Ad Astra Radio is previewing area football teams, based on county. Today, we preview Barton County.
Previous previews:
Aug. 25: Pawnee County.
Aug. 26: Kingman County
Aug. 27: western Sedgwick County
Aug. 28: Stafford County
Aug. 29: Reno County
Aug. 30: Rush County
Central Plains Oilers
Coach: JD Johnson, second season
Classification: Eight-player Division 1
District: 3
2024: 10-3
Postseason: Beat Sylvan-Lucas 40-38, OT; beat Chase County 58-52; beat Little River 38-32; beat Clifton-Clyde 28-25; lost to Hoxie 46-0
Best postseason finish: State champions 2014, 2018
Top returning players: Brodie Crites, jr., QB/DB; Landon Daniels, sr., OL/DL; Peyton Dody, sr., WR/DB; Peyton Kempke, sr., OL/DL; Rylan Siemsen, sr., DB
Key game: Oct. 17 vs. Little River. These two hooked up in two memorable games last yer, with Central Plains winning both. Should be another barnburmer.
Outlook: Central Plains won a string of stirring, pulse-pounding, fingernail-gnawing postseason games last season. How many eight-man teams reach the state championship game with an average margin of win in the playoffs of 4.8? Central Plains will be pretty doggone good again, with Crites being a top quarterback. The line, anchored by Daniels and Kempke is as good as anyone in the classification. There are some question marks after a great senior class graduated, but there is enough back for the Oilers. The schedule is tough again. Don’t forget, Ell-Saline won this district last season, and there’s Little River in that district too, plus a non-district matchup with Victoria.
Ellinwood Eagles
Coach: Brent Stindt, fourth season (11-16)
Classification: 1A
District: 7
2024: 4-5
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: Semifinals 1970, 1973
Top returning players: Drake Hosman, sr., RB/LB; Austin Brack, sr., LB; Adam Hayes, sr., LB; Luke Heinz, jr., DB; Ty Hammeke, sr., WR/DB; Ethan Schlochtermeier, sr., OL/DL; Nick Miller, jr., OL; Trace Tudor, jr., OL
Key game: Oct. 10 vs. Trinity Catholic. This game essentially decided fourth place in the district last season, and it could have playoff implications again this season. Last year, Ellinwood was held to a season-low 15 points against Trinity.
Outlook: Ellinwood has been a victim of geography. The last two Ellinwood teams were good, and both good enough to win in November. After all, all four playoff teams from this district did, in fact, win at least one playoff game. The graduation of Landon Simpson creates a void, but Ellinwood returns a good nucleus. There’s just enough returning everywhere – skill positions and the line – to make you think Ellinwood should be competitive again. But that dang district is loaded with teams that are also returning a lot.
Great Bend Panthers
Coach: Erin Beck, 10th season (50-38)
Classification: 5A
District: West
2024: 9-1
Postseason: Beat Newton 49-7; lost to Hays 19-14
Best postseason finish: State runner-up 2006
Top returning players: Ian Premer, so., WR/DB; Trenton Kern, sr., OL/LB; Cooper Ohnmacht, jr., WR/FS; Daxton Minton, sr., QB; Jacob Hall, WR/LB; Conner Holladay, sr., DE; Hayden Kelly, sr., WR/DB; Karter Brown, sr., OL; Kale Kern, jr., LB; Kohen Ribordy, sr., DB; Jaxon Wondra, jr., LB; Blane Ensley, sr., OL; Diego Soto, sr., K; Omar Razo, jr., K
Key game: Oct. 17 at Hays. Great Bend’s perfect season ended at the hands of their biggest and most bitter rivals. Hays played for the state championship and should be loaded for another push. This may not be the only time these teams play again.
Outlook: Hard to believe that Great Bend was winless just four seasons ago. The Panthers have rebuilt again under Erin Beck, and they’re in position to play for a state title for just the second time in history. Ian Premer might be the best football player in Kansas, but the Panthers have more than just him. Daxton Minton is a stellar QB, and he has plenty of weapons to throw to. The defense will be stout with nine starters back. Although 5A West is going to be deep and balanced again, if there is a slight favorite, Great Bend and Hays are probably just a touch ahead of the pack. But Great Bend won’t take anything for granted. Not after last year’s November disappointment.
Hoisington Cardinals
Coach: Zach Baird, 12th season (105-24)
Classification: 2A
District: 8
2024: 6-5
Postseason: Beat Ellsworth 28-15; beat Haven 24-14; lost to Southeast of Saline 30-8
Top returning players: Mason Martin, sr., QB/DB; Taylen Morales, sr., RB/LB; Layton Hoffman, sr., OL/DL; Carson Mason, sr., WR/DB; Colin Mater, sr., OL/DL; Kalob Lamb, sr., WR/DB; Preston Merlau, jr., RB/DL; Brody Corbett, jr., OL/LB; Kaidenn Chambers, jr., RB/LB; Brody Pfannenstiel, jr., TE/DE; Kolter Hahn, jr., QB/DB
Key game: Oct. 10 at Lakin. This was the virtual district championship last year, and both teams are expected to be good again. A top-four seed is probably on the line.
Outlook: Hoisington played one of 2A’s most challenging non-district schedules, and it won’t be easier this year with Pratt, Hesston, Scott City and Cheney dotting the schedule. Hoisington fans should be excited with that slate, because it prepared the Cardinals well for the postseason, where they won twice. Much returns from that group too, including most of the offensive weapons. The lines will be a little inexperienced, but Hoisington’s program is at the point where they don’t rebuild. The Cardinals were supposedly in that area last year, and they reached the quarterfinals and won a district. Hoisington has the look of a team that can play for a state title, like they did two years ago.
