Olathe South is our pick to bully its way through Kansas and emerge as the top team, just like it did last season on the way to a state title.
Photo by Sam Soliday
13-1
Head coach: Jeff Gourley
Team previewOlathe South enters 2012 as the defending Class 6A state champion and could actually be better this fall. Quarterback
Frank Seurer returns to guide an offense that figures to be run-heavy again this season and linebacker
Remington Whitley should be among the state's best defensive players this season. Of course, the team will also feature man-child
Braden Smith, who will play on both sides of the line. Search for Olathe South players on our list of
2011 Kansas All-League football teams.
2. Hutchinson2011 finish: 12-2
Head coach: Randy Dreiling
Team previewHutchinson has captured state titles in three of the past five seasons and will be a factor in Class 5A once again in 2012. It returns key pieces on both sides of the ball, including quarterback
Trevor Turner and All-State linebacker
Tanner Higgins, whose size (5-foot-6, 140 pounds) is not nearly indicative of his impact for head coach Randy Dreiling. Hutchinson ranks No. 1 on the list of
Kansas' Top 10 most consistent football programs.
3. Blue Valley (Stilwell)2011 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Eric Driskell
Team previewEight starters return from a Blue Valley squad that fell short of repeating as state champions.
Clay Rhodes, a Missouri commit, will lead the way up front. He'll open up holes for returning running back
Ryan McNerlin.
Andrew Reinkemeyer, a 6-4 receiver, will be another offensive weapon for a squad that averaged nearly 34 points last season. Blue Valley will look to add its name again on the list of
Kansas state football champions over the past 10 years.
4. Derby2011 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Brandon Clark
Team previewDerby needs to replace quarterback Todd Freeman and receiver Tanner Greiving, two All-League players from a year ago. Look for junior
Deandre Goolsby to increase his offensive production this year. He has the makings of a national recruit. Only a sophomore, running back
Tyler West also returns. He'll run behind an offensive line that will be led by 6-3 junior
Cole Hansen, another future recruit. Check out all the
Kansas Class of 2012 Division 1 signees.
5. Heights (Wichita)2011 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Rick Wheeler
Team previewLike Blue Valley, Wichita Heights won a state title in 2010 but was bounced in the playoffs in 2011. The Falcons will benefit from having one of the state's premier interior defensive linemen in
Aderio Ammons. He was responsible for 12 1 / 2 sacks in 2011. Offensive lineman
Grant Watkins also returns, meaning Wichita Heights will be strong in the trenches. However, it needs to replace several playmakers on offense. Heights ranks No. 5 on our June, 2011 list of the
Kansas Top 10 football dynasties.
