Last season: 1-8
Circle heads into 2026 with a new voice and a clear developmental focus under first-year head coach Travis Rauh, who inherits a young team that he says is “improving every day” and learning what it takes to be successful consistently. The Thunderbirds are intent on finishing the summer strong and carrying that growth into a schedule that includes Pratt, Winfield, Augusta, McPherson, Buhler, El Dorado, Abilene and Mulvane.
Offensively, Circle returns five starters and will operate out of a spread scheme designed to force defenses to defend the entire field while still maintaining a physical running game. Junior running backs Jason Smith (669 rushing yards, 7 TDs) and Aymon Oliver (669 rushing yards, 6 TDs) give the Thunderbirds a potent one-two punch on the ground, while junior quarterback Cole Wilbur (650 rushing yards, 4 TDs) adds another dynamic runner from under center. Senior receiver Rocky Cosby (197 receiving yards) and sophomore linemen Weston Johnson and Carter Jenkins help balance the attack with perimeter and interior strength.
Defensively, Circle also brings back five starters and will use multiple looks, primarily a 4-2-5 and 3-3-5. Smith returns at strong safety after recording 27 tackles, with Aiden Frischenmeyer (DT), Boston Avery (DE, 28 tackles), Oliver (LB, 63 tackles), Trevor Stewert (LB) and Luke Owens (CB) forming the core of a unit coaches want playing “fast and physical” with everyone on the same page. The defensive emphasis remains simple: get a lot of bodies to the ball and tackle well.
Smith is the team’s MVP nominee after posting 1,000 all-purpose yards as a sophomore and earning second-team all-conference honors, and he’ll again be a two-way engine. Underclassman tackle Weston Johnson, who started the back half of last season as a freshman, is tabbed as a key young piece up front. If Circle’s leadership core continues to grow and the spread run game clicks, this young roster has a chance to turn last year’s struggles into a more competitive 2026.
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