Despite a 33-27 loss to Wamego in the Kansas Class 4A state football playoffs, the Buhler High School Crusaders put together another successful season in 2025.
The Crusaders finished the season with a 6-4 record, with two of the four losses coming at the hands of the Wamego Red Raiders on the road (27-14 in a Week 5 game on Oct. 3 and the playoff loss on Nov. 7).
The Buhler varsity squad will lose 11 seniors, but return plenty of experience for 2026.
“Now for our players who work so hard for our program,” said Buhler High School football coach Steve Warner in his final weekly round table report of the 2025 football season. Warner, who finished his 42nd year as a football coach, ranks second on the all-time Kansas coaching wins list with 290 victories (119 losses).
“They (the players) spend countless hours in the summer and in the off season to prepare for another great season,” Warner said. “I can’t say enough about all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate every single one of you.
“I really enjoyed our seniors and their leadership this year: Jacob Anderson, Levi Gardner, Ben Clouse, Max Harmony, Charles Hendrix, Kadin Glass, Jacob Miller, Logan Turner, Tucker Schultz, Connor Vineski and Eli White. Thank you seniors for your leadership and for being a huge part of our program. I hope you had the time of your life.”
Buhler opened the season with wins over Mulvane (34-27) and Augusta (34-12) before falling to Class 5A quarterfinalist Great Bend 38-14 at home in a Week 3 game on Sept. 19.
Buhler defeated Circle 42-20, lost to Wamego and then reeled off wins over El Dorado 63-6 and Winfield 41-21. The Crusaders lost to McPherson 21-15 in the final regular season game Oct. 24.
Buhler defeated Independence 52-22 at home in the first round of the 4A state playoffs on Halloween Night Oct. 31.
The Buhler offense, which featured three senior starters, three sophomores and several juniors, averaged 346 yards a game.
Clouse, whose junior season was limited to four games because of injuries, played all 10 games as a senior. He rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the final game against Wamego.
The Crusaders will return starting quarterback Asher Zachary and wide receiver Landon Martinez next season. Zachary passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the final game, including 7 passes for 125 yards to Martinez.
On defense, Harmony made 21 tackles against Wamego and finished the season with 137 stops.
Jacob Miller, who moved to safety from linebacker this season, made 15 tackles in the Wamego game, followed by Asher McConnaughy with 12, Dylan Scripsick 11 and Martinez 10.
“It wasn’t our best defensive performance of the year,” Warner said about the playoff loss to Wamego. “But, when the game was on the line our defense came up with two huge stops. The defense never quit and battled very hard all night long.”
Warner said the final games of the season are the toughest for coaches, players, parents and fans.
“I always hate the last game of the season,” Warner said. “There are so many emotions. I feel for the seniors who gave everything they had for us. I understand how hard it is for their parents who have watched them play for so many years.
“I also think about the future and know that next year is going to be a great year for us. It is time for the underclassmen to work hard and carry on the tradition that was set before them.
“Once again I would like to thank everyone for all of your support. I just finished my 42nd season as a coach. I have never been at a better place. We have great fans and support.”
The Buhler junior varsity football team posted a 6-2 record in 2025 and the freshman team posted a 5-3 record.
