6-Man Football State Playoff Teams, What They Return
We move deeper into our coverage of the 2026 High School Football Season by looking at what the playoff teams are losing and returning from the previous year. This is a new article looking at just playoff teams but next week we will jump full depth into covering Class 2A Football and working our way down.
Idalia (14-0), Defending State Champions
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 3
(Carson Helling, Hayden Drullinger, Edward Keller)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Carson Helling | 9 receptions for 255 yards, 3 TDs, 62 Tackles, 10 TFL, 2 Sacks, and 2 INTS |
| Hayden Drullinger | 65 Tackles, 7 INTs |
| Edward Keller | Starting OL, 33 Tackles, 9 TFL, and 2 Sacks |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Gabe Kechter Sr. (POY), Broderick Kite Jr., Jaasiel Estrada Sr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Gabe Kechter Sr. | 2137 yards rushing on 129 carries, 16.6 yards per carry, 42 rushing TDs, 281 yards receiving, 6 TDs, 82 Tackles, 11 TFL |
| Broderick Kite Jr. | 780 yards passing, 21 passing TDs, 0 INTs, 469 yards rushing, 9 TDs, 63 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Kolby Morris Sr. | 414 yards rushing, 9 rushing TDs, 4 receiving TDs, 49 Tackles |
| Hunter Drullinger Sr. | 54 Tackles, 6 TFL, 4 Sacks, 2 INTs, 158 receiving yards, 7 TDs |
| Bode Monahan So. | 54 Tackles, 9 TFL, 4 Sacks, 269 yards rushing, 4 rushing TDs |
Stratton (11-3), Runners Up
Moving to 8-Man and will put them in that Article
Cheyenne Wells (10-2), Lost in the Semifinals
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 5
(Cory Hill, Mason Marriott, Rylan Niles, Fernando Ferrales, Trey Scheler)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Trey Scheler | 1273 yards rushing, 30 rushing TDs, 214 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 110 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, and 5 INTs |
| Mason Marriott | 1023 yards passing, 23 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 17 Tackles, 3 INTs |
| Cory Hill | 405 yards receiving, 14 receiving TDs, 53 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 Sacks, 2 INTs |
| Fernando Ferrales | 245 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 15 Tackles |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Trevin Smith Jr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Trevin Smith Jr. | 926 yards rushing, 12.9 yards per carry, 18 rushing TDs, 217 yards receiving, 56 Tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INTS |
| Caden Muth Jr. | 379 yards rushing, 8 rushing TDs, 20 Tackles, 1 TFL |
| Kelby Leonard Sr. | 99 Tackles, 19 TFL, 5 Sacks |
| Kooper Brossman Sr. | 59 Tackles, 6 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 INTs |
| Daryon Campbell | 23 Tackles, 1 TFL |
Peetz (11-1), Lost in Semifinals
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 5
(Rhyder Bayne, Gunner Browing, Logan Vallier, Korbin Segelke, Patrick Moreno)
Losing 3 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Logan Vallier | 436 yards passing, 8 passing TDs, 2 INTs, 106 Tackles, 12 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Korbin Segelke | 184 yards receiving, 1 TD, 84 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INTs |
| Patrick Moreno | 155 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 12 tackles |
| Rhyder Bayne | 47 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Dylan Wagner Sr., Conner Schumacher Sr., Tanner Wood Sr.
Return 5 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Dylan Wagner Sr. | 311 yards passing, 6 passing TDs, 1152 yards rushing, 21 rushing TDs, 133 tackles, 3 INTs |
| Conner Schumacher Sr. | 241 yards passing, 1 passing TDs, 671 yards rushing, 14 rushing TDs, 80 tackles, 10 TFL |
| Tanner Wood Sr. | 419 yards rushing, 5 rushing TDs, 361 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 97 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 Sacks |
| Parker Reker Jr. | 223 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 82 tackles, 2 INTs |
| Bryson Leach Jr. | 106 yards passing, 2 passing TDs, 23 tackles, |
Otis (8-4), Lost in Quarterfinals
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 7
(Mitchell Stivers, Austin Hornung, Emiliano Varela, Grady Bechtle, Hayden Chambers, Travis Wood, Matthew Seward)
Losing 5 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Mitchell Stivers | 1931 yards rushing, 29 rushing TDs, 69 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 INTS |
| Austin Hornung | 1063 yards passing, 19 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 68 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks |
| Grady Bechtle | 67 tackles, 1 TFL |
| Emiliano Varela | 460 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 43 tackles, 3 INTs |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Cambric Klinzmann Sr.
Return 3 of their top 8 Tacklers including 2 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Cambric Klinzmann Sr. | 919 yards rushing, 15 rushing TDs, 319 yards receiving, 8 TDs, 148 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Gracen Bechtle Sr. | 207 yards passing, 2 passing TDs, 194 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 99 tackles, 5 TFL |
| Malakye Reese Sr. | 32 Tackles |
| Gavin Price Sr. | 22 Tackles |
| Raegan Torres Jr. | 18 Tackles |
Caliche (9-3), Lost in Quarterfinals
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 4
(Zachary Yost, Riley Becker, Blaine Farquhar, Caleb Schneider)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Zachary Yost | 2011 yards rushing, 33 rushing TDs, 90 tackles, 5 INTs |
| Riley Becker | 33 Tackles, 2 TFL |
| Blaine Farquhar | 19 Tackles |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Mason Hernandez Jr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 4 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Mason Hernandez Jr. | 804 yards rushing, 14 rushing TDs, 149 yards receiving, 1 TD, 197 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INTs |
| Brett Breidenbach Jr. | 357 yards passing, 5 passing TDs, 3 INTs, 23 Tackles |
| Avery Bell Sr. | 302 yards rushing, 5 rushing TDs, 30 Tackles (Played just 4 games) |
| Cooper Rockwell Sr. | 95 Tackles, 5 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Tayten Gerk Jr. | 93 Tackles, 1 TFL |
Sierra Grande (10-2), Lost in the Quarterfinals
Moving to 8-Man will be included on that list!
Branson/Kim (7-4), Lost in Quarterfinals
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 4
(Liam Doherty, Will Doherty, Blake Olguin, Mason Riddle)
Losing 4 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Will Doherty | 953 yards rushing, 15 rushing TDs, 510 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 114 Tackles, 5 TFL, 4 Sacks, 3 INTs |
| Liam Doherty | 73 Tackles, 2 TFL |
| Blake Olguin | 44 Tackles, 7 TFL, 6 Sacks, 2 INTs |
| Mason Riddle | 43 Tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Cooper Winter Sr.
Return 4 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Cooper Winter Sr. | 1150 yards passing, 20 passing TDs, 7 INTs, 181 yards rushing, 1 TD, 111 Tackles, 2 TFL |
| Acoya Bartlett Sr. | 293 yards rushing, 6 rushing TDs, 295 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 62 Tackles |
| Cash Neugebaurer Sr. | 291 receiving yards, 8 TDs |
| Collin Doherty So. | 53 Tackles, 9 TFL, 9 Sacks, 2 Sacks |
| Michael Archuleta Jr. | 12 Tackles |
Eads (7-4), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 4
(Johnathan Vasquez, Karsten Buller, Shaine Winder, Jaden Self)
Losing 4 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Karsten Buller | 1452 yards rushing, 28 rushing TDs, 225 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 119 tackles |
| Shaine Winder | 541 yards rushing, 6 rushing TDs, 253 yards receiving, 2 TDs, 87 tackles, 3 TFL, 3.5 Sacks |
| Jaden Self | 37 Tackles |
| Johnathan Vasquez | 36 Tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
None
Return 4 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Anthony Paez Sr. | 516 yards rushing, 11 TDs, 192 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 58 Tackles, 3 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 INTs |
| Ayden Hough Sr. | 600 yards passing, 10 TDs, 2 INTs, 40 Tackles |
| Gaige Rittgers Jr. | 379 yards rushing, 7 rushing TDs, 23 Tackles, 2 Sacks |
| Weston Mitchek Sr. | 201 yards receiving, 2 TDs, 43 Tackles |
| Ethan Britten So. | 56 Tackles, 2 TFL |
Granada (6-4), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 2
(Angelo Martinez, Adam Hainer)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Angelo Martinez | 524 yards passing, 13 TDs, 1 INT, 49 Tackles |
| Adam Hainer | 29 Tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Sebastian Pizarro Jr., Fernando Cadena Jr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Sebastian Pizarro Jr. | 1354 yards rushing, 21 rushing TDs, 273 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 96 tackles, 13 TFL, 6 Sacks |
| Fernando Cadena Jr. | 377 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 255 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 68 Tackles, 7 TFL, 4 INTs |
| Alejandro Perez Sr. | 126 yards rushing, 2 rushing TDs, 181 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 465 yards passing, 6 passing TDs, 78 Tackles |
| Jesus Perez Sr. | 27 Tackles, 3 TFL |
| Syjier Freeman-Swindell Sr. | 16 Tackles, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks |
Walsh (5-6), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 3
(Samuel Wright, Ty Hoffman, Maddox Gourley)
Losing 3 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Samuel Wright | 592 yards rushing, 9 rushing TDs, 988 yards receiving, 14 TDs, 86 tackles, 3 INTs |
| Maddox Gourley | 458 yards receiving, 9 TDs, 86 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks |
| Ty Hoffman | 48 tackles |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Hudson Gourley Jr.
Return 5 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Hudson Gourley Jr. | 2703 yards passing, 45 passing TDs, 9 INTs, 87 Tackles, 3 INTs |
| Beau Foster Sr. | 431 yards receiving, 1 TD, 51 Tackles |
| Grady Mundell Jr. | 366 yards receiving, 10 TDs, 39 Tackles |
| Woodrow Wright Jr. | 234 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 93 Tackles |
| Gage Caddick Sr. | 208 yards receiving, 6 TDs |
Fleming (4-7), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 2
(Mason Mollohan, Pierson Japp)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Mason Mollohan | 84 Tackles, 9 TFL |
| Pierson Japp | 25 Tackles, 5 TFL |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Dane Cunningham Sr., Conner Marchant Sr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 4 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Treyson Kirkwood Sr. | 1052 yards passing, 19 passing TDs, 6 INTs |
| Dylon Monroe Jr. | 727 yards rushing, 12 rushing TDs, 191 yards receiving 4 TDs, 87 Tackles, 9 TFL |
| Conner Marchant Sr. | 522 yards rushing, 9 rushing TDs, 190 yards receiving, 2 TDs, 127 Tackles, 6 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Jaron Monroe Jr. | 471 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs, 175 yards receiving, 1 TD, 62 Tackles |
| Dane Cunningham Sr. | 186 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 33 Tackles, 11 TFL |
Arickaree (5-6), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 2
(Keith Page, Austin Wright)
Losing 2 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Austin Wright | 319 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1872 yards rushing, 29 rushing TDs, 121 tackles, 20 TFL, 12 Sacks |
| Keith Page | 76 Tackles, 3 TFL |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Jorge Ramos Sr.
Return 6 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Jorge Ramos Sr. | 745 yards rushing, 13 rushing TDs, 265 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 108 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 Sacks |
| Austin Fields Sr. | 134 yards rushing, 2 rushing TDs, 22 Tackles |
| Jaxson Cordell Sr. | 135 yards passing, 3 passing TDs, 56 Tackles, 3 INTs |
| Daniel Goff Sr. | 56 Tackles, 6 TFL, 4 Sacks |
| Luis Machado Sr. | 46 Tackles |
Prairie (5-6), Lost in First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 5
(Dylan Chase, Brennan Bringelson, Cash Stroud, Tyler Troudt, Westin Canada)
Losing 4 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Brennan Bringelson | 1004 yards rushing, 15 rushing TDs, 82 Tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INTs |
| Dylan Chase | 343 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 71 Tackles, 3 TFL |
| Tyler Troudt | 335 yards receiving, 6 TDs, 50 Tackles, 3 INTs |
| Westin Canada | 39 Tackles |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
None
Return 4 of their top 8 Tacklers including 2 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Liam Bringelson So. | 764 yards passing, 9 passing TDs, 7 INTs, |
| Derek Dollarschell Sr. | 291 yards rushing, 2 rushing TDs, 225 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 18 Tackles |
| Tatum Bailey So. | 244 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 81 Tackles, 10 TFL |
| Wyatt Walker Jr. | 56 Tackles, 4 TFL |
| Owen Kilmer Sr. | 12 Tackles |
Flagler (7-4), Lost in the First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 3
(Cody Homm, JR Kountz, Brayden Hill)
Losing 3 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Cody Homm | 708 yards rushing, 13 rushing TDs, 208 yards receiving, 1 TD, 145 Tackles, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks |
| Brayden Hill | 141 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 51 Tackles, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks |
| JR Kountz | 104 Tackles, 9 TFL, 9 Sacks |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
None
Return 5 of their top 8 Tacklers including 2 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Keegan Isenbart Sr. | 904 yards rushing, 17 rushing TDs, 15 Tackles |
| Gabe Harvey Sr. | 347 yards passing, 4 passing TDs, 2 INTs, 197 yards rushing, 1 TD, 51 Tackles, 5 INTs |
| Dillon Brent Jr. | 290 yards passing, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT |
| Adrea Castenls Sr. | 79 Tackles |
| Jordan Wilson Jr. | 37 Tackles |
Hanover (6-5), Lost in the First Round
Key Players Graduating:
Seniors Lost: 7
(Angel Moreno, Thomas Griffin Jr., Tanner Lindsey, Harold Infante, Noah Anderson)
Losing 3 of their top 8 Tacklers
| Player | Stats |
| Thomas Griffin Jr. | 2056 yards rushing, 36 rushing TDs, 87 Tackles, 18 TFL, 3 Sacks |
| Tanner Lindsey | 523 yards receiving, 12 TDs, 41 Tackles, 12 TFL, 8 Sacks |
| Noah Anderson | 28 Tackles |
| Angel Moreno | 6 Tackles |
Key Players Returning
All-State Players Returning:
Edgar Vera-Wences Sr.
Return 5 of their top 8 Tacklers including 3 of their top 5
| Player | Stats |
| Nolan Sweazy Jr. | 337 yards passing, 5 passing TDs, 2 INTs, 40 Tackles, 14 TFL |
| Jonathan Quiroz-Reyes Sr. | 236 yards passing, 6 TDs, 1 INT, 62 Tackles |
| Joseph Molina Sr. | 304 yards rushing, 5 rushing TDs, 64 Tackles |
| Edgar Vera-Wences Sr. | 73 Tackles, 15 TFL |
| Steven Thompson Jr. | 10 Tackles |
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