SIX-MAN FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW by Kerry Sherman

SIX-MAN FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

After winning its second consecutive state championship, Stratton once again enters the season with everyone aiming to knock the Eagles off their lofty perch. There is no shortage of top challengers this season, including several inside the East Central that Stratton calls home. Two new programs will field six-man teams for the first time after dropping down from eight-man (Caliche, Wiley), two more programs will return after not being able to field a squad last year (Cotopaxi, Flagler), and one team has left the classification to return to eight-man (Sangre de Cristo). It was also learned early last week that Mountain Valley would not have enough players to field a squad. The conference are listed in alphabetical order, as are the teams inside each of the five divisions.

CENTRAL

BETHUNE BOBCATS (0-9 OVERALL, 0-5 LEAGUE)

In just their second season of fielding a varsity squad following a long hiatus, the Bobcats limped through a winless 2023 campaign. Giving reason for optimism this season is the fact that Bethune will have six seniors to lead the team. Wyatt King, Aaron Maynard, Johnny Gitschlag, Marco Sosa, Leonel Ramirez, and Mikall Inskeep all bring experience to the table. A big key for a Bobcat turnover will be offensive production. The team averaged 13 points a game last season.

DEER TRAIL EAGLES (4-6 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

Last year’s rollercoaster ride saw the Eagles have three two-game losing streaks separated by a pair of two-game winning streaks. They allowed a total of 46 points in the four wins, but five of their six losses saw the defense give up at least 50 points. Offensively, Deer Trail should be solid with the trio of Raul Manriquez (718 passing yards, 11 TD/4 INT), Mo Hussein (446 rushing yards, 8 TD), and Jayden Mingee (23 receptions, 464 yards, 9 TD). Mingee led the defense with seven takeaways, five on interceptions, while Hussein had a team-high three fumble recoveries. They combined for 10 tackles a game as the top two on the squad.

HANOVER HORNETS (6-5 OVERALL, 5-0 LEAGUE)

The defending Central division champions should be in the mix to claim another crown, with six seniors back to lead the charge. Hanover was bounced in the opening round of the playoffs by Stratton, 56-16. The Hornets bring back QB Tyler Decker, who threw for just over a thousand yards and 15 touchdowns last season, along with four of his top five receivers. Thomas Griffin led that group with 23 catches for 420 yards and five TD. David Byers (13/119/4) and Junior Diaz (11/209/2) were also part of that crew, and they combined for more than 1200 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, the Hornets only allowed a total of 57 points in league contests, but surrendered at least 40 points in four of their five losses. The defense should benefit from the return of its top three tacklers in Byers (133), Griffin (71), and Diaz (70). Byers had 10 sacks in his total, and Griffin tallied seven. Diaz led the unit with four picks.

KIOWA INDIANS (4-6 OVERALL, 4-1 LEAGUE)

Kiowa bounced back from an 0-2 start to win its next four and earn a shot at the league title in a showdown with Hanover. The Indians came up just short, falling 20-18. A win would have also given the Indians a chance to finish with their first winning record as a six-man program. Instead, they racked up their second straight 4-6 season. Kiowa will have a big chunk of its offense back, including James Brewer (733 passing yards, 7 TD), and the top three rushers in Chris Carlson (548 yards, 8 TD), Austin Brogger (473 yards, 5 TD), and Myles Erker (109 yards, 5 TD). However, a new top target will be needed in the passing game. John White led the defense with 92 tackles as a freshman, and he got help from Brogger, who finished with 80 stops. White also tied for the team lead with five fumble recoveries.

MANZANOLA BOBCATS (2-7 OVERALL, 1-4 LEAGUE)

Manzanola was buried by a difficult opening half of the schedule last year, with the Bobcats starting 0-5 and being outscored 248-24, with three straight shutouts at the end of the streak. They would end up going scoreless in four of their nine games. The Bobcats did not post any stats last season, but with a roster of 16 that includes five seniors and three juniors, this is one of the most experienced squads Manzanola has fielded in its time in six-man. Captains Zane Lange and Jesse James will look to help lead the team to its first winning record since 2019.

MIAMI-YODER BUFFALOES (4-5 OVERALL, 2-3 LEAGUE)

After starting the season 3-1, Miami-Yoder had visions of a postseason berth, but things went south in a hurry. A two-point loss to Mountain Valley began a four-game skid that resulted in a fourth straight losing season for the Buffaloes since joining six-man in 2020. Gavin Howard was responsible for a ton of yardage, racking up more than 1400 on the ground, 276 as a receiver, and another 275 passing. Adding return yards into the equation, he went over 2000 total as a junior, and had a hand in 34 touchdowns. He also led the team with 92 tackles. CJ McGilvray threw for 437 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

EAST CENTRAL

ARICKAREE/WOODLIN BISON (6-4 OVERALL, 2-3 LEAGUE)

After a two year break, the Arickaree/Woodlin co-op is back, and the Bison will be looking to punch their ticket to the postseason for a fourth straight season in 2024. The Bison ran out to a 5-1 record last year, but suffered losses in three of their final four games, including a 66-20 loss to Sierra Grande in the opening round of the postseason. Austin Wright threw for 539 yards and seven TD, and is also the team’s leading returning rusher after going for 181 yards as a sophomore. Zarron Skubal (195), Dillon Noletubby (184), and Jorge Ramos (174) all had triple digit receiving yardage last year. That core group combined by 289 tackles, with Skubal (12.5) and Wright (9.0) combining for more than 20 sacks.

GENOA-HUGO PIRATES (4-6 OVERALL, 1-4 LEAGUE)

Showing the depth of the East Central last year, the Pirates made the playoffs after finishing fifth in the conference. They would fall to Granada 39-38 in a wild opening round contest, that was the third defeat in the final four games for the Pirates. Graduation hit Genoa-Hugo hard, leaving Brady Simmons and his 61 yards as the top returning passer. Levi Yoder is back after finishing second with 188 rushing yards. Mikel Bennett adds to the offense with a 15 catch, 354 yard junior season. Simmons, Bennett, and Shane Reid give the Pirates half of their top six tacklers back from last year, and Teghan Seymour could become a big cog on that side of the ball.

HI-PLAINS PATRIOTS (0-8 OVERALL, 0-5 LEAGUE)

After scoring 39 points in a season-opening loss to Weldon Valley, Hi-Plains only scored 45 points the rest of the season, leading to a winless campaign. Turning things around this season will fall upon the shoulders of returnees Samuel Richards, Jaxson Cordell, Dylon McCaffrey, and Donald Dutton, as the most experienced members of the squad.

IDALIA WOLVES (9-3 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

A third place finish in the East Central propelled the Wolves into the postseason, where they collected wins over Eads and Walsh before running into Stratton in the semifinals. The Eagles blanked Idalia 54-0, ending their run. While losing a couple of key pieces to graduation, the Wolves return Gabe Kechter, who missed part of his freshman season after suffering a serious hand injury. He still finished with more than 1200 rushing yards and 16 TD. Tate Towns (306 yards, 8 TD) and Garret Drullinger (224 yards, 3 TD) give the Wolves their top three runners back. That trio also led the defense last year, with each recording at least 80 tackles. Idalia will also be bolstered by the return of almost every lineman on both sides of the ball.

OTIS BULLDOGS (10-2 OVERALL, 4-1 LEAGUE)

Otis ripped off six straight wins to open last season, scoring at least 56 points in all but one. A lopsided loss to Stratton ended that run, but the Bulldogs bounced back and reached that plateau in winning each of the next four. However, that number wasn’t enough in their semifinal contest against runner-up Cheyenne Wells, who won a wild 66-60 decision. The Bulldogs bring back a very deep and talented roster, including QB Austin Hornung, who threw for close to 1300 yards and 21 TD, and RBs Tayte Smith and Mitchell Stivers, who combined for more than 1400 yards and 22 TD. Charlie Kendrick is also back after recording a team-leading 103 tackles. Otis picked off 21 passes last year. Smith had six, while Kendrick and Cambric Klinzmann each had three.

STRATTON EAGLES (13-0 OVERALL, 5-0 LEAGUE)

Stratton outscored its opponents 698-150 last season, mercy ruling everyone on the way to a second straight title. They enter this season riding a 27-game winning streak and the first team to have a shot at ending it is the team the Eagles beat to claim the title, Cheyenne Wells. Stratton lost a lot of experienced starters to graduation, but return three backs with more than 500 yards on the ground in Stockton Fye (570 yards, 13 TD), Brody Webb (540 yards, 15 TD), and Drew Fox (508 yards, 5 TD). Webb led the defense with 102 tackles and Von Isenbart returns after adding 63 stops. Isenbart also had six interceptions, second most on the team last season.

NORTH

BRIGGSDALE FALCONS (6-4 OVERALL, 5-0 LEAGUE)

Briggsdale lost its first two games of 2023 and three of its first four, but did not lose again until opening round of the postseason. There were two incredibly close calls in the five-game winning streak. The Falcons upset Peetz 48-47 on a missed two-point PAT by the Bulldogs, and two weeks later kicked a field goal to beat Fleming 39-35 and lock up the league title. Scot Francis gives experience at the QB post after throw for more than 500 yards and 12 TD last year, and the Falcons return their top duo at RB in Dallas Glass (722 yards, 12 TD) and Kaeden Gebauer (520 yards, 8 TD). Those three were among the leading tacklers last season for the Falcons, with Glass finishing second (101), Gebauer third (92), and Francis fourth (66).

CALICHE BUFFALOES (8-MAN 1-8 OVERALL, 0-5 PLAINS)

One of the newcomers to six-man is Caliche, who had been a mainstay in the 8-man Plains division, but a decline in numbers resulted in the move down. The Buffs were shutout twice and held to two scores or less four more times last season. The productivity on offense should improve with the return of Avery Bell, who threw for 369 yards as a freshman, and Zander Yost, who led the Buffs with 795 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Yost also led the defense with 78 tackles, while Braylon Bruns was third with 46.

FLEMING WILDCATS (3-7 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

For just the second time in the last decade, Fleming finished a season with a losing record. The Wildcats were third in the North, but missed the postseason, thanks in large part to a five-game losing streak early in the season. The Wildcats will have to replace a pair of runners who combined for close to 2700 yards and 38 touchdowns, with Wyatt Sonnenberg the top returnee at 110 yards and one score. Derek Houser is back following a junior season in which he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, and he’ll have his favorite target, Dane Cunningham (12/177/3) back as well. Conner Marchant led the team with 82 tackles as a freshman. The 17-player roster only includes two seniors, so the Wildcats will once again be using a lot of underclassmen.

NORTH PARK WILDCATS (1-6 OVERALL, 1-4 LEAGUE)

After a string of four consecutive seasons at .500 or better, injuries led to a rare losing record for North Park last year. The Wildcats allowed at least 40 points in each loss, and gave up 202 points in their four-game skid to close the regular season. Everyone who threw a pass last season will be back, including Aiden Pittington, who was tops on the squad with 257 yards and two scores. Gavin Pittington is also back after leading the rushing attack with 530 yards and eight touchdowns, and he’ll share the workload again with Levi Wofford (278 yards, 1 TD). Those three were also leaders on defense, with Wofford standing tall at 53 tackles, followed by G. Pittington with 50, and A. Pittington at 38.

PEETZ BULLDOGS (7-3 OVERALL, 4-1 LEAGUE)

Last season was one that tested the hearts of the Peetz fans, with three games being decided by single digits, and another two score game that was a wild back and forth affair. The Bulldogs went 1-3 in those close contests, including the 39-37 loss to Branson/Kim in the opening round of the postseason. Peetz won’t have last year’s top passer, runner, or receiver, but that opens opportunities for Logan Vallier and Dylan Wagner, who both saw a small bit of action at QB. Conner Schumacher was second in rushing with 355 yards as a freshman, with those numbers likely to skyrocket this season. Schumacher is also the only player returning on the defensive side of the ball who had as many as 30 tackles last season, after finishing fourth with 67.

PRAIRIE MUSTANGS (4-5 OVERALL, 2-3 LEAGUE)

Close games were also a big part of Prairie’s 2023 campaign, as the Mustangs went 1-3 in games decided by 14 points or less. A late three-game slide that included two of those narrow defeats kept the Mustangs out of the postseason. Beau Carlson returns after throwing for more than 400 yards last season, but will need to improve upon a one TD to five pick ratio. Brennan Bringelson (707 yards, 13 TD) and Justin Schreiner (343 yards, 6 TD) complete the backfield from a year ago. Prairie also has its top receiver, Lane Schock (20/251/1) back. Schock (96) and Bringelson (81) led the Mustangs in tackles, while Schreiner and Dylan Chase each had two interceptions to share the team lead.

WELDON VALLEY WARRIORS (2-6 OVERALL, 0-5 LEAGUE)

It was another rough season for the Warriors, who finished below .500 for the third straight year. The program has not finished above that mark since 2009. Weldon Valley did not report full stats for last year, but Austin Filter is definitely a player to keep an eye on. The junior showed great versatility last season and should be a team-leader with that year of seasoning. The Warriors played a number of freshmen in 2023, and one who stood out was Seth O’Patik.

SOUTHEAST

CHERAW WOLVERINES (2-8 OVERALL, 1-4 LEAGUE)

For the first time in four years, Cheraw did not finish with a winning record last season. The Wolverines had an incredibly tough stretch to open the season, dropping their first six games. That run included games against both finalists. There was not a player lost to graduation, so the Wolverines bring back all of their top guys from last year, including Tim Provost, who led in passing (530 yards, 8 TD), rushing (922 yards, 15 TD), and was second with 62 tackles. Braden Stoker led with 74 stops, 14 receptions for 296 yards and three scores, and was third in rushing with 168 yards. Conner Weaver added 416 rushing yards and three TD.

CHEYENNE WELLS TIGERS (8-6 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

With three straight losses to open the season, and defeats in four of their first five outings, the Tigers looked like anything but a state finalist in the first half of the regular season. But the first two came to teams that eventually won titles in Stratton and Cheylin (KS), and another came by two points. After that opening stretch, Cheyenne Wells only lost one more regular season contest, a 46-44 loss to Eads. The Tigers would reach the finals for the second time in three seasons, but came up short in a rematch against Stratton. They lost a 1600 yard passer and the top receiver, but the Tigers will reload with Zach Dickey at QB, who saw limited action last year due to injury. Trey Scheler ran for 1200 yards and 22 scores, while also racking up a stunning 190 tackles as a sophomore. Ethan Garay, Bryson Hyle, Chason Turner, and Corey Hill are all names that will pop up weekly in the stat leaders this season.

EADS EAGLES (5-6 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

Near misses proved costly for Eads last year, as the Eagles went 1-4 in games decided by 14 points or less. Wins in even two of those close losses would have changed their postseason seeding, avoiding a second straight meeting with Idalia. After closing out the regular season with a 54-24 loss to the Wolves at home, the Eagles went to Idalia the following weekend and fell 55-0 to finish their year. Leading the charge this season will be Case Nelson (685 passing yards, 11 TD), Stockton Mitchek (783 rushing, 219 receiving, 25 combined TD), and Shaine Winder (284 rushing, 5 TD). Gabe Hadley-Valdez tied with Mitchek atop the tackle board with 53 as a freshman. Spencer Uhland doesn’t rack up a ton of stats, but the unheralded senior anchors both lines for the Eagles.

GRANADA BOBCATS (9-2 OVERALL, 5-0 LEAGUE)

After an early setback, Granada rolled to eight straight wins, including a one-point win over Genoa-Hugo in the opening round of the postseason. However, the Bobcats were upended by Cheyenne Wells in the quarterfinals, ending their season. Maddox Coleman suffered a knee injury late in the year, but when completely healthy is one of the most dynamic players in the classification. After throwing for more than 1200 yards and 30 TD, and also running for just under 600 with 12 more scores, even more of the workload could fall upon the senior’s shoulders this season. The Bobcats only return two other players who had more than 100 yards of offense last year, fellow seniors Terrance Hainer (13/269/7) and Elijah Rodriguez (7/119/5). Those three will also be heavily featured on the other side of the ball after graduation took seven of the team’s top 10 tacklers off the roster.

KIT CARSON WILDCATS (2-7 OVERALL, 0-5 LEAGUE)

For the third straight season, the Wildcats failed to win a league game, with all five Southeast division losses coming sandwiched between their two non-conference wins. Kit Carson came close to ending the losing streak late in the season against Cheraw, but came up short in the 18-6 loss. The Wildcats return everyone who completed a pass last year, including Mason Marriott, who was on pace for close to 1200 yards and 20 TD, before suffering an injury midway through the year. Fernando Ferrales-Fierro and Angel Ortiz combined for close to 600 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. The Wildcats will also return leading receiver Josiah Irwin (31/389/6). Brennan Framel, Gunner Randel, and Grayson McWilliams join Irwin in providing senior leadership.

WALSH EAGLES (8-3 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

A pair of eight-point losses to Granada and Cheyenne Wells were the only setbacks in the regular season for the Eagles, who eventually dropped a hard-fought 32-22 decision at Idalia in the quarterfinals. Walsh lost one of the top all-around players to graduation, as Leyton Jones had led the team in rushing, receiving, and tackles, while also finishing second in passing. The Eagles do return Cody Malone, who led them with 761 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air, and the running game brings back Conner McDonald (343 yards) and Ethan Barwick (119 yards). McDonald (90) and Barwick (68) are the top returning tacklers.

WILEY PANTHERS (8-MAN 1-7 OVERALL, 0-5 ARK VALLEY)

The second team joining the classification from eight-man is Wiley, who will be looking for the program’s first winning season since 2006. They are turning to a coach who is familiar with the game, as former Eads Eagle Trey McDowell takes the keys. McDowell brings state championship game experience to the Panthers who won their opener 20-0 over Walsenburg last year and then only scored 39 points the rest of the way. They had to forfeit their final two games. Complete stats from last year were not available, but the returning players will likely need an adjustment period to get acclimated to the differences between eight-man and six-man.

SOUTHWEST

ANTONITO TROJANS (0-4 OVERALL, INDEPENDENT)

After playing as an independent last year, Antonito officially joins the Southwest league this season. The Trojans will be looking for the program’s first win since 2017, when they were last an official member of the classification. No stats were shared from last season, but the Trojans will enter the campaign with a good turnout and only four upperclassmen, including one senior, on the roster.

BRANSON/KIM BEARCATS (8-3 OVERALL, 5-0 LEAGUE)

Regardless of where they have called home, be it the South Central or Southwest, the Bearcats have not lost a league game since 2020, going 13-0 in divisional games over the last three years. The Southwest champs lost their opener to Granada, reeled off seven straight wins, and then dropped the regular season finale to Cheyenne Wells. A two-point win over Peetz in the opening round of the postseason propelled the Bearcats into the quarterfinals, where they ran into a buzzsaw at Otis. With the top two passers and an almost 1100 yard runner gone, even more could be asked of Kolter Cranson, who enters his final season with almost 1900 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns under his belt from last year. He also has close to 50 career receptions. He was also one of two defenders with triple digit tackles, finishing second on the team with 119. Will Doherty could reach that plateau this season after coming up just seven stops short last year. Kolten Davis‘ 49 tackles a year ago could go up significantly this year.

COTOPAXI PIRATES (DID NOT FIELD A TEAM)

After being unable to field a team last year, Cotopaxi is back with good numbers, including a nice mix of older and younger players. Seniors Justin Howell, Aidan Hinton, Joel Tezak, and Dylan Bond will be asked to provide leadership to a roster that includes four sophomores and five freshmen. Juniors Jude Merrill and Justin Dunn will also help that young group develop as the program looks to get back to being a consistent postseason qualifier.

LA VETA REDHAWKS (6-5 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

Following four consecutive losing seasons, the Redhawks posted their second straight winning mark, earning a trip to the postseason last year. Sitting at 2-3 midway through the season, La Veta ripped off three straight wins and closed the regular season with victories in four of its last five to clinch the playoff berth. They ran into eventual runner-up Cheyenne Wells in the opening round. The Redhawks lost a very good senior class, leaving Caiden Gomez and his 110 rushing yards as the top returnee on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, Kendal Ingrim (40 tackles) and Tayten Medina (12 tackles) are the only two returning players with double digit tackles last year. The team lost nine of its top 11 on that unit.

PRIMERO BULLDOGS (6-4 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

With just one total win in the first two post-COVID seasons, Primero used a high-powered offense to earn a playoff berth last year. The Bulldogs scored at least 60 points in five of their six wins, and did it again in a narrow 67-64 shootout loss to Sierra Grande. They were shutdown by Otis in the opening round of the postseason, losing 56-14. Brett Kendall (882 passing, 1552 rushing, 338 rushing), Jairo Vicente Dominguez (515 passing, 252 receiving, 120 tackles), Marcus Hahn (543 rushing), Kevin Acuna (78 tackles), DeShawn Sanchez (51 tackles), and Mathew Pachorek (47 tackles) lead a very deep senior class that is looking to take the program to new heights in their final season.

SIERRA GRANDE PANTHERS (7-4 OVERALL, 3-2 LEAGUE)

Sierra Grande recorded its fourth straight winning season and punched its third consecutive ticket to the postseason last year. The Panthers went 3-2 in games decided by fewer than 14 points, with both losses coming by five points in league play. After taking care of Arickaree in the opening round, the Panthers fell at Stratton to finish the campaign. Back to run the show is senior QB Aron Ojeda, who threw for 1384 yards and a ridiculous 25:1 TD:INT ratio. He also led the Panthers with 585 yards on the ground, and is the only player on the roster with more than 30 yards under his belt. The receiving corps was hit hard by graduation, with four of the top five targets gone. Only Jadyn Martinez (13/192/5) returns. Martinez was second in tackles with 91, and that number could go way up without tackling machine Tyler Kester, who led with 148. Carlos Lopez (25) and Ayden Lopez (24) are the next top returnees.

INDEPENDENT

FLAGLER PANTHERS (DID NOT FIELD A TEAM)

A lack of numbers last season led to Flagler not fielding a program. Instead, the Panthers sent their interested players to Arickaree, where several played vital roles for the Bison. Lucas Loutzenhiser, a former Flagler Panther himself, inherits a squad that includes juniors Brayden Hill and Cody Homm, both of whom saw action with Arickaree last year.