After enduring an injury-plagued 3-6 season in 2025, Wichita Collegiate enters the upcoming football season focused on restoring the standard of one of the area’s traditionally successful programs.
First-year head coach Brian Hill believes the adversity his team faced a year ago — particularly injuries at quarterback — could prove beneficial as the Spartans look to rebound.
“After a challenging 3-6 season a year ago, one marked by injuries, especially at the quarterback position, we will be looking to renew the energy and optimism of a very traditionally proud program,” Hill said. “With the adversity of last season providing valuable experience, the team looks to build consistency, stay healthy and establish a clear identity in all three phases.”
The Spartans return five offensive starters and six on defense, giving Hill a veteran foundation to build around. Leading the offense are senior quarterback Landon Langston, who was sidelined after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1 last fall, and junior Jacobi Salyers, who stepped in to throw for 1,030 yards with seven touchdowns.
Hill expects the quarterback duo to lead a spread pistol offense designed to maximize the athleticism of Collegiate’s playmakers.
“We will be a spread pistol team,” Hill said. “We’re looking to get the ball to our playmakers in space.”
Those playmakers include senior receiver Mason Bond, who hauled in 19 receptions for 267 yards, and junior Ethan Eyster, who finished with 15 catches for 312 yards. Senior offensive lineman Gavin Schmitter anchors the front after another productive offseason. The Friends University commit has earned praise from Hill for his work ethic and development.
“Gavin plays both ways. He has a high motor, is a very good student and continues to get bigger, faster and stronger this offseason,” Hill said. “He’s looking to have a big senior campaign.”
Defensively, Collegiate will operate from a 4-2-5 scheme centered on physicality at the line of scrimmage.
“We need to stop the run and create pressure on the quarterback,” Hill said.
The Spartans return an experienced defensive core led by linebacker Blake Sprole, Bond and Eyster in the secondary, linebacker Carson Malaise and defensive lineman Blake Dudley.
One of the program’s rising stars is sophomore defensive back Jai Johnson, who started the final five games as a freshman.
“Jai started the last five games of the season as a freshman,” Hill said. “He is a very good athlete and will be an explosive athlete for us in the years to come.”
Hill believes the experience gained during last season’s difficult campaign has positioned the Spartans to take a significant step forward.
“A fresh start, combined with returning players that were tested in difficult circumstances, provides the opportunity to turn last year’s struggles into success this fall,” Hill said.
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