KFBCA Top 11: Travis Theis

Kansas Pregame has partnered with the Kansas Football Coaches Association to provide capsules for their Top 11 and Coach of the Year picks. The team consists of 11 players and an overall Coach of the Year which were nominated from each classification's KFBCA All-State teams and voted on by coaches at the annual KFBCA All-State meeting December 9th in Wichita.

Note, the teams are composed of seniors only and only players from dues paying members of the association are considered. The KFBCA is composed of only 11-Man coaches. The 8-Man coaches operate a separate Kansas Eight-Man Football Coaches Association.

Travis Theis, Pratt, 5-10, 198, QB/RB

Though small in stature Theis will be remembered for his intense focus and superior effort on the field. Theis led the Greenbacks to the 4A-II title as a sophomore running back and after the team missed the playoffs during his junior season coach Jamie Cruce switched Theis to quarterback in his Flexbone offense in 2018. Theis proved the very few skeptics of the position switch wrong in a big way leading Pratt back to the title game, this time in the newly renamed 3A, where he nearly led the Greenbacks to a win over defending 3A champs Sabetha in overtime.

The Kansas Pregame coverboy tallied 2,608 yards rushing with 43 rushing touchdowns this season on 230 carries, good for an average of 11.3 yards per rush. He also passed for 985 yards completing 36 of 72 passes for 11 touchdowns with just one interception. He rushed for more than 6,700 yards in his career with 101 touchdowns.

In addition to the recognition from the KFBCA Theis was named Top 11 by both The Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors from SportsinKansas.

Pratt coach Jamie Cruce on Theis: “Travis is one of the toughest kids I’ve been around. His work ethic is unmatched and his ability to take over a football game is something special. Travis has the leadership traits that coaches look for in players. He had one of the best high school careers in the state of Kansas statistically, but he also did all of the other things behind the scenes to help ensure not only his own success, but the success of his entire team as well.”

Kingman coach Curtis Albin on Theis: “In twenty years of coaching Travis is the best leader that I have seen. His ability to lead by example this year was the difference when we played them. He just refused to let anything stop him. By far the most impressive thing about him though is that he is a genuinely nice kid. He slowly went through the line after the game and wished our kids and coaches luck on the rest of the season. I was told by other coaches that this happened with them as well. Sportsmanship and class out of your best player always results in a successful season, (Pratt) certainly had that.”