Can Conway Springs repeat?

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 losing season, 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 good, 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 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.

Conway Springs graduated Brayden Kunz, a Top 11 player in all classes, but plenty of experience returns for coach Biehler. St. Marys' state title in 1A two years ago could be a sign of things to come for Rossville this season. The Bears moved down a classification and slotted into a district that kept them away from 2A powers and league rivals Silver Lake and Rossville in district play and the playoffs the last two seasons. This year Rossville could similarly benefit from a step down in classification.

So, without further delay, here's our best guess at the top teams in Class 1A heading into the 2024 season.

Class 1A

1. Conway Springs
2. Rossville
3. Medicine Lodge
4. Jackson Heights
5. Sedgwick

Others: Centralia, Jayhawk Linn, Jefferson County North, Marion, Moundridge, Olpe, Plainville, St. Mary’s Colgan, Sterling, Smith Center, TMP, Troy, Valley Heights

Class 1A yielded multiple surprises and close games in 2023. No other classification went through more changes from the preseason poll to the finish.

Every 1A team except Colgan (11-1) lost at least twice. JCN finished 11-2 and state runner-up for the best season in school history. Conway Springs posted the same 11-2 record and won its first state title in 12 years. The Cardinals’ single wing broke multiple team rushing marks for a program long known for its ground attack. Conway Springs rolled JC North, 35-6, in the state title game. Colgan won its most games since 2011.

Medicine Lodge enjoyed a six-win improvement to 9-3 and reached the state semifinals, its deepest run in the playoffs since 1987. Marion won at Smith Center in the playoffs, lost to Conway Springs by a score in the quarterfinals and went 9-2, its most victories in 11 years.

Medicine Lodge won four contests by a combined 12 points and lost to Conway by a score in the semis. Conway Springs, Sterling (6-4) and Marion all had three games decided by a score or fewer – and all lost at least one. Preseason unranked Sedgwick beat 2A power Osage City and Marion en route to an 8-2 mark. Hutchinson Trinity finished 4-6 and lost three games by a combined 15 points.

The closeness of 2023 could be mirrored in another exciting season this fall. Plus, 1A is generally affected by what teams move into its class. The Mid-East League’s St. Marys, normally a 2A school, bumped down before 2022, won a state title and reached the quarterfinals last year, and this fall returns to 2A. This year, the now defunct Mid-East League’s Rossville (5-4) moves into 1A and automatically becomes a significant state contender. Rossville has won four state titles, all from 2015 to 2021, in 3A or 2A, and has been a consistent winner for decades.

Class 1A, which had dipped into the 20s in the last 10 years, has 46 schools this fall, second-most of any class. Twelve schools switched into 1A for 2024, including Rossville and Hays-TMP from 2A, and Moundridge, South Sumner and Cair Paravel from 8-Man. All five of those programs posted a winning season or won a playoff game last fall.

The class has a long list of contenders, many that return significant talent in the backfield. Colgan will be in District 1. Olpe and Rossville in District 2. JCN and Jackson Heights pace District 3. Centralia and Troy in District 4.

In the West, District 5 is likely headed by Valley Heights. District 6 has multiple contenders with Inman, Marion, Moundridge and Sedgwick. District 7 is highly intriguing with Conway Springs, Medicine Lodge, Sterling, Hutchinson Trinity and South Sumner. Plainville is the defending District 8 champion, though will have to contend with now 1A TMP, which defeated the Cardinals last year, and perennial power Smith Center.

CONWAY SPRINGS graduated Shrine Bowler Brayden Kunz, who rushed for 2,806 yards for a program that delivered 369 rushing yards a game. Senior Isaac Winter is back after 825 rushing yards and three-year starter Cade Howell returns at fullback. Plenty of experience returns up front with seniors Cooper Koster (6-4, 250), junior Ashton Stull (5-10, 265) and end Connor Rusco (6-3, 210). Six of the top-seven tacklers return. Conway Springs was fifth in 1A offense averaging 37.9 points per game and ninth in defense with 17 points allowed a contest.
Conway Springs ran the ball 92.8 percent of the time, just ahead of Smith Center’s 92.6, to pace the classification.

“We return many starters on a unit that made big improvements as the season progressed,” 16th-year Conway Springs head coach Matt Biehler said.

ROSSVILLE’s biggest question mark comes at quarterback with Tayson Horak and Canann Mitchell both in contention for reps. Horak earned All-State honors at slot receiver last fall. Mitchell missed last season with injury. Regardless if it's receiver or quarterback Horak is sure to impact the Dawg offense this season after leading the team in rushing (43 car., 501 yds., 5 TDs) and receiving (32 rec., 476 yds., 6 TDs) last season. Senior linebacker Brock Bush and junior safety Conner Bush headline an experienced defense that includes Horak, Kameron Badura and Jack Donovan on the back line. Donovan was also the team's second-leading receiver a season ago with 27 receptions for 397 yards and three touchdowns while current senior Seth Catron added 18 catches for 207 yards and three TDs. All 19 receiving touchdowns from a season ago were by non-seniors as were 16 of the team's 21 rushing scores. The defense also graduated just two of the top 11 tackles. The Dawgs start with a brutal three-game stretch that includes former Mid-East League rivals Silver Lake and St. Marys followed by a game at two-time defending 2A state champs Nemaha Central. The schedule gets much more manageable from there, with games at Mission Valley in Week 5 and at home against Olpe in Week 7 likely to determine the District 2 champion.

MEDICINE LODGE had not won at least eight games in a season since 2006 before last fall’s breakout performance. The Indians return standout quarterback Ke’Veon Ruiz (133-245, 2,209 yds., 19 TDs, 10 INTs, 109 car., 411 yds., 8 TDs), running back Jack Schreiner (88 car., 408 yds., 5 TDs) and three linemen, including standout senior Gavin Gross. Defensive end Sawyer Stone recorded 13 tackles for loss a season ago and is the second-leading tackler returning with 82 total stops behind Durham Nittler's 93 tackles last fall. Nittler also recorded two interceptions last season but the five other players who recorded at least one interception a season ago all graduated. The Indians have a goal to win the first football state title in school annals, but it won't be easy. Class 1A District 7 is one of the state's toughest with Conway Springs, Sterling and Hutch-Trinity all serious obstacles to MLHS's pursuit of a district title.

JACKSON HEIGHTS returns junior quarterback Drake Mellies, who rushed 156 times for 1,232 yards and 21 scores last fall and passed for 640 yards, but with seven interceptions to just three touchdwowns. Senior backs Kade Holliday and Joshua Smith also return after rushing for a combined 970 yards and 14 TDs a season ago and the addition of Holton transfer Austin Zeller is expected to fortify the offensive skill positions. The Cobras return more than 84 percent of 2023's rushing yards from a team that averaged 269 rushing yards a game and 7.6 yards per carry last fall. JH also fielded a top-five defense at 14.6 points allowed a contest. Leading tackler Weston Schultejans was lost to graduation but seven of the top 10 tacklers return including second-leading tackler Teagan Bowhay, a junior linebacker.

“We have a pretty high ceiling, but we need to work extremely hard and stay injury free during the course of the season to reach our goals,” 13th-year Cobra head coach Caleb Wick said.

SEDGWICK returns senior quarterback Corey Crumrine from its well-known passing attack after he completed 209 of 319 passes for 3,158 yards with 34 scores against just two interceptions last fall. Senior Dallas Lagree posted 63 catches for 856 yards and seven scores, but leading rusher Tray Schroeder and leading receiver Jeff Nold are gone to graduation. Sedgwick led 1A in passing and was fourth in offense at 39.2 points per game, but the defense needs to improve after allowing 20 points or more in six contests including four games with 32 points or more. Eight returning starters on that side of the ball will help lead the way including six of the top eight tacklers from last fall.

STERLING enjoyed a nice improvement last year to 6-4 and returns junior running back Zane Farney, one of the top ball carriers for all classes. Farney posted 204 carries for 1,506 yards and 16 scores. He collected 74 tackles and four interceptions on defense. QB Logan Isaac is back after passing for nearly 500 yards while junior Wyatt Newberry is back after rushing for nearly 400 yards a season ago. Boston Ekart returns after posting an incredible 365 yards on just nine catches. The defense does need to replace the top four tacklers of a season ago who all graduated. Sterling has a highly experienced junior class and very high expectations for 2024.

MOUNDRIDGE led 8-Man I in scoring defense last season, the first under coach Tyler O’Connor. Senior quarterback Henry Hecox has enjoyed an exceptional last two years with more than 3,000 yards of total offense and 59 TDs accounted for against just two interceptions and 115 tackles on defense. Bear Moddelmog posted 48 catches for more than 700 yards on offense and five sacks on defense for a team that looks well-equipped to make some noise in their first season back in 11-Man since 2017.

CENTRALIA brings back quarterback Jacob Flentie, who cleared 900 yards of total offense last fall despite a major knee injury. The Panthers should again be a 1A contender but it will require the replacement of six players that graduated after earning some level of postseason honors.

“Our team goal is to get better each and every day and hopefully that helps us make a deep run in the playoffs,” third-year CHS head coach Roger Holthaus said. “Staying healthy will be a huge key for us. Also, we have a lot of inexperience, so how fast we grow as a football team will be a key.”

OLPE returns quarterback Dexton Hoelting after he played in just three games last season because of injury. Senior lineman Kale Weakley paces an always tough Eagle defense with 50 tackles, including 10 for loss, a season ago.

COLGAN took major graduation losses with Cooper Simmons, Tucker Harrell and Tristan Voss all now at Pittsburg State. Only four starters return, just one of them a senior. Colgan had an average margin of 50-9 and easily paced the classification in scoring offense and defense.

JEFF COUNTY NORTH will be much younger than the 11-2 squad last season, though three seniors return in Abraham Noll (OL/LB), Andrew Baker (TE/DE), and Eli Weishaar (RB/DB). JCN was second in offense and defense in 1A a season ago with an average score of 43-12.

TMP has fielded four straight top-10 scoring defenses in Class 2A. The Monarchs had major quarterback injuries last season and likely need junior Carson Liles to stay healthy under center. Liles missed nearly all last fall and returned to post an All-State baseball season. Senior linebacker Ryan Casey and senior wide receiver Adler Brown are among key returners for TMP.

SMITH CENTER will be very young this fall with just one senior returning starter. Junior quarterback/safety Parker Hutchinson is back under center. SC finished plus-16 in turnover margin last fall, and junior Kharson Montgomery recovered three fumbles.

PLAINVILLE won a district title last fall in the first season under coach Alex McMillian. The Cardinals graduated nearly all of its skill players, though McMillian is very high on significantly experienced senior Roy Bright Jr., who he listed as an athlete, and could factor into several positions. He was the starting quarterback as a freshman for Natoma’s undefeated six-man state title.

“We want to build from where we ended last season, we got better each week,” McMillian said.

MARION finished 9-2 with a pair of one-score losses but were hit hard by graduation. The Warriors bring back All-State senior linemen Brian Nguyen and Luke Watkins. The graduation of Jack Lanning and Trevor Schaefers will make a noticeable impact on both sides of the ball. Marion averaged nine yards per play, second-best in 1A last fall.

TROY has six experienced starters back including 2,000-yard passer Gannon Bowe, 600-yard receiver Logan Blevins and 400-yard rusher Jackson Harman. Development along the offensive line is key to Derek Jaspers squad making a playoff run this fall, but the defensive front should be a strength behind Harman and junior Marcus McKittrick.

Quarterfinalist VALLEY HEIGHTS returns significant experience in the form of 10 starters from last fall's squad, but the graduation of quarterback Carson Spoonts and lineman Tyrel Wagner does leave a couple of big holes to fill. Senior Jayden DeWalt is one of the top returning players in 1A after rushing for almost 1,700 total yards and 23 combined TDs the last two seasons. Leading tackler Gavin Crowder is back for his junior season after a 111 tackle performance last fall along with three seniors that recorded two interceptions apiece in Royse Ekstrum, Mack Shanks and DeWalt.

INMAN, the state runner-up in 2021 and 2022, slipped back to 3-6 last fall. Malachi Brunk started five games as a freshman QB. Evan Kamczynski and Eli Gillespie return to lead the defensive line.

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

2023 Preseason Rankings

1. St. Mary's Colgan
2. Inman
3. Smith Center
4. Olpe
5. Jefferson County North

Look for 8- and 6-Man rankings in the next 24 hours.