Ad Astra Radio will preview area high school football teams, based on county. Today, we preview the teams from McPherson County.
Previous previews are listed below. Click on the county to see those previews.
Canton-Galva Eagles
Coach: Ted Regehr, third season (7-11)
Classification: Eight-man Division 1
District: 4
2025: 4-5
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: State champions, 2019
Top returning players: Jaxon Chrislip, sr., RB/LB; Jaxon Nightingale, sr., ATH/LB; Ethan Brozek, sr., WR/DB; Magnessun Cathey, jr., ATH/DL; Dallas Jones, jr., WR/DB; West Prieb, so., OL/DL
Key game: Oct. 9 at Clifton-Clyde. The district appears to be balanced with no team a heavy favorite. Canton-Galva seems poised to take the next step this year. This is the kind of game the Eagles will need to win to prove just that.
Outlook: The underclassmen who played in Regehr’s first season are now upperclassmen, and they’ve taken baby steps forward in each of the last two seasons. Regehr says the team and program have established an identity, and the overall depth is stronger this season. Last year, the Eagles played in a brutal district, and this season, they make the switch to the eastern side of the state. The schedule isn’t nearly as brutal, and the Eagles will get a great non-district test against Little River. The playoffs seem inevitable for Canton-Galva, so the next question is can the Eagles host a playoff game? A winning record also seems like a strong possibility.
Elyria Christian Eagles
Coach: Zach Goodrich, first season
Classification: Six-player
District: 1
2025: Did not have a team
Top players: Kaleb Kass, jr., DL/OL; Parker Hughest, so., DL/G
Key game: Oct. 1 vs. Southern Coffey County. It’s just impossible to know what kind of hand has been dealt to Elyria Christian football, being a first-year program. This game will be a good measuring stick.
Outlook: Elyria Christian will start a football program this year, and there should be excitement for a school that will experience Friday Night Lights. Coach Zach Goodrich, like all the players and fans, is curious as to what the season will be like. Many players haven’t played a lot of football, and the ones who have aren’t experienced in six-player. It should be a fun experience for the players, coaches and community.
Inman Teutons
Coach: Lance Sawyer, 11th season (62-43, 96-92 overall)
Classification: 1A
District: 5
2025: 8-2
Postseason: Beat Conway Springs 14-13; lost to Moundridge 22-14
Best postseason finish: State runner-up 2021, 2022
Top returning players: Malachi Brunk, sr., QB/DB; Korbyn McClellan, sr., RB/LB; Kash Schierling, sr., OL/DL; Gage Gisson, sr., DE/TE; Braxton Malloy, jr., RB/LB; Kru Harris, jr., WR/DB; Bo O’Neill, jr., OL/LB; Tyler Jerrick, sr., WR; Cayden Gaeddert, TE; Grant Knackstedt, OL
Key game: Sept. 18 at Sterling. Inman feels a lot like Sterling last year. A lot back from a good team. This will give us an indication if Inman can establish itself as the team to beat in 1A West, but no matter what, don’t be surprised if this game is the appetizer for a postseason rematch.
Outlook: Inman has been unlucky not to have at least one title this decade, but this year’s team could be the one that breaks through. Simply put, Inman is loaded. So many top players return from last year’s team, including highly-talented quarterback Malachi Brunk. And he’ll have plenty of weapons around him, such as Braxton Malloy, Korby McClellan and much more. The line is experienced and tough. The schedule and district will be tough, with a non-district showdown with reigning 1A champ Sterling, plus district matchups with rival Moundridge, 1A quarterfinalist Trinity Catholic, and a strong Hillsboro team. But Inman isn’t thinking district championship. The Teutons have higher ambitions this season, and deservedly so. Don’t be surprised if Inman is at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson on Thanksgiving weekend.
McPherson Bullpups
Coach: Jace Pavlovich, 12th season (83-31)
Classification: 4A
District: West
2025: 5-4
Postseason: Lost to Augusta 33-20
Best postseason finish: Semifinals 1987, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Top returning players: Bo Barkley, Dylan Hall, Carter Leathers, Takoda Linn, Nolan Percy, Asher Allen, Carter Melton, Brody Hoffman, Colt Chapman, Dane Becker, Dylan Hall, Jayce Gunn, McCoy Berggren, Brody Milleson, Ashton Malm, Izyck Puhalla, Carter Bengston.
Key game: Sept. 18 vs. Buhler. McPherson’s early schedule has some big games, so let’s go with the rivalry game.
Outlook: It seems like there isn’t as much talk about McPherson football as usual this time of the year. Sure, the Bullpups are coming off back-to-back five-win seasons, but the Bullpups have 19 starters returning. Yes, the returners will need to prove they can be a team that plays deep into November. The defense will have to cut down on the big plays and just make the simple plays. While Jace Pavlovich has a lot back on offense, he is concerned that there is only one football to go around. Carter Bengston, however, will be one of those players who will see the ball often as the quarterback, and he nearly threw for 2,000 yards last season and threw just four interceptions. If the Bullpups can go 2-1 or better in their first three games, that should set them up for a good postseason seed and a potential long playoff run.
Moundridge Wildcats
Coach: Tyler O’Connor, fourth season (17-2)
Classification: 1A
District: 5
2025: 8-3
Postseason: Beat Medicine Lodge 33-7; beat Inman 22-14; lost to Smith Center 22-14.
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1973, 1978
Top returning players: Logan Greenwalt, sr., RB/FS; Logan Wulf, sr., OL/DL; Cyrus Blough, sr., K/P; Atley Lichti, sr., OL/DL; Grant Wedel, sr., OL/DL; Josh Koehn, sr., ATH.
Key game: Oct. 23 at Inman. What a way to finish the regular season, and there’s reason to believe there will be a trophy on the line when these teams meet.
Outlook: The 1A western semifinal was a couple of plays away from being Moundridge at Trinity Catholic, as Moundridge atoned for an upset playoff loss in 2024 to have a strong to the quarterfinals. The Wildcats graduated a strong senior class, which many other teams on their schedule can say too. A chunk of the offensive line returns, which sets the foundation for a team that ran for more than 2,000 yards last season. Still, there is reason to think Moundridge will have another good season. Logan Greenwalt could be poised for a breakout season, and he also was a defensive leader. If the Wildcats find a new group of leaders to replace that outstanding senior class, they should be ready for another strong season. The schedule isn’t easy, however, and the district looks balanced and tough.
Smoky Valley Vikings
Coach: Caleb Lambert, first season
Classification: 3A
District: 5
2025: 3-6
Postseason: Lost to Rock Creek 56-0
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1988
Top returning players: Crew Elliot, sr., RB/LB; Auley Boughfman, sr., TE/LB; Rebel O’Ferrell, sr., OL/DL; Mason Jowers, sr., OL; Nicholas Carlson, jr., LB; Owen Ratcliff, jr., WR/LB; Eli Lambert, so., WR/DB; Hunter Koehn, sr., DB
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Chapman. The first two district games for Smoky Valley will be tough, and this one should give the Vikings a chance not just to win but also solidify a playoff position.
Outlook: Smoky Valley took a few right steps in the last couple years, but the Vikings graduated a big senior class and will be young and inexperienced this season. The senior class at least is experienced, and that should help sophomore quarterback Mason Riedel. A new coach also takes over – nobody is surprised that a Lambert is coaching – which often adds to the excitement. The schedule is tough, but the first three weeks gives Smoky Valley a chance to go into district play with a winning mark, maybe even undefeated. A .500 regular season and playoff berth are not unrealistic objectives.
