Can a public school hoist the 4A trophy?

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, Bishop Miege, 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.

Famous last words, but it just feels like the public schools are in the best position in recent memory to close the gap with the private schools in 4A this fall.

So, without further delay, here's our best guess at the top teams in Class 4A heading into the 2024 season.

Class 4A

1. Bishop Miege
2. Andover Central
3. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
4. Buhler
5. Wellington

Others: Abilene, Atchison, Chanute, Eudora, McPherson, Piper, Wamego

There will be a new champion at the top of Class 4A during the 2024 season. A year ago, St. Thomas Aquinas captured the title by beating Andover Central 35-7 in the championship game at Topeka’s Hummer Sports Park. That capped off a 10-3 season for head coach Randy Dreiling and his Saints. But with Aquinas, along with St. James Academy (2020 and 2021 champion) and Basehor-Linwood, making the move up to 5A, there will be some change at the top of 4A this season, though maybe not all that much change.

The leading candidate to sit at the top of 4A by season’s end is likely BISHOP MIEGE. The Stags, who captured the 2022 Class 4A title, and six straight titles from 2014 to 2019, lost in the regional round of last year’s playoffs by just one touchdown to eventual champion St. Thomas Aquinas – meaning a private school from the Kansas City metro area has won the last 10 KSHSAA 4A or 4A-I* crowns. Despite its earliest exit from the postseason since 2008, Miege — Eastern Kansas League champion for the first time since 2017 — could be in solid position to claim a 12th state championship in football following an 8-2 campaign. *KSHSAA split 4A into two divisions from 2014 to 2017 and Miege won the Division I state championship in each of those seasons.

Miege returns a total of 12 full-time starters and 23 lettermen overall but must still fill some key holes in their lineup on both sides of the ball. That includes an offensive line that returns just one full-time starter and graduated four standouts that moved on to play college football, including two at the FBS level. Back on the line will be senior Phil Jones (6-1, 253), while junior Devyn Davis (6-0, 259) will add center to his job description to go with his role as a starter on the defensive line and Jones is likely to see more snaps on the defensive front. 

Leading the Stags offensively will be senior QB Marco Rodriguez (6-4, 180), who completed 150-of-299 passes for 1,850 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Senior Andre Randle will likely take over the starting role at running back after carrying the ball 31 times for 118 yards and three scores. Miege returns three senior wide receivers in Teryn Jackson (5-11, 167), Peter Gibson (6-3, 205) and Jordan Ballard (5-8, 154). Jackson is the top returner in that unit after recording 35 catches for 472 yards and four touchdowns in just six games last season.

Defensively, the Stags must find someone to fill the shoes of departed three-year starting linebacker Justyce Betts (Butler Community College), who had a team-high 92 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season. Some key returning players on defense include seniors Finn Cusick (6-2, 235) and Neil Carman (6-1, 220) at defensive end, Nikki Rattan (5-11, 209) at linebacker and Grant Kellerman (5-9, 153) at strong safety.

Experience will be key for Derek Tuttle and his ANDOVER CENTRAL squad which will field a team that may be equipped to challenge the private school rule over 4A this fall. The Jaguars, who return a total of 16 starters, are coming off a 9-4 campaign a year ago that included a 4A runner-up finish. ACHS suffered a 35-7 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in last year’s championship game.

The Jaguars are no strangers to postseason success as they have reached the state championship game in three of five seasons under Tuttle, who has a 45-14 record at the school. That kind of success should continue this season with the return of a solid group of players that include nine starters on offense and seven on defense. Leading the way on the offensive side will be senior QB Jace Jefferson, who passed for 2,214 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago. He returns his top two receivers in seniors Jace Adler and Brandt Stupka. The backfield will see the return of senior Maddox Archibald and his 1,274 rushing yards with 18 scores. On defense, the Jaguars should be well experienced but must find some players to step up on the line to replace last year’s leader, Kyle Newsom.

Tuttle's five year run of coaching success represents one of the best starts to a career at a large school in Kansas history and should this team stay healthy it's very possible the Jaguars become the first public school to hoist a championship trophy at the 4A/4A-I level since Buhler in 2013.

After advancing to the Class 5A championship a year ago, KAPAUN MOUNT CARMEL drops down to 4A for the new two-year cycle and is likely to be a championship contender this season. The Crusaders of the Greater Wichita Athletic League finished last year with an 11-2 overall mark, coming up short of the 5A title with a 62-37 loss to Mill Valley in the championship game. Weston Schartz, now in his fifth season with the school, has compiled an overall record of 230-137 during his 39-year career that includes a 34-11 mark with the Crusaders.

Kapaun lost some key players from offense during a record-breaking season a year ago, yet Schartz says the cupboard is far from bare with the likes of seniors Peyton Gosch (6-2, 210) at tight end and Jackson Daniel (5-10, 175) at wide receiver along with massive Bishop Carroll transfer fullback Cal Purvis, a junior. Daniel, a three-year starter, accounted for eight touchdowns last season. Looking to step in at QB will be senior Dylan Burr or sophomore Reign Illian. 

On the defensive side, look for Gosch and Daniel in key roles along with seniors Austin Howard (6-0, 180) at inside linebacker, Kyle Keya (6-4, 200) at outside linebacker, Noah Schreck (5-10, 180) at safety and Micah Amphone (5-10, 180), a 5A state powerlifting champion, on the line. Last year, the Crusader defense forced 23 turnovers resulting in six defensive scores.

Despite an early postseason loss a year ago, BUHLER should be a factor in 4A this season with the return of several key pieces from last year’s 7-3 squad. Steve Warner begins his 19th year as head coach of the Crusaders (155-51) and 38th season overall (275-112). Buhler fell in the regional round of the 4A playoffs last season but expects to make a serious run this season, led by a defensive unit that returns all of its starters. That includes seniors Bodey Redenbaugh (6-4, 295) at tackle, Brendan Scripsick (6-3, 200) at defensive end, Jeremy Gentry (6-0, 170) at defensive back, Cash Carson (5-7, 130) at tackle, Chase Gentry (5-7, 150) at tackle, Will Hanen (5-11, 175) at linebacker, Nick Gazaway (5-10, 195) at linebacker, Brady Gotti (6-0, 185) at defensive back, and Cruz Hershberger (5-9, 155) at defensive end and juniors Jacob Miller (6-0, 205) at linebacker and Jarod Miller (6-0, 170) at defensive back. You read that right, Warner will put a pair of 5-7 defensive tackles on the field, but looks to take advantage of their quickness and calls them nearly unblockable. On offense the Crusaders must replace QB Jeffrey Neill, and they will look at either Scripsick or Jacob Miller to fill that spot. The remaining starters back in the offensive lineup are Redenbaugh and senior Tanner Brown (6-3, 245) on the line, Jeremy Gentry, Carson, Jarod Miller and senior Mitchel McDaniel (5-10, 165) at receiver, and junior Ben Clouse (5-9, 165) at tailback.

Coming off an 8-3 season that included a trip to the sectional round of the playoffs, WELLINGTON hopes to build off its recent success with the return of several starters. Leading the way is third-year head coach Jeremiah Meeks, who has a 13-7 mark during his time at the school. The Crusaders have plenty of experience with many key players back in the lineup. That includes seniors Axl Norris (6-1, 155) and Tristan Tencleave (5-9, 174) at cornerback, Skyler Branam (5-10, 185) at safety/wide receiver, Grady Norris (6-0, 175) at strong safety/wide receiver, Parker Thornton (5-10, 157) at linebacker, Carter Burnett (6-4, 200) at defensive end/wide receiver, Brody Weir (6-4, 242) at defensive tackle/tight end, Jamar Armstrong (5-8, 230) at left guard, Jager Norris (5-10, 145) at wide receiver, Nick Giefer (5-11, 190) at running back and Dusty Bannister (6-1, 200) at quarterback.

Just two seasons after ending a 25-game losing streak, ABILENE is looking to build off some recent success, which included a 7-3 record and a 4A regional playoff appearance a year ago. Brad Nicks (11-23) returns for his fifth season with the Cowboys and will rely heavily on some experience from last year’s squad. Abilene must find a replacement for QB Stocton Timbrook and athlete Brax Fisher from graduation, but the Cowboys do have some key players back this season, including seniors Devin Alvarez (5-10, 240) and Tyler Holloway (6-4, 220) on the offensive and defensive lines, sophomore Weston Rock (5-11, 155) at wide receiver/cornerback, junior Taygen Funston (6-1, 165) at wide receiver/cornerback, junior Landon Taplin (5-9, 160) at linebacker, senior Joe Welsh (6-0, 175) at free safety and junior Heath Hoekman (6-3, 230) at defensive end.

With a 10-1 record, ATCHISON advanced to the sectional round of the 4A playoffs a year ago with victories over Bonner Springs and Eudora. Now the Phoenix, under longtime head coach Jim Smith, hope to take that postseason success one step further in 2024. Smith enters his 27th year at AHS, posting a 140-107 record to date. That includes a 27-4 mark over the past three seasons. Atchison will have to fill some holes but still has some talent back with the return of several two-way starters. Those include seniors Eric Smith III (6-4, 210) at wide receiver/defensive end, Jaden Carter (5-11, 220) at running back/linebacker, Landen Bell (6-1, 220) on the offensive and defensive line, Miles Greenly (6-0, 210) at offensive guard/linebacker, JZ Kelly (6-2, 175) at wide receiver/defensive back, and Jacob Perry (6-1, 265) at center/nose guard along with juniors Broady Barnes (6-3, 270) at offensive tackle/defensive tackle, and Yogi Purdy (6-4, 220) at back/linebacker, though a late summer injury and Tommy John surgery ended Purdy’s junior season short before it even started.

CHANUTE will be seeking a fourth consecutive Southeast Kansas League championship this season. The Blue Comets, coming off an 8-2 campaign, have posted at least eight wins in three straight years while also advancing to the regional round of last year’s postseason. CHS lost some valuable pieces from that squad, but still has some explosive players, particularly junior Kris Harding II (6-0, 180) at QB and senior Quinton Harding (5-10, 185) at running back. Kris Harding passed for 1,669 yards and 15 TDs last season, while Quinton Harding averaged nearly 11 yards per carry and finished with 1,413 rushing yards and 17 TDs. Quinton Harding will also be a leader on D where he is the top returning tackler as a linebacker with 81 a year ago. Senior Cade Small (6-0, 200) also returns at linebacker, after a 64 tackle, six sack season. The Blue Comets have been very close to making major noise in the 4A playoffs the past three seasons with a touchdown loss to Tonganoxie last fall, a one-point double overtime loss to Piper in 2022, and a closer than the final score 33-21 loss to Bishop Miege in 2021. CHS will look to get over that playoff hump this fall.

There has been steady progress for COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY since Deonta Wade took over as head coach. Now in his fifth year, Wade (16-21) appears to have the Golden Tornado in position to have its most successful season since finishing as the 4A runner-up in 2013. FKHS is coming off a 6-4 campaign that included a trip to the regional playoff. Leading the way for the Tornado is senior running back Aaron Tunstall (5-10, 180), the 2023 SEK OPOY that rushed for 1,784 yards and 22 TDs a year ago. Returning at QB is senior Axel Erne (6-0, 167), who passed for over 500 yards and six sores. Two starters return on the offensive line, led by University of Missouri commit Keiton Jones (6-5, 320) at the tackle position. Also back is the team’s leading receiver in senior Ke’Shawn Hayes (5-9, 165). On the defensive side, the Golden Tornado will be led by seniors Trenten Akins (5-10, 180) on the line and De’Ontay Galindo (5-9, 170) at linebacker, as well as Joshua Shobe (5-10, 170), Tunstall and Hayes in the secondary.

EUDORA looks to take a step forward this season after a 5-5 mark in 2023. EHS is under the direction of third-year coach Drew Steffen, who is 13-7 during his time leading the Cards. On offense, Eudora will rely on senior running back Errol Siemon (6-1, 190) and senior wide receiver Christian Jarrett (6-0, 170). Stepping into the starting QB role is senior Connor Watson (6-1, 155). Also key is junior tight end George Hagan (6-4, 215), along with an offensive line that consists of juniors Cage Crabill (6-2, 235) and Leland Bradshaw (6-3, 250). Defensively, the Cardinals will be led by Bradshaw, an All-Class 4A honorable mention tackle, along with Hagan and senior Braeden VanDonge (6-1, 175) at ends. Crabill will also play at tackle and end. The secondary will include Jarrett, an All-Frontier League cornerback.

FORT SCOTT, which finished third in the Southeast Kansas League a year ago, looks to make significant improvements this season following a 3-6 campaign. Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Bo Graham, who has a 14-29 mark at FSHS, the Tigers will have plenty of experience back to turn things around. Returning this season will be senior linemen Luke Harris (6-4, 290, FBS/FCS/DII offers), Jaden Garcia (6-3, 275), Blake Tomasi (5-9, 250), Adam Wright (6-2, 240) and Eli Martin (6-0, 200) and Wesley Cox (6-3, 180). Other seniors back will be Colton Rogers (5-10, 195) at fullback/linebacker, JC Gross (6-1, 170) at running back/linebacker, Brody Gomez (6-0, 160) at running back/defensive back, Dub Chipman (6-0, 165) at wide receiver/defensive back, Lennox Vann (6-2, 185) at quarterback/defensive back and Ty Marbery (6-4, 200) at wide receiver/defensive back.

Despite the loss of Kansas Shrine Bowl selection Declan Battle to graduation, LOUISBURG looks to continue its winning ways in 2024. Members of the Frontier League, the Wildcats went 9-1 last season as they advanced to the regional round of the playoffs. In coach Drew Harding’s first two seasons with the program, LHS has gone 17-3. The wins should continue for the Wildcats, but they must find a replacement for Battle, a dual-threat QB who had more than 2,000 yards of offense with 30 total touchdowns, as well as top receiver Caden Caplinger. Louisburg returns a pair of all-state players in seniors Ashton Moore (6-0, 205, RB/LB) and Conlee Honey (6-5, 225, TE/DE).

Following a 7-4 season, MCPHERSON hopes to make a run in the postseason this year after reaching the sectional round of the playoffs. Jace Pavlovich, who enters his 10th season as head coach (72-18), has 10 players back with starting experience. The Bullpups have a solid group returning on the offensive line, including Shawn Nutt, Chase Garibaldi and Krayton Byrd. Returning at the skilled positions are running back Issac Barnett and wide receiver Bishop Brown. Look for the QB position to be filled by either senior Carter Allen or sophomore Carter Bengtson. Defensively, McPherson lost one of its top players in Teegan Haines, but still has some experience back with Brock Richardson and Catch Delaney at linebacker, Jase Fitzmorris on the line, Chase Koehn at defensive end and Brody Seidl in the secondary.

In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Walt Alexander appears to have the tools in place to get OTTAWA on track this season. Alexander (7-20) begins his fourth season with the Cyclones, who are coming off a 3-6 record last season. OHS returns a total of 13 players with starting experience, led by seniors Cole McGrath (6-3, 170) at wide receiver/strong safety, Dante Silvey (6-0, 170) at running back, Collin Harris (5-9, 240) on the offensive line, Seth Ferguson (5-11, 220) at nose guard and Mitch Long (5-9, 155) at linebacker. Alexander is a proven program builder and appears to have the pieces to turn the corner with the Cyclones this fall.

Cole Orrick takes over at PIPER following the departure of former coach John Black. Orrick welcomes back 16 starters from a squad that went 4-5 a year ago. The Pirates will be young on offense at the skill positions and will be searching for a QB to lead the way. Helping that unit will a big O-line that includes senior Ace Johnson (6-2, 230) at center, junior Gabe Willmon (6-2, 276) and senior Maddix Davis (6-7, 250) at tackle, and juniors Westin Haworth (6-0, 285) and Nathan Bollinger (6-0, 260) at guards. Piper also has some experience on defense, which could be a key factor in the team’s success this season.
 
Following a trip to the sub-state round of the playoffs, TONGANOXIE will look for continued success after posting a 9-3 record a year ago. The Chieftains fell one win shy of a trip to the state championship game after falling to eventual champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinals. Head coach Preston Troyer, now in his third season leading the program (13-7), will have to fill holes left from the departure of graduated players Trevor McGraw, who passed for more than 2,000 yards; Colton Brusven, a 2,000-yard rusher; and Isaiah Holthaus, who had 900 receiving yards. After missing his junior season due to injury, Talon Langford (6-2, 195) returns as the starting QB for his senior campaign. Langford passed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. 

Beginning his seventh year as head coach at WAMEGO is Weston Moody, who has a 47-18 overall record during that span. A year ago, the Red Raiders finished 9-3 record. They advanced to the sub-state round of the 4A playoffs, suffering a 26-7 loss to eventual runner-up Andover Central. WHS has 11 players back this season with starting experience, led by seniors Jace Johnson (6-0, 160) and Harper Hull (6-2, 190) at wide receiver, Tate Warren (6-3, 190) at running back, Hayden McCarthy (5-10, 220) and Bennett York (6-2, 265) on the offensive line, Kaden Kearn (6-0, 180) at defensive back, Brody Oviatt (6-0, 205) at linebacker, and Kasen Hall (6-2, 180) at defensive back.

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

2023 Preseason Rankings

1. Bishop Miege
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
3. St. James Academy
4. McPherson
5. Andover Central

Look for more preseason rankings in the next few days.