Ad Astra Radio is previewing area football teams, based on county. Today, we preview Marion 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
Aug. 31 Barton County
Sept. 1 Edwards County
Centre Cougars
Coach: Thieen Antoszyk, second season.
Classification: Eight-man Division 2
District: 2
2024: 0-8
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: State champions 1997
Top returning players: Owen Wingard, sr., OL/LB; Blaise Kitzmiller, sr., WR/CB; Sam Foster, sr., FB/DE; Ayden Perez, jr., OL/DL; Carey Pinrod, jr., OL/DL; Micah Carlson, jr., WR/DB; Judah Richards, so., OL/DL; Noah Brunner, so., QB/DB.
Key game: Sept. 12 vs. Goessel. Both teams are trying to rebound from disappointing seasons. Goessel won this matchup easily last year, but Lost Springs had some key injuries. A great chance for Centre to get an early-season win.
Outlook: It was a tough return to eight-man football for the Cougars, who played the previous cycle in six man. Ironically, the season ended with a six-man game against Hartford. Centre had a lot of injuries last year, but many players have returned. The schedule is not easy, and the district includes powers Burlingame and Lebo, plus rising Rural Vista. A couple winnable games start the season with Canton-Galva and Goessel. It’s imperative the Cougars show their progress in those two.
Goessel Bluebirds
Coach: Garrett Hiebert, 14th season (47-73)
Classification: Eight-man Division 1
District: 3
2024: 1-8
Postseason: Did not qualify.
Best postseason finish: Quarterfinals 1996, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2020, 2021.
Top returning players: Anthony Boden, sr., OL/LB; Braxton Davis, sr., RB/LB; Trey Gaddis, sr., RB/WR/DB; Aiden Duerksen, sr., OL/DL; Brayton Base, jr., QB/DB; Claudio Flores, jr., RB/DB; Wyatt Sommerfeld, jr., TE
Key game: Oct. 10 vs. Solomon. This is as tough of a district as it gets. Ell-Saline, Little River and Central Plains were all state title contenders last year, and Little River had to go on the road for the first round. The loser of this game will have an almost impossible time making the playoffs.
Outlook: Goessel struggled last year, in part due to inexperience and a smaller roster. Some players who may not have been ready for Fridays were playing, including some freshmen. Numbers have increased this season, in part to a great number of players returning. Gaddis and Base are good runners and Base had solid numbers throwing the ball. Goessel had a solid ending to last season, and Hiebert says the team has worked in the weight room in the offseason. Goessel should be better this season, and it’s imperative to find success early.
Hillsboro Trojans
Coach: Demetrius Cox, sixth season (27-21)
Classification: 2A
District: 6
2024: 4-5
Postseason: Lost to Norton 33-22
Best postseason finish: Semifinals, 1981, 1986, 2006
Top returning players: Jesiah Gooch, sr., RB/LB; Zayne Haslett, sr., QB; Aaron Hein, sr., LB; Evan Jones, sr., DT; Jaeten Loewen, jr., DB
Key game: Sept. 26 at Halstead. Southeast of Saline is the overwhelming favorite to win the district, but it’s pretty much up in the air after that. The winner here has a great chance to finish second.
Outlook: Hillsboro has had a pretty good run, and they graduated a great senior class last season. But Cox has done well not just building a program, but also sustaining a program. Haslett and Gooch are good cornerstones for this team. The schedule is tough from the beginning, so if the Trojans can find some early wins, it’ll bode well for the rugged district schedule.
Marion Warriors
Coach: Shaun Craft, eighth season (33-34)
Classification: 1A
District: 6
2024: 7-3
Postseason: Beat Salina Sacred Heart 70-31; lost to Conway Springs 21-6
Top returning players: Jameson Looper, sr., RB/LB; Kadon Mercer, sr., TE/DL; Tripp Peterson, jr., WR/CB; Isaac Wesner, jr., WR/LB; Hitch Soyez, jr., OL/LB; Jackson Howard, jr., OL/DL; Jordy Raymer, LB; Jesse Snyder, jr., CB.
Key game: Sept. 26 at Sedgwick. Marion should be 3-0 headed to district play, and it’s a balanced and tough district. It should be wide open, so getting an early district win is imperative.
Outlook: Marion was expected to be in rebuilding mode last season. All the Warriors did was win seven games, beat 1A semifinalist Valley Heights by 20, and give state champion Conway Springs a tough battle in the second round. There’s quite a bit back from that squad, including seven from a stingy defense. Looper is a top running back, after he rushed for more than 1,300 yards last season and 17 touchdowns. There’s maybe a concern on the offensive line, but even then, two quality linemen are back in Soyez and Howard, and also Mercer at tight end. Marion should get off to a good start before district play. It’ll be a tough, balanced district, one where you can make the argument for four teams winning it. Marion might be the ever-so-slight favorite due to the returning players from a good team. It should be another fun season in Marion.
Peabody-Burns Warriors
Coach: Eric Dutton, third season (12-6)
Classification: Six man
District: 1
2023: 7-2
Postseason: Had bye; beat Chetopa 59-20; lost to Tescott 26-13
Best postseason finish: State runner-up, 1977
Top returning players: Jousue Aydelott, sr., DL/OL; Lucas Partridge, sr., TE/LB; Dalton Philpott, jr., RB/LB; Jameson Miles, jr., TE/DE; Aiden Hurst, jr., QB/LB; Gage Wilson, jr., OL/DL; Ashton Talkington, jr., OL/DL; Colin Groff, jr., RB/LB
Key game: Sept. 12 vs. Cunningham. The steady six-man power (Cunningham) vs. a rising power (Peabody-Burns). How far along has Peabody-Burns come? We’ll find out.
Outlook: Peabody-Burns was young last year, and yet, won a district championship, won seven games, and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Seven players are back who started last season, which is the kind of experience some 11-man teams wish they had. The lines are big, strong and experienced. There are threats galore. And here’s the thing – this team is still young with just two seniors. Peabody-Burns needs a marquee win now. Tescott has been a proverbial thorn in the Warriors’ side, and Cunningham is on the schedule. Peabody-Burns has the look of a state championship contender. Now, the Warriors have to show it and get those big November wins.
