By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
With Hutchinson dropping down a classification to 5A for the 2008 and 2009 Kansas high school football seasons, the upcoming 6A campaign may be as wide open as it has been in quite some time for the state’s largest division.
Picking a favorite to win this season’s big school crown is a difficult task, but Olathe East and Olathe North stand out as the front-runners.
The Sunflower League rivals bang heads on the first Friday under the lights in Kansas Sept. 5.
Look for Olathe East, who fell to 6A runner-up Olathe South 21-17 in the quarterfinals a year ago, to win that battle and jump into the driver’s seat.
With 15 starters back, Hawk coach Jeff Meyers has plenty of talent and experience to work with, starting with senior All-State running back JaVon Williams. Also back is signal caller Rick Settle, a Division I prospect, and fullback Ben Bach.
Olathe East’s defense will be sound again, especially up front where senior defensive end Jake Woten and nose guard A. J. Dean return. Senior three-year starter Derahn Williams will once again roam about the defensive backfield.
Eagle coach Pete Flood returns plenty of talent, as well, starting with junior running back James Franklin and senior defensive end Kevin Young, who has committed to Kansas. Senior defensive back Bryan Shephard is also available for service.
If Flood is going to move his team through the regular season and into the playoffs, the Eagles will have to wade through District 6A-3 against the likes of third ranked and defending 5A champion Blue Valley West and sixth ranked Blue Valley. Defending runner-up Olathe South also resides in this district.
With talented players like senior defensive lineman Tyler Bullis and senior running back Brian Grover returning, the only real question mark for Blue Valley West this season is whether or not they’re ready for the 6A ranks.
The third-ranked Jaguars will answer that question with all of the correct answers, and make a postseason run.
A year ago Wichita East had high expectations and jumped out to a 4-0 start. But the Aces faded down the stretch, winning just two of their final five contests, and missed out on a playoff berth.
With the return of one of the nation’s top running backs in Bryce Brown and senior quarterback Matt Byers, coach Bryan Byers should have one of the better offenses in the state this season. Offensive linemen Michael Seis, Eron Castellanos and Rico Huggins will make sure Brown has another big season.
Junior defensive end Chaquil Reed will headline a solid defense for the fourth-ranked Aces.
Seniors quarterback Jake Snodgrass and running back Aaron Wilson are a big reason the Derby Panthers are perched on the No. 5 rung going into the 2008 season.
Kyle Westmoreland, a senior offensive lineman, will pave the way for coach Brandon Clark’s star studded back field, while junior defensive back Devin Hedgepeth will make plenty of noise on defense.
Here are the 2008 Kansas Preseason Football Rankings.
1. Olathe East Hawks 9-2
School Colors: Navy/Orange
Conference: Sunflower
Head Coach: Jeff Meyers
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Olathe South 21-17 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 48-9
Top Players: JaVon Williams sr. RB, Jake Woten Sr. DE, Rick Settle Sr. QB/DB, Derahn Williams Sr. DB, Ben Bach Sr. LB/FB, A. J. Dean Sr. NG
2. Olathe North Eagles 10-2
School Colors: Blue/Scarlet
Conference: Sunflower
Head Coach: Pete Flood
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Olathe South 24-6 in Semifinals
State Championships: 1996 (6A), 1997 (6A), 1998 (6A), 2000 (6A), 2001 (6A), 2002 (6A), 2003 (6A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 42-16
Top Players: James Franklin Jr. RB, Kevin Young Sr. DE, Bryan Shephard Sr. DB
3. Blue Valley West Jaguars 13-0
School Colors: Red/Black/Silver
Conference: Eastern Kansas
Head Coach: Scott Wright
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated Bishop Carroll 31-19 in Class 5A State Championship Game
State Championships: 2007 (5A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 37-19
Top Players: Tyler Bullis Sr. DL, Brian Grover Sr. RB
4. Wichita East Aces 6-3
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Greater Wichita City
Head Coach: Brian Byers
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: 1982 (6A), 1983 (6A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 16-31
Top Players: Bryce Brown Sr. RB, Matt Byers Sr. QB, Michael Seis Sr. OL, Eron Castellanos Sr. OL, Rico Huggins Sr. OL, Chaquil Reed Jr. DE
5. Derby Panthers 5-5
School Colors: Green/White
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I
Head Coach: Brandon Clark
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Junction City 39-14 in First Round
State Championships: 1994 (6A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 23-28
Top Players: Kyle Westmoreland Sr. OL, Jake Snodgrass Sr. QB, Aaron Wilson Sr. RB, Devin Hedgepeth Jr. DB
6. Blue Valley Tigers 4-5
School Colors: Black/Gold
Conference: Eastern Kansas
Head Coach: Steve Rampy
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: 1991 (5A), 1998 (5A), 2003 (5A), 2006 (5A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 45-12
Top Players: Ryan Miller Sr. OL
7. Lawrence Free State Firebirds 7-3
School Colors: Black/White
Conference: Sunflower
Head Coach: Robert Lisher
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Olathe South 46-29 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 30-21
Top Players: Chucky Hunter Sr. RB/DB, Graham Saunders Sr. OL
8. Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars 9-2
School Colors: Black/Orange
Conference: Sunflower
Head Coach: Aaron Barnett
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Olathe North 32-16 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 24-24
Top Players: Darian Hillman Sr. OL, Bryce Atagi Sr. RB/DB, Mark Fancher Sr. WR
9. Junction City Bluejays 9-2
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Centennial
Head Coach: Randall Zimmerman
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Goddard 20-13 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: 1969 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 23-23
Top Players: Anthony Caine Sr. WR, Justin Aumen Sr. OL, Chris Toombs Sr. RB/DB, Ty Zimmerman Sr. QB/DB, Dexter Chase Sr. LB, Andre Briggs Sr. LB
10. Wichita Northwest Grizzlies 7-3
School Colors: Blue/Gold
Conference: Greater Wichita City
Head Coach: Weston Schartz
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Goddard 32-14 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 36-16
Top Players: Colby Duranleau Sr. OL, Demarcus Robinson Jr. RB, Steve Buesch Sr. OL, Tyler Kohlman Sr. TE, Jeff Poe Sr. LB