Natoma coach Tyler Masters, an ’06 Tiger graduate and former state runner-up in the 400-meter dash, has served as the assistant football coach the last four years. Masters has worked with three head coaches, Cody Dunlap, Brian Patterson and then Robert Cox in 2021. He is also the boys’ basketball assistant for Chris Broeckelman, who has coached a variety of roles in well over a decade with Natoma.
Masters, known for his gregarious personality, had never been a head coach or called offensive plays in football. Last Friday, Masters received information that Cox might not serve as head coach for Saturday’s Six-Man state semifinal home game versus Ashland.
“We were all shocked,” senior Derek George said. “But we knew that we’d have to face adversity.”
Masters talked with Broeckelman late Friday night. Masters has strong trust with Broeckelman. Masters asked if Broeckelman could step in an emergency coaching role for the Ashland game.
“Whatever is best for the kids we are going to go with that,” Masters said.
At 8:22 a.m. on Saturday, Masters officially learned he would serve as head coach and offensive play caller for the Ashland contest. The game started at 3 p.m.
Masters spent all day on the phone texting and calling staff and community members. Masters kept the same play call sheet Natoma had used throughout the season. Early Saturday, Masters talked with his parents.
“Why is it the state semifinals where I have to play call for the first time ever?,” Masters said. “So it was nerve-wracking to make those calls.”
Natoma led 8-6 after the first quarter. Masters and Broeckelman noticed Ashland really keyed on Tiger standout 5-foot-9, 217-pound senior running back Kayden Martinez.
The coaches told the team they could pass, too. Entering the contest, Martinez had completed eight of 12 passes for 303 yards. Natoma ran some fakes. Martinez eventually threw for 147 yards, including long passes to senior Tracen Frye. Masters was nervous in making those calls, though expressed confidence in his players.
Natoma eventually pulled away for a 67-18 win that was called late in the fourth quarter. Masters wore a big smile as his players doused him with water near the end zone and scoreboard. This season, Natoma won its first two playoff games since 1974, a year that yielded a 1A state runner-up to Pittsburg Colgan.
“I don’t want any credit or glory,” Masters said. “It’s all about these boys. They are awesome.”
On Saturday, Natoma (8-0) will face Cunningham (9-0) in the final Six-Man Wild West Bowl at Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium. Start time is 7 p.m.
“He knows what to do,” George said of Masters. “And he was the best fit for the job to step up I felt like and did a good job.”
Dunlap, a Natoma graduate, is in his second year as Cunningham’s principal. He and CHS coach Lance McGuire have frequently had football discussions.
“I pick his brain almost every week,” McGuire said. “And especially as the season has wound down, he is a resource that I use. … He and I are different enough and alike enough that the conversation is usually pretty good. At the end, I feel like I have got a little direction.”
McGuire, who has coached at Cunningham since ’06, significantly credited his younger assistant, Eric Kerschen, known for his high energy.
“He has transformed the weights,” McGuire said. “He pretty much has that program now. He can run with the boys. He challenges the boys all the time, and the competitive piece that my boys already have, he just stokes that fire.”
Like Natoma, Cunningham is enjoying an historically great season. Cunningham’s only previous final was a 1975 state runner-up appearance. The current Cunningham squad has several family connections to the ’75 team. McGuire is most pleased with his team’s ability to adapt and overcome when difficulties have arisen, including injuries. Cunningham restarted its football program in ’19 in six-man and went 1-7 and 6-2 the last two years.
McGuire called Northern Valley the best team Cunningham has faced thus far this year. Cunningham won 57-22 in the semifinals. Standout freshman Dagim Reed was dinged early when he made a tackle.
Reed, who has 14 touchbacks as the kicker, did come back in the game to kick, though wasn’t on offense or defense. Plus, standout junior end Lane Halderson rolled an ankle and was in and out. Freshmen Lucas Hageman, Trent Schnittker and sophomore Carlos Hurtado came in and made some big plays.
“Did everything I asked and did it very, very well,” McGuire said.
Cunningham has used its two-quarterback offense with sophomore Luke McGuire, the coach’s son, and junior Trey DeWeese. McGuire has completed 38 of 55 passes for 594 yards with 17 scores against one interception. Coach McGuire calls DeWeese probably the team’s unquestioned leader.
DeWeese has completed 47 of 76 for 682 yards with 19 scores against two INTs. McGuire is the Wildcats’ top rusher with 71 carries and 663 yards with 11 TD. Halderson, an excellent player, has 28 catches for 488 yards and 14 TDs and 61 tackles, all team-highs. Lineman Isaiah Reed is Cunningham’s lone senior. Sophomore Jack Ruckle starts on both lines.
Natoma averages 14.5 yards a play, Cunningham 8.9.
Masters and Broeckelman are expected to lead Natoma on Saturday. Masters smiled and laughed and said some of the community members might have been nervous with him head coaching, too.
“After this, I hope they are confident in the boys, and together, me and the boys, I feel like we can do anything,” Masters said. “They are a great group of kids, and I wouldn’t ask for anything else.”
Starting next fall, Six-Man becomes KSHSAA affiliated. The Wild West Bowl first started in 2016. Six-Man had 15 teams this fall, including Western Plains, who had a partial schedule. Next year, Six-Man will bump to 26 schools. Per Jeremy Holaday, KSHSAA’s Assistant Executive Director, Kansas is the eighth state to sanction six-man.
Masters called reaching the championship “huge,” especially since the town had been through the significant flood that damaged homes and property last May. Masters said the team has worked through “a lot of adversity” this season. He was aware Natoma had not made a final in 47 years.
“It’s really cool to grow up here and already know all of these people from the time I was five years old,” Masters said. “It’s the coolest thing ever to be on the other side of the desk, on the other side of the field, like just supporting these boys. And I can relate so well with all these boys since I grew up here, I can relate what they are going through. It’s developed a lot of trust.”
For Natoma, freshman Roy Bright, who had never played quarterback before, has served as the primary thrower with 39 of 59 passing for 781 yards with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions. Martinez has 106 carries for 1,697 yards and 37 scores.
Senior Tracen Frye has enjoyed a big season after he switched from quarterback to receiver with 22 catches for 874 yards and 11 TDs. Masters and Bright have a strong relationship. Bright, a rare freshman quarterback, has generally remained composed. Masters has helped work Bright some situations when needed.
“That’s kind of like my gift,” Masters said. “That’s why I like the assistant spot. I get to talk 1-on-1 with them a little more instead of having to do the big picture.”
George is widely considered six-man’s best defensive player. George plays extremely hard all the time. He has registered 162 tackles, 14 for loss, 13 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. Lineman Nicholas Racette is the other senior. Junior Ian Mayberry has kicked 15 extra points. Specifically, George delivered a big hit and tackle on an Ashland receiver that led to a fumble.
“I just try to hit the ball every time I hit,” George said. “And I try to hit it as hard as I can. And a lot of times it just pops out. It’s very fun.”
Against Ashland, Masters and Broeckelman worked together throughout the contest. Masters wore a device to communicate with Broeckelman in the press box. On one deep pass from Martinez to Frye, Masters gestured up to the press box in appreciation.
“He was in my ears telling me what he saw, too,” Masters said. “And the boys, how we all trust each other, they were talking to me about what they think would work, too. I can’t take any credit. It was a team effort tonight. The whole team came together, and helped everybody out. Kept our heads through everything. All the extra stuff going on, they have kept their heads through that, too.”
Afterward, a soaked Masters was one of the last ones to leave Natoma’s field. As he came off the field, Bright gave him a hug at 5:54 p.m., nine hours and 32 minutes after Masters learned he would be head coach.
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