Fall Sports Preview 2011 - The Hutchinson News

2011 Football Preview 

22 Thursday, September 1, 2011 The Hutchinson News 

BENNINGTON BULLDOGS 

Coach: David Butler (second year, 2-7, 77-99 overall) 

League: Heart of America 

2010 record: 2-7 (1-2 district) 

Top returners: Kyle Murphy (5-10, 210, sr., OG-DL); Cody 

Lampe (5-10, 210, sr., OG-DL); Nathan Komarek (6-2, 210, sr., 

OT-DL); T.K. Glissman (5-10, 180, sr., RB-DL); Zach Fief (5- 

11, 170, jr., QB-SS) 

Newcomers: Jake Stewart (5-7, 170, jr., RB-LB); Adam 

Schieferecke (6-5, 170, jr., SE-FS) 

Outlook: Bennington will count on its upperclassmen as the 

Bulldogs have good experience on the lines. Murphy was an 

all-league lineman last season. Butler said his concerns are 

a lack of overall numbers and depth. 

ELKHART WILDCATS 

Coach: Khris Buckner (second year, 7-2) 

League: Hi-Plains 


Top returners: Brian Neuman (6-4, 280, sr., OL); Junior 

Moreno (6-2, 185, sr.); Levi Coen (6-0, 185, sr.); Oliver Barco 

(5-9, 160, sr.); Nick Lewis (6-2, 185, jr., RB); Alex Gomez (5- 

11, 180, so., QB) 

Outlook: Elkhart, which as recently as 2008 snapped a 42game 

losing streak, looks to keep building its program after 

just missing the playoffs last season. The Wildcats return 

five starters on both sides of the ball. Buckner said the team 

will have a strong senior class and a solid backfield. 

ELL-SALINE CARDINALS 

Coach: Terry King (13th year) 



Top returners: Keenan Toll (6-1, 185, sr., OL); Mason Unruh 

(6-0, 240, sr., OL); Cain Fouard (5-11, 285, sr., OL-DL); Cody 

Johnson (5-11, 170, sr., DE); Colten Johnson (5-9, 150, sr., 

WR); Kaleb Whitehair (6-3, 185, jr., WR-DB) 

Outlook: Ell-Saline will try to replace the productivity of QB 

Tate Omli, who was injured duirng last season but still led 

ASHLAND BLUE JAYS 

Coach: Jesse Stebens (second year, 10-1) 

League: SPIAA 


Top returners: Gerald Callahan (6-1, 243, sr., C-DL); Kolton 

Mead (5-10, 220, sr., OG-DL); Jay Luerman (6-2, 160, sr., 

OE-S); Austin Stebens (6-1, 155, sr., QB); Giles Fox (6-1, 

196, sr., FB-LB); Chance Stebens (5-10, 160, sr., TB-LB); 

Carl Clawson (5-10, 212, sr., DE) 

Outlook: Ashland reached the state semifinals last season 

and it has the talent and experience to take the next step 

this year. Six senior starters are back, including Fox, who 

was The News’ defensive player of the year after he 

recorded 159 tackles. Chance Stebens had nine sacks. 

Offensively, Austin Stebens threw for more than 1,200 

yards and Luerman had 21 catches and nine touchdowns. 

ATTICA BULLDOGS 

Coach: Lance Vandeveer (14th year) 

League: Heart of the Plains 


Top returners: Derik Prescott (5-5, 175, sr.); John Orr (5-9, 

155, sr.); Jacob Westerman (5-9, 122, jr.); Tyler Nemechek 

(5-8, 215, jr.); Jack Deviney (5-7, 154, so.); Matt Woods (5-9, 

148, so.); Nathan Orr (5-2, 105, so.); Dylan Prescott (5-4, 141, 

so.); Justin Newberry (5-6, 105, so.) 

Outlook: After graduating four players who earned allleague 

honors last season, Attica will be rebuilding in 2011. 

For the most part, Attica will be young and undersized. The 

Bulldogs allowed at least 40 points in all eight losses a year 

ago. 

BUCKLIN RED ACES 

Coach: Scott Tilley (first year) 

League: SPIAA 

2010 record: 0-9 (last in district) 

Top returners: Isaac Vasquez (6-0, 180, sr., OE-DE); Brian 

Scacat (5-11, 175, jr., OE-DE); Brett Halling (5-9, 165, jr., 

RB-LB; Blake Demoret (5-8, 155, jr., QB-S) 

Top newcomers: Brock Demoret (6-2, 260, sr., OG); 

Anthony Ledesma (5-11, 180, jr., RB); Jacob Irvin (6-0, 260, 

fr., G); Colten Downey (6-0, 200, fr., C) 

Outlook: Bucklin remains in rebuilding mode as the Aces 

look to improve with a young team. One thing Tilley likes 

is that the Aces have better numbers out this season. 

BURRTON CHARGERS 

Coach: Tyler Hoopes (first year) 

the Cardinals to the playoffs. Ell-Saline will be able to run 

behind an experienced line, while they also will try to get the 

ball in the hands of Whitehair at receiver. The Cardinals 

return four starters on the defensive side. 

ELLINWOOD EAGLES 

Coach: Dustin Beam (first year) 

League: MCAA 


Top returners: Marcus Brown (5-9, 180, sr., RB-LB); 

Cameron Williams (6-4, 180, sr., TE-DE); Ian Goering (6-2, 

225, sr., OT-DT); Garrett Hayes (5-11, 230, sr., OG-LB); 

Patrick Ringering (6-1, 175, jr., RB-SS) 

Newcomers: Vaughn Jenkins (6-0, 225, sr., OG-DT); Cody 

Isern (6-0, 170, jr., QB-CB); Colton Churchill (5-11, 180, so., 

RB-LB) 

Outlook: Ellinwood returns five starters on both sides of the 

ball. Beam said the Eagles won’t have much depth, but he 

likes the summer the players had in the weight room. He 

believes that pay dividends this season. Ellinwood lost its 

last five games last season, allowing an average of 48.6 

points per game. 

LACROSSE LEOPARDS 

Coach: Jon Webster (third year, 17-4) 

League: Central Prairie 


Top returners: Tayler Stull (6-2, 171, sr., QB-SS); Austin Webs 

(6-1, 158, sr., WR-CB); Tanner Yohe (6-0, 205, sr., TE-LB); 

Dylan Engel (6-0, 171, sr., OG-DE); Kyle Sramek (6-0, 243, sr., 

C-DT); Kip Keeley (6-3, 195, jr., RB-LB); Matt Wagner (6-1, 

235, jr., OT-DT); Trey Renz (6-1, 202, jr., OG-DE) 

Top newcomers: Levi Morss (6-0, 185, jr., RB-LB); William 

Storie (5-8, 145, jr., WR-FS); Nate Ruff (5-8, 232, jr., OT); 

Clayton Basgall (6-0, 159, jr., CB) 

Outlook: LaCrosse returns good experience – seven starters 

on both sides of the ball – and have a nice mix of talented 

young players. Stull accounted for 30 touchdowns last year, 

rushed for 842 yards and passed for 949. Keeley added 567 



Top returners: Brady Fernandez (sr., OL-DL); Jaxson 

Pohlman (sr., QB-DB); Andre Byrd (sr., OL-DL); Austin 

Baldridge (sr., RB-LB); Taylor King (sr., OE-DE) 

Top newcomers: Ruben Flores; Caleb Hurst 

Outlook: Burrton has good experience at the top as its five 

returning seniors have played all four years. Hoopes said 

roster numbers are up, so he hopes that carries over to success 

on the field. The Chargers want to improve defensively 

as it allowed 49 points a game last season. 

CHASE KATS 

Coach: John Wellman (first year) 

League: Northern Plains 


Top returners: Zack Oberle (175, sr., QB-LB); Lucas 

Ingham (200, sr., FB-DL); Christian Miller (210, sr., OG- 

DE); Cole Brady (170, jr., RB-LB); Eric Root (258, jr., OG- 

NG) 

Outlook: Chase returns five starters on both sides of the ball 

from a team that break through and made the playoffs for 

the first time since 1986. Chase’s only losses last year were 

to state powers Otis-Bison and Ashland. A good group of seniors 

return to lead this season, but the Kats will be very 

short on depth. 

CUNNINGHAM WILDCATS 

Coach: Lance McGuire (sixth year, 20-25) 



Top returners: Hunter Hope (150, sr., RB-LB); Dustin 

Hageman (285, jr., OL-DL); Jordan Schaller (180, jr., RB- 

LB); Steele Ward (150, jr., (OL-LB); Nick Huhman (160, jr., 

QB-DB); Conor Hamilton (160, jr., RB-LB); Zach 

Chambers (180, jr., OE-DL) 

Outlook: Cunningham graduated several seniors, but the 

Wildcats do return four starters on both sides of the ball. 

Schaller and Chambers were all-league players last season 

– Schaller scored 10 touchdowns. Cunningham won four of 

its last five games last season. Hope is the lone seniors, but 

the Wildcats have nine juniors on their roster. 

DIGHTON HORNETS 

Coach: Ken Simon (first year) 

League: Western Kansas Liberty 


Top returners: Guy Fullmer (5-10, 170, sr., RB-LB); Devon 

CLASS 2-1A CAPSULES 

rushing yards. Defensively, Webs and Stull combined for 12 

interceptions in 2010. 

LEOTI INDIANS 

Coach: Gary Campas (third year, 8-19) 



Top returners: Chris Kreutzer (5-11, 180, sr., RB-DB); Mikel 

Roeltz (6-1, 165, sr., OL-DE); Gabe Martinez (5-10, 168, sr., 

RB-DB); Bryer Porter (5-7, 145, sr., DB); Denton Tankersley 

(5-6, 150, sr., NG); Bryce Nickelson (5-9, 165, jr., RB-DB); 

Neil Fletcher (6-2, 175, jr., OL-DE); Brock Shepard (6-1, 221, 

so., OL-DL); Jantz Budde (5-11, 155, so., QB-DB); Colton 

Northup (5-8, 160, so. LB); Brice Mason (6-0, 175, so., LB) 

Outlook: Leoti went through some growing pains at the end 

of last season, having to play a lot of underclassmen. That 

means the Indians bring back a pretty experienced team 

with seven offensive and nine defensive starters back. They 

do return just 11 lettermen, so they won’t have much depth. 

MEADE BUFFALOES 

Coach: Scott Moshier (sixth year, 49-10, 100-96 overall) 



Top returners: Adrian Pfanenstiel (5-10, 225, sr., RB-DB); 

Weston Kroth (6-0, 260, sr., OL-DL); Manny Castillo (6-0, 240, 

sr., OL-DL); Dylan Bolton (6-0, 185, sr., C-NG); Dylan Reimer 

(5-11, 185, sr., RB-LB); Randy Friesen (6-9, 225, jr., TE-DL); 

Trevin Wiens (6-0, 180, jr., RB-DB); Chris Hardaway (5-9, 170, 

jr., TB-DB); Morgan Olvera (5-9, 175, so., FB-LB) 

Top newcomers: Nick Borth (5-11, 170, sr., RB-DB); Kelby 

Ross (6-0, 200, sr., TE-DL); Cooper Clawson (5-10, 235, jr., OL- 

DL); Ethan Reichmann (5-11, 235, jr., OL-DL); Morgan 

Davis (6-3, 220, so., TE-LB) 

Outlook: Meade returns very good experience from a team 

that won the 2-1A state title and is on a 12-game win streak. 

Pfanenstiel, Kroth and Castillo were all-state linemen last 

year, a comforting thought considering the Buffaloes will have 

new starters in the backfield. Eight starters are back on a 

defense that allowed 8.8 points a game during its win streak. 

EIGHT-MAN II CAPSULES 

Shapland (6-0, 215, sr., OL-DL); Ryan Kuhlman (6-2, 160, jr., 

QB-DB); Dirk Torson (6-2, 175, jr., DE); Ben Speer (6-3, 210, 

so., TE) 

Top newcomer: Pruitt Loomis. 

Outlook: Dighton returns some good skill players, led by 

Fullmer who rushed for 1,668 yards last season. Kuhlman 

threw for 638 yards for an offense that averaged 44.9 points 

per game. Fullmer also had 95 tackles on defense. Simon, 

an assistant coach the past three seasons, takes over for 

Faron Kraft, now the coach at Medicine Lodge. 

FOWLER GOLDBUGS 

Coach: Scott Brown (first year) 

League: SPIAA 

2010 record: 7-3 

Top returners: No players listed 

Outlook: Last season, Fowler reached the playoffs for the 

first time since 2005 and now they carry that momentum 

with a new coach. Brown said the Goldbugs have some 

good athletes returning, but they must replace the production 

of 1,400-yard rusher Cosme Estrada, who graduated. 

INGALLS BULLDOGS 

Coach: Ted Brown (first year) 

League: SPIAA 

2010 record: 4-5 

Top returners: Landon Vanderee (6-0, 175, sr., QB-LB); 

Chance David (6-3, 175, sr., RB-LB); Jacey Mahin (5-11, 165, 

sr., TE-DE); Jordan Irsik (6-0, 190, jr., RB-LB); Nate Hale 

(6-2, 230, jr., OL-DL) 

Top newcomers: Mike Barnet (6-0, 260, sr., OG-DT); Cale 

Hoskinson (6-2, 255, fr., C); Edgar Flores (6-0, fr.); Zeke 

Cox (5-11, 160, fr., WR) 

Outlook: Team speed had been a weakness for Ingalls, but 

Brown said it improved with offseason training. The 

Bulldogs, who return five starters on both sides of the ball, 

will have good size. 

MOSCOW WILDCATS 

Coach: Travis Johnson (first year) 

League: Santa Fe Trail 


Top returners: Breck Roop (5-10, 175, sr., QB-DB); Osvaldo 

Granillo (6-0, 180, sr., WR-DB); Jonathon Manriquez (6-0, 

195, sr., RB-LB); Lane Miller (6-1, 165, jr., OE-DB); Jaron 

Thompson (6-0, 210, jr., C-DL) 

Outlook: With six starters back on both sides of the ball, 

MOUNDRIDGE WILDCATS 

Coach: Courtney Moddelmog (third year, 7-14) 



Top returners: Todd Beyer (5-11, 190, sr., OL-DL); Ethan 

Blouin (5-6, 130, sr., SE-DB); Alex Otte (5-10, 155, sr., RB- 

DB); Trey Unrau (5-11, 180, sr., RB-DB); Dusty Vogel (5-10, 

185, sr., OL-LB); Cooper Wedel (5-11, 175, sr., QB-LB); Jon 

Jackson (6-0, 245, sr., OL-DL); Daniel Ratzlaff (5-10, 175, jr., 

RB-LB); Matt Castor (5-8, 170, so., RB-LB) 

Top newcomers: Spencer Fast (5-9, 180, sr., OL-LB); Shelby 

Sparks (5-8, 155, sr., RB-DB); Dale Asher (5-11, 160, so., RB- 

DB); Hunter Enyart (6-3, 180, so., SE-DB); Garrett Higgins 

(6-1, 170, so., TE-LB); Briar Thiessen (5-9, 180, so., OL-DL) 

Outlook: Moundridge returns good experience in its offensive 

backfield, but Moddelmog knows it starts the season 

inexperienced across the line with two starters back. 

Moundridge also has good experience at linebacker and in 

the secondary. Depth will be an issue as the Wildcats have 

just two juniors on their roster. 

SATANTA INDIANS 

Coach: Dirk Canon (second year, 1-8) 


2010 record: 1-8 

Top returners: Alan Caro (sr., TE-DB); Eli Stalker (sr., OL- 

DL); Camron Creeden (sr., WR-DB); Mathew Leggett (jr. 

U); Garrett Miller (so., QB-DB) 

Outlook: Canon said the Indians are improved on both sides 

of the ball, but they will be undersized. Caro was the team’s 

leading receiver last season. 

STANTON COUNTY TROJANS 

Coach: Bret Kendrick (19th year, 151-85 overall) 



Top returners: Fabian Sierra (5-10, 160, sr., RB-DB); Tarquin 

Trujillo (6-0, 215, sr., OL-DL); Seth Holliday (5-8, 145, sr., WR- 

Moscow returns the core of last year’s team. Moscow has 

good skill players back as Roop threw for 965 yards, rushed 

for 354 and accounted for 23 touchdowns, while Granillo, 

who won the Class 1A 100 and 200 at state track in May, had 

640 rushing yards. Roop also had seven interceptions 

defensively. Johnson is a former Moscow assistant coach. 

NORWICH EAGLES 

Coach: Lucas Schroeder (first year) 


2010 record: 2-7 

Top returners: Jake VanGieson (6-1, 200, sr., QB-LB); Will 

Vulgamore (5-9, 165, sr., OL-LB); Harrison Magruder (6-2, 

200, sr., WR-DL); Brandon DePriest (6-0, 175, jr., WR-FS) 

Outlook: Norwich returns four starters on both sides of the 

ball as Schroeder takes over as coach. While Schroeder feels 

the team has good leadership and the Eagles have some 

experience returning, but lack an experienced quarterback 

and offensive line. A lot of underclassmen will be on the field 

with minimal varsity experience. 

OTIS-BISON COUGARS 

Coach: Travis Starr (seventh year, 32-28) 



Top returners: Brandon Pechanec (sr., TE); Dominic 

Manley (sr., OG-DE); Trevor Keller (sr., QB); Patrick 

Piper (RB-LB, sr.); Matt Crotinger (sr., WR-S); Zachary 

Stejskal (sr., LB); Dylan Wissman (jr., RB-S) 

Outlook: Otis-Bison returns five offensive and four defensive 

starters from a team that reached the Eight-Man II title 

game. Otis-Bison graduated some good linemen, but return 

solid skill position players. Keller completed 65 percent of his 

passes and 19 touchdowns last season, while Piper rushed for 

876 yards and Wissman for 729. Piper also was second on the 

team in tackles. 

STAFFORD TROJANS 

Coach: Jeff Lowther (second year, 4-4) 



Top returners: Gus Stueve (5-11, 175, sr., RB-LB); Chris 

Lowe (5-4, 140, sr., RB-LB); Eric Shelton (6-0, 162, jr., QB- 

DE); Andy Flores (5-7, 145, jr., TE-DB); Taylor Newell (5- 

10, 239, jr., OL-DL); Beau Weber (5-7, 224, so., OL-DL); 

Tristin Paulsen (5-8, 212, so., RB-LB); Kris Lewis (5-9, 147, 

so, TE-DE); Chad Hildebrand (5-8, 124, so., TE-DB) 

Top newcomers: James Buchanan (5-11, 215, jr., OL-DL); 

DB); Kyle Rodriguez (6-0, 210, jr., OL-LB); Quinn Kendrick 

(5-10, 165, jr., QB-DB); Marques Logan (6-1, 195, jr., 6-1, 195); 

Colby Overturf (6-0, 195, jr., OL-DL) 

Outlook: Stanton County had a great turnaround last season, 

going from four wins in 2009 to 10. It returns seven starters 

on both sides of the ball. The offense is led by Kendrick and 

Logan, who rushed for 14 TDs last saeson. Defensively, 

Sierra intercepted 12 passes. 

SUBLETTE LARKS 

Coach: Steve Simpson (eighth year, 34-27) 



Top returners: Cole Sjeklocha (6-0, 190, sr., QB); Omar 

Parra (5-10, 210, sr., OL-DL); Garre Tatman (5-10, 220, sr., 

OL-DL); Seth Rigel (6-1, 210, sr., TE-LB); Avigael Gonzalez 

(5-9, 180, jr., FB-LB); Eric Miller (6-0, 160, jr., DB); Laramie 

Lumley (6-1, 205, jr.); Poncho Teichrobe (6-1, 205, so., TE- 

DE); Octavio Arredonde (5-10, 175, so., DB) 

Outlook: The Larks struggled offensively last season, 

scoring 18 or fewer points seven times. But they will be a 

more experienced squad this season with seven starters 

back, including five on the line. Sublette, which also 

returns six defensive starters, should have pretty good 

speed. 

SYRACUSE BULLDOGS 

Coach: Jared Eddy (second year, 0-9) 



Top returners: Luis Zapata (5-8, 120, sr., WR-DB); Leonel 

Romero (6-0, 180, jr., RB-LB); Kyle Dupree (6-2, 170, jr., WR- 

LB); Kalob Newton (5-11, 180, jr., WR-DB); Tyler Timm (5-7, 

210, jr., OL-DL); Austin Wilson (6-3, 230, jr., OL-DL) 

Outlook: Syracuse looks to get some positive momentum 

going after scoring a total of 32 points last season. The 

Bulldogs return five offensive and eight defensive starters. 

Eddy knows his team must do a better job at the line of 

scrimmage. 

Austin Ceniti (6-0, 160, fr., RB-DB); Ethan Johnson (5-7, 152, 

fr. RB-LB); Marcus Foos (5-5, 158, fr., OL-DL) 

Outlook: Stafford is making strides as it doubled its win 

total from 2009 and returns four offensive and six defensive 

starters. The Trojans, who graduated some good seniors, 

will play a mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen this 

season. 

TRIBUNE JACKRABBITS 

Coach: Greg Brown (12th year, 82-38) 

League: Western Kansas Liberty 


Top returners: Isaiah Stone (5-7, 136, jr., RB-DE); AJ 

Govert (jr., OE-DB) 

Outlook: A young Tribune team faces a rebuilding season 

after graduating a talented senior class that included quarterback 

Jonathan Miller and end Stephen Houston. And 

hurting Tribune’s cause is that its roster number is down as 

well. 

VICTORIA KNIGHTS 

Coach: Doug Oberle (sixth year, 50-9) 



Top returners: Zach VonLintel (214, sr., OL-DL); Kelton 

Unrein (196, sr., OL); Austin McAlonan (175, sr., TE-LB); 

Corey Dinkel (159, sr., QB-DB); Dalton Dreiling (168, jr., 

RB-LB); Clayton Roth (131, so., RB-DB) 

Outlook: Perennial state power Victoria lost in the first 

round of last year’s playoffs after Kameron Dinkel, the 

team’s top rusher and tackler, suffered a season-ending 

injury late in the regular season. With four starters back on 

both sides of the ball, Victoria looks to improve this season. 

WILSON DRAGONS 

Coach: Tony Brokes (15th year, 54-79) 

League: Northern Plains 


Top returners: Evan Just (5-10, 210, sr., G); Jake Stoppel (6- 

5, 190, sr., E); Alex Borrell (5-9, 180, jr., C); Cole Zelenka 

(5-9, 140, jr., E); Jorden Bess (5-11, 160, jr., QB) 

Top newcomers: Braydon Browning (6-0, 175, jr.); Marcus 

Denham (5-11, 175, so.) 

Outlook: Brokes said he returns a few seasoned players 

with a bunch of youth and limited experience. Wilson has 

three starters returning, including Stoppel who had 29 

catches for 587 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. 

Wilson, however, did graduate last year’s starting quarterback.

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