Kansas Pregame, Volume 7
Page 72
Crop Production Services
For Dine-in or Carryout
Beloit, Kansas
620-842-3784
Supporting the Trojans players, coaches and fans!
320 N LL&G Rd Anthony, KS 67003
, Beloit • 785-738-3089
www.carricoimplement.com
A nthony/H arper-C haparral
B elle P laine DRAGONS
TROJANS
WILDCATS
A good group of seniors will lead the way for Chaparral, which struggled to a 1-8 record in 2011, but hopes to be significantly improved this fall.
Brian Seba enters his fourth season at Belle Plaine coming off a winning season in which they were a win away against Douglass from making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Paced by its offense, Beloit has become one of 3A’s top programs. The Trojans have won at least seven contests in each of the last five years, including two 10-win seasons. In the last four falls, Beloit has won at least one playoff game. Last year, Beloit tallied 544 points, second-most in Class 3A.
The Wildcats began the 2011 season with high expectations after winning a district title in 2010, but were decimated by injuries during district play and missed the playoffs with a 5-4 record. Just four players return with full-time starting experience, though Burlington has a number of others who saw action in the final two games.
It marked the fifth straight season Beloit ranked in the top-seven in the classification in scoring offense. Conway Springs and Beloit have ranked 1-2 in each of the last two years in 3A, according to preppowerindex.com.
“We lost six starters in the last two games last year,” coach Rusty Emling said. “That’s just part of football, but we didn’t have the younger kids ready to step up and they’re going to have to this year.”
ROAD RUNNERS
“Experience will be abundant with a very solid senior class leading the way,” said coach Justin Burke. “If quarterback Zach Duwe can have a big year, with All-CPL receiver Major Weiss, Conner Dickey and Justin Struble in the backfield and a big, solid, experienced line led by Clay Wilcox, a great season could be on the horizon.”
“I took this job over three years ago, coming off an 0-9 season, and we had probably 25 kids our first year,” said Seba. “I think we’ll be a solid 47-48 (this year). I tried to be real positive with the kids and give them an opportunity, and we’ve gotten better, and they’re more interested in being part of something that’s more productive.”
Duwe threw for over 1,000 yards last season while Wilcox was a first-team All-CPL pick on the line. Seniors Jeremy Gaug, Cade Stierwalt and Tevin Walker return to the line, as does sophomore Eric Hurt.
Belle Plaine returns most of its experience at the line of scrimmage, with returning starters Ryan Willms, Sebastian Brown, Austin Johnson and Tone Heath.
Defensively, the Roadrunners simply must improve in order to be competitive in the Central Plains League.
“This is a season of unknowns for us,” said Seba. “We have kids who are waiting their turn, chomping at the bit, ready to take advantage of their opportunities.”
“The defensive unit was picked apart last year and is a huge concern for this season,” Burke said. “However, experience among the front seven will be key and our young, talented defensive backs must be ready to go this year.” Chaparral returns five defensive linemen in addition to Dickey and Struble at linebacker. Duwe, Weiss and junior Nick Shaw are back to lead the secondary. The Roadrunners open with back-to-back home games against Wichita Trinity and Garden Plain, which both posted winning records in 2011, before finishing with six opponents who finished at or below .500. 1-8 in 2011 / 0-3 in district / 3A Central Plains League Coach: Justin Burke (3rd year, 8-11; 16th year overall, 69-45) Assistants: Taylor Zeka, Mike Reed, Britt Whealy Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Clay Wilcox, OL/DL, 6-1, 295, Sr.; Zack Duwe, QB/ DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Major Weiss, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Conner Dickey, RB/LB, 6-1, 220, Jr.; Jeremy Gaug, OL/DL, 6-0, 225, Sr.; Nick Shaw, DB, 6-1, 165, Jr.; Cade Stierwalt, OL/DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Justin Struble, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Tevin Walker, OL/DL, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Eric Hurt, OL/DL, 6-1, 260, So. Melanie McGee
N o free co pies in yo u r co m m u n ity? N o spo n so rs fo r yo u r tea m ?
Be a spon sor! Businesses,clubs,churches,schools - anyone can be a team sponsor and provide free copies to your com m unity!
E-m a iljo h n @ ka n sa sprega m e.co m fo r m o re in fo rm atio n .
Conway Springs, Wichita Collegiate and Garden Plain overwhelmed Belle Plaine last season, but Seba felt like his team contended in every other game. “We were better,” he said. “The other six we felt like we should have won. We came up an extra point short against Douglass.” Seba intends for the team to be more consistent than last season and to be tough physically and mentally. “All indications are these guys have put themselves through the grinder in the weight room,” said Seba. “We brought in a speed camp and had 30 guys involved in that. We averaged over 40 kids at camp and at the weight room they stepped up, so I hope all hard work pays off like the coaches have been telling them.” 5-4 in 2011 / 1-2 in district / 3A Central Plains League Coach: Brian Seba (4th year, 8-19; 6th year overall, 21-25) Assistants: Jason Jinkens, Dave Balsters, Dave Martin, Kevin Jerrick Offense: Flex Defense: 4-3 Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 6 Defense Ryan Wilms, OL/DL, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Sebastian Brown, OL/DE, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Austin Johnson, OL/ DE, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Dalin Mead, WR/DB, 5-7, 170, Sr.; Quay Hervey, WR/LB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Zach Thornbrugh, RB/LB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Bryson Gann, WR/DB, 6-3, 165, Sr.; Tone Heath, OL/DL, 5-9, 210, Jr.; Chase Curl, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Harry Busick, WR/LB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Brett Gooch, LS, 5-11, 166, So. Tom Witherspoon
B eloit
Beloit graduated lineman Jacob English, a University of Wyoming signee, but does return senior Jake Barrett and junior Bryce Black, each first team all-league players. Other returners include senior Bowe Behymer, first team all-league defensive lineman, and senior Austin Budke, a first team all-league linebacker.
16 74 K a n sa s14 Hw y,Belo it 785 -73 8-25 5 1
The Wildcats do return quarterback Korbin Ratzlaff for his third season under center. The senior completed 25 of 66 passes for five touchdowns, plus ran for three scores and an average of 4.1 yards per carry in Burlington’s first five games.
“We have to stay healthy, develop depth, and get better all season long,” coach Greg Koenig said.
Two members of the offensive line are back after paving the way for a 1,300 yard rusher last fall. Alec Smith and Bryan Parra will have some new backs behind them, but many underclassmen got a taste of running the ball late last season.
Beloit, long-known for its size in its double-wing offense, will bring back eight starters on each side of the ball. Six starters weigh at least 200 pounds, including the 6foot-1, 265-pound Barrett and the 5-11, 265-pound Black.
On defense, Burlington brings back Parra, Smith and fellow senior Chase Beyer on the line. The entire linebacking corps is gone, and Ratzlaff is the lone returner in the secondary.
Payton Vetter returns as the starting quarter- “We lost a lot of kids, so we’ve got to keep back for the third straight year. working and take one game at a time,” Emling said. “We need to play together as a 9-3 in 2011 / 2-1 in district / 3A / Enrollment team and keep working toward one goal – North Central Activities Association making every play perfect. We’ve got our Coach: Greg Koenig work cut out for us but they’re getting after (7th year, 49-18; 14th overall, 75-67) it in the weight room and hopefully that Assistants: Casey Seyfert, Ryan Isbell, Andy translates to the field.”
Niemczyk, Brandon Cox Offense: Double Wing Defense: 10-1 Returning lettermen: 18 Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense Hunter Post, DL, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Caleb Marshall, DL, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Austin Budke, TE/LB, 6-5, 205, Sr.; Stanten Krone, LB/FB, 6-0, 220, Sr.; Jake Barrett, OL, 6-1, 265, Sr.; Dylan Heidrick, OL, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Cadyn Carter, OL/DL, 6-3, 195, Sr.; Bowe Behymer, RB/LB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Brandon Boeckman, DL, 6-0, 200, Jr.; Bryce Black, OL, 5-11, 265, Jr.; Payton Vetter, QB/DB, 6-3, 190, Jr. Conor Nicholl
Photo by Marion McReynolds
5-4 in 2011 / 1-2 in district / 3A Tri Valley League Coach: Rusty Emling (10th year, 60-38) Assistants: Tim Johnson, Doug Stewart, Dave Gilman Offense: I Formation Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 3 Offense, 4 Defense Korbin Ratzlaff, QB/S, Sr.; Alec Smith, OT/DT, Sr.; Bryan Parra, OT/NG, Sr.; Chase Beyer, DT, Sr. Melanie McGee File Photo
PAY TO N VETTER
K O RBIN RATZLAFF
JR.• Q B/DB • 6-3 • 183
SR.• Q B/S • 6-0 • 170
(785) 738-5281 Todd Clover • Jason Chan cellor • Lin dy Lin dblad
B urlington
Hwy 24 & 8th St. P.O. Box 304 Our Mission is Your Transmission Beloit, Kansas 67420
K-14 & U.S. Hwy 24 Beloit 785-738-5706 Dine-in, Carryout, & Delivery (5 PM - Close)