Argonia/Attica
Last Season: 6-4
Argonia/Attica looks like an experienced 8-Man Division II contender again, returning a large group of starters on offense, defense and special teams from last year’s 6-4 squad that reached the second round of the playoffs. Head coaches Luke Greenwood and Wyatt Williams, now in their 14th year at the co-op, own a 94-40 record at the school and a 111-59 overall mark.
On offense, the Titans bring back senior quarterback Maddex Hemberger after a season with 1,073 passing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 456 rushing yards and seven scores. Senior lineman Spencer Beck (all-district second team), junior tight end Garrett Morrison, junior lineman Tanner McCurley, junior first-team all-district receiver Jack Alexander and sophomore running back Jordy Torres-Roman round out a strong returning skill group.
Defensively, Hemberger returns at linebacker with all-league and all-district honors, Beck is back on the defensive line as a first-team all-district player, and Morrison, Alexander, Torres-Roman, Mason Mans and Konner Nelson give A&A an athletic, aggressive unit with proven production. Torres-Roman and Alexander also headline special teams as kicker and returner.
Greenwood says the Titans should have good team speed and an athletic, aggressive defense but still lack ideal size and must replace graduated leader Carson Vineyard. With a young roster that gained experience last year and a schedule featuring South Sumner, Pretty Prairie, Cunningham, Sunrise Christian, Norwich, Hutchinson CC and Wichita County, A&A expects to compete each week and grow into a playoff-caliber team as the season progresses.
Beloit-St. John’s
Last Season: 4-5
St. John’s-Tipton enters 2026 feeling like a program on the upswing after becoming more competitive and seeing the players buy into the staff’s process last season. The Trojans faced several high-quality opponents in 2025, and coaches believe those challenges helped accelerate the team’s growth and set the stage for new accomplishments this year.
Head coach Lance Bergmann, now in his third year, is supported by assistants Parker Gates, Scott Hartman, Dean Gengler and Kelly Griffith, with booster president Cheryl Germann helping on the program side. The staff’s outlook emphasizes continuing to grow together and pushing toward higher goals rather than viewing last year’s 4-5 mark as a ceiling.
Offensively, St. John’s-Tipton returns three starters and operates out of a very multiple attack with a variety of formations and motions. Junior quarterback/linebacker Brooks Dunstan, junior running back/linebacker Kaden Phillips and senior fullback/tight end/defensive end Dominic Eilert headline the offense, which aims to use the team’s athleticism to spread the ball among several ball carriers and receivers while expanding its passing concepts and run packages.
Defensively, the Trojans base out of a 3-2 look but adjust as needed, playing aggressively with a wide range of blitzes. That aggressive identity meshes with their schedule against traditionally strong small-school opponents and reflects a program that wants to dictate the action rather than sit back.
This fall is set up as a year where system familiarity, returning skill players and an attacking defensive mindset could turn last season’s competitive strides into more wins and a legitimate push toward postseason goals.
Cunningham
Last Season: 11-1, 6-man state champion
Cunningham enters 2026 in a unique position: the Wildcats are coming off an 11-1 season and a KSHSAA 6-man state title, but they will now move up to 8-man football with a much younger roster. Head coach Lance McGuire, in his 21st year at Cunningham and 32nd overall, noted the program has lost five seniors for the second straight year and will rely heavily on underclassmen this fall.
The Wildcats bring back 12 players, including two offensive starters, three defensive starters and one defensive rotator. Top prospects Stephen Kerschen, Kollin Fischer, Brody Bock, Tyler Osner, Liam McGuire and JP Kerschen headline the returning core as Cunningham tries to translate its recent 6-man success into competitiveness at the 8-man level.
Cunningham’s schedule features home dates against Spearville, Norwich, Pretty Prairie and Sunrise Christian, plus road trips to Central Christian, Argonia/Attica, Fairfield and Goessel. Given the transition in both classification and age, this season is likely to be more about finding footing against new-sized opponents than simply chasing another trophy.
Fairfield
Last Season: 4-5
Fairfield goes into 2026 expecting to lean heavily on a small senior core while a large group of underclassmen grows into bigger roles. The staff describes this as a very young team that will need sophomores and juniors to replace graduated seniors, with the seniors providing much-needed experience and athleticism.
On offense, the Falcons return two starters and will operate from a power wing set, aiming to control time of possession and play more physically than opponents. Senior Braeden Witt (QB/RB), senior linemen Gavin Foster and Dominic Sader, senior back/receiver William McIver, and underclassmen linemen Lucas Goetz plus tight end/fullback Thad Brown are listed as the primary offensive pieces.
Defensively, Fairfield brings back three starters and again leans on the same core. Witt returns at linebacker/safety, Foster and Sader anchor the defensive line, McIver is back at defensive back, and Goetz and Brown add size and versatility up front and on the edge.
The coaches specifically highlight seniors Witt, Foster, Sader, McIver and James Short as the leaders on both sides of the ball, while underclassmen Lucas Goetz, Lukas Gard, Garrett Foster, Marshall McCammon, Thad Brown and Quirt Fry are mentioned as notable young contributors. If that younger group comes along quickly, Fairfield has a chance to look more like a program on the rise than a simple rebuilding team.
Flinthills
Last season: 5-5
Flinthills enters 2026 with its highest expectations in years after posting the program’s best season since 2007 and upsetting top-seeded Cedar Vale-Dexter to reach the regional round. The Mustangs’ motto, “NOT FINISHED! PROVE IT AGAIN!”, reflects a belief that last fall’s success was a launching point, not a peak, and the staff has set explicit goals of a .750 regular-season record, a district championship, hosting a Week 10 regional game and advancing beyond regionals.
Head coach Chase Casteel, now in his sixth year as HC and 12th with the program, returns five starters on both offense and defense, with confidence that last year’s second-stringers can step into larger roles thanks to meaningful varsity experience. He is joined by defensive coordinator Jon Dunbar and special teams/line coach Ryan Jenkins, underscoring a stable staff behind the team’s growth.
Offensively, Flinthills will again feature its playmakers out of a Twins Gun I formation. Senior running back Beau Hall is the clear focal point after a massive 2025: 208 carries for 1,807 rushing yards, 14 receptions for 175 yards and 29 total touchdowns, production that earned him first-team all-state, all-league and multiple all-district honors. Senior quarterback Tripp Carney (320 rushing yards, 565 passing yards) and junior receiver Ty Finley (251 receiving yards, seven TDs) give balance and big-play ability, while junior tight end/lineman Deken Girty adds physicality up front.
Defensively, the Mustangs base out of a 3-3-2 look and lean on Hall again, this time as a tackling machine at linebacker with 94 total stops, three tackles for loss, six impact turnovers and a pick-six. Carney, end Luke Jenkins (team-high six sacks) and defensive back Finley (52 tackles, three interceptions) round out an experienced, productive core. Hall is the program’s MVP nominee and “heartbeat” of the offense, and sophomore Lane Jenkins is tabbed as an underclassman to watch after making his mark on special teams and as a backup RB/LB as a freshman.
Hanover
Last season: 13-0, 8-Man Division II state champion
Hanover enters 2026 squarely in reload-not-rebuild mode after an undefeated title run in which the Wildcats averaged 47 points per game and allowed just 8.4. The staff credits experience, a relentless work ethic and strong focus for last year’s dominance and fully expects to “continue the winning tradition” with another championship-caliber group.
Head coach Matt Heuer (22nd year) returns five offensive starters, five defensive starters and 21 letterwinners, losing only six from the 2025 roster. The senior core features end/DB Hunter Kickhaefer, RB/LBs Kadrick Cohorst and Brody Sedlacek, lineman Max Dragastin and end/DB Lanxden Stallbaumer, with juniors Cooper Bruna (RB/LB) and Jack Bruna (WR/DB) adding proven punch.
Offensively, Hanover again leans on balance and versatility. Cohorst is back at quarterback with dual-threat ability, leadership and poise in big moments, backed by solid depth. Bruna headlines a deep running back room, joined by Sedlacek, Ryder Sedlacek and Kickhaefer, while Sedlacek, Kickhaefer, Stallbaumer, Bruna and Ian Schlabach give the Wildcats a deep, dynamic receiver group. Dragastin anchors the line, with competition from Will Luppen, Michael Cook and others to rebuild a physical front.
Defensively, Hanover has pieces at every level. Sedlacek, Dragastin, Luppen, Cook and Wyatt Simpson form the core of a new-look front, while linebacker is “extremely deep” with Sedlacek, Cohorst, Bruna, Ryder Sedlacek and Schlabach. In the secondary, Kickhaefer, Stallbaumer and Bruna return significant experience.
The staff believes “the sky is the limit” if this group maintains the hunger, discipline and detail that put Hanover back among the elites, with a schedule that again runs through traditional powers before the postseason.
Hutchinson Central Christian
Last season: 10-1
Central Christian heads into 2026 with a strong senior-laden core after a 10-1 campaign under fourth-year head coach Matthew Barnett. The Cougars return experience and production across the lineup, especially in the trenches and the offensive skill spots, giving them the pieces to contend again.
Up front, seniors Brayden Wallace, Trey Miller and Karson Sullivan anchor the offensive line, while senior tight end Cael Kooiman adds a proven receiving threat with 14 catches for 182 yards and 4 touchdowns. Quarterback Luke Eigsti returns after an efficient dual-threat season (76-of-114 passing for 952 yards and 12 TDs; 68 rushes for 373 yards and 9 scores), and senior receiver Cal Barnett provides big-play ability with 26 receptions for 405 yards and 6 scores plus a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, Central Christian is equally senior-heavy. Wallace and Miller lead the defensive line, combining for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks, while Sullivan and Kooiman are highly productive at linebacker, with Sullivan posting 59 stops and 10 TFLs and Kooiman adding 74 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. In the secondary, Eigsti and Barnett form a dangerous ball-hawking duo: Eigsti had 48 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and an outstanding 11 interceptions with two defensive touchdowns, and Barnett added 68 tackles, 6 interceptions and a pick-six of his own.
With that much senior experience, especially at quarterback, receiver, tight end, and all three levels of the defense, Central Christian should again be in the mix to win its league and push deep into the postseason if the supporting cast around this core develops as expected.
Little River
Last season: 9-2
Little River heads into 2026 coming off another strong year but with a significant graduation hit, losing eight seniors from a 9-2 team whose only setbacks were one-score games. The staff emphasizes that replacing those departed leaders, building chemistry and making plays in defining moments will largely determine how high this group’s ceiling is.
Head coach Kevin Ayers begins his eighth year at Little River with a 67-15 mark at the school and 227-54 in his career, joined by assistants Chad Lafferty, Tyson Konen and Shane Cordell. The Redskins will again compete in the Wheat State League as an 8-Man Division I program.
Offensively, Little River remains option-based, leaning on decision-making and physicality. Multiple seniors bring starting experience: versatile QB/RB/LB Jaren Garrison, tight end/defensive end Blayne Baldetti, running back/free safety Jhet Ewertt, lineman Elijah Stagner and receiver/defensive back Logan Schubert, along with junior lineman/d-lineman Bryson VanEaton and sophomore linebacker Jake White. That core gives the Redskins proven production at quarterback, skill spots and in the trenches as new faces step in around them.
Defensively, Little River bases out of a 3-2 look, fitting their goal of playing a physical, disciplined style. Garrison, Baldetti, Schubert and White headline a group that will be asked to keep games tight while the retooled offense finds its rhythm.
The coaches note that “chemistry and leadership will dictate how good we will be,” and the aim is to put a better, more cohesive team on the field each week. If the new starters grow quickly and the returning core can raise its level in big moments, Little River has a realistic shot to stay in the 8-Man I contender conversation despite heavy graduation losses.
Norwich
Last season: 1-8
Norwich heads into 2026 looking for a significant step forward after a 1-8 debut season under head coach Adam Leroux, who now enters his second year with the program. The staff believes the foundation is in place, with most key skill players and three offensive line starters back, and is counting on a big jump from underclassmen who were thrown into major roles last fall.
Offensively, the Eagles will again build around junior running back Easton Schroeder, who posted 1,051 total yards and 11 touchdowns, and is the focal point of a physical, run-first philosophy behind returning linemen Rylan Poe, Lucas Fisher and Liam Vavra. Junior quarterback Kyedon Schroeder (394 passing yards, 4 TDs; 105 rushing yards) is expected to become a bigger threat on the ground and tighten up the passing game, while fellow junior back Marshall Eslinger (125 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and teammates Hunter Poe and Nolan Reese are being asked to “take a jump” and share more of the load.
Defensively, Norwich brings back all but two starters in a 3-2-3 base that demands strong gap control from the first five and physical play from the back three. Easton shifts back to safety, where he can roam and impact more plays after a season with 84 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Kyedon and Hunter Poe round out a potentially formidable trio in coverage. Up front, 4–5 linemen will rotate to keep the front fresh and stout against the run, with two linebackers needed to step up and provide the attitude the staff wants.
Easton is the clear MVP nominee and described as Norwich football’s current starting point: a two-way workhorse, team captain as a sophomore, multi-sport standout and the program’s expected senior leader and one of 8-man’s top players by 2027. Character Counts honoree Lucas Fisher, a returning captain and FFA officer who leads team prayers and has battled back from multiple injuries, embodies the toughness and integrity Norwich is trying to build around. If the line improves, the young core matures and the Schroeder-led skill group continues to raise its level, Norwich has a chance to move from rebuilding to genuinely competitive in 2026.
Peabody-Burns (6-Man)
Last season: 7-3
Peabody-Burns enters 2026 as a proven playoff regular with momentum, coming off a 7-3 season and a 2025 sectional finish in 6-man under fourth-year head coach Eric Dutton (19-9 at the school, 19-9 overall). The program has made the postseason six straight years, and last year marked another winning season after the last losing campaign in 2019, reinforcing that this is now a consistently successful outfit.
The Warriors compete in 6-man District 1 and the Wheat State League, running a balanced run/pass offense and a flexible, multiple-look defense. This year’s schedule features Elyria twice (including a district meeting), road trips to Tescott, MDVC and Chetopa, and district games against SCC, Altoona-Midway and Centre, giving Peabody-Burns a familiar mix of league and district opponents.
The biggest reason for optimism is the sheer number of returning starters. Seniors Ashton Talkington (OL/LB/RB), Dalton Philpott (RB/LB/QB), Colin Groff (RB/LB), Jameson Miles (TE/DL/LB), Aiden Hurst (QB/LB) and Gage Wilson (OL/DL) all bring significant experience, giving Peabody-Burns continuity at quarterback, the backfield, tight end and both lines. Juniors and underclassmen such as Cale Gossen (QB/TE/LB), Kash Willson and Devlin Kealy (RB/LB), Leroy (TE/DL), Maddox Wilson (OL/DL) and Brodix Renolds (QB/LB) add depth and competition across the offense and defense.
With that many veterans at key spots and multiple players capable of playing quarterback, running back and linebacker, Peabody-Burns looks built to keep its balanced identity and aggressive defensive approach intact. If the Warriors stay healthy and the younger players continue to develop behind this large senior class, they should be positioned to extend their playoff streak and make another serious run into the November bracket in 2026.
Pike Valley
Last season: 2-7
Pike Valley enters 2026 looking like a classic “jump” candidate: only two seniors graduated, and a large group of returning athletes saw significant snaps as underclassmen last fall. Head coach Brent Melby, now in his fifth year at the school and second as head coach, expects a solid senior core that has already been leading the program for a couple of seasons to set the tone. The staff believes leadership, experience and competitiveness are this team’s biggest strengths — traits that can keep them in games even when execution isn’t perfect — and sees real upside if the group embraces week-to-week consistency and growth.
Offensively, the Panthers bring back eight starters, giving them continuity across the formation. Senior athlete Dayton Reeves returns as a versatile playmaker who can line up at multiple spots, senior quarterback Owen Russell is back to steady the offense, and senior lineman Ezra Benne anchors the front. Juniors Bridger Gile and Peter Newman provide length and receiving threats at tight end, helping balance the attack and give Russell multiple options.
On defense, six starters return, including Gile and Reeves at safety and Russell, Trenten Robison and sophomore Hutch Hammer at linebacker, with Benne up front. That mix offers experience at all three levels: coverage, second-level run fits and the defensive line, which should help Pike Valley stay competitive against a schedule that includes Stockton (twice), Lincoln, Rock Hills, Osborne, Lakeside, St. John’s/Tipton and Thunder Ridge.
Reeves is the clear MVP nominee, described as an all-around athlete who can play any offensive and defensive position and handle return duties, with speed and shiftiness that make him a constant big-play threat. Hammer is tabbed as the underclassman to watch after contributing on both sides as a freshman and showing strong blocking, ball skills and downhill linebacker play. Character Counts honoree Logan Dahl, a senior who has battled injuries but remained a consistent presence and leader, gives the program a culture anchor. If the younger players continue to develop and the team stays healthy, Pike Valley has a real chance to turn last year’s groundwork into a notably stronger season.
Pretty Prairie
Last season: 1-8
Pretty Prairie goes into 2026 trying to turn a corner under fifth-year head coach Blake Lee after a 1-8 campaign, but there’s genuine optimism thanks to a solid core of returning starters and a revamped offensive identity. The Bulldogs have not reached the playoffs since 2020, yet the staff believes this group can compete with a very tough district and make a push back into the bracket.
Offensively, Pretty Prairie has fully shifted schemes to a West Coast-style attack built around junior quarterback Gunner Young’s arm and pre-snap decision-making. Young returns with the confidence of the staff behind him “to read a defense and make great pre-snap reads,” distributing the ball to playmakers tight end Braden Woods and receiver Malachi Goering behind a three-man front of center Wyatt Grilliot and guards Rylan Reyes and Westin Lanning. That veteran interior line is expected to give Young the time needed for the quick-game throws that define the new system.
Defensively, the Bulldogs will lean heavily on their middle four in a 3-5 structure. Reyes slides to nose guard with Grilliot and Lanning at defensive tackle, and Colin Shippy at middle linebacker, forming a rugged core that coaches expect to make running the ball difficult for opponents. In the secondary, Young, Woods and Goering provide “ball sense” and range at defensive back, with confidence that they can limit shots over the top.
Pretty Prairie is realistic about its rugged district—Central Christian (who pushed Victoria as much as anyone last year), upstart 8-man newcomer Cunningham, and a young but solid A&A squad—but firmly believes it can “compete with all of them.” If the smaller Bulldogs get the payoff from their weight-room work, the new passing attack clicks and the defensive front plays to its physical potential, they fully expect to be in every game and are targeting their first playoff trip since 2020.
