Ad Astra Radio is previewing our area high school football teams based on county. Today, we will preview Pawnee County.
Previous previews:
Canton-Galva Eagles
Coach: Ted Regehr, first season
Classification: Eight-man Division 1
District: 3
2023: 8-2
Postseason: Beat Crest 56-8; lost to Frankfort 66-28
Best postseason finish: State champions, 2019
Top returning players: Noah Collins, sr., TE/DE; Kustom Schamp, so., WR/CB
Key game: Oct. 17 vs. Solomon. The district will probably be tough for a young Eagles team, with Little River, Ell-Saline and Central Plains in it. But if this young team is going to make the playoffs, it must beat Solomon and Goessel, two teams that are rebuilding right now as well.
Outlook: Canton-Galva has had a great run the previous five years, with a 51-6 record and the 2019 state title. This year, the Eagles appear to be in full rebuilding mode with just two starters back. But that doesn’t mean they can’t have success. Central Christian was in a similar position last year and competed well. Some of the young players who are expected to step in and start saw significant varsity time last year, so it’s not like the Eagles are starting from scratch. Plus, with the success Canton-Galva has had lately, more boys are interested in playing, which helps increase the depth. While the schedule is tough, especially in the district, don’t be shocked if the young Eagles make rapid strides and build a foundation for next season.
Inman Teutons
Coach: Lance Sawyer, ninth season (50-36, 84-85 overall)
Classification: 1A
District: 6
2023: 3-6
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: State runner-up 2021, 2022
Top returning players: Malachi Brunk, so., QB/DB; Sebastian Martinez, sr., LB; Caleb Bigler, sr., DB; Korbyn McClellan, so., DB; Cooper Wiens, jr., OL/DL; Evan Klamcynski, sr., OL/DL; Eli Gillespie, sr., OL/DL; Dylan Larson, jr., OL.
Key game: Oct. 4 vs. Marion. This district is stacked and there’s going to be one very good team left out of the playoffs. The winner of this game likely gets in for sure.
Outlook: Inman was better than last year’s record indicated. The Teutons competed well against some tough teams. While most of the skill position players are gone, Inman returns four offensive linemen and quarterback Malachi Brunk. Inman was able to move the ball regularly last year but struggled inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. There is some youth still, especially when it comes to depth. But with the trenches experienced, Inman should be in good shape to work in a new group of skill position players. They’ll need to experience some wins early. While Inman is just two years removed from back-to-back state runner-up trophies, this group is relatively young. This group needs to finish games. If they get some early momentum, Inman will be back in the postseason where they could be a tricky opponent.
McPherson Bullpups
Coach: Jace Pavlovich, 10th season (72-18)
Classification: 4A
District: West
2023: 7-4
Postseason: Beat Mulvane 41-7; beat Buhler 26-3; lost to Andover Central 28-21
Best postseason finish: Semifinals 1987, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Top returning players:Jase Fitzmorris, DL; Chase Koehn, DE; Brock Richardson, LB; Brody Seidl, DB; Catch Delaney, LB; Shawn Nutt, OL; Chase Garibaldi, OL; Issac Barnett, RB; Bishop Brown, WR; Krayton Byrd, OL
Key game: Oct. 4 at Rose Hill. Rose Hill has had just one winning season since winning the 2011 Class 4A title, but the Rockets have been much more consistent these last four years, getting a playoff win in three of them including each of the last two years. The Rockets also are competing with top teams more. Maybe a bigger game for Rose Hill, but that makes it pretty doggone big for McPherson too.
Outlook: McPherson began playing some great football late in the season. At 3-3, the Bullpups won four straight, including two wins over rival Buhler. McPherson lost quite a bit but has a good number of linemen coming back. A new quarterback will need to be broken in as well, as senior Carter Allen and sophomore Carter Bengston are aiming for the job. The defense will likely be young as well. But the Bullpups have been winning for years regardless of how many players are back. The schedule seems favorable after a tough opener with Great Bend, and there is a neat week three matchup at Chanute. McPherson has a chance to gather wins but needs to learn how to win with this young group. If the Bullpups enter October with at least a .500 record, they should be in position to challenge for a top-four seed in 4A West.
Moundridge Wildcats
Coach: Tyler O’Connor, second season (9-1)
Classification: 1A
District: 6
2023: 9-1
Postseason: Beat Argonia-Attica 66-20; lost to Chase County 36-26.
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1973, 1978
Top returning players: Henry Hecox, sr., QB/LB; Bear Moddelmog, sr., TE/LB; Layton Schmidt, jr., OL/LB; Braden DenHartog, sr., OL/DE; Layton Weins, sr., C/DL; Thomas Jenkins, jr., OL/DE; Fynn Burge, jr., WR/CB; Kaizer Kanitz, jr., WR/DB
Key game: Sept. 13 at Sterling. Back in the world of 11-man football, Moundridge will get this early-season test against a talented Sterling team.
Outlook: Moundridge would be a favorite for the Eight-man Division 1 state title, but the school’s enrollment jumped so much that Moundridge is nearly 2A. Still, football is football and Moundridge shouldn’t have much trouble adjusting to the bigger field and more players. Hecox is an exciting two-way player, and Bear Moddelmog, who sports one of the area’s top names, is a stellar two-way player as well. One of the biggest concerns for Moundridge is the schedule. It’s tough, to say nothing about non-district games with Sterling and Medicine Lodge. Still, based on other coaches’ comments and predictions, much is expected of Moundridge and they aren’t buying into any sort of problems with going back to 11 man. That’s fair. Moundridge has a of talent back and will win games. If the transition is seamless, the Wildcats will be in position to win a lot of games and play well into November.
Smoky Valley Vikings
Coach: Tim Lambert, eighth season (44-33, 209-105 overall)
Classification: 3A
District: 6
2023: 1-8
Postseason: Lost to Scott City 51-14
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1988
Top returning players: Ezekiel Baker, sr., RB/LB; Gabe Baker, sr., OL/DL; Gavin Stambaugh, sr., RB/DB; Brock Gengler, jr., CDE; Geo Luis, sr., OL/DE; Ty Heitschmidt, jr., QB; Toren Miller, jr., TE/LB; Conner Smith-Bolin, jr., OL; Kristian Ryan, jr., Slot/DB; Jack Opat, jr. slot back/DB; Takoda Hauck, sr.,; Andrew Lochard, jr.,; Auley Baughfman, so., LB; Crew Elliott, so., LB
Key game: Sept. 20 at Haven. The district is tough, and if Smoky Valley is going to have any kind of momentum going into district play, the Vikings need this one. Andale and Hesston follow right after.
Outlook: Smoky Valley has a lot back, but the team also went 1-8 last season. Now, this team needs to learn how to win. How do they do that? Getting some early wins. The team was not just young last year but also smaller than most opponents, but an offseason in the weight room should make up a lot of that. Beyond the experience back, there isn’t a lot of depth. Smoky Valley will have the chance to get some wins, but that district is tough. It’s imperative to get some early wins, so when the Vikings get past Andale and Hesston, they should feel better about getting some wins and into the playoffs.
