Class 4A preseason football rankings breakdown

Preseason rankings are a guessing game, perhaps now more than ever given the increased frequency of student-athlete transfers in the offseason, but it's fun to try and predict who is going to finish the season on top.

As a former coach, I'm a little conflicted about producing preseason rankings. I can tell you definitively that players can be impacted by what's written and reported about them. Different teams have differing abilities to meet or exceed expectations.

Coaching history, returning experience, standout players at key positions, and schedule are a few key considerations that go into the rankings, but this year feels like the most wide-open for all classifications in recent memory. Heading into last season I was confident that Mill Valley would win 5A, one of the Big 3 private school powers (Aquinas, Miege, St. James) would win 4A, Andale would win 3A, St. Marys would be at least a semifinalist, Little River would at least make the 8-Man I final, Axtell would win 8-Man II with their toughest game against Canton-Galva at some point, and Cunningham would win 6-Man. Of course I also didn't think Manhattan, Gardner-Edgerton, or Wichita County would finish in the Top 5 – guess they showed me, huh?

Most of the most experienced teams are likely just a couple players away from being at the top or the bottom of the rankings, and there are many factors which are uncontrollable including injuries, weather, depth, officiating (not a criticism of officials but it's a fact that a couple of missed calls here or there can impact a season), and the most significant factor in the overall success or failure of an athletic program, socioeconomic status of the region around the school system, a seldom referenced, but ultra-important factor, and a topic for another time.

Regardless of where your team lands in the predictions that follow, the former coach in me wants to implore each player to be coachable, do their absolute best on and off the field, and embrace their role on the team and let the chips fall where they may.

NOW, let's take a look at the Kansas Pregame preseason rankings and see if we can guess who will end up on top.

This year, the classifications from top-to-bottom just feel deeper than in the past. While 4A still appears as though it will be dominated by the private schools, graduation losses at Mill Valley, Andale, and Axtell don't leave them as the sure-bet repeat champions of the past, though we think they're still the favorites.

Class 4A

1. Bishop Miege
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
3. St. James Academy
4. McPherson
5. Andover Central

After finally ascending to the 4A throne once again last season after a two-year absence, BISHOP MIEGE is primed for a run at their state-best 12th state football championship. They bring back 14 starters from last year’s title squad including Moeller Hollis, who has Power five offers to be a long snapper. Coach Jon Holmes does have to replace QB Mac Armstrong and running back DeAndre Beasley, but if we know anything about Miege, it’s that they’ll reload. The new skills will be protected by some of the state’s best up front in four returning offensive linemen from the No. 1 offense in 4A football. The majority hold D2 or higher offers. They averaged over 437 yards per game last season. David Garcia returns in the backfield after sharing with Beasley last season. He ran for 774 yards and 12 TDs last year and performed his best when replacing the injured Beasley in the 4A title game.
Marco Rodriguez saw limited action but will assume duties at QB for the Stags. He was seven of nine for 135 yards and two TDs last season. He’ll have one of the state’s top receivers back in Teryn Jackson (54 rec., 876 yds., 8 TDs), who caught a touchdown pass in the state championship win over Wamego.
Seven more starters return on the defensive side of things for coach Jon Holmes. While they will have their senior leaders, they have more than enough juniors to help out, too. Finn Cusick, Neil Carman and sophomore Davyn Davis will all have big roles defensively. They’re having to replace their entire secondary, but their front seven should be some of the best in the state, regardless of classification. Linebackers Justyce Betts and Arasto Sedeghi will help keep the defense clicking.

The move to 4A almost saw ST. THOMAS AQUINAS go all the way to the state title game, if it wasn’t for Miege. However, the Saints return significant experience from last year’s nine-win squad and while they’ll have some pieces to replace on offense, they should be stout defensively. In all, the Saints have 10 of the 11 back on the defensive side of the ball. They already had the second best run defense in the class last season and that will likely hold up this season thanks to the defensive line of Kian Payne (North Dakota State commit), Julian Marks (multiple P5 offers), Cru Huenfeld and Owen Charlton. They return all four of their top tacklers from last season in Luke Hancock (74), Wyatt Potter (62), Dillon Marshall (58) and Joey Goodenow (56). 
Marshall (No. Iowa commit) will lead a secondary who will have to replace a cornerback but they have three seniors that should be able to mentor anyone who steps into that spot. Wyatt Lewis had four INTs for STA last season. 
On offense, the Saints will have to replace standout fullback Sean Carroll, but they have Gianni Rizzi (multiple NAIA offers) returning, who ran for over 800 yards and four TDs last season. Junior Conor O’Donnell (29 car., 316 yds., 1 TD) will help share the load for the senior Rizzi. O’Donnell accounted for 474 all-purpose yards in a limited role last season. Junior Aiden Skinner is expected to be the signal-caller in the always tough to defend flexbone the Saints have perfected under Randy Dreiling.

After winning the previous two state titles in 4A, ST. JAMES ACADEMY was knocked off by Aquinas in the quarterfinals last year. They’ll be looking to get back to Topeka this season as they welcome back Ben Wheeler at QB. Luckily, the Thunder will have 14 starters back as they make another run at it.
Wheeler, the younger brother of K-State tight end Sammy Wheeler, missed much of last season with an injury and will be a welcome sight at signal caller for the Thunder. He only threw 23 passes but he’s excited to get back out on the field.  He’ll welcome back John Tujague in the backfield. He had 366 yards rushing last season. They’ll have their top three receivers that accounted for all but 194 of their receiving yards. Wheeler had 99 of those, too. The Thunder also have four returning starters on the offensive line from last season.
It’ll be Spencer Dohm (multiple D2 offers) leading the charge for the Thunder on the other side of the ball. He had 101 tackles last season and 8.5 for loss. He’s joined by Braxton Gutterman and Noah Hornback on the defensive side of things. Isaac Stanley had four INTs last season and will look to up his numbers in 2023.

MCPHERSON will have to replace Hunter Alvord and Jaytin Gumm from the offensive backfield, but the Bullpups are known for their consistent dominance when they hit the field. Blaise Hoover, who caught 29 passes for 367 yards and 5 TDs last season returns. Teegan Haines had 112 tackles and two INTs and is one of the top defensive players returning regardless of class. Hoover can kick, too. He was six of eight on FGs last year, with a long of 31 yards. He was 40 of 41 on extra points. 

There aren’t many losing seasons under Steve Warner but last season was a different one for BUHLER. The Crusaders finished 4-5 as they played only nine seniors. The team did respond after starting the season 0-3 to win four of the final games in the regular season before falling in Week 9 to Ark City to miss the playoffs. Fast forward to 2023 and the Crusaders are riding high again as the expectations Warner has set appear to be back.
With Jeffrey Neill back at QB, the Crusaders offense should be finding its rhythm again. The senior threw for 1,257 yards and 9 TDs. He’s also one of the better kickers in the state as he hit four FGs last season, including a 36-yarder in their win over Winfield. He loses Matthew Eddy, one of the most prolific WRs in school history. That will be a tough act to follow but they have 6-foot-3 TE, Brendan Scripsick catching passes, as well as fullback Brayden Gentry. They also will see four O-linemen return to the line of scrimmage this season. Bodey Redenbaugh has been a two-year starter and will anchor the line.
Defensively, the Crusaders return a chunk of their defense that ranked fifth in rush defense in 4A last season. Will Hanen and Gentry are the top two returning tacklers for Buhler heading into the season. Returning three of four in the secondary will be beneficial to the confidence this season as well.

Rinse and repeat, the ANDOVER CENTRAL Jaguars are one of the top teams in 4A once again. This season, they’ll once again be breaking in a new quarterback. It’s the third straight season the Jaguars will have a new signal-caller but head coach Derek Tuttle isn’t worried. Last season, the Jags ended their season with a loss to Wamego, a team they had beaten in the playoffs the year before. This season, the Jaguars will once again rely on the defense Tuttle has built in Andover. 
Jayden Joy, Kyle Newsome, Collin Sheeran, Landon Kitterman and Jace Adler all provide this defensive presence for Andover Central. Joy and Newsom each had three sacks last season. Sheeran had five tackles for loss and 62 total tackles. Kitterman led the team in returning INTs and Adler had 80 tackles. They all provide their own touch to the defense. Keep an eye on Gaige Hurley as well.
The Jaguars will be replacing Drew Veatch and Cooper Tabor, two speedsters on both sides of the ball, and QB Braden Barscewski, who is off to play college football. Jace Rees also graduated, after he led the Jags in rushing. Isaac Saye, a dependable kicker is off to play in college, so replacing him will be key as well.
Offensively, Brandt Stupka, a top-tier track star, can really burn defenders on the outside. Dawson Rodd will lead the line and help to protect new QB Jace Jefferson.

State runner-up WAMEGO gave the Stags all they wanted in a title game that was closer than the 35-14 score indicated. An outstanding group of senior skill players graduated, but another large group of seniors return with varsity experience for a program that has raised the standard under coach Weston Moody. A talented group on D, led by linebackers Gannon Couture and Aidan Hefley, and defensive ends Jackson Zeigler and Wyatt Burgess, may carry the Red Raiders early as Moody tries to keep the “Boys from Boomtown” near the top of 4A this fall.

BASEHOR-LINWOOD welcomes back QB Brady VanDonge as one of the state’s top passers, and he welcomes a quartet of experienced receiving targets. Sam Lough is back to anchor the offensive line. If an experienced D can improve on the 26 points allowed in seven games last fall, the Bobcats could be a factor in the 4A race. Senior defensive back Kaleb Scott – the younger brother of former Southern Miss. standout Eric Scott Jr. – is a defensive player to watch this season.

ABILENE was a feel good story last season, winning their first couple of games to snap a 25-game losing streak. Now, they’re wanting to turn that momentum into sustained success. They return starting QB, Stocton Timbrook, who threw for 1,753 yards and 14 TDs last season. He returns Weston Rock on the outside, who caught 41 passes for 506 yards and 6 TDs, and a healthy Brax Fisher provides another weapon. The Cowboys had some health issues in the middle of the season leading to some tough losses. If they can stay healthy, they could be dangerous come October.

CHANUTE bid farewell to a fantastic core group of senior skill players, but significant experience along the offensive and defensive front along with athletic senior Kaiden Seamster should keep the Blue Comets in the conversation again this year.

CIRCLE will have to replace one of the most prolific players in school history in Ty Smith but they return their entire running game in Westin Rose and Cannon McCormack. The two combined for 1,426 yards and 17 TDs last season. Conner Chadwell will replace his brother at QB. McCormack is one of the top LBs in the state. He had 126 tackles last season, five sacks and 25 tackles-for-loss. Cole Glaves, who had five INTs last season was also a solid target in the passing game (23 rec., 450 yds., 4 TDs) and could replace Smith in the No. 1 WR spot. Logan Clothier has done one of the finest program building projects in Kansas, helping the T-birds to historic success after years of struggle.

EUDORA went under-the-radar a bit last season quietly finishing 8-2 and pushing Bishop Miege to the bring in regional play, before falling 33-26. Second-year head coach Drew Steffen has the Cardinals ready to take the next step. Cole Manley will command the offense and they’ll have Erroll Siemen in the backfield as well. Braylen Hoobler returns after having 99 tackles a season ago. Adrion Seals (multiple D2 offers) had four picks. The pair is a large reason why Eudora’s defense ranked second in yards allowed per game in 4A last season. Speedy weapon Matthew Magette is a key returner on defense, but could be a home run hitter on offense this fall as well.

LOUISBURG was one of the better surprises last season as they won eight games. They’ll have their all-league QB Declan Battle back controlling the offense. He ran for 709 yards and threw for another 1,000. He accounted for 18 touchdowns and the senior should be one of the top athletes in the state this year. Ashton Moore, younger brother of K-State linebacker Austin Moore, had 114 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, a safety and a fumble recovery as Louisburg’s defense was the third best in the state last year.

ATCHISON, PIPER, PAOLA, TONGANOXIE, and COFFEYVILLE-FIELD KINDLEY all have important pieces back for teams that will try to upset the 4A apple cart this fall.

Charles Chaney contributed significantly to this preview compiling large portions of it utilizing the preview capsules in our annual football preview.

For more reading, check out our 2023 Kansas Pregame Fall Edition at this link: Kansas Pregame Football Preview 2023