8-Man Top 8: Conner Dinkel

Throughout early to mid-December Kansas Pregame contacted 8-Man football coaches in an effort to name the third annual Top 8 team of seniors for both divisions of 8-Man football in Kansas. After an overwhelming response from coaches, and once all the votes were tallied, 16 players were selected.

This is the eighth of 16 individual player profiles highlighting the Top 8 selections in each division and released in no particular order. Look for more in the coming days.

Conner Dinkel, OL/LB, 5-9, 187, Hill City

At 5-9, 187 pounds, Hill City senior Conner Dinkel wasn’t typically the biggest on the field, but his impact often was. Over four seasons he amassed 445 tackles, 37 tackles-for-loss, 10.5 sacks, and 41 QB hurries.

Along with his production on defense, while his leadership on the Ringneck offensive line was equally as important.

“Conner has started on our offensive line since he first stepped foot on the field as a high school athlete,” head coach Travis Desbien said. “He’s gotten better each and every year and his knowledge of football was valuable to helping break in new players on the line this year. If there was ever a question on the field regarding our blocking scheme, Conner was able to diagnose the issue and fix things on the fly. He was a coach on the field for the offensive line.”

As a freshman on Hill City’s 6-4 second round of the playoff squad, Dinkel recorded 74 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, three sacks, 11 hurries, and a pass deflection defensively, while blocking for a team that averaged 249.8 yards per game on offense.

In his next season, Dinkel established himself as one of the top tacklers in the state, recording 103 stops, with six tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two hurries, an interception, a pass deflection, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Hill City took a step back in terms of record at 4-4, but still managed to rush for 211 yards per game.

Dinkel's upperclassmen years would not only prove to be his personal best, but two of the best seasons in Hill City football history.

As a junior, Dinkel moved to middle linebacker and his presence was felt in the form of 119 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, two sacks, 14 hurries, an interception, a pass deflection, two fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, and two blocked punts.

The Ringnecks offensive attack was potent as well, averaging 398.9 yards per game with Dinkel and his fellow blockers opening holes for All-State running back, and fellow Top 8 selection, Kaleb Atkins.

Hill City finished 10-2 after getting knocked out in the semifinals 48-34 against 2021 state champs Meade.

Entering his senior season, expectations were high for Dinkel – now solidified as a team leader – and the Ringnecks and neither failed to meet them.

“Conner is a quiet leader,” Desbien said. “He leads by example, whether that be busting his butt in the weight room, leading in conditioning, practice habits, etc. Conner has always been a guy the younger athletes look up to. Conner also has outstanding instincts on defense which allows him to always be near the ball. He's rarely fooled and is involved in nearly every tackle in the box.”

Dinkel found himself near the ball often, recording 149 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 14 hurries, a fumble recovery, four forced fumbles, and a blocked punt.

“Conner was the heart and soul of our defense this year,” Desbien said. “He was incredible against the run and has made it a nightmare for teams to run up the middle on us the past two years. He is excellent at coming downhill, shedding blocks, and making the tackles at or near the line of scrimmage. In our defense he was the key for our defense being able to stop the run all year.”

Offensively, the Ringnecks saw a decrease in yards per game at 314.8, but often found themselves well ahead of their opponents in the second half, holding seven teams to two scores or less on their way to a 10-2 season.

They also managed some payback in the state quarterfinals against the defending champs, Meade, ending their playoff run by a 68-50 margin. The Ringnecks hopes for a state championship ended in the semifinals against eventual 2022 state champs, Wichita County.

“Conner Dinkel was very hard to game plan for,” Meade head coach Clint Kuhns said. “His high motor, toughness and nose for the ball made him a stud on the defensive side of things. And as good as Conner was defensively, which was really good, his play on the O-line played a major role in his team's success over his years as a Ringneck. His athleticism and strength made him a force on the offensive line. As an opposing coach, I don't think I'm alone when I say I'm happy I don't have to game plan for Dinkel anymore.”

After Dinkel wraps up his senior season he plans to attend Kansas State to study Veterinary Medicine.

“There are so many reasons why we will miss Conner, but his leadership will be hard to replace,” Desbien said. “Whether it was always straightening out blocking assignments or calling the checks on defense, he was a leader on both sides. His football IQ is extremely high, and it will be difficult to replace that.”