Ad Astra Radio will preview area high school football teams, based on county. Today, we preview the teams from Reno County.
Previous previews are listed below. Click on the county to see those previews.
Reno County high school football preview
Buhler Crusaders
Coach: Steve Warner, 20th season (170-58; 37 years overall, 290-119)
Classification: 4A
District: West
2025: 6-4
Postseason: Beat Independence 52-22; lost to Wamego 33-27
Best postseason finish. State champions, 2013
Top returning players: Asher Zachary, sr., QB; Nixon Standlee, sr., OL; John Aldrich, jr., OL; Jax Pratt, jr., TE/DE; Asher McConnaughy, jr., FB/LB; Landon Martinez, so., WR/DB; Jacob Burklow, DL; Dylan Scripsick, DB; Garrett Gleason, WR/DB; Noah Hays, DL; Layne Burkhart, DE; Kolbi McCarty, C; Jackson Rumbaugh, OL/LB; Gabe Edmund, OL
Key game: Sept. 18 at McPherson. Historically, Buhler has had a strong season when it can beat McPherson.
Outlook: There is some quiet confidence brewing about this Buhler team. Coming off a 6-4 season against a tough schedule, Buhler returns most of the offense, but only has two starters back on defense. The tough thing with an inexperienced defense is that the September schedule is unforgiving. Buhler starts with Maize South before moving on to Mulvane, McPherson and Great Bend, a trio of 4A teams who have high expectations, much like Buhler does. With the last two 4A champions – Andover Central and Kapaun Mount Carmel – now in 5A, the western side of 4A will be wide open this year. Buhler is one of several teams that could end up playing for the title.
Central Christian Cougars
Coach: Matt Barnett, fourth season (25-7)
Classification: Eight-man Division 2
District: 2
2025: 10-1
Postseason: Beat Stafford 54-0; beat Logan-Palco 56-0; lost to Victoria 36-22
Top returning players: Brayden Wallace, sr., OL/DL; Trey Miller, sr., OL/DL; Karson Sullivan, sr., OL/LB; Cael Kooiman, sr., TE/LB; Luke Eigsti, sr., QB/DB; Cal Barnett, sr., WR/DB
Key game: Sept. 19 vs. Cunningham. How much fun does this seem? The reigning six-player champion Cunningham playing at a Central Christian team that has state-championship aspirations. Get there early.
Outlook: Central Christian was one of the state’s surprises last year. While it looked like it might be a rebuilding year for the Cougars, they went 10-1 and gave Victoria a good battle in the quarterfinals. The Cougars graduated some talented skill players, but they also have one of the best senior classes in all of eight-player football. Luke Eigsti is a dual-threat QB, while Cal Barnett might be one of the breakout stars this season after accumulating more than 450 yards of offense and seven touchdowns.The offensive line is experienced and deep. Some promising sophomores could also get some key playing time this season. If all goes well for the Cougars, it will be interesting to see how they matchup come November with Hanover or Axtell, which are both on the same side of the state as Central Christian.
Fairfield Falcons
Coach: Kyle Finder, fourth season (9-18)
Classification: Eight-man Division 2
District: 2
2025: 4-5
Postseason: Lost to Hodgeman County 45-0
Best postseason finish: Quarterfinals, 1995
Top returning players: Gavin Foster, sr., OL/DL; William McIver, jr., RB/DB; Braeden Witt, sr., FB/LB/DL; Jalen Busick, jr., QB/DB; Dominic Sader, sr., OL/DL; Lucas Goetz, so., OL/DL;
Key game: Sept. 18 vs. Attica/Argonia. This is a tough district, with powerful teams in Central Christian and Cunningham in it. This will be a great gauge for Fairfield to see how they stack up against another traditional power. A win would show Fairfield is taking the next step.
Outlook: Fairfield has improved steadily under Kyle Finder. The Falcons graduated a good senior class that helped revive Falcons football, so now comes the test – can Fairfield sustain a program? It’s possible. There are some good players back, including three on the line, which will help a relatively new group of skill players. The district is tough, but the Falcons should compete for a playoff spot again, and another .500 regular season – or better – isn’t out of question.
Hutchinson Salthawks
Coach: Luke Berblinger, first season
Classification: 5A
District: West
2025: 7-3
Postseason: Beat Emporia 34-0; lost to Hays 27-6.
Best postseason finish: State champions, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011.
Top returning players: Lamar Govain, sr., WR; D’Angelo Gray, sr., WR; Taylor Riemen, sr., OL; Cedrick Garner, jr., OL; Karson Etienne, sr., OL; Brodie McCuan, sr., RB/LB; Cooper Harris, sr., LB; Max Harris, sr., DE; Deshawn Adams, sr., DE; Ashton Lemonds, jr., DL; Oaken Williams, jr., DB; Davin Morgan, jr., QB/DB; Kameron Wilson, jr., DB
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Salina Central. The Salthawks have a chance to make a statement in this game with the reigning Class 5A champion. Central won last year with a physical brand of football. The Salthawks will have to match that.
Outlook: Although there are some unknowns for the Salthawks – a good senior class graduated and a new coach is here in Luke Berblinger – there should be reason for excitement. The cupboard is far from bare, as seven returning Salthawks were all-conference selections. Eight starters are also back on a defense that allowed 14 points or less five times last season. Brodie McCuan is a two-way starter who is one to watch. Davin Morgan will take over quarterback duties and has looked good in offseason workouts. The schedule is tough, as the Salthawks won’t get much time to figure out a new system with games with Andover (6-3), Maize (10-1), Derby (8-4) and Salina Central (12-1) among the first six games. But if the Salthawks can win a couple of those, there’s no reason to think the Salthawks can’t be in the mix for a deep postseason run. 5A West will again be competitive, with Hays, Salina Central and reigning 4A champ Kapaun Mount Carmel expected to be strong again.
Nickerson Panthers
Coach: Parker Bruce, second season (1-8).
Classification: 3A
District: 7
2025: 1-8
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: Quarterfinals, 2001
Top returning players: Rylan Morrell, sr., RB/ATH; Zein Rector, sr., OL/DL; Chase Welch, sr., WR/DB; Corbin Shelton, sr., WR/DB; Connor White, sr., PB/LB; Kagyn Rice, sr., OL/DL; Conner Bower, jr., OL/DL; Jeffren Rodriguez, jr., DB; Aaden Vedder, sr., DL; Maxx White, sr., DB
Key game: Sept. 18 at Smoky Valley. Nickerson has a lot of talent back, and for the Panthers, this is a chance to prove they are ready to take the next step in the building process.
Outlook: Nickerson showed some growth last year, earning a comfortable win over Lyons, and competing with 2024 Class 1A champion Conway Springs. Then Panthers will have to replace some talented skill players, but the line has much back, and Rylan Morrell rushed for 830 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, it’s a similar situation, as the top tacklers graduated but much is back. The Panthers have more than 50 players out this season, which will build depth for this year and the future. There are opportunities for wins, including in a district that includes Larned and Lyons. Clinching a playoff spot and winning at least three games are realistic goals.
Pretty Prairie Bulldogs
Coach: Blake Lee, fifth season (7-29)
Classification: Eight-man Division 2
District: 2
2025: 1-8
Postseason: Did not qualify
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1993
Top returning players: Wyatt Grilliot, C/DT; Rylan Reeves, G/DT; Braden Woods, TE/DB; Malachi Goering, WR/DB; Gunner Young, QB; Westin Lanning, G; Colin Shippy, LB
Key game: Sept. 4 vs. Macksville. Pretty Prairie ended last campaign with a win over Macksville, and the Bulldogs have a great chance to start this season with another victory.
Outlook: Pretty Prairie snapped a 17-game losing streak in the finale last season, and there’s reason for optimism this season. Wyatt Grilliot, Rylan Reyes, Westin Lanning and Braden Woods all return on the line, and Gunner Young is a rising quarterback. The Bulldogs are in a brutal district, however, and they aren’t the biggest team out there, but they will try to combat that with speed.
Trinity Catholic Celtics
Coach: Jordan Bell, 13th season (69-48)
Classification: 1A
District: 5
2025: 8-3
Postseason: Beat Plainville 20-0; beat Republic County 43-14; lost to Sterling 44-42
Best postseason finish: State champions, 1979
Top returning players: Eli Bigger, sr., OL/DL; Jake Kerns, sr., OL/LB; Lucas Griffith, OL/DL/K; Beau Towell, WR/DB; Adahir Guerrero, so., WR/DB; Porter Metternich, sr., RB/DB; Lawson Dowsey, so., WR/DB.
Key game: Sept. 5 vs. Belle Plaine. It’s imperative this young team finds early success, and this will be a chance to do so.
Outlook: The Celtics were oh so close to maybe winning a state championship last season, falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual champion Sterling by two points, in what was one of the games of the season. A talented senior class graduated, and the Celtics enter this season with several question marks, especially at the skill positions. But there are some good linemen returning, including Eli Bigger and Jake Kerns. Adahir Guerrero is a young player to watch out for after he shined as the backup running back last season, and look for increased offensive roles for sophomore Lawson Dowsey and senior Beau Towell. While many new starters will be on the field, 10 lettermen are back who all saw plenty of action last season. The schedule is brutally tough, with four opponents having won at least one playoff game last season. The district also is brutal, with Inman expected to be a championship contender again, to say nothing of strong teams from Hillsboro and Moundridge. Trinity needs to have some early success and build on that.
