The 2013 issue of Kansas Pregame is now available as a digital edition which can be viewed on most mobile devices including tablets, laptops, and mobile phones. The print edition will begin distribution August 7, and take until approximately August 12 to be fully distributed to all the sponsors, according to publisher John Baetz.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE
"I can't believe we are ready to distribute our eighth annual edition, but, here it is," Baetz said. "I can't believe how much we've grown over the years and what all we're doing with the publication now, but I'm proud to say that we are the most popular high school football preview in Kansas, and while we don't have a preview for every team, we get as close as possible. This publication would not be possible without a huge supporting cast including designer Kayla Kvacik, writers Conor Nicholl and Mark Schremmer, Matt Gilmore and Andy Wachter at Kpreps.com, salesperson Tyler Gier, and all the coaches who turn in information on their teams, and most importantly the hundreds of sponsors who advertise and keep this product free both in print and online."
Baetz noted that the page count is a bit less than in years past, and the layout features six team capsules per page rather than the usual four, but he believes the publication is more reader friendly.
"In years past we were scrambling to find pictures of a top player from each team and it was leaving alot of wasted space on pages and sometimes allowing less than the highest quality photos to appear with team capsules. We decided that if we can't feature a high quality photo of a top returning player from each team then it's better to just eliminate the photos and focus on quality previews of each team," Baetz noted. "I really prefer the new layout and think it will be easier for players, parents, coaches, and fans, to find the teams they are looking for."
Baetz said he is always excited for the football season, but said 2013 is especially exciting because of the quality of recruits entering their senior season of football.
"The first year we did a cover shoot I was so excited because Bubba Starling was part of it. At the time the state of Kansas hadn't really ever seen the recruiting hype surrounding one player like what was generated with Starling - though Blake Bell's recruitment was close. We all know the rest of the story, Bubba's now a millionaire playing in the Royals system, and he was a really humble kid," Baetz said. "Now, this year we've got Braden Smith, Peyton Newell, Traevonh Wrench, and a bunch of kids from Derby. At the photo shoot, to hear Smith talk about his family's planned visits this summer to ACC and SEC schools, and to listen to him talk about conversations with Nick Saban it was kind of surreal, but I've always said I don't think the rest of the country realizes the talent level on the football fields of Kansas, and not just at large schools like Olathe South, but in places like Hiawatha where Newell plays. I mean Smith is a 6A kid, but his dad grew up in tiny Johnson, Kansas, and played high school football with former Stanton County head coach Bret Kendrick, and then went on to play at KU."
Smith and Newell are among this year's Kansas Pregame coverboys along with Miege's Brad Ivey, Buhler's Riley Allen, Centralia's Sam Steinlage and J.T. Rosine, Marais des Cygne's Matt Jones and Baileyville's Dustin Rottinghaus. Legendary coach Chuck Smith of Pittsburg's St. Marys Colgan is this year's coach represented on the cover.
"The Rottinghaus story is especially interesting because it's the last year of Baileyville football, forever. Possibly the best program in 8-Man football history, and it's only got 2013 left," Baetz noted.
Special features inside include a look at some of the strongest football players in the state in the "Iron Will" features starting on page four, and, a look at the Dreiling family and their success in football. And of course, every schedule for every team in the state.
Be sure to "Like" Kansas Pregame on Facebook and "Follow" @KansasPregame on Twitter to receive updates on distribution locations and check back with Kpreps.com for a complete list of locations where free copies are available.
"Please support the sponsors who make our publication possible," Baetz asked. "We lost alot of long-time advertisers this year and some changes could be needed to keep the publication free. Just telling an advertiser thank you when you pick up a free copy can go a long way toward them continuing as a sponsor in the future. We appreciate the readers' efforts in keeping us going in the coming years."
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