State Finalists: Tale of the Tape
Mill Valley won their fifth consecutive state title Saturday. (Photo: Center State Sports/Todd and Lori Habiger)
Update: Now updated with state championship winners and final scores. Congratulations to all the 2023 state finalist on an excellent season!
Update: Now with our predictions. The weather is making these very tough, but check out our best guess with each classification's "Tale of the Tape" statistical information. Good luck to all the teams at state and safe travels to everyone today.
The culmination of the 2023 Kansas high school football season arrives Saturday in the form of nine state championship matchups across the state. Let’s take a look at the “Tale of the Tape” for each team with a complete rundown of each team’s statistical leaders.
Class 6A
Winner: Gardner-Edgerton - 22-19
Prediction: Gardner-Edgerton over Derby
This should be an excellent game, but the weather may give an edge to the Trailblazer offense and GE's size could also play a role in this game. This Derby team does not have the star power of past champion teams which leads us to believe the coaching job and effort of the Panther players this season is some of the best in the storied tenure under Brandon Clark, but on paper it looks like Jesse Owen's squad is more complete top-to-bottom, giving them the slight edge.
Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers (11-1)
Leading Passer:
Bravin Powell, Jr.: 65-106, 1,297 yds., 13 TDs, 3 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Dylan Butash, Sr.: 122 car., 825 yds., 11 TDs
Bravin Powell, Jr.: 116 car., 754 yds., 17 TDs
Syre Padilla, So.: 90 car., 417 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Randy Singleton, Sr.: 26 rec, 501 yds., 8 TDs
Colton Hawkinson, Sr.: 16 rec, 387 yds., 3 TDs
Mason Shoemaker, Sr.: 6 rec, 139 yds.
Leading Tacklers:
Kaleb Dewey, Jr.: 81 tkls.
Thomas Savastan, Sr.: 75 tkls.
Spencer Easley, Sr.: 72 tkls.
Dawson Kindler, Sr.: 67 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Mark Debiak, Sr.: 11 sacks
Spencer Easley, Sr.: 7 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Chase Bojanaski, Jr.: 4 INTs
Eli Porter, Sr.: 3 INTs
Derby Panthers (11-1)
Leading Passers:
Braxton Clark, Sr.: 80-110, 1,246 yds., 14 TDs, 2 INTs
Easton Splane, Jr.: 31-49, 784 yds., 9 TDs, 4 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Derek Hubbard, Sr.: 124 car., 917 yds., 13 TDs
Arieus Finley, Fr.: 57 car., 450 yds., 11 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Da’saahn Brame, Jr.: 39 rec., 807 yds., 12 TDs
Colton Ruedy, Sr.: 40 rec., 706 yds., 4 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Britton Pascual, Sr.: 123 tkls.
James Middlebrook, Jr.: 90 tkls.
Gavin Pfannenstiel, Jr.: 85 tkls.
Kikoa Indalecio, Jr.: 84 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Mason Hopper, Sr.: 15 sacks
Britton Pascual, Sr.: 8 sacks
Peyton Neptune, Sr.: 7 sacks
Leading Pass Defender:
James Middlebrook, Sr.: 2 INTs
Class 5A
Winner: Mill Valley - 62-37
Prediction: Kapaun over Mill Valley
This is not the dominant Mill Valley team of the recent past and it seems the Jaguars spent quite a bit of the season molding their identity around a little less QB-centric offense. The defense is incredibly talented but has been porous at times. Again, the weather may give Kapaun a slight advantage with their run-heavy offense, but the Jaguars also have an explosive ground game organized around multiple backs. It's tough to pick against the four-time defending champions, but all streaks have to come to an end, and Kapaun's experience and depth are the difference.
Mill Valley Jaguars (10-2)
Leading Passer:
Daniel Blaine, Sr.: 31-63, 688 yds., 7 TDs, 2 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Tristan Baker, Sr.: 196 car., 1,553 yds., 22 TDs
Daniel Blaine, Sr.: 77 car., 792 yds., 12 TDs
Chris Bohon, Jr.: 73 car., 626 yds., 13 TDs
Jaden Scobee, Sr.: 70 car., 637 yds., 6 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Tristan Baker, Sr.: 7 rec., 207 yds., 2 TDs
Devin Harris, Sr.: 11 rec., 191 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Evan Seifert, Sr.: 74 tkls.
Garret Clark, Jr.: 63 tkls.
Jayden Woods, Jr.: 61 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Jayden Woods, Jr.: 7 sacks
Conner Clifton, Sr.: 2.5 sacks
Leading Pass Defender:
Jackson Lawler, Sr.: 2 INTs
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders (11-1)
Leading Passer:
Dylan Hamilton, Sr.: 46-86, 1,004 yds., 15 TDs, 3 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Omari Elias, Sr.: 363 car., 2,820 yds., 37 TDs
Henry Chrisman, Sr.: 96 car., 679 yds., 6 TDs
Dylan Hamilton, Sr.: 47 car., 222 yds., 11 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Jackson Daniels, Jr.: 20 rec., 398 yds., 5 TDs
William Thengvall, Sr.: 17 rec., 390 yds., 5 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Hudson Cahill, Sr.: 94 tkls.
Austin Howard, Jr.: 75 tkls.
Kyle Keya, Jr.: 64 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Hudson Cahill, Sr.: 4 sacks
Jackson Daniels, Jr.: 4 sacks
Trevor Jex, Sr.: 3 sacks
Kyle Keya, Jr.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Will Thengvall, Sr.: 3 INTs
Class 4A
Winner: St. Thomas Aquinas - 35-7
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas over Andover Central
The Saints are talented and deep and heavy-favorites. Andover Central coach Derek Tuttle has done an incredible job building the ACHS program, but the Saints are likely too much to handle.
St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (9-3)
Leading Passers:
Aiden Skinner, Sr.: 35-74, 788 yds., 9 TDs, 4 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Gianni Rizzi, Sr.: 121 car., 842 yds., 9 TDs
Elzie Slaughter, Jr.: 63 car., 535 yds., 3 TDs
Cole Richardson, 75 car., 512 yds., 7 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Joe Loughman, Sr.: 17 rec., 436 yds., 6 TDs
Elzie Slaughter, Jr.: 4 rec., 125 yds., 1 TD
Talan Browne, Sr.: 5 rec., 100 yds., 1 TD
Leading Tacklers:
Wyatt Potter, Sr.: 74 tkls.
Kian Payne, Sr.: 62 tkls.
K’lyn Curtis, So.: 56 tkls
Leading Pass Rushers:
Kian Payne, Sr.: 7 sacks
Joey Goodenow, Jr.: 4 sacks
K’lyn Curtis, So.: 3 sacks
Wyatt Potter, Sr.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Luke Hancock, Sr.: 3 INTs
Blake O’Brien, Sr.: 2 INTs
Wyatt Lewis, Sr.: 2 INTs
Andover Central Jaguars (9-3)
Leading Passer:
Jace Jefferson, Jr.: 159-276, 2,141 yds., 24 TDs, 11 INTs
Leading Rusher:
Maddox Archibald, Jr.: 263 car., 1,225 yds., 17 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Brandt Stupka, Jr.: 45 rec., 816 yds., 5 TDs
Jace Adler, Jr.: 58 rec., 799 yds., 13 TDs
Landon Kitterman, Sr.: 40 rec, 441 yds., 3 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Landon Preston, Jr.: 103 tkls
Jace Adler, Jr.: 87 tkls.
Kaden Seibel, Sr.: 75 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Landon Preston, Jr.: 3 sacks
Logan Taggart, Jr.: 3 sacks
Kyle Newsom, Sr.: 2.5 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Jace Adler, Jr.: 7 INTs
Brandt Stupka, Jr.: 5 INTs
Class 3A
Winner: Cheney - 34-7
Prediction: Hayden over Cheney
Hate to pick against a Cheney team that beat Andale twice, but the Cardinals have had such an emotional playoff run while the Wildcats have rolled through the opposition, it just seems Bill Arnold's crew is likely heading into this contest with the fresher squad.
Topeka-Hayden (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Jett Wahlmeier, Jr.: 61-113, 1,086 yds., 11 TDs, 4 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 48 car., 821 yds., 14 TDs
Kade Mitchell, So.: 74 car., 769 yds., 11 TDs
Dom Ridley, Sr.: 69 car., 551 yds., 12 TDs
Broderick Desch, Jr.: 91 car., 473 yds., 10 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Jensen Schrickel, Jr.: 34 rec., 659 yds., 7 TDs
Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 11 rec., 203 yds., 3 TDs
Kade Mitchell, So.: 12 rec., 170 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Jude Konrade, Sr.: 144 tkls.
Carter Chavrat, Sr.: 107 tkls.
Xander Blasing, So.: 49 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers
Carter Chavrat, Sr.: 8 sacks
Colt Ellerman, So.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Xander Blasing, So.: 4 INTs
Jensen Schrickel, Jr.: 4 INTs
Logan Saenz, So.: 3 INTs
Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 3 INTs
Cheney Cardinals (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Josh Burdick, Sr.: 163-232, 2,398 yds., 33 TDs, 2 INT
Leading Rushers:
Jack Voth, Sr.: 32 car., 351 yds, 11 TD
Tre Black, Sr.: 71 car., 350 yds., 4 TDs
Josh Burdick, Sr.: 64 car., 234 yds., 6 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Jack Voth, Sr.: 68 rec., 954 yds., 11 TDs
Colter McDaniel, Sr.: 23 rec., 565 yds., 9 TDs
Gavin D Maass, Sr.: 20 rec., 376 yds, 6 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Drew Tolar, Sr.: 50 tkls.
Grady Ditgen, Jr.: 48 tkls.
Jack Voth, Sr.: 44 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Nolan Durr, So.: 4 sacks
Kason Messenger, Sr.: 3 sacks
Grady Ditgen, Jr.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Colter McDaniel, Sr.: 3 INTs
Class 2A
Winner: Nemaha Central - 28-14
Prediction: Nemaha Central over Hoisington
Likely an incredible game and the weather really doesn't favor one squad over another. Two humoungous front lines will battle each other all day, but we're giving the edge to Nemaha Central with their title game experience.
Nemaha Central (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Carter Hajek, So.: 67-106, 933 yds., 10 TDs, 4 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Carter Hajek, So.: 303 car., 2,165 yds., 39 TDs
Caleb Strathman, So.: 22 car., 213 yds., 3 TDs
Jonah Deters, Jr.: 23 car., 143 yds., 3 TDs
Cooper Kramer, Sr.: 30 car., 149 yds, 3 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Caleb Strathman, So.: 25 rec., 347 yds., 4 TDs
Aidan Boxterman, Sr.: 14 rec., 193 yds, 2 TDs
Carter Rotinghaus, Sr.: 12 rec., 190 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Abram Keim, Jr.: 135 tkls.
Sam Nordhus, Jr.: 128 tkls.
Holden Bass, Sr.: 107 tkls.
Leading Pass Defenders:
Carter Hajek, So.: 6 INTs
Carter Rottinghaus, Sr.: 5 INTs
Hoisington (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Tony Moore, Sr.: 66-113, 1,453 yds., 19 TDS, 2 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Teron Kraft, Jr.: 145 car., 1,171 yds., 13 TDs
Tony Moore, Sr.: 87 car., 838 yds., 8 TDs
Mason Alderdice, Sr.: 39 car, 572 yds., 11 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Mason Alderdice, Sr.: 14 rec., 399 yds., 3 TDs
Mason Martin, So.: 14 rec., 330 yds., 6 TDs
Jason Robinson, Jr.: 8 rec., 228 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Ian Smith, Sr.: 78 tkls.
Jason Robinson, Jr.: 58 tkls.
Teron Kraft, Jr.: 51 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Teron Kraft, Jr.: 3 sacks
CJ Bryant, Jr: 2 sacks
Gage Britt, Sr.: 2 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Jason Robinson 8 INTs
Mason Alderdice 5 INTs
Carson Mason 2 INTs
Class 1A
Winner: Conway Springs - 35-6
Prediction: Conway Springs over Jeff County North
Conway Springs run game and clock control gives them a slight edge over the Chargers.
Jefferson Co. North Chargers (11-1)
Leading Passer:
Grady Noll, Sr.: 50-104, 1,072 yds., 11 TDs
Leading Rushers:
Grady Noll, Sr.: 174 car., 1,165 yds., 15 TDs
Ethan Noll, Sr.: 99 car., 867 yds., 17 TDs
Connor Keims, Sr.: 78 car., 830 yds., 14 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Ethan Noll, Sr.: 15 rec., 354 yds., 3 TDs
Cameron Seever, Sr.: 13 rec., 264 yds., 4 TDs
Connor Keirns, Sr.:10 rec., 221 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Ethan Noll, Sr.: 80 tkls.
Carson McAfee, Sr.: 75 tkls.
Cameron Seever, Sr.: 54 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
RB Tweed, Sr.: 7 sacks
Brayden Williams, Sr.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Connor Keirns, Sr.: 9 INTs
Grady Noll, Sr.: 3 INTs
Conway Springs Cardinals (10-2)
Leading Passer:
Eli Binge, So.: 8-20, 172 yds., 1 TD, 2 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Brayden Kunz, Sr.: 262 car., 2,506 yds., 30 TDs
Isaac Winter, Jr.: 94 car., 789 yds., 13 TDs
Nathan Bernsten, Sr.: 107 car., 641 yds., 10 TDs
Leading Receiver:
Grant Fisher, Jr.: 4 rec., 173 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Brayden Kunz, Sr.: 99 tkls.
Cade Howell, Jr.: 65 tkls.
Isaac Winter, Jr.: 61 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Jacob Osner, Sr.: 2 sacks
Layne Whitney, Jr.: 2 sacks
Cooper Koster, Jr.: 2 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Taylor Wykes, Sr.: 4 INTs
Grant Fisher, Jr.: 2 INTs
Eli Howard, Jr.: 2 INTs
8-Man, Division I
Winner: Lyndon - 34-6
Prediction: Wichita County over Lyndon
Tanner Heckel has been the truth for Lyndon coming over from Inman and the talent on the Tiger squad is elite, but coach Brant Douglas has done such an incredible job with Wichita County we think he'll find a way to will the Indians to a victory.
Lyndon Tigers (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 54-97, 1,040 yds., 19 TDs, 2 INTs
Leading Rushers:
Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 157 car., 2,062 yds., 46 TDs
Jalen Massey, Sr.: 131 car., 1,342 yds., 18 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Jalen Massey, Sr.: 30 rec., 435 yds., 8 TDs
Ethen Ramey, Sr.: 7 rec., 225 yds., 4 TD
Casten Wirth, Sr.: 15 rec., 213 yds., 3 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
James Marcotte, So.: 86 tkls.
Jalen Massey, Sr.: 86 tkls.
Casten Wirth, Sr.: 83 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Daxten Miller, Sr.: 7 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 7 INTs
Casten Wirth, Sr.: 3 INTs
Wichita County Indians (12-0)
Leading Passer:
Wyatt Gardner, Sr.: 974 yds., 22 TDs, 1 INT
Leading Rushers:
Wyatt Gardner, Sr.: 153 car., 1,477 yds., 23 TDs
Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 127 car., 1,162 yds., 25 TDs
Cashton Young, So.: 83 car., 723 yds., 15 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Colton Harbin, Sr.: 18 rec, 347 yds., 9 TDs
Cashton Young, So.: 19 rec., 336 yds., 10 TDs
Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 8 rec., 124 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Max Whitham, Jr.: 65 tkls.
Cashton Young, So.: 52 tkls
Christopher Michel, Sr.: 40 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Christopher Michel, Sr.: 12 sacks
Max Whitham, Sr.: 5.5 sacks
Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 5 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Pablo Reyes, So.: 3 INTs
Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 2 INTs
Dylan Luna, So.: 2 INTs
8-Man, Division II
Winner: Axtell - 50-0
Prediction: Axtell over South Central
An incredible season for the Timberwolves and we continue to be wrong in picking against them, but this Axtell squad is a generationally talented team who it's just illogical to pick against.
Axtell Eagles (12-0)
Leading Passers:
Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 85-102, 1,503 yds., 29 TDs
Leading Rushers:
Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 92 car., 675 yds., 14 TDs
Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 34 car., 602 yds., 13 TDs
Landon Schmitz, So.: 11 car., 166 yds., 3 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 32 rec., 518 yds., 10 TDs
Grady Buessing, Jr.: 24 rec., 469 yds., 8 TDs
Landon Schmitz, So.: 19 rec., 337 yds., 8 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Rilyn Buessing, Jr.: 58 tkls.
Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 40 tkls.
Grady Buessing, Sr.: 34 tkls.
Leading Pass Rusher:
Sawyer Deters, Sr.: 3 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 8 INTs
Wyatt Detweiler, Fr.: 5 INTs
Landon Schmitz, So.: 3 INTs
South Central Timberwolves (9-3)
Leading Passer:
JT Prusa, Jr.: 38-79, 561 yds., 11 TDs, 1 INT
Leading Rushers:
JT Prusa, Jr.: 177 car., 1,738 yds., 32 TDs
Isaiah Jellison, Sr.: 97 car., 814 yds., 16 TDs
Coda Lindsay, Fr.: 35 car., 293 yds., 4 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Jamie Sarminento, Jr.: 18 rec., 270 yds., 4 TDs
Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 11 rec., 182 yds., 6 TDs
Isaiah Jellison, Sr.: 9 rec., 106 yds., 1 TD
Leading Tacklers:
Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 103 tkls.
Jack Herd, So.: 100 tkls.
Jase Rutherford, 88 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Jase Rutherford, Jr.: 16 sacks
Coda Lindsay, Fr.: 7 sacks
Creed Leeper, Sr.: 7 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Jamie Sarminento, Jr.: 9 INTs
Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 5 INTs
JT Prusa, Jr.: 3 INTs
6-Man
Winner: Cheylin - 57-8
Prediction: Cheylin over Cunningham
Coach Lance McGuire has done an incredible job with the Wildcat program, but the senior leadership of the Cougars gives Cheylin the edge.
Cunningham Wildcats (10-1)
Leading Passers:
Luke McGuire, Sr.: 34-55, 503 yds., 10 TDs, 1 INT
Will Wegerer, Jr.: 21-32, 333 yds., 10 TDs
Leading Rushers:
Layne Green, Fr.: 25 car., 172 yds., 9 TDs
Kollin Fischer, 19 car., 12 yds., 2 TDs
Jack Ruckle, Sr.: 9 car., 48 yds., 4 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Luke Albers, Jr.: 24 rec, 287 yds., 7 TDs
Skyler Thimesch, So.: 11 rec, 156 yds., 5 TDs
Luke McGuire, Sr.: 2 rec, 63 yds., 2 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Trent Schnittker, Jr.: 36 tkls.
Jack Ruckle, Sr.: 34 tkls.
Dylan Halderson, So.: 31 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Trent Schnittker, Jr.: 1 sack
Leading Pass Defenders:
Luke Mcguire, Sr.: 5 INTs
Luke Albers, Jr.: 5 INTs
Dagim Reed, Jr.: 2 INTs
Cheylin Cougars (11-0)
Leading Passers:
Logan McCarty, Sr.: 88-130, 1,923 yds., 37 TDs, 1 INT
Leading Rushers:
Logan McCarty, Sr.: 82 car., 930 yds., 17 TDs
Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 59 car., 605 yds., 16 TDs
Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 16 car., 138 yds., 5 TDs
Leading Receivers:
Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 32, rec., 852 yds., 18 TDs
Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 29 rec., 593 yds., 8 TDs
Harley McPherson, Jr.: 11 rec., 219 yds., 5 TDs
Leading Tacklers:
Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 83 tkls.
Logan McCarty, Sr.: 74 tkls.
Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 65 tkls.
Leading Pass Rushers:
Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 4 sacks
Logan McCarty, Sr.: 3 sacks
John Paul Sabatka, Jr.: 2 sacks
Leading Pass Defenders:
Logan McCarty, Sr.: 6 INTs
Harley McPherson, Jr.: 3 INTs