Kansas Pregame 8-Man Top 8: Eli Broxterman and Brandon Schmelzle

Kansas Pregame polled 8-Man coaches in December who voted for the top four seniors they coached against this season. Kansas Pregame staffers then used those votes to develop a Top 8 list of seniors for each division. Check out several more Top 8 capsules below, and find the complete list of Top 8 selections, and the honorable mention list, here for 8-Man I and here for 8-Man II. 

Axtell’s senior duo of quarterback and defensive back Brandon Schmelzle and running back and linebacker Eli Broxterman helped solidify their place in Kansas high school football history by leading the Eagles to an unprecedented 52-0 record over the past four seasons, capped by four consecutive 8-Man Division II state championships. The cousins formed one of the most dynamic tandems in the state, lifting Axtell to a dominant 2024 campaign that ended with a 50-0 state title victory over Victoria.

Schmelzle, a KU football commit, 2024 Sports in Kansas 8-Man Division II Offensive Player of the Year, and 2025 Shrine Bowl selection showcased his dual-threat ability as a quarterback, passing for 1,196 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 981 yards and 26 touchdowns. Broxterman, a finalist for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award, was equally impactful, contributing 452 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 406 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Broxterman tallied 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and four sacks, while Schmelzle added six interceptions.

Head coach Eric Detweiler praised the pair for their leadership and unique skill sets. 

“Brandon has the ability of making plays that most kids can’t, and his teammates see that, and it brings a level of excitement and energy that raises the level of our play,” Detweiler said. “Eli is a player that plays with an edge and nastiness. Whether he is on offense or defense, he plays with a level of intensity that makes everyone around him want to do the same.”

One of Schmelzle’s defining plays came in the state championship game. Facing a second-and-10, Schmelzle evaded a blitzing linebacker with a jab step and spin move before weaving through the secondary for a 14-yard gain, turning what could have been a five-yard loss into a momentum-shifting play. 

“I remember saying on the headsets to my assistants after that play, ‘We are going to miss that next year,’” Detweiler said.

Broxterman’s toughness was on full display in Week 9 against Frankfort. After suffering a thumb injury during the second quarter, Broxterman remained in the game despite being unable to move his thumb. 

“He stays in the game with zero intentions of coming out, and a couple plays later, he makes another tackle and gets up and yells, ‘I’m good, it can move again,’” Detweiler said. 

The next morning, Broxterman was diagnosed with a broken thumb but continued to play the remainder of the season with a cast.

Schmelzle concludes his career with 3,025 rushing yards, 2,897 passing yards, and 82 rushing touchdowns over four seasons. Broxterman totaled 1,741 rushing yards, 2,142 receiving yards, 41 rushing touchdowns, and 37 receiving touchdowns. 

Beyond football, Schmelzle and Broxterman excel in multiple sports. They’ve helped Axtell’s basketball team to a strong 4-1 start and a No. 2 ranking in Class 1A-DII this season. Last year, the Eagles finished 22-3 with a third-place state finish, with Broxterman averaging 14.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while Schmelzle added 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. 

On the track, Axtell will defend back-to-back state team titles this spring. Schmelzle’s exceptional athleticism earned him state qualifications in four events, including the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, and triple jump, claiming a state title in the long jump (21-08). Broxterman was a member of the third-place 4x400 relay and sixth-place 4x100 relay teams.

After graduation, Schmelzle is committed to play football at KU and majoring in business. Broxterman also plans to study business and currently remains undecided about his college choice, but has interest from multiple college football programs. Together, the cousins have cemented their place in Axtell and state history.