No other classification could match the loaded playoff field in 3A last fall. Nine teams entered the 3A playoffs unbeaten, and the classification as a whole had an unmatched .532 winning percentage. How does that change in 2010? It doesn’t. In fact it gets stronger as the state’s most dominant team over the past six years, Smith Center enters the mix. This year’s 3A playoffs are sure to provide more brutal early round match-ups, and perhaps a few more playoff surprises. In the end, we’ve ranked the five teams we feel are deserving at this point, but as many as eight other teams have strong arguments to be in their place. Expect a lot of changes to this year’s rankings, in what may again be the state’s best class.
Here’s how we rank the Top 5 in Class 3A:
1. Silver Lake
After falling short of the 3A state championship game for the first time in eight years, the Eagles appear reloaded for a deep playoff run behind veteran Coach C.J. Hamilton. Headlining seven returning starters on offense is QB Keenan Kruger who threw for more than 2,100 yards and 19 TDs last fall while rushing for over 900 more yards. Also returning are WRs Brit Dewey and Cameron Rickel along with a strong group up front led by senior Luke Yoder. Star DE Jordan Haverkamp (6-3, 220) and eight other starters lead a defense that allowed double digit points in only four games last fall.
2. Conway Springs
After an earlier than expected exit from the playoffs last fall, Matt Biehler's Cardinals appear well equipped to compete for a 3A title this fall. Gone is do-it-all QB Caleb Brill who rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 30 scores out of the single wing attack. But Conway Springs returns a group of backs that produced last fall. Brian Doffing (615 yards, 12 TD), Cory Misak (350 yards, 4 TD), and Austin Pauly (250 yards, 4TD) all return along with FB Matt Seiwert (6-2, 230) and a strong returning offensive line. At QB, Tyler Martin returns after leading the Cardinals with 315 yards passing last fall.
3. Hutchinson Trinity
Expectations are high in Hutchinson, but not just in the Salthawk camp. The Trinity Celtics surprised the state with an upset of perennial state title contender Conway Springs in the second-round of the playoffs, and return the majority of their '09 team. The Celtics will be led on offense by QB Derek Racette and WR Michael Mesh who teamed up for the late TD bomb to shock Conway Springs. All Racette did last fall was throw for just shy of 2,600 yards and 36 TDs while adding nearly 700 yards on the ground. Mesh was his primary target with more than 1,000 receiving yards and 16 scores. The Celtic defense should be equally as strong as seven starters return from a unit that allowed only seven points per game.
4. Scott City
Scott City looks to build on last season's playoff run that saw the Beavers lose a heartbreaker late to eventual champion Wichita Collegiate. This fall, Glenn O’Neil’s team returns eight starters including QB Ron Baker who threw for 1,100 yards and 10 scores last season. The Beavers also return experience in the backfield with Jason Williams (530 yards, 10 TD), Dalton Smith (350 yards, 6 TD), and Colborn Couchman (250 yards). A.J. Kough (6-0, 160), Luke Hayes (6-5, 215), and Baker will try and repeat last year's defensive effort of allowing just over six points per game.
5. Rossville
Head Coach Steve Buhler returns seven starters on each side of the ball from a team that advanced to the 3A quarterfinals in 2009. Back for 2010 is his son Mitch, a strong-armed QB who completed 66% of this passes last fall for nearly 2,800 yards and 29 TDs. Mitch will be throwing to a new receiving corps this fall as his brother Matt and Tanner Cady have both graduated. The duo combined for 145 receptions and nearly 2,500 yards last fall. The younger Buhler should have time to throw, however, as the Bulldogs return four starters from last year's line. The Bulldogs will certainly be tested as eight opponents on the 2010 schedule were playoff qualifiers last fall.
Others considered: Council Grove, Galena, Garden Plain, Hoisington, Marysville, Norton, Phillipsburg, Smith Center, Wellsville, Wichita Collegiate
Kpreps.com will feature detailed state rankings for each class updated every Monday throughout the season. Be sure to check out the Rankings section of our site to see who is in our Top 5 each week.
Friday (8/27): Class 4A Rankings
Friday (8/27): Class 4A Rankings
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