Kansas Pregame 2012

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Previews for over 250 Kansas Prep and College football teams!

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Fort Hays was a place where the traditions and survival of the Plains Indians collided with the goals and dreams of a quickly growing nation. Fort Hays was an important U.S. Army post that was active from 1865 until 1889.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John Denny served at Fort Hays from January 1882 to December 1884. He and other African American Buffalo Soldiers are part of the rich Fort Hays history that includes names like Generals George A. Custer, Nelson Miles, and Philip Sheridan; Major Marcus Reno; William Buffalo Bill Cody; and James B. Wild Bill Hickok.

Established in 1865 in the land of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the fort protected railroad workers and travelers on the Smoky Hill Trail. See the soldiers clothing, weapons, and personal items, including George Custers dumbbell forged by the forts blacksmith. Learn more about the soldiers and the people they were protecting when you visit Fort Hays.

For a complete guide to all there is to see and do in Hays visit

www.haysusa.com, or, Like the Hays Convention and Visitors

Bureau page on Facebook.

ABOUT HISTORIC FORT HAYS

John Baetz Publisher Co-owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., Publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine and Kansas Mat Preview. Baetz is a former assistant football coach at Lincoln, Trego and Russell High Schools and Co-Host of the Kansas Pregame Radio Show.

Bree McReynolds-Baetz Publisher Co-owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co., publishers of Kansas Pregame Football Magazine and Kansas Mat Preview.

Our Mission 1. Promote the sport of football in the state of Kansas.

2. Recognize outstanding coaches, players, programs and fans in the state of Kansas for their contributions to the game of football.

3. Support training programs which develop football fundamentals at all prep levels (youth, jr. high, and high school).

4. Encourage excellent sportsmanship.

5. Encourage safety on both the field of play and in the stands.

6. Embrace our role as the complete information resource for football in the state of Kansas.

Layout and Design: Kayla Kvacik, Tyler Gier

Kansas Pregame Editor: Melanie McGee

Sponsorship Sales: John Baetz, Tyler Gier, James Westling

Contributing writers: Dean Backes, Harold Bechard, Conor Nicholl, Mark Schremmer, Kenny Titus, James Westling,

Tom Witherspoon

Contributing photographers: Mark McCoy, Marion McReynolds, Dena Sorensen, Jim Williams

Acknowledgments: With a project of this size and scope we cant possibly thank all the people that have contributed, but a special thanks goes out to the school secretaries, athletic directors, coaches and parents

who helped us secure team information. Thank you to the advertisers who made this possible - without your support this publication would

not be a reality. To all those involved with the completion of this publication in any way, thank you.

Mail inquiries to [email protected] or Kansas Pregame, PO Box 186, Lincoln, KS 67455

Publication date: Volume 7, August 10, 2012

Cant find a free copy in your area? Visit http://kpreps.com/magazine.php to order your copy.

Kansas Pregame Football Magazine was founded by John and Bree Baetz and Tim McGonagle in 2005.

Kansas Pregame - Twice as nice for 2012 Welcome to Kansas Pregame 2012, still the most complete preseason football magazine for Kansas, but now with TWO special high school cover features focused on some of the top teams and players across the Sunflower State.

Our third annual cover shoot features a top player from each of the seven foot - ball classifications in Kansas along with the head coach of emerging 5A power Emporia, Dustin Delaney. Delaney was joined by two of his top players; three- year o-line starter Sean Ford, and Oklahoma State commit Jerel Morrow.

The cover shoot was hosted by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce at the historic steam locomotive in Salinas Kenwood Park. Salina, at the intersection of I-70 and I-135 in Kansas, is a growing community that plays host to the Class 4A State Championship as well as the Womens National Junior College Basketball Championship Tournament. A different Salina area attraction is pro - filed with each player feature at the start of individual class sections. For more information about Salina go to www.visitsalina.org, the Chambers official web - site, which features all the great things Salina has to offer.

And, new for 2012, a second special cover feature. The two page flip-out inside cover features a special group photo and introduces our profiles of some emerg - ing powers from western Kansas in our How the West Was Won! feature.

Coaches and players from Garden City, Hays High, Scott City, La Crosse, Plainville, Stanton County, Ness City and Otis-Bison made the trip to historic Fort Hays for this special photo shoot. Hosted by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, the historic Fort made a magnificent backdrop for this unique feature. For more on all that Hays has to offer visit www.haysusa.com.

In addition to these exciting features enjoy our class overviews, preseason rank - ings, top players, schedules and over 250 high school and college capsules pro - viding the most accurate and complete preview of the 2012 football season.

Its an exciting time for Kansas football fans. Players like Olathe Souths Braden Smith, Hiawathas Peyton Newell, and Gardner-Edgertons Traevohn Wrench have the Kansas recruiting class of 2014 on the national radar and with the defending NCAA DII Champs Pittsburg State, high expectations for K-State, two of the top JUCO programs in the country in Butler and Hutch, and the addi - tion of Charlie Weis and Dayne Crist at KU, this may be the most anticipated Kansas college football season in state history.

Let Kansas Pregame get you ready for the 2012 season and use it, and Kpreps.com, as a guide for all things Kansas football from now until the end of November.

And, as always, let the players play, the coaches coach, the officials officiate, and be a great fan of Kansas football in 2012 and beyond.

Sincerely,

John Baetz, Publisher, Kansas Pregame Football Magazine [email protected] www.Kpreps.com

O N THE C O VER C a n t S top This Tra in - The 2012 K a n sa s

Preg a m e cover shoot wa s hosted b y the

S a lin a Area C ha m b er of C om m erce a t the historic stea m

locom otive in S a lin a s K en wood Pa rk. S even

of the sta tes top p la yers a lon g w ith Em p oria coa ch Du stin Dela n ey a n d key S p a rta n s Jerel M orrow a n d S ea n Ford a re p rofiled in fea tu res in clu d ed a t the in tro to ea ch cla ss p review

section .

Pictu red on the cover, fron t row (L-R): Blu e Va lleys C la y Rhod es,

Em p oria s Jerel M orrow, Em p oria coa ch Du stin Dela n ey,

Em p oria s S ea n Ford , a n d C on w a y S p rin g s

Ta n n er W ood . Ba ck row: C olon y-C rests K yle

Ha m m on d , La w ren ces Bra d S tra u ss, Ba sehor- Lin wood s Ben John son (sea ted ), S ou th Ha ven s Au stin S howm a n , a n d Lyn d on s Da kota Jiskra .

(Photo by Dena Sorensen)

K a n sa s Preg a m e, Volu m e 7 Pa g e 1

Ho w the W est W a s W o n !

PAGE 4

C la ss 6 A PAGE 25

C la ss 5 A PAGE 36

C la ss 4 A PAGE 51

C la ss 3 A PAGE 70

C la ss 2-1A PAGE 87

8-M a n D-I PAGE 101

8-M a n D-II PAGE 116

S ched u les PAGE 130

Photo by Marion McReynolds

K a n sa s Preg a m e, Vo lu m e 7 Pa g e 3

HIGH SCHOOL


Western Kansas is often characterized by declining populations lost to the eastern cities and flat, wind-swept ter - rains. Whats lost in these characteri - zations is the sense of community pride felt by so many in the western half of the state, and nowhere is this more evi - dent than Friday nights in the fall when most any western Kansas community can be found rallied around its local football team under the lights of a mod - est football field.

Western Kansas football programs are built on the backs of hard-nosed farm boys who spend their summer mornings putting up pounds in the weight room and their afternoons putting up hay. This work ethic and commitment to doing things the right way often translates into outstanding football teams, and in 2012 it appears a number of emerging western Kansas programs could challenge for state titles.

This year, Kansas Pregame takes a look at eight different emerging western Kansas powers hoping to breakthrough and win state titles.

Former Garden City Community College offensive coordinator Brian Hill has the Garden City Buffaloes on the verge of something special in Class 6A.

Liberal native and former La Crosse Leopard coach Ryan Cornlesen has the Hays High Indians expecting big things in 5A after taking an early exit from the playoffs at the hands of state super - power Hutch last year.

Scott Citys Glenn ONeil hopes to

Kansas Pregame b y Jo hn Ba etz finally get the Beavers over the hump

this season and find their way to the 3A title game come late November.

La Crosses Jon Webster will use the agony of a narrow loss in the 2-1A title game to try and make a return trip, and this time come home with a trophy.

Plainvilles Joe Simon and Stanton Countys Bret Kendrick will be simi - larly driven after their teams exited the 2-1A playoffs by one touchdown mar - gins.

Fiery young coach Chris Bamberger hopes the lessons of Kevin Ayers and Bill Snyder will help deliver an expe - rienced Ness City team an 8-Man Divison I title while Travis Starr and the Otis-Bison Cougars think a deeper run in 8-Man Division II is imminent, despite the loss of one of the most suc - cessful senior classes in Cougar history.

Is this the year that one of these eight teams breaks through and wins a state championship? Read the features that follow, and you decide.

Head coaches and three or four of the top players from these eight programs made the trip to historic Fort Hays in early June to participate in our first ever two page inside cover shot.

Historic Fort Hays, located just south of the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays, was an important U.S. Army Post active from 1865 to 1889 and now is pre - served as a museum of Kansas military history.

For more information visit http:// www.kshs.org/p/fort-hays-about/15836.

The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau was host for the special photo shoot. For a complete look at all there is to see and do in Hays, Kansas, visit: www.haysusa.com.

Garden City Buffaloes

Hays High Indians

Scott City Beavers

La Crosse Leopards

Plainville Cardinals

Stanton County Trojans

Ness City Eagles

Otis-Bison Cougars


Left to right: Taylor Foley, Ben Blood, Head Coach Brian Hill, Adres Rivas, and Brady Bean. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

In 2010, Brian Hill took over the Garden City High School football pro - gram, a team that had posted three straight four-win seasons and hadnt had a winning record since it reached the Class 6A sub-state championship in 05.

That fall, Hill led the Buffs to a 5-5 record, but Garden City probably should have had a winning season. The program had trouble in close games. Garden City lost 16-14 to Scott City, 21-13 to Great Bend, beat Goddard 28-26, but then fell to rival Dodge City in the annual Hatchet Game, 29-26.

Last fall, Garden City split its first two contests and then lost another close game, 14-7, to Great Bend.

We were just kind of wondering, Hill said.

The next week, Garden City broke through and started a six-game winning streak with a 24-21 last-minute victory on the road against Hays High, an even - tual Class 5A playoff team.

Carlos Chavez kicked the game- winning field goal with 2:10 left in the game and the Buffs defense kept HHS from mounting a drive on the Indians final possession. It marked the first time Garden City had beaten Hays High since

For Kansas Pregame b y C o n o r N icho ll

Continued on page 6

Garden City - 1606 E. Kansas Ave., 620-275-4281 Dodge City - First Ave., 620-227-8211

Liberal - 2451 Kansas Ave., 620-624-0171 Scott City - 1422 S. Main St., 620-872-5391

1800 Palace Drive, Suite C Garden City, KS 67846 Phone: (620) 271-0700 Fax: (620) 271-0703

E-mail: [email protected]

We s Wi c k w a r We s Wi c k w a r Physical Therapist PT, FAAOMPT

Full Service Financial Institution Garden City 1714 E. Kansas Ave. 1-800-825-7661 www.gpcu.org

Member NCUA

Y ou r Insu rance S ou rce... Y ou r Insu rance S ou rce...

RUTTER/CLINE ASSOCIATES, INC. 312 N. 8th Garden City 620-276-8274 www.ruttercline.com


Continued from page 5 2007 and just the second win for the Buffs against the Indians since 04.

A game against a really good team and a really good program that we took the punches from them and were able to find a way at the end to come out on top, Hill said. I think that was really the turning point in our season and that really gave us a feeling like we belong.

Garden City followed the Hays win with a 52-21 victory versus Liberal, a cancellation because of weather versus Wichita East, a 27-0 win versus Maize and a 26-13 victory against Goddard. Garden City won its district and earned back the Hatchet with an 18-15 double overtime victory versus Dodge City. It marked Garden Citys first win versus Dodge City since 2007.

The rivalry win clinched a three-way tie for the WAC crown with Great Bend and Hays High, assured the Buffs of a winning season and eventually led to conference coach of the year honors for Hill.

We were able to win some of the close ones that we lost my first year and really made a difference in our season, Hill said

Garden City collected a 35-7 first round playoff win versus Wichita South before it fell to Wichita Heights, 35-3. While the margin was slightly better than

the 49-7 first round playoff loss to Heights in 2010, Hill believed last years loss was far different.

There is a learning curve, Hill said. That first year we made the playoffs, we had a fairly average record and then had to go play Heights. It was a pretty eye-opening experience because of the speed of the game, how physical they were with us.

Last year, they still handled us, Hill added. It was more of our execution rather than the physical nature of the game. I thought we belonged in the game physically last year. Just that we made some mistakes and when you do that against a really good team like Heights, you are going to pay for it and we did dearly.

This season, Garden City returns four offensive and five defensive starters, including senior linebacker Brady Bean, the lone Buff to earn first team all-WAC honors as a junior. Andres Rivas and Taylor Foley are back after they col - lected honorable mention all-league.

As a team, we have continued to gel and get better and improve on every year, Rivas said. Its going to be our third year in Coach Hills system. Instead of having to learn the new con - cepts for the first time, we are adding and adding upon it and just getting bet - ter.

Garden City outscored opponents 230- 156 last season, its best scoring offense since 2006. As well, the scoring defense ranked fourth-best in Class 6A, accord - ing to preppowerindex.com. The Buffs ball control offense and aggressive defense have helped Garden City improve.

This season, the Buffs could contend with 6As elite. The program has won one state title, in 1999. As well, Garden City will open a new school and several new facilities in the fall, including a football stadium.

We have a chance to be a really good team and we should, Bean said. For the last few years being in the playoffs the first year just getting used to the playoffs, last year making an impact. I think, going into this year, we should go far.

The year before Hill took over, Garden City went 4-5 and outscored opponents 178-156. In Hills first year, the Buffs tallied 218 points before the 12-point improvement last season. The offense helped in several wins, including versus Hays.

We have gotten a lot better over the last two years, Foley said. Our defense has really improved and our offensive system is just way better since when (Hill) has gotten here.

In that contest, Garden City ran 59

plays, seven more than the Indians. Garden Citys four scoring drives were lengthy: 7 plays, 80 yards; 10 plays, 85 yards; 7 plays, 65 yards and a 13-play drive that ended in the field goal.

We were able to keep the ball away from them, Hill said. They didnt run very many plays in the first half. Sustained drives and finished them with points. Anytime you can limit a powerful offense like Hays to very few touches, you are going to have a chance.

Defensively, Hill has worked on forc - ing more turnovers and scoring off the miscues. He believes Garden City can force more mistakes, but Hill is happy with the Buffs unit, especially with forc - ing three-and-out drives. More improve - ment this season could produce the Buffs best season in more than a dec - ade.

Its just the physical nature that our defense brings that we were lacking when I first got here, Hill said. Weve had a lot of kids with a lot of talent, but we werent very physical. We can get out there and not let a team run right over the top of us.

Conor Nicholl is a sports reporter for The Hays Daily News in Hays, Kan.


Hays High Indians

Left to right: Em ilio Mitchell, Preston Weigel, Head Coach Ryan Cornelsen, Jake Sedbrook, and Cade S harp. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

Hays High fourth-year coach Ryan Cornelsen, senior lineman Cade Sharp and running back David Cardinal are well-aware of what the perception is sur - rounding the Indian program. Last season, HHS went 8-2 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 1995.

The Indians were part of a three-way tie for the Western Athletic Conference title and lost by six in the first round to even - tual state champion Hutchinson. The con - test marked the Salthawks closest playoff game.

This season, Hays High graduated its entire offensive line, save for Sharp, the center and two-time first team all- conference player.

Senior tight end Chandler Rule will miss most, if not all, of the season with a broken leg suffered in summer baseball. HHS will start a sophomore, Alex Delton, at quarterback and will likely throw the ball more than the run-oriented attack of Cornelsens first three seasons.

Only three starters return on offense, four on defense. Cornelsen said the squad is the greenest he has ever had. The Indians schedule is toughest since he took over with opening games versus Junction City and McPherson.


Continued on page 8


Continued from page 7 But the Indians still believe they can

maintain among Class 5As top teams. Everybody is looking down on us,

Cardinal, a senior and the returning WAC Player of the Year, said. I love people that doubt us. Thats what we thrive off of. We love hearing people who think that we are not going to be as good. Every class that has come through here has been better than the class before them.

Cornelsen is 75-19 in his head coaching career that spans La Crosse and Hays High. After a terrific six-year run with the Leopards, Cornelsen moved 25 miles north and took over a program that was mired in mediocrity.

HHS went 36-36 under Kent Teeter, now the Goodland coach, and never won more than six games in any season.

A two-year stint by Rick Blosser (6-12 mark) opened the door for Cornelsen, son of legendary former Liberal coach Gary Cornelsen.

In three seasons, Cornelsen has gone 7- 2, 7-2 and 8-2. In track, he has won three straight Class 5A boys state titles. He

expects to have success again this fall. I expect to be good and I expect to win,

whether we are young, whether we are new, it doesnt matter, he said. The amount of pressure I have put on myself and my program hasnt changed. People might look at us as maybe not going to be as good as we have been, but thats their opinion.

Our opinion is that we are going to be better and we have got to do whatever it takes to be better, he added. Right now, we are working awfully hard and we will see how things pan out come district time. There is no doubt the expectations are to do as well as we have ever been.

One addition will be Gary Cornelsen, who will join his sons staff in the fall. Gary Cornelsen had coached football and track in Texas, but is retired now and will live in Hays during the football season. Father and son have talked about coaching together for a long time and it nearly materialized in Ryans first season with Hays High. Gary Cornelsen will be a var - sity assistant and will work with the defensive ends and quarterbacks.

This year seemed like a good fit, Ryan Cornelsen said. We are both excited.

Another positive change is the Indians new weight facility. Previously, Hays High had a weight room that was just 1,300 square feet, similar to weight rooms for some Class 1A and 2A schools. Now, HHS facility is 7,200 square feet, which Cornelsen says is on par with other 5A and 6A schools.

Its been three years, Cornelsen said. A lot of fundraising, a lot of meetings, a lot of different organizational planning and changes. It took a lot of time and effort, not just by me, but by all involved, so its nice to finally get to see kids walk in and use in.

The facility is equipped with a large meeting area, approximately a 30-yard turf track and plenty of room for various lifts.

Sharp and Cardinal each wore a big grin after they finished a summer workout one morning.

This allows us to do so many more lifts and get so much more out of our work - outs, Sharp said.

On the field, the offensive line was still in flux entering July. Cornelsen said six or seven athletes will be competing for five spots. HHS could start some sophomores up front. Last year, a senior-laden offen - sive line opened holes for 412.3 yards and 348.3 rushing yards and 36.4 points per

game. Cardinal collected 1,468 yards and 19 scores. All five marks were the most since 1999, the first year Hays High started to track career and team records.

Theyll surprise you, Sharp said with a smile. Some of these sophomores, it seems like some of them are waiting for their chance to play and have got it down already. You dont have to do much. They already know what to do.

Delton, an impressive quarterback in the younger ranks, was the backup last season and saw some varsity time. Cornelsen considers Delton more advanced than the usual sophomore quarterbacks.

He is the real deal, Cardinal said. He is definitely elite for his class. He is above most kids his age. He is going to be a real good QB. He is already making plays that kids his age wouldnt even see.

Cardinal is another rarity at running back. One of Kansas top players, Cardinal can gain yards in a variety of ways, but always follows assistant coach Steve Sedbrooks mantra: Look to score every play. Its a formula that yielded suc - cess last season, and, even with a new group, could again this year.

If its in the open field, I will run hard, but I will make you miss, too, Cardinal said. I will run you over one play and I will shake you the next.


Hays High Indians

Proud to support Hays High football!

Left to righ t: K yler M eyers, Derek B ixen m a n , D avid Ca rd in a l, a n d Ad a m Deterd in g. (Photo by John Baetz)

A message fromHead Coach Ryan Held

A message fromA message fromHead Coach Ryan HeldHead Coach Ryan Held

Im very excited to write this letter and let each of you know how passionate I am about the Scottie Nation and what we have to offer. I feel truly blessed to be the Head Football Coach at Highland Community College. Its a unique place and a hidden secret that needs to be told. We have a tremendous opportunity at Highland to develop a championship program and a destination for Kansas high school football players.

Ive been very fortunate to have been a part of four Division I National Championships at the University of Nebraska and University of Tennessee. My mentors over the years have been Hall of Fame Coaches Tom Osborne and Phillip Fulmer, along with current Ohio University Coach Frank Solich. These men are champions and I'm proud to accept the challenge of implementing the championship caliber processes learned from them into the Highland Football program. I was also fortunate to have coached with Troy Morrell at Butler Community College. Theres no better program in the country and I was able to learn many things from the program from a community college perspective that I'm also implementing at Highland as we speak.

We will run a clean, disciplined, organized program at Highland. We will do it the RIGHT WAY!Our program is on the cutting edge and should give us a tremendous advantage, but many people dont

know about it: Our weight room is the best in the Jayhawk Conference, bar none. As a player, you want to be bigger,

stronger, and faster. We take great pride in the strength and conditioning arena. We have an unbelievable Wellness Center available for practice and winter conditioning. One of kind

in our conference and a unique advantage for the Highland football program. I often hear athletes complain about dormitory style living and staying on a floor with 20 guys. You

dont at Highland. We have city like, apartment style living with kitchens, living rooms, and freedom.Prospective athletes who visit Highland are often taken aback and surprised at what we have. We want to

change our culture, change the mindset, and educate Kansas on what we have at Highland and how our program can be a great fit for you and your future.

Well take it day by day and get better and better. Give us a chance and check us out. You wont regret it. Come be a part of something special and be a part of the Scottie Nation!

www.highlandcc.edufacebook.com/ryan.held.3

Head Coach Ryan HeldPh: 785-442-6045

[email protected]

Scott City Beavers

Left to right: Michael McEachern, Colten Yager, Head Coach Glenn ONeil, Drew Kite, and Brett ONeil . (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

Scott City coach Glenn ONeil simply sums up the Beavers success since 2005.

We really feel like three out of the last six years, we were probably the second- best in 3A, ONeil said.

However, Scott City, 49-10 in five sea - sons under ONeil, has not reached a sub- state championship or state title game in that span. The Beavers have lost in the second or third round for six straight years, often to the eventual state cham - pion and nearly always by small margins.

They are just terrible on me, senior quarterback Brett ONeil, Glenns son, said. We are so close every time.

Scott City has won multiple state cham - pionships in several sports in recent years, including cross country, track and the Class 3-2-1A wrestling crown last winter. ONeil, also the boys basketball coach, has three state titles in the last six winters, including the past two seasons. In foot - ball, the Beavers have won three Class 4A titles in 1988, 90 and 91.

That would mean a lot, senior line - man Michael McEachern, also a top wres - tler, said. That would be the best expe - rience ever winning a football one. Thats the one I have been wanting since eighth grade. I have wanted to come up


Continued on page 12


Scott City Beavers Continued from page 11 and be part of a state championship foot - ball team for Scott.

Scott City, known for its stingy 4-4 defense, is again among Class 3As favorites this season after falling short last year. The Beavers return five offen - sive and seven defensive starters from an 11-1 team that lost 39-21 to eventual champion Conway Springs in the third round. It marked Conway Springs closest playoff game; Scott City eventually fin - ished second in the final statewide media poll. The Scott City program called the loss to Conway Springs the de facto state championship.

Its pretty heartbreaking to get so close and just not get over the hump, McEachern said. We have got to work extra hard to go back the next year.

Scott City received some terrible news in the offseason when two players were involved in different car accidents and will miss the season. Senior defensive tackle Drake Inguanza is in a neck brace for several months. Junior Cole Birney, expected to start at guard, had to be trans - ferred to Lincoln, Neb., for multiple inju - ries. Coach ONeil said both players should be OK in the long run. The inju - ries especially affect Scott Citys depth, but the Beavers still retain plenty of stars from a unit that outscored teams 500-112 last season.

Drew Kite, a cousin of former Louisburg standout and Air Force signee Garrett Griffin, returns after he collected 117 tackles last year.

He is a kid who makes a lot of plays based on instinct, Coach ONeil said. I think that we have some other kids who read their keys better. Drew finds a way to get to the ball as a linebacker. That is just as important, having that natural instinct.

ONeil had planned on playing wideout his entire career, but was moved to quar - terback in seventh grade and has liked the position ever since. He passed for 1,467 yards and 14 scores last fall and has enjoyed playing for his dad.

Its a lot better than it would be for another coach that you dont know, Brett said. He understands school work, that you are going to have problems with it.

ONeil is also strong at defensive back with five interceptions and seven pass breakups last year. Scott Citys 4-4 look allowed 9.2 points per game, second-best in the classification.

Coach ONeil learned the defense when he started his career as an assistant at Frankfort for nine years. After a season at Wellington, ONeil was an assistant for 10 years with the Beavers before taking over as head coach. When he first came to Scott City, the Beavers ran a 4-3, but had trouble against the inside trap and

sweep that Ulysses and Pratt ran. We just feel out of the 4-4 that we can

kind of control the inside trap and get to the edges pretty quick with their outside backers and corners, Coach ONeil said.

As well, ONeil called the defense very flexible and can work well against any offense, including the spread looks that many teams use today. Two years ago, Scott City allowed 118 points in 11 contests, while the Beavers led Class 3A in scoring defense with 74 points allowed in 2009.

Offensively, Dalton Buehler rushed for 932 yards and 16 scores and is expected to have a heavier load in the backfield this season after Colborn Couchman graduated. Buehler was clocked at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash this summer at the Nebraska camp. Brenner Wells and Paco Banda will also see time as the sec - ond back.

Buehler has especially taken the 5-9, 190-pound Banda a little fireplug, Coach ONeil said under his wing. The two have become lifting partners this

Know the difference

between having a Bank and being part of one.

Ph: 620-872-2143 www.fnbscott.com

MEMBER FDIC Scott City W aKeeney

H ill City O akley

summer. The talent could produce a different fin -

ish for Scott City. In 2006, the Beavers fell to Garden Plain, 28-14, in the third round. The next year, Scott City posted back-to-back shutouts in the first two rounds of the postseason, but then fell 6-0 to Conway Springs.

In 2008, Scott City lost 20-17 to Garden Plain in the third round. In 2009, the Beavers fell 19-17 to eventual state champion Wichita Collegiate in the third round. It marked Collegiates closest playoff game that year.

In 2010, Scott City fell to Smith Center, 42-35, in the second round. However, Coach ONeils father passed away the day before the game. Last year, Conway Springs took a 13-0 lead after the first quarter before Scott City played with Conway Springs the rest of the game. Brett ONeil said the team played with a deer in the headlights look for the first quarter before settling in. However, the result was another close playoff loss a trend Scott City looks to change this year.

La Crosse Leopards

Left to right: Kip Keeley, Trey Renz, Head Coach Jon Webster, Matt Wagner, and Levi Morss. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

La Crosse High School coach Jon Webster believes he will never fully get over the Class 2-1A state championship game loss to Centralia last fall at Fort Hays State Universitys Lewis Field Stadium. The Leopards led nearly all game and outgained Centralia in total yards, but had four turnovers, including three lost fumbles.

Plus, the ending was one that La Crosse and Centralia fans likely will remember for a long time. Centralia won 20-14 in overtime, but the Leopards believed they had taken the lead several times in the final minute of regulation.

First, with the score tied at 14 with 53 seconds left, La Crosses Austin Webs tossed an 80-yard halfback pass to Clayton Basgall. Webs believed Basgall was going to score, but Centralia senior Michael Glatczak, a Shrine Bowler and one of Kansas top players, raced over and tackled Basgall at the six-yard line.

Then, La Crosse quarterback Tayler Stull rushed left and was downed inches from the goal line. Stull believed he had crossed the plane and some controversy still remains.

We have got kind of a biased view, Webster, a Leopard alum and entering his


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fourth year as head coach, said. Everybody in the stands said, Oh yeah, he was over. There is a photograph by (well-known Northwest Kansas photog - rapher Everett Royer) where it looks like he is in the end zone.

Its just one of those things where I would rather not see or hear what other people say, because you know I am sure from Centralias viewpoint he was clearly out, Webster added. That photograph only shows one frame. It doesnt show where his foot was, the frame before, after. Its one of those things where the official made the call, the call that he thought was right. It shouldnt have come down to that play.

On the next play, Stull, a four-year starter and three-year quarterback, and all- league center Kyle Sramek fumbled the exchange. Centralia recovered. The Panthers scored first in overtime and held La Crosse to a short run and three incom - plete passes to seal the victory.

La Crosse finished with a 12-1 record, set a school record for wins, advanced to the first state championship game in team history and set the all-time state mark with 34 interceptions. But the Leopards which later rolled to the Class 1A track title with a record-breaking 84 points with many of the same athletes couldnt col - lect the football title.

Definitely crushes you on the inside, Basgall, a starting defensive back and wideout last season and expected to take over as quarterback this year, said. You work so hard for it. To see them over there celebrating, wishing we could be the ones over there celebrating, its the worst feel - ing.

Webster still cant watch the tape and,

when the highlight film comes on, always turns away.

It was just one of those things that just eats you up, because we did so many things to shoot ourselves in the foot and yet, we were still right there and have a chance to win the game, Webster said.

This season, La Crosse lost many of the key players on last seasons team, includ - ing Stull, Webs, Sramek and lineman Dylan Engel. But the Leopards are still on the short list of teams to contend for a state championship. Senior fullback Kip Keeley and senior running back Levi Morss headline a team that also features Basgall, senior defensive back William Storie and senior lineman Trey Renz for a program that has won double-digit games in five of the last six years.

Multiple colleges have already started to recruit Keeley and Morss, a tandem who Webster calls potentially one of the best backfields in the state. Morss, a transfer from Rozel-Pawnee Heights, didnt play on varsity his sophomore year because of transfer rules. Last year, Morss learned the game while he rushed 172 times for 1,302 yards and 17 scores.

I have learned so much about football, just in the sense of steps and keys and like running the ball, Morss said. Its like Im being coached. Its a step up. I dont have anything against my old coaches, but its just good coaches (at La Crosse).

In the spring, Morss won the long jump title and had three runner-ups in the sprints at state track. He is one of the best athletes to come out of northwest Kansas in several years.

At the 2012 High Plains Sports Medicine Testing Combine that had ath - letes from more than six schools, Morss

scored 4,245 points in eight events. He won or tied for first in four events and broke the record for 40-yard dash (4.53) and overall athletic score.

I was in disbelief, Keeley said when he heard Morss score.

Keeley is impressive, too. The son of former La Crosse head coach and current defensive coordinator Bill Keeley, Keeley has started since midway through his freshman year. He has 1,844 total yards, 169 tackles and nine interceptions in his career and won the state javelin crown in track.

They are big, physical kids with good speed, Webster said. Levi gets all the attention with his speed, but beginning of track, Kip was running with Levi and faster and one time I told Levi, I said, You better learn fullback, because of the way that Kip was running.

I think that kind of sparked him to where he wants to be that tailback, Webster said. The good thing is that they are both good blockers. They can hit the home run anytime they touch the ball. They are versatile. They do a lot of stuff and they want to get better than what they are now. Thats huge is that they are never satisfied with where they are at.

As a team, La Crosse isnt satisfied with the near-miss from last season. After the defeat, Webster said the team could have the week off. But the Monday after state, the weight room was packed with kids.

They are going to work, and they are going to battle, Webster said. You have got to have a lot of luck to have the run we had last year. We just ran out of some of that luck at the end, and for whatever reason, wasnt meant to be. We are going to try to make it meant to be this year.


Left to right: Dalton Werner, Harrison Gilliland, Head Coach Joe Sim on, Bradey Chard, and Trevor Axe lson. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

The Plainville High School football team had many, many memorable moments last season en route to a 10-2 record, a seven-win improvement from 2010.

After two victories against Mid- Continent League foes Phillipsburg and Ellis to start the season, Plainville beat Norton, 53-13, in Week 3 for the Cardinals first victory versus the Bluejays since 1994.

The next week, Plainville went to Smith Center and won in the final seconds, 30- 23. The win sealed the Cardinals first Mid-Continent League title since 1984 and helped erase the 83-0 first round playoff loss in 2007 to the Redmen.

In that contest, Smith Center earned national attention with its record-breaking 72-point first quarter. After last falls vic - tory, fans were honking their horns and cheering when they returned to Plainville.

That was probably one of the best feel - ings Ive had all year, taking down Smith Center after what they had done to us, fullback Harrison Gilliland said.

The Cardinals rolled through district play and quickly became one of Class 2- 1As elite squads. Plainville lost 14-8 to La Crosse in Week 9 and then won two



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Continued from page 15 playoff games. In one of the most highly anticipated playoff games in recent Northwest Kansas history, Plainville hosted La Crosse in the sub-state game, but fell 13-6.

We had a lot of mistakes tonight, third-year coach Joe Simon said that night. Turnovers hurt us, penalties, missed tackles on defense. ... Every time the momentum started to shift our way, they made a big play to steal it right back.

Still, Simon orchestrated the Cardinals best season in 20 years behind a smashmouth running game and aggressive defense.

I didnt know if it would progress this fast, but these kids have all put a lot of work in, Simon said.

In the spring, the town rallied around Simon when the school board didnt offer him tenure.

Several hundred people showed up at a school board meeting to support Simon and, in a 5-2 vote, the school board granted Simon tenure. Simon teared up after the meeting as he received congratulations from players, assistant coaches and townspeople.

Very excited, not only for me, but for the community, for the kids, for my assistant coaches, this is a great

feeling, Simon, the Hays Daily News Coach of the Year, said.

Plainville graduated just four starters who played both ways including Shrine Bowl selection Andrew Casey and all-state lineman Jameson Klein but returns seven offensive and defen - sive starters. Plus, the Cardinals return several players who missed part of, or nearly all, of last season because of injury.

Plainville enters the season 13-3 in its last 16 contests with all three defeats versus La Crosse. Plainville, La Crosse, Meade and Johnson-Stanton County headline the short list of teams in con - tention for the wests spot in the state championship game. Plainville, which won the Class 2A track crown in the spring, has won two football titles in school history, in 1980 and 85 under Hall of Fame coach Larry Friend.

He doesnt baby them, Jay Friend, Larrys son and the school board mem - ber who started the process at the school board meeting to assign Simon tenure, said. He is tough with them and as you can see, obviously, its working. Sometimes thats the price you have to pay to be a winner. You have to work hard, do things sometimes that you dont like to do.

Between Friend and Simons coach -

ing eras, Plainville enjoyed little suc - cess in football. The Cardinals didnt have a winning season from 1994-2010.

When I was a seventh grader and an eighth grader, you just look up to the football team and it wasnt much, Trevor Axelson, the leading rusher on last years squad with 1,323 rushing yards, said. You just thought, Wow, am I really going to join a team like that? Even my freshman year, even when we werent doing that good, it still gave us hope. We still had hope that we were going to turn everything around.

In Simons first season, Plainville went 1-9 and scored a collective 20 points in the first eight games. In 2010, Plainville opened 0-5. The year started with a 50-6 loss to Phillipsburg, a loss Simon called very humbling.

I was starting to wonder if it was going to take a little longer than I thought, Simon said.

Then, the Cardinals finished the year with three straight victories. Simon pushed the players on the field and in the weight room the Cardinals won state powerlifting championships this spring. The Plainville booster club raised money for a new weight room.

Attendance improved dramatically. Axelson said only a handful of players

had better than 90 percent summer weight room attendance in 2009. More than half of the players had 90 percent attendance last summer.

(Coach) pushes us very hard and thats probably why we are where we are now, Axelson said.

This season, Axelson, Gilliand (883 yards, 13 scores) and Dalton Werner (793 yards, 10 TDs, Class 2A long jump champion) form a strong backfield. The line should be bolstered with the return of Andy Malin and Alex Wahrman, who were hurt for a significant time last year. As well, Bradey Chard is a returning first team all-league center for a team that could take another jump and play for a state title.



Left to right: Kyle Rodriguez, Head Coach Bret Kendrick, Marques Logan, Quinn Kendrick, and Colby Ov erturf. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

Johnson-Stanton County senior running back Marques Logan remembers when the Trojans took the step into Class 2- 1As elite. Entering the 2010 season, Stanton County hadnt won a playoff game in seven years and had collected 4- 6, 4-6 and 3-6 marks the previous three falls.

However, 2010 produced a 10-2 record and a trip to the sub-state championship game. Among 11-man teams in the last five seasons, Stanton Countys seven-win improvement and sub-state championship game appearance tied the states largest one season turnaround.

Last fall, Stanton County went 9-2 before it lost to Plainville at home, 6-0, in the second round of the postseason. This summer, Logan and his teammates have discussed the teams improvement and yet still falling short in the playoffs.

That has always been in the back of our heads, Logan said. I think thats whats pushing us this year in the weight room and everything and how hard we work.

This fall, the Trojans return 10 offen - sive and nine defensive starters, including Logan and senior quarterback Quinn Kendrick, the son of coach Bret Kendrick.



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Continued from page 19 Logan has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored more than 45 rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons.

Kendrick, a starter since Day 1 of his freshman year, has suffered injuries the last two years. Still, he has delivered more than 2,700 yards of total offense and 35-plus scores accounted for since 2010.

The expectations just keep going up as the year is going on, senior lineman Kyle Rodriguez said. Everybody says that its going to be our year and I feel like every year, we believe it a little more and a little more, so we just hope that this is the year.

Bret Kendrick is in his 28th year of coaching, including the last 20 at Stanton County. The program hasnt won a state title since 1983, but Kendrick has con - tinually led the team to the postseason. In 2003, Stanton County defeated Ness City in the first round and then fell to St. Francis in the second round. That started a streak of five straight playoff losses.

In 2009, Stanton County won just three contests, but Coach Kendrick helped lay the foundation for change when he started Quinn in the first game at quarterback. Before the Week 1 contest against Hugoton, Kendrick heard people saying that he was playing favorites with his son. Stanton County lost the game, 48-6, but

Quinn proved he could play at the varsity level.

That was a real, real hard decision, Coach Kendrick said. .(After Hugoton), there was no doubt in my mind, and in the staffs mind or in the fans mind, he solidified that spot and there was never anymore (talk).

In 2010, Stanton County, paced by run - ning back Austin Nairn, a Shrine Bowl selection who collected 1,943 total yards, advanced to sub-state. It marked the teams deepest playoff run since the 83 state title. In the first round of the play - offs, Stanton County defeated Ellis, 52-7, the second-worst playoff loss in Railroader history.

A lot of it is the kids desire to be in that position and not satisfied with just the regular season being done, Coach Kendrick said. Wanting to go that extra step and developing into a great group of football players. .. They know what to do and they know how to execute it. Sometimes we dont execute it, but for the most part, they do a great job.

Both of the losses that season came to Meade, 46-6 in the regular season and 44- 26 in the sub-state game. Last year, Stanton County lost to Meade 34-16. Logan said the intimidation factor of playing Meade the 2010 state champion may play a part in Stanton Countys struggles.

Any mistake you make, they capital - ize, Coach Kendrick said. You cant have mistakes and expect to beat a team like that.

Just nervous, senior lineman Colby Overturf said. We know what we have do. Its just a lot of pressure, Oh we are going to play Meade. We end up psyching ourselves out.

Last year, other than the Meade loss, Stanton County again rolled through the regular season. Quinn Kendrick, who suf - fered microfractures in his leg as a sopho - more, had an ankle injury in practice as a junior. He missed two games against Syracuse and Satanta, both subpar oppo - nents, and played hurt for seven games. The injury is part of the quarterback/ coach relationship between the Kendricks.

There are times when I am really proud and happy and there are times that he frustrates me, Coach Kendrick said. Just like that ankle injury last year, I would have wrung his neck. You couldnt believe how mad I was. I told him to wear ankle braces, get it taped. We are in prac - tice and it gets rolled up on.

Its not the the fact that he was hurt, thats part of it, Coach added. But the fact that I told him to do something and he didnt do it. But then I got to kind of give him some credit. He sucked it up and toughed it out.

In a 35-34 road win in the first round of the playoffs against Ellis, Quinn tied the game with 16 seconds left on a two-yard touchdown run. Earlier in the game, he threw a 26-yard touchdown pass on 4th- and-15. He finished with 121 passing yards, while Logan collected 122 rushing yards in the victory.

The next week, Stanton County dropped a tough contest to Plainville. In the first half, Stanton County moved to the Cardinal 13, but couldnt score.

In the third quarter, the Trojans went 65 yards in 15 plays. Stanton County advanced to the four-yard line, then had a five-yard penalty and a two-yard loss. After that, Kendrick completed a 10-yard pass to the 1-yard line. He tried a quarter - back sneak, but the Cardinals stopped him short.

Plainville was a good team and they deserved to be there, but I thought we also deserved to be there, Coach Kendrick said. There were 11 different situations that happened that werent favorable for us and you cant just over - come something like that.

Since then, Stanton County has thought about the near-miss, a loss it doesnt want this season.

We just have that little bit of a drive from last year, Logan said.


Ness City Eagles

Left to right: Garrett Flax, Tucker VonLehe, Head Coach Chris Bam berger, and Dalton Gantz. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

Chris Bamberger learned from one of the best coaches in Kansas history. Bamberger, entering his third season at Ness City, grew up in Jetmore and played for coach Kevin Ayers, who led the pro - gram to a pair of state championships.

Ayers, now the coach at Sharon Springs, has also won a title with the Wildcats and is believed to be the fastest coach in state history to 100 victories. Bamberger followed Ayers philosophy of playing aggressively and developing players on and off the field.

I think the world of him as a coach, Bamberger said. He taught me how to instill qualities in your players to be proud of, how to be men, how to handle yourself and how to play hard, and it doesnt really matter athleticism, just get the best out of our kids.

Before Ayers came to Jetmore, the school had little football success. The same with Sharon Springs. But Ayers quickly turned around those programs, including an eight-win improvement to 11-1 in his first season with Sharon Springs.

Bamberger has enjoyed similar success with the Eagles, a school known more for its dominant cross country and track



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Ness City Eagles Continued from page 21 programs under coach Patrick Younger. Ness City has won five state champion - ships four on the boys side in cross country and track since 2007. Ness City has produced several strong football players, including Alex Kuhlman, a recent All-American defensive back at Pittsburg State, but has never won a state crown.

This fall, though, Ness City brings back nearly everyone from an 8-2 squad and is the favorite to reach Newton from the west in Eight-Man Division I. The Eagles return eight offensive and defen - sive starters, including Dalton Gantz, the KPreps.com District 6 Defensive MVP.

They just look like they are fast and big and thats something that we are going to have to contend with, Hill City coach Scott Schulz said.

For several years, Ness City formed a co-operative agreement with Dighton and created an 11-man program that played in Class 2-1A or 3A. The co-op produced little success and just one play - off appearance, a 42-0 first round loss to St. Francis in 2005.

In 2009, Ness City/Dighton finished 5- 4 in the last season of the co-op, but the team lost its final four games by big mar - gins against its stronger opponents, including La Crosse, Norton and Scott

City. The next season, Ness City formed an

Eight-Man Division I team and Dighton went to Eight-Man Division II. Bamberger, after one season as an assis - tant at Arkansas City, took over as head coach. Ness City started 0-2, including a 30-6 loss to perennial state power Victoria.

A Week 3 victory against Deerfield gave the team confidence and an over - time win versus Montezuma-South Gray helped the team reach the postseason. After a 1-3 start, Ness City finished 5-5.

We started believing, running back and returner Garrett Flax said. Coach has a lot to do with it. But its everyone - - its a group effort.

Bamberger, known for his ball control offense that he labeled kind of vanilla sometimes, aggressive defense and youthful enthusiasm, continued the turn - around last season.

I think a lot of guys would have came in here and with the talent level that they had and really tried to spread them out and run a lot of spread offense, Victoria coach Doug Oberle said. Coach Bamberger came in and he did what he knows, and thats to line up in double tight I and play hard every play and not make mistakes, and obviously thats Coach Ayers right there.

Last season, Ness City opened with a big win against WaKeeney-Trego, a sub- .500 team, before the Eagles earned a big statement win versus the Knights in Week 2. Ness City won, 22-6. At that point, it marked Victorias fewest points in a regular season game since an 8-6 defeat to Sylvan Unified in Week 3 of 2002.

Big win, Flax said. Last year, they came out and they hit us pretty hard. Started off the season good this year and we just want to keep rolling.

Bamberger showed his typical high energy in that contest. Sometimes, he came onto the field to congratulate or support a player. When Ness City made a key play late, Bamberger lept several feet into the air in celebration.

When he gets pumped, that just gives me power he likes what I just did, defensive end Tucker VonLehe said.

I just love the game, Bamberger said. I guess I just let the emotions get to me a little bit sometimes. I just get real excited probably a little bit too excited.

Ness City started 7-0 before it fell to South Gray, the eventual state runner-up, 72-40, in Week 8. Flax suffered a leg injury and eventually missed the rest of football, all of basketball and most of track. He should be healthy for the fall.

The Eagles lost to Macksville, 42-40, in the first round of the playoffs.

This season, Flax, Gantz, VonLehe and junior lineman Collin Foos, a second- year transfer from Colorado, help form the backbone. Foos and VonLehe push each other in practice and each delivered strong seasons.

He and I have a lot of competition, VonLehe said. He and I try to make each other better everyday in practice when we do hook drills and work on all sorts of d-end stuff. He is fast -- he has got really fast feet. He is not a straight line runner. His feet move really fast for a tall kid and thats what makes him good.

I tell them everyday, they have got to be the toughest players on their defense, Bamberger added. Really, they are. They have got to be selfless and they have got to eat a lot of blocks.

That experience and talent could help Bamberger reach a goal that his mentor, Ayers, has collected three times a state championship.

The guy is an excellent person, Bamberger said. He is a better person than he is a coach. If I could only do what he did, then we would be a tough team.


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Otis-Bison Cougars

Left to right: Sam Higgason, Head Coach Travis Starr, Dylan Wissm an, and Matt Dem el. (Photo by Dena Sorensen)

Otis-Bison senior running back/line - backer Dylan Wissman has collected 3,076 total yards, 2,488 rushing yards, 55 total TDs and 106.5 tackles in a three- year career that has produced a 31-4 record and 2010 Eight-Man Division II runner-up finish.

A starter since midway through his freshman year, Wissman has played on three distinctively different Cougar squads.

In 2009, Otis-Bison had an eight-win improvement to 10-1. The Cougars were arguably the states surprise and quarter - back Kevin Wissman, Dylans brother, The Hays Daily News Offensive Player of the Year and the Offensive MVP in the Kansas vs. Nebraska all-star game, was the fulcrum.

In 2010, Otis-Bison brought back eve - ryone except for two seniors, Kevin Wissman and lineman Matt Suppes. The Cougars had an outstanding defense and line paced by Robert Kolas, Josh Krom and Dominic Trapp.

Otis-Bison was the preseason favorite from the west to reach Newton. The Cougars did and played Baileyville B&B close in a 50-34 loss at state.

Last year, Otis-Bison graduated the



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Continued from page 23 three linemen and all-state fullback Mike Hlavaty, but returned a core of solid skill players.

Wissman, fullback Patrick Piper, quarterback Trevor Keller and speedy wideout/cornerback Matt Crotinger helped the Cougars advance to the sub- state championship game and finish 10- 2. Both losses came to eventual state champion Thunder Ridge.

Other than Thunder Ridge being so powerful, we were able to run the ball well and pass the ball more as the year went along, senior lineman Sam Higgason said.

This season, Wissman is easily the teams most experienced player. He, Higgason and Matt Demel are the lone returning starters. Otis-Bison has sev - eral question marks, including at quar - terback.

Still, Wissman believes the team can better the success from the last three years and capture the programs first football state title. Higgason, known for his strength, had 41 tackles last season. Moscow coach Travis Johnson was very impressed with Higgason in the first round of the playoffs, saying the lineman was a dominant player and could probably bench press a school bus.


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Usually we have more people com - ing back, but I think what we have coming back is fine, Wissman said. State is going to be our goal every sea - son. That is what we are looking for at the end.

The offense is expected to run through Wissman, who has already per - formed well in the spotlight in football and a third and second place state finish in basketball the last two seasons. Known for his speed, shiftiness and stiff arm, Wissman had 173 yards of total offense and four receiving touch - downs in the state title game two sea - sons ago.

Then, he rushed for 314 yards and five touchdowns in one half in a first round playoff victory against Moscow last year. In the second round, he collected 105 yards and two scores versus Victoria.

It was amazing, Johnson said. If you have ever watched Guy Fullmer from Dighton, thats who he reminded me of. Just a hard-nosed runner. He is not going to make a lot of cuts. He is just going to get up in the hole and just lower his shoulder and run you over.

Wissman has played some quarter - back at the high school level, but eighth-year coach Travis Starr will keep Wissman at running back this fall.

Wissman has run the ball his entire career and calls running back more comfortable and his normal position. With Piper graduating, fullback is another hole. Starr is uncertain who will start there, but said the Cougars could use some one-back sets with just Wissman.

He is going to stay at running back, Starr said. He is going to have the ball the majority of the time, but he is better served as a running back.

Starr was uncertain who was going to play quarterback in mid-June, but it could be junior Kole Urban. Urban played sparingly at quarterback last sea - son when he completed two of six passes for 74 yards. Both he and junior Jordan Hoffman had to play some last season because of injuries. Urban fin - ished with 39 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery and Hoffman had 29 stops.

When they got in there, they did extremely well, Starr said. After that I felt real confident.

Whoever plays quarterback is expected to play up to a high standard. After Kevin Wissman graduated, Trevor Keller started for the last two seasons. Known for his intelligence, Keller was one of Kansas most efficient quarter - backs. He completed 62.9 percent of

208 passes for 1,988 yards, 39 scores and just 11 interceptions in two sea - sons.

Now, if we were slinging it around 50 times a game, we would have differ - ent expectations, but he has just got to be a heady player, he has just got to be a good leader, Starr said. We dont have to have the best athlete playing quarterback. Keller was not the best athlete, but he could throw it and run it. He could do our offense fine. As long as these guys have some leadership about him and do the things we ask, they will be fine.

Even with the question marks, Otis- Bison is still considered one of the wests favorites. Eight-Man Division II in the west is more wide-open than the past few seasons. Thunder Ridge, Ashland, Bird City-Cheylin and Victoria also suffered big losses to graduation. Plus, no player in the west has the resume or experience of Wissman.

There are a lot of good teams, but some people are losing some of their starters, some will be coming back, Starr said. Hopefully we are in that mix when the season shakes out.



CLASS 6A

Dont expect Olathe South to give up the Class 6A throne in 2012 without a fight.

Yes, the states largest classification just got that much tougher with the addition of last years 5A state champion, Hutchinson, and power Gardner-Edgerton. Wichita Heights is also back looking for another trip to the title game and the 12- school Sunflower League might be as strong as it has been in years.

But, once again, dont forget about those Falcons from Olathe South.They are the reigning 6A state champs after last years stirring 41-37 victory over Wichita Heights in the state title game and they are bound and determined to stay there.

We are going to try and defend our title thats the overall encompassing goal, South head coach Jeff Gourley said. Step-by-step, practice-by-practice, play- by-play.

The Falcons, 12-1 a year ago, return just nine starters, but some of those returnees are considered one of the best at their respective position in the state.

Senior quarterback Frankie Seurer (6-0, 185) is back after throwing for 1,596 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Those may seem like modest numbers, but Seurer attempted just nine passes a game in the run-oriented South offense.

One of Seurers top targets last year Matt Elliott returns after catching 24 balls for 561 yards and four scores. Anchoring things up front will be one of the Midwests top linemen in 6-6, 275- pound junior Braden Smith, who has already received offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Michigan, Stanford and Oklahoma, among others.

Defensively, the Falcons have five touted returners and will switch to the 3-4. Smith plays nose guard and Elliott returns as a starting cornerback after four intercep - tions last year. South also returns its three top tacklers in 6-2, 190-pound senior line - backer Remington Whitley (154 tackles, 4 interceptions), 5-11, 170-pound senior safety Dylan Devries (118 tackles) and 5- 10, 180-pound senior safety Chase

For Kansas Pregame Ha r o ld Becha r d

CLASS 6A KPREPS.COM PRESEASON RANKINGS 1. Hutchinson 2. Derby 3. Olathe South 4. Gardner-Edgerton 5. Wichita Heights

Others: Lawrence, Manhattan, Olathe East, Junction City

Hansen (107 tackles). We want to make our defense more

aggressive, Gourley said. We want to become experts at gap pressure and forc - ing mistakes. We are going to have to play better defense this season to repeat as champions.

Wichita Heights has been in the 6A state championship game for the last three years and that goal hasnt changed for the Falcons in 2012. Head coach Rick Wheelers club returns four starters, including All-State defensive lineman Aderio Ammons (6-0, 250), just a junior.

Everyone is looking forward to the 2012 (season), Wheeler said. Our returning players have high expectations and look forward to defending their league and district titles.

And speaking of expectations, they are out of sight, as usual, at Hutchinson where the Salt Hawks return 17 starters seven on offense and 10 on defense from an 11-2 team that won the Class 5A state championship last year.

Senior quarterback Trevor Turner returns after accounting for 1,138 yards rushing and nearly 2,000 yards of offense last fall. Everyone but first-team All-State lineman Najahaun Tipton-Wylie returns on defense, including 5A All-State free safety Tanner Higgins, who had 98 tackles and five interceptions as a junior. Senior line - backer Blake Simms, who had a team- high 113 tackles, also returns.

Olathe East returns 11 starters from a 9-3 team that reached the semifinals of the 6A playoffs before losing to Olathe South. Division I prospect Nathan Guthrie, a jun - ior linebacker, returns to head a defensive unit that head coach Jeff Meyers is expecting to be improved this fall.

Derby coach Brandon Clark is expecting big things from his offense, which returns eight starters. Five more return on defense for the Panthers, who were 8-4 last year and reached the semifinals of the playoffs. The entire offensive line is back along with junior tight end DeAndre Goolsby, who was an HM All-State pick last year.The defense allowed 22 points a game last year and junior safety Travis

12 PLAYERS TO WATCH These twelve players will be ones to watch in Class 6A this fall:

Jordan Darling [Shawnee Mission East] 6-4, 225, QB, Sr.; Univ. of Kansas Commit

REM IN G TO N W HITLEY SR. LB 6-2 190

TRAEVO HN W REN C H

JR. RB 6-1 191

Parker Davis [Dodge City] 6-0, 205, RB, Sr.; Air Force Commit

Will Geary [Topeka] 6-1, 295, OL/DL, Sr.; 111 tackles, 5 sacks in 11

DeAndre Goolsby [Derby] 6-5, 245, TE, Jr.; Offer from K-State

Braden Smith [Olathe South] 6-6, 275, OL/DL, Jr.; Top O-Line Recruit for 2014

Trevor Turner [Hutchinson] 5-9, 150, QB, Sr.; Three-Year Starter

Remington Whitley [Olathe South] 6-2, 190, LB, Sr.; 154 tackles, 4 interceptions in 11

Traevohn Wrench [Gardner-Edgerton] 6-1, 191, RB, Jr.; 2,448 yards rushing in 11

Young was another honorable mention All-State pick.

Shawnee Mission East, which was 6-5 last year and reached the second round of the 6A playoffs, received a nice offseason gift with the addition of quarterback Jordan Darling to the program. Darling, who has verbally committed to the University of Kansas, helped lead Midway High School from Waco, Texas, to the state championship game as a jun - ior. He is part of a military family and played his sophomore year at Lakota West H.S. in West Chester, Ohio.

The 6-4, 230-pound Darling has already made an impact. In mid-June, he helped Shawnee Mission East take second place in the Greater Kansas City Coaches seven-on-seven competition. There were 32 teams at the tournament.

Gardner-Edgerton has been one of the top programs in Class 5A for years. Now the Trail Blazers will test the 6A division and a loaded District 4 which consists of Olathe South, Olathe North and Olathe Northwest. The four schools combined for a 30-14 record last year.

The Blazers, who were 8-4 last year, fea - ture two of the best players in the state at their respective positions junior running back Traevohn Wrench and senior line - backer Matt Plank.

The speedy Wrench, who broke Bubba Starlings single-season school rushing record with 2,448 yards and 34 touch - downs, has beefed up to 190 pounds and has already received scholarship offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Nebraska. Plank (6-2, 210) has started for two years on defense and led the team with 127 tackles last season.

Shawnee Mission West may be another dark horse on the eastern side of the bracket after posting a 7-4 record in 2011 and reaching the second round of the play - offs. The Vikings have one of the states top young prospects in 6-5, 290-pound lineman Austin Chambers, who started at tackle on both offense and defense last year as a sophomore.

Lawrence High features one of the states top players in senior Brad Strauss,

who has been a standout at quarterback and defensive back. The Lions reached the playoffs last year, finished with a 6-4 record and return 11 starters for head coach Dirk Wedd. Kharon Brown, a 5-10, 240-pound senior, anchors the line, but the Lions need more of him to make a big push this season.

We need to find four offensive linemen and two defensive linemen, Wedd said. If we can do that, we have a chance to be pretty good.

Manhattan has produced three consecu - tive 10-1 seasons under head coach Joe Schartz, but have been unable to get past the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.The Indians were senior-dominated last year and return just three starters. One of them is senior quarterback Jacob Holloway.

Wichita Northwest has a new head coach in former Wichita Heights assistant Steve Martin, who inherits 11 returning starters from a 7-3 team that finished third in the City League. Martin will bring a hurry-up spread offense to the Northwest program and will look to feature the speed of 5-9, 175-pound junior running back Deron Thompson. Also returning is senior line - man Kyle Lee (6-0, 260), who was hon - orable mention All-State last year.

Garden City returns 10 starters from a 7- 3 team that reached the playoffs, but the Buffaloes have been placed in a tough dis - trict with Hutchinson, Dodge City and Maize. Senior linebacker Brady Bean (5- 10, 200) was HM All-State in 2011.

Junction City was 6-3 overall last year, but lost two of three district games and missed the playoffs. The Blue Jays return 10 starters, including seven on defense.

We have a very difficult schedule and must get off to a good start for our young kids to gain confidence, JCHS head coach Randall Zimmerman said. We should be solid defensively, but it may take us more time to find our strengths on offense.

Harold Bechard is the editor of Vype Magazine in Wichita. He has over 35 years experience as sports editor and sports writer for The Salina Journal and Hutchinson News.

Gabe Guild [Shawnee Mission South] 5-10, 185, RB, Sr.; 1,641 yards rushing in 11

Erick Mayo [Lawrence] 5-9, 170, WR/DB, Sr.; 31 catches, 519 yards in 11

Matt Plank [Gardner-Edgerton] 6-2, 215, LB, Sr.; 76 solo tackles, 11 for loss in 11

Frankie Seurer [Olathe South] 6-0, 185, QB, Sr.; 1,596 yards passing in 11

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There may not be a more important player to a high school football team in Kansas than Brad Strauss is to the Lawrence Lions.

Offense, defense, special teams, you name it, Strauss spends nearly every second of a 48-minute Friday night game on the field for Lawrence High.

I just love being out there on the field, said Strauss, the son of Mike and Lisa Strauss. Im not too happy with coach when Im standing next to him on the side - lines.

Lawrence High head coach Dirk Wedd isnt too com - fortable with it, either.

Ive been doing this for 38 years and they say you run into that special player once or twice in your career and in 1981 or 82 when I was at Wichita State, we had (quarterback) Prince McJunkins, Wedd said. That

For Kansas Pregame Ha r o ld Becha r d was the first one I ever had, and (Strauss) would be the

second. Hes pretty special. Thats quite a statement from a veteran head coach,

but Strauss has backed it up with two sparkling seasons as Lawrence Highs all-everything player. He plays quarterback, defensive back, holds for field goals and extra points and returns punts and kickoffs.

He would cover punts and cover kickoffs if I asked him to, Wedd said. He just doesnt want to come off the field. And, its easier for me to take the heat for playing him too much than for him to stand on the side - lines and get upset with me and giving me dirty looks.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Strauss enters the 2012 sea - son as one of the states top all-around football players, but mysteriously, hes not listed as one of the Top 10 senior players in Kansas by the rivals.com recruiting website.

Strauss has received some interest from colleges such

as Army, Harvard and New Mexico State, but the two Division I in-state schools havent come calling just yet. Theres also been contact from the likes of Emporia State and Northwest Missouri State at the NCAA Division II level and Hutchinson Community College, among others, at the junior college level.

I think most schools want to see me play my senior year, Strauss said.

And, Strauss, who has 4.5 speed, is looking forward to his final year in high school. The Lions were 6-4 a year ago and lost to eventual state champion Olathe South in the playoffs.

Were experienced, we have a lot of guys back and we expect to have a good year, he said. Weve got great tradition and we want a state championship to go with that tradition.

brad strauss lawrence lions



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PARK ER DAVIS SR. RB/LB 6-0 205

Derby enters the 2012 season with a strong junior class, including its entire offensive line of Quentin Cox, Jordan Hill, Devin Jones, Tanner Anderson, Cole Hansen and tight end DeAndre Gooslby. Coach Brandon Clark admits that the expectations are high for this seasons team, but reminds his players nothing will be given to them, as Clark said they were shown at their padded team camp at Tulsa in early June.

We had some good days, but the last day some things didnt go our way, and our kids got a little down, said Clark, who empha - sized leadership will be key to finding suc - cess this season. It was probably a good way to end camp, to get humbled a little bit. We definitely have some holes to fill.

Clark said those holes created by gradua - tion reside on the defensive line, lineback - ers, cornerbacks and offensive line. Tyler West, who first started at the end of his freshman season, is a 6-0, 210-pound junior running back. Buhler transfer Chandler Shantz will start at quarterback.

In 2011, Derby earned its third sub-state berth in four seasons, losing to district rival Wichita Heights for the sixth consecutive time since 2008.

Its pretty thick right now, said Clark. Weve got Heights, Hutch, Manhattan, Dodge City, Washburn Rural, Garden -- theres some good 6A programs on our side of the state.

9-4 in 2011 / 2-1 in district / 6A Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division I Coach: Brandon Clark (7th year, 42-32) Assistants: Caleb Smith, Cade Armstrong, Kevin Davis, Shelby Wehrman, Eric Hendrick, Devin Tarrant, Todd Olmstead, Jared McDaniel, Chris Devore Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 35 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 5 Defense Quentin Cox, OL, 5-10, 245, Jr.; Jordan Hill, OL, 5- 8, 245, Jr.; Devin Jones, OL, 5-10, 270, Jr.; Tanner Anderson, OL, 6-4, 250, Jr.; Cole Hansen, OL, 6-2, 265, Jr.; DeAndre Goolsby, TE, 6-5, 245, Jr.; Tyler West, RB, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Shane Fowler, WR, 6-3, 195, Jr.; Kavan Mark, DE, 6-2, 200, Jr.; Jose Delgado, LB, 5-10, 215, Jr.; Ben Becker, LB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Reed Trease, S, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Travis Young, S, 6-0, 200, Jr. Tom Witherspoon

In 2010, Dodge City went 11-1 and nearly advanced to the Class 6A state champion - ship game, setting a school record with 12 wins. The Red Demons lost to Wichita Heights in the final seconds in the sub-state championship game.

Last season, Dodge City took a big step back. The Red Demons started 3-1 with the lone loss a 14-7 defeat in Week 2 to Wichita Northwest. Then Dodge City won two of its final six games and finished 5-5. Two of those final four losses came by big margins, a 56-14 defeat to Hays High and a 55-0 first round playoff loss to Manhattan.

The stretch also included a tough 18-15 two overtime loss to rival Garden City in the Hatchet Game.

Dodge City returns running back Parker Davis, who rushed for 1,002 yards and 21 scores on 165 carries. He has 35 rushing TDs in two seasons. Taylor Murphy is back after after passing for 1,471 yards with 10 scores, but he is expected to play wideout this fall. Jordan Doan was the teams second-leading tackler with 63 stops.

Coach Dave Foster said the team lacks depth at linebacker and progression at that position will be key.

We must get over the hump from a year ago, Foster said. Complacency may have set in following an 11-1 season in 2010 and some players appear to have lost their edge. I look for that to return in the form of urgency in 2012.

5-5 in 2011 / 2-1 in district / 6A Western Athletic Conference Coach: Dave Foster (3rd year, 16-6; 15th overall, 88-69) Assistants: Shawn Steiner, Nathan Gaswick, Ross Smith, Steve Rankin, Fred Sims, Mark Sandbo, Kyle Culwell, Ben Hamilton, Dustin Fergerson, Keevin Self Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 Returning lettermen: 23 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 7 Defense Taylor Murphy, WR/DB, Sr.; Dakota Duckett, WR, Sr.; Immanuel Galloway, WR, Jr.; Jordan Doan, WR, Sr.; Dillon Burkhart, K, Jr.; Austin Savage, LB, Jr.; Parker Davis, RB/LB, Sr.; Dylan Vogel, OL/DL, Sr.; Justin Gemaehlich, OL/DL, Sr.; Alfredo Hernandez, OL, Sr.; Bryce Sonday, DL, Sr. Conor Nicholl

PANTHERS D erby

RED DEMONS D odge C ity

TRAVIS Y O UN G JR. S 6-0 200

TRAILBLAZERS G ardner-Edgerton

Gardner-Edgerton coach Marvin Diener knows a thing or two about coaching explo - sive running backs and quarterbacks, and he believes the Trailblazers have one of each for the 2012 season.

Juniors Traevohn Wrench and Jared Hobby return to the Gardner-Edgerton backfield after putting up big numbers in 2011. Wrench, a Kpreps.com All-State selection and first-team All-League running back, ran for 2,434 yards and 34 touchdowns while Hobby completed 91 of 179 passes for 1,175 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

The success of the offense lies squarely on the shoulders of Hobby and Wrench, Diener said in the teams preseason media guide. He also said the Blazers are looking for the passing game to step up and take some of the pressure off of Traevohn.

Diener has been pleased with the devel - opment of the teams receivers and said, Hobby has looked very good in preseason drills throwing the football.

Gardner-Edgerton must also replace most of its offensive line as senior Denton Lawrence is the only returning starter. Diener said he believes the Blazers have star power in the backfield, but they have to have good line and fullback play to give those players space to make big plays.

The Blazer defense will be led by senior linebacker Matt Plank, a Kpreps.com All- Stater and first-team All-League player who made 76 solo tackles, including 11 for loss, as a junior.

Seniors Conner Knorr and Max Knorr will move from offense to the defensive line this season, while seniors Riley Craig and Dalton Kirk are also returning starters.

8-4 in 2011 / 2-1 in district / 6A Eastern Kansas League Coach: Marvin Diener (7th year, 53-16; 28th year overall, 233-74) Assistants: Kris Henry, David Diener, Joel Bergmann, Kyle Woodall, Stan Watchous, Aaron Stubblefield, Ryan Plankenhorn, Ty Pfannestiel, Matt Kueser, Brian Bechard, John Yockey, John Bass Offense: I Formation Defense: 34 Returning lettermen: 15

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