By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
With Andale’s 25-game winning streak on the line in the 2007 4A quarterfinals, former Indian quarterback/kicker Brett Macari booted a 20-yard field goal with 2.7-seconds left in the game to help his team escape with a 29-28 win at Topeka Hayden.
Because of that kick, Andale went on to win it’s second straight 4A state championship, and the Wildcats stayed home.
In 2008 Hayden, which returns six starters on each side of the ball, is the odds on favorite to run the table in the playoffs and win the school’s third 4A crown since 1998, unseating the Indians.
Andale lost 21 starters from a year ago, and appears to be in a rebuilding mode.
Following a season in which the Wildcats allowed just 171 points in 12 games, Hayden returns plenty of talent on the stop side of the ball, including all-city defenders Blake Rothschild (FS), Cory Ingenthron (DT) and Mike Peterson (LB).
Also back for Hayden is senior defensive end Scott Simons.
All-city quarterback T. J. McGreevey returns to the controls on the offensive side of the ball.
The senior signal caller will have a steady target to throw to in senior tight end Christian Rabe. Fullback Raymond Gragg is set to block for McGreevey and carry the ball when called on to do so.
Set to keep opposing defenders off of McGreevey’s back is senior offensive lineman Cole McVay.
Holton, a 2007 quarterfinalist, moves in front of the defending champions as well after posting a 10-2 record a year ago.
The Wildcats return senior defensive backs Kaleb Smith and Alex Krebs. Kyle Zimmerman, a senior quarterback/linebacker, and junior running back Mitchell Hampton also return for duty.
Despite losing tons of starting experience from a year ago, Andale does have players in the fold that are ready to keep the tradition alive for the preseason third-ranked Indians.
Seniors Corey Harp (FB/LB), Corey Lies (RB/DB), Jake Jones (WR/DB), Gavin Scheer (OL/DL), Jerod Weninger (RB/DB) and Michael Ecks (QB/DB) are set to make a name for themselves.
Junior offensive lineman B. J. Finney should be a force up front for Andale.
Bishop Miege starts the 2008 season at No. 4 after dropping from the 5A ranks. Head coach Tim Grunhard’s Stags play in the rugged Eastern Kansas League, which features plenty of 6A firepower.
Wide Receivers Alex Cecena and Justin McCay will give quarterback Kevin Ritz plenty of opportunities to air it out. Running back Andrew Cage returns for his final season.
Senior linebacker Jeff Page is a big reason Andover Central is ranked fifth going into the 2008 season.
Here is a look at the 2008 4A preseason Top 10;
1. Topeka Hayden Wildcats 10-2
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Centennial
Head Coach: Bill Arnold
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Andale 29-28 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: 1998 (4A), 2004 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 58-6
Top Players: T. J. McGreevey Sr. QB, Cole McVay Sr. OL, Christian Rabe Sr. TE, Raymond Gragg Sr. FB, Blake Rothschild Sr. FS, Mike Peterson Sr. LB, Cory Ingenthron Sr. DT, Scott Simons Sr. DE
2. Holton Wildcats 10-2
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Big Seven
Head Coach: Brooks Barta
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Louisburg 10-3 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: 2003 (4A), 2005 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 60-5
Top Players: Kaleb Smith Sr. RB/DB, Kyle Zimmerman Sr. QB/LB, Mitchell Hampton JR. RB/DB, Alex Krebs Sr. K/DB
3. Andale Indians 14-0
School Colors: Black/Gold
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division IV
Head Coach: Gary O’Hair
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated Louisburg 31-14 in Championship Game
State Championships: 2006 (4A), 2007 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 57-8
Top Players: Corey Harp Sr. FB/LB, Corey Lies Sr. RB/DB, B. J. Finney Jr. OL, Jake Jones Sr. WR/DB, Gavin Scheer Sr. OL/DL, Jerod Weninger Sr. RB/DB, Michael Eck Sr. QB/DB
4. Bishop Miege Stags 6-6
School Colors: Blue/Scarlet
Conference: Eastern Kansas
Head Coach: Tim Grunhard
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Blue Valley West 55-0 in 5A Quarterfinals
State Championships: 1972 (4A), 1975 (4A), 1977 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 20-29
Top Players: Alex Cecena Sr. WR, Justin McCay Jr. WR, Andrew Cage Sr. RB, Kevin Ritz Sr. QB
5. Andover Central Jaguars 8-2
School Colors: Gold/Black
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division IV
Head Coach: Tom Audley
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Wellington 28-14 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 41-12
Top Players: Jeff Page Sr. LB
6. Mulvane Wildcats 11-1
School Colors: Green/White
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III
Head Coach: David Fennewald
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Ulysses 20-17 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 31-19
Top Players: Kyle Ericson Sr. K, Tyler Springer Sr. WR
7. Ulysses Tigers 11-2
School Colors: Orange/Black
Conference: Mid-State
Head Coach: Jason Kenny
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Andale 52-7 in Semifinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 54-9
Top Players: Derek Newell Sr. RB/DB, Josh Sullivan Jr. WR/DB, Brandon Seger Jr. OL/LB, Dalton Kincaid Jr. OL/DT, Carlos Dillon Sr. K, Chano Pauda Jr. OL/LB, Jared Gualdin Jr. WR/DE
8. Girard Trojans 6-3
School Colors: Crimson/Gold
Conference: Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee
Head Coach: Blaise Bauer
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 32-17
Top Players: Tanner Poppe Sr TE, Darian Kelly Sr. S
9. Baldwin Bulldogs 10-3
School Colors: Purple/White
Conference: Frontier-Upper
Head Coach: Mike Berg
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Louisburg 21-14 in Semifinals
State Championships: 1981 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 40-15
Top Players: Sam Beecher Sr. QB
10. Hesston Swathers 10-1
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: Mid Central-East
Head Coach: Nate Wollenberg
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Garden Plain 42-0 in 3A Second Round
State Championships: 1992 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 45-13
Top Players: Michael Janzen Sr. LB/QB, Rob Moore Sr. RB/CB, Matt Ott Jr. FB/LB, Landon Unruh Sr. RB/CB, Riley Spencer Sr. OL/DL, Joey Schmidt Sr. OL/DL