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2009 Football Preview
18 Thursday, September 3, 2009 The Hutchinson News
ANDALE INDIANS
Coach: Gary O’Hair (seventh year, 75-13, 145-46
overall)
League: AVCTL IV
2008 record: 11-2
Top returners: BJ Finney (6-4, 250, sr., OL-DL);
Craig Simon (6-1, 200, sr., LB); Jake Steven (6-0, 225,
sr., OL/DL)
Others to watch: Danny Lubbers (6-1, 250, sr.,
OL); James Tipton (5-7, 180, sr., RB); Benny
Armstrong (5-11, 195, sr., RB-LB); Scott Lester (6-0,
195, sr., RB-DE); Ryan Bergkamp (5-9, 180, sr., LB);
Cody Neville (6-1, 210, jr., TE-DE); Allen Trent (6-2,
210, jr., TE-DE); Jake Hattabaugh (5-9, 170, QB/DB)
Outlook: The Indians suffered two rare losses last
year but still advanced to the semifinals. They
return a number of linemen, which should help the
inexperienced players at the skill positions. A good
start should help this team rack up plenty of wins.
ANDOVER TROJANS
Coach: Mike Lee (third year, 14-6, 48-30 overall
League: AVCTL III
2008 record: 9-2 (4-1 in AVCTL III)
Top returners: Aaron Hansen (5-10, 165, sr., QB);
Kevin Lytle (6-3, 200, sr., OL); Alex Goldberg (6-1,
200, sr., TE-LB); Jordan Shaw (6-3, 240, sr., OL/DL);
Kyle Ray (5-11, 175, sr., DB); Parker Smith (6-0, 230,
jr., OL-DL); Luke Linder (6-1, 225, jr., OL-DL);
Caleb Windholz (6-0, 175, jr., OL-DL)
Outlook: A good-sized team is intact from last
year’s district and conference winner, and Hansen is
a capable quarterback. Should be another strong
year for the Trojans.
ANDOVER CENTRAL JAGUARS
Coach: Tom Audley (eighth year, 58-17, 131-85
overall)
League: AVCTL III
2008 record: 9-2
Top returners: John Ford (6-4, 240, sr., OL-DL);
Joe Washington (6-2, 225, jr., OL-DE); Boston
Stiverson (6-5, 280, jr. OL-DL)
Others to watch: Taylor Phillippi (5-9, 170, sr.,
RB-LB); Grant Trembly (6-0, 170, sr., WR-DB);
Bobby Warchuck (6-2, 180, sr., TE-LB); Tanner
Ochard (6-1, 175, sr., WR-DB); Andrea Brunner (5-9,
200, sr. OL-LB); Wesley Duerr (5-10, 225, sr., OL-
DL); Luke Rust (5-10, 235, sr., OL-DL); Jedd Russel
(5-10, 160, sr., RB-LB); Zac Huffman (5-10, 165, sr.,
WR-LB); Brandyn Willard (6-0, 165, sr., WR-DB)
Outlook: Andover Central lost in overtime in the
second round of the playoffs to eventual champion
Topeka Hayden, but that was a senior-dominated
squad. Only three starters are back, so new players
will need to quickly adjust to varsity roles.
AUGUSTA ORIOLES
Coach: Steve Pazzie (19th year, 67-103)
League: AVCTL III
2008 record: 0-9 (0-5 in AVCTL III)
Top returners: Cody Burden (6-0, 185, sr.,
LB);Brandon Swa (5-11, 170, sr., DB); Shane Smith
(6-2, 200, sr., RB-LB); Conner Carman (6-0, 165, jr.,
WR-DB); Matt Burk (6-0, 175, sr., LB); Dalton
Dreifurst (5-9, 155, jr., RB-DB); Leonel Mestas (5-9,
175, jr., RB-DB); Tanner Lee (5-11, 185, jr., LB);
Luke Henning (6-0, 265, jr., OL).
Outlook: Augusta has 11 players who started at least
one game last year, and plenty of lettermen return.
BUHLER CRUSADERS
Coach: Steve Warner (fourth year, 23-11, 144-72
overall)
League: AVCTL III
2008 record: 9-3
Top returners: Jordan Oden (5-9, 190, sr., LB);
Jake Reffner (5-11, 175, WR-LB); Matt Dobson (6-5,
260, OT-DL); Taylor Morris (6-0, 200, OL-LB); Dylan
Partridge (6-0, 180, TE-SS); Brennan Daniel (6-2, 200,
OL-DL); Tanner Rayl (6-0, 175, LB); Dylan Young (6-
0, 200, DL); Kyler Harms (6-1, 300, DL)
Others to watch: Roman Davidson (6-0, 225, FB-
LB); Brad Wimer (6-0, 195, WR-CB)
Outlook: The building of another Reno County
football power continues. Buhler is now a regular in
the postseason, and the talent pool is getting deeper.
Plenty of players return from a team that made it to
the third round of the postseason, and this team
should be just as good if not better. Oden rushed for
1,300 yards, while they must replace quarterback
Josh Madden.
CHAPARRAL ROADRUNNERS
Coach: Joel Gerber (sixth season, 11-32)
League: Central Plains
2008: 2-7
Top returners: Jeff Cather (TE-DE); Justin
Wilcox (QB-FS); Taylor Claflin (WR-LB); Caeden
Hucker (WR-LB), JD Kiem (WR-CB); Conner Sona
(OL-LB); Jordan Dretrich (OL-LB).
Outlook: The Roadrunners have a good nucleus
returning, which is a plus in the always-tough Central
Plains League. Seven starters return on offense, and
those same seven are back on defense. They will
throw the ball, but Gerber said depth is a concern.
CHENEY CARDINALS
Coach: Dustin McEwen, fifth year (26-12, 80-40
overall)
League: Central Plains
2008 record: 6-3 (6-1 in CPL)
Top returners: Derek Hickey (5-10, 175, sr., DB);
Taylor Beilman (6-0, 175, sr., WR); Wade Hopper (,
6-3, 215, OL-DL)
Others to watch: Michael Ludlum (5-8, 204, sr.,
OL); Brandon Kirkpatrick (5-7, 140, sr., QB); Luke
Uts (6-0, 220, jr., OL); Brian Dewey (5-9, 170, jr.,
QB); Taylor Goldsmith (6-0, 225, jr., OL-DL); Drew
Gehrer (5-9, 165, jr., QB); Clayton Hufford (6-1, 265,
fr., OL-DL)
Outlook: Cheney struggled after a 5-1 start, and
this team is young. Most of the players are unknown,
which could be a good thing as they are unfamiliar
among opponents. Hickey’s a three-year starter in
the secondary.
CIRCLE THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Lee LaMunyon (third year, 2-7, 3-15 overall)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 2-7
Top returners: Ty Lowmaster (5-11, 190, sr., LB);
Michael Dubus (5-11, 210, sr., OL-LB); Brandon
Wagner (5-11, 190, sr., OL-DL); Alex Gardinier (6-2,
185, jr., FS-WR); Kanyon Kinder (5-10, 175, jr., TB-
DB); Dylan Bilson (6-0, 200, jr., FB-LB); Richard
Mould (5-10, 165, jr., WR-DB); Jordan Phillips (6-6,
280, jr., TE-DL)
Others to watch: Jacob Engels (5-9, 170, sr., RB-
DB); Kristian Farner (5-11, 190, jr., OL-DL)
Outlook: Circle is trying to build a successful program,
and they return a solid nucleus to do that –
seven offensive and five defensive starters return.
CLEARWATER INDIANS
Coach: Dirk Ankerholz (first season)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 5-6
Top returners: Alex Baughman (6-0, 185, sr., QB-
DB); Ryan Yost (5-9, 180, sr., RB-LB); Kent
Dunnegan (6-1, 210, sr., RB-LB); Dillon Wood (6-0, 225,
sr., OL-DE); Dylan Spencer (6-0, 170, sr., WR-DB)
Others to watch: Dylan Swalley (6-0, 220, sr., RB-
LB); Gage Dickerson (6-0, 180, sr., WR-DB)
Outlook: Clearwater’s 4-5 record in the regular season
was deceiving as it played a tough schedule. With
eight returning on each side of the ball, all seniors, the
Indians could be a team to keep an eye on especially
after making it to the second round last year.
EL DORADO BRONCOS
Coach: Bruce Graber (fourth year, 7-22, 106-81
overall)
League: AVCTL IV
2008 record: 4-6
Top returners: Christian Locke (sr., QB-DB);
Taylor Clites (sr., WR); Dylan Walker (sr., OG-DL);
Brady Conner (sr., OT); Ryan Gomez (jr., DT)
Others to watch: Johnny Brown (sr., OL-DL); Jake
Calhoun (sr., RB-LB); Ben Helferich (sr., RB-TE);
Dale Nuckolls (jr., FS); Reid Bruce (jr., OG-DE);
Michael Hysell (jr., RB); Levi Parker (jr., CB-WR)
Outlook: Numbers are down and depth is an
issue, but there are some good players returning. El
Dorado has made steady improvement under
Graber, going from zero to three to four wins and
two playoff appearances. Injuries won’t be an option.
HAVEN WILDCATS
Coach: Shane Seeley (third season, 1-17)
League: MCAA
2008: 1-8 (1-4 in MCAA)
Top returners: Tyler Heim (5-9, 150, sr., RB-LB);
Preston Mumford (5-10, 225, sr., OL-DL); Colby
Harner (5-11, 210, sr., OL-DL); Heath Ziegler (5-11,
270, sr., OL-DL); Colby Sauer (6-0 175, sr. WR-DB);
Kyle-Lee Osborn (6-4, 180, sr., WR-DB); Jordan
Perriman (6-3, 175, sr., WR-DB); Eric Long (5-8, 160,
sr., QB-LB); Sam Eberly (5-7, 190, sr., OL-DL);
Ridge Foster (5-10, 175, jr., QB-DB); Kevin
Borntrager (6-1, 170, jr., WR-DB); James Leiker (5-
10, 230, jr., OL-DL); Josh Weve (5-9, 250, jr., OL-DL)
Outlook: Haven snapped a long losing streak last
year and competed well in other games. Almost
CLASS 4A CAPSULES
every player is back, and many returners have been
in Seeley’s system for two years. The Wildcats seem
to be set when it comes to starters, but depth is thin.
HESSTON SWATHERS
Coach: Nate Wollenberg (fifth year, 33-10, 47-16
overall)
League: MCAA
2008: 6-3
Top returners: Chad Wollenberg (6-0, 228, sr., RB-
LB); Parker Broadfoot (5-11, 264, sr., OL-DL); Clint
Janzen (5-11, 182, sr., QB-LB); Joel Tieszen (6-1, 215,
sr., OL-DL); Ryan Martin (6-0, 210, sr., OL-DL);
Tucker Schmidt (5-11, 165, sr., SE-DB); Clint
Heubert (5-9, 198, sr., OL-DL); Alex Wray (5-10, 183,
sr., RB-DB); Matt Ott (5-10, 205, sr., RB-DL); Shawn
Moffett (5-11, 173, sr., TE-DE); Garrett Spencer (6-1,
215, jr., OL-DL)
Others to watch: Bryce Barber (6-2, 215, sr., TE-
DE); Chase Martin (6-1, 205, sr., OL-DL); Cole Jost
(6-2, 218, sr., TE-DB); Lucas Petrocci (5-11, 171, jr.,
RB-DB); Brandon Harmony (6-0, 200, jr., RB-LB);
Kyle Perry (5-8, 160, so., RB-LB); Eyan Roth (6-0,
164, so., K-DB)
Outlook: It was a rare non-playoff season for
Hesston despite a 6-3 record. Its losses were to
Wichita Collegiate, Topeka Hayden and Abilene. The
Swathers return a good number of players, especially
on the offensive line. That should help put the
Swathers in position for another good season.
HUGOTON EAGLES
Coach: Clint Merritt (fourth season, 9-18, 21-34
overall)
League: Hi-Plains
2008: 6-3 (3-1 in HPL)
Top returners: Caleb Gifford (6-0, 200, sr., FB-
LB); Bubba Beltz (5-9, 160, sr., RB-FS); Coltin
Ghumm (5-10, 150, sr., WR-DB); Zach Dunlap (6-0,
180, sr., QB-LB); Tate Reed (5-10, 180, sr., TE);
Brian Skinner (5-10, 225, sr., OL); Armando Campos
(6-0, 215, sr., OL); Keithan Martin (5-10, 180, sr., LB)
Outlook: All of the Eagles skill players are back,
but only two offensive linemen return. Depth is thin,
and injuries have to be avoided for them to duplicate
last year’s record when they went from one win
in 2007 to six. Gifford is the school’s all-time leading
tackler with 368.
KINGMAN EAGLES
Coach: Darby Jones (second year, 0-9)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 0-9 (0-6 in AVCTL IV)
Top returners: Kyle Berschauer (6-0, 200, sr., OL-
LB); Breck Knoblauch (6-0, 240, sr., OL-DL); Garth
Graham (6-1, 200, sr., OL-DL); Danny Finder (6-1,
190, sr., WR-DB); Stephen Gutierrez (5-10, 160, jr.,
RB-DB); Scott Osner (5-11, 180, jr., OL-LB)
Outlook: Kingman brings back five starters on
both sides of the ball, so Jones hopes the continuity
will equate to some success this season. Graham
was an all-league lineman last year, but Kingman’s
defense must improve as it allowed 48.7 points per
game last season.
MULVANE WILDCATS
Coach: Dave Fennewald (18th year, 86-76, 113-90
overall)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 5-5
Top returners: A.J. May (sr., RB-S); Charlie
Hansen (sr., OT); Zach Burkharat (jr., C); Ethan
Copeland (sr., OG-DT); Dylan Hagerman (sr., RB-
LB); Corbin McGuire (sr., WR); Drew Shelinbarger
(sr., DE); Mic Belden (SS)
Others to watch: Nick Van Deest (sr., OT-DE);
Gus Strunk (jr., QB-P)
Outlook: Mulvane returns six offensive and five
defensive starters, and Fennewald feels the offensive
line will be the team’s strength. Mulvane graduated
some good skill players.
NICKERSON PANTHERS
Coach: Max Heinlein (fourth year, 8-23)
League: MCAA
2008: 1-8 (1-6 in MCAA)
Top returners: Weston Cottrell (5-10, 185, sr., RB-
DL); Antione Lehman (6-1, 260, sr., OL-DL); Ben
Proffitt (6-0, 185, sr., OL-LB);Brandon Owen (5-10,
170, jr., QB-S); Hector Rodriguez (5-11, 180, jr., RB-
CB); Keelan Jackson (6-0, 165, jr., RB-LB); Austin
Schweizer (6-5, 305, jr., OL-DL); Micah Smith (6-0,
240, jr., OL-LB)
Others to watch: Kyle Cokely (6-0, 240, jr., OL-
DL); Jordan Newton (5-9, 150, jr., RB-LB); Lupe
Ramirez (5-8, 250, so., OL-DL)
Outlook: Cottrell is a four-year starter and had a
300-yard game against Haven last season. The rest of
the backfield is intact, and those players are two-way
starters. Not much depth won’t help, but the Panthers
do return seven starters on both sides of the ball.
PRATT GREENBACKS
Coach: Jeff Fuss (eighth year, 38-33, 107-73 overall)
League: Mid-State
2008: 6-4
Top returners: Chase Kreutzer (5-9, 193, sr., RB-
LB); Skylar Angood (6-2, 180, sr., QB-DB); Gary
Reed (6-4, 220, sr., OT-DE); Wes Seibel (5-10, 180, sr.,
OG-DL); Ryan Will (6-4, 250, sr., OT-DL); Justin
Schneider (6-1, 205, sr., OG-LB).
Others to watch: Jake Siroky (5-9, 175, jr., RB-
LB); Steele Flemming (6-3, 200, jr., TE-DE); Lawson
Short (5-11, 200, jr., OG-LB); Brady Seibel (5-10, 165,
jr., WB-CB); Taylor Baird (5-11, 180, jr., RB-CB).
Outlook: The Greenbacks have speed and experience
on the offensive line. Kreutzer ran for 584 yards
and 8 TDs while Angood threw for 10 scores and 965
yards. Winning has become common in Pratt, and
this year should be no different as it returns five
offensive and four defensive starters.
ROSE HILL ROCKETS
Coach: Greg Slade (11th year, 62-50)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 5-4
Top returners: Heath Train (6-3, 220, sr., TE-DE);
Tyler Shirley (6-3, 180, sr., QB); Chris Paddock (6-3,
240, sr., C-DT); Dillon Rapp (6-3, 180, sr., WR-CB);
TJ Ryan (6-1, 245, sr., OT); Josh Yates (6-3, 180, sr.,
WR-CB); Stewart Firebaugh (6-0, 220, sr., OT);
Corey Vaughan (5-8, 150, sr., WR-SS); Jordan Leabo
(5-8, 155, sr., WR-CB); Taylor Mosley (6-0, 200, sr.,
OG-NG); Tyler Richards (6-2, 205, sr., TE-DE);
Tyler Arnett (6-3, 195, sr., TE-LB); Jake Dunshee (5-
8, 175, sr., FB-LB)
Top newcomers: Brady Foltz (6-2, 260, jr., OG-
DE); Brandon Walther (6-0, 240, jr., OT-DT); Cody
Peabody (5-10, 180, jr., WR-FS); LaQua Mayes (5-8,
170, jr., RB-CB)
Outlook: After making the playoffs last season,
Rose Hill looks to return to the postseason behind a
senior-dominated team. Shirley was an all-state
quarterback last season.
SMOKY VALLEY VIKINGS
Coach: Chris Hattabaugh (first season)
League: MCAA
2008: 4-5 (3-3 in MCAA)
Top returners: Ben Eppenbach (5-10, 170, sr., RB-
LB); Bryan McBride (6-2, 190, sr., WR-DE); Connor
Denk (6-1, 195, sr., WR-LB); Ian Lackey (5-10, 175,
sr., OL-LB); Josiah Turner (6-4, 270, sr., OL-DL);
Dixon Olson (5-10, 170, sr., S); Jordan Meier (5-10,
175, sr., LB); Weston VanRanken (5-11, 180, jr., OL-
LB); Jake Johnson (6-0, 155, jr., WR-LB).
Outlook: The Vikings return five offensive and
six defensive starters for their new coach, a longtime
Smoky Valley assistant. Most of the offensive
starters are back, and the defensive line back.
Eppenbach rushed for 553 yards and Lackey recorded
114 tackles last season.
ULYSSES TIGERS
Coach: Jason Kenny (11th season, 78-24)
League: Mid-State
2008: 5-5 (3-1 in MSAA)
Top returners: Chaun Pauda (5-11, 195, sr., LB);
Brandon Seger (5-10, 180, sr., LB); Ryan Kautz (5-10,
220, sr., C); Bryce Moral (5-10, 160, sr., QB); Addison
Nichols (6-0, 182, jr., RB); Josh Sullivan (6-0, 170, sr.,
DB); Josh Rodriguez (5-10, 160, sr., DT); Jack
Maxwell (6-5, 215, sr., DE)
Outlook: Nobody can accuse Ulysses of going soft
on the schedule – Garden City, Hays, Scott City and
Holcomb, and that’s before district play. Ulysses
struggled against the schedule last year but still won
the district. Many of these Tigers went against this
schedule last year, which will help, as they return
six offensive and seven defensive starters.
WELLINGTON CRUSADERS
Coach: Linn Hibbs (14th season, 107-43)
League: AVCTL IV
2008: 8-3 (4-1 in AVCTL IV)
Top returners: Drake Kuerner (5-9, 175, sr., QB-
FS); Jordan Edwards (6-3, 175, sr., QB-DB); Tyler
Rayl (6-4, 240, sr., OL-DL); Markkel Bradley (5-8,
175, sr., RB)
Outlook: The Crusaders will try to keep a 17-year
streak of making the postseason alive. They return
31 lettermen, including four offensive and three
defensive starters. Hobbs said he feels good about
his young players.
Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News
Chuck Bisbee is in his first year as the Fairfield head coach.
The eight-man game
new to Fairfield coach
BY VANCE JANAK
The Hutchinson News
vjanak@hutchnews.com
Chuck Bisbee has never
coached eight-man high
school football.
The first-year Fairfield
coach will get his first shot
Friday night when his Falcons
play host to Burrton.
“I did the arena thing in
Wichita, coaching the Warlords,
but I’ve never
coached it in high school,”
Bisbee said. “In high
school, the defense, among
other things, is going to be
a lot different.”
Before coming to Fairfield,
Bisbee had two successful
years at Class 2-1A
Solomon, where he compiled
a 13-9 record and took
teams to the second round
of the playoffs each season.
The Falcons, coming off
back-to-back 6-3 seasons,
will make a few changes on
both sides of the ball. Bisbee
said his team will run
the Fly-T and some shotgun
formations offensively,
while the defense will feature
a three-man front.
Jordan Cooper, one of
four seniors on the Falcons’
roster, said becoming familiar
with Bisbee’s scheme
has taken some time.
“It’s more different on
defense. Defensively, he’s
really just teaching us
more intricacies,” Cooper
said. “He’s making it more
challenging, but he’s explaining
it to us in ways we
can really pick it up and
understand it.”
Fairfield hopes to change
their fortunes against district
opponents Goessel,
Pretty Prairie and Claflin,
who defeated the Falcons
by 46, 46 and 30 points, respectively,
last season. Bisbee
said his team needs to
“get a lot stronger” in order
to contend with the top-tier
district teams.
Still, he has high expectations
for the Falcons.
“We’re shooting for going
to the playoffs,” Bisbee said.
“But, I know that the whole
district is really strong.”