The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School football team returns plenty of experience and coach Jordan Bell is looking forward to the 2025 campaign.
“We are extremely excited about the upcoming 2025 season,” Bell said. “Four 2024 playoff teams that won at least one game in the playoffs are on the 2025 schedule (Sedgwick, Conway Springs, Medicine Lodge and Sterling).
“As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to coaching a football team that is eager to learn and work extremely hard. A handful of previous non-letterwinners will have the opportunity to play meaningful minutes on Friday night.”
The Celtics open the 2025 season Sept. 5 (Friday) at home at Prichard Field against the Inman Teutons and play Sept. 12 at Sedgwick.
Other home games are South Sumner, Sept. 26; Conway Springs, Oct. 3; and Medicine Lodge, Oct. 17. Other road games for the Celtics are Remington, Sept. 19; Ellinwood, Oct. 10; and Sterling, Oct. 24.
All games will begin at 7 p.m.
This is Bell’s 12th season as Celtics’ head football coach. The Emporia State University alumnus has a 62-45 record and has led the Celtics to eight straight playoff berths. Trinity’s defensive coordinator is Mike Miller. Other assistants are Isaac Miller and Clint Ratkovich.
“Due to a small sophomore class, we will have a projected roster of 26 players — the smallest numbers seen in several years,” Bell said. “Leadership will need to continue to grow with the Senior and Junior classes. Continued development of underclassman will remain a priority to sustain the success of the football program in future years.
“The 2025 summer will determine success based on great attendance in the weight room and by attending a team contact camp at Southwestern College. With nine full years of Zero Hour under our belt, the overall strength of the football program is getting where it needs to be.”
The 2025 Celtics return right starters on offense, nine on defense and 13 letterwinners from a 2024 team that posted a 4-6 record overall (2-3 in the Heart of America League).
The Celtics defeated Moundridge 20-14 in the first round of the Kansas Class 1A playoffs and lost to Medicine Lodge 22-20 in overtime in the regional round of the playoffs.
The Celtics returning offensive players are quarterback Drew Dechant, tight end Benton Chastain, wide receivers Kaid McElgunn and Sam Vogel and offensive linemen Eli Bigger, Lucas Griffith, Isaac Hammersmith and Gage Schroeder.
Returning defensive starters are defensive linemen Bigger and Schroeder, linebackers Chastain, Griffith, Hammersmith and Luke Kerns and defensive backs Dechant, McElgunn and Roberto Guerrero.
Seniors on the team are Chastain, Dechant, Roberto Guerrero, Hammersmith, Luke Kerns, McElgunn, Schroeder, Vogel and Seamus Hogan (OL/DL.
Juniors are Bigger, Griffith, Augustine Bell (WR/DB), Reuben Garcia (OL/DL), Jake Kerns (OL/DL), Peter Metternich (RB/LB), Julio Segoviano (WR/CB) and Beau Towell (WR/DB).
Sophomores are Jacob Thomas (OL/DL), Elijah Gutierrez (WR/DB) and Luke Towell (OL/DL).
Freshman are Xavier Bell (WR/DB), Adahir Guerrero (WR/DB), Lawson Dowsey (WR/DB), Damian Flores (OL/DL), Garrett Griffith (OL/DL) and Ronan Hogan (WR/LB).
The Celtics lost three key players from last year’s team to graduation: Lincoln Barnes, Jackson Dozier and Matthew McConnaghy.
“The offense will continue to operate out of multiple formations with an emphasis on a 50/50 run/pass percentage,” Bell said. “The defensive unit will play fast, physical and with great effort.”
In addition to playing quarterback and defensive back, Dechhant also will handed place-kicking and punting duties. McElgunn will handle kickoff and punt return duties.
Bell predicted that Sterling will finish first in the Heart of America League, followed by Marion, Inman, Moundridge, Sedgwick, Remington and Bennington.
Bell said Conway Springs should be the favorite to win the district title, followed by Sterling, Medicine Lodge, Ellinwood and South Barber. He left the Celtics out of his league and district predictions.
Trinity High School 2025 football schedule
Sep. 5 Inman
Sep. 12 at Sedgwick
Sep. 19 at Whitewater-Remington
Sep. 26 South Sumner
Oct. 3 Conway Springs
Oct. 10 at Ellinwood
Oct. 17 Medicine Lodge
Oct. 24 at Sterling
