Class 5A preseason football rankings breakdown

Preseason rankings are a guessing game, perhaps now more than ever given the increased frequency of student-athlete transfers in the offseason, but it's fun to try and predict who is going to finish the season on top.

As a former coach, I'm a little conflicted about producing preseason rankings. I can tell you definitively that players can be impacted by what's written and reported about them. Different teams have differing abilities to meet or exceed expectations.

Coaching history, returning experience, standout players at key positions, and schedule are a few key considerations that go into the rankings, but this year feels like the most wide-open for all classifications in recent memory. Heading into last season I was confident that Mill Valley would win 5A, one of the Big 3 private school powers (Aquinas, Miege, St. James) would win 4A, Andale would win 3A, St. Marys would be at least a semifinalist, Little River would at least make the 8-Man I final, Axtell would win 8-Man II with their toughest game against Canton-Galva at some point, and Cunningham would win 6-Man. Of course I also didn't think Manhattan, Gardner-Edgerton, or Wichita County would finish in the Top 5 – guess they showed me, huh?

Most of the most experienced teams are likely just a couple players away from being at the top or the bottom of the rankings, and there are many factors which are uncontrollable including injuries, weather, depth, officiating (not a criticism of officials but it's a fact that a couple of missed calls here or there can impact a season), and the most significant factor in the overall success or failure of an athletic program, socioeconomic status of the region around the school system, a seldom referenced, but ultra-important factor, and a topic for another time.

Regardless of where your team lands in the predictions that follow, the former coach in me wants to implore each player to be coachable, do their absolute best on and off the field, and embrace their role on the team and let the chips fall where they may.

NOW, let's take a look at the Kansas Pregame preseason rankings and see if we can guess who will end up on top.

This year, the classifications from top-to-bottom just feel deeper than in the past. While 4A still appears as though it will be dominated by the private schools, graduation losses at Mill Valley, Andale, and Axtell don't leave them as the sure-bet repeat champions of the past, though we think they're still the favorites.

Class 5A

1. Mill Valley
2. Bishop Carroll
3. Blue Valley Southwest
4. De Soto
5. Kapaun

It’s reload and repeat for MILL VALLEY heading into the 2023 season as they’re going for a historic fifth consecutive state championship in Class 5A. The Jaguars are the dominant team of the past decade with six titles in eight seasons and quarterfinal and semifinal appearances the other two years.
While they’ll have to replace Hayden Jay at quarterback, Joel Applebee’s squad will have plenty of talent back on both sides of the ball.
In total, Applebee will welcome back eight returning starters on offense – including four offensive linemen – four on defense, and one on special teams.
Tristan Baker is the top returning rusher and receiver from a season ago (223 car., 1,437 yds., 20 TDs rushing, 11 rec., 153 yds., 2 TDs). He’ll provide a bonafide run-threat and a solid receiving target for the next in line at signal-caller.
Mill Valley will boast a returning kicker who made 7 of 10 field goals last season and averaged a touchback on 46 percent of his kickoffs in Kenten Laughman.
Last season, Mill Valley had the third best scoring offense in Class 5A (45.8 ppg.) and with four offensive linemen returning, they may keep that up once again. Gus Hawkins (K-State commit) will lead the front five.
Defensively, the Jags will be led by senior Truman Griffith and junior Jayden Woods up front. Griffith returns after getting six sacks last season and carries multiple DI offers heading into the year. Jayden Woods holds numerous power five offers, including Alabama and Penn State, after having 51 tackles and leading the team in tackles for loss last season.
Graduation losses may help the leading contenders close the gap on Applebee's team this fall, but the Jags are still the favorite entering the season.

It could be a big year for the Golden Eagles of BISHOP CARROLL as they bring back a plethora of experience from a squad that was upset by Hutch in the regional playoffs last season. They’ll be led by Jackson King, the Air Force commit will be one of the top quarterbacks regardless of classification in Kansas. He threw for almost 1,300 yards last season with seven TDs and nearly ran for 1,000 yards and 15 TDs, all while not starting the season as the full-time starter. They will return seven starters on offense and six on defense from last year’s seven-win season. King will have all his skill positions returning as well. Luke Holthusen, who is coming off a 300-meter hurdles state championship in track and field, will provide a talented receiving target outside, while Thomas Gorges, who holds some instate offers, returns in the backfield after rushing for 505 yards and scoring nine TDs last season. Returning UNLV commit, Hank Purvis, will provide a big body blocker up front.
Defensively, the secondary should be their bread and butter as they have three defensive backs returning this season. Carter Morris and Cash Ungles will carry the bulk of the front’s responsibilities this season.

After making a magical run into sub-state last season, BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST should be one of the top teams to watch for in Class 5A this fall. The always tough Eastern Kansas League will provide a difficult schedule, but like many teams who play in this league, it would be tough to judge a school based off their regular season. Last season, BV Southwest went 4-1 against 5A opponents.
They return one of the top passing quarterbacks in the state in Dylan Dunn (196-300, 2,784 yds., 28 TDs). He also set a playoff record by throwing for eight touchdowns in the win over De Soto in the playoffs. Having that type of experience returning should be a nice boost for their spread offense.
Dunn is one of eight offensive players back from last year’s sub-state run. Tate Everad (39 rec., 639 yds., 8 TDs) returns, and is also one of the team’s top D-backs after he made three INTs. Senior Alex Parks (33 rec., 459 yds., 3 TDs) adds another capable receiving threat. Three linemen who play both ways return as well. The Southwest defense will have at least 10 starters returning from last year’s team, including Jackson Ready. The senior linebacker will be one of the top returning LBs in the state with 82 tackles last season. Trey Thomas had seven INTs last season and Gage Ilges returns after five picks to round out what should be a formidable defense.

DE SOTO returns after a run to the sectionals last season and the sixth consecutive season winning a regional championship The nine-win season after losing many key players bodes well for the high expectations that come with consistent performance. Returning seven on offense and six on defense will help those expectations grow.
Offensively, the Wildcats will be led by returning quarterback, Carson Miller, and their run-dominated offense should be humming again. Last season, Miller ran for 1,152 yards and 16 TDs, while throwing for 473 yards and 6 TDs. His top receiving target from last season, Braden Griggs (14 rec., 216 yds., 1 TD) returns to help provide some honest defense alignments when he lines up outside.
Linebacker Sean Gibson will highlight a defense that was suffocating last season, only allowing 14 points per game last fall. Only Mill Valley had a better defense, statistically, in Class 5A last season, and with Gibson returning, along with Power 5 defensive end prospect Charlie Woleben and the majority of the defensive backfield, the Wildcats should be once again stout on that side of the ball. 

The KAPAUN Crusaders are hoping to return to the form that saw them narrowly lose to Maize in the 5A semifinals in 2021 after slipping to 5-5 last fall. They’ll be led by Air Force commit Omari Elias at running back. Elias has totaled nearly 5,000 yards rushing and nearly 60 total touchdowns the last two seasons. The majority of the offense returns, including starting quarterback Dylan Hamilton, four big seniors along the offensive line, and lengthy receiver Will Thengvall. The defense has bigger holes to fill, but Kyle Keya is a player to watch at the outside linebacker position.

MAIZE SOUTH is squarely in the top five discussion and are almost certain to improve upon their first losing season since 2010 thanks to the return of eight starters on the offensive side of the ball and nine on defense. The experience off a team who won four games last season could be propelled into a winning season behind junior QB Tate McNew. Arguably the top QB in the 2025 class, McNew threw for 2,240 yards and 18 TDs last season as just a sophomore. He has a bevy of receivers back to target in seniors Sammy Dresie and Jeron Askren, junior Landen Gatto, and 6-6 senior transfer Darius Felton, a move-in from Wyoming, who holds multiple DI offers. The South receiving corps could be among the best in the state.

MAIZE has to replace Elite 11 quarterback Avery Johnson, standout running back Daeshaun Carter, standout wide receivers Bryce Cohoon and Justin Stephens, but they have some key talent still returning from a back-to-back state runner-up squad. Power 5 slot receiver prospect, junior Bryson Hayes will return as one of the fastest receivers in the state (19 rec., 582 yds., 8 TDs). Defensively, Ayden Flores, who is a state champion wrestler, will lead the way after posting 64 tackles last season, with 11 for losses. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another. A pair of returning offensive linemen in senior Cole Chalashtari and junior Jonathan Gould will block for new QB Drew Kemp.

SALINA CENTRAL welcomes back standout quarterback Gunnar Gross, a stable of wide receivers, and half of a very good offensive line, while pieces of every unit on defense return. The addition of Baldwin standout receiver Ryker Grossner gives the Mustangs yet another key target in the passing game. The schedule appears to set up favorably with the toughest opponents likely coming later in the season and the emergence of a few key young players could see the Mustangs make a run to the semifinals.

After wholesale offensive changes paid dividends last fall GODDARD coach Tommy Beason hopes to return the Lions to the playoffs behind speedy running back Micah Johnson. The HUTCHINSON Salthawks were a bit of a surprise last fall and while some speedy offensive weapons graduated Mike Vernon appears to have the pieces to continue winning with 14 experienced starters back for 2023. Zion Burgess returns as one of the top offensive weapons in the AVCTL-I while Terrell King is among the top returning defenders. The strength of this team, though, is the offensive line that returns completely intact. LIBERAL should have their best team in years and could win the WAC behind the arm of quarterback J. Brooks Kappelmann and standout receiver Zayden Martinez. PITTSBURG returns the majority of their 7-4 team of a year ago for second-year head coach Josh Lattimer, the only question is whether their schedule can adequately prepare them for a brutal 5A East playoff field. HAYS has enjoyed a spectacular two-season run but few teams in 5A graduated as much talent as the Indians. Malik Bah is likely to carry an even heavier load this fall after rushing for 1,600 yards as a junior. GREAT BEND enjoyed a breakout season last fall and while they return several key pieces it will be difficult to replace graduated dual-threat QB Cayden Schueerman, precision route-running receiver Braylon Council and productive linebacker Mathew Moeder. If Colton Brack and Maddox Spray can carry a heavier load offensively and the new signal-caller can execute at a high level, the Panthers should again contend for a WAC title in what is likely to be one of the more competitive league races in the state. NEWTON coach Greg Slade – known for building programs at Rose Hill and Campus – appears to have the Railers headed in the right direction and could be poised for an improved season this fall. SPRING HILL has an experienced offensive line, quarterback, and 1,300 yard rusher Colton McKanna all back to improve on last year's 5-5 mark.

Charles Chaney contributed significantly to this preview compiling large portions of it utilizing the preview capsules in our annual football preview.

For more reading, check out our 2023 Kansas Pregame Fall Edition at this link: Kansas Pregame Football Preview 2023