Can Gardner Edgerton reload?

Okay, it's time for the annual guessing game that is preseason rankings. At Kansas Pregame, we do football rankings with the goal of trying to guess who will be in the Top 5 come the end of the season.

Last year we picked eventual state champions Gardner-Edgerton, Mill Valley and Axtell as preseason number one in their respective classifications and eventual champions Aquinas, Cheney, Lyndon and Cheylin were preseason number two. But that's not to say that a few of our predictions weren't noticeable misses. Our 5A preseason number two pick, Bishop Carroll, suffered an incredibly rare season below .500, while eventual 1A champ Conway Springs didn't even make our preseason Top 5, though they were in our list of others.

What are our top considerations when doing preseason rankings?

• How much experience and statistical production does a team have returning? If talented and experienced players are back, then chances are usually better that the school will field a good team.
• Did a potential top team lose or gain any key transfers in the offseason? This is a relatively new phenomenon, and one that a lot of people don't care for, including a substantial number of coaches, even those who are often the beneficiary of these transfers, but changes at the college level are trickling down to the high school level and it's easier to switch teams than ever.
• What are trusted sources saying about the state's best teams? Peers in the media and coaches or parents who have served as reliable sources over the years help to let us know how a team looks in the offseason.
• Coaching and tradition play an important role in preseason rankings as well. It's hard to bet against Derby, Mill Valley, Axtell and other teams that consistently finish with deep playoff runs.
• Is the league historically strong? When you start talking about breaking ties in rankings, a team's league is a consideration. Teams from the Eastern Kansas and Twin Valley leagues, for example, tend to do very well in postseason competition, where some other leagues, for whatever reason, find it harder to produce playoff winners.

We plan to provide rankings weekly throughout the season and can't wait to get the season started. Rather than trying to provide a snapshot of the Top 5 teams in any given week, our goal is to produce more of a power ranking. In other words, who are the strongest teams regardless of record, because those teams that come from the above mentioned strongest leagues will produce teams that would beat many of the other teams in the state.

So, without further delay, here's our best guess at the top teams in Class 6A heading into the 2024 season.

Class 6A

1. Derby
2. Free State
3. Lawrence
4. Manhattan
5. Gardner Edgerton

Others: Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley West, Junction City, Olathe North, Maize, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Washburn Rural, Wichita East, Wichita Northwest

Losing in the state championship game can light a fire that was already bright, and for DERBY, that’s where they’re heading into the 2024 season, as the early favorite. For the Panthers, they’ll have a QB battle between seniors, Aiden Heckathorn and Maize transfer Drew Kemp. Last season, Kemp was 156 of 243 passing for 2,018 yards, 17 TDs with six interceptions. He also ran for another 200 yards for Maize. While they lose Derek Hubbard (St. Thomas, DI) in the backfield, they’ll have super sophomore Arieus Finley toting the rock. He ran for 450 yards as a freshman in relief of Hubbard and looks like he could be the next great Derby Panther running back. One of the top targets from last season, Da’Saahn Brame returns at tight end. He had 46 receptions for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, and the Tennesee commit is ranked as a 4-star by 247Sports and is the fourth highest rated prospect in the Kansas Class of 2025, and 112th nationally. The kid runs incredible routes and makes big-time catches. His range and strength are elite.

The Panther defense returns eight of 11 starters from last year’s squad that allowed only 15.6 points per game. Defensive back Martel Jackson is one of the top players in the state. He’s a Kansas State commit and is a 3-star defensive back. He had nearly 40 tackles last season. Easton Splane returns to his role as one of the top safeties in Kansas after filling in at QB last fall in place of injured Braxton Clark, who’s off to Dodge City Community College after graduating. Splane recorded 67 tackles and an interception last fall. Top tackler Kikoa Indalecio returns at linebacker after recording 92 stops a season ago. Junior offensive lineman Maxwell Robinson (Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, Auburn, Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa State, K-State, KU offers) is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2026 and Rose Hill transfer Milan Colvin (Marshall offer) will fortify the defensive line.

But it’s not one or two top prospects that keeps Derby near the top of the rankings every year, it’s a tradition of excellence established over the last 20 years under coach Brandon Clark. That tradition has resulted in the Panthers playing in nine of the last 11 6A title games, winning six.

The Lawrence FREE STATE Firebirds have set their expectations high heading into 2024. Head coach Kevin Stewart is hoping to build off starting last season 6-0 as they return a bunch of experience from last year’s 7-3 squad. The large group of seniors are led by four returning starters on the offensive line in Alex Risley, Lawrence Brunghardt, Hiram Kahungura and Braden Wilmes. Behind their line, Free State averaged 378.1 yards of offense last season and scored nearly 35 points per game. They’ll have to replace Wesley Edison at QB, who accounted for more than 2,600 yards of offense and 34 touchdowns.

Whoever coach Stewart picks at QB will have his pick of wideouts to choose from. Landon Leipold, son of KU head coach Lance Leipold, and Bralin Preston, son of former KU WR Asheiki Preston, provide a pair of weapons at wide receiver. Leipold had 26 receptions for 359 yards and three TDs last season. Preston had 25 receptions for 339 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Their defense should be the gem for the Firebirds. They looked to build upon their 17.9 points per game allowed last season. They return their top three tacklers from last season in Crow Bengoa (92), Parker Moore (75) and Noah Rupp (56). Moore, a Wyoming commit, also led Free State in TFLs with seven. The D-Line has experience back, led by disruptive nose guard Hyrum Vaeonoo, a 6-3, 300 pound senior.

GARDNER EDGERTON comes in as the reigning state champion, topping Derby 22-19 in the title game last November and finishing on top of 6A a season after falling to Manhattan in a double overtime thriller in 2022. Jesse Owen enters his fourth year for the Trailblazers and he’ll return five starters on one of the most explosive offenses in 6A, but the defense is a virtual complete rebuild with just two starters back from the best defense in 6A. The Blazers allowed just 9.9 points per game and gave up a combined 217.1 yards per game last season. 

After back-to-back state title games, Owen is hoping to reload and not rebuild. That starts on defense with senior linebacker, Kaleb Dewey. He led the Blazers in tackles last season. Offensively, senior QB, Bravin Powell returns to command a powerful rushing offense that averaged 260 yards per game on the ground. Powell led the Blazers with 723 rushing yards and added 1,228 passing yards with 28 total TDs. Mason Matlock, Remington Carpenter and Kaleb Moore will help secure the offensive line that loses Ethan Whittley while big defensive lineman Isaiah Williams returns to complement Dewey.

While some may see the preseason ranking of the Trailblazers at the bottom of the Top 5 as disrespectful, it's just difficult to imagine Owen's staff recovering from such significant graduation losses, at least early in the season.

After going 6-4 and 7-3 the past two seasons, LAWRENCE head coach Clint Bowen has something brewing at his alma mater. The Chesty Lions return Banks Bowen to command their offense that ranked fifth in 6A at 413.1 yards per game last season. The University of Tulsa commit threw for 1,676 yards and ran for another 1,017 last fall. He had 26 total touchdowns. Lawrence returns seven starters on offense and were one of two schools in 6A that ranked in the top six in both offensive passing and rushing last season (Olathe North). They return three starting offensive linemen and both Gabe Wingerd and Jaxon Becker on the wings. 

Defensively, Lawrence returns nine starters. Junior Josh Galbreath (KU, Nebraska, K-State, Iowa State, Illinois offers) returns after finishing second on the team in tackles and first in TFLs and sacks. Senior Jah’ir Johnson will command the linebackers from his middle linebacker spot and they’ll have almost their entire secondary back as well.

The 2022 6A champs, MANHATTAN looks to get back to the promised land after a nine-win season last year. Head coach Joe Schartz is aiming for win No. 130 in the season opener. Manhattan was one of the best defensive teams in 6A last season, allowing only 85 rushing yards and 14.8 points per game. They will see a handful of two-way players this season in Trey Hoover, Landon Dobson and JJ Dunnigan. Linebacker Colby Altevogt was second on the Tribe’s tackle list with 70 and 8.5 TFLs. Dobson led Manhattan with two fumble recoveries last season. 

Offensively, they should be just as explosive with all-around athlete Carter Aslin returning. He threw for 908 yards and ran for another 1,414 last fall, and accounted for 26 touchdowns (18 rush, 8 pass). Senior Jaydin Hudley will provide a nice 1-2 punch with Aslin as he returns after rushing for 778 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.

WICHITA NORTHWEST elevates former Derby assistant and Andover head coach Cade Armstrong to defensive coordinator this fall. He helped Derby win state championships as the coordinator before taking over at Andover. He has since served a stint as an assistant at El Dorado and last year at Northwest prior to the promotion. He’ll look to help the Grizzlies D improve on last year’s 18.1 points and 291.0 yards allowed per game, and most notably scoring outbursts against the Grizzlies best opponents, which last year included 35 points to Kapaun, 34 and 48 points in a pair of losses to Wichita East, and 28 points in a loss to Manhattan. 

Armstrong will have junior Johnmichael Fountain at linebacker to lead the defense that returns eight starters. He’s a 3-star recruit that has offers from numerous P4 schools, including KU, Nebraska, Iowa State and Arkansas. He had 50 tackles, eight TFLs, two INTs, three fumble recoveries and a blocked punt last fall. Quavon Harris returns as the leading tackler for the Grizzlies. He had 90 stops with 14 TFLs last season and four fumble recoveries. 

Veteran Northwest coach Steve Martin has key pieces back to drive the Grizzlies' typically explosive offense. Junior Jaylen Mason returns after throwing 16 touchdown passes with 1,205 yards last season to seven interceptions and is one of the top QB prospects in Kansas in the Class of 2026. The Grizzlies did lost the top three rushers from a season ago – including leading rusher Aaron Bohannon who transferred to Wichita East – and the top three receivers but the return of three starting offensive lineman will help to usher in new offensive weapons.

Chris McCartney enters his 10th season at OLATHE NORTH and he’s hoping he can bring the program back to their first state title game since 2019. They’ll do it with multiple new starters on both sides of the ball. Last season, Olathe North’s offense was one of the best in 6A, as one of the only schools who ranked in the top six of both rushing and passing. They return senior Jamo Sarver at QB. He threw for over 1,600 yards last season and 16 touchdowns with only four INTs. He also ran for another 360 yards. They’ll have to replace TJ Porter who accounted for more than 1,400 all-purpose yards last season, but Sarver will have Sam Simmons and Cole Smither to throw to this season. They had a combined 500 yards of receiving last season and seven touchdowns. Defensively, Kevlin Parker returns as the leading tackler from last season. Jaalan Watson who led the Eagles in interceptions returns as well.

Playing in the Sunflower League can provide a distorted look at SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST’s record last year. Despite only winning three games heading into the playoffs, they made some noise in the postseason. The Cougars will see a more heavy run look this season. They bring back Logan Morley at QB and he’ll give them a leader on offense. Josh Mackiewicz returns as one of the best defensive backs in the state and is expected to join speedster Tyler West in the offensive backfield. They will have a massive and experienced offensive line to work behind.

Two years removed from a state title, BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST is hoping to get back to the last Saturday in November. They return all five offensive linemen, including Andrew Babalola (Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, USC, Michigan offers), the 27th ranked prospect nationally by 247Sports, and Brock Heath, a Kansas State commit. They’ll have to replace Nate Livingston at QB and Lovie Pullam in the backfield, but they return Trevor Garlington (57 rec., 670 yds. 6 TDs), one of the top playmakers in the Eastern Kansas League. Defensively, Beckett Linden returns after a 50-tackle season last year as a sophomore.

Last season, BLUE VALLEY WEST lost three games by seven points or less and are hoping to use a large senior class to turn those losses into victories this season, with five of the losses being within two scores. They return senior Tate Nagy, a KU commit and the son of Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, after he threw for 1,888 yards, 16 TDs and eight INTs last year. He also ran for another 618 yards and 5 TDs, though is likely to play slot receiver in college. Expect Tyler Peterson, a versatile tight end, to be more involved on the offensive side. They also return three offensive linemen from a top 10 6A offense from last season. Defensively, they return their entire secondary and linebacker groups.

WASHBURN RURAL is coming off an 11-win season that saw their season end on a heartbreaking loss in the sub-state against Derby, 29-28. They’ll have to replace one of the most successful senior classes since Steve Buhler has been at Rural. They have pieces returning in Jacob Hawks and Caden Estrada on the offensive line. They’ll provide a nice safety net for new QB, John Hoytal. Defensively, Jordy Heim will lead the way at linebacker and King Leonard commands the secondary.

The Aces are back for Ene Akpan’s sixth season at WICHITA EAST and look to continue their progress in Class 6A and the GWAL. They have pieces to replace but they return six defensive players that will anchor the squad. Andrew Williams is a 3-star edge rusher that will help the Ace defense. They welcome in Hutch High transfer, Robert Hunter, who threw for 671 yards and seven touchdowns in a run heavy offense last fall. A pair of things will help as they welcome Wichita Northwest transfers, brothers A’maree and Aaron Bohannon. Last season, Aaron accounted for 1,528 all-purpose yards and 14 TDs. Brother A’maree had 36 tackles last season for the defensive secondary. Wichita North transfer Deanthony Jones will provide depth for the Aces in the backfield as he ran for 600 yards last season.

If MAIZE can find a replacement for QB Drew Kemp and receiver Alan Hanna the Eagles can build on their late season push in the 5A playoffs last fall and carry that momentum back into 6A this fall. Nebraska receiver commit Bryson Hayes is one of the best in the Midwest and senior kicker Mason Teague provides a potent special teams weapon.

JUNCTION CITY enters the fourth decade under head coach Randall Zimmerman with notable graduation losses including Centennial League Defensive MVP Michael Boganowski, starting QB Brock Bazan, and All-Centennial League selections Malaki Daniels (RB), Ryan McCreath (OL), Hayden Puryear (DL) and Cooper Bogenhagen (LB). Zimmerman does welcome back 11 experienced starters to build around including three-fifths of his offensive line which will protect an entirely new group of backfield players. The new QB will have Ja’Marcus Vornes (15 rec., 317 yds., 2 TD) and Scholar Brown (8 rec., 133 yds., 1 TD) back to target in the passing game while linebackers Jeremiah Ragin (36 tkls., 3 TFL, 1 sack), Jamarcus Tyson (31 tkls., 2 TFL) and Larkin Turner (18 tkls., 1 TFL) are back to lead the defense. Boganowski was an absolute beast on defense, but Jalen Morgan and Kingston Timms provide a pair of quality building blocks in the secondary.

OLATHE EAST and OLATHE SOUTH posted quality seasons last fall but graduation losses may make it a challenge to reproduce that success. Olathe East will have one of the state's top QBs in Jack Cornell, a near 1,400-yard passer a season ago, while the South D-line is sure to be one of the best in the league thanks to the return of junior Jordan Berry and the addition of transfer Juju Marks.

DODGE CITY and GARDEN CITY will field teams loaded with experience for veteran coaches Glenn O'Neil and Brian Hill, but it remains to be seen if teams from the Western Athletic Conference – a deep conference this season with Hays and Great Bend fielding what should be fantastic squads – are able to string together deep playoff runs.

*Charles Chaney contributed significantly to this preview by compiling much of it using the preview capsules from the 2023 Football Preview.

2023 Preseason Rankings

1. Gardner Edgerton
2. Blue Valley Northwest
3. Wichita Northwest
4. Manhattan
5. Derby

Look for more preseason rankings breakdowns over the new few days.