Buhler enters the 2026 season with high expectations after a 6-4 campaign that included a league championship and another playoff appearance.
The Crusaders return an experienced roster with nine starters back on both offense and defense, giving them one of the more veteran lineups in Class 4A as they pursue another deep postseason run.
Head coach Steve Warner enters his 20th season at Buhler and his 39th as a head coach. Warner owns a 290-119 career record, including a 170-58 mark with the Crusaders, and has guided Buhler to years of consistent success.
He is joined by defensive coordinator Jason Kohls and assistants Kevin Ruda, Robby Gray, Willie Adkins, Mike Zeyen, John Neill, Eric Tate, Cole Cruz and Grady Proffit.
The offense is led by senior quarterback Asher Zachary behind an experienced offensive line featuring three-year starters Nixon Standlee and John Aldrich.
Standlee earned first-team All-League honors and All-State honorable mention last season, while junior tight end Jax Pratt also returns with three years of starting experience.
Junior Asher McConnaughy is back after earning first-team All-League and All-State honorable mention honors, and sophomore Landon Martinez returns after a first-team All-League season in the secondary and at receiver.
Defensively, Jacob Burklow returns after earning first-team All-League honors.
Dylan Scripsick, Garrett Gleason, Noah Hays, Layne Burkhart, Kolbi McCarty, Jackson Rumbaugh and Gabe Edmund add experienced depth.
Seniors McCade Zachary and junior Landyn Simon also return after injuries cut short promising seasons in 2025.
With a very tough schedule this year, the Crusaders have the potential to be a team to really look out for come postseason.
Buhler opens the season Sept. 4 at Maize South. Other road games are McPherson, Sept. 18; Towanda-Circle, Oct. 2; and Wellington, Oct. 9.
Buhler home games are Mulvane, Sept. 11; Great Bend, Sept. 25; Winfield, Oct. 16; and Augusta, Oct. 23.
