The Central Kansas League will be quite different this year. With the addition of two new teams in football, the league has decided to separate the teams by East-West divisions instead of North-South.
The two new teams, Hoisington and Larned, will play in the West division along with Kingman, Lyons, Pratt, and Nickerson. The East Division will consist of Halstead, Haven, Hesston, Hillsboro, Smoky Valley and Sterling. Even though the league lost a lot of talent overall from last season, this should be an exciting season for the teams and the state.
East Division
Halstead (5-5 in 2013)
The Dragons welcome the addition of head coach Jason Grider, and two new assistants. Halstead will look to continue on the success it had last year after making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
Players to watch: Blake Beckett, RB-LB, 6-1, 180, jr.; Tate Kaufman, TE-DE, 6-7, 210, jr.; David Loucks, OL, 6-3, 260, sr.
Haven (2-7)
The Wildcats will start off the season by traveling to Halstead for a tough week one league game, but they look to go far this year. Haven will be experienced at the quarterback position along with the wide-receiver positions, so look for Haven to be airing out the ball often this season.
Players to watch: Tim Hendrixson, QB-DB, 6-0, 165, sr.; Rian Borntrager, WR-DB, 5-9, 155, sr.; Juan DeSantiago, OL-LB, 5-10, 200, jr.
Hesston (8-2)
The Swathers may have lost one of the best backfields in class 3A but they will still be in the hunt to retain the Central Kansas League title. Hesston is looking for its fifth straight trip to the playoffs. The Swathers will rely mostly on defense to carry them through.
Players to watch: Tyler McCartney, WR-SS, 6-1, sr.; Grant Raleigh, QB-WR-CB, 6-1, 170, sr.; Brad Simpson, TE-DE, 6-6, 200, sr.
Hillsboro (3-6)
The Trojans will have an experienced offense, and are hopeful of making it back to the playoffs. Hillsboro will mainly be a running team on offense, and will attempt to limit big plays.
Players to watch: Justus Hilliard, RB-LB, 5-6, 190, sr.; Jakob Hanschu, DB, 5-9, 160, jr.; David Dick, LB, 5-11, 165, jr.
Smoky Valley (7-2)
The Vikings may face the biggest obstacle in the whole league with loss of Jarod DeMott with a torn ACL earlier this summer. But Smoky Valley will still have experience at quarterback, and a quick backfield, the Vikings look for another playoff berth.
Players to watch: Cole Norberg, QB-FS, 6-3, 180, sr.; Aaron Taylor, RB, 6-0, 175, sr.; Nils Peterson, OL, 6-0, 200, sr.
Sterling (4-6)
The Black Bears are looking to return to the playoffs again, but hopeful of making it past the first round where they lost last year to Smith Center. Sterling is one of two teams in the CKL in Class 2A.
Players to watch: Jordan Proffitt, TE-LB, 6-4, 226, sr.; Henry Weiner, OG-LB, 6-0, 180, sr.; Edward Weiner, RB, 5-10, 160, so.
West Division
Hoisington (4-5)
The Cardinals will also be like Halstead, coming into the season with a new coach. This is also a big season for the Cardinals as they make their debut in the CKL, hoping to bring a winning tradition into a new league. The Cardinals will return seven starters, and 11 varsity players overall.
Players to watch: Brandon Ball, WR-CB, 5-7, 145, sr.; KC Stephens, TE-LB, 6-0, 205, sr.; Chris Wright, OL-DL, 6-2, 215, jr.
Kingman (7-3)
The Eagles may have lost there starting quarterback and linebacker from last season, but they will be just as strong coming off a 7-3 season with a trip to the playoffs. However Kingman did lose almost 20 seniors last year, they’ll look to rely on this year's seniors to carry them to a league championship.
Players to watch: Parker Maloney, QB-S, 6-0, 190, sr.; Cody New, RB-CB, 5-8, 140, sr.; Wyatt Beat, TE-LB, 6-1, 185, sr.
Larned (7-3)
The Indians will be one of two new teams added to the league this year, and will rely on the big senior group. Larned, like Hoisington will begin its first season in the CKL in the West Division.
Players to watch: Ty O’Neill, OL-LB, 5-11, 210, sr.; Jeromy Bartz, RB-LB, 5-8, 190, sr.; Landon Erway, RB, 5-8, 175, jr.
Lyons (5-4)
The Lions will have to fill the shoes of starting quarterback, running back and kicker from last year's team. They will return many starters from last years season, but the big question is if they will keep up in the new West Division.
Players to watch: Grady Kirkhart, TE-LB, 6-3, 195, sr.; Jake Buckman, WR-DB, 5-9, 145, sr.; Eddie Landeros, WR-DB, 5-8, 140, sr.
Nickerson (0-9)
The Panthers will bring back 20 players from last year's team that did not win a game. They hope that their experience will help them get up to speed this year. Nickerson’s schedule starts out tough as it hosts Kingman.
Players to watch: Ethan Belden, WR-CB, 6-1, 170, sr.; Jordan Lehman, RB, 5-11, 190, jr.; Sam Berridge, LB, 6-0, 170, sr.
Pratt (2-7)
The Greenbacks will look to get back on the winning side of things this year. Pratt will have head coach Jamie Cruce back for his second season with the school. Pratt will be a mostly air it out offense, as starting quarterback Brandon Ruckle threw for 1,314 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago.
Players to watch: Brandon Ruckle, QB, 6-2, 165, sr.; Tyler Skaggs, S, 5-8, 155, sr.; Sean Noel, FB-LB, 5-11, 185, jr.
