junction City O13 at Emporia O20 at Blue Valley Northwest

SM SOUTH Brett Oberzan 0-9 S01 at SM North S08 at Free State S15 Winnetonka, Mo. S21 Leavenworth S28 at Olathe East O06 SM Northwest O13 at SM West O20 Olathe Northwest

WICHITA SOUTHEAST Erik Dobbins 1-8 A31 Kapaun S08 at Dodge City S15 Wichita North S21 at Wichita Heights S29 Wichita East O06 at Liberal O13 at Wichita West O20 at Wichita Northwest

EISENHOWER Marc Marinelli 3-6 S01 Derby S08 at Maize S15 Newton S22 at Goddard S29 Hutchinson O06 Valley Center O13 at Andover O20 at Arkansas City

KC TURNER Julian Parks 5-5 S01 Bonner Springs S08 KC Washington S15 Basehor-Linwood S22 at KC Ward S29 KC Piper O06 at Tonganoxie O13 at Lansing O20 at KC Wyandotte

S01 Maize S08 at Hutchinson S15 at Eisenhower S22 Valley Center S29 Salina Central O06 at Andover O13 Arkansas City O20 at Goddard

VALLEY CENTER Caleb Smith 9-2 S01 Salina South S08 at Campus S15 Arkansas City S22 at Newton S29 Hays O06 at Eisenhower O13 at Goddard O20 Andover

FREE STATE Bob Lisher 9-3 S01 at SM West S08 SM South S15 Park Hill, Mo. S22 SM Northwest S28 at Olathe South O05 at Olathe Northwest O13 Olathe East O20 at Lawrence

OLATHE EAST Jesse Owen 3-6 A31 Hutchinson S08 at Olathe North S15 at Liberty, Mo. S22 at Olathe South S28 SM South O06 SM East O13 at Free State O20 Leavenworth

SM WEST Tim Callaghan 6-4 S01 Free State S08 Leavenworth S15 at Blue Springs, Mo. S22 Lawrence S29 at SM Northwest O06 at Olathe North O13 SM South O19 at SM East

WICHITA WEST Weston Schartz 3-6 S01 Dodge City S08 at Wichita South S15 at Carroll S22 Wichita Northwest S29 at Great Bend O06 Wichita North O13 Wichita Southeast O20 at Wichita East

EMPORIA Corby Milleson 4-6 S01 at Junction City S08 at Hayden S15 Topeka High S22 Highland Park S29 at Topeka West O06 Seaman O13 Manhattan O20 at Shawnee Heights

KC WASHINGTON Terrance Jordan 3-6 S01 at Silver Lake S08 at KC Turner S15 Maize South S22 at KC Schlagle S29 Atchison O06 KC Wyandotte O13 at KC Harmon O20 at KC Sumner

PITTSBURG Tom Nickelson 5-4 S01 Harrisonville, Mo. S08 Chanute S15 at Webb City, Mo. S22 at Fort Scott S29 at Andover Central O06 Carl Junction, Mo. O13 Bonner Springs O20 at Wichita North

WICHITA HEIGHTS Terry Harrison 9-2 S01 at Olathe North S08 at Wichita Northwest S15 Dodge City S21 Wichita Southeast S29 Wichita North O06 at Kapaun O13 Carroll O19 at Wichita South

CLASS 4A DIVISION I

NEWTON Chris Jaax 1-8

CLASS 4A DIVISION II

ABILENE Steve Simpson District 8 7-3 S01 TMP-Marian S08 at Marysville S15 at Andover Central S22 at Chapman S29 Concordia O06 Clay Center O13 at Wamego O20 Hays O27 at McPherson

CIRCLE Logan Clothier District 7 1-8 S01 Maize South S08 at Winfield S15 Augusta S22 at Coffeyville S29 McPherson O06 Andover Central O13 at El Dorado O20 Andale O27 at Buhler

KC PIPER Chris Brindle District 1 6-4 S01 at Paola S08 Louisburg S15 at Bonner Springs S22 Lansing S29 at KC Turner O06 KC Ward O13 Basehor-Linwood O20 at Tonganoxie O27 Atchison

PAOLA Mike Dumpert District 3 4-5 S01 KC Piper S08 at Baldwin S15 Spring Hill S22 at DeSoto S29 Eudora O06 at Bonner Springs O13 Ottawa O20 Fort Scott O27 at Louisburg

ANDERSON COUNTY Greg Welch District 3 2-7 S01 at Prairie View S08 at West Franklin S15 Santa Fe Trail S22 Osawatomie S29 at Independence O06 at Wellsville O13 at Girard O20 at Iola O26 Burlington

COLUMBUS Dan Grundy District 4 8-2 S01 Riverton S08 at Pawnee, Okla. S15 Girard S22 at Colgan S29 Prairie View O06 at Galena O13 Baxter Springs O20 at Frontenac O27 Parsons

S01 Lakin S08 Ulysses S15 at Colby S22 at Scott City S29 Goodland O06 at SW Heights O13 at Pratt O20 Kingman O27 Holcomb

PRAIRIE VIEW Kyle Littrell District 2 2-7 S01 Anderson County S08 Iola S15 at Burlington S22 at Wellsville S29 at Columbus O06 Santa Fe Trail O13 at Osawatomie O20 KC Ward O27 at Baldwin

ANDALE Dylan Schmidt District 7 8-2 S01 at Andover Central S08 at Labette County S15 Mulvane S22 Wellington S29 at Clearwater O06 at Wichita Collegiate O13 Buhler O20 at Circle O27 El Dorado

COFFEYVILLE Darrin Wegner District 4 4-5 S01 Great Bend S08 Parsons S15 at Riverton S22 Circle S29 Galena O06 Fort Scott O13 at Chanute O20 at Independence O27 Labette County

LABETTE COUNTY Sean Price District 4 5-5 S01 at Fredonia S08 Andale S15 at Osawatomie S22 Parsons S29 Fort Scott O06 at Frontenac O13 Independence O20 Chanute O27 at Coffeyville

ROSE HILL Ray Boese District 6 3-6 S01 Wichita Collegiate S08 at Mulvane S15 at Wellington S22 Clearwater S29 El Dorado O06 at McPherson O13 Andover Central O20 Maize South O27 at Augusta

BALDWIN Doug Kerr District 2 3-7 S01 at Eudora S08 Paola S15 Ottawa S22 at Spring Hill S29 Louisburg O06 at DeSoto O13 KC Ward O20 at Osawatomie O27 Prairie View

CONCORDIA Austin Kingsbury District 7 1-8 S01 at Beloit S08 at Clay Center S15 Chapman S22 Marysville S29 at Abilene O06 Wamego O13 Goodland O20 at Colby O27 Scott City

IOLA David Daugharthy District 3 4-6 S01 Chanute S08 at Prairie View S15 Wellsville S22 at Santa Fe Trail S29 at Parsons O06 Osawatomie O13 at Burlington O20 Anderson County O26 at Girard

PRATT Jamie Cruce District 8 12-1 S01 Larned S08 at Haven S15 Nickerson S22 Lyons S29 at Hoisington O06 at Halstead O13 Hugoton O20 at Holcomb O27 at Kingman

ANDOVER CENTRAL Tom Audley District 6 2-7 S01 Andale S08 at Buhler S15 Abilene S22 at Andover S29 Pittsburg O06 at Circle O13 at Rose Hill O20 Augusta O27 Maize South

DESOTO Brian King District 2 7-3 S01 at Ottawa S08 Bonner Springs S15 at Louisburg S22 Paola S29 at Nevada, Mo. O06 Baldwin O13 at Spring Hill O20 at Miege O27 Eudora

LOUISBURG Robert Ebenstein District 3 8-3 S01 KC Wyandotte S08 at KC Piper S15 DeSoto S22 at Eudora S29 at Baldwin O06 Spring Hill O13 at Fort Scott O20 at Ottawa O27 Paola

SPRING HILL Jason Feeback District 2 5-4 S01 Tonganoxie S08 Basehor-Linwood S15 at Paola S22 Baldwin S29 at Ottawa O06 at Louisburg O13 DeSoto O20 at Eudora O27 Miege

BAXTER SPRINGS Tim Parrish District 4 5-4 S01 at Oswego S08 Colgan S15 Galena S22 at SE-Cherokee S29 at Riverton O06 Northeast-Arma O13 at Columbus O20 at Parsons O27 Frontenac

FRONTENAC Mark Smith District 4 10-1 S01 Girard S08 at Galena S14 at Colgan S22 Riverton S29 at KC Harmon O06 Labette County O13 at Parsons O20 Columbus O27 at Baxter Springs

JEFFERSON WEST Steve Johnson District 1 1-8 S01 at Chapman S08 Riverside S15 at Sabetha S22 Nemaha Central S29 at Hiawatha O06 Royal Valley O13 Holton O20 at Santa Fe Trail O27 Hayden

ROCK CREEK Mike Beam District 6 2-7 S01 at Wamego S08 Rossville S15 Wabaunsee S22 at Silver Lake S29 at Riley County O06 St. Marys O13 at Smoky Valley O20 Clay Center O27 at Chapman

ATCHISON Jim Smith District 1 6-3 S01 at Holton S08 KC Sumner S15 at KC Schlagle S22 KC Wyandotte S29 at KC Washington O06 KC Harmon O13 Tonganoxie O20 at Basehor-Linwood O27 at KC Piper

EL DORADO Bill Shaw District 7 3-6 S01 at Mulvane S08 at Wellington S15 Clearwater S22 KC Harmon S29 at Rose Hill O06 Independence O13 Circle O20 at Buhler O27 at Andale

MAIZE SOUTH Brent Pfeifer District 6 10-2 S01 at Circle S08 McPherson S15 at KC Washington S22 Buhler S29 Mulvane O06 at Winfield O13 Augusta O20 at Rose Hill O27 at Andover Central

TONGANOXIE Al Troyer District 1 5-4 S01 at Spring Hill S08 Eudora S15 at KC Ward S22 Bonner Springs S29 at Lansing O06 KC Turner O13 at Atchison O20 KC Piper O27 Basehor-Linwood

BURLINGTON John Petrie District 3 5-4 S01 at Wellsville S08 Santa Fe Trail S15 Prairie View S22 at Olpe S29 at Osawatomie O06 Rossville O13 Iola O20 at Girard O26 at Anderson County

GIRARD Neal Philpott District 3 5-6 S01 at Frontenac S08 Riverton S15 at Columbus S22 Galena S29 at Colgan O06 SE-Cherokee O13 Anderson County O20 Burlington O26 Iola

KC WARD Kam Ridley District 2 0-9 S01 at Basehor-Linwood S08 Lansing S15 Tonganoxie S22 KC Turner S29 at KC Sumner O06 at KC Piper O13 at Baldwin O20 at Prairie View O27 Osawatomie

SANTA FE TRAIL Jayson Duncan District 1 7-2 S01 Osawatomie S08 at Burlington S15 at Anderson County S22 Iola S29 Wellsville O06 at Prairie View O13 at Hayden O20 Jefferson West O27 at Holton

AUGUSTA Jason Filbeck District 6 6-4 S01 Winfield S08 at Clearwater S15 at Circle S22 McPherson S29 at Chanute O06 Buhler O13 at Maize South O20 at Andover Central O27 Rose Hill

EUDORA Phil Katzenmeier District 2 2-7 S01 Baldwin S08 at Tonganoxie S15 at KC Sumner S22 Louisburg S29 at Paola O06 Ottawa O13 at Miege O20 Spring Hill O27 at DeSoto

MCPHERSON Jace Pavlovich District 8 8-3 S01 at Buhler S08 at Maize South S15 Winfield S22 at Augusta S29 at Circle O06 Rose Hill O13 at Hays O20 Wamego O27 Abilene

ULYSSES Jason Kenny District 5 4-6 S01 Liberal S08 at Hugoton S15 Holcomb S22 at Colby S29 Scott City O06 at Goodland O13 at Mulvane O20 Winfield O27 at Wellington

CHAPMAN Kurt Webster District 6 1-8 S01 Jefferson West S08 SE-Saline S15 at Concordia S22 Abilene S29 at Wamego O06 at Marysville O13 Clay Center O20 at Smoky Valley O27 Rock Creek

GOODLAND Chase Topliff District 7 3-6 S01 Norton S08 at Wray, Colo. S15 Clay Center S22 at Holcomb S29 at Hugoton O06 Ulysses O13 at Concordia O20 Scott City O27 at Colby

KINGMAN Curtis Albin District 8 3-6 S01 Hoisington S08 at Hillsboro S15 at Halstead S22 Haven S29 at Wichita Independent O06 Hesston O13 Holcomb O20 at Hugoton O27 Pratt

SCOTT CITY Jim Turner District 7 7-3 S01 at Hays S08 Holcomb S15 at Cimarron S22 Hugoton S29 at Ulysses O06 Wellington O13 Colby O20 at Goodland O27 at Concordia

BASEHOR-LINWOOD Rod Stallbaumer District 1 11-1 S01 KC Ward S08 at Spring Hill S15 at KC Turner S22 Independence S29 Bonner Springs O06 Lansing O13 at KC Piper O20 Atchison O27 at Tonganoxie

FORT SCOTT Bob Campbell District 2 3-6 S01 at Parsons S08 Independence S15 at Chanute S22 Pittsburg S29 at Labette County O06 at Coffeyville O13 Louisburg O20 at Paola O27 Ottawa

MIEGE Jon Holmes District 2 12-1 S01 Blue Valley S08 Gardner-Edgerton S15 at Aquinas S22 Blue Valley North S28 at Blue Valley West O06 at Mill Valley O13 Eudora O20 DeSoto O27 at Spring Hill

WAMEGO Lee Weber District 8 4-5 S01 Rock Creek S08 at Ottawa S15 at Marysville S22 Clay Center S29 Chapman O06 at Concordia O13 Abilene O20 at McPherson O27 at Hays

CLAY CENTER Todd Rice District 6 5-5 S01 Phillipsburg S08 Concordia S15 at Goodland S22 at Wamego S29 Marysville O06 at Abilene O13 at Chapman O20 at Rock Creek O27 Smoky Valley

HAYDEN Bill Arnold District 1 8-5 S01 at Topeka High S08 Emporia S15 at Seaman S22 Topeka West S29 at Washburn Rural O06 Shawnee Heights O13 Santa Fe Trail O20 Holton O27 at Jefferson West

NICKERSON Mike Vernon District 5 6-4 S01 Haven S08 Lyons S15 at Pratt S22 at Hesston S29 Larned O06 Hoisington O13 at Wichita Trinity O20 Wichita Collegiate O26 at Clearwater

SMOKY VALLEY Tim Lambert District 6 8-3 S01 Halstead S08 at Larned S15 Haven S22 at Hillsboro S29 Hesston O06 at Lyons O13 Rock Creek O20 Chapman O27 at Clay Center

BUHLER Steve Warner District 7 11-2 S01 McPherson S08 Andover Central S15 at Wichita Collegiate S22 at Maize South S29 Winfield O06 at Augusta O13 at Andale O20 El Dorado O27 Circle

HAYS Randall Rath District 8 2-7 S01 Scott City S08 Great Bend S15 at Liberal S22 Garden City S29 at Valley Center O06 at Dodge City O13 McPherson O20 at Abilene O27 Wamego

MULVANE Dave Fennewald District 5 8-3 S01 El Dorado S08 Rose Hill S15 at Andale S22 Wichita Collegiate S29 at Maize South O06 at Conway Springs O13 Ulysses O20 at Wellington O27 at Winfield

WELLINGTON Zane Aguilar District 5 0-9 S01 at Clearwater S08 El Dorado S15 Rose Hill S22 at Andale S29 Wichita Collegiate O06 at Scott City O13 at Winfield O20 Mulvane O27 Ulysses

CLEARWATER Dirk Ankerholz District 5 3-6 S01 Wellington S08 Augusta S15 at El Dorado S22 at Rose Hill S29 Andale O06 at Chaparral O13 at Wichita Collegiate O20 Wichita Trinity O26 Nickerson

HOLCOMB Kent Teeter District 8 10-2 S01 Cimarron S08 at Scott City S15 at Ulysses S22 Goodland S29 Colby O06 at Lakin O13 at Kingman O20 Pratt O27 at Hugoton

OSAWATOMIE Rod Madden District 2 2-8 S01 at Santa Fe Trail S08 Wellsville S15 Labette County S22 at Anderson County S29 Burlington O06 at Iola O13 Prairie View O20 Baldwin O27 at KC Ward

WICHITA COLLEGIATE Mike Gehrer District 5 7-4 S01 at Rose Hill S08 Hoisington S15 Buhler S22 at Mulvane S29 at Wellington O06 Andale O13 Clearwater O20 at Nickerson O26 Wichita Trinity

CHANUTE Chris Shields District 4 3-6 S01 at Iola S08 at Pittsburg S15 Fort Scott S22 at Ottawa S29 Augusta O06 Parsons O13 Coffeyville O20 at Labette County O27 Independence

INDEPENDENCE Carl Boldra District 4 8-2 S01 Caney Valley S08 at Fort Scott S15 at Parsons S22 at Basehor-Linwood S29 Anderson County O06 at El Dorado O13 at Labette County O20 Coffeyville O27 at Chanute

OTTAWA Rob Hedrick District 3 8-3 S01 DeSoto S08 Wamego S15 at Baldwin S22 Chanute S29 Spring Hill O06 at Eudora O13 at Paola O20 Louisburg O27 at Fort Scott

WINFIELD Linn Hibbs District 5 1-8 S01 at Augusta S08 Circle S15 at McPherson S22 Arkansas City S29 at Buhler O06 Maize South O13 Wellington O20 at Ulysses O27 Mulvane

COLBY Rees McKinney District 7 5-5 S01 at Oakley S08 LaCrosse S15 Hugoton S22 Ulysses S29 at Holcomb O06 at Norton O13 at Scott City O20 Concordia O27 Goodland

HOLTON Brooks Barta District 1 7-5 S01 Atchison S08 Sabetha S15 at Nemaha Central S22 Riverside S29 at Royal Valley O06 Hiawatha O13 at Jefferson West O20 at Hayden O27 Santa Fe Trail

PARSONS Travis Hurley District 4 1-8 S01 Fort Scott S08 at Coffeyville S15 Independence S22 at Labette County S29 Iola O06 at Chanute O13 Frontenac O20 Baxter Springs O27 at Columbus

WICHITA TRINITY Jared McDaniel District 5 3-6 S01 at Cheney S08 Garden Plain S15 at Wichita Independent S22 Chaparral S29 Conway Springs O06 at Belle Plaine O13 Nickerson O20 at Clearwater O26 at Wichita Collegiate

HUGOTON Todd Fulton District 8 5-4

25 STATE STARS

The Topeka Capital-Journal | Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | 13B

MILES EMERY, BLUE VALLEY NORTH

BRODY FLAMING, MILL VALLEY

JACE RUDER, NORTON

BRAYDEN FRANCIS, SEDGWICK

6-3, 185, SENIOR, WR/TE/DB How many ways did Barton help Central Plains a year ago? Well, he was a first-team All-Central Prairie League pick at four positions, earning All-Eight-Man Division I honors at receiver. Barton nearly tripled his offensive production last year with 47 catches for 815 yards and 17 TDs and picked off eight passes, returning three for TDs.

MILTON BRAASCH, SM EAST

JACOB SALMANS, HODGEMAN COUNTY

HAYDEN GILLUM, PLAINVILLE

DENTON SCHURR, OSBORNE

DALYN JOHNSON, MAIZE

TRAVIS THEIS, PRATT

BRODY KOOSER, DERBY

DAVID THOMPSON, LOGAN-PALCO

LANE PETERS, PIKE VALLEY

6-0, 210, SENIOR, RB/LB Eight-Man Division I was loaded with standout backs a year ago and Thompson was right up there with the best of them. In just nine games, Thompson ran for 1,696 yards (188 per game) and 35 TDs. A player who got stronger the more he touched the ball, Thompson was a first-team All-District 4 selection and also had 99 tackles.

ZACH TITUS, DESOTO

5-9, 170, SENIOR, RB/DB A two-time All-Eight-Man Division II first-team running back, Peters set a Class 1A state meet record in the 100 last year with a 10.77. The speed translates well to the gridiron where he’s rushed for 3,889 yards and 66 TDs in his career, including 1,497 yards and 28 scores last year. He’s no slouch defensively, either, with 214 career tackles.

JAYLEN PICKLE, CIMARRON

6-3, 250, SENIOR, C/NT A four-year starter on offense and defense, Doyle was the anchor on St. Francis’ line in a run to the Eight-Man Division I state finals a year ago, earning first-team All-EightMan Division I honors. Possessing tremendous quickness and agility for a big guy, Doyle ranked third in tackles with 76 and posted a team-high 11 tackles for loss.

DEMARCUS ELLIOTT, GARDEN CITY

5-10, 180, JUNIOR, RB Theis exploded onto the state scene in a big way last year. He fueled Pratt’s run to the Class 4A Division II state championship, rushing for 1,975 yards and 27 TDs — a season punctuated with dominating 270-yard, 4-TD effort in the title game. Powerful (515 squad, 335 clean) and explosive, Theis is one of the best backs in Greenback history.

5-10, 195, SENIOR, RB Despite playing in the second half of only six of Derby’s 13 games in a dominating season, Kooser still put up monstrous numbers in helping the Panthers to their second straight Class 6A state title and first undefeated season in program history. Kooser topped 1,700 yards on just 190 carries and was a first-team All-Class 6A selection.

6-4, 245, SENIOR, OL/DL One of the state’s top lineman recruits, Copeland has already committed to Kansas. A two-way first-team All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League pick last year, Copeland has been a top blocker for a potent Spartan offense. Defensively, he made 29 tackles while drawing double teams up the middle.

TRAYTON DOYLE, ST. FRANCIS

5-9, 165, SENIOR, RB Despite sharing Osborne’s backfield with 1,600-yard rusher Cullen Grabast, Schurr still put up monster numbers in leading Osborne to a 13-0 season and Eight-Man Division I state title. Averaging 9.9 yards per carry, Schurr rolled up 1,788 rushing yards and a whopping 39 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Eight-Man Division I honors.

5-10, 201, SENIOR, RB A starter at tailback since his freshman year, Johnson exploded on the scene last year with one of the best seasons in school history, rushing for 1,539 yards and 27 touchdowns. The explosive back also was a threat in the passing game with 220 yards and three scores and he was a first-team All-Class 5A selection.

6-2, 270, SENIOR, OT/DT Callahan ranks among the best linemen in Fort Scott history in the eyes of longtime coach Bob Campbell. His combination of size, quickness and athleticism make him dominant on both lines and he was a two-way first-team All-Southeast Kansas League pick and first-team All-Class 4A Division I selection, making 61 tackles and 11 for loss.

MAC COPELAND, WICHITA COLLEGIATE

6-1, 165, SENIOR, QB A starter at quarterback from the moment he arrived in high school, Salmans has carried on the family name steeped in eight-man tradition. Salmans has thrown for at least 1,200 yards all three years, including 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago. He’s already topped 4,000 passing yards and has 56 touchdown throws in his career.

6-3, 260, SENIOR, DT/OG On a Class 2-1A state runner-up Plainville team Gillum was the leader of a Cardinal defense which posted five shutouts. He led the team with 97 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss to earn first-team All-Class 2-1A honors at linebacker, but has added 40 pounds in the offseason and will line up at defensive tackle this season.

5-10, 170, SENIOR, RB Carrying on the tradition of standout Buhler running backs, Brown took his first crack at being the Crusaders’ feature back and ran with it. And boy did he run, logging 279 carries and finishing with 1,967 yards and 26 touchdowns, the fourth-highest single-season mark in Buhler history.

ANDREW CALLAHAN, FORT SCOTT

6-3, 210, SENIOR, QB/DB A starter from his first snap, Ruder burst onto the recruiting scene going into last year and only gained even more acclaim going into his senior season. Fielding a number of Division I offers after throwing for 1,598 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for another 746 yards and 16 touchdowns, Ruder committed to North Carolina.

5-10, 165, SENIOR, WR/DB After catching just three passes for 26 yards as a sophomore, Francis blew up as a junior, earning first-team All-2A honors. He caught a touchdown in all but one of Sedgwick’s 10 games, finishing with a school-record 15 TDs. Overall, Francis had 47 catches for 808 yards and is on track to break every Sedgwick receiving record.

6-2, 220, SENIOR, RB/LB Despite splitting carries in the SM East backfield last year with fellow 1,000-yard rusher Nigel Houston, Braasch still led the Lancers with 1,487 yards and 23 touchdowns. Despite being the only returning skill starter for the Lancers, Braasch will primarily play defense at linebacker where he’s committed to play collegiately at Colgate.

DALTON BROWN, BUHLER

5-11, 190, SENIOR, QB Putz likely will finish his career as the state’s all-time leading passer, needing 2,410 to break the current mark. That might seem like a lot, but Putz has thrown for 6,451 in two years with 3,264 of it coming a year ago when he set a single-season record with 50 TDs tosses. With 86 career TD passes, he needs just seven to break the career record.

6-2, 205, SENIOR, QB Flaming had huge shoes to fill as starting QB for a team coming off a state title in 2015. All he did was open the season with a 311-yard, 5-TD performance, follow with two straight 400-yard games and finish with 2,700 yards and 33 TDs passing and another 1,297 yards and 6 TDs rushing in leading the Jaguars to back-to-back 5A state titles.

WORTH A LOOK

ALEX BARTON, CENTRAL PLAINS

CARTER PUTZ, MIEGE

6-4, 245, SENIOR, DE With South Dakota signee and All-Class 6A defensive lineman Peter Klug drawing double teams a year ago, Emery took advantage and enjoyed a breakout year. The three-star recruit and Kansas commit racked up 61 tackles and had 10 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Emery will be the focal point of opposing blocking schemes this year.

6-4, 285, SENIOR, DT/TE Titus is a tough match-up for any opposing offense and helped DeSoto earn a share of the Frontier League title a year ago. Titus was in on 52 tackles and had 10 tackles for loss on his way to first-team all-league honors. He’ll also play a little bit of tight end for the Wildcats this year, giving them both a big target and powerful edge blocker.

AJ VANG, GODDARD

6-5, 265, SENIOR, DE/RB Kansas State tapped Cimarron once before for a standout defensive end, Ian Campbell, and the Wildcats hope they’ve struck gold again with Pickle, who is committed to the program. A four-year starter, Pickle has earned All-HiPlains League honors since his freshman year and had 106 tackles, 13 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last year.

JAYDEN PRICE, MULVANE

6-4, 290, SENIOR, DT/OT A two-way starter for the Buffaloes up front a year ago, Elliott was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference pick defensively with 44 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Offensively, he helped pave the way for a potent backfield which produced 361.9 yards per game. A three-year starter on defense, Elliott boasts a 585-pound squat.

6-2, 280, SENIOR, C A four-year starter at center for Goddard, Vang has been an instrumental part in the program’s emergence as a contender in Class 5A. He helped pave the way for a powerful Lion ground game a year ago which averaged 287.5 yards per game on his way to first-team All-Class 5A honors and All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division II honors.

DALEN WILLIAMS, WICHITA HEIGHTS

6-1, 180, SENIOR, QB In two seasons as a starter, he’s racked up 5,597 yards of total offense and accounted for 69 TDs. A first-team All-Class 4A Division I pick and AVCTL Division III offensive MVP last year after throwing for 1,551 yards and 18 TDs and rushing for 1,640 yards and 23 scores. Price ha’s committed to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

6-3, 240, SENIOR, DT/DE Williams is a versatile defensive force for Wichita Heights — able to plug the middle while also capable of wreaking havoc from the end. A starter since his sophomore season, Williams needs just five more sacks to become the Falcons’ career leader and last year finished with 10 to go along with 63 tackles overall.

THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL’S CLASS RANKINGS CLASS 6A Team............................2016 record 1. Derby........................................13-0 2. SM East.................................... 10-2 3. Blue Valley................................12-1 4. BV North....................................7-4 5. Free State..................................9-3 Others — Garden City 9-1, Hutchinson 9-2, Junction City 8-2, Lawrence 6-4, Manhattan 9-1, Topeka High 5-4, Washburn Rural 7-4, Wichita Northwest 6-4.

CLASS 5A Team............................2016 record 1. Mill Valley.................................. 9-4 2. Aquinas..................................... 8-4 3. Goddard....................................11-2 4. Wichita Heights.........................9-2 5. Carroll........................................ 7-3 Others — Great Bend 10-2, Maize 7-3, Pittsburg 5-4, Seaman 8-3, Valley Center 9-2.

CLASS 4A DIVISION I Team............................2016 record 1. Miege.........................................12-1 2. Buhler.......................................11-2 2. McPherson.................................8-3 4. Maize South............................. 10-2 4. DeSoto....................................... 7-3 Others — Abilene 7-3, Andale 8-2, Augusta 6-4, Basehor-Linwood 11-1, KC Piper 6-4, Louisburg 8-3, Mulvane 8-3, Ottawa 8-3.

CLASS 4A DIVISION II Team............................2016 record 1. Wichita Collegiate.....................7-4 2. Hayden.......................................8-5 3. Columbus...................................8-2 4. Holton........................................ 7-5 5. Pratt..........................................12-1 Others — Frontenac 10-1, Holcomb 10-2, Nickerson, 6-4, Scott City 7-3, Smoky Valley 8-3.

CLASS 3A Team............................2016 record 1. Nemaha Central........................12-1 2. Phillipsburg.............................. 11-1 3. Silver Lake................................10-1 4. Rossville...................................13-1 5. Hesston....................................10-4 Others — Caney Valley 9-3, Chaparral 9-2, Conway Springs 7-2, Galena 8-3, Garden Plain 10-2, Halstead 9-2, Hoisington 12-1, Marion 7-2, Marysville 7-3, Maur Hill 7-3, Norton 7-4, Sabetha 9-2, Wellsville 10-2.

CLASS 2-1A Team............................2016 record 1. Smith Center..............................9-3 2. Plainville...................................11-2 3. Lyndon.......................................9-2 4. Colgan....................................... 8-4 5. Sedgwick.................................... 7-3 Others — Chase County 6-3, Jefferson North 8-2, Meade 8-2, Olpe 5-5, Valley Heights 7-3, Troy 13-0, Washington County 8-3.

EIGHT-MAN DIVISION I Team............................2016 record 1. Central Plains...........................10-1 2. Burlingame............................... 11-1 3. Osborne...................................13-0 4. St. Francis................................. 11-1 5. Spearville.................................. 11-1 Others — Argonia-Attica 7-3, Atwood 7-2, Clifton-Clyde 8-2, Hoxie 6-3, Logan-Palco 7-2, Ness City 7-3, Oxford 7-2, Sedan 8-1, South Central 9-2, St. Paul 9-2, West Elk 9-2.

EIGHT-MAN DIVISION II Team............................2016 record 1. Hanover....................................12-0 2. Pike Valley............................... 10-2 3. Sharon Springs......................... 8-4 4. Hodgeman County....................5-4 5. Otis-Bison..................................6-3 Others — Beloit St.-John’s 7-3, Caldwell 7-2, Dighton 12-1, Hutch Central Christian 9-2, Ingalls 8-2, Lebo 7-3, Minneola 6-4, Rock Hills 7-2, South Barber 9-2, Stockton 4-6, Wakefield 7-3.

file photograph/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Brooks Barta’s Holton Wildcats will start the season ranked No. 4 in Class 4A Division II.

DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS CLASS 6A Derby 2016 6A championship: Derby 17, Blue Valley 14

CLASS 5A Mill Valley 2016 5A championship: Mill Valley 35, Goddard 34 (2OT)

CLASS 4A-I Miege 2016 4A-I championship: Miege 53, Buhler 21

CLASS 4A-II Pratt 2016 4A-II championship: Pratt 48, Hayden 14

CLASS 3A Rossville 2016 3A championship: Rossville 48, Hesston 42 (OT)

CLASS 2A Troy 2016 2A championship: Troy 28, Plainville 24

EIGHT-MAN I Osborne 2016 8M-I championship: Osborne 38, St. Francis 24

EIGHT-MAN II Hanover 2016 8M-II championship: Hanover 68, Dighton 22

all player capsules, statistics and records compiled by rick peterson and brent maycock

14B | Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal

CITY STARS

WORTH A LOOK

DAKOTA ALLEN, SEAMAN

JACOB GLENDINNING, WASH. RURAL 6-5, 295 SENIOR OL/DL Glendinning is one of four returning offensive starters for Washburn Rural, which is coming off a breakthrough 7-4 season. Also a standout wrestler, Glendinning earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention last fall at offensive tackle.

JACK HAMILTON, WASHBURN RURAL 6-2, 195 SENIOR LB Hamilton developed into a standout linebacker for the Junior Blues last fall, bouncing back from a broken leg he suffered as a sophomore to record 119 tackles. Also a standout basketball player, Hamilton earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention.

DeSHAWN HANIKA, HAYDEN

6-0, 225 SENIOR OG/DE Allen is a returning starter on both sides of the ball for the Vikings, who are coming off an 8-3 season and advanced to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs last fall. Allen was credited with 27 tackles as a defensive end as a junior.

TYCE BROWN, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 6-0, 180 JUNIOR WR/DB Brown caught 24 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore for the 3-6 T-Birds. Brown earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention last fall and was also a key reserve on Heights’ 5A state championship basketball team.

TYLER CUMMINGS, WASHBURN RURAL 6-0, 170 SENIOR CB Cummings is a returning defensive starter, registering 61 tackles and picking off four passes last fall, returning one for a touchdown. Cummings earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention recognition as Rural posted a 7-4 record.

XAVIER DUNBAR, TOPEKA HIGH 6-0, 255 SENIOR DE Dunbar is a returning defensive starter for the Trojans, 5-4 last fall, and is part of a stable of big, talented linemen on both sides of the ball for the Trojans. Dunbar received All-City honorable mention as a junior.

CHRIS ELLIS, TOPEKA WEST

6-5, 220 SENIOR WR Hanika, also a standout basketball player, caught 34 passes for 441 yards and scored six touchdowns last season, helping Hayden advance to the 4A-II championship game. Hanika received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention.

CADE HOLMES, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 6-4, 280 SENIOR OL/DL Holmes was an All-City offensive pick last fall and earned All-Centennial League honorable mention. Defensively, Holmes was in on 51 tackles, with three sacks. Holmes also took second in the 5A discus and third in the shot put in the state track meet.

SAMPSON HUSTON, HAYDEN 6-0, 170 SENIOR QB Huston returns as Hayden’s starting quarterback after helping the Wildcats post an 8-5 record and reach the 4A-II championship game. Huston completed 76 of 149 pass attempts for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 266 yards on 37 attempts.

TREY JENKINS, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 5-10, 200 SENIOR RB Jenkins is one of three returning offensive starters for the T-Birds, who are coming off a 3-6 record last season. As a junior Jenkins rushed for 585 yards on 83 attempts and scored three touchdowns.

MITCHELL LADY, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS

6-0, 175 SENIOR WR/CB Ellis will be counted on to lead the Chargers in their first season under coach Ryan Kelly after catching 47 passes for 574 yards and scoring seven touchdowns as a junior. Ellis earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention.

JANSON GARMAN, SEAMAN

5-10, 175 SENIOR QB/DB Lady started at defensive back last fall, earning All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention, and is expected to take over as the T-Birds’ No. 1 quarterback this season. Lady was in on 20 tackles and picked off three passes last season.

TANNER MATTHIAS, TOPEKA HIGH

6-1, 195 SENIOR WR/LB Garman, also a state-class swimmer, is a returning starter on both offense and defense for Seaman, catching five passes for 98 yards and scoring two touchdowns while recording 15 tackles and picking off two passes.

MATT GARZA, TOPEKA HIGH 6-6, 320 SENIOR OL Garza is part of a big, experienced offensive line for Topeka High, which is being counted on to open holes for star sophomore Ky Thomas. Garza earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season at center.

6-0, 260 SENIOR OL Matthias was an All-City offensive pick and first-team All-Centennial League selection at guard last fall for the 5-4 Trojans. Matthias, a three-year starter, is part of a strong returning nucleus up front for High.

MITCH MILLER, SEAMAN 6-2, 225 SENIOR TE/DE Miller is a returning two-way starter for the Vikings, who are coming off an 8-3 season. Miller recorded 45 tackles as a junior and earned All-City honorable mention.

SAM PAYNE, SEAMAN 5-9, 190 JUNIOR RB/LB Payne was named the city defensive newcomer of the year last season, recording 83 tackles. Payne, who also plays running back, received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention and will be counted on to be a team leader this fall.

BRENT PEAVLER, HAYDEN 6-3, 220 SENIOR RB/LB Peavler was one of just two underclassmen to earn All-City Top 11 honors in 2016, leading the Wildcats with 172 tackles. He was credited with 11 sacks and five tackles for loss, while forcing four fumbles and picking off two passes. Peavler also earned All-Centennial League firstteam honors.

ANGELO PLAKIO, HIGHLAND PARK 5-4, 155 SENIOR RB/LB Plakio has been a standout at linebacker for the Scots since his sophomore year and registered 98 tackles as a junior, with four fumble recoveries and an interception. Plakio, a state qualifier in wrestling, also rushed for 114 yards on 28 attempts a year ago and earned All-City honorable mention.

TUCKER RICHEY, TOPEKA HIGH 6-0, 285 SENIOR OL Richey is one of three returning starters up front for the Trojans, with all three weighing at least 260 pounds. Richey earned All-City honorable mention as a junior and also earned All-City honors in track and field, placing in the 6A shot put.

DANE TERRY, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 5-8, 180 SENIOR RB/LB Terry is a returning starter at linebacker for the T-Birds, recording 101 tackles with a sack, three tackles for loss and an interception. Also a standout wrestler, Terry earned All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention as a junior.

KY THOMAS, TOPEKA HIGH 6-0, 185 SOPHOMORE RB Thomas was an All-City Top 11 pick and the city offensive newcomer of the year as a freshman, rushing for 1,272 yards, catching 26 passes for 365 yards and throwing for 319 yards. A first-team All-Centennial League pick, Thomas scored 19 touchdowns and threw for three TDs.

BRANDON VANBECELAERE, HAYDEN 5-9, 165 SENIOR LB VanBecelaere is a returning defensive starter for the Wildcats, registering 106 tackles and recovering two fumbles as Hayden reached the 4A-II championship game.

JORDAN WHITE, WASHBURN RURAL 6-0, 190 JUNIOR QB White is the Junior Blues’ returning No. 1 quarterback, helping Rural post a 7-4 record and advance to the third round of the 6A playoffs. White accumulated more than 1,300 yards of total offense, earning All-City honorable mention.

WILL WHITE, HIGHLAND PARK 6-2, 180 SENIOR WR/CB White is a returning two-way starter for Highland Park, catching 16 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns while also recording 30 tackles, intercepting four passes and recovering two fumbles. White received All-City and All-Centennial League honorable mention last fall.

Thomas: ‘He’s not going to take anybody by surprise,’ Alexander says Continued from 1B

“Players like him don’t come around very often and when he did what he did last year he was 14,” Alexander said. “When you put it in that kind of perspective and to handle it like he’s handled it, that says a lot about his character. He’s 15 when he gets a Division I offer from KU. He’s going to start getting them and he’s already got one and he’s handled it exceptionally well. “He’s bigger and stronger this year. We just don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him. This is the year people are going to find out what Ky Thomas is all about because every-

body knows him and are going to be keying on him. He’s not going to take anybody by surprise. We don’t expect him to be our team, but he is a very talented player.” Alexander credits Thomas’ parents for helping keep Ky, who has taken unofficial visits to KU, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, motivated and grounded. “They’re extremely grateful for the KU offer but they’re not satisfied,” Alexander said of the Thomas family. “And they don’t want to lose that offer. Ky wants to keep improving and it just makes him work harder. That’s what you want to see with kids and that’s the part that’s hard to find in

this day and age.” Like all good running backs, Thomas is quick to credit teammates — particularly a big, talented offensive line — for any success he enjoys. “If it wasn’t for them, 3 yards would be impressive,” Thomas said. “They’re definitely a special group and this year is a big upgrade from last year. We’re looking forward to doing a lot better things this year with this group. “We lost some seniors last year who were some real good players so (people) aren’t expecting us to be this powerful, but I think we’ve got some weapons this year that they’re not expecting. I’m real excited.”

emily deshazer/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Ky Thomas defends a pass during a Topeka High practice earlier this month.

FIVE CITY GAMES WORTH A LOOK

file photo/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Brent Peavler and Hayden will battle Topeka High on Friday to open the season.

HAYDEN AT TOPEKA HIGH SEPT. 1 The Wildcats and Trojans hook up in the season opener at Hummer Sports Park after going a combined 13-9 last fall, with the Wildcats reaching the Class 4A Division II title game. Friday’s game features the only two underclassmen who earned spots on the 2016 All-City Top 11, Hayden senior linebacker Brent Peavler and Topeka High sophomore Ky Thomas. Topeka High won last year’s game 30-13, but the Trojans trailed 7-6 at halftime.

HAYDEN AT SEAMAN SEPT. 15 The game matches close friends Bill Arnold, who coaches Hayden, and Seaman coach Glenn O’Neil. The two coached together at Scott City and both Arnold and O’Neil have led schools to state titles in two sports — Arnold in football and baseball at Hayden and O’Neil in football and basketball at Scott City. Seaman won last year’s game 14-0, with O’Neil picking up his 100th coaching win in football.

HEIGHTS AT SEAMAN SEPT. 22 Seaman went 8-3 last fall and Shawnee Heights just 3-6, but the T-Birds were stung by three losses by four or fewer points, including a 24-21 loss to the Vikings. Seaman’s Walker Bassett kicked a 24-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to push the Vikings past the T-Birds. The game will be the final Centennial League football matchup between the two 5A foes as Heights is leaving for the United Kansas Conference in 2018-19.

TOPEKA HIGH AT RURAL OCT. 6 Washburn Rural defeated Topeka High 17-7 a year ago, the Junior Blues’ first victory against the Trojans since 2008. The win was also Rural’s first win over a 6A foe in Steve Buhler’s tenure at the school, and the Junior Blues went on to topple Dodge City and Manhattan in the 6A playoffs, finishing the season 7-4. High finished 5-4, its fifth consecutive winning season and seventh in eight years.

WASHBURN RURAL AT SEAMAN OCT. 13 Seaman earned a dramatic 34-27 win over Washburn Rural in last year’s game, with Viking quarterback Dalton Cowan connecting with Janson Garman for a 42-yard touchdown with 22.5 seconds remaining. The come-from-behind victory helped Seaman finish the season undefeated against city foes. Rural followed its lone city setback with three consecutive wins before closing the season with a 17-14 playoff loss to Free State.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | Thursday, August 31, 2017 | 1B

One of two four-page special sections previewing

the 2017 prep season

defending the crown

Area powers Rossville, Troy, Hanover eager to begin championship defenses; Dawgs, Trojans must reload after big losses while Wildcats return key pieces

STAYING POWER? I

By Brent Maycock | brent.maycock@cjonline.com

t’s the ultimate goal each season for every team, every coach and every player. Win a state championship. Getting to the top is never easy. Staying on top can be even harder. Three area football programs were able to hoist championship trophies in 2016 — Rossville in Class 3A, Troy in Class 2-1A and Hanover in Eight-Man Division II. Each had a somewhat unique journey to the state title. Each has a somewhat different outlook for trying to defend the crown this year. But the same rings true for all three programs: They won’t give up their titles without a fight. “There’s high expectations, but there’s always high expectations in our program,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “The names and faces are different, but that attitude that we have with our program hasn’t changed and I think that’s priceless.” That attitude has served Rossville well. After spending decades trying to scale the mountain in Class 3A — a history that includes a 3-0 loss in the 1992 state championship game and another season in which the Bulldawgs only gave up three points all year and still didn’t win a state title — Rossville finally reached the summit in 2014 when the Bulldawgs not only got past longtime nemesis and archrival Silver Lake, but toppled Scott City 21-14 in the championship game. Once Rossville got to the top, the Bulldawgs have shown staying power and enter the 2017 season on a streak of three straight championship seasons. Graduation claimed key pieces of each of the previous title teams, but each ensuing season Rossville was able to reload with new parts and stay the course. The Bulldawgs’ determination to repeat, and three-peat, has shown in the fourth quarter of each of the past two title games. Against Wichita Collegiate in 2015, the Bulldawgs trailed by 12 points in the fourth quarter before rallying for a 20-19 victory. Last year, the Bulldawgs were down 14 points in the second half and trailed by a touchdown with less than four minutes left before pulling out a 48-42 overtime win against Hesston. Each title time had its own stamp. Each had the same resolve. “The difference are the faces,” Hammes said. “The similarity is the belief is still there. There’s a

2016 file photographs/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Rossville, Troy and Hanover all must replace key players this year as they attempt to defend state championships. Among the losses are a pair of All-State Top 11 standouts — Rossville quarterback Jacob Bradshaw, No. 6 in top photo, and Troy wide receiver Cuttar Huss, bottom left — as well as record-setting Hanover quarterback Will Bruna, bottom right.

iNSIDE GLIMPSE MARK YOUR SCHEDULE Team schedules for classes 3A, 2A, 8-Man I and 8-Man II. Pages 2B, 13B WATCH OUT, PART III We highlight 25 area players to watch from classes 6A, 5A, 4A-I and 4A-II. Page 13B WATCH OUT, PART IV We list 25 area standouts to watch from classes 3A, 2A, 8-Man I and 8-Man II. Pages 14B

more online PREVIOUS COVERAGE Visit our website for more preseason high school football coverage, including: n Previews of all nine football teams in Shawnee County n Capsule looks at every league in northeast Kansas n Team rankings for all eight classes in the state n A feature on Topeka High sophomore star Ky Thomas n Team schedules for classes 6A, 5A, 4A-I and 4A-II n Players to watch from the city and state CJOnline.com and PrepZone.com confidence when with the turnover we’ve had, there are teams that wouldn’t have the confidence we’ve had. I’m not going to put a damper on that. I want us to be confident. I want us to feel like we’ve been here before.” That confidence and belief will get its ultimate test this year. Rossville must replace all but one starter on offense — including All-State Top 11 quarterback Jacob Bradshaw — and all but two starters on defense. While the likes of Sheldon Hulbert and Perry Foster were STAYING continues on 14B

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL’S PRESEASON SUPER 10 RANKINGS | FIND ALL CLASS RANKINGS AT CJONLINE.COM OR IN WEDNESDAY’S TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL Team 2016 record 1. Derby....................................................13-0 Panthers have won three of last four Class 6A titles and are coming off first undefeated season in school history. 2. SM East................................................. 10-2 Lancers could have their best defense yet, but they will have to entirely rebuild the offense this season.

2B | Thursday, August 31, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal

2017 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES CLASS 3A ATCHISON COUNTY Corey Thomas District 2 0-9 S01 at Nemaha Central S08 Troy S15 at Perry-Lecompton S22 Hiawatha S29 at Riverside O06 Sabetha O13 at Maranatha O20 at Pleasant Ridge O26 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy BELLE PLAINE Jason Jinkens District 9 2-7 S01 at Conway Springs S08 Cheney S15 at Chaparral S22 Northeast-Arma S29 at Garden Plain O06 Wichita Trinity O13 Douglass O20 at Bluestem O26 at Wichita Independent BELOIT Brad Gober District 13 6-3 S01 Concordia S08 at Ellsworth S15 at Sacred Heart S22 Republic County S29 at Russell O06 SE-Saline O13 Marysville O20 at Riley County O26 at Minneapolis BLUESTEM Jordan Echer District 9 2-7 S01 at Humboldt S08 at Erie S15 Caney Valley S22 at Eureka S29 Fredonia O06 Neodesha O13 at Wichita Independent O20 Belle Plaine O26 Douglass CANEY VALLEY Criss Davis District 8 9-3 S01 at Independence S08 Olpe S15 at Bluestem S22 at Humboldt S29 Erie O06 at Cherryvale O13 Eureka O20 Neodesha O26 at Fredonia CENTRAL HEIGHTS Richard Mobley District 5 1-8 S01 Mission Valley S08 at Eureka S15 at Lyndon S22 Northern Heights S29 at Chase County O06 at Council Grove O13 West Franklin O20 Osage City O26 at Wellsville CHAPARRAL Justin Burke District 10 9-2 S01 Wichita Independent S08 at Medicine Lodge S15 Belle Plaine S22 at Wichita Trinity S29 at Douglass O06 Clearwater O13 at Cheney O20 Garden Plain O26 at Conway Springs

CHENEY Shelby Wehrman District 10 5-4 S01 Wichita Trinity S08 at Belle Plaine S15 at Medicine Lodge S22 Douglass S29 at Sedgwick O06 Wichita Independent O13 Chaparral O20 at Conway Springs O26 at Garden Plain CHERRYVALE Harry Hester District 7 5-4 S01 at Erie S08 at Humboldt S15 Eureka S22 Fredonia S29 at Neodesha O06 Caney Valley O13 at Galena O20 Riverton O26 SE-Cherokee CIMARRON Greg Koenig District 16 7-3 S01 at Holcomb S08 Stanton County S15 Scott City S22 at Meade S29 at TMP-Marian O06 Elkhart O13 Lakin O20 at Syracuse O26 at SW Heights CONWAY SPRINGS Matt Biehler District 10 7-2 S01 Belle Plaine S08 at Wichita Independent S15 at Douglass S22 Medicine Lodge S29 at Wichita Trinity O06 Mulvane O13 at Garden Plain O20 Cheney O26 Chaparral COUNCIL GROVE Nate Teichgraeber District 4 6-3 S01 at West Franklin S08 Northern Heights S15 Chase County S22 at Osage City S29 at Lyndon O06 Central Heights O13 St. Marys O20 at Mission Valley O26 at Rossville DOUGLASS Kelley Sayahnejad District 9 3-7 S01 Medicine Lodge S08 at Fredonia S15 Conway Springs S22 at Cheney S29 Chaparral O06 Garden Plain O13 at Belle Plaine O20 Wichita Independent O26 at Bluestem ELLSWORTH Josh Homolka District 15 5-4 S01 Russell S08 Beloit S15 at Republic County S22 at LaCrosse S29 Sacred Heart O06 Minneapolis O13 at Hoisington O20 Lyons O26 at Larned

ERIE Sterling Hudson District 6 2-7 S01 Cherryvale S08 Bluestem S15 at Fredonia S22 Neodesha S29 at Caney Valley O06 at Eureka O13 Humboldt O20 Northeast-Arma O26 at Jayhawk-Linn EUREKA Mike Davison District 8 0-9 S01 at Chase County S08 Central Heights S15 at Cherryvale S22 Bluestem S29 Humboldt O06 Erie O13 at Caney Valley O20 Fredonia O26 at Neodesha FREDONIA Marc Svaty District 8 7-3 S01 Labette County S08 Douglass S15 Erie S22 at Cherryvale S29 at Bluestem O06 Humboldt O13 at Neodesha O20 at Eureka O26 Caney Valley GALENA Beau Sarwinski District 7 8-3 S01 Colgan S08 Frontenac S15 at Baxter Springs S22 at Girard S29 at Coffeyville O06 Columbus O13 Cherryvale O20 at SE-Cherokee O26 Riverton GARDEN PLAIN Ken Dusenbury District 10 10-2 S01 at Hesston S08 at Wichita Trinity S16 at Kearney Catholic, Neb. S22 Wichita Independent S29 Belle Plaine O06 at Douglass O13 Conway Springs O20 at Chaparral O26 Cheney HALSTEAD Jason Grider District 11 9-2 S01 at Smoky Valley S08 at Hesston S15 Kingman S22 Larned S29 at Hillsboro O06 Pratt O13 Haven O20 Hutchinson Trinity O26 at Sterling HAVEN Mike Hill District 11 1-8 S01 at Nickerson S08 Pratt S15 at Smoky Valley S22 at Kingman S29 Lyons O06 Hillsboro O13 at Halstead O20 at Sterling O26 Hutchinson Trinity

HESSTON Tyson Bauerle District 12 10-4 S01 Garden Plain S08 Halstead S15 at Larned S22 Nickerson S29 at Smoky Valley O06 at Kingman O13 at Hillsboro O20 SE-Saline O26 at Marion HIAWATHA Ted Brown District 1 4-5 S01 Royal Valley S08 at Perry-Lecompton S15 Doniphan West S22 at Atchison County S29 Jefferson West O06 at Holton O13 Riverside O20 at Sabetha O26 at Nemaha Central HILLSBORO Devin Metzinger District 12 3-6 S01 at Lyons S08 Kingman S15 at Hoisington S22 Smoky Valley S29 Halstead O06 at Haven O13 Hesston O20 Marion O26 at SE-Saline HOISINGTON Zach Baird District 15 12-1 S01 at Kingman S08 at Wichita Collegiate S15 Hillsboro S22 at Washington County S29 Pratt O06 at Nickerson O13 Ellsworth O20 Larned O26 at Lyons HUMBOLDT Logan Wyrick District 6 4-6 S01 Bluestem S08 Cherryvale S15 at Neodesha S22 Caney Valley S29 at Eureka O06 at Fredonia O13 at Erie O20 Jayhawk-Linn O26 at Northeast-Arma HUTCHINSON TRINITY Jordan Bell District 11 5-4 S01 at Inman S08 Moundridge S15 Remington S22 at Sedgwick S29 at Ell-Saline O06 Marion O13 Sterling O20 at Halstead O26 at Haven JAYHAWK-LINN Randy Leach District 6 9-1 S01 Neodesha S08 at Uniontown S15 at Oswego S22 Yates Center S29 at Pleasant Ridge O06 Drexel, Mo. O13 Northeast-Arma O20 at Humboldt O26 Erie

CENTRALIA Larry Glatczak District 2 1-8 S01 Sabetha S08 at St. Marys S15 at Troy S22 Doniphan West S29 at Nemaha Central O06 at Washington County O13 Wabaunsee O20 at Valley Heights O27 Jackson Heights CHASE COUNTY Brody VanDegrift District 3 6-3 S01 Eureka S08 Osage City S15 at Council Grove S22 at Mission Valley S29 Central Heights O06 at West Franklin O13 at Olpe O20 Lyndon O26 Northern Heights COLGAN Shawn Seematter District 4 8-4 S01 at Galena S08 at Baxter Springs S14 Frontenac S22 Columbus S29 Girard O06 at Riverton O13 at Yates Center O20 Oswego O27 Uniontown DONIPHAN WEST Rob Randall District 1 2-7 S01 at Washington County S08 Valley Heights S15 at Hiawatha S22 at Centralia S29 Troy O06 Horton O13 at Jefferson North O20 at McLouth O27 Wabaunsee

ELKHART Chris Hattabaugh District 8 6-4 S01 at LaCrosse S08 SW Heights S15 at Lakin S22 at Syracuse S29 Clayton, N.M. O06 at Cimarron O13 at Sublette O20 Meade O26 Stanton County ELL-SALINE Terry King District 6 3-6 S01 Sedgwick S08 at Remington S15 Moundridge S22 at Inman S29 Hutchinson Trinity O06 at Sterling O13 Republic County O20 at Sacred Heart O26 Smith Center ELLIS Craig Amrein District 7 4-5 S01 Syracuse S08 TMP-Marian S15 at Sublette S22 at Valley Heights S29 at Phillipsburg O06 Smith Center O13 at LaCrosse O20 Plainville O27 at Oakley HORTON Nick Dowell District 1 1-8 S01 Pleasant Ridge S08 Oskaloosa S15 at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy S22 at Maranatha S29 Jefferson North O06 at Doniphan West O13 at McLouth O20 at Jackson Heights O27 Troy

INMAN Lance Sawyer District 5 3-6 S01 Hutchinson Trinity S08 at Marion S15 at Sterling S22 Ell-Saline S29 Medicine Lodge O06 at Moundridge O13 Remington O20 at KC Christ Prep O26 at Sedgwick JACKSON HEIGHTS Caleb Wick District 2 6-3 S01 Maranatha S08 at Pleasant Ridge S15 at Oskaloosa S22 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy S29 Washington County O06 at Wabaunsee O13 Valley Heights O20 Horton O27 at Centralia JEFFERSON NORTH Jeff Schneider District 1 8-2 S01 at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy S08 at Maranatha S15 Pleasant Ridge S22 Oskaloosa S29 at Horton O06 KC Christ Prep O13 Doniphan West O20 at Troy O27 McLouth LACROSSE Jon Webster District 7 5-6 S01 Elkhart S08 at Colby S15 Washington County S22 Ellsworth S29 Sublette O06 at Stanton County O13 Ellis O20 at Oakley O27 at Plainville

LYNDON Brent Hoelting District 3 9-2 S01 at Yates Center S08 Mission Valley S15 Central Heights S22 at West Franklin S29 Council Grove O06 at Osage City O13 Northern Heights O20 at Chase County O27 Olpe MCLOUTH Gary Freeman District 1 4-5 S01 at Oskaloosa S08 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy S15 Maranatha S22 at Pleasant Ridge S29 KC Christ Prep O06 at Troy O13 Horton O20 Doniphan West O27 at Jefferson North MEADE Justin Powell District 8 8-2 S01 Hooker, Okla. S08 at Lakin S15 at SW Heights S22 Cimarron S29 at Syracuse O06 Remington O13 Stanton County O20 at Elkhart O26 Sublette MEDICINE LODGE Joey Ybarra District 5 0-9 S01 at Douglass S08 Chaparral S15 Cheney S22 at Conway Springs S29 at Inman O06 Sedgwick O13 at KC Christ Prep O20 at Moundridge O27 Remington

LAKIN Chris Bamberger District 16 5-5 S01 at Hugoton S08 Meade S15 Elkhart S22 Sublette S29 at Stanton County O06 Holcomb O13 at Cimarron O20 SW Heights O26 at Syracuse LARNED AB Stokes District 15 3-8 S01 at Pratt S08 Smoky Valley S15 Hesston S22 at Halstead S29 at Nickerson O06 Phillipsburg O13 Lyons O20 at Hoisington O26 Ellsworth LYONS James Johnston District 15 0-9 S01 Hillsboro S08 at Nickerson S15 Minneapolis S22 at Pratt S29 at Haven O06 Smoky Valley O13 at Larned O20 at Ellsworth O26 Hoisington MARANATHA Bryan Burdette District 2 2-7 S01 at Jackson Heights S08 Jefferson North S15 at McLouth S22 Horton S29 Oskaloosa O06 at Uniontown O13 Atchison County O20 Maur Hill-Mt. Academy O26 at Pleasant Ridge MARION Grant Thierolf District 12 7-2 S01 at Moundridge S08 Inman S15 Sedgwick S22 at Remington S29 Sterling O06 at Hutchinson Trinity O13 at SE-Saline O20 at Hillsboro O26 Hesston MARYSVILLE Dustin Heuer District 13 7-3 S01 at Rossville S08 Abilene S15 Wamego S22 at Concordia S29 at Clay Center O06 Chapman O13 at Beloit O20 Minneapolis O26 Riley County MAUR HILL Jermaine Monroe District 2 7-3 S01 Jefferson North S08 at McLouth S15 Horton S22 at Jackson Heights S29 Missouri Military Academy O06 Riverside O13 Pleasant Ridge O20 at Maranatha O26 at Atchison County

MINNEAPOLIS Jhon Haehn District 13 1-8 S01 Sacred Heart S08 at Republic County S15 at Lyons S22 Russell S29 at SE-Saline O06 at Ellsworth O13 Riley County O20 at Marysville O26 Beloit MISSION VALLEY Jeff Savage District 4 6-4 S01 at Central Heights S08 at Lyndon S15 West Franklin S22 Chase County S29 Osage City O06 at Northern Heights O13 at Rossville O20 Council Grove O26 St. Marys NEMAHA CENTRAL Warren Seitz District 1 12-1 S01 Atchison County S08 at Royal Valley S15 Holton S22 at Jefferson West S29 Centralia O06 at Perry-Lecompton O13 Sabetha O20 at Riverside O26 Hiawatha NEODESHA John Black District 8 5-4 S01 at Jayhawk-Linn S08 Oswego S15 Humboldt S22 at Erie S29 Cherryvale O06 at Bluestem O13 Fredonia O20 at Caney Valley O26 Eureka NORTHEAST-ARMA Phil Hobbs District 6 0-9 S01 Liberal, Mo. S08 at Yates Center S15 Uniontown S22 at Belle Plaine S29 Oswego O06 at Baxter Springs O13 at Jayhawk-Linn O20 at Erie O26 Humboldt NORTON Lucas Melvin District 14 7-4 S01 at Goodland S08 Plainville S15 Oakley S22 at Smith Center S29 SW Heights O06 Colby O13 at Russell O20 at Phillipsburg O26 TMP-Marian OSAGE CITY Andrew Gantenbein District 5 5-6 S01 Northern Heights S08 at Chase County S15 Olpe S22 Council Grove S29 at Mission Valley O06 Lyndon O13 at Wellsville O20 at Central Heights O26 West Franklin

OSKALOOSA Scott Whaley District 3 4-5 S01 McLouth S08 at Horton S15 Jackson Heights S22 at Jefferson North S29 at Maranatha O06 Pleasant Ridge O13 at Silver Lake O20 Royal Valley O26 at Perry-Lecompton PERRY-LECOMPTON Mike Paramore District 3 4-6 S01 at Riverside S08 Hiawatha S15 Atchison County S22 at Troy S29 at Sabetha O06 Nemaha Central O13 at Royal Valley O20 Silver Lake O26 Oskaloosa PHILLIPSBURG J.B. Covington District 14 11-1 S01 at Clay Center S08 at Smith Center S15 at Plainville S22 Oakley S29 Ellis O06 at Larned O13 TMP-Marian O20 Norton O26 at Russell PLEASANT RIDGE Pat McCollim District 2 3-7 S01 at Horton S08 Jackson Heights S15 at Jefferson North S22 McLouth S29 Jayhawk-Linn O06 at Oskaloosa O13 at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy O20 Atchison County O26 Maranatha RILEY COUNTY Steve Wagner District 13 5-5 S01 Wabaunsee S08 Washington County S15 at Rossville S22 at St. Marys S29 Rock Creek O06 Silver Lake O13 at Minneapolis O20 Beloit O26 at Marysville RIVERSIDE Scot Koranda District 1 3-6 S01 Perry-Lecompton S08 at Jefferson West S15 Royal Valley S22 at Holton S29 Atchison County O06 at Maur Hill-Mt. Academy O13 at Hiawatha O20 Nemaha Central O26 at Sabetha RIVERTON Johnny Mallatt District 7 2-8 S01 at Columbus S08 at Girard S15 Coffeyville S22 at Frontenac S29 Baxter Springs O06 Colgan O13 SE-Cherokee O20 at Cherryvale O26 at Galena

ROSSVILLE Derick Hammes District 4 13-1 S01 Marysville S08 at Rock Creek S15 Riley County S22 at Wabaunsee S29 at Silver Lake O06 at Burlington O13 Mission Valley O20 at St. Marys O26 Council Grove ROYAL VALLEY Jake Lott District 3 3-6 S01 at Hiawatha S08 Nemaha Central S15 at Riverside S22 Sabetha S29 Holton O06 at Jefferson West O13 Perry-Lecompton O20 at Oskaloosa O26 at Silver Lake RUSSELL Jeff Brull District 14 2-7 S01 at Ellsworth S08 Sacred Heart S15 at SE-Saline S22 at Minneapolis S29 Beloit O06 at Republic County O13 Norton O20 TMP-Marian O26 Phillipsburg SABETHA Garrett Michael District 1 9-2 S01 at Centralia S08 at Holton S15 Jefferson West S22 at Royal Valley S29 Perry-Lecompton O06 at Atchison County O13 at Nemaha Central O20 Hiawatha O26 Riverside SILVER LAKE C.J. Hamilton District 3 10-1 S01 KC Washington S08 at Wabaunsee S15 at St. Marys S22 Rock Creek S29 Rossville O06 at Riley County O13 Oskaloosa O20 at Perry-Lecompton O26 Royal Valley SE-CHEROKEE Jerrad Hanson District 7 0-9 S01 Uniontown S15 Sarcoxie, Mo. S22 Baxter Springs O06 at Girard O13 at Riverton O20 Galena O26 at Cherryvale SE-SALINE Mitch Gebhardt District 12 7-3 S01 Republic County S08 at Chapman S15 Russell S22 at Sacred Heart S29 Minneapolis O06 at Beloit O13 Marion O20 at Hesston O26 Hillsboro SW HEIGHTS Matt Scripsick District 16 2-7 S01 at Sublette S08 at Elkhart S15 Meade S22 Stanton County

S29 at Norton O06 Hugoton O13 Syracuse O20 at Lakin O26 Cimarron STERLING Derek Schneider District 11 6-4 S01 Remington S08 at Sedgwick S15 Inman S22 at Moundridge S29 at Marion O06 Ell-Saline O13 at Hutchinson Trinity O20 Haven O26 Halstead ST. MARYS Myron Flax District 4 4-5 S01 at Olpe S08 Centralia S15 Silver Lake S22 Riley County S29 at Yates Center O06 at Rock Creek O13 at Council Grove O20 Rossville O26 at Mission Valley SYRACUSE John Guerrero District 16 3-6 S01 at Ellis S08 Beaver, Okla. S15 at Stanton County S22 Elkhart S29 Meade O06 at Sublette O13 at SW Heights O20 Cimarron O26 Lakin TMP-MARIAN Jason Cauley District 14 2-7 S01 at Abilene S08 at Ellis S15 Smith Center S22 at Plainville S29 Cimarron O06 Oakley O13 at Phillipsburg O20 at Russell O26 at Norton WELLSVILLE Brad Burkdoll District 5 10-2 S01 Burlington S08 at Osawatomie S15 at Iola S22 Prairie View S29 at Santa Fe Trail O06 Anderson County O13 Osage City O20 at West Franklin O26 Central Heights WEST FRANKLIN Mike Einspahr District 5 2-7 S01 Council Grove S08 Anderson County S15 at Mission Valley S22 Lyndon S29 at Northern Heights O06 Chase County O13 at Central Heights O20 Wellsville O26 at Osage City WICHITA INDEPENDENT Eric Swenson District 9 3-7 S01 at Chaparral S08 Conway Springs S15 Wichita Trinity S22 at Garden Plain S29 Kingman O06 at Cheney O13 Bluestem O20 at Douglass O26 Belle Plaine

OSWEGO Justin Hurley District 4 3-7 S01 Baxter Springs S08 at Neodesha S15 Jayhawk-Linn S22 Greenfield, Mo. S29 at Northeast-Arma O07 at Valley Heights O13 Uniontown O20 at Colgan O27 at Yates Center PLAINVILLE Grant Stephenson District 7 11-2 S01 at Smith Center S08 at Norton S15 Phillipsburg S22 TMP-Marian S29 Republic County O06 at Sacred Heart O13 Oakley O20 at Ellis O27 LaCrosse REMINGTON Ben Wertenberger District 5 2-7 S01 at Sterling S08 Ell-Saline S15 at Hutchinson Trinity S22 Marion S29 Moundridge O06 at Meade O13 at Inman O20 Sedgwick O27 at Medicine Lodge REPUBLIC COUNTY Kevin Couture District 6 5-6 S01 at SE-Saline S08 Minneapolis S15 Ellsworth S22 at Beloit S29 at Plainville O06 Russell O13 at Ell-Saline O20 Smith Center O26 Sacred Heart

SACRED HEART Garrett Galanski District 6 3-6 S01 at Minneapolis S08 at Russell S15 Beloit S22 SE-Saline S29 at Ellsworth O06 Plainville O13 at Smith Center O20 Ell-Saline O26 at Republic County SEDGWICK Jeff Werner District 5 7-3 S01 at Ell-Saline S08 Sterling S15 at Marion S22 Hutchinson Trinity S29 Cheney O06 at Medicine Lodge O13 Moundridge O20 at Remington O26 Inman SMITH CENTER Darren Sasse District 6 9-3 S01 Plainville S08 Phillipsburg S15 at TMP-Marian S22 Norton S29 at Oakley O06 at Ellis O13 Sacred Heart O20 at Republic County O26 at Ell-Saline STANTON COUNTY David Bowen District 8 2-7 S01 Beaver, Okla. S08 at Cimarron S15 Syracuse S22 at SW Heights S29 Lakin O06 LaCrosse O13 at Meade O20 Sublette O26 at Elkhart

SUBLETTE Matt Fox District 8 0-9 S01 SW Heights S08 at Oakley S15 Ellis S22 at Lakin S29 at LaCrosse O06 Syracuse O13 Elkhart O20 at Stanton County O26 at Meade TROY Derek Jasper District 1 13-0 S01 at Valley Heights S08 at Atchison County S15 Centralia S22 Perry-Lecompton S29 at Doniphan West O06 McLouth O13 at Washington County O20 Jefferson North O27 at Horton UNIONTOWN Jeremy Neville District 4 2-7 S01 at SE-Cherokee S08 Jayhawk-Linn S15 at Northeast-Arma S23 at KC Christ Prep S29 Olpe O06 Maranatha O13 at Oswego O20 Yates Center O27 at Colgan VALLEY HEIGHTS Tony Trimble District 2 7-3 S01 Troy S08 at Doniphan West S15 KC Christ Prep S22 Ellis S29 Wabaunsee O07 Oswego O13 at Jackson Heights O20 Centralia O27 at Washington County

WABAUNSEE Brian Henry District 2 4-5 S01 at Riley County S08 Silver Lake S15 at Rock Creek S22 Rossville S29 at Valley Heights O06 Jackson Heights O13 at Centralia O20 Washington County O27 at Doniphan West WASHINGTON COUNTY Doug Thompson District 2 8-3 S01 Doniphan West S08 at Riley County S15 at LaCrosse S22 Hoisington S29 at Jackson Heights O06 Centralia O13 Troy O20 at Wabaunsee O27 Valley Heights YATES CENTER Ben Wiehn District 4 2-7 S01 Lyndon S08 Northeast-Arma S15 at Northern Heights S22 at Jayhawk-Linn S29 St. Marys O06 at Olpe O13 Colgan O20 at Uniontown O27 Oswego

SOUTHERN COFFEY Todd Griffin District 1 1-8 S01 Burlingame S08 at Waverly S15 Hanover S22 at Hartford S29 at West Elk O06 at Sedan O13 Madison O20 at St. Paul O26 Marmaton Valley SPEARVILLE Matt Fowler District 7 11-1 S01 Hill City S08 at Hodgeman County S15 Minneola S22 at Ashland S29 South Gray O06 at Ness City O13 Satanta O20 at Leoti O26 Kinsley

O06 Central-Burden O13 at Peabody O20 Cedar Vale-Dexter O26 at Flinthills

CLASS 2-1A MOUNDRIDGE Jeremiah Meeks District 5 3-7 S01 Marion S08 at Hutchinson Trinity S15 at Ell-Saline S22 Sterling S29 at Remington O06 Inman O13 at Sedgwick O20 Medicine Lodge O27 Prue, Okla. NORTHERN HEIGHTS Greg French District 3 2-7 S01 at Osage City S08 at Council Grove S15 Yates Center S22 at Central Heights S29 West Franklin O06 Mission Valley O13 at Lyndon O20 Olpe O26 at Chase County OAKLEY Jeff Hennick District 7 1-8 S01 Colby S08 Sublette S15 at Norton S22 at Phillipsburg S29 Smith Center O06 at TMP-Marian O13 at Plainville O20 LaCrosse O27 Ellis OLPE Chris Schmidt District 3 5-5 S01 St. Marys S08 at Caney Valley S15 at Osage City S22 Burlington S29 at Uniontown O06 Yates Center O13 Chase County O20 at Northern Heights O27 at Lyndon

EIGHT-MAN DIVISION I (SEE 13B FOR EIGHT-MAN DIVISION II SCHEDULES) ARGONIA-ATTICA Luke Greenwood District 6 7-3 S01 Central-Burden S08 at Caldwell S15 at Flinthills S22 South Barber S29 Pratt-Skyline O06 at Fairfield O13 Kiowa County O20 Macksville O26 at South Central ATWOOD Matt Smith District 8 7-2 S01 at Hitchcock Co. Neb. S08 Sharon Springs S15 Oberlin S22 at Hoxie S29 Open O06 at St. Francis O13 Quinter O20 at WaKeeney O26 Hill City BENNINGTON David Gillett District 6 2-7 S01 Herington S08 at Little River S15 Beloit-St. John’s S22 at Thunder Ridge S29 Lincoln O06 at Victoria O13 Solomon O20 at Osborne O26 Logan-Palco BURLINGAME Jeff Slater District 3 11-1 S01 at Southern Coffey S08 Hartford S15 at Lebo S22 Centre S29 at Onaga O06 at Clifton-Clyde O13 Valley Falls O20 at Rural Vista O26 Herington CANTON-GALVA Shelby Hoppes District 5 2-7 S01 at Solomon S08 at Rural Vista S15 Peabody S22 at Wakefield S29 Central Plains O06 at St. John O13 Little River O20 at Goessel O26 Ellinwood CEDAR VALE-DEXTER L. Rhodd/R. Atherton District 2 4-5 S01 Sedan S08 at Altoona-Midway S15 at West Elk S22 South Haven S29 at Central-Burden O06 at Flinthills

O13 Oxford O20 at Udall O26 Peabody CENTRAL-BURDEN Anthony Blair District 2 3-6 S01 at Argonia-Attica S08 at Sedan S15 Caldwell S22 West Elk S29 Cedar Vale-Dexter O06 at Udall O13 Flinthills O20 at Peabody O26 Oxford CENTRAL PLAINS Chris Steiner District 5 10-1 S01 Victoria S08 at Ness City S15 Otis-Bison S22 at Kinsley S29 at Canton-Galva O06 at Little River O13 Ellinwood O20 at St. John O26 Goessel CENTRE Kelly Steiner District 3 4-4 S01 Little River S08 at Goessel S15 Herington S22 at Burlingame S29 Open O06 at Onaga O13 Clifton-Clyde O20 at Valley Falls O26 Rural Vista CLIFTON-CLYDE Russ Steinbrock District 3 8-2 S01 Linn S08 at Frankfort S15 at Valley Falls S22 Rural Vista S29 at Herington O06 Burlingame O13 at Centre O20 Onaga O27 Open ELLINWOOD Alex Birney District 5 3-6 S01 Kinsley S08 at Otis-Bison S15 at Victoria S22 Ness City S29 at St. John O06 Goessel O13 at Central Plains O20 Little River O26 at Canton-Galva FAIRFIELD Heath Hewitt District 6 1-8 S01 at Burrton S08 Pretty Prairie

S15 at Norwich S22 Hutch Central Christian S29 at Kiowa County O06 Argonia-Attica O13 at South Central O20 Pratt-Skyline O26 at Macksville FLINTHILLS Chuck Bisbee District 2 0-9 S01 West Elk S08 at South Haven S15 Argonia-Attica S22 at Caldwell S29 at Peabody O06 Cedar Vale-Dexter O13 at Central-Burden O20 at Oxford O26 Udall GOESSEL Garrett Hiebert District 5 5-4 S01 at Wakefield S08 Centre S15 at Solomon S22 Peabody S29 Little River O06 at Ellinwood O13 St. John O20 Canton-Galva O26 at Central Plains HERINGTON Tom Flax District 3 7-2 S01 at Bennington S08 Solomon S15 at Centre S22 Onaga S29 Clifton-Clyde O06 at Valley Falls O13 Rural Vista O20 at MdCV O26 at Burlingame HILL CITY Travis Desbien District 8 4-5 S01 at Spearville S08 Stockton S15 St. Francis S22 at Quinter S29 WaKeeney O06 Rural Vista O13 at Oberlin O20 Hoxie O26 at Atwood HOXIE Lance Baar District 8 6-3 S01 Tribune S08 Lakeside S15 at Sharon Springs S22 Atwood S29 at St. Francis O06 at Quinter O13 WaKeeney O20 at Hill City O26 Oberlin KINSLEY Kyle Burkhart

District 7 0-9 S01 at Ellinwood S08 St. John S15 at Macksville S22 Central Plains S29 Ness City O06 at Satanta O13 Leoti O20 South Gray O26 at Spearville KIOWA COUNTY Tye Remy District 6 2-7 S01 Minneola S08 at Satanta S15 Ashland S22 at Ingalls S29 Fairfield O06 Macksville O13 at Argonia-Attica O20 South Central O26 at Pratt-Skyline LEOTI Cale Warden District 7 5-4 S01 at Hodgeman County S08 Moscow S15 Dighton S22 at Triplains-Brewster S29 Satanta O06 South Gray O13 at Kinsley O20 Spearville O26 at Ness City LINCOLN Don Long District 4 1-8 S01 at Tescott S08 Rock Hills S15 at Sylvan-Lucas S22 Beloit-St. John’s S29 at Bennington O06 at Solomon O13 Logan-Palco O20 at Victoria O26 Osborne LITTLE RIVER Chad Lafferty District 5 4-6 S01 at Centre S08 Bennington S15 Wakefield S22 at Solomon S29 at Goessel O06 Central Plains O13 at Canton-Galva O20 at Ellinwood O26 St. John LOGAN-PALCO Mike Jenner District 4 7-2 S01 Triplains-Brewster S08 at Northern Valley S15 Thunder Ridge S22 Stockton S29 at Victoria O06 Osborne O13 at Lincoln O20 Solomon

O26 at Bennington MACKSVILLE Chet Skinner District 6 4-5 S01 Ness City S08 at Victoria S15 Kinsley S22 at St. John S29 South Central O06 at Kiowa County O13 Pratt-Skyline O20 at Argonia-Attica O26 Fairfield MADISON Alex McMillian District 1 3-6 S01 at MdCV S08 at Lebo S15 Hartford S22 Wetmore S29 at St. Paul O06 Marmaton Valley O13 at Southern Coffey O20 Sedan O26 at West Elk MARMATON VALLEY Gavin Cole District 1 5-4 S01 at Chetopa S08 at Colony-Crest S15 Greenfield, Mo. S22 Altoona-Midway S29 Sedan O06 at Madison O13 St. Paul O20 West Elk O26 at Southern Coffey NESS CITY Marc Cowles District 7 7-3 S01 at Macksville S08 Central Plains S15 St. John S22 at Ellinwood S29 at Kinsley O06 Spearville O13 at South Gray O20 at Satanta O26 Leoti OBERLIN Joe Dreher District 8 2-6 S01 at Cambridge, Neb. S08 at Dighton S15 at Atwood S22 St. Francis S29 Quinter O06 at WaKeeney O13 Hill City O20 Open O26 at Hoxie ONAGA Travis Callaway District 3 2-7 S01 Frankfort S08 at Wetmore S15 at Rural Vista S22 at Herington

S29 Burlingame O06 Centre O13 at Waverly O20 at Clifton-Clyde O26 Valley Falls OSBORNE Cullen Riner District 4 13-0 S01 at Thunder Ridge S08 Beloit-St. John’s S15 Lakeside S22 at Pike Valley S29 Solomon O06 at Logan-Palco O13 Victoria O20 Bennington O26 at Lincoln OXFORD Shawn Burkes District 2 7-3 S01 at South Haven S08 at West Elk S15 Sedan S22 Stafford S29 at Udall O06 Peabody O13 at Cedar Vale-Dexter O20 Flinthills O26 at Central-Burden PEABODY David Pickens District 2 5-5 S01 Rural Vista S08 Wakefield S15 at Canton-Galva S22 at Goessel S29 Flinthills O06 at Oxford O13 Udall O20 Central-Burden O26 at Cedar Vale-Dexter PRATT-SKYLINE Steve Novotny District 6 1-8 S01 South Barber S08 at Hutchinson Central Christian S15 Pretty Prairie S22 Norwich S29 at Argonia-Attica O06 South Central O13 at Macksville O20 at Fairfield O26 Kiowa County QUINTER Micah Roehl District 8 0-8 S01 Dighton S08 at Tribune S15 at WaKeeney S22 Hill City S29 at Oberlin O06 Hoxie O13 at Atwood O20 St. Francis RURAL VISTA Adam Flowers District 3 5-4

S01 at Peabody S08 Canton-Galva S15 Onaga S22 at Clifton-Clyde S29 Valley Falls O06 at Hill City O13 at Herington O20 Burlingame O26 at Centre SATANTA Justin Helton District 7 5-4 S01 at Bucklin S08 Kiowa County S11 Ashland S22 Moscow S29 at Leoti O06 Kinsley O13 at Spearville O20 Ness City O26 at South Gray SEDAN Mick Holt District 1 8-1 S01 at Cedar Vale-Dexter S08 Central-Burden S15 at Oxford S22 Udall S29 at Marmaton Valley O06 Southern Coffey O13 at West Elk O20 at Madison O26 St. Paul SOLOMON Steve Tiernan District 4 6-4 S01 Canton-Galva S08 at Herington S15 Goessel S22 Little River S29 at Osborne O06 Lincoln O13 at Bennington O20 at Logan-Palco O26 Victoria SOUTH CENTRAL Billy Nichols District 6 9-2 S01 at Ashland S08 at Minneola S15 Ingalls S22 Hodgeman County S29 at Macksville O06 at Pratt-Skyline O13 Fairfield O20 at Kiowa County O26 Argonia-Attica SOUTH GRAY Jesse Hodgson District 7 2-7 S01 Ingalls S08 at WaKeeney S15 at Bucklin S22 Minneola S29 at Spearville O06 at Leoti O13 Ness City O20 at Kinsley O26 Satanta

ST. FRANCIS Rodney Yates District 8 11-1 S01 at Sharon Springs S08 Triplains-Brewster S15 at Hill City S22 at Oberlin S29 Hoxie O06 Atwood O20 at Quinter O26 WaKeeney ST. JOHN Mike Joiner District 5 3-6 S01 Otis-Bison S08 at Kinsley S15 at Ness City S22 Macksville S29 Ellinwood O06 Canton-Galva O13 at Goessel O20 Central Plains O26 at Little River ST. PAUL Keith Wiatrak District 1 9-2 S01 at Pleasanton S08 Chetopa S15 Frankfort S22 at Axtell S29 Madison O06 West Elk O13 at Marmaton Valley O20 Southern Coffey O26 at Sedan UDALL Wyatt Williams District 2 2-7 S01 at Caldwell S08 at Hanover S15 South Haven S22 at Sedan S29 Oxford

VALLEY FALLS Nick Cummings District 3 1-8 S01 Wetmore S08 at Axtell S15 Clifton-Clyde S22 at Frankfort S29 at Rural Vista O06 Herington O13 at Burlingame O20 Centre O26 at Onaga VICTORIA Doug Oberle District 4 5-4 S01 at Central Plains S08 Macksville S15 Ellinwood S22 at Otis-Bison S29 Logan-Palco O06 Bennington O13 at Osborne O20 Lincoln O26 at Solomon WAKEENEY Pat Haxton District 8 3-6 S01 at Stockton S08 South Gray S15 Quinter S22 at Sharon Springs S29 at Hill City O06 Oberlin O13 at Hoxie O20 Atwood O26 at St. Francis WEST ELK Chris Haag District 1 9-2 S01 at Flinthills S08 Oxford S15 Cedar Vale-Dexter S22 at Central-Burden S29 Southern Coffey O06 at St. Paul O13 Sedan O20 at Marmaton Valley O26 Madison

25 AREA STARS CLASSES 6A, 5A, 4A-I, 4A-II

WORTH A LOOK

DYLAN AESCHLIMAN, HOLTON 6-1, 200, SENIOR, LB/TE Topping 100 tackles for the second straight year, Aeschliman led the Wildcats with 143 total stops a year ago, including 85 solo tackles. In two years starting, he’s piled up 254 tackles. After seeing limited time at tight end a year ago, Aeschliman will move to fullback this season and could have an impact in a rebuilt Wildcat backfield.

MASON BEACH, TONGANOXIE 5-10, 160, SENIOR, QB Beach played in just four games as a sophomore starter, throwing for 431 yards and five touchdowns, and made it to Week 5 last year before a broken collarbone ended what could have been a huge season. In four-plus games last year, Beach threw for 964 yards and 13 TDs and ran for another 216 yards.

BRENT BEAUMONT, CONCORDIA 5-10, 240, SENIOR, OG/DT Beaumont is coming off a strong junior season in which he earned first-team All-North Central Kansas League honors both ways. A high motor, which consistently places him around the ball, produced a team-high 80 tackles a year ago, 7.5 of them for loss. Offensively, he helped pave the way for 1,000-yard back Rope Dorman.

DEVION BETHEA, OTTAWA

The Topeka Capital-Journal | Thursday, August 31, 2017 | 13B

ROPE DORMAN, CONCORDIA 5-11, 185, SENIOR, RB/LB In his first year as Concordia’s feature back, Dorman averaged six yards per carry and rushed for 1,084 yards and seven scores, accounting for more than half of the Panthers’ 2,171 yards total offense and the bulk of their 1,450 rushing yards on his way to first-team All-North Central Kansas League honors. He also had 44 tackles.

GAGE FOSTER, FREE STATE

EKOW BOYE-DOE, LAWRENCE 6-1, 175, SENIOR, WR/CB Boye-Doe was solid as a junior with three interceptions on defense and 33 catches for 411 yards and six TDs on offense. A shutdown corner, Boye-Doe showed well enough in summer camps to pick up Division I offers from Kansas State and Kansas after already holding offers from FCS programs and Division II powerhouse Northwest Missouri.

XAVIER CASON, JUNCTION CITY 6-4, 245, SENIOR, TE Cason wasn’t much of a threat in Junction City’s passing game a year ago, catching just four passes for 53 yards and a score. Yet he was vital to the Blue Jays’ offense, which produced 37.3 points and 420 yards per game, serving as a devastating blocker on the perimeter. His size could translate to a move to interior line in college.

LEIGHTON CUSHINBERRY, ATCHISON 6-3, 270, SENIOR, OT/DT A three-year starter on the offensive line, Cushinberry has been a big factor for an Atchison offense that has averaged 40 points the past two seasons, combining quickness and athleticism with his size. The first-team AllKC-Atchison League pick also emerged defensively for the Redmen a year ago, making 40 tackles.

5-7, 155, SENIOR, QB/DB Limited to seven games in his first year as the Lions’ starting quarterback, Jackson still finished with 1,137 yards and 12 touchdowns passing while adding another 887 yards and 12 TDs rushing as a dual threat. Jackson is being recruited as a wide receiver and has a 44-inch vertical to help offset his diminutive frame.

CONNOR JEFFERS, BURLINGTON

5-11, 190, SENIOR, LB/QB One of Free State’s top three tacklers a year ago, Foster finished with 66 tackles (52 solos) and ranked second on the team with 22 tackles for loss. He also ran for 250 yards in a backup role on offense, but is the leading candidate to take over as Free State’s starting quarterback this season while still anchoring the defense.

TUCKER GEHRT, ROCK CREEK 5-11, 185, SENIOR, LB Gehrt has been a leader for Rock Creek since his sophomore season when he made 56 tackles and recovered two fumbles. He upped his production a year ago to 98 tackles and nine tackles for loss with two more recoveries on his way to first-team All-Mid-East League honors. He should be full speed after recovering from a spring knee injury.

NIK GRUBBS, MANHATTAN

5-10, 185, SENIOR, QB/LB A running back masquerading as quarterback in Burlington’s single-wing offense, Jeffers led the Wildcats in rushing (877 yards, 13 TDs) and passing (440 yards, 7 TDs). Wildcat coach John Petrie called Jeffers “the heartbeat the rest of the team follows.” The All-Pioneer League pick also made 63 tackles.

LEEROI JOHNSON, TONGANOXIE 6-2, 255, SENIOR, DE/TE A top discus thrower, Johnson padded his football resume with a big 2016 season. The athletic lineman earned first-team All-Class 4A Division I on the defensive line after making 58 tackles and four sacks, also earning first-team All-Kaw Valley League honors both ways. He went on to capture the 4A state discus title in the spring.

PEYTON LANE, CLAY CENTER

6-2, 205, SENIOR, LB As a junior starter, Grubbs made 65 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and three sacks. He really turned heads on the summer camp scene, scoring in the 98th percentile at the prestigious Nike Football The Opening Camp in Chicago. The three-year varsity performer runs a 4.75 40 and has a 33-inch vertical leap with a squat of 405.

AJ HAUSSLER, HOLTON

6-0, 180, SENIOR, FS/QB Better known as the state’s top pole vaulter a year ago (he’s a two-time Class 4A state champion in the event), Lane led the Tigers in tackles with 125 a year ago on his way to first-team All-North Central Kansas League honors. He will be counted on to provide a spark this year as he moves from receiver to quarterback.

LUKE LASKOWSKI, BALDWIN

6-1, 165, SENIOR, RB/SS Haussler finished with 112 tackles to rank only behind returning linebacker Dylan Aeschliman on the Wildcat team. Earning first-team All-Big Seven League honors in the secondary, Haussler also is Holton’s leading returning rusher and will be called upon to up his production after rushing for 296 yards and four touchdowns.

KENSON HENDERSON, JUNCTION CITY

5-10, 180, SENIOR, RB/CB Bethea’s numbers from his junior season are impressive enough: 1,099 yards, 16 touchdowns. Given he only had 148 carries and didn’t become the Cyclones’ feature back until the second half of the season make them even more so. Bethea is also a physical presence at cornerback and will have a bigger impact on special teams this season.

DANTE JACKSON, LAWRENCE

5-11, 220, SENIOR, LB A second-team All-Centennial League selection last year, Henderson led the Blue Jay defense with 76 tackles, including 52 solo stops. His four tackles for loss ranked third on the team and his two fumble recoveries were tops for a defense that allowed just 17.8 points per game. He cleans 285 pounds and boasts a 32-inch vertical.

WILL HERREN, SANTA FE TRAIL 6-1, 195, JUNIOR, LB/RB As a sophomore, Herren led Trail in tackles with 81 stops, including a team-high 25 solos. As the season went on, he took on a bigger role offensively as well, filling in at quarterback the last month of the season and posting back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to finish the season with 406 yards and five scores.

AUSTIN HIBLER, EMPORIA

6-2, 185, SENIOR, QB Taking over as Baldwin’s starting quarterback last year, Laskowski threw for 940 yards and nine touchdowns. He also ran for 400 yards and four scores and likely will do a lot more running as Baldwin shifts to a single-wing style in Doug Kerr’s first year as coach, though the passing game will remain vital with three targets 6-foot-4 or taller.

CALEB MIDDENDORF, JEFFERSON WEST 6-0, 165, SENIOR, LB/RB A three-year starter and honorable mention All-Big Seven League pick, Middendorf led the Tigers in tackles with 82 and also forced two fumbles. With West graduating its two leading rushers from a year ago, the Tigers will be counting on Middendorf to become a bigger factor in the ground game after rushing for 111 yards on 27 totes.

JONATHAN OLSSON, EMPORIA 6-5, 250, SENIOR, LG/DT A huge frame combined with athleticism have Olsson drawing college interest. Emporia has leaned heavily on his performance as a three-year starter both ways. Defensively, he’s made 60 tackles the past two seasons combined, punctuating last year’s season with three tackles for loss in a playoff win over Liberal.

WYATT PATTERSON, WAMEGO

6-1, 210, SENIOR, LB After playing behind Centennial League defensive player of the year Nick Kirmer as a sophomore, Hibler came into his own last year as the top linebacker for the Spartans. The team’s emotional leader, Hibler had 91 tackles and was an honorable mention all-league pick after earning the same honors at tight end as a sophomore.

TREY HOERNER, ABILENE

6-0, 180, SENIOR, LB/RB A transfer from Garden City a year ago, Patterson had an immediate impact before suffering a season-ending injury in the fifth game of the season. He had 56 tackles (27 solo), two fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown and still ended up as Wamego’s third-leading tackler. He also will see time at fullback this season.

TATE PETRIE, BURLINGTON

6-1, 210, SENIOR, RB/LB A state champion in wrestling, Hoerner figures to take on a more prominent role offensively and defensively for the Cowboys. He was in on 67 tackles last year as part of a linebacking corps that was a strength. Playing behind leading rushers Parker O’Neal and Parker Base on offense, Hoerner ran for just 89 yards — 73 coming in one game.

6-0, 240, SENIOR, OG/DT A starter on Meade’s 2015 Class 2-1A semifinal team as a sophomore, Petrie was an impact transfer when his father, John, took over at Burlington. His knowledge of the new single wing offense was vital. A defensive starter as well, Petrie was a first-team All-Pioneer League pick on offense and “leads by example,” according to his father.

EIGHT-MAN DIVISION II ALTOONA-MIDWAY Robert Dickinson District 1 0-9 S01 at Wichita Sunrise S08 Cedar Vale-Dexter S15 Chetopa S22 at Marmaton Valley S29 at Colony-Crest O06 Marais des Cygnes Valley O13 at Lebo O20 Pleasanton O26 at Waverly ASHLAND Jesse Stebens District 7 4-5 S01 South Central S11 at Satanta S15 at Kiowa County S22 Spearville S29 Bucklin O06 at Stafford O13 Pretty Prairie O20 at South Barber O26 Chase AXTELL Eric Detweiler District 3 4-5 S01 at St. Mary’s Academy S08 Valley Falls S11 Southern Cloud S22 St. Paul S29 Frankfort O06 at Wetmore O13 Wakefield O20 at Blue Valley-Randolph O26 Hanover BELOIT-ST. JOHN’S Keith Kresin District 4 7-3 S01 Chase S08 at Osborne S15 at Bennington S22 at Lincoln S29 Linn O06 at Tescott O13 Southern Cloud O20 at Pike Valley O26 Rock Hills BLUE VALLEY-RANDOLPH Matt Schreiber District 3 2-7 S01 Colony-Crest S08 at Linn S15 at Tescott S22 at Southern Cloud S29 Wakefield O06 at Hanover O13 Wetmore O20 Axtell O26 at Frankfort BUCKLIN Brad Estes District 7 2-7 S01 Satanta S08 at Ingalls

S15 South Gray S29 at Ashland O06 at Pretty Prairie O13 Chase O20 at Stafford O26 South Barber BURRTON Chris Jensen District 2 0-9 S01 Fairfield S08 at Stafford S15 South Barber S22 at Pretty Prairie S29 Caldwell O06 at South Haven O13 Norwich O20 at Hutch Central Christian O26 Hartford CALDWELL Sean Blosser District 2 7-2 S01 Udall S08 Argonia-Attica S15 at Central-Burden S22 Flinthills S29 at Burrton O06 at Norwich O13 Hartford O20 at South Haven O26 Hutch Central Christian CHASE Travis Tesone District 7 6-5 S01 at Beloit-St. John’s S08 Wilson S15 at Rock Hills S22 Sylvan-Lucas S29 Stafford O06 South Barber O13 at Bucklin O20 Pretty Prairie O26 at Ashland CHETOPA Jaunc Bradshaw District 1 2-6 S01 Marmaton Valley S08 at St. Paul S15 at Altoona-Midway S22 Colony-Crest S29 at MdCV O06 Lebo O13 at Pleasanton O20 Waverly O26 Bartlesville Wesleyan COLONY-CREST Brandt Miller District 1 4-5 S01 at Blue Valley-Randolph S08 Marmaton Valley S15 Waverly S22 at Chetopa S29 Altoona-Midway O06 at Greenfield, Mo. O13 at MdCV O20 Lebo

O26 at Pleasanton DEERFIELD Brett Smith District 8 0-9 S01 Holly, Colo. S08 Wichita Life Prep S15 at Hodgeman County S22 Tribune S29 at Rolla O06 at Moscow O20 Ingalls O26 at Minneola DIGHTON Ken Simon District 6 12-1 S01 at Quinter S08 Oberlin S15 at Leoti S22 Northern Valley S29 at Triplains-Brewster O06 Sharon Springs O13 at Otis-Bison O20 at Hodgeman County O26 Tribune FRANKFORT Nick Anderson District 3 5-4 S01 at Onaga S08 Clifton-Clyde S15 at St. Paul S22 Valley Falls S29 at Axtell O06 at Wakefield O13 Hanover O20 at Wetmore O26 Blue Valley-Randolph HANOVER Matt Heuer District 3 12-0 S01 Lebo S08 Udall S15 at Southern Coffey S22 at Linn S29 at Wetmore O06 Blue Valley-Randolph O13 at Frankfort O20 Wakefield O26 at Axtell HARTFORD Colton Barrett District 2 9-2 S01 Waverly S08 at Burlingame S15 at Madison S22 Southern Coffey S29 at South Haven O06 Hutch Central Christian O13 at Caldwell O20 Norwich O26 at Burrton HODGEMAN COUNTY Matt Housman District 6 5-4 S01 Leoti

S08 Spearville S15 Deerfield S22 at South Central S29 at Tribune O06 Triplains-Brewster O13 at Sharon Springs O20 Dighton O26 at Otis-Bison HUTCH CENTRAL CHRISTIAN Lee Smith District 2 9-2 S01 at Pretty Prairie S08 Pratt-Skyline S15 Stafford S22 at Fairfield S29 Norwich O06 at Hartford O13 South Haven O20 Burrton O26 at Caldwell INGALLS Vestal Teeter District 8 8-2 S01 at South Gray S08 Bucklin S15 at South Central S22 Kiowa County S29 Moscow O06 at Minneola O13 Rolla O20 at Deerfield LAKESIDE Drew Duskie District 5 3-7 S01 Pike Valley S08 at Hoxie S15 at Osborne S22 Rock Hills S29 at Northern Valley O06 at Sylvan-Lucas O13 Thunder Ridge O20 at Wilson O26 Stockton LEBO Troy McArthur District 1 7-3 S01 at Hanover S08 Madison S15 Burlingame S22 Pleasanton S29 at Waverly O06 at Chetopa O13 Altoona-Midway O20 at Colony-Crest O26 Marais des Cygnes Valley LINN Jeremy Miller District 4 4-5 S01 at Clifton-Clyde S08 Blue Valley-Randolph S15 Wetmore S22 Hanover S29 at Beloit-St. John’s O06 at Southern Cloud O13 Rock Hills

O20 at Tescott O26 Pike Valley MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY Lewis Whitson District 1 1-7 S01 Madison S08 Lawrence Veritas S15 at Pleasanton S22 Waverly S29 Chetopa O06 at Altoona-Midway O13 Colony-Crest O20 Herington O26 at Lebo MINNEOLA Reigo Hahn District 8 6-4 S01 at Kiowa County S08 South Central S15 at Spearville S22 at South Gray O06 Ingalls O13 at Moscow O20 at Rolla O26 Deerfield MOSCOW Tayler Stull District 8 5-4 S01 Balko, Okla. S08 at Leoti S15 at Tyrone, Okla. S22 at Satanta S29 at Ingalls O06 Deerfield O13 Minneola O26 Rolla NORTHERN VALLEY Chuck Fessenden District 5 4-5 S01 at Alma, Neb. S08 Logan-Palco S15 at Triplains-Brewster S22 at Dighton S29 Lakeside O06 at Wilson O13 Sylvan-Lucas O20 at Stockton O26 Thunder Ridge NORWICH Mike Wilmott District 2 5-4 S01 Stafford S08 at South Barber S15 Fairfield S22 at Pratt-Skyline S29 at Hutch Central Christian O06 Caldwell O13 at Burrton O20 at Hartford O26 South Haven OTIS-BISON Travis Starr District 6

6-3 S01 at St. John S08 Ellinwood S15 at Central Plains S22 Victoria S29 Sharon Springs O06 at Tribune O13 Dighton O20 at Triplains-Brewster O26 Hodgeman County PIKE VALLEY Don Melby District 4 10-2 S01 at Lakeside S08 Thunder Ridge S15 at Stockton S22 Osborne S29 Southern Cloud O06 at Rock Hills O13 Tescott O20 Beloit-St. John’s O26 at Linn PLEASANTON Dustin Johnson District 1 4-5 S01 St. Paul S15 Marais des Cygnes Valley S19 at Osceola, Mo. S22 at Lebo S29 at Wichita Homeschool O06 at Waverly O13 Chetopa O20 at Altoona-Midway O26 Colony-Crest PRETTY PRAIRIE C.T. Young District 7 6-3 S01 Hutch Central Christian S08 at Fairfield S15 at Pratt-Skyline S22 Burrton S29 at South Barber O06 Bucklin O13 at Ashland O20 at Chase O26 Stafford ROCK HILLS Brock McMillan District 4 7-2 S01 Wilson S08 at Lincoln S15 Chase S22 at Lakeside S29 at Tescott O06 Pike Valley O13 at Linn O20 Southern Cloud O26 at Beloit-St. John’s ROLLA Jon Schnable District 6 2-7 S01 at Springfield, Colo. S08 at Balko, Okla. S15 at Tribune S22 Turpin, Okla. S29 Deerfield

O13 at Ingalls O20 Minneola O26 at Moscow SHARON SPRINGS Kevin Ayers District 5 8-4 S01 St. Francis S08 at Atwood S15 Hoxie S22 WaKeeney S29 at Otis-Bison O06 at Dighton O13 Hodgeman County O20 at Tribune O26 Triplains-Brewster SOUTH BARBER Matt Cantrell District 7 9-2 S01 at Pratt-Skyline S08 Norwich S15 at Burrton S22 at Argonia-Attica S29 Pretty Prairie O06 at Chase O13 Stafford O20 Ashland O26 at Bucklin SOUTH HAVEN Cody Wolf District 2 2-7 S01 Oxford S08 Flinthills S15 at Udall S22 at Cedar Vale-Dexter S29 Hartford O06 Burrton O13 at Hutch Central Christian O20 Caldwell O26 at Norwich SOUTHERN CLOUD Rick Hatfield District 4 0-9 S01 Sylvan-Lucas S11 at Axtell S15 Wilson S22 Blue Valley-Randolph S29 at Pike Valley O06 Linn O13 at Beloit-St. John’s O20 at Rock Hills O26 Tescott STAFFORD Jeff Ford District 7 1-8 S01 at Norwich S08 Burrton S15 at Hutch Central Christian S22 at Oxford S29 at Chase O06 Ashland

O13 at South Barber O20 Bucklin O26 at Pretty Prairie STOCKTON Phil Conyac District 5 4-6 S01 WaKeeney S08 at Hill City S15 Pike Valley S22 at Logan-Palco S29 Sylvan-Lucas O06 at Thunder Ridge O13 Wilson O20 Northern Valley O26 at Lakeside SYLVAN-LUCAS Ben Labertew District 5 6-3 S01 at Southern Cloud S08 Tescott S15 Lincoln S22 at Chase S29 at Stockton O06 Lakeside O13 at Northern Valley O20 at Thunder Ridge O26 Wilson TESCOTT Daymon Walker District 4 2-7 S01 Lincoln S08 at Sylvan-Lucas S15 Blue Valley-Randolph S22 at Wilson S29 Rock Hills O06 Beloit-St. John’s O13 at Pike Valley O20 Linn O26 at Southern Cloud THUNDER RIDGE Otis Hendryx District 5 0-9 S01 Osborne S08 at Pike Valley S15 at Logan-Palco S22 Bennington S29 at Wilson O06 Stockton O13 at Lakeside O20 Sylvan-Lucas O26 at Northern Valley TRIBUNE Kyle Finder District 6 3-6 S01 at Hoxie S08 Quinter S15 Rolla S22 at Deerfield S29 Hodgeman County O06 Otis-Bison O13 at Triplains-Brewster

O20 Sharon Springs O26 at Dighton TRIPLAINS-BREWSTER Brett Gfeller District 6 1-8 S01 at Logan-Palco S08 at St. Francis S15 Northern Valley S22 Leoti S29 Dighton O06 at Hodgeman County O13 Tribune O20 Otis-Bison O26 at Sharon Springs WAKEFIELD Chris Freeman District 3 7-3 S01 Goessel S08 at Peabody S15 at Little River S22 Canton-Galva S29 at Blue Valley-Randolph O06 Frankfort O13 at Axtell O20 at Hanover O26 Wetmore WAVERLY Mike Hevel District 1 6-4 S01 at Hartford S08 Southern Coffey S15 at Colony-Crest S22 at MdCV S29 Lebo O06 Pleasanton O13 Onaga O20 at Chetopa O26 Altoona-Midway WETMORE Rick Schnacker District 3 0-9 S01 at Valley Falls S08 Onaga S15 at Linn S22 at Madison S29 Hanover O06 Axtell O13 at Blue Valley-Randolph O20 Frankfort O26 at Wakefield WILSON Tony Brokes District 5 5-4 S01 at Rock Hills S08 at Chase S15 at Southern Cloud S22 Tescott S29 Thunder Ridge O06 Northern Valley O13 at Stockton O20 Lakeside O26 at Sylvan-Lucas

14B | Thursday, August 31, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal

AREA STARS CLASSES 3A, 2A, 8-MAN

CARLOS EMANUEL, HANOVER

RONALD FAULK-TINDAL, MAUR HILL 5-11, 195, SENIOR, RB/LB Faulk-Tindal had some pretty big shoes to fill in replacing Harry Trotter (a Louisville signee this year) as Maur Hill’s feature back. Safe to say, he did more than an admirable job of doing just that. Finishing the season with 1,810 total yards, Faulk-Tindal cranked out 1,495 yards on just 115 carries and scoring 21 touchdowns.

WORTH A LOOK

KEENAN BAIRD, SILVER LAKE

TRENTON FLENTIE, CENTRALIA

6-1, 180, SENIOR, S/WR After leading Silver Lake in receiving as a sophomore (35 catches, 667 yards, 8 TDs), Baird still ranked second on the team last year with 42 catches for 554 yards and 6 scores, while also playing a vital role as a downfield blocker. After making 79 tackles as a sophomore, Baird collected 54 stops and 5 interceptions a year ago.

PEYTON BALDWIN, LEBO

BLAKE ROBERTS, MISSION VALLEY

6-5, 300, SENIOR, NG/C Emanuel was a driving force for a Hanover defense which posted five shutouts and allowed just 72 points overall. Emanuel clogged the middle defensively, recording 70 tackles which ranked second on the team. He’ll play a bigger role on offense at center and is one of the strongest players in Kansas with a bench press of 455 pounds.

MITCHELL HENRY, NEMAHA CENTRAL

HARRISON BLASKE, VALLEY HEIGHTS

6-0, 170, SENIOR, FS/QB Versatility has been the name of Henry’s game. He earned first-team All-Big Seven League honors at running back with 600-plus yards and eight touchdowns, but also caught 25 passes for 426 yards and threw for 72 yards. He’ll settle in at quarterback this season, while returning to his safety spot on defense where he had 62 tackles.

SHELDON HULBERT, ROSSVILLE

6-3, 180, SENIOR, TE/LB Blaske’s makes for an ideal target in the passing game and he averaged 20.5 yards per catch a year ago. But Blaske’s strength is as a blocker and he helped Heights’ ground game amass nearly 4,000 total yards. The threeyear starter was a first-team All-Twin Valley League pick both ways and was the Mustangs’ leading tackler.

JACK BLUMER, MARYSVILLE

EVAN BOTT, LINN

6-3, 200, SENIOR, QB/OLB Moving to quarterback a year ago, Kimball settled into his new job quite nicey. Kimball picked apart defenses to the tune of 1,221 yards and 12 TDs passing and also added 456 yards rushing and 11 scores. He was in on 65 tackles and had 10.5 tackles for loss, earning second-team AllFlint Hills League honors both ways.

TRISTAN LEE, BURLINGAME

JOSH BOYD, SILVER LAKE

ELI MCWILLIAMS, NEMAHA CENTRAL

KOLBY DROEGEMEIER, WABAUNSEE

5-9, 275, SENIOR, OG/NG Quick feet to go with a strong upper body have made McWilliams one of the top blockers for one of 3A’s best offenses the past two seasons. McWilliams was a first-team All-Big Seven League pick on both sides of the ball and had 15 tackles while clogging up the middle for a Thunder defense which allowed just 11.6 points per game.

AARON MOSHER, WELLSVILLE

5-10, 170, SENIOR, RB/LB A standout wrestler for Wabaunsee, Droegemeier carries that hard-nosed attitude over to the gridiron. Droegemeier keyed Wabaunsee’s offense, rushing for 1,230 yards and 15 TDs to earn first-team All-Mid-East League honors. Third on the team in tackles from his corner spot a year ago, Droegemeier will move to outside linebacker this year.

DAMON SCHMIDT, OLPE 6-5, 190, SENIOR, QB/SS A standout basketball player for the Eagles, Schmidt picked off 10 passes combined as a sophomore and junior. Last year, he snagged six while making 55 tackles on his was to first-team All-Class 2-1A honors. Schmidt took over as Olpe’s QB midway through last season and threw for 600 yards and 7 TDs.

5-9, 179, SENIOR, RB/DB A four-year starter for the Bears, Schoenfeld earned first-team All-Mid-East League honors as a sophomore and junior at running back. Last year, he ran for a team-high 1,041 yards and 11 TDs, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Schoenfeld’s 60 tackles also ranked third on the team a year ago and he also had a team-high three interceptions.

5-9, 170, SENIOR, QB Sporing has been a key force in Burlingame’s consecutive 11-1 runs to the state semifinals. Last year, he ran for 1,221 yards and 30 TDs and threw for 1,431 yards and 32 scores on his way to All-Eight-Man Division I honors. The holder of 24 school records, Sporing will miss the early part of this season recovering from an ACL injury.

JOSEPH STOUT, CHASE COUNTY

5-10, 240, SENIOR, DE/OG A high motor not only makes Lee a devastating blocker for one of eight-man’s best offenses, but also a nightmare for opposing offenses. A starter since his freshman year, Lee had 119 tackles last year, including 14 for loss and 9 sacks and 57 quarterback hurries, and was a first-team All-Eight-Man Division I pick.

5-11, 210, SENIOR, LB The heart and soul of a Silver Lake defense which has allowed less than 100 rushing yards per game the past two years, Boyd has led the Eagles in tackles each year, making 127 stops a year ago after having 122 as a sophomore. The first-team All-Class 3A and two-time first-team All-Mid-East League selection also picked off three passes.

6-1, 200, JUNIOR, LB/OL On a team loaded with senior leaders, Rokey managed to become one of the Bluejays’ top defenders as a sophomore, leading the team in tackles with 88, including a team-high 26 solo stops. The first-team All-Big Seven League selection is a standout wrestler as well where he’s a two-time league champion and state qualifier.

DALTON SPORING, BURLINGAME

TUCKER KIMBALL, OSAGE CITY

6-0, 200, SENIOR, QB/RB/LB A starter at running back since his freshman year, Bott will make the move to quarterback for the Bulldogs this year. Bott has topped 1,000 yards on the ground each of the last two seasons. Adding 20 pounds and plenty of muscle in the offseason, the first-team All-Twin Valley League defensive pick also averaged 7 tackles per game.

5-10, 160, SENIOR, RB/DB Robertson was having a huge junior season until breaking his leg in week seven. Before going down, Robertson had rushed for 724 yards and 15 TDs, averaging 11.3 yards per carry. His talents might be stronger defensively where he’s made five career interceptions and earned defensive back MVP honors at the O-D Kansas City full contact camp.

TAEGAN SCHOENFELD, ST. MARYS

6-2, 180, SENIOR, LB/QB All eyes will be on Hulbert going into the season as he steps into the starting QB job, the focal point of Rossville’s offense which has produced two straight Top 11 selections. Hulbert has served as backup QB the past two years, but made his mark on defensively where he ranked second on the Bulldawgs in tackles last year with 129.

6-2, 175, SENIOR, QB Marysville went into the 2016 season with a question mark at quarterback and Blumer, who saw some time as a sophomore, delivered an emphatic answer, leading the North Central Kansas League in passing with 1,372 yards and 16 TDs to provide balance to the Bulldog offense. He also led the league in punting with a 37.9 average.

RIDGE ROBERTSON, JEFFERSON NORTH

CAUY ROKEY, SABETHA

5-9, 165, SENIOR, QB/FS A tough season for Centralia was even tougher for Flentie, who missed three games with an injury. The senior quarterback will look to build on what he started last year when he accumulated more than 1,500 yards rushing and passing despite the injury. He still managed first-team All-Twin Valley League honors at cornerback.

6-0, 185, SENIOR, WR/LB Coming off a solid season as a sophomore starter, Baldwin quickly emerged as Lebo’s go-to target in its passing game and finished his junior season as a first-team All-Eight-Man Division II selection at receiver. He hauled in 49 catches for 746 yards and 13 TDs and also added a combined 344 yards and 6 TDs rushing and passing.

5-8, 185, SENIOR, RB/LB A four-year starter on offense for the Vikings, Roberts served as more than effective complement to departed quarterback Clay Phillips. Roberts has run for nearly 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons and should become the focal point of a new-look offense this year. Defensively, he was in on 69 tackles last year.

6-3, 240, SENIOR, OL/DL Chase County enjoyed a bit of a revival in 2016 and Stout was a key factor. A two-way unanimous All-Flint Hills League selection, Stout had 81 tackles (54 solos), 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks in a breakout season in which he earned first-team All-Class 2-1A honors. He’ll be one of the top linemen in 2-1A again this year.

DEXTON SWINEHART, LYNDON 5-10, 165, SENIOR, QB/RB/S Lyndon’s offensive philosophy is simple: Get the ball in Swinehart’s hands. In Swinehart’s two years starting as he’s already racked up more than 3,900 combined rushing and receiving yards. With 2,754 yards rushing and 1,165 receiving in his career, Swinehart has a shot at breaking both career school records (3,446 rushing, 1,199 receiving).

JACOB ZIEGENHIRT, COUNCIL GROVE

6-0, 245, SENIOR, C/DE A rare starter as a freshman on Wellsville’s offensive line, Mosher hasn’t left the lineup since, handling the center duties for an Eagle program which has routinely made deep playoff runs in Class 3A. A two-time first-team All-Pioneer League pick, Mosher has paved the way for three different 1,000-yard backs in the Eagle offense.

5-9, 255, SENIOR, OT/DT A unanimous All-Flint Hills League selection both ways a year ago, Ziegenhirt is, as coach Nathan Teichgraeber calls him, “a beast on the field and in the weight room.” The numbers back it up as Ziegenhirt hit 550 max squat in the preseason and has a 335 bench. His 49 tackles tied for third on the team a year ago.

Staying: Hanover boasts 114-25 record under Heuer Continued from 1B

key players in last year’s title run, there are enough question marks to have many wondering if Rossville can make it four straight. If Rossville has holes, Troy has craters as it begins its Class 2-1A title defense. Only two players who saw any significant varsity time a year ago are back as Troy graduated a 13-member senior class that coach Derek Jasper called “the most celebrated class in school history in all sports.” Like Rossville, the Trojans spent the entirety of their existence trying to capture the program’s first state title, finally getting it done last year. It wasn’t an overnight deal, either. Jasper felt he had a handful of teams with enough talent to capture a state title, only to see the bid fall short. But the program persevered and stairstepped its way to a championship. A quarterfinal trip in 2013 was followed by a semifinal showing in 2014. Then came a runner-up finish to Phillipsburg in 2015, a game in which the Trojans were a two-point conversion away from securing the crown. And finally last year, Troy ran the table

and edged past Plainville 28-24 to complete the journey. “Last year was the final step,” Jasper said. “We did it the right way, took another step each year and paid our dues. Last year it all culminated in being able to all fall in place and made it very satisfactory.” With 10 playoff wins in the past four years, Troy has proven itself as a perennial contender in Class 2-1A. Yet as the 2017 season approaches, Jasper senses his program must prove itself all over again given its personnel losses, namely Top 11 All-State selection Cuttar Huss. “When you hear people in our own town talking like we might not win a game this fall, I think that’s motivation for our players to prove them wrong,” Jasper said. “We still have some good players. We’re certainly not as talented of a team as we’ve had, but kids that have seen winning and been a part of winning, they know what you have to do to achieve that and that helps in the offseason in getting kids in the weight room. It’s something that’s just expected now and not something we have to beg them to do. “People are excited about Trojan football now and they don’t want to be the team that falls off

the map.” Graduation claimed a talented senior class at Hanover as well, including record-setting quarterback Will Bruna and defensive standout Adam Zarybnicky, among others. For Wildcat coach Matt Heuer, however, it’s just something he’s become accustomed to dealing with during his tenure, now entering its 13th season. Hanover is 114-25 under his watch and reloading has simply become a way of life. So even though Hanover will have some big holes to fill, Heuer is confident his team can do it and maintain the high level of play the program has enjoyed. “This program, over the last 10 years or so, has done a really good job of coming in as freshmen and realizing, ‘We may not see the field this year, but let’s put in the work in because we don’t want to be the group as seniors who lets the community down,’” he said. “Our group has done a really good job of taking the mentality of ‘next man up.’ In a small town, you need everybody on the team whether it’s the littlest guy out there or the biggest, baddest one that’s getting all the reps. Everyone’s important because at some point, whether it’s this year or next year or whenever, everybody’s

going to take on a role extremely important for the team.” Hanover spent the two years prior to last year’s state title — the program’s fourth overall — agonizingly close to championship seasons. In 2014 and 2015, the Wildcats took undefeated records into the Eight-Man Division I title game only to see the seasons end with losses, first to Central Plains and then to Spearville. As tough as the losses were, denying the program its first crown since back-to-back Division II titles in 2008 and 2009, Heuer said the hardships were a driving force behind last year’s title season, a dominating 12-0 run capped by a 68-22 rout of Dighton in the title game. “After the 2014 and 2015 seasons, it’s not that the kids were disappointed with what they did, but at the same time I feel like it added a little bit fuel to the fire and you could see a little bit different attitude throughout the season last year,” he said. “They refused to take a day off because they knew what we’d done the last two years wasn’t quite good enough.” With seven starters back this year, Hanover is far more equipped than Rossville or Troy to defend its title. But none of

the three coaches are willing to concede anything one way or the other. “You keep the same mentality,” Heuer said. “You definitely preach that you can’t become complacent as a football team. I think the kids understand what happened last year is great and when you get out of high school it’s one of those things you’ll cherish for your entire life. But this year’s a different story and a different team and you want to create your own identity as a football team.” Jasper and Hammes agreed. “A winning mentality has been instilled and that will go a long ways,” Jasper said. “There’s a certain level of confidence from the past success that gives us a little bit of an edge over teams who haven’t experience what we have yet. I hope that will help us this year.” “It’s been fun staying at the top, I can tell you that,” Hammes said. “Every group has its challenges and it’s our jobs as coaches to figure out how the pieces fit. Along the way, it’s our kids’ jobs to figure out their roles as well. That’s the fun part of it. “Staying on top has been a lot of fun, but more importantly for me is how we’ve gotten it done. That’s what I’ve enjoyed.”