Kansas Pregame, Volume 14
LYONS
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HUTCHINSON-TRINITY
The most recent graduated senior class from Hutchinson Trinity saw steady progression which culminated with an excellent 2018 season. As freshmen, last year’s Trinity senior class went 3-6. The next year saw a 5-4 season followed by a 6-3 season. In their final season, last year, the Celtics went 9-2 and made the quarterfinals of the 2A playoffs. Trinity began the year 3-0, highlighted by an 8-6 win over Ell-Saline, before dropping a 22-8 defeat to juggernaut Conway Springs. The Celtics rebounded by winning six straight, but ran into Hoisington in the quarterfinals. Now, the Celtics face one of the more imminent rebuilds in the state with no returning starters on offense and just two on defense. However, sixth-year head coach Jordan Bell not only welcomes the rebuild, but he is optimistically embracing it. “We are extremely excited about the upcoming 2019 season,” Bell said. “The coaching staff is eager to see new faces within the program play under the Friday night lights.” The Celtics two returning starters come from the defensive side of the ball. Junior linebackers Evan Remar and Miles Friday will both be heavily relied on for leadership and experience. Remar was second on the team with 80 tackles while Friday tallied 52 tackles last season. “The defensive unit will play fast, physical, and with great effort,” Bell said. Although the Celtics do not return any starters on offense from last year, they do return junior Andrew Bergmeier who will make an immediate impact at running back. Bergmeier missed most of last season with a hand injury, but started his freshman season and rushed for 729 yards and eight touchdowns. “The offense will continue to operate out of multiple formations and a no-huddle look,” Bell said. The schedule in 2019 features six teams that made the playoffs last season. Trinity plays in District 6, which features Conway Springs, Chaparral, Garden Plain, Whitewater-Remington and Wichita Independent. “Continued development of underclassmen will remain a priority to sustain the success of the football program in future years,” Bell said. 9-2 in 2018 / 4-1 in district / 2A Heart of America League Coach: Jordan Bell (6th year, 32-18) Assistants: Sean Racette, Mike Miller, Jonathan Burkhart Offense: No-Huddle Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 8 Returning starters: 0 Offense, 2 Defense Miles Friday, LB, Jr.; Evan Remar, LB, Jr. Gallagher Martin
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LAKIN
Southwestern Heights posted its third straight 2-7 season, this time under new coach Matt Bell, formerly at Fowler. SH went 0-5 in league and opened 0-5 for the season with two losses by 14 and 22 points. In Weeks 6-7, the Mustangs earned their first victories at Lyons (38-3) and versus Ellinwood (56-28). In its last two contests, the Mustangs lost at Sterling, 42-34, in three overtimes and lost at Phillipsburg, 5512. SW Heights scored 21.3 points and allowed 35.8. The program has not had a winning season since an 8-2 mark in ’07. The Mustangs graduated four-year starting quarterback Efren Mercado, who had 172 carries for 1,068 yards and nine scores. Junior Izak Castro recorded 103 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Overall, the Mustangs graduated just four players from ’18, two who started on both offense and defense. Another two-way starter transferred, so the Mustangs return eight starters. Hever Mercado is expected to step in at quarterback after he has played well as the JV QB the last two years. “Being in Year 2 of our new system we look for much better understanding from our players and believe that will lead to increased production and efficiency,” Bell said. “We should be very experienced this season and will lean on that experience in order to be successful. Offensively we will look to be more balanced in regards to running and throwing the ball.” Senior Demetrio Flores is expected to have a strong year at after rushing for 684 yards and recording 100-plus tackles, while Sergio Puentes, Walter Ramirez and Bryant Olvera led the way at receiver. Four of the five offensive linemen return, paced by junior Efren Natividad. Sophomore Memo Flores – who started both ways as a freshman - moves from weak side linebacker to strong side linebacker to replace Efren Mercado. Bell listed team strengths as experience, continuity and increased weight room numbers. Bell said the biggest weakness is a lack of experienced reserves.
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Lakin has improved each of the four years under accomplished coach Chris Bamberger going 2-7, 5-5, 7-3 and 8-2. Last year, the Broncs captured their first playoff win since 1999 and approached the best record in school history, a 10-1 mark in 1988. Lakin opened the season with a 20-19 road win versus Meade and lost 18-14 to Cimarron in Week 6 in a game that decided the Hi-Plains League title. In the playoffs, Lakin defeated Norton, 44-14, before a 41-0 loss to Phillipsburg. The Round of 16 advancement marked the furthest for the school since ’01. Lakin scored 30.5 points per game and allowed 14.1 in ’18 after an average score of 32.9-22.3 in ’17. The Broncs are expected to be a 2A contender with lineman Hadley Panzer and running back Kayden Christiansen back. Panzer earned multiple Division I offers and has committed to Kansas State. Christiansen rushed 162 times for 1,022 yards and 14 scores. “We will depend on some young players to develop quickly through the summer and early season games,” Bamberger said. “Our returning players have been training hard in the offseason and will hopefully be ready to step into even bigger roles this coming season.” Lakin needs a new quarterback after Juan Banuelos graduated following 376 passing yards, a 2/9 TD/INT ratio, 726 rushing yards and 14 scores. All 25 receptions came from non-seniors last year. Even with the success, Lakin committed 21 turnovers and finished minus-3 in turnover margin, rare for an eight-win squad. Panzer led the team with 62 tackles, 6.5 for loss. Banuelos picked off five passes. Before Lakin, Bamberger, a Jetmore native and former K-State player, had great success at Ness City, including a state title. “We will have low numbers, not a lot of depth, but will look to add some players who may be able to contribute by getting them good reps in camps,” 2-7 in 2018 / 2-3 in district / 2A / Hi-Plains League Bamberger said. “It will be a key for us to stay Coach: Matt Bell (2nd year, 2-7; 5th overall, 20-19) healthy throughout the season, especially in district Assistants: Kellan Hernandez, Mitchell Burns, Tayler play. Our district opponents will all improve as well so Stull, Chris Bortz Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-4 the competition will be tough. It will be important that Returning lettermen: 15 we have a great summer in the weight room and get Returning starters: 8 Offense, 8 Defense guys quality reps in the camps we attend.” Demetrio Flores, RB/MLB, 5-9, 200, Sr.; Noah Gentry, DE, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Neeley Nichols, OT, 5-10, 8-2 in 2018 / 4-1 in district / 2A / Hi-Plains League 185, Sr.; Juan Torres, DE, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Valick Sorter, Coach: Chris Bamberger (5th year, 22-16; 10th overC/DT, 6-4, 245, Sr.; Hever Mercado, QB/DB, 5-10, all, 62-30) Assistants: Chris Pollart, Travis Johnson, 155, Jr.; Bryant Olvera, WR/DB, 5-10, 135, Jr.; Sergio Wyatt Jiru Offense: Flexbone Defense: 4-3 Puentes, TE, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Izak Castro, MLB, 5-10, Returning lettermen: 16 195, Jr.; Erick Valenzuela, OG, 5-8, 230, Jr.; Efren Returning starters: 9 Offense, 9 Defense Natividad, OT/DT, 6-1, 265, Jr.; Walter Ramirez, WR/ Hadley Panzer, OL/DL, 6-3, 295, Sr.; Kayden DB, 5-9, 135, Jr.; Memo Flores, FB/OLB, 5-7, 180, Christiansen, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; William Gilliland, So. Conor Nicholl RB/LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Jaylyn Hash, TE/WR/LB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Erick Moreno, OL/DL, 5-10, 260, Sr.; Kade Lovelady, RB/DB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Dawson Aller OL/DL, 5-7, 210, Jr.; Servando Gonzales, QB/RB/DB, 5-10, The strength of the team will be up front where three starters return each way in senior Brody Sparks 155, So.; Conner Hudson, WR/DB, 5-10, 155, So. Conor Nicholl and juniors Landon Drinkard and Kyler Holloway. Drinkard is a three-year starter and Freeman called the Bulldogs’ line the most improved group a year ago and hopes their experience will offset the inexperience in the skill positions. Two of McLouth’s five losses last year came to Silver Lake and two others came to teams which made the second round of the 2A playoffs, Maur Hill and Osage City. The Bulldogs were actually outscored by their opponents overall last year (315-290). With low numbers, staying healthy will be a huge key for McLouth in 2019.
MCLOUTH
With a 5-5 mark last year, McLouth matched the total number of wins it had posted in Gary Freeman’s first three years as head coach. The season was the best since a 7-3 mark in 2013 and the Bulldogs posted their first playoff victory since 2012 with a 48-26 win over Jayhawk-Linn in the opening round of the Class 2A postseason. Freeman would love to avoid the regression his team experienced in 2017 when, coming off a 4-5 mark in 2016, McLouth slipped to an 0-9 record. It will be a challenge as McLouth graduated 10 seniors off last year’s team, many of whom were three- and four-year starters. The Bulldogs do return five starters, but those also represent the only returning lettermen and Freeman is expecting only between 15-20 players to be on the roster this season. Arguably the biggest graduation loss was Jeremy Carlton, a four-year starter at quarterback for the Bulldogs during his career. Last year, Carlton racked up nearly 1,800 yards of total offense, throwing for 1,015 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for another 774 yards and nine scores. Matt Kuglin will move in from his receiver position to take over under center for the Bulldogs. With Hunter Plake also moving from receiver to running back, McLouth goes into the season with essentially new starters at every skill position.
Go Lions!
5-5 in 2018 / 3-2 in district / 2A Northeast Kansas League Coach: Gary Freeman (5th year, 10-27) Assistants: Rodney Carlton, Tony Kuckelman Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-5 Returning lettermen: 5 Returning starters: 5 Offense, 5 Defense Matt Kuglin, TE/LB, 6-0, 150, Jr.; Hunter Plake, WR/ DB, 5-9, 145, Jr.; Landon Drinkard, OL/DL, 5-9, 205, Jr.; Kyler Holloway, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Jr.; Brody Sparks, OL/DL, 6-0, 225, Sr. Brent Maycock
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Page 109
Andy Gwennap has been tasked with reviving a Lyons football program that is staring a 29-game losing streak in the face which dates back four years. The last win for the Lions came on Oct. 23, 2015. Gwennap is no stranger to rebuilding programs. In his first year as a head coach, Gwennap led Republic County to a 4-5 season in 2015 after the Buffs finished with a combined one win the previous four seasons. Gwennap, a former Smith Center and University of Nebraska lineman, also has experience as an assistant coach at Hugoton and Russell, among others. The current Lyons seniors have never experienced a varsity win. But with a fresh face at the helm and plenty of experience, Lyons could break the streak. In addition to 20 returning lettermen, Lyons returns nine starters on offense and eight on D. Ismael Reyes is due for a big senior season after being named All-Central Kansas League honorable mention as a d-back. Reyes will also receive his fair shares of carries at the running back position. The Lions had one additional all-league selection last year — senior kicker Alejandro Pena, who also starts on both lines. In total, Lyons will be relying on seven seniors who are returning starters. The Lions also have a good blend of juniors and sophomores. In his first season at Lyons, Gwennap will preach the fundamentals. “We will improve each week and work as one unit; we will be fundamentally sound,” Gwennap said. “The weight room will be the key to success, as will hard work, intensity and physicality.” 0-9 in 2018 / 0-5 in district / 2A Central Kansas League Coach: Andy Gwennap (1st year; 2nd overall, 4-5) Assistants: Cody Bowers, Dakota Nave, Josh Schievelbein Offense: Belly Defense: Multiple Returning lettermen: 20 Returning starters: 9 Offense, 8 Defense David Boyd, OL/DL, Sr.; Eddie Burrola, TE/DE, Sr.; Aaron Gomez, WR/DB, Sr.; Dezmond Higgins, WR/ DB, Sr.; Alejandro Pena, OL/LB, Sr.; Ismael Reyes, RB/ DB, Sr.; John Smith, WR/DB, Sr.; Jerry Orta, OL/DL, Jr.; Dalton Procopio, RB/LB, Jr.; Israel Rios, WR/DB, Jr.; Cade Crawford, QB/DB, So.; Wyatt Showalter, OL/ DL, So.; Dawson Stover, QB/DB, So.; Treyton Troyer, WR/DB, So.; Giovany Pando, OL/DL, So. GM
MINNEAPOLIS
After an 8-4 season in 2014, Minneapolis went 0-9, 1-8 and 2-7 before 4-5 last fall under former coach Jhon Haehn. He left for Elkhart in the spring and former Herington coach Tom Flax took over. Flax helped Herington into the eight-man ranks three years ago, and the Railers posted marks of 7-2, 3-6, 3-6. Before then, Herington had recorded just one victory in the previous four years. Minneapolis opened 3-1 last year with a 46-8 road win against Republic County, followed by a 20-17 overtime win versus Sacred Heart. In Week 3, the Lions lost to Beloit, 56-18, before a 14-13 road victory versus Ellsworth. Then, the Lions dropped four in a row, notably, a close 14-7 road loss to Thomas More Prep-Marian in Week 7. In Week 9, the Lions defeated Ellinwood, 58-8, to close the season on a high note. Minneapolis had an injury-plagued season and have seven seniors. Returning senior starters this fall include quarterback Derek Freel, wide receiver Kaden Griffin, fullback Crew Martin and offensive lineman Cooper Thompson. Flax potentially could have 26 returning sophomores and juniors. Last year, the Lions scored 20.2 points a contest and allowed 28.6 points a game. Two years ago, Minneapolis scored 19.3 points a game and permitted 36.8. The Lions graduated its top-two players with lineman Gaton Heald and running back/linebacker Tyson Villalpando, both whom collected first team all-league on both sides of the ball. 4-5 in 2018 / 1-4 in district / 2A Coach: Thomas Flax (1st year; 7th overall, 14-40) Assistants: Travis Shaft, Todd Just, Lyle Davidson Offense: N/A Defense: N/A Returning lettermen: 15 Returning starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense Derek Freel, QB, Sr.; Cooper Thompson, OL/LB, Sr.; Kaden Griffin, WR/DB, Sr.; Crew Martin, FB/LB, Sr.; Keyon Baccus, OL/DE, Jr.; John Nelson, WR/DB, Jr.; Trenton Moeckel, DB, Jr. Conor Nicholl