Ad Astra Radio is previewing area football teams, based on county. Today, we preview Rush County.
Previous previews:
Aug. 25: Pawnee County.
Aug. 26: Kingman County
Aug. 27: western Sedgwick County
Aug. 28: Stafford County
Aug. 29: Reno County
La Crosse Leopards
Coach: Jon Webster, 17th season (108-58)
Classification: Eight-player Division 1
District 7
2024: 2-7
Postseason: Lost to Hoxie 52-0
Top returning players: Lee Holopirek sr., WR/CB; Reece Morgan, sr., OL/DL; Eli Morgan, jr., OL/DL; Trenton Skillet, , sr., DE; ; Christian Rush, jr., RB/LB; John Doombos, sr., TR/LB; John Doombos, jr., TE/LB; Wyatt Sommerfeld, jr., TE
Key game: Oct. 3 at Quinter. With Wichit County in this district and expected to be a major state championship contender, it’s imperative to pick up an early district win. La Crosse can do that here.
Outlook: Youth caught up with La Crosse last season, as the Leopards had a rare losing season. But many return from last season, including the talented Lee Holopirek, who is seemingly involved with every play. Eight seniors dot the roster, so youth can’t really be an excuse anymore. The schedule is brutal, with an early test against rapidly-improving St. John, plus a showdown with Eight-man Division 1 state runner-up Central Plains. And that’s before district play stars, where Wichita County and Ellis should be strong again.
Otis-Bison Cougars
Coach: Marc Cowles, second season, 23rd overall (110-105)
Classification: Six man
District 2
2024: 6-4
Postseason: Had bye; beat MDCV 65-33; lost to Cunningham 52-6
Top returning players: Gavin Alloway, sr., RB/DB; Kelson Juno, sr., OL/DL; Aiden Ochs-Lohrey, so., RB/LB; Louis McVey, sr., TE/LB
Key game: Sept.12 vs. South Barber. This was a good early test for Otis-Bison in the new world of six-man football. They lost, but now that Otis-Bison has a full year under its belt, let’s see how far they’ve come.
Outlook: Otis-Bison’s first season in six-man football was a success, especially when you consider the Cougars’ last year in eight-man, they went winless. Kelson Juno was the leading receiver as the center (ah … gotta love six-man football!), and Gavin Alloway was the leading rusher. Otis-Bison needs some growth on both lines and find a quarterback, but there are some good pieces back, enough where you can’t help but think the Cougars are in for another good season.
