By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
While Hutchinson’s 36-game winning streak could be in jeopardy this season when it travels to battle Missouri Class 6 power Rockhurst Sept. 5, the Salt Hawks' streak of four-straight 6A state football championships will certainly come to an end.
But only because Hutchinson drops a class to 5A.
With Blue Valley West’s jump to 6A, the Salt Hawks avoid a premier postseason battle with the defending 5A champion Jaguars. The position switch undoubtedly places the 5A preseason No. 1 label in the lap of the Hutchinson.
Gone from the Salt Hawk offense is quarterback Grant Dreiling, but Hutchinson should have a solid ground game with junior running backs Josh Smith, who ran for 1,026 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2007, and Deveon Dinwiddie getting a ton of carries.
Back to lead the defense is senior linebacker Nate Dreiling and his 189 tackles from a year ago, and senior defensive tackle Forrest Stuckey, who had 93 stops including 6.5 sacks.
The battle for No. 2 is wide open in 2008, with St. Thomas Aquinas getting the preseason nod to replace Hutchinson at the top of the 5A pile if the Salt Hawks falter.
The Saints should score plenty of points in 2008 with eight offensive starters returning.
Back under center is All-State quarterback Ricky Nachbar, who threw for 2,060 yards and 24 scores a year ago. The senior gunslinger shouldn’t get tossed around too much with the presence of four starters back on the offensive line, including Division I recruit Jake Morin.
All of that experience up front should bode well for standout sophomore running back Degan Reed as well.
The defense returns just four starters from a year ago, but should be solid with the likes of senior free safety Jordan Brandenburgh, junior defensive end Blake Martin, senior outside linebacker Ryan Nelson and senior defensive tackle Max Kryger leading the way.
Gardner-Edgerton lost to Aquinas by three touchdowns in the 5A quarterfinals a year ago, but the return of 16 starters allows the Trailblazers to move into a prime position at No. 3.
If Bubba Starling, the probable starter at quarterback, and the defensive line can answer the call Trailblazer coach Marvin Diener should be wearing a wide grin when the postseason rolls around.
Returning junior offensive lineman Christian Haggy should help make Starling’s transition as the starter behind center a smooth process. Senior Nick Mauszycki will also help out up front.
Bishop Carroll, who lost to Blue Valley West in the title game in 2007, returns just nine starters for the upcoming season. But the Golden Eagles have the pieces returning to make another deep run into the 5A postseason.
Former 6-foot-6 wide receiver Blake Bell will be throwing the football this time around instead of catching it. One of his favorite targets in 2008 will be fullback/tight end Joe Brown, who caught 53 passes and ran for six yards a pop a year ago.
Offensive lineman Cody Mills is set to run interference for Bell and Brown after a solid all-conference season in 2007.
Senior Jacob Cole and two other starters return up front on defense for the Golden Eagles. Linebacker Timmy Chadd and defensive back Chad Duling, who intercepted two passes in the last season’s championship game, also return.
Quarterback Derek Ellis, who threw for 1,350 yards in 2007, and wide receiver Pete Smith are a big reason Great Bend begins the upcoming campaign with a No. 5 ranking.
Also back for the Panthers are linebacker Aron Elsen, cornerback Allan Holt, cornerback Matt Dobratz and defensive end Kiefer McCulley.
Here are the 2008 Kansas 5A preseason rankings.
1. Hutchinson Salt Hawks 13-0
School Colors: Blue/Gold
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I
Head Coach: Randy Dreiling
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated Olathe South 37-14 in 6A State Championship Game
State Championships: 2004 (6A), 2005 (6A), 2006 (6A), 2007 (6A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 61-4
Top Players: Nate Dreiling Sr. LB, Forrest Stucky Sr. DT, Josh Smith Jr. RB, Deveon Dinwiddie Jr. RB
2. St. Thomas Aquinas Saints 8-4
School Colors: Navy/Gold
Conference: Eastern Kansas
Head Coach: Kevin Kopecky
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Blue Valley West 20-17 in Semifinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 44-13
Top Players: Degan Reed So. RB/Ath., Ricky Nachbar Sr. QB, Jake Morin Sr. OL, Jordan Brandenburgh Sr. DB, Blake Martin Jr. DE, Ryan Nelson Sr. OLB, Max Kryger Sr. DT
3. Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers 7-4
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Frontier-Upper
Head Coach: Marvin Diener
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas 21-0 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 24-24
Top Players: Bubba Starling So. QB, Christian Haggy Sr. OL/DL, Nick Mauszycki Sr. OL/DL
4. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles 11-2
School Colors: Green/Gold
Conference: Greater Wichita City
Head Coach: Alan Schuckman
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Blue Valley West 31-19 in State Championship Game
State Championships: 1978 (5A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 47-10
Top Players: Blake Bell Jr. QB, Joe Brown Sr. FB/TE, Cody Mills Sr. OL, Timmy Chadd Jr. LB, Chad Duling Sr. DB, Jacob Cole Sr. DL
5. Great Bend Panthers 8-3
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: Western Athletic
Head Coach: Bo Black
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Bishop Carroll 17-14 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 42-14
Top Players: Derek Ellis Sr. QB, Pete Smith Sr. WR, Aron Elsen Sr. LB, Allan Holt Jr. DB, Matt Dobratz Sr. DB, Kiefer McCulley Sr. DE
6. Salina Central Mustangs 8-4
School Colors: Maroon/White
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division I
Head Coach: Michael Hall
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Bishop Carroll 17-7 in Semifinals
State Championships: 1993 (5A), 1996 (5A), 1999 (5A), 2001 (5A), 2002 (5A), 2005 (5A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 48-11
Top Players: Seth Myers Sr. WR, Tim Link Sr. OL/DL, Taylor Counts Sr. RB
7. Bonner Springs Braves 8-2
School Colors: Black/Orange
Conference: Kaw Valley
Head Coach: Lew Kasselman
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas 44-14 in First Round
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 18-28
Top Players: Jonathan Sr. Walker RB, Jeremy Walker Sr. WR
8. Mill Valley Jaguars 6-3
School Colors: Blue/Silver
Conference: Kaw Valley
Head Coach: George Radell
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 23-22
Top Players: Nicholas Woods Sr. RB
9. McPherson Bullpups 9-2
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division II
Head Coach: Tom Young
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Salina Central 28-14 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 23-25
Top Players: Parker Johnson Jr. OL
10. Emporia Spartans 6-4
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: Centennial
Head Coach: Bill Lowe
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Wichita Southeast 42-34 in 6A First Round
State Championships: 1976 (4A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 19-24
Top Players: Taylor Euler Sr. QB