Can Nemaha Central three-peat?

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 losing season, 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 good, 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 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.

This classification is the toughest to predict due in large part to the loaded District 7 which is likely to see one of the top teams in 2A get left out of the playoff bracket. Graduations at Nemaha Central leave us the least confident in this preseason number one and Norton is easily the most experienced team in the top five. Hopefully this class is as deep and competitive as we predict.

So, without further delay, here's our best guess at the top teams in Class 2A heading into the 2024 season.

Class 2A

1. Nemaha Central
2. Norton
3. Hoisington
4. Southeast of Saline
5. St. Marys

Others: Beloit, Council Grove, Humboldt, Garden Plain, Osage City, Silver Lake, Sabetha

For a second straight season, and the third time in five years, Nemaha Central found itself on top of 2A. The Thunder captured a 28-14 victory over Hoisington in the state championship game. Now, fourth-year head coach Michael Glatczak will be leading his squad into another season shooting for a third consecutive title.

Glatczak has posted an impressive 33-3 mark in his first three seasons at NEMAHA CENTRAL. A year ago, the Thunder capped off an unbeaten season at 13-0 en route to a second straight 2A crown. Although the Thunder will have some talent back from that squad, it will have some key holes to fill in the lineup. NCHS returns five players that were two-way starters a year ago. One of those players back is junior Carter Hajek (5-10, 210) at QB. Last season, Hajek accounted for more than 3,300 yards of offense — 2,400 rushing and 962 passing — while recording 53 combined TDs. His top receiver returns in junior Caleb Strathman (5-10, 175), who had 26 receptions for 359 yards and four scores. Nemaha Central must fill key spots on the line due to graduation but still has seniors Abram Keim (5-10, 185) and Reese Gerety (6-2, 230), as well as tight end Sam Nordhus (6-2, 185). Those same players all return on defense, led by Keim and Nordhus, who finished with 140 and 132 tackles, respectively, at the linebacker position. Gerety will once again be on the D-line, while Hajek and Strathman return to the secondary.

This is likely the top-ranked team we feel the least confident about, but Michael Glatczak is one of the finest young coaches in the state and NCHS continues to put athletes on the field annually. The health of Hajek is key given the holes left to graduation. The biggest holes – literally and figuratively – were left on the offensive and defensive lines with the graduation of three players who are now playing college football: Holden Bass (6-4, 290, K-State), Abe Hilbert (6-6, 235, Highland CC) and Josh Gonzalez (6-2, 220, Baker). Hendryx Wahl, Danny Childress and Kylar Ganstrom are among the contenders to fill those roles. 

The Thunder are currently riding a 26-game win streak over the past two seasons. Time will tell if that streak continues, but if the squad is able to gel together with new players in the lineup, it could once again be in the mix for the 2A championship.

Experience will be on the side of NORTON following a trip to the sub-state round of the playoffs a year ago. Lucas Melvin, now in his 18th year as head coach of the Bluejays (127-60), returns a solid group of players from that 11-1 squad that saw its season end with a 30-21 loss to eventual runner-up Hoisington in the semifinals. Norton returns 10 starters with experience on both sides of the football, led by Eli Jones (6-1, 195). The senior QB racked up more than 3,000 yards on the offensive side, including 2,274 passing and 858 rushing. Also in the backfield are running backs Tyler Backman (6-0, 185), a junior who had 618 yards rushing and 136 receiving, and seniors Logan Willour (6-2, 215) and Brennen Pfannenstiel (5-9, 160). At wide receiver will be senior Tyce Melvin (5-9, 150), who had 880 yards receiving, and junior Justin Weigel (5-8, 140). Meanwhile, the line consists of seniors Corbin Puga (6-3, 280), Colton Stover (6-2, 220), Trevan Enfield (6-1, 230) and Brodie Mullins (6-1, 220). Those same players will return on the defensive side, including Puga, Stover, Willour, Enfield and Mullins on the line, Jones and Pfannenstiel at linebacker, and Melvin, Backman and Weigel in the secondary. Pfannenstiel is the top returning tackler with 59 solo, 51 assisted and four tackles for loss. Melvin had 50 solos, 14 assisted, three tackles for loss and five interceptions, Jones tallied 64 tackles with eight TFLs, while Enfield finished with 38 solos, 21 assisted, 16.5 tackles for loss and a team-best 7.5 sacks.

Norton is the favorite in 2A District 7, but games with Beloit and rival Phillipsburg should provide good tests and non-district games with TMP and Smith Center will also let the Blue Jays know where they stand in the statewide picture.

State runner-up HOISINGTON should again be in the hunt for the 2A championship in 2024. The Cardinals are coming off a 12-1 season a year ago. Zach Baird returns for his 11th year as head coach of the program and is just one win shy of his 100th victory at the school (99-19). Hoisington did lose some talent to graduation, including All-Class 2A QB Tony Moore and massive lineman Caiden Hoffman (Fort Hays). Yet, there is still plenty of experience back to make a serious run in the postseason. Senior running back Teron Kraft (5-9, 190) returns to the lineup after rushing for more than 1,200 yards. Also earning valuable experience in the offensive backfield were seniors Jason Robinson (5-10, 175) and Kyler Russell (5-10, 165), as well as junior Taylor Morales (5-10, 165). The receiving unit includes senior Rhen Galla (5-11, 150), and juniors Mason Martin (6-0, 155) and Carson Mason (5-7, 145). The line also has plenty of experience back in seniors Brady Reif (5-10, 175) and Exavier Chambers (6-0, 290), as well as juniors Layton Hoffman (6-0, 270) and Colin Mater (6-3, 225). On defense, Hoisington has six of its top 10 tacklers back in the lineup, led by Kraft at linebacker with 10 TFLs. Robinson will lead the secondary after recording nine INTs. The key for the Cardinals is replacing the leadership of Moore.

Butch Hayes returns for his sixth year at COUNCIL GROVE and may have the talent and experience to become a factor in 2A this season, if his squad can survive a brutal district that includes Osage City, Riley County, Silver Lake and St. Marys. The Braves have posted back-to-back winning seasons, including a 6-4 mark a year ago with a trip to the regional round of the playoffs, but they will rely heavily on a solid group of players that have been starting since their freshman campaigns. Senior Ace Monihen (6-0, 205) returns in the offensive backfield after spending time at QB and running back. Last season, he completed 37-of-63 passes for 434 yards and seven TDs, while also carrying the ball 56 times for 687 yards and eight more scores. Sophomore Luke Stewart is likely to take the snaps at QB full-time this season after throwing for 1,035 yards and 10 TDs as a freshman, leaving Monihen to get more carries at running back while also serving as a receiving target in the passing game. Another key running back returning is senior Cade Goodell (5-9, 180), while three receivers return in seniors Braun Frye (6-2, 175), Dillon Ellenson (6-1, 170) and Landon Dody (5-10, 180). Those receivers combined for 43 catches for 651 yards and 10 TDs last season. The line will be led by senior Holden Ziegler (6-2, 250), an All-League and All-District honoree who also juggles roles as fullback and tight end, as well as senior AJ Peterson (5-10, 220) and junior Gunner Gleason (6-3, 230). Ziegler will lead the defensive unit after picking up district Most Valuable Player and a second consecutive Sports in Kansas Defensive 2A Player of the Year nomination. Last year, he recorded 54 tackles, including 18.5 for loss and two sacks.

Another member of the brutal 2A District 3, OSAGE CITY will try to continue their success under head coach Andrew Gantenbein, who enters his 16th season with the program (92-58) and has the pieces to put together another quality squad. The Indians are coming off a 9-2 campaign a year ago that included a trip to the sectional round of the 2A playoffs. Osage City is experienced this season, but still relatively young, with five of its nine returning starters just juniors. Leading the way for the Indians is junior Kasen Parsons (6-0, 180) at QB, while junior Quenten Stark (6-2, 160) is back at wide receiver. They should be two of the top offensive weapons in 2A this season. Also returning are junior tight end/wide receiver Sevrin Rumold (6-2, 190), junior wide receiver/running back/linebacker Dylan Theel (5-9, 180), junior Austin Lamb (5-9, 220), senior lineman Noah Martinez (5-11, 195), senior defensive back Ryon Farwell (5-10, 140), senior defensive back Tyson Gragg (5-11, 165) and senior linebacker Logan White (6-1, 195).

BELOIT will be shooting for a winning season in 2024 following a 5-5 campaign a year ago. Brad Gober starts year eight as head coach of the Trojans, posting a 46-30 record to date. Last season, his team advanced to the regional round of the 2A playoffs before suffering a loss to eventual state runner-up Hoisington. Beloit must find a replacement for QB Quinn Eilert, who has since graduated. The Trojans do have two returning running backs in junior Joel Rexroat (5-10, 150) and senior Ashton Bletcher (5-8, 155), who combined for 748 yards rushing last season, but they will likely have to increase that workload this season. Both sides of the line will be key with the return of seniors Eli Johnson (6-6, 230), Brodie Boudreaux (6-0, 225) and Colton Walters (6-1, 180), as well as junior Brody Litton (6-6, 250). Incoming freshmen Griffin Johnson and Kross Kemmerer will also likely be key up front. The Trojans will again be massive up front, but like Hoisington, the key is the replacement of leadership at quarterback.

For 14 straight years, CANEY VALLEY has been part of the postseason. In fact, over his 22-year career with the Bullpups, head coach Criss Davis has seen plenty of success with playoff appearances in 18 of the last 20 seasons overall. The ‘Pups have not had a losing season since 2003, and they look to continue their winning ways in 2024 following last year’s 5-4 campaign. CVHS lost a few key figures from that squad to graduation in All-Tri-Valley League QB Garrett Watson and running back Jackson Griffin. Yet, Caney Valley still has plenty of talent back with the return of seniors Ben Matthews at wide receiver/tight end/defensive end, Xavier Gaston at linebacker/running back, and Ace Koester, Jack Murphy and Kole Rigdon on the line. Matthews, Koester and Gaston all picked up league honors a year ago. Other returning players include juniors Garret Davidson (running back/defensive back) and Angel Martinez (offensive line/nose guard), and sophomore Traxton Garton (running back/linebacker).

After the graduation of nine seniors, GARDEN PLAIN has plenty of holes to fill in its lineup for 2024. The Owls, who are under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Rice (12-7), are coming off an 8-2 season that included a loss to Ellsworth in the regional  playoffs. Gone from that squad are 1,700-yard rusher Gage Lee as well as leading tackler Tjaden Moring on defense. Although those are big losses, Garden Plain does have individuals that can step up for that lost production. Returning are a solid group of seniors in QB Brady Brack (6-5, 205), running back and kicker Seth Dugan (6-0, 165), lineman Kaeden Kasselman (6-3, 235) and linebacker Devin Rau (5-10, 170). All of those players earned postseason recognition last season. In addition to Kasselman, the line will consist of seniors Kaden Kerschen (6-3, 350) and Hank Lilly (6-5, 270).

A year ago, HILLSBORO saw a three-win improvement on the field, going from 2-7 in 2022 to 5-4 last season. Now Demetrius Cox, in his sixth year as head coach (28-21), hopes that trend continues with the return of several three-year starters. Despite that experience coming back, the Trojans must find replacements for some key departures to graduation, including the loss of QB Dawson Boldt, leading receiver Zander Haslett and leading tackler Levi Smith. Yet the cupboard is hardly bare with the return of its leading rusher, senior Seth Driggers (6-1, 180), receiver Lincoln Wichert (5-10, 150), an All-Central Kansas League performer, senior Anders Weisbeck (5-10, 215), an All-CKL linebacker, and junior Jesiah Gooch (6-1, 209), an All-CKL honorable mention running back. Hillsboro also returns a solid group of linemen that includes seniors Nash Dickerson (6-2, 190), Logan Rogers, Kai Defiesta (6-4, 310), Colton Jost (5-6, 200) and Collin Voss (6-0, 250) as well as junior Evan Jones.

Despite the loss of some key contributors in All-Class 2A performers Sam Hull (Emporia State) and Garren Goodner, HUMBOLDT should once again be a threat in the Tri-Valley League and district this season. Logan Wyrick begins his 10th year in charge of the Cubs. During that span, he has a 63-29 overall record, including a 9-2 mark a year ago that included a trip to the sectional round of the postseason. Humboldt still has plenty of experience back this season with the return of 14 lettermen and 16 starters on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Cubs will be led by senior QB Blake Ellis (5-9, 180) and senior running back Cole Mathes (6-2, 190). Wyrick expects bigger contributions from seniors Logan Page (5-11, 185), Jacob Harrington (6-1, 150), Brody Gunderman (5-9, 170) and Asher Hart (6-1, 170), as well as junior Mason Sterling (5-10, 170). The line loses Goodner, who was team captain for three years, but will rely on players like All-TVL and All-District senior Kyler Isbell (5-9, 235), and junior Mark McCullough (6-2, 255) to pick up the slack. Hull and Goodner leave gaps in the defensive unit, but Wyrick expects his seven returning full-time starters on D to lead the way.

Eight players return to the lineup for sixth-year head coach Tanner Hageman (38-15) and his KINGMAN squad following last year’s 7-3 campaign. The Eagles graduated two key players in Carter Helm and Tristen Davidson, but the squad looks for a fifth straight winning season with the return of some experience to the line. Returning at QB is senior Ben Bradshaw (6-3, 175), who completed 73-of-97 passes for 1,131 yards and 13 TDs, while also carrying the ball 90 times for 608 yards and nine more scores. The Eagles will be looking for some players to step up in the skill positions, meaning that the offensive line — consisting of seniors Brody Bell (6-0, 240), Isaac Mertens (5-11, 200), Will McBeth (6-0, 245), Collin Schreiner (5-8, 190) and Colby Arensdorf (5-11, 185) — will have to provide protection. Defensively, Kingman will be led by senior linebackers Kade Osborn (5-10, 180), Schreiner and Arensdorf, and Bell on the line. That group accounted for 227 tackles last season.

A Class 2A semifinalist a year ago, SABETHA looks to Kaleb Moeller, who spent the previous 10 seasons as an assistant, and jumps into the head coaching role this season but will still have veteran head coach Garret Michael on staff. The Bluejays went 10-2 last season, losing to eventual state champion Nemaha Central in the sub-state round of the playoffs. The loss of 21 seniors from last year’s squad is a major concern this season, but SHS should once again be a strong 2A team. Moeller has four two-way starters back this season, including seniors Luke Renyer (6-5, 280) on the line, and Mitchel Kramer (6-1, 190) at quarterback/defensive back, as well as juniors Brody Deters (6-1, 180) at wide receiver/defensive back, and Kyler Wenger (6-1, 175) at wide receiver/quarterback/defensive back. Two-time defending state champion Nemaha Central is the favorite for a District 4 championship this season, but the Bluejays are likely to be a factor as well.

Playing in the newly-formed Big East League, SILVER LAKE looks to make a serious postseason run this season following an 8-2 campaign and trip to the regional round a year ago. It’s been more than a decade since the Eagles won their last state title in 3A back in 2013. They would like to return to the top but have some work to do replacing standout QB Tanner Martin. Head coach Logan Pegram, now in his third year (14-5), still has plenty of weapons, particularly at the receiver position in seniors Logan Cathcart (5-10, 175), Trent Rollenhagen (6-1, 200) and Brody Dieter (6-1, 180). Providing protection up front will be an All-Class 2A lineman in senior Braden Strausbaugh (6-3, 215). Strausbaugh will also lead the defensive unit along with junior lineman Samson Webber (6-3, 200), linebackers Rollenhagen and seniors Allen Lees (5-8, 180) and Dyson Schooler (5-8, 190), and a secondary that includes junior Dayne Johnson (6-3, 175), Cathcart, Deiter and senior JP Whitehead (5-11, 165).

Following a 10-1 season that included a trip to the 2A quarterfinals, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE should be in prime position to have another successful year in 2024. Mitch Gebhardt enters his 15th year as head coach of the Trojans, compiling a 103-39 record during that span. That includes four consecutive seasons in which his team suffered just one loss. Last year’s postseason run ended with a loss to eventual runner-up Hoisington in the sectional round. SES lost some key figures from that squad in All-Class 2A selections Nathan Friesen, Nathan Weller and Daniel Kjer but still has plenty of talent to build around. Nine players return with starting experience, led by All-State senior wide receiver Tucker Thaxton (6-0, 185) and junior linebacker Grady Gebhardt (5-8, 170). Thaxton returns to the offensive unit after recording 49 receptions for 825 yards and eight TDs last season. Meanwhile, Gebhardt anchors the defensive unit after posting a team-best 104 tackles. He will also see more production on offense after carrying the ball 53 times for 452 yards. Both sides of the line will be led by junior Brody Chambers (6-0, 265), who picked up All-League honors.

There will be some changes at ST. MARYS this season. The Bears have a first-year head coach in CJ Marple, they make the move from 1A to 2A, and join the new Big East League. Just two years ago, St. Marys captured a 1A title, so the program hopes to return to that level following a 7-4 mark last season. The team has plenty of experience back with the return of 10 seniors. Senior QB Brady Hurla (5-11, 165) leads the way after he completed 80-of-148 passes for 1,280 yards and 14 TDs, while also rushing the ball 66 times for 367 yards and three more scores. Another weapon for the Bears is junior running back Korleone Holz (5-11, 170), who finished just shy of 1,000 yards rushing with 10 TDs. On D, senior Howie Rezac (6-3, 215) and junior Mehki Ketter (6-0, 170) return as linebackers. Ketter is the top returning tackler with 55, while Rezac had 52.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Another returning linebacker is senior Zach Bush (6-0, 180), who had 23 tackles and five sacks.

*Brian Thomas contributed significantly to this preview by compiling much of it using the preview capsules from the 2024 Football Preview.

2023 Preseason Rankings

1. Kingman
2. Sabetha
3. Nemaha Central
4. Silver Lake
5. Ellsworth

Look for more rankings over the next 48 hours.