Ad Astra Radio will preview area high school football teams, based on county. Today, we preview the teams from Kingman County.
Cunningham Wildcats
Coach: Lance McGuire, 20th season
Classification: Six Player
District: 2
2024: 10-1, state runner-up
Postseason: Had first-round bye; beat Southern Coffey County 1-0 (forfeit); beat Otis-Bison 52-6; beat Tescott 54-8; lost to Weskan 49-48
Best postseason finish: State champions 2022
Top returning players: Dylan Halderson, Skyler Thimesch, Stephen Kerschen.
Key game: Sept. 26 at Minneola. This is an eight-man game, so in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter much. But there’s a quiet thought among some smaller communities that six-man football isn’t “real football.” This is a chance for Cunningham to showcase that no matter what level they play, six man or eight man, they can compete.
Outlook: Cunningham had a wild season. After an Oct. 4 win, the Wildcats didn’t play again until Nov. 15 due to two byes and three forfeit wins. Then they lost one of the great championship games in recent memory. Cunningham graduated a great senior class, but still return half the starters and 11 lettermen. While Cunningham might be in rebuild mode, and many of its opponents return a lot, don’t underestimate this program. Cunningham has become the state’s most consistent six-man team.
Kingman Eagles
Coach: Tanner Hageman, sixth season (38-18)
Classification: 2A
District: 5
2024: 4-5
Postseason: Lost to Phillipsburg 16-6
Best postseason finish: State runner-up, 1972, 2022
Top returning players: Gabe Anderson, sr., RB/DE; Braylon Price, sr., WR/DB; Garrett Gattis, sr. TE/LB; Logan Birkenbaugh, so., QB/DB; Trent Clark, jr., WR; LB; Jon Silba, sr., OL/DL; Trey Bough, sr., DB
Key game: Oct. 24 vs. Haven. Kingman had a chance for a first-round home game last season but lost 39-6 to Haven. With this game being at Kingman, this game could carry similar implications.
Outlook:After several outstanding seasons, including playing for the state title in 2022, Kingman took a step back last season. A good and experienced senior class also graduated, especially in the trenches. But the Eagles have some experience back, especially at skill positions. Gabe Anderson rushed for 13 touchdowns, and four returning starters caught at least four passes. Logan Birkenbaugh will move to QB, and he had a solid freshman campaign on defense. The schedule is brutal with 2023 3A champion Cheney, 2024 2A champion Southeast of Saline and 2A quarterfinalist Garden Plain on the docket. If the Eagles can develop the line on both sides, they should still get some wins and maybe even host a first-round playoff game.
Norwich Eagles
Coach: Adam Leroux
Classification: Eight-player Division 2
District: 5
2024: 3-6
Postseason: Lost to Hodgeman County 44-38
Best postseason finish: Runner-up 1974
Top returning players: Easton Schroeder, so., RB/LB; Reid Brewster, sr., G/DE; Zane Wohlgemuth, sr., C/LB; Liam Vaara, jr., G/ DT; Lucas Fisher, jr., G/DE.
Key game: Oct. 24 vs. Central Christian. Attica/Argonia appears to be the favorite for this district, so this matchup will go a long way in deciding the district runner-up.
Outlook: Norwich was somewhat unlucky last year, as the Eagles’ 3-6 record wasn’t indicative of how good they were. They had competitive losses to Reno County Homeschool and Attica/Argonia, and a tight playoff loss to quarterfinalist Hodgeman County. The Eagles return a bulk of their line on both sides, but the question will be in the backfield. Who will move the ball for the Eagles? The good news is that most years, Norwich doesn’t lack for athletes. If they can develop quickly, this could be a tricky team to beat come November.
