Class A 6-man football capsules:
EAST CENTRAL
BETHUNE BOBCATS
Coach: Troy Hauxwell
2008 record: 6-3
Returning starters: Three offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 2002
Strength: Seniors have got a lot of playing time under their belts.
Weaknesses: The Bobcats are young and don’t have the breakout speedster. They will have to adjust to power football.
Players to watch: Andrew Carson, Sr., RB-DE, 5-10, 215; Francisco Herrera, Sr., QB-DE/LB, 5-8, 190; David Herring, Sr., E-NG, 5-10, 210; Matt Seamans, Jr., E-LB, 5-9, 160.
In 2009: It’s the same story year after year for the Bobcats. If they want to qualify for the playoff they will have to knock off Idalia or Hi-Plains.
DEER TRAIL EAGLES
Coach: Aaron Dille
2008 record: 0-9
Returning starters: Four offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 1999
Strengths: The core group of returnee are solid including a passing game that improved at various summer camps. Thirty-two kids on the roster.
Weakness: Experience. “We are going to have to rely on some freshmen,” Dille said.
Players to watch: Caleb Mock, RB-LB, 5-10, 175; Matt Myers, Jr., QB-DB, 5-11, 205; Clinton Pisal, Sr., E-LB, 6-0, 210.
In 2009: The Eagles make the jump to 8-man next year and will do so with a lot of experience on their roster. After an 0-9 2008 campaign, they can’t help but get better.
HI-PLAINS PATRIOTS
Coach: Dave Sheffield
2008 record: 12-0
Returning starters: Two offense, two defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, beat Idalia 74-24 in the championship game
Strengths: Size, speed and the younger guys have plenty of in-game experience.
Weaknesses: Depth.
Players to watch: Zeb Baylie, Sr., QB-DL, 6-2, 240; Seth Burian, E-LB, 6-0, 170; Geoffrey Mills, Sr., C-DE, 6-1, 190; Josh Rodriguez, Sr., FB-NG, 5-9, 225; Kraig Tagtmeyer, Sr., RB-LB, 6-1, 155.
In 2009: Last year the Patriots had depth at every position and it showed. “We are just as fast and just a strong as we were last year, we just need to build that depth,” Sheffield said. “I like where we are at.”.
IDALIA WOLVES
Coach: Perry Allen
2008 record: 9-3
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost 74-24 to Hi-Plains in the championship game
Strength: Offensively, where the backfield is healthy and raring to go.
Weaknesses: Need the seniors to step up and depth (lower than usual numbers with just 14-15 kids out).
Players to watch: Clay Blankenship, Sr., E-DB, 6-0, 170; Adam Marostica, Jr., RB-DE, 6-1, 180; Sterling McDonald, Jr., E-DE, 6-2, 190; Logan Ramseier, Sr., RB-DB, 5-10, 160; Landon Shaffer, Jr., QB-LB, 6-2, 195; Luke Terrell, Sr., FB-LB, 6-0, 185.
In 2009: The wounds have healed and the Wolves are just as good if not better than the team that limped into last years title game. “I’m excited about this team,” Allen said.
LIBERTY (JOES) KNIGHTS
Coach: Toby Kechter
2008 record: 4-5
Returning starters: Two offense, two defense (Note: One started at Arickaree, which folded its progra before the season due to lack of numbers)
Last playoff appearance: 1999
Strength: Size.
Weaknesses: Size and experience (six freshmen on the roster).
Players to watch: Jayde Damon, So., FB-LB, 5-10, 170; Chris Hill, Sr., E-DE, 6-0, 150; Jonathan Marr, Jr., C-NT, 6-2, 242; Marc McCall, Jr., E-LB, 6-1, 160; John Williams, Jr., RB-LB, 6-3, 206.
In 2009: “I can see us being as good as we were last year, if not a little better,” Kechter said. Staying healthy is a must.
NORTH
BRIGGSDALE FALCONS
Coach: Rick Mondt
2008 record: 6-4
Returning starters: Two offense, one defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost 40-32 to Idalia in the semifinals
Strengths: A cohesive bunch that has a big junior class (6) and a senior that give them plenty of experience.
Weaknesses: Speed adjustments from a year ago and offensive discipline.
Players to watch: Tucker Alimer, Jr., QB-LB, 5-10, 160; Jonathon Dilka, Jr., E-DE, 6-4, 200; Cameron Jeffryes, Jr., RB-LB, 6-0, 175; Jacob Krise, Jr., C-DE, 6-0, 165.
In 2009: The Falcons lost a lot but could be right back in the mix – battling with Weldon Valley for the No. 2 spot behind Peetz – of a parity driven league.
PAWNEE COYOTES
Coach: Doug Miller
2008 record: 2-5
Returning starters: Three offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 2006
Strength: The passing game is a lesser weakness.
Weaknesses: Eight kids out and four of those are freshmen.
Players to watch: Ryan Burson, Sr., QB, 5-11, 220; Brad Durst, Jr., RB-DB, 6-0, 160; James Klingensmith, Jr., RB-LB, 5-8, 160.
In 2009: If they “survive,” said Miller, you never know what can happen.
PEETZ BULLDOGS
Coach: Scott Sorensen
2008 record: 7-2
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost 69-31 to Idalia in the quarterfinals
Strengths: Team speed and maturity. Ten of the 17 players on the roster are seniors.
Weakness: Size.
Players to watch: Taylor Bickford, Sr., E-DE, 5-8, 165; Kegan Carwin, Sr., QB-DB, 6-5, 175; Collin Revord, Sr., RB-NT, 5-8, 165; Tyler Schumacher, Sr., RB-LB, 5-11, 160; Jacob Wilson, Sr., E-DE, 6-1, 165.
In 2009: This is a final four team and can compete for a title with a break here and there.
PRAIRIE MUSTANGS
Coach: Glenn Carlson
2008 record: Did not play
Returning starters: One offense, one defense from 2007
Last playoff appearance: 2000
Strength: Excited to be back on the field.
Weaknesses: Not a lot of football smarts and just sheer numbers.
Players to watch: Claudio Briseno, Jr., QB-LB, 5-10, 170; Clay Carlson, Jr., RB-LB, 6-0, 195; Leroy Warboys, Sr., RB/E-LB, 6-0, 180; Troy Warboys, So., E-DB, 5-10, 145.
In 2009: “We are going to have to relearn the game together and on the fly,” Carlson said. The Mustangs cannot qualify for the playoffs until next year in accordance with CHSAA rules.
WELDON VALLEY WARRIORS
Coach: Cyle Lambert
2008 record: 0-8
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 2005
Strengths: Good leadership, huge junior class (6) and good size on the line.
Weakness: Numbers.
Players to watch: Travis Covelli, Jr., QB-DB, 5-9, 150; Brady Groves, So., Util., 5-9, 150; Trevor Peipho, Jr., RB-LB, 5-10, 170; Zach Widener, Jr., E-DE, 6-1, 175.
In 2009: They can’t help but get better. Going from winless to the playoffs is a real possibility.
SOUTH
CHERAW WOLVERINES
Coach: Brian Bonds
2008 record: 0-8
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 2001
Strengths: A year wiser and the only way to go is up.
Weaknesses: They are still young. Of the 12 kids on the roster – 11 are either feshmen or sophomores and the lone junior has never played football.
Players to watch: Brandon Mosher, So., RB-LB, 5-9, 140.
In 2009: No place to go but up for the Bonds and the Wolverines.
EADS EAGLES
Coach: Dustin Uhland
2008 record: 3-5
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Strengths: Size and believe it or not a quality freshman class that did nothing bu win in junior high.
Weaknesses: “Got to find a way to score points,” Uhland said.
Players to watch: Austin Adamson, Sr., E-DE, 6-2, 210; Charles Johnson, Sr., TBA, 6-2, 170 (moves over from Kit Carson’s defunct program); Taylor Reed, Sr., QB-LB, 6-1, 185; Garrett Smith, Sr., FB-DE, 6-3, 210; Adam Watts, Sr., RB-LB, 6-2, 180.
In 2009: All four of the seniors listed above were starters on the Eagles’ 2007 championship team. What happened in 2008 may forever be a mystery. This team can win and be real good if they put their minds to it.
EDISON EAGLES
Coach: Jeff Jordahl
2008 record: 3-6
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Last playoff appearance: Never qualified
Strengths: Speed and experience.
Weaknesses: It falls off after the top six players.
Players to watch: Josh Doak, Sr., QB-DB-K, 6-0, 180; Jacob Irsik, Sr., C-DE, 5-10, 175; Nate Mannon, Jr., TB-LB, 5-9, 150; Jade Meinzer, Sr., E-LB, 6-4, 200.
In 2009: If ever there was a year for the Eagles to bust through, this would be it.
HILLTOP BAPTIST CENTURIONS
Coach: Dr. Allen Knight
2008 record: 4-5
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 1998
Strengths: Finally have a solid grasp of the 6-man game.
Weakness: “We just don’t have a whole lot of size,” Knight said.
Players to watch: Richie Bailey, Sr., E-DE, 5-10, 150; Jeremy Laxton, Sr., RB-LB, 5-9, 190; Jacob Pennington, Sr., QB-DB, 5-9, 140.
In 2009: They have got to stay healthy to even dream about a playoff spot, but with Kit Carson gone: “We have as good a shot this year as any,” Knight said.
SOUTH BACA COUNTY PATRIOTS
Coach: Dan Sebastian
2008 record: 5-4
Returning starters: Five offense, four defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost 62-16 to Hi-Plains in the quarterfinals
Strength: Speed to burn.
Weaknesses: Size and numbers – just 12 kids out.
Players to watch: William Esquivel, Jr., C-DE, 5-11, 175; Austin Schroeder, Jr., FB-LB, 6-0, 200; Rafe Schroeder, Sr., RB, 6-1, 175; Ryne Schroeder, Sr., QB-DB, 5-8, 150.
In 2009: The Patriots are a top five team and can go further than they ever have if they stay healthy.
WEST CENTRAL
FLEMING WILDCATS
Coach: John King
2008 record: 7-3
Returning starters: Two offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost 52-32 to Otis in the quarterfinals
Strength: Depth. “Of the 16 kids I have out, I can put 10-12 guys out there and not have a drop off,” King said.
Weakness: Moving some people around.
Players to watch: Jason Carwin, Jr., RB-Util., 5-7, 140; Harrison Johnson, Sr., RB-DB, 5-11, 160; Andrew Lightsy, So., E-DE, 6-1, 220; Justin Stone, Jr., FB-LB, 5-11, 175.
In 2009: “I’ll be hugely disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs,” King said. The loss of a big senior class won’t take as big a toll as many people might think.
LONE STAR LONGHORNS
Coach: Mike Harty
2008 record: 2-7
Returning starters: Three offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 1973
Strengths: Team speed, the three seniors have significant playing time and the three freshman give them hope for the future.
Weaknesses: Small in size and numbers (7 kids out).
Players to watch: Andrew Blom, Sr., E-DB, 5-10, 160; Tyler Jamison, Sr., RB-DB, 5-8, 160; Robert McCall, Sr., QB-LB, 5-10, 170.
In 2009: Harty knew the lean years were coming and next year will be much the same, but healthy numbers in the junior high ranks are coming.
OTIS BULLDOGS
Coach: Ryan Collier
2008 record: 7-3
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Last playoff appearance: 2008, lost to Hi-Plains 54-6 in the semifinals
Strengths: Return all six starters.
Weakness: Got to find a way to get over the hump.
Players to watch: Kyle Carey, Sr., QB-LB, 6-3, 180; Jameson Johnson, Sr., RB-DB, 5-9, 165; Karson Kuntz, Sr., RB-LB, 6-1, 180; Jimmy McGrath, Sr., RB-LB, 6-3, 215; Lance Pickett, Sr., E-DE, 6-6, 280.
In 2009: “We definitely have to put in a lot of work,” Collier said. If ever there was year, especially with the personnel these guys have, this is it.
WOODLIN MUSTANGS
Coach: Paul Griese
2008 record: 3-6
Returning starters: Three offense, three defense
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Strengths: Good strong senior leadership and good speed at running back.
Weaknesses: Not a lot of experience. “We are going to have to rely on some young guys to step up,” Griese said.
Players to watch: A.J. DeChant, Sr., E-DE, 6-2, 190; Brayan Mosso, So., RB-DB, 5-9, 140; Garson Thompson, Sr., C-DE, 5-10, 155; Riley Turner, Sr., QB-LB, 5-9, 170.
In 2009: The Mustangs need to develop quickly if they want to knock of Fleming for the No. 2 seed out of this league.
