Kansas Pregame 6-Man Top 6: Josh Rath

Kansas Pregame polled 6-Man coaches who voted for the top three seniors they coached against this season. Kansas Pregame staffers then used those votes to develop a Top 6 list of seniors in the classification. Check out a Top 6 capsule below, and find the complete list of Top 6 selections here. For a look back at the Top 8 lists click here for 8-Man I and here for 8-Man II. 

Senior all-state quarterback and defensive back Josh Rath made his mark on the 2024 season, leading Golden Plains to an 8-3 record and a trip to the 6-Man state semifinals before finally falling to eventual state champions Weskan in an 82-45 offensive slugfest. 

"Josh became the type of leader I had hoped he would have moving into his senior year,” head coach Travis Smith said. “It started this summer with his leadership in the weight room and during summer practices. It continued into the season, and he would lead the team daily as he set a great example for those around him. His teammates followed his leadership from day one, and it led to the success we had this year."

Rath’s development, particularly his increased tenacity, stood out to his coach. 

"Josh is one of the most improved, if not the most improved, players I have coached in my 25 years at Golden Plains," Smith said. "His biggest strength came from the biggest improvement he made this year. That was being more aggressive and physical on both sides of the ball. In years past, his fear of throwing interceptions led to him often being tentative and not making the correct read or throw he needed to. This year, that completely changed, and his numbers rose drastically as his interception numbers dropped."

Smith recalled two pivotal plays that he said exemplified “the player that Josh became this year.” The first occurred in the final regular season game of the year against Cheylin with playoff implications on the line.

“We talked all week about how important the win was going to be for our road in the playoffs,” Smith said. “Josh took the opening kickoff 65-yards for a touchdown and set the tone for the rest of the game and the postseason run.”

The second play came in their sectional playoff game against South Barber. With Golden Plains leading, but momentum shifting to the opponent, Rath delivered a game-changing defensive play. 

“We had punted for the first time in the game and they were gaining confidence,” Smith said. “On third down, Josh made a great read and stepped in front of the receiver and took the interception to the house to give us a three score lead.”

Offensively, Rath completed 73 of 138 passes for 1,224 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 370 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 27 carries. Defensively, he recorded 107 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and one fumble recovery. On special teams, he returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Over his career, Rath amassed 2,371 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, rushed for 593 yards and 10 touchdowns, and compiled 214 tackles with three interceptions.

Following graduation, Rath plans to attend Manhattan Tech to pursue a career as an electrician, though hasn’t counted out track and field if the right opportunity arises.