By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
Logan Dold and a senior-laden Garden Plain football team rolled through the Kansas Class 3 field en route to their first-ever state football title in 2007.
But the loss of Dold, a 2,000 yard rusher a season ago, and 18 other starters should allow 2007 runnerup Silver Lake to steal the show from the Owls in 2008.
Returning for head coach C. J. Hamilton’s Eagles, who have won six state titles since 1981, are 2,000-yard rusher Cameron Renfro and 2,000-yard passer Tyler Roberts, both seniors.
Add to the mix explosive wide receiver Quin Bruce and fullback Jace Lowe and you have the most dangerous offensive backfield in small class football in Kansas.
Conway Springs, a team headed in the opposite direction of Garden Plain, was a 42-0 loser to the Owls in the semifinals a year ago.
Back for head coach Lelin George are 18 starters and 15 other players who saw action on a regular basis, landing the Cardinals in the No. 2 slot in our preseason rankings.
Senior defensive lineman Nathan Pauly and Trevor Tarrant will again cause many sleepless nights for opposing offensive coordinators. Ready to fill in the gaps and bring ball carriers to their knees is linebacker Corey Sonse. Caleb Brill is solid in the defensive backfield.
Garden Plain coach Todd Puetz will begin his rebuilding season with a No. 3 ranking and the talents of reserve running back Daniel Capul, who finished the 2007 season with 885 yards rushing on 103 carries and six touchdowns, are a big reason why.
Senior offensive linemen Andrew Garver and Zach Henton are the stars returning from a Riley County team that put together an 8-3 campaign in 2007. Bruce Field will return at cornerback for the fourth-ranked Falcons.
Sabetha returns quarterback Mitch Allen after finishing 8-1 a year ago. Caleb Kesler anchors the defensive front for the fifth-ranked Bluejays.
Here is our top 10 teams for Kansas Class 3.
1. Silver Lake Eagles 13-1
School Colors: Maroon/Gold
Conference: Mid-East
Head Coach: C.J. Hamilton
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Garden Plain 48-7 in Championship Game
State Championships: 1981 (3A), 1984 (3A), 1989 (3A), 1991 (3A), 1997 (3A), 2006 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 62-8
Top Players: WR Quin Bruce Sr., RB/CB Cameron Renfro Sr., QB Tyler Roberts Sr., LB/FB Jace Lowe Jr.
2. Conway Springs Cardinals 10-3
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: Central Plains
Head Coach: Lelin George
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Garden Plain 42-0 in Semifinals
State Championships: 1998 (3A), 2001 (3A), 2002 (3A), 2003 (3A), 2004 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 53-8
Top Players: DL Nathan Pauly Sr., DL/OL Trevor Tarrant Sr., LB Corey Sonse Sr., RB Caleb Brill Jr.
3. Garden Plain Owls 14-0
School Colors: Black/Gold
Conference: Central Plains
Head Coach: Todd Puetz
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated Silver Lake 48-7 in Championship Game
State Championships: 2007 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 61-7
Top Players: RB/DB Daniel Capul Sr.
4. Rossville Bulldogs 9-4
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: Mid-East
Head Coach: Steve Buhler
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Silver Lake 42-0 in Semifinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 43-18
Top Players: RB/LB Robert Cooper Sr.
5. Sabetha Bluejays 8-1
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Big Seven
Head Coach: Matt Garber
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: 1993 (4A), 1997 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 27-22
Top Player: Blake Boldra
6. Beloit Tigers 7-3
School Colors: Black/Orange
Conference: North Central AA
Head Coach: Greg Koenig
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Salina Sacred Heart 55-30 in First Round
State Championships: 1975 (2A), 1976 (2A), 1977 (2A), 1996 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 26-21
Top Player: RB Cas Spangler Sr.
7. Riley County Falcons 8-3
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Mid-East
Head Coach: Steve Wagner
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Silver Lake 24-7 in Second Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 30-20
Top Players: OG Andrew Garver Sr., OL/LB Zach Henton Sr., CB Bruce Field Sr.
8. Holcomb Longhorns 8-2
School Colors: Black/Orange
Conference: Hi-Plains Division 1
Head Coach: Jerry Johnson
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Hoisington 55-25 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 33-18
Top Players: Jordan Wilcox Sr.
9. Hoisington Cardinals 10-2
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: Mid Central-West
Head Coach: Lonnie Irvin
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Garden Plain 55-7 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 33-19
Top Players: TE Luke Keener Sr., QB Zach Higgins Jr., OT/DT Jacob Owen Jr., OL Ryan Hoffman Sr., OT Dustin Mater Jr., LB Carl Hickel Sr.
10. Sedgwick Cardinals 6-4
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: Heart of America
Head Coach: Jeff Werner
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Hillsboro 48-13 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 17-29
Top Players: OL Chase Ekstrom Sr., LB Chase Cargile Jr.