Kansas Pregame, Volume 12
17 Valley Center coach Caleb Smith (left) will count on WyattPage Lange (#1), Tyler Boone (#11), and Caleb Rains (#26) to lead the way in the continued rebuilding project at Valley Center after a breakout season last fall. (Photo by Derek Livingston, dereklivingston.zenfolio.com)
Family Business The Crawford County Historical Museum is a non-profit organization with one of the largest collections of artifacts and historical displays in southeast Kansas. For more information visit www.crawfordcountymuseum.com, or, find them on Facebook.
By Brad Hallier For Kansas Pregame In four seasons, Caleb Smith has taken Valley Center from the depths of Class 5A football to heights not seen since his father, Mike, coached the Hornets two decades ago. Although Caleb Smith’s tenure started like many other Valley Center coaches’ did - the Hornets were 0-8 in 2013 - he has quickly turned the Hornets into a team capable of playing deep into November. Smith, who was also an assistant for Brandon Clark at Derby, led Valley Center to a 9-2 season last season and two playoff victories. This year, the Hornets look for more, behind a talented trio of Tyler Boone, Wyatt Lange and Caleb Rains. Tyler Boone This could be a memorable senior year for Boone, a Valley Center middle linebacker. Not only are the Hornets expected to be high-caliber, a year after winning nine games, but Boone is also an accomplished wrestler. Last year, not only was Boone part of a great Valley Center football team, but also a wrestling team that finished third in Class 5A. But what about that football team? Can the Hornets replicate last season or do better? “The thing I want for our team this season is a season just as successful as last,” Boone said. “I don’t go into anything hoping not to win, so a state championship would be nice.” The senior tallied 109 tackles last year and earned all-league honors a year after tallying 60 tackles during his sophomore season. He also posted one tackle for loss in each season. He added an interception last year as well. Boone is content just being outside, and not only on the football field. An outdoorsman, Boone says he
VALLEY CENTER
favorite moment of Valley Center’s 9-2 season. enjoys fishing and camping as much as possible. Rains could be poised for a breakout season after Wyatt Lange rushing for 473 yards and five touchdowns last fall. Free time doesn’t really exist for the Valley Center He also posted 13 tackles on defense. senior quarterback. A four-sport athlete - he also Once the senior finishes up this season, howevplays basketball, golf and is a track hurdler - Lange er, he doesn’t expect to continue playing football. also excels in the classroom, where he enjoys math Instead, he hopes to shine a different kind of light, and hopes to study for a career in corporate law. on lives. What will than entail? An undergraduate degree in After high school, Rains wants to do inner-city economic policy and then on to law school. ministry, “because I enjoy reaching out to people and This means Lange could get into some pretty good being a light to those that do not have much.” debates in the courtroom one day. Among his non-football hobbies, Rains enjoys “I chose this because I am a straightforward person attending church, playing the bass and guitar, and and follow rules at all costs,” Lange said. being a part of his worship team. Right now, he might debate college coaches on Until then, Rains said he hoped to continue Valley why he would be a good fit for their program. Although Lange hasn’t received any offers to play Center’s rapid rise. It was just 2013 when Valley Center went 0-8. college football, he certainly proved himself last year “Be first in league and win one more (game) than in helping Valley Center to a breakout 9-2 season. last year,” Rains said about the Hornets’ season He accumulated 400 yards in a comeback win goals. against Goddard-Eisenhower. The dual-threat QB tallied 1,642 yards passing with a 17/7 TD/INT ratio, and rushed for another 535 yards and eight more scores. Caleb Rains Rains has been a shining light during Valley Center’s revival. A running back and linebacker, Rains brings up his 141-yard rushing performance during a 21-0 win www.ValleyCenterHornets.com against Newton as his