Welcome to the annual KPreps Potential Breakout Teams list. KPreps has run the list every year since 2014. Normally, at least one team from this group wins a state title or plays for a crown. Last year, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, then in 5A, improved by six wins and finished as state runner-up. Liberal and Kinsley enjoyed major breakthroughs, while Ell-Saline reached the state semifinals.
Last year was very consistent with the decade-long trend. The 2023 Potential Breakout Teams combined to go 113-62 (64.6 percent). The fall prior, those squads finished 75-81 (48.1 percent). Of the 17 teams mentioned, 14 improved, one stayed the same and two worsened.
From 2014-23, 113 Potential Breakout Teams have been mentioned. Of that group, 87 improved, 12 stayed the same, and 12 were worse.
Here is the 2024 Potential Breakout Teams, at least one from each class:
Six-Man: Marais des Cygnes Valley (0-9)
MdCV moves down to six-man and brings back basically its entire team. Fourth-year coach John Bass returns seven offensive and six defensive starters. Back Landon Traver was all-league as a freshman. Additionally, Dalton Lingenfelter (WR/DB), Dallen Flatin (WR/DB), Josh Ulapano (OL/DL) and Trey DeCavele (RB/LB) are among the key returners. MdCV could make a sizable move in Six-Man East that has plenty of parity outside of preseason No. 1 Cunningham.
Eight-Man, Division II: Logan-Palco (2-7), Bucklin (3-6), Marmaton Valley (6-3)
Marmaton Valley finished fifth in Division II in scoring offense with 50 points per game. L-P scored 26 points a contest and should immensely improve on a defense that permitted 46 points per game. Bucklin outscored teams last year, a rare achievement for a team with a under .500 record. The Red Aces tallied 33.6 points per game and scored 31.3. Marmaton Valley and Bucklin both ranked in the top-half in scoring defense, generally a measuring stick for improvement.
All three teams have veteran coaches in the program: L-P’s Mike Jenner, Bucklin’s Trever Powell and MV’s Max Mickunas. Senior Rhett Kats threw for 1,081 yards and completed 16 touchdowns against one interception. Senior Mayson Vahling delivered 117 carries for 537 yards and 10 scores. L-P had no seniors last season. Junior Carson Knipp led with 95 tackles.
Bucklin has enjoyed the best seasons since the ‘90s under Powell and had a nice track year, particularly in the sprints. The Red Aces lost games by two, two, four and four points before it fell to eventual runner-up South Central in the playoffs. Bucklin returns senior quarterback Lucas Kirk, who threw for 926 yards with 10 scores against 10 interceptions. Bucklin had 15 turnovers and finished just plus-2 in turnover margin. Senior Kolson Cook delivered 76 tackles, 13 for loss.
Marmaton Valley returns significant talent from its first Three Rivers League title in 11 years, especially QB Brayden Lawson and athlete Jaedon Granere. Lawson completed 80 of 128 passes for 1,474 yards with 30 scores against seven interceptions. Granene finished with 899 all-purpose yards. Junior Brevyn Campbell had a major breakthrough on defense with 106 tackles.
Eight-Man, Division I: St. Francis (2-6), Lincoln (5-4)
Lincoln ranked No. 13 in scoring offense with 42 points a contest and No. 18 in scoring defense with 28 points per game. St. Francis moves up to Division I and will have a harder district but should be favored in its first five games. SF returns basically everyone and should improve a passing offense that posted a 11/12 TD/INT ratio. Junior Layn Todd posted 118 carries for 674 yards and 10 scores. Junior Ethan Graham had 29 catches for 394 yards and a score.
Lincoln is expected to be a high-flying offense. As a freshman, Jeremiah Miller posted 75 rushes for 526 yards and 10 scores. He also threw for nearly 500 yards. His twin, Xavier, posted 27 catches for 671 yards and six TDs. Sophomore Ben Bell enjoyed a big freshman year, too, with 25 catches for 270 yards and two TDs.
Class 1A: Rossville (5-4), Oakley (2-7)
Rossville drops down to 1A and becomes an instant state contender. Defending champion Conway Springs, Rossville and Medicine Lodge are considered the top-three 1A squads. For Rossville, senior Tayson Horak averaged 11.7 yards per carry. Jeff Hennick has long done a nice job at Oakley, including the school’s first-ever state runner-up showing. Oakley was very young last fall. Every player who caught a pass was a non-senior. Senior Mason Jackson delivered 59 tackles.
Class 2A: Lakin (4-5)
Veteran Lakin coach Chris Bamberger has led the Broncs to several quick turnarounds. Lakin has significant returning talent, especially running back Colter Oldham, a multi-time state track champion. Oldham has Division I track interest. Oldham rushed 147 times for 888 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior Ross Rider delivered 9.2 yards per carry. They were also the top two tacklers with 71 and 51 stops.
Class 3A: Hesston (5-5), Columbus (2-7)
Hesston lost at eventual 2A runner-up Hoisington in Week 1, solidified several positions, including quarterback, and won five of its next eight. Hesston finished No. 19 out of 40 Class 3A teams in scoring defense. Senior Reed Friesen returns after he completed 107 of 202 passes for 1,507 yards with 12 touchdowns against four interceptions. He also delivered 117 carries for 567 yards and four scores. Every player who had a carry for Hesston last year was a non-senior. Columbus rarely stays down more than one year and should quickly bump a defense that allowed 39 points a game. The Titans will be much more experienced this year. Senior quarterback Jack Vilela completed 97 of 171 passes for 1,187 yards with 13 scores against four interceptions. All the offensive skill players return.
Class 4A: Eudora (5-5), Mulvane (3-6)
Eudora ranked ninth in 4A scoring defense with 18.2 points allowed a contest. Eudora scored 31.5 points per game – a rare major difference between offense and defense for a .500 team. EHS lost games by three, three, six and 14 points last fall. Running back Erroll Siemon and wide receiver Christian Jarrett are among the key returners. Mulvane returns leading rusher Fisher Dye, along with quarterback Manny Myers (1,468 passing, 578 rushing). Mulvane returns six starters on defense for a team that opened 3-0 last year.
Class 5A: Bishop Carroll (3-6), Salina Central (6-3), Great Bend (6-4)
Bishop Carroll had its first losing season since 1995 and will be young again but should be improved. Salina Central has multiple indicators pointing up, namely a terrific offensive line. Great Bend has multiple markers pointing in the right direction and is a preseason top-5 Class 5A team. For SC, senior Gage Gibson is a first team all-state returner and has a Washburn offer.
Junior Kaden Snyder was second team all-league last fall and has multiple offers, including Wisconsin, Arkansas, KU and Kansas State. Central has several other linemen that are expected to step up. Central returns senior quarterback Jack Gordon, who threw for 1,945 yards with 19 scores against seven interceptions. Central was one of the state’s more efficient offenses. GB lost games by one, six, seven and two last year and defeated Salina Central, 38-24. Junior quarterback Daxton Minton threw for 1,483 yards with 17 scores against seven interceptions. Junior Ian Premer has double-digit Power 5 offers after 32 catches and nine scores. Sophomore Cooper Ohnmacht had an electrifying freshman year in all three phases.
Class 6A: Olathe South (6-4)
Olathe South quietly finished third in 6A scoring offense last year with 40 points per contest. South returns 1,000-yard running back Max Armstrong and has transfer offensive lineman Juju Marks, formerly from Aquinas. Marks (6-6, 260) has committed to Kansas.
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