Can anyone end Mill Valley's run?

Okay, it's time for the annual guessing game that is preseason rankings. At Kansas Pregame, we do football rankings with the goal of trying to guess who will be in the Top 5 come the end of the season.

Last year we picked eventual state champions Gardner-Edgerton, Mill Valley and Axtell as preseason number one in their respective classifications and eventual champions Aquinas, Cheney, Lyndon and Cheylin were preseason number two. But that's not to say that a few of our predictions weren't noticeable misses. Our 5A preseason number two pick, Bishop Carroll, suffered an incredibly rare season below .500, while eventual 1A champ Conway Springs didn't even make our preseason Top 5, though they were in our list of others.

What are our top considerations when doing preseason rankings?

• How much experience and statistical production does a team have returning? If talented and experienced players are back, then chances are usually better that the school will field a good team.
• Did a potential top team lose or gain any key transfers in the offseason? This is a relatively new phenomenon, and one that a lot of people don't care for, including a substantial number of coaches, even those who are often the beneficiary of these transfers, but changes at the college level are trickling down to the high school level and it's easier to switch teams than ever.
• What are trusted sources saying about the state's best teams? Peers in the media and coaches or parents who have served as reliable sources over the years help to let us know how a team looks in the offseason.
• Coaching and tradition play an important role in preseason rankings as well. It's hard to bet against Derby, Mill Valley, Axtell and other teams that consistently finish with deep playoff runs.
• Is the league historically strong? When you start talking about breaking ties in rankings, a team's league is a consideration. Teams from the Eastern Kansas and Twin Valley leagues, for example, tend to do very well in postseason competition, where some other leagues, for whatever reason, find it harder to produce playoff winners.

We plan to provide rankings weekly throughout the season and can't wait to get the season started. Rather than trying to provide a snapshot of the Top 5 teams in any given week, our goal is to produce more of a power ranking. In other words, who are the strongest teams regardless of record, because those teams that come from the above mentioned strongest leagues will produce teams that would beat many of the other teams in the state.

Class 5A was impacted by enrollment as much as any classification with the additions of Blue Valley, Aquinas and St. James Academy likely to shake up the playoffs this year, but Mill Valley remains the team to beat.

So, without further delay, here's our best guess at the top teams in Class 5A heading into the 2024 season.

Class 5A

1. Mill Valley
2. Blue Valley
3. St. Thomas Aquinas
4. Blue Valley Southwest
5. Great Bend

Others: Bishop Carroll, De Soto, Eisenhower, Hays, Hutchinson, Maize South, Pittsburg, Salina Central, St. James Academy, Topeka Seaman

MILL VALLEY made it five consecutive state championships after putting on an offensive clinic against Kapaun in a 62-37 shootout in the 5A title game last season. The Jaguars have to replace 31 seniors from last year’s 11-2 squad and they’re hoping by November they’re playing their best football. If the boys from Shawnee are hitting their stride at the same time the leaves begin to fall it could lead to a sixth consecutive title and the eighth for Joel Applebee in his 15th season on the job.

The 2024 installment of the Jaguars will be led by their defense, which returns eight starters including Jayden Woods, a Penn State commit, ranked 224th by 247Sports and as the 18th edge rusher in the nation. He had 71 tackles, 10 TFLs, seven sacks and two forced fumbles last season. Garrett Clark, 70 tackles, two sacks and three TFLs returns as well. The duo will highlight a defense that ranked fifth in 5A allowing 17.3 points per game, but needs improvement come the postseason after giving up at least 37 points in each of the final three playoff wins. Defensive linemen Hayden Heller, Jackson Lucht, Abe Shaffer and MJ Wash add experience along the defensive interior. 

Applebee’s quarterback-centric offense is likely to be led by senior Connor Bohon, but don’t be surprised if athletic junior Blake Jay steps in and sees some action as well. Bohon accounted for nearly 900 yards of offense last season. Applebee's calls Jay a "dynamic runner" and says "he will be on the field in some capacity for sure." The biggest area of concern for the Jags entering 2024 is likely along the offensive line, where three multi-season starters, including monstrous K-State signee Gus Hawkins, were lost to graduation. Seniors Eric Penner, Aiden Lehr and Zach Zaldivar return to lead the way up front and the trio makes up one-half of Mill Valley's Jaguar Leadership Council.

BLUE VALLEY drops from 6A and should be an instant contender this season. The Tigers are coming off a 7-5 season where they reached 6A semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Gardner-Edgerton. Blue Valley has six starters back on defense and nine on offense. 

Defensively, they’ll be led by Dawson Merritt, a 6-foot-3 linebacker who is ranked 63rd nationally and is a 4-star recruit according to 247Sports. Merritt – an Alabama commit – had 83 tackles last season, seven sacks and 17 TFLs. Maquire Richman who had 132 tackles last season is back as well. He’ll handle kicking duties as well as be a star defensively and he plans to continues his collegiate career at K-State after high school. Defensive lineman Lincoln Stueve adds a third FBS prospect in the senior class on defense with offers from Air Force, Army and Utah State. In all, the Tigers return four of their top five tacklers from last season. The Tigers could also get a boost from Blue Valley West transfer Nico Cocumelli along the defensive line. They were already a top 10 defense last season in 6A, but make no mistake, their goal is a 5A state championship. 

Chris Aiello returns to lead the offense after he threw for 1,672 yards, with nine TDs and nine interceptions last season as a junior. They’ll have to replace their running game but having a three-headed wide receiver group should help. Grady Westphal (41 rec., 859 yds., 2 TD, Texas baseball commit), Jackson Hopper (16 rec., 222 yds., 2 TD) and Grant Westphal (15 rec., 210 yds., 1 TD) will make the Tiger pass game a big time threat. They also return all five starting O-linemen.

After beating Andover Central in the 4A title game, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS jumps back up to 5A after a two-year hiatus, and they’re still just as much a threat as when they went down. Coach Randy Dreiling enters his 10th season and could hit win No. 100 with the Saints if the season goes as planned. Despite big graduation losses, Dreiling still has horses in the barn. Elzie Slaughter should be a big time focal point on offense this season. He already has Division I offers and that should grow as the season progresses. He was second on the team in rushing last season with 625 yards and three TDs. Calin Arndt saw action last season in five games, rushing for 472 yards and four TDs and should provide another threat. Powerful junior Stephen Carroll is back to lead the offensive line.

Defensively, the Saints lost Juju Marks to Olathe South on a transfer and graduated standouts Dillon Marshall at safety (No. Iowa) and Kian Payne at defensive tackle (K-State) but they do return Joey Goodenow, who finished with 38 tackles, seven TFLs and four sacks last season. K’lyn Curtis, who led the Saints in sacks last season and together with Goodenow forms one of the best track throwing duos in Kansas, returns up front as well.

BLUE VALLEY SOUTHWEST was a last second play away from playing for a state championship and they’re hoping to go a step further this season. Replacing Dylan Dunn, now a BYU QB, is going to be tough, but Will Morgan will help secure the offensive line. Quinn Lemons and AJ Keuwo both return in the backfield as they were second and third in rushing last season, respectfully. They combined for 13 touchdowns and 794 yards rushing. Ryan Specht, who could play both sides of the ball, is a stud linebacker, who had 100 tackles last season and 16 TFLs. Luke Falkner had two sacks with 10 TFLs last season. Parker Lindman will see time at tight end and defensive back. He had 11 receptions for 125 yards on offense and led the defense with six INTs.

GREAT BEND returns star quarterback Daxton Minton after his 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He also was second on the team with 664 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Ian Premer, who is the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2026 in Kansas, according to 247Sports, was one of his top targets last season after a 500-yard, nine-touchdown performance and is part of one of the most talented junior classes in the Sunflower State. Premer also led the Panthers with four interceptions on defense. Brody Schnoeblen returns at DT with Owen Kaiser and Jacob Hall and two-way lineman Aidan Davidson was second team All-WAC last season. Trent Kern, a 111-tackle performer last season is back to lead the linebackers. Sophomores Cooper Ohnmacht and Kale Kern will be impactful as underclassmen for a team that has more all-around athletic talent and is anticipating the season more than any Great Bend squad in years.

After being upset in the second round last year by Topeka Seaman, DE SOTO is ready to get back to work and show it was a fluke. The Wildcats are coming off an eight-win season where they will have a handful of new faces. They return six on offense and four on defense. There will be some youth thrown into the fire this season, but head coach Brian King thinks they’re ready. Drew Parks will command a flexbone offense that ranked fifth in 5A with 288.9 yards rushing per game. Jayden Lang, an explosive back who ran for 478 yards and eight touchdowns last year will return. He was a threat out of the backfield, leading the Wildcats with eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Parks also had 251 yards rushing in split time at QB. He threw for 414 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. He’ll be protected by massive lineman Seth Goins. 

De Soto’s defense was staunch last season, allowing only 15.4 points per game and ranked first in rushing defense, giving up only 76.6 yards per game. The defense is led by edge rusher, Charlie Woleben. The Iowa State commit will command most of the attention. He had 28 tackles, two sacks and three TFLs last season. Pair him with senior Kimbal Sweeney and the Wildcats should be very tough up front. King and Co. have built a consistent winner that is hoping to finally close the gap with Mill Valley, Aquinas and Blue Valley Southwest.

A surprising team out of 5A last season, EISENHOWER returns QB Derek Morgan and will once again be a force in the AVCTL and in 5A. They almost made the state title game before Kapaun took them down in a thriller in the sub-state. Morgan threw for 1,980 yards and 30 TDs with only five interceptions as a junior He’s committed to Lehigh as the 25th ranked commit in the state. He also ran for another 300 and four TDs. He has his top two targets back in Carter Pabst (51 rec., 893 yds., and 19 TDs, University of North Dakota commit) and Canyon Mayer (31 rec., 319 yds., 2 TDs). Pabst’s 19 touchdown receptions ranked him second in the state in TD catches. The defense did take a hit when All-State defensive lineman Travis Nicholson opted not to play football his senior season.

Another tough WAC school, HAYS High, under Tony Crough, will be a physical, fundamentally sound squad. They have plenty of experience on both sides but Malik Bah will have to be replaced in the offensive backfield. Crough says they have eight returning on each side of the ball. Sophomore Gus Corsair (Iowa State offer) was first team All-WAC last year as a freshman and he’ll join two others to anchor what should be a stout offensive line. Lineman Slade Salmans (54 tkls., 6 TFL, 5 sacks) will lead the defense, along with Wyatt Kirkpatrick (101 tkls., 10 TFL, 2 INT) and Dalton Myers (79 tkls., 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 2 safeties, WAC DPOY) at linebacker and Cooper Lindenmeyer (63 tkls., 4 INT) at safety. The Indians will get major tests in non-league games with Derby, Manhattan and Junction City.

HUTCHINSON will have to replace a 1,000-yard rusher in Zion Burgess but return a plethora of talent to do so. Terrell King is an all-around athlete that had over 1,200 all-purpose yards a season ago. He’s a threat when he touches the ball and is also an All-State basketball player. He led the Salthawks in kick returns, receiving and was second in rushing last season. Defensive lineman Skylar Ray is one of the fastest players on the team. The return of Levi Kepler from Inman is expected to help with the departure of QB Robert Hunter to Wichita East. Mike Vernon's team has suffered narrow losses to some of the state's top teams the last two seasons. Is this the year they get over the hump?

MAIZE SOUTH returns five starters on offense and four on defense after going 8-3 last season. Replacing their star wide receiving corps. will be key, but Tate McNew is one of the top quarterbacks in 5A. He’ll look to target familiar face Landon Gatto (53 rec., 735 yds., 12 TDs). End Hunter Higgins, who carries offers from multiple P4 schools, will lead the defense. The Mavericks were a top-5 offense last year, with 405.4 yards per game, including 243.0 passing yards a contest.

After going 5-4 last season, PITTSBURG is hoping their depth and returning experience will help the Dragons get deep in the 5A playoffs. Conner Proffitt will lead a run-dominant offense. Carsen Nickelson will be an athlete the Dragons will make sure to get on the field. Defensively, Gabe Kimzey had 91 tackles and 11 TFLs. Junior De’Marus Partee had 52 tackles and a team best 12 TFLs and joins with Kimzey to provide a good 1-2 punch for the Dragon defense. Senior TJ Wesley (DII offers) returns to lead the O-line and he’s joined by junior Beck Fern and junior tight end Cole Hayden. Nate Mitchell and Parker Pinamonti will be some strong D-linemen for the Dragons. 

Mark Sandbo enters his seventh year as the head ball coach of the Mustangs at SALINA CENTRAL. He returns six on offense and five on defense. They’ll have the massive trio of Kaden Snyder, Warrick VanBlaircon and Gage Gibson on the offensive line. On the defensive line, Zach Calisti and James MacKinney return. Offensively, the Mustangs return Jack Gordon, who accounted for 1,945 passing and 19 passing touchdowns. They’ll have to replace Elijah Wilson in the backfield and receivers Hunter Mowery and Ryker Grossner, but the experienced offensive line should let new playmakers develop. Linebackers Ty Young, Jesus Delgado and Brayden Haase will lead the defense as they grow in the tough AVCTL-II.

ST. JAMES ACADEMY joins Aquinas as another 4A school who made the jump to 5A. The Thunder, who won 4A titles in 2020 and 2021 are no stranger to tough competition in the EKL, so 5A should be like riding a bike. The Thunder should have four starters back on the offensive line, all seniors. They’re going to replace Ben Wheeler with Tyson Beashore after Wheeler threw for 1,370 yards and 13 TDs. Beashore, a transfer from Spring Hill, threw for over 1,020 yards and eight TDs last season for the Broncos. Beashore will have a trove of assets to distribute the ball to with Parker Chase (37 rec., 493 yds, 4 TDs) and Sam Niesen (25 rec. 275 yds., 3TDs) back at receiver and John Tujague back after running for 252 yards and a touchdown last season, second most on the team. Defensively, Max Requet returns, as one of the best sackers in the state. He had 10 sacks to go along with his 42 tackles and led the team with 13 TFLs.

TOPEKA SEAMAN returns senior QB Max Huston, who was second in the state in all classes with 3,257 passing yards and 39 touchdowns (Dylan Dunn, BVSW was first in both). The best part? Only two interceptions thrown. He has multiple D2 offers with FCS and FBS interest. He’ll get significant help back along the offensive line, but the Vikings only return four starters on defense and will have to replace their entire secondary, including K-State signee Callen Barta, who also served as Huston's top receiving target after catching 77 passes for more than 1,400-yards.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD moves to 5A from 4A. Often regarded as one of the best teams in 4A, they’ll get a chance to prove their worth at 5A. Rod Stallbaumer has built a program in his 11 years that reloads rather than rebuilds, but this year he’ll have to do it with a lot of new faces offensively.

BISHOP CARROLL is coming off a rare losing season and they’re still going to be a young team. They will return six offensive starters who saw experience last season and seven on the defensive side. Replacing Air Force signee Jackson King and UNLV signee Hank Purvis on offense will be tough, but coach Dusty Trail will rely on his youth to develop. Junior Drew Niedens, who ran for 189 yards and two TDs last season, returns in the backfield.

*Charles Chaney contributed significantly to this preview by compiling much of it using the preview capsules from the 2024 Football Preview.

2023 Preseason Rankings

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