Back to Kpreps this fall, our contributors will hand out helmet stickers to a team or individual that delivered the most important performance of the week in their opinion. Check back each Sunday to see that week’s helmet stickers, and follow @Kpreps on Twitter and Facebook to watch as the Kpreps helmet fills up with stickers as the season goes on.
Helmet sticker: Clay Center (Matt Gilmore – Kpreps)
The Clay Center Tigers made an impressive run through the 3A playoffs to the state semifinals where they fell to eventual champion Andale. Marc Henry’s Tigers used an impressive 35-0 road shutout of Wichita Collegiate in the second round to put the state on notice – then followed it up with a 24-6 win over Cheney in the quarterfinals the following week.
Entering this season, Clay Center returned plenty of experience and opened the pre-season ranked No. 3 in Class 3A. But the Tigers would open with a huge test in North Central Kansas League rival Wamego – the defending 4A state runners-up. On Friday, Clay Center solidified itself as a contender in Class 3A with a 19-7 win over Wamego.
While many expected the ground game to be in good hands this fall with returning seniors Brody Hayes and Carter Long, there was maybe some uncertainty at quarterback having to replace standout senior Mark Hoffman. Junior Cole Pladson stepped in and passed for 141 yards and two scores against Wamego, and led the team in rushing with 39 yards.
Wamego, known for its outstanding defense, held the Tiger ground game in check surrendering only 84 total yards and limiting Hayes (35) and Long (10) to a combined 45 yards on 16 attempts. But Pladson connected with senior Jackson Henry and junior Weston Hammond on touchdown passes and Henry connected on two field goals to fuel the Tiger victory.
Clay Center’s defense was impressive in limiting Wamego to seven points, forcing four turnovers, registering four sacks, and six tackles for loss. Hayes, Henry, and Long each had an interception on defense, while Long also recovered a Red Raider fumble.
The Tigers will be at home again this week against NCKL rival Chapman (1-0).
Helmet sticker: Labette County (Matt Gilmore -- Kpreps)
Labette County gets one of my helmet stickers for an impressive 40-28 win over Towanda-Circle to open the season. It was the Grizzlies’ first season-opening victory since 2017.
The Grizzlies rallied from an early 14-0 deficit behind an incredible performance by senior quarterback Kendall Holtzman. Holtzman completed 17 of 23 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns on the night. He also added a rushing score. Holtzman, in his third year as a starter, eclipsed the 4,000-yard passing mark with Friday’s performance. He has now thrown for 4,083 career yards and 34 touchdowns.
Holtzman spread the ball around to six different receivers in Friday’s win. Senior Zavier Phillips caught five passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Phillips looks to take on a more significant role after having 178 total receiving yards last season. Freshman Nolan Nash had an impressive debut with 101 yards and a touchdown on just three catches. Sophomores Kegan Bates and Jamaal Jackson each had touchdown catches. Jackson had 159 yards of total offense from scrimmage after adding 89 yards on the ground.
The Grizzlies have had a tough go of things the last few years. Labette County lost the Week 1 matchup with Towanda-Circle 50-0 last season. The Grizzlies finished the 2022 season with a 2-7 record and have posted an 11-34 overall mark the past five seasons. That last season-opening victory in 2017 helped springboard Labette County to a 9-2 season and a state quarterfinal appearance. Veteran coach Sean Price hopes the Grizzlies can ride the momentum from Week 1 into a rivalry showdown with nearby Parsons (1-0) this week.
Helmet sticker: Riverton (Matt Gilmore – Kpreps)
After posting an 8-3 season at Riverton in 2021, coach Johnny Mallatt retired after incredible career spanning more than 50 years with stops at Galena, Baxter Springs, Pittsburg, Lamar (Mo.), and Missouri Southern at the collegiate level.
Last fall, the Rams managed only one win.
On Friday, coach Danny Weaver’s Rams went on the road to Abbey Field and defeated Galena, 35-8. The victory was Riverton’s first in the series since 2008, ending a streak of 15 consecutive losses to the Bulldogs. The two CNC rival schools are separated by only four miles.
Loch North and Lake Crowder each broke long free for long scoring runs in the first half. Crowder had a huge night rushing for 179 yards and two touchdown on just five carries.
Riverton continues a difficult early-season schedule with a trip to Frontenac this week before a home-opener with St. Mary’s Colgan in Week 3.
Helmet sticker: Sedgwick (Conor Nicholl – Kpreps)
Sedgwick started last season 0-3, including a 24-18 loss to Hutchinson Trinity. Two of the three defeats came by one score.
On Thursday, Sedgwick opened with an emphatic 42-7 road win versus Trinity Catholic. Junior Corey Crumrine completed 19 of 26 passes for 346 yards with four score against one interception. Senior Jackson Scarlett delivered six catches for 171 yards and three scores. Junior Dallas Lagree had seven catches for 101 yards and a score.
Sedgwick had strong offensive line play with seniors Xavier Hansen and Koen Werner, juniors Austin Thieme and Doc Cochran and sophomore Cole McGinn. Senior Jeff Nold posted nine tackles, two for loss. Junior Brandon Ferguson recorded a pair of TFLs, too.
Sedgwick was eighth in 1A in scoring offense with 34.8 points a game last season, though was No. 22 in defense with 26.8 points permitted, per the Sunflower Sports Solutions database. Sedgwick, long known for its passing offense, was top-three in 1A in passing. Crumrine was expected to have a big season, but the statistical defensive improvement has also helped put Sedgwick back in 1A’s top-five.
Helmet sticker: Thomas More Prep-Marian (Conor Nicholl – Kpreps)
Hays-Thomas More Prep opened with an impressive 42-0 home victory against Oakley at Lewis Field Stadium. The Monarchs set a school record for most points scored in a season opener in program history (since 1970), per Kansas Football History. TMP had tallied 36 points in Week 1 games on three occasions.
Griffin Schumacher recorded 13 carries for 271 yards and four touchdowns, all career-bests, per TMP radio. The Monarchs held Oakley, a 6-4 team last year which returned the bulk of its starters, to 55 yards. Plus, Schumacher returned a punt for 75 yards for a score.
Friday’s game marked Grant Stephenson’s first as head coach at TMP after eight successful years at nearby Plainville.
The Monarchs won its third straight season opener. TMP won via Week 1 shutout for the first time since a 13-0 victory versus Russell in 2002, an eventual 9-4 season, 3A semifinalist berth and the best season in school history. Before then, TMP last shutout a Week 1 opponent in 1996. Additionally, it marked more points than the Monarchs scored in a non-Week 9 bracket game last season.
TMP also played much of the game without quarterback Carson Liles, who suffered injury early in the contest. Liles also kicks and junior Austin Gilbert, a defensive end, stepped up to kick.
The Monarchs, a Kpreps Potential Breakout Team, has finished top-nine in 2A scoring defense each of the past three falls. Gilbert and Kendall Walker, a four-year starting lineman, were among those with key defensive plays. Peyton Schwartz stepped in at quarterback. Caden Dinkel had an interception, too.
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