A new champion will be crowned in Class 4A this fall as last year’s champ Bishop Miege makes the transition back to 5A. The Stags eliminated four of the five traditional powers that make up our list of preseason favorites for 2010. Can Topeka Hayden survive a tough schedule to return to the state title game for the third consecutive season? Or will the Holton Wildcats follow a big offensive line back to the championship game for the first time since 2005? These two teams can only settle one-half of the equation, however, as they will both compete in District 9 with an October 22 meeting in Holton circled on everyone’s calendar. On the east side, Eudora, Louisburg and Paola will try to solidify the Frontier League as the premier 4A league in the state.
Here’s how we rank the Top 5 in Class 4A:
1. Topeka Hayden
After battling through a tough regular season schedule last fall, the Hayden Wildcats found themselves at 5-4 and a district runner-up. But as they have so many times before, Hayden would regroup and make a deep playoff run to make the state championship game for the fourth time in the past seven years. Hayden is again among the 4A favorites this season as a strong core of six starters return on each side of the ball. Returnees include running backs Jon Banister and Alec Steuber along with talented QB Grant Arnold. The schedule is just as challenging this fall with traditional Centennial League rivals, but looming in district play is another 4A favorite in Holton. The two will meet in week eight at Holton.
2. Holton
A tough playoff draw turned in to an uncharacteristically short playoff appearance for Holton in 2009 as the Wildcats fell to eventual champion Miege in the second round. Expectations are high this fall, however, and for good reason. The Wildcats return seven starters on offense and six on defense from last fall's 10-1 team. Headlining the returners are RB Gunnar McKenna who rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 TDs last season. QB Brice Barnett also returns to operate the wishbone attack. The strength of Brooks Barta's team may be up front where the Wildcats feature good size in Forrestal Hickman (6-7, 285), Tanner Clark (6-1, 245), Dylan Folk (6-0, 245), Daniel Larison (5-10, 260), and Brandon Cooper (6-2, 190).
3. Paola
Mike Dumpert's Panthers return six starters on each side of the ball from a team that advanced to the 4A semifinals last fall. Headlining the Panther roster is the latest of great running backs to wear the black and gold, Skylar Hawkins. Hawkins rushed for 1,950 yards and 27 TDs last fall, and poses an equally explosive threat in both the return game and defensive backfield. QB Seth Kern returns under center after rushing for more than 900 yards last season and turning in strong performances in the playoffs. The Panthers will have some holes to fill up front, including Pitt State signee Cale Karigan.
4. Andale
Gary O'Hair's Indians have been the state's fifth-winningest program over the past six seasons (69-8, .896), including two state championships and two other semifinal appearances. Thus the thought of replacing several graduated starters is perhaps less concerning than at other schools. The Indians will return speed in the backfield in the form of QB Jake Hattabaugh. Hattabaugh's 968 yards rushing last fall led a balanced Indians attack which featured three backs with more than 700 yards. With the other two of those backs lost to graduation, Hattabaugh will likely get the majority of the touches this fall. The Indians level of success will largely depend on the play of the offensive and defensive line, which must replace Kansas State signee B. J. Finney.
5. Louisburg
Louisburg returns five talented starters on each side of the ball from a team that finished 10-2 last fall. Back to pace the Wildcat offense in 2010 are QB Kody Cook (6-3, 200), RB Alex Genges (6-0, 225), and RB Garret Griffin (6-4, 200). That trio will likely follow the blocks of Tyler Ewy (6-3, 285), and Ross Dvorak (6-3, 255) in hopes of advancing past the quarterfinal round where their last two seasons have ended. As If playing in the Frontier League against the likes of Paola and Eudora wasn't enough of a challenge, the Wildcats will play a non-league contest at 3A power Silver Lake in week four.
Others considered: Abilene, Baxter Springs, Buhler, Chanute, Coffeyville, Colby, Eudora, Independence, Jefferson West, KC Piper, Rose Hill, Towanda Circle, Ulysses, Wellington, Wichita Trinity
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.
Monday (8/30): Class 5A Rankings
Monday (8/30): Class 5A Rankings
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