Kansas Pregame 6-Man Top 6: Luke McGuire

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, along with the honorable mention list. For a look back at the Top 8 lists click here for 8-Man I and here for 8-Man II.

Since Cunningham football was resurrected as a 6-Man program in 2019 after being forced to shut down and co-op with Kingman in 2015 due to low numbers, the Wildcats have enjoyed a renaissance. There before, during, and after the hiatus and in the midst of a 27-5 stretch over the last four seasons, is head coach Lance McGuire.

In that initial 2019 season, the Wildcats took some time to develop young talent and acclimate to the newer version of the game, finishing just 1-7. But in 2020, along with the arrival of McGuire’s son, Luke, came the true dawn of that aforementioned renaissance.

“It is hard to put into words,” coach McGuire said of his son finally making it to the high school to play under his tutelage after years of serving as his unofficial assistant coach. “Luke had just turned a year old one week before my first football season started at Cunningham. My wife and I decided early on that if football was going to take so much of my time, we would make it a family affair. Our home is just a block from the practice field, so from that very first year, we have memories of the kids hanging out at practice lugging dummies around into mazes, obstacle courses and forts. Back in the day, we invited the team to watch game film and eat breakfast at our house every Saturday morning. Luke was right there breaking down plays with us and critiquing the guys in our living room.” 

With practices and game films now a regular occurrence for the younger McGuire, it was only a matter of time before he made his way to the sideline.

“Growing up, he spent all the time he could on the practice field,” coach McGuire said. “As he grew and became more interested and aware, I’d let him lead drills with the whistle and even call some plays. He begged to be a manager and held that position for years, riding the bus with us to games as a grade schooler. He even worked his way on the sideline when we cooperated with Kingman. Total investment by him and lots of memories to share.”

After his time as a manager was up, the Wildcats won six straight games to start Luke’s freshman season, with two of their games being canceled due to COVID, and scoring 40 points or more in each contest, with 18 point wins over Rolla and Northern Valley – the latter their first round playoff opponent – as their closest margins during the win streak.

It wasn’t until their final two games of that 2020 season that they finally tasted defeat. First, in a state semifinals loss to Moscow, and then again in the consolation game to Golden Plains, leaving Cunningham at 6-2 on the year.

McGuire had an impressive freshman campaign individually, carrying the ball 62 times for 448 yards and nine TDs, while picking off four passes on defense.

The 2021 season saw continued success for the McGuires and company as the Wildcats steamrolled through their first nine games, winning them all in blowout fashion.

It wasn’t until the state championship game against Natoma that Cunningham lost their lone game of the season, leaving them at 9-1 on the year and state runner-up.

McGuire put together an impressive year that earned him All-League first team on defense, and honorable mention on offense. The sophomore ran the ball 76 times for 690 yards and 11 TDs, caught nine passes for 140 yards and three TDs, and went 46 of 72 for 729 yards and 18 TDs passing with just three interceptions. Defensively, McGuire recorded 57 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, three QB hurries, six interceptions, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal.

Entering McGuire’s junior season, a majority of the playmakers on both sides of the ball were back and expectations were incredibly high for a team coming off such success.

McGuire again split time offensively at running back and quarterback, rushing for 572 yards and 13 TDs, along with 20 receptions for 153 yards and 3 TDs. As a passer he threw for 669 yards and 10 TDs with zero interceptions. Defensively, he recorded 44 tackles, five interceptions, and forced a fumble. Mcguire returned one of those interceptions for a pick-six and also took two punt returns back for scores.

The Wildcats, who also featured 2022 Top 6 selections Lane Halderson and Trey DeWeese, along with a talented supporting cast, were untouchable, with their only two reasonably close games coming against Ashland, 38-30 in the season opener, and then again, 38-16 in the state championship game.

Besides those two contests, no other team scored more than two TDs in a game against the Wildcats, while five opponents were held to zero.

McGuire earned co-6-Man Player of the Year from Sports in Kansas, along with DeWeese, while Halderson and junior Cunningham linebacker Jack Ruckle jointly took home the award for defense, and Coach McGuire was named SIK Coach of the Year.

Other recognition for the younger McGuire included an All-League nod on offense, defense, and special teams, All-State honors from multiple outlets, as well as being named to the 25 Six-Player Players to Watch in 2023.

Going into his final season of high school, McGuire and fellow senior Jack Ruckle were the only two seniors back, leaving a level of doubt about just how good this team could be. 

“Luke took more on his shoulders to fill the void left by the senior leaders who graduated, especially early in the season as we were still figuring out some personnel changes,” coach Mcguire said. “Specifically, the first game against Ashland and being behind, I put the ball in his hands a bunch. He competed very well against a very good team. Overall on the season, he communicated more on the field and did everything he was asked to do. He also did a great job, even during JV games, cheering the young guys on and encouraging them on the side.”

The Wildcats lost that season opener to Ashland 32-22, but the next 10 games that followed turned out to be a truly exceptional stretch.

In that span, Cunningham outscored their opponents 571-12, giving up their only two touchdowns in a 70-6 win over Pawnee Heights in the state quarterfinals and a 52-6 state semifinals victory over Tescott.

McGuire and Ruckle managed to make it to the state championship game for the third time in their career after their win over Tescott, but were ultimately dispatched by a loaded Cheylin team in the state championship after the Cougars just came off a 66-27 win over Ashland in their semifinal matchup.

“Our two seniors leave a legacy of success,” coach McGuire said. “They had a career record that we have not seen here at Cunningham. Two undefeated seasons in junior high followed by a pretty incredible high school career. They lost five games total in four years with a fourth place finish, two runners up finishes, and a state championship. That success was earned because of their work ethic. These two, Jack Ruckle and Luke, both lifted and worked to get better every year. They committed. They led by example on and off the field.”

McGuire went 37 of 60 for 544 yards and 11 TDs to two interceptions passing and totalled 483 all-purpose yards with six more TDs. Defensively, he recorded 32 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, five interceptions, and a pass deflection.

While McGuire’s numbers appear down from prior years, it's important to note that in their 10 game winning streak, the game was out of reach for the opponent early, leading to many second halves that the senior didn’t play at all.

Along with his Top 6 honors, McGuire again was named All-State by multiple outlets, as well as All-League at all three positions.

Luke doesn’t currently have plans set in stone for after graduation, but is likely to attend Pittsburg State University to major in Elementary Education, and is not leaning toward playing football, though there are other likely ways for him to stay involved.

“Maybe someday his mom and I will be in the stands cheering him on again,” McGuire said. “This time as a coach.”

And as for his time bringing up his son in the world of Kansas high school football, that is an experience that will not be overlooked by Luke’s father and coach.

“To know how much time he put in and how it paid off with team success and individual recognition is really something to think about,” coach McGuire said. “He often knew what I wanted without me hollering during the game. A small hand signal or a look was all it took. He is a great example of how to go about being an athlete on and off the field. I think it will mean even more to us in 10 years looking back on his career and memories than it does right now. What we got to do together is a rare privilege.”