Ad Astra Radio is previewing area football teams, based on county. Today, we preview Stafford County.
Previous previews:
Aug. 25: Pawnee County.
Aug. 26: Kingman County
Aug. 27: western Sedgwick County
Macksville Mustangs
Coach: Jordan Hackerott, first season
Classification: Eight-player Division 2
District: 6
2024: 3-6
Postseason: Lost to Central Christian 48-6
Best postseason finish: State champions, 2007
Top returning players: Gavin Rose, sr., RB/QB/LB; Ty Claussen, sr., OL/DL; Shane Granger, sr., OL/DL; Darey Holguin, sr., RB/DB; Omar Cordoza, so., RB/DB
Key game: Sept. 26 vs. Stafford. With Bucklin forfeiting district games this year, due to Bucklin’s co-op with Ashland and playing six-man football, this game takes on a bigger meaning. Victoria and Hodgeman County should take the top two spots in the district, which means the Stafford County teams will battle it out for the other two playoff spots.
Outlook: A new coach comes in, Jordan Hackerott, and a good group of seniors will lead the way to get the new era off to a good start. It will be a young team, however, with many underclassmen expected to play a lot, including Omar Cordoza. Macksville has a good history, and even though it might appear the Mustangs are down, they don’t stay that way for long. The schedule is tough, but there’s no reason to think Macksville can’t get to .500.
St. John Tigers
Coach: Scott Krehbiel, second season
Classification: EIght-player Division 2
District: 6
2024: 4-5
Postseason: Lost to Attica/Argonia 70-20
Best postseason finish: Quarterfinals 1983
Top returning players: Wyatt Mawhirter, so., RB/LB; Braxton Alpers, sr., QB/DB; Juan Ibarra, so., WR/DB; Julio Lozano, sr., OL/DL; Daniel Portillo, sr., OL/DL; Jace Reyes, sr., WR/DB; Weston Peterson, sr., TE/DL
Key game: Sept. 26 at Hodgeman County. St. John has quietly begun a solid rise. This is a great measuring stick to see how far the Tigers have come.
Outlook: St. John had one of its best seasons in a long time, going 4-5, reaching the playoffs, and being an eyelash away from a winning record. With seven starters back, and a good group of newcomers, St. John could be even better. The lines are experienced and deep, and Braxton Alpers is a good quarterback. Watch out for rising sophomore Wyatt Mawhirter coming out of the backfield and playing linebacker. This has all the makings of another improved season for St. John. A winning season, home playoff game and November advancement are all achievable.
Stafford Trojans
Coach: Jeff Chambers, second season
Classification: Eight-player Division 2
District: 6
2024: 2-7
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: Round of 16 1975, 1989, 1990, 2013, 2014, 2018
Top returning players: Dylan Brozek, sr., QB/RB/LB; Alex Gould, so., OL/DL; Jackson Mead, jr., OL/DL; Tuff Pope, jr., OL/Dl; Jacob Johnson, jr.; Landon Marks, so., WR/DB
Key game: Sept. 12 vs. Pretty Prairie. Stafford’s only wins last year came against Pretty Prairie, but Pretty Prairie is expected to be much improved this season. Stafford needs to get the season off to a good start while the Trojans make a September Reno County tour.
Outlook: Stafford was close to having a winning record last season with three competitive losses. With six starters back, the Trojans have a lot of experience, and even then, only Brozek is a senior. It’s still a young team, but the experience should ensure Stafford is competitive again, maybe even add some wins and make the playoffs. It’s not a deep team, however, so the Trojans will have to stay healthy.
