Wichita Southeast’s Marcus Johnson – Line Back Poll Winner – Presented by Tommy Leach Shelter Insurance
By Blake Chadwick After a better end to the season, Wichita Southeast’s linebacker, punter and kicker Marcus Johnson will look to lead the Buffaloes to even more wins this year. “Probably one of my best strengths is my speed for my size and weight,” he said. “My reaction time is like a sixth sense. I […]
Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s Cole Tarantino – Defensive Poll Winner – Presented by Braden Carter Farmers Insurance
By Hayden Swope One of Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s biggest strengths on defense was Cole Tarantino. Back for another season, Tarantino is ready to make another playoff run, as well as get a few wins against some fierce competitors. “Bishop Carroll has to be our biggest rival; it’s The Holy War,” Tarantino said. “They had a […]
Kingman’s Logan Birkenbaugh – Defensive Back Poll Winner – Presented by Kansas Turnpike Authority
By Cooper Chadwick Coming into his second year at Kingman, Logan Birkenbaugh has made a huge impression on head coach Tanner Hageman. “Logan is a coach’s dream to coach. He is extremely dedicated to his sports as well as his studies. He is a loyal and reliable young man and will only continue to get better […]
Haven’s Grant Patry – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Wheat State Auto Sales
By Cooper Chadwick After finishing last year 8-2 and losing to Hoisington, senior Grant Patry and the rest of the Haven Wildcats are bringing a different level of intensity this season. “Have higher intensity and more energy in practice,” Patry said. “Even on the slow days there’s always someone that sets the energy and keeps […]
Garden Plain’s Emrick Hays – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Garden Plain Booster Club
By Cooper Chadwick As one of the very few returning two-way starters for Garden Plain, senior Emrick Hays is ready to get back on the field. Hays plays running back and linebacker for the Owls. Last year he racked up 1,157 rushing yards on 197 carries and 18 touchdowns and on the defensive had 77 […]
Newton’s Jonathan Hill – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Dustin Remme State Farm
By Matt Browning The Newton football team struggled to a two-win season in 2024, so Jonathan Hill and his fellow Railers made it a priority to become better teammates to each other. “I am hoping to have a stronger bond with the team as we have had group hangouts and went on camping trips to […]
Eisenhower’s Brayden Pappas – Running Back Poll Winner – Presented by WSU Tech
By Matt Browning It’s difficult to imagine Eisenhower running back Brayden Pappas being much better than he was last season when he rushed for 1,215 yards with seven touchdowns. But there was something he noticed in his running style that perhaps prevented him from even more yards. “One area I want to Improve on is […]
Circle’s Franklin Ekue – Specialist Poll Winner – Presented by Salina Tech
For the longest time in Circle High School’s senior leader Franklin Ekue’s life he was a dedicated soccer player. That all changed in seventh grade when he gave football a chance. The last few years, Ekue has been at Wichita Northwest and has been playing all over the field whether that is his most consistent […]
Clearwater’s Garrison Wells – Running Back Poll Winner – Presented by WSU Tech
By Matt Browning With many younger players joining the roster, Clearwater running back Garrison Wells is looking forward to seeing how they blend with the returning varsity players. “I can’t wait to see how the younger players joining the varsity team this year will contribute,” Wells said. “Their involvement is a great chance for them to […]
Wichita Trinity’s Zac Zimmerman – Quarterback Poll Winner – Presented by Visit Wichita
By Matt Browning Wichita Trinity’s Zac Zimmerman’s stat line from last season was impressive. The senior quarterback threw for 24 touchdowns and rushed for three more, as well totaling over 2,800 yards through the air and ground. So what does Zimmerman have planned for his junior season? “The biggest thing I want to improve on […]