Kansas Pregame, Volume 12
By Mark Schremmer For Kansas Pregame A true three-sport athlete, Frontenac’s Broc Ginavan earned All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League honors in football, basketball and baseball last year. Frontenac football coach Mark Smith can relate. Smith excelled in the big three sports at St. Mary’s-Colgan High School before going on to receive All-America honors as the quarterback at NCAA Division II’s Pittsburg State Gorillas. “Broc’s just a tremendous athlete,” Smith said. “He loves all three sports, and he’s like I was in that he’s focused on that sport for whatever season it is. He’s a great kid to have at Frontenac. He’s a player the kids look up to.” Ginavan and Smith both represent the Raiders on the 2017 cover of Kansas Pregame. A 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end, Ginavan enters his senior season with big expectations. He’s coming off a successful junior campaign, receiving first-team all-league honors on the defensive line and an honorable mention for Class 4A Division II by The Topeka Capital-Journal. “He set the tone for us on defense last year,” Smith said. “I think he can be even better this year.” Ginavan brings a good size-speed combination that allows him to flourish against the run and the pass. “I’ll take him one-on-one against any tight end in the league,” Smith said. “And his athleticism makes it tough for any offensive tackle. His confidence keeps getting better each year.” Smith said Ginavan was limited to about 30 tackles last year, but the number wasn’t reflective of the problems he created for opposing offenses. Often, Ginavan was double-teamed, or offenses ran to the opposite side of the field. “Toward the end of the season, I started receiving a lot of double teams,” Ginavan said. “But I’m OK if I don’t get the tackle. If I can take up two blockers to free up linebackers, I’m happy.” Ginavan’s best game may have been during a 35-14 victory over league rival Galena in Week 2, Smith said. “The game was postponed and played on Saturday,” Smith said. “He had a tremendous afternoon. He took away their sprint package and all of their best plays. He was a dominant player on defense, and he continued by controlling the line of scrimmage all year long.” He helped the Raiders to a 10-1 record, winning league and district championships before falling in the second round of the 4A Division II playoffs. As a senior, Ginavan is expected to receive an expanded role on offense. Smith said he plans to use Ginavan as a tight end, as well as split him out as a wide receiver. “He has good size and athleticism,” Smith said. “We will use him on bootlegs to get him involved in the offense. He has good hands, and he’s a big target.” He certainly possesses the genes to be a good receiver. Broc’s father, Steve Ginavan, was an all-state wideout at Emporia High School in 1985. He joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders on the Kansas Top 11 squad that year. Ginavan went on to earn all-conference honors at wide receiver for Pittsburg State in 1989. “My dad had really good hands,” Broc said. “Luckily, that was carried down to me. I have pretty good hands. My dad always sets goals for me like the number of catches or yards to get in a game. He really motivates me. He knows what I’m capable of.” Ginavan has also excelled as a center in basketball and as a pitcher in baseball. He said he’s hoping to pitch in college. “Right now, I’m leaning toward baseball,” Ginavan said. “But depending on how things go, I may give football a look.” Being standouts in three sports isn’t the only thing Ginavan and his coach have in common. Both are also following in the footsteps of their fathers. Smith’s father, Chuck Smith, recently retired as one of the most successful football coaches in Kansas high school history. Smith compiled an impressive record of 346-80, winning Class 2-1A state championships with the St. Mary’s-Colgan Panthers in 1984, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. “Whenever I have a big decision, I think about what my dad would do in that situation,”
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MARK SMITH & BROC GINAVAN
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Frontenac
THE GINAVAN FILE Hobbies: “Play Xbox and hang out with my friends on the weekends.” Favorite subject: History Favorite food: Cheese pizza Favorite musician: Drake Favorite pregame song: “Rise and Shine” by J. Cole Most memorable high school football moment: “There has been a lot of memorable moments but I think the one I will remember the most is senior night this year. “
Brought to you by the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more about all there is to see and do in Crawford County go to visitcrawfordcounty.com.
Chicken Restaurants Crawford County is has been known for its fried chicken restaurants since the early 1930’s. The county is home to six locally owned and operated restaurants all with a rich and unique history. This group of restaurants has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Food Wars, as well as being named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine. You can’t come to Crawford County without stopping to eat some fried chicken! www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/chicken