VYPE Kansas – State Football Recap 2021 – Special Edition

2021 VYPE STATE FOOTBALL RECAP SPECIAL EDITION

THREE-PEAT ANDALE DOMINATES 3A TITLE GAME

LITTLE RIVER

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ANDALE

ANDOVER CENTRAL

DERBY

MAIZE

INMAN

BELOIT

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2021 Circle of the Stars Banquet

Circle of the Stars held its annual banquet on Wednesday, December 8 at the Wichita Brewing Company Event Center, after not holding a ceremony last season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Players were nominated from each class over the eight weeks of the regular season, and then the most impressive performance from each class was given an award.

The guest speakers for this year’s banquet were two-time Super Bowl Champion, Pepper Johnson and Leadership Coach and Move the Ball Forward podcast host Jennifer Garrett.

Johnson’s message he gave the players was learn something from each and every person you meet.

Circle of the Stars President Eric Anderson said it was a special night for the athletes that were recognized.

“Last night was an awesome time,” Anderson said. “I got a chance to meet some of the best players in Kansas. Chris Lilly from KAKE News was an amazing host. Jennifer Garrett and Pepper Johnson gave inspirational speech that resonated with the audience. The best part of the night for me was after the event was over several of the kids went over to Pepper asking how they could get better. I thought that was amazing.”

The following players were the Circle of the Stars award winners: 6A- Dylan Edwards, Derby 5A- Avery Johnson, Maize 4A- Sam Elliott, Buhler 3A- Harrison Voth, Cheney 2A- Nolan Freund, Kingman 1A- Lance Hoffsommer, Sedgwick 8-Man- Tyson Struber, Canton-Galva

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The journey to the state championship game There were so many memorable moments for the state championship teams throughout the playoffs. From Maize’s comeback wins over Bishop Carroll and Kapaun Mount Carmel to Little River’s shootout victory over Canton-Galva, there were plenty of entertaining games on the path to state.

6A - Derby had its hands full against Lawrence Free-State in the quarterfinals, as the Firebirds tried to run the football and control the clock. It worked for a significant portion of the game, but Mercer Thatcher’s late touchdown secured the win for the Panthers, who would go on to cruise past Lawrence High School in the semifinals.

5A - While Kapaun Mount Carmel did not get back to the title game for the first time since 1987, the Crusaders played one of the most memorable games of the 2021 season in the quarterfinals against Wichita Northwest. The Grizzlies led by 18 points late into the third quarter before Kapaun scored 21 unanswered points capped off by the go-ahead touchdowns from Omari Elias late in the fourth quarter.

-Before Maize’s comeback win over Kapaun in the semifinals, the Eagles had to do nearly the same thing against Bishop Carroll in round two of the playoffs. With 30 seconds remaining, Avery Johnson’s final of four touchdowns gave Maize the 27-21 lead and the Eagles then defeated Hays in the quarterfinals.

-Kapaun’s victory over Northwest and Maize’s victory over Hays set up the 5A West semifinal classic that featured a back and fourth contest with big plays being made

by Elias and Johnson. The Crusaders took a 21-14 late in the fourth quarter after Elias punched the ball in from the goal line (his third touchdown of the game), but too much time was left for Johnson. He marched the Eagles down the field in less than two minutes and the go-ahead touchdown was completed to Jaeden Martin with 1:36 left.

Maize coach Gary Guzman chose to go for the two-point conversion, which was scored on Landon Helm’s run. Maize won 22-21.

4A - There was very little drama for Andover Central throughout its run in the playoffs. The Jaguars averaged nearly 47 points per game in their four playoff victories, while also shutting out two opponents.

3A - Much like Andover Central, Andale was a machine during the playoffs. The Indians averaged 48.7 points per game during their four games, while also giving up just two points in their first two games of the postseason.

2A - Beloit had to hold on for dear life in its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups.

The Trojans jumped out to a 32-7 lead over Hillsboro in the quarterfinals thanks to Benson Berndt’s 241 rushing yards. Beloit defeated Hillsboro 32-27 In the semifinals, Kingman cut Beloit’s lead to 22-19 with just over a minute remaining, but the Trojans recovered the onside kick to preserve the victory and a bid in the title game.

1A - Inman trailed Sedgwick 21-6 at one point in the semifinals before rattling off 20 unanswered points for the 26-21 victory. Jace Doerkson hit Eli Brunk for a 64-yard touchdown reception that moved the Teutons into the championship game. Sedgwick had the ball deep in Inman’s territory twice which could have given more cushion but came away without scoring.

8-Man Division I - Little River and Canton-Galva played one of the most entertaining games in recent history in the semifinals. The Eagles led 46-34 late in the third quarter, but the Redskins kicked their offense into another gear as they led 6260 midway through the third quarter. While Canton-Galva cut its deficit to 70-68 late in the fourth quarter, it was unable to grab the lead. Braxton Lafferty of Little River racked up 314 yards and five touchdowns for Little River, while Tyson Struber of Canton-Galva scored four touchdowns. vype - 2021 state football recap VYPE_2021_StateFootball.indd 5

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Complete Domination

Written by Matt Browning

Andale cruises to third straight title As the seconds wound off the clock in his team’s 53-0 victory over Frontenac in the Class 3A State Championship game, Andale coach Dylan Schmidt did not find himself overly emotional or sentimental about the Indians’ performance.

In fact, not long after the clock hit zeros and the Indians were awarded their third consecutive championship plaque, Schmidt and his staff began thinking about how to win the next one.

That has become the mentality of one of the state’s most dominant programs: winning one state championship is great, but how can we win another and another and another?

The 2021 championship was the school’s sixth state football championship.

“Our program has become so focused on the next win and we keep grinding towards that,” Schmidt said. “The older I get I appreciate the wins and take time to enjoy it. But then we need to put our heads down and keep grinding.”

This past season was the most dominant in Andale’s three-peat.

The Indians averaged over 53 points per game, while holding their opponents to slightly more than five points per game.

“You’re kind of scratching and clawing a little bit more, but there’s benefits, too. The kids and the parents know the routine, and there’s a proven model, so it’s a little easier with certain things. It’s like raising kids — you have the daily battles because you want to get them to do the right thing.”

It was no different when Frontenac, which upset Holton in the semifinals, proved to be little resistance for Andale’s potent rushing offense. The Indians finished with 570 total yards, with Gage Prosser rushing for 164 yards and Cody Parthemer rushing for 154 more.

“It’s fun when you have kids who buy into what you’re doing, and coaches and parents, too. I don’t know if it gets harder because they’re all hard. Sometimes you worry that people take it for granted.”

Owen Eck, Riley Marx, Wyatt Spexarth and Jonah Eck each added rushing touchdowns, too.

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Defensively, Andale stymied Frontenac in dominating fashion as the Indians held the Raiders to 45 yards on 48 plays.

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Photos: Jim Ast

Andale led 18-0 at half, which made Schmidt a little anxious, but his team took any doubt away quickly in the third quarter when they scored 27 points.

“In the second half, we kick off, they go into the wind,” Schmidt said. “We stop them three and out, they punt away, and we get a good field.”

“First play from scrimmage, we score. We did that three times in a row. That’s what broke it open for us.”

Schmidt said this team was different than previous seasons because there was no stress on or off the field.

“This team stood out to me because of their selflessness,” Schmidt said. “We had no off the field stuff and they were focused on winning. We don’t post stats or anything like that and the kids don’t care.”

What has to be a terrifying thought for the rest of Class 3A is that Andale returns a significant number of starters next year.

The Indians will bring back nine first or second team all-league players voted on by the coaches.

While that is obviously important to Schmidt and his staff, it won’t stop the grind to get better and to win number four.

“You’re doing everything you can think of to get them to perform at a high level, to perform better,” Schmidt said. “If you can get everyone to think the same way and put their best effort in, there will be success. We say a lot around here that you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you earn. We’ve heard people say that you’re so lucky because of this, this and this. No, that’s not the case. We work hard for that. We’ve earned that.”

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1A RECAP Written by Matt Browning

Olpe dominated Inman 35-6 in the Class 1A State Championship game. It was the Eagles second consecutive title.

Olpe scored on the opening possession of the game and never looked back.

Inman got on the board in the second quarter to pull within a point, but the Eagles immediately responded with a scoring drive of their own, capped off with a goal line run in for a score by Damon Redeker.

The Eagles held a commanding 21-6 lead going into halftime.

Olpe added to its lead in the second half and Inman never threatened again.

Olpe finished the season a perfect 13-0 record. This is the third football state championship win in the school’s history.

2A RECAP Written by Blake Chadwick

Rossville, another team who got to defend its state championship, jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

Beloit answered after the second Rossville touchdown with a 1-yard run to get within 14-6.

Rossville led 21-6 at halftime and never looked back.

The Bulldawgs continued to ball out as they went on to win 35-12 and complete the back-to-back feat.

This is the fifth Rossville state championship since 2014.

4A RECAP Written by Blake Chadwick

As another team got to defend their championship, St. James Academy took on the Andover Central Jaguars.

The Jaguars started out solid with a 14-0 lead, getting two rushing touchdowns from Ashton Barkdull.

St. James wasn’t out of it, though, as the Thunder went down and knotted the score back up a fter a Taive Watts touchdown, a blocked punt and then another Watts touchdown.

Barkdull scored his third rushing touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter.

St. James quarterback Jackson House threw for his second touchdown with a pass to Tyler Claiborne.

With the score knotted at 21 entering the fourth quarter, St. James drove down and scored to go up by seven.

Central tried to bounce back, but St. James did not budge and eventually got another crucial stop, held the ball and won their second straight state championship.

“Playing in this state championship, we played as one, as brothers and our chemistry couldn’t have been any better, I am blessed to be a Jaguar,” Andover Central senior quarterback Kai Kunz said.

St. James lost their first four games, but coach Tom Radke installed a championship DNA in his kids, and it showed as they went back-to-back, winning their final nine games.

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5A RECAP Written by Blake Chadwick

The Maize Eagles took on the defending champion Mill Valley Jaguars as they looked to win their first state championship in school history.

Mill Valley jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after a Riece Kennedy rushing touchdown on the opening drive, and a Hayden Jay quarterback keeper after the defense picked off Maize quarterback Avery Johnson.

After halftime Mill Valley scored again halfway through the third to make the score 20-0.

Maize bounced back with its own 14-0 run making the game super tight going into the last few minutes of the game.

Mill Valley scored once again and converted a two-point conversion to put a damper on the Eagles’ comeback.

The Jaguars completed the three-peat with a 28-14 win.

6A RECAP Written by Blake Chadwick

The Derby Panthers came into the game with all of the hype and pressure to become state champions for the fourth straight year.

Blue Valley Northwest had other plans as the Huskies executed every part of their game plan to a T. Quarterback Mikey Pauley had his way all day with the Panther defense as he and the offense orchestrated excellent offensive drives.

The Huskies jumped out to a 28-0 lead, which was an absolute haymaker to Derby.

Derby was able to get on the scoreboard with a 39-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Mercer Thatcher, but Pauley and the Huskies methodically drove their way right back down the field to take a 35-7 lead.

Derby added two more touchdowns from junior running back Dylan Edwards, who finished with 172 rushing yards on 26 carries.

But it wasn’t enough as the Huskies continued to keep the Panthers at arms reach.

Pauley rushed for four touchdowns and threw for another as he led the Huskies to their first state championship in school history, a remarkable feat for a team that was 0-9 just four years ago.

8-MAN RECAP Written by Blake Chadwick

Little River looked to knock off Meade and go back-to-back.

Meade had other plans, though, as the Buffaloes scored on the first play from scrimmage to take an early 8-0 lead.

Same thing happened on the next drive, as Meade scored again on the first play of the drive to take a 16-0 lead.

Little River got on the board before the end of the first quarter with the score 16-6.

Both teams exchanged scores before halftime with Little River gaining a little bit of comfort in the game.

Thanks to a second half stalemate, Meade was able to knock off Little River and win a state championship.

Meade beat Little River 22-14.

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Wichita Large School Player of the Year Written by Matt Browning

Zach Morford of Wichita Northwest was voted the Wichita Large School Player of the Year. Morford received over 11,500 votes, which was more than 30 percent of the overall vote.

“The feeling of having the most votes even when I wasn’t on the list to begin with was very remarkable,” said Morford, who was a write-in vote.

Morford, who was selected as a first team all-league linebacker, took great pride in being a playmaker for the Grizzlies.

“Some highlights from my senior year, I would have to say, was being a playmaker left and right side of the field while punishing teams that ran my way,” Morford said. “A memorable moment this year was coming out on my last home game opener against Bishop Carroll with a packed crowd while making big time plays in their backfield.”

Morford recorded 55 tackles, caused two fumbles (one he recovered) and then had two pass breakups. There was one particular game’s stats that stood out to him.

“A performance I won’t forget was our fourth game win against East High, 56-0,” Morford said. “I dominated their offense through out the game with seven solo tackles, ten total tackles, two TFL’s, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup, and a huge form tackle slam. I was rewarded as defense player of the game by the coaching staff.”

Photo by Zach Morford

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Next season, Morford is hopeful to continue his football or wrestling career while focusing on studying marketing.

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Wichita Small School Player of the Year Written by Matt Browning

Reed Adelhardt of Garden Plain was voted the Wichita Small School Player of the Year. Adelhardt received more than 15,000 votes, which was 49 percent of the overall vote.

“There were a lot of very talented players on the list,” Adelhardt said. “Anytime I receive an award I feel very blessed. It means a lot to me that I have great family and friends who support me in everything I do.”

The family connection with the program is the one aspect to the season Adelhardt will remember the most. His father, Dan, is the head coach of Garden Plain.

“The most memorable parts of my season would be the locker room after a win and having my dad coach me through my high school career,” Adelhardt said.

Adelhardt had one of the best seasons of any running back in the state, as he was voted to the Wichita Small School All-VYPE team. He was also a starting linebacker, where he earned all-league honors.

Photo by Reed Adelhardt

He finished with 2,209 all-purpose yards, 1,847 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns. On defense, he had 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble.

“I am happy that I stayed healthy and played both sides of the ball and special teams,” Adelhardt said.

Adelhardt also participates in wrestling and baseball and next year he wants to play football in college and major in construction management.

LETTERJACKETS & MUCH MORE EMBROIDERY - UNIFORMS - SCREENPRINTING

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Salina Area Player of the Year Written by Matt Browning

Keyan Miller of Concordia was voted the Salina Area Player of the Year. Miller received 1,400 votes, which was nearly 48 percent of the overall vote.

“Honestly it means a lot to me for receiving the most votes,” Miller said. “At the beginning of this year I had set a lot of goals for myself and one of those was to be a player of the year and watching all of my hard work start to pay off is just really exciting.”

The Panthers had many goals as a team this season and Miller said one of the goals they accomplished was the most memorable moment of the season.

“I would say that the most memorable moment this football season was winning the regional championship,” Miller said. “As a team we had put in a lot of work on and off the field and seeing us finally accomplish a goal that we had set for ourselves as a team was amazing.”

Miller was chosen for the Salina Area All-VYPE team as a running back and finished with 1,721 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 222 receiving yards and three scores.

Concordia’s game with Marysville is one game that stood out to Miller.

“Personally I had around 200 rushing yards and a couple touchdowns,” Miller said. “But I am more proud about how our team played and how we came back through adversity to play as a family and pick each other up play after play to help us come out with a win.”

Miller hopes to continue his football career next season and wants to commit to a program that feels like home.

Photo by Keyan Miller

Thank you Derby High for another fantastic football season!

Derby’s

Dylan Edwards 2001 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year

Todd Benway, State Farm Agent Derby 958 N Buckner St. Derby, KS (316) 788-1964

Here to help life go right

Derby’s star running back Dylan Edwards was named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. Edwards is the second player from Derby to be given the award, as Lem Wash won it last year.

This season, Edwards rushed for 2,603 yards and 38 touchdowns, while leading the Panthers to the Class 6A championship game.

He also caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown and returned two punts and a kickoff for a touchdown.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Edwards as Kansas’ best high school football player.

He will now be up for the National Gatorade Player of the Year award.

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ALL

Teams

Wichita Large School (Class 6A-4A) OFFENSE QB Avery Johnson, Maize RB Dylan Edwards, Derby RB Sam Elliott, Buhler WR Hunter Seier, Mulvane WR Caquoy Patterson, Wichita East TE Will Anciaux, Kapaun Mount Carmel OL Alex Key, Derby OL Dylan Conn, Derby OL Drew Daniel, Andover Central OL Kevyan Stallings, Wichita Northwest OL Brandon Kerr, Maize ATH Omari Elias, Kapaun Mount Carmel

SPECIAL TEAMS K Jack Duarte, Wichita Collegiate P Nolan Freund, Kingman RET Izic Billups, Conway Springs Offensive Player of the Year: Riley Marx, Andale Defensive Player of the Year: Cody Parthemer, Andale Coach of the Year: Dylan Schmidt, Andale

DEFENSE DL Nathan Carter, Wichita Northwest DL Bo Van Bruggen, Buhler DL Andon Carptenter, Derby DL Caden Miranda, Maize LB Miles Wash, Derby LB Dillon Savage, Andover Central LB Cody Hawks, Eisenhower DB Tobi Osunsanmi, Wichita East DB Issac Schmitz, Kapaun Mount Carmel DB Noah Garcia, Andover Central DB Mason Ellis, Mulvane

Salina Area (All Classes)

SPECIAL TEAMS K Cole Segraves, Maize P Kaden Claassen, Wichita Heights RET Tayton Klein, Andover Offensive Player of the Year: Dylan Edwards, Derby Defensive Player of the Year: Miles Wash, Derby Coach of the Year: Gary Guzman, Maize

Wichita Small School (Class 3A-8-Man) OFFENSE QB Lance Hoffsommer, Sedgwick RB Cody Parthemer, Andale RB Reed Adelhardt, Garden Plain WR Luke Grace, Cheney WR Jackson Swartz, Chaparral TE Alec Pfaff, Andale OL Beau Kerschen, Andale OL Austin Harjo, Sedgwick OL Jack Krauss, Andale OL Garrett McGaskill, Andale OL Bryce Gibbs, Clearwater ATH Harrison Voth, Cheney

DEFENSE DL Riley Marx, Andale DL Zane Zoglman, Conway Springs DL Connor Tillman, Sedgwick DL Peyton Hays, Cheney LB Drew Charboneau, Wichita Collegiate LB Logan Spexarth, Andale LB Ivan Lies, Andale DB Cole Watkins, Kingman DB Ryan Stucky, Sedgwick DB Wesley Fair, Wichita Collegiate DB Ashtun Villagomez, Wichita Collegiate

OFFENSE QB Parker Kavanaugh, Salina Central RB Benson Berndt, Beloit RB Keyan Miller, Concordia WR Tyson Struber, Canton-Galva WR Chase Poague, Southeast of Saline TE Haven Lysell-Stewart, Smoky Valley OL Angel Luna, Salina Central OL Braxton Bailey, McPherson OL Dalton Owen, Concordia OL Kaden Schafer, Little River OL Colt Sell, Chapman ATH Eli Reigel, Chapman DEFENSE DL Phillip Doeble, Hanover DL Brennan Walker, Beloit DL Dawson Mannebach, Inman DL Grady Seyfort, Beloit LB Braxton Lafferty, Little River LB Kyler Konrade, Inman LB Matt Rodriguez, Southeast of Saline DB Jace Doerkson, Inman DB Tanner Heckel, Inman DB Luke Gebhardt, Southeast of Saline DB Matthew Potucek, Hillsboro SPECIAL TEAMS K Dylan Bice, Thunder Ridge P Chasyn Vogan, Minneapolis RET Kendyn Blank, Inman Offensive Player of the Year: Tyson Struber, Canton-Galva Defensive Player of the Year: Jace Doerkson, Inman Coach of the Year: Lance Sawyer, Inman

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IT ALL STARTS WITH ONE CLASS ENROLL NOW FOR SPRING

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