Congratulations, we’ve made it. It is finally time for football! This will certainly be an unprecedented season in Kansas high school football history, but we are excited that most of the state will kick things off this week.
Kpreps.com kicks off the 2020 season with the release our Kpreps.com Top 5 rankings. Obviously, several school districts are still in discussions about the timeline for a reasonable, safe return to activities and athletics. Our hearts go out to the coaches and players in those schools that will not be playing this fall.
The Kpreps rankings are a collaborative effort from multiple media sources across the state and will be released each Monday throughout the season. Our rankings team decided that all schools would be considered in the initial preseason poll regardless of their school district’s decision to participate this fall.
Take a look at our preseason rankings and let the debate begin!
Visit the Rankings page each week to view a complete list of the top five teams in each classification and how they performed last week.
Class 6A
Derby opens the season as the top-ranked team in Class 6A for a fifth consecutive year. The Panthers have reached the 6A state championship game in five consecutive years having captured titles in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. While the Panthers have to replace several talented skill players that graduated, they do return standout offensive weapon Lem Wash. Wash stepped in at quarterback late last season and produced more than 2,000 yards of total offense with 41 combined touchdowns. He’ll have the benefit of two of the better offensive linemen Brandon Clark has had at Derby in Alex Key and Jonas Vickers. The defense returns a standout group of linebackers that will be challenged right away against defending 5A champion Mill Valley.
Blue Valley checks in at No. 2 to begin the season. The Tigers feature quarterback Jake Wolff, running back Chase Jans, and a pair of D-1 recruits at wide out in Sterling Lockett and Dorian Stephens. The Tigers season remains uncertain as the first two games on the schedule have already been cancelled.
Lawrence opens the season at No. 3 in the poll. The Chesty Lions had a dramatic turnaround from 1-8 in 2018 to 8-2 last season. A large part of that was the explosiveness of the Lion offense and running back Devin Neal. Neal, a Kansas commit, was an all-state selection last fall after rushing for 1,687 yards and 26 touchdowns and adding more than 500 receiving yards and six scores.
Manhattan opens at the No. 4 spot in the poll this season. The Indians will be led by a three-year starter at quarterback in Dayne Aschenbrenner who accounted for more than 2,000 yards and 24 scores last season. On defense, Manhattan is led up front by Kansas State-commit Damian Ilalio – the reigning Centennial League defensive MVP.
Olathe North couldn’t catch up to Derby in last season’s state title game – falling 63-26 to the powerful Panthers. But the Eagles were expected to contend again this fall. That may be in question now as uncertainty surrounding the season caused the departure of several key players. Seniors Arland Bruce, IV and Dale Stout transferred to play in Iowa, while Mario Sanchez moved to Oklahoma. Bruce, the 2019 Simone Award winner for the top player in the Kansas City Metro area, had rushed for 4,865 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns in his career.
Class 5A
The same five schools make up the 2020 preseason poll in Class 5A as they did at the beginning of 2019. Defending champion Mill Valley opens the poll at No. 1. The Jaguars return a talented roster including all-5A quarterback Cooper Marsh. Marsh passed for more than 2,000 yards last fall and added 924 yards on the ground. The Jaguars will be challenged right out of the gate against the state’s top team in Derby followed by games against Class 5A No. 5 De Soto, Bentonville (Ark.), 6A No. 3 Lawrence, and traditional 6A contender Lawrence Free State.
Second-ranked Wichita Northwest has reached the Class 5A state championship game in each of the past two seasons, but uncertainty is the story for the Grizzlies in 2020. Thus far, the Wichita school district has ruled that Wichita Public Schools will not compete in athletics this fall. Northwest had a talented roster packed with players receiving high-level interest to play in college. We’re hopeful we’ll get to see the Grizzlies on the field at some point this year.
St. Thomas Aquinas saw its bid for a second consecutive 5A title end in a 34-31 overtime loss to Mill Valley in the state semifinals. The Saints had defeated the Jaguars 28-21 earlier in the regular season. Aquinas has plenty of talent to get back to the title game. The offense will once again be led by Tyron “Tank” Young who has rushed for 4,539 yards and 67 touchdowns in his career. The Saints have revamped their schedule in replacing opponents due to COVID concerns. Thus far, Aquinas has added a home game with Lawrence and road contests against Omaha-Westside (No. 1 in Nebraska) and Bishop Carroll.
Bishop Carroll opens the season at No. 4 this season. Unlike nearby Wichita Northwest, Bishop Carroll has been cleared to compete this season. The Golden Eagles return Aiden Niedens at quarterback, Hunter Trail in the backfield, and a solid group up front that should pace an explosive offense.
Finally, De Soto opens the season in the No. 5 spot. The Wildcats reached the state quarterfinals a year ago before falling in a close game to eventual champion Mill Valley. Quarterback Jackson Miller is back for his third season as a starter and is joined by all-purpose threat Tyson Priddy. The Wildcats will face a challenging schedule with the opener at Lawrence Free State followed by a rematch of that playoff game with Mill Valley.
Class 4A
Bishop Miege once again opens the season as the Class 4A favorite after claiming its sixth consecutive state title last fall. The Stags will have to wait to get on the field, however, with their first scheduled game coming at St. Thomas Aquinas on September 18th. The Stags have plenty of star-power to replace, but quarterback Timothy Dorsey returns after passing for more than 3,000 yards and 45 touchdowns a season ago.
Paola reached the state semifinals last fall slowed by several key injuries and lost to eventual champion Miege. Although the Panthers graduated all-state RB and Shrine Bowl selection Connor Hasz, Fletcher Aude returns in the backfield along with quarterback Garrett Williams to pace the ground game.
St. James Academy returns to Class 4A for the first time since 2013 and figures to be a contender come playoff time. The Thunder lost several key players from last year’s 5-5 squad that defeated Bishop Miege during the regular season. But St. James backfield got a boost over the summer when LaJames White transferred from KC Piper.
Another Frontier League team graces the top five as Tonganoxie checks in at No. 4. The Chieftains won ten straight games last fall before falling to Miege. Tonganoxie returns quarterback Blake Poje and standout receiver Dallas Bond, but must replace all-everything lineman Cole Sample. Like St. James Academy, the Chieftains got an impact player over the summer when Tyler Bowden moved to Tonganoxie. Bowden earned Class 6A all-state last fall after rushing for 1,859 yards and 26 touchdowns for Lawrence Free State. He’ll look to be the fourth consecutive all-state running back for Tonganoxie. Last fall, Tonganoxie featured senior running back Cooper Cunningham who rushed for more than 2,000 yards.
For the third straight season, McPherson reached the state semifinals only to fall just short. The Bullpups have dropped those three semifinal contests by a combined 15 points. McPherson begins this season ranked fifth and featuring a solid nucleus on the defensive side of the ball led by Brycen Labertew and Jayton Alexander.
Class 3A
Defending champion Andale opens the Class 3A poll at the top after beating No. 2 Perry-Lecompton, 35-7, in last year’s title game. The Indians have some holes to replace, but have a couple of key linemen returning in front of 1,000-yard back Eli Rowland. Noah Meyer will take over the quarterback position after seeing some significant time last season. The defense returns a solid nucleus and should again be the Indians’ strength.
Perry-Lecompton opens in the No. 2 spot after last year’s runner-up finish. The Kaws may have as much back as any time in the classification. Quarterback William Welch returns after a 2,300-yard, 27-touchdown passing campaign. The backfield will feature Thad Metcalfe who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 14 scores. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Hayden Robb returns after registering 155 total tackles last fall.
Will this be the year that Topeka Hayden returns to the top of the classification? The Wildcats open the poll at No. 3 and have a talented group returning from a 10-2 season that included a pair of close losses to Perry-Lecompton. Desmond Purnell highlights the group as a speedy option out of the backfield along with Jack Konrade, but Will DeVader also returns at fullback and linebacker. Johnny Holloway returns at quarterback after being injured during the playoffs last season.
Holton opens the season at No. 4 in the poll. The Wildcats finished 7-3 last season and return a lot of key pieces in the backfield including Konnor Tannahill and Canon Karn. In addition, Holton has a lot of experience back up front on the offensive and defensive lines.
Southeast of Saline rounds out the Top 5 at No. 5. The Trojans jump up from Class 2A to 3A this fall and have the experienced roster to make a successful transition. The defense has talented players at all three levels with Sterling Harp on the D-line, leading tackler Matthew Rodriquez at linebacker, and Jackson Gebhardt’s seven interceptions in the secondary. On offense, Gebhardt returns after combining for more than 2,000 yards of total offense. Joining him in the backfield is Bryant Banks who was just shy of 1,000 yards rushing last fall.
Class 2A
Rossville opens the season in the No. 1 spot with hopes of getting back to the level the were when winning three consecutive Class 2A titles from 2014-2016. Torrey Horak returns at quarterback after producing more than 2,000 yards of total offense last season. He has plenty of talent to look for in receiver Bo Reeves. The line also has multiple returning starters, but must replace all-stater Kody Dovoren.
Rossville was knocked out in the second round of the playoffs last fall by Nemaha Central, 29-21 in overtime. Nemaha Central went on to win their first state championship by shutting out Norton, 19-0. The Thunder open this season as the No. 2 ranked team, but have a lot of questions to answer due to graduation. Gone is quarterback Dylan Schultejans who threw for more than 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Thunder must also replace Brad Schmitz and Bryce Uphaus from the defense, but Tyler Gerety returns and can be a dynamic player regardless of position. Nemaha Central will get tested right away with games against 3A-ranked Holton and at Eudora.
Silver Lake starts in the No. 3 spot in the Class 2A poll. The Eagles will have to find a replacement for quarterback Cody Hay after he threw for 1,800 yards last season. The backfield will likely feature a pair of juniors in Brogan Renfro and Gannon Remer and they’ll run behind an experienced line that features four returning starters.
Garden Plain opens the poll at No. 4 and will be under direction of a new head coach. Dan Adelhardt comes to the Owls from Kapaun Mt. Carmel to replace Ken Dusenbury who left for Andover. While the Owls have some holes to replace on the offensive side of the ball, the defense should be solid with several returning starters including Central Plains League defensive MVP Anthony Hays.
Hoisington rounds out the Class 2A poll at No. 5 to start the season. The Cardinals rattled off 11 consecutive wins before a heartbreaking 10-8 loss at Norton in the state semifinals. Graduated is all-state back Wyatt Pedigo who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. Veteran starter Mason Haxton returns at quarterback to lead the Cardinal offense.
Class 1A
Centralia opens on top of the Class 1A poll after claiming their fourth state title with an 18-14 win over Smith Center. The Panthers got a touchdown in the final minute from standout Kamble Haverkamp to seal the victory. Haverkamp graduated and takes a bulk of the offense with him, although Devon Feldkamp also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards a season ago. Centralia should have a solid group up front with four returning linemen.
Despite some late-season injuries, Smith Center came within a few plays of capturing another state title last fall. The Redmen will now look to contend yet again with some key pieces back from last season’s 12-1 finish. Smith Center will be challenged right out of the gate with a road game at last season’s 2A runner-up Norton.
Long time Class 2A and 3A power Conway Springs drops down to 1A this fall and opens the season in the No. 3 spot. The Cardinals have several holes to fill from last year’s 2A quarterfinal team, but standout athlete Jonathan Wright is a good place to start. Wright posted nearly 100 tackles last fall and is also a dynamic return man for the Cardinals.
Twin Valley League member Valley Heights begins the season ranked fourth. The Mustangs return an experienced group that is coming off of a seven-win season. Graduation claimed leading rusher Cole Coggins, but quarterback Cameron Beardsley and fullback Jake Yungeberg return to lead the Mustang offense.
Olpe reeled off ten consecutive victories last fall before a two-point loss to eventual champion Centralia in the state quarterfinals. This fall, the Eagles return key athletes that should have them near the top of the classification again. Kynden Robert returns in the backfield where he’s contributed each year of his career. Damon Redeker will likely shift to quarterback to replace Shrine Bowl selection Colby Hoelting.
Class 8M-I
In Class 8-Man, Division I, Canton-Galva is the defending champion after an incredible comeback in the title game. The Eagles trailed St. Francis 36-0 before scoring 66 consecutive points for the 66-36 victory. All-State quarterback Landon Everett has graduated, but plenty of talent remains including receiver Tyson Struber who holds offers from both Kansas and Kansas State.
After struggling for several years, Leoti-Wichita County has found recent success under the direction of Brant Douglass. The Indians finished 10-2 last fall and reached the state semifinals. Wichita County returns several key players this fall including Kayde Rietzke who last fall passed for 1,862 yards and added 1,670 yards on the ground.
Little River opens the season as the No. 3 team in the Division I poll. The Redskins reached the state quarterfinals last fall before falling to Wichita County, 74-38. Back are the talented duo of Jayden Garrison and Graham Stephens.
Madison continues to look to get back to that dominance the Bulldogs showed with back-to-back state titles in 2010 and 2011. Last fall the Bulldogs reached the state semifinals before falling short to eventual champion Canton-Galva. Madison returns several key starters this fall, including standout defensive end Hunter Engle.
Finally, Clifton-Clyde rounds out the poll at No. 5. The Eagles went 9-1 a season ago before falling to Leoti-Wichita County in the second round of the playoffs. Clifton-Clyde returns the majority of its starters from last year’s squad including all-state back Aiden Rudolph.
Class 8M-II
St. Francis came very close to claiming the schools’ first state football championship. The Indians raced out to a 36-0 lead on Canton-Galva in the 8-Man, Division I title game last fall, only to see the Eagles score 66 straight points for an incredible 66-36 win. St. Francis now moves down to Division II where they are likely a heavy favorite. The Indians return several all-state players highlighted by Shadryon Blanka who rushed for nearly 1,700 yards last fall. Up front, the Indians should be exceptional with all-state linemen Jesse Baxter, Colton Neitzel, and Adam Krien returning.
We’ve come accustomed to seeing Hanover opens each season as the top team in Class 8-Man, Division II, but this year the Wildcats have a bit of a smaller target on their backs. Hanover finished 10-2 last season with each loss coming to Twin Valley League rival Axtell. Hanover won’t have the size they’ve had in past season, but the Wildcats will have plenty of athletic ability with seniors Jacob Jueneman and Colin Jueneman.
Axtell reached the state title game last fall finishing as runner-up to Osborne. The Eagles must replace one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Kansas eight-man football history in Quinn Buessing. However, when Buessing went down with an injury last fall, freshman Isaac Detweiler stepped in and led the Eagles to victory over Hanover. Detweiler, now a sophomore, will take over an offense that still has plenty of talent and a standout line up front led by Kolby Talbot.
Lebo looks to make some noise this fall after dropping down from Division I. The Wolves are experienced with a solid senior class led by quarterback Devan McEwen. McEwen passed for nearly 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns last fall.
Victoria opens the season as the No. 5 team in 8M-II. The Knights return the majority of their roster from last year’s 6-3 season. On offense, Victoria will be led by quarterback Grant Schoenrock and running back Jayvon Pruitt.
Class 6-Man
Kpreps plans to rank the top three teams in 6-Man football this fall as part of the Rankings press release.
Cheylin opens the season as the consensus No. 1 in 6-Man. The Cougars are led by Colton McCarty who passed for 1,152 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 2,162 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns last fall. Andrew Schields and Tyler Sabatka also return to give McCarty a pair of receivers that combined for more than 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall.
Defending 6-Man champion Moscow comes in at No. 2 to start the season. The Wildcats claimed their first-ever football state title with a 52-6 win over Cheylin. Defensive MVP Austin Snyder graduated, but the Wildcats have plenty of talent in speedy Adan Granillo who proved he could play multiple position last fall. The defense will likely be led by Gerardo Garcia and Trenton Kennedy.
Finally, Golden Plains opens the poll at No. 3. The Bulldogs claimed third place last season with a 90-52 win over Weskan. The Bulldogs graduated Harley Weese and his nearly 2,200 yards of total offense, but return Roberto Loya (800 yards, 11 TD) and Rojelio Loya (600 yards, 15 TD). In addition, Golden Plains returns Wade Rush who has been one of 6-Man’s top players in each of the past two seasons.
Visit the Rankings page each week to view a complete list of the top five teams in each classification and how they performed last week.
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