Ad Astra Radio is previewing our area high school football teams based on county. Today, we will preview Harvey County.
Previous previews:
Burrton Chargers
Coach: Tyler Dansel, first season
Classification: Six player
District: 2
2023: 2-7
Postseason: Lost to Altoona-Midway 64-24
Best postseason finish: Semifinals, 1975, 1989, 1999, 2002, 2003
Key game: Oct. 18 vs. Otis-Bison. Burrton has a chance for a few wins this year, and this district matchup could end up leading to the winning team playing at home for the first round of the playoffs.
Top returning players: n/a
Outlook: Burrton had nice 2022 but slipped a bit in 2023 to a 2-7 record. The Chargers will have a new coach again, as the Chargers look to improve on last year’s two-win season. There are some chances for wins, and Burrton could even be line to host a first-round playoff game.
Halstead Dragons
Coach: Derek Racette, third season (6-12)
Classification: 2A
District: 6
2023: 3-6
Postseason: Lost to Garden Plain 21-7
Best postseason finish: Semifinals, 1972, 1979, 1980, 2014, 2015
Key game: Oct. 13 vs. Ellsworth. Once again, Halstead’s non-district schedule is rugged, seemingly missing only a matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. But that schedule should ready the Dragons for a district that has its share of landmines. The winner of this game could be playing at home in the first round of the playoffs, while the loser hits the road.
Top returning players: Braxton Creed, sr., QB; Conner Herman, sr., OL/DL; Gage Meyer, sr., OL/LB; Kurt Faduell, jr., OL; Joey Millspaugh, jr., RB/DB; Cody Grube, jr., OL/DL; Kohen Corona, jr., WR/CB; Keegan Kraus, sr., FB/LB; Carlos Martinez, jr., PK; Breeson Bigley, sr., CB; Noah Diehl, jr., RB/DB
Key game: Oct. 11 vs. Ellsworth. Halstead was closer than its record might indicate last season. If Halstead is ready to take the next step, this is the kind of game the Dragons need to win. A district game against a team that seems to be rebuilding.
Outlook: Halstead’s rebuilding under Derek Racette is going. The Dragons were better than their record indicated last season, competing well against a brutal schedule. Now, they look to have a winning record, secure a home playoff game and postseason win. There’s much back to help those aspirations. Creed should be one of the better players in 2A. Millspaugh is a talented two-way player. Kraus covers a lot of ground, and Diehl is a rising star. The schedule is rugged again, as the Dragons open with Hesston and Pratt, and also play Ellsworth and Southeast of Saline in district play. By the time Halstead welcomes Ellsworth, we should have a good idea of how far this team has come. Look for more improvement, not just on the scoreboard, but in the win column.
Hesston Swathers
Coach: Tyson Bauerle, eighth season (40-29. 50-38 overall)
Classification: 3A
District: 6
2023: 5-5
Postseason: Beat Marysville 20-17; lost to Clay Center 47-6
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1992
Top returning players: Reed Friesen, sr., QB/DB; Asher Deutschendorf, sr., TE/LB/P; Karter Gonzalez, sr., FB/LB; Peter Machado, sr., OL/DT; Ethan Courtre, jr., OL/DE; Gunner Goalden, so., OL/DT; Jack Gish, sr., TE/LB; Blake Hansen, sr., WR; Conner Graber, sr., LB; Emmet O’Halloran, jr., LB; Blake Hansen, sr., DB; Jacob Burkholder, sr., DB; Eli Haug, so., DB; Ethan Schrag, jr., PK.
Key game: Oct. 25 vs. Andale. This will likely be for the district championship. Andale is still going to be Andale, but Hesston is looking to take the next step. If Hesston is going to play well into November, this game should tell us how far they could go.
Outlook: Hesston has been better than their final record indicates the last two years. It’s been a tough schedule, but they’ve proven themselves with playoff wins each of the last two years. Now it’s time to take another step. With seven starters back on each side of the ball, the Swathers should be a team to watch. Reed Friesen will be one of the top quarterbacks in the area but the receiving corp is inexperienced. There’s plenty of experience and depth on both lines. Karter Gonzalez is one of the most underrated players in the area, and Asher Deutschendorf is as solid of an all-around player as you’ll find. Coach Tyson Bauerle says the focus the last couple of years has been building roster depth, and the Swathers have it this year. They’ll need to score more than their 22.2 points per game this year, and that’ll likely happen. Look for the defense to cut their 30 points allowed per game to be cut by at least 33%. The schedule is a touch lighter this year, but there are still some tough games, especially early. Rapidly improving Halstead opens the season, and then Hesston travels to 2A runner-up Hoisington before hosting a Hillsboro team that gave Hesston all it could handle last season. This should be a good season for Hesston.
Sedgwick Cardinals
Coach: Jeff Werner, 18th season (131-46)
Classification: 1A
District: 6
2023: 8-2
Postseason results: Beat Salina Sacred Heart 35-7; lost to Valley Heights 52-40.
Best postseason finish: Semifinals, 2021
Top returning players: Corey Crumrine, jr., QB/DB; Cory Culp, sr., TE/DE; Dallas Lagree, sr., WR/DB; Cole McGinn, jr., OL/DE; Noah Little, jr., WR/DB; Austin Thieme, sr., OL/DE; Brandon Ferguson, RB/LB; Doc Cochran, sr., OL/DL; Layton Benjamin, so., OL/DL; Owen Luper, so., WR/DB; Garrett Kasney, sr., OL/LB; Gage Harris, sr., WR/LB.
Key game: Sept. 27 at Marion. These two teams were strong last season and played a doozy of a game, won by Sedgwick 34-28. With Moundridge also in this district, this should be a big game.
Outlook: With Corey Crumrine back, Sedgwick already has an elite quarterback. Dallas Lagree is a top receiver, and they should be one of the most exciting quarterback/receiver duos in Kansas. For a team always in the shotgun, it may not be ideal to replace the center, but that’s where Sedgwick stands with the graduation of Javi Hansen. The defense is still young, which is a concern going against some good offensive opposition. The schedule isn’t easy either. Sedgwick starts with Sterling, which gobsmacked the Cardinals 41-6 last season. The district is tough as well, with Marion and Moundridge, along with Inman and Remington, neither of which can be considered layups. This will be a challenging schedule and season for Sedgwick, but the Cardinals have the talent, especially if they can develop some linemen, to advance in November again.
Newton Railroaders
Coach: Taylor Counts, first season
Classification: 5A
District: West
2023: 3-6
Postseason results: Lost to Liberal 44-0
Top returning players: Jesse Stanley, sr., OL/LB; Eli Kirtley, sr., OL/LB; Niko Ramos, sr., QB/DB; Matthew Weltzin, sr., WR; CJ Buffalo, sr., DB; Ryder Mapes, jr., RB; Major Giles, jr., DB
Key game: Sept. 13 vs. Andover Central. The new conference for Newton, which dropped to AVCTL Division 2, doesn’t mean easier games. The Railers, however, are good for a head-turning win it seems every year. Wouldn’t this be a good time to get one?
Outlook: Newton just can’t seem to get over that proverbial hump. The Railers often provide an upset at some point, but they also seem to go .500 in swing games, such as last year’s losses to Campus and Valley Center. Taylor Counts has had some success in the past and could be the right fit in Newton. There isn’t a lot of experience back, but there are some talented players back, including Niko Ramos. Newton will need to get some early momentum, and get one of those aforementioned head-turning wins. Then, the Railers need to do better in swing games. It’s tough to know what to expect, but the Railers will compete as usual.
