Baxter Springs
Last Season: 4-5
Baxter Springs heads into 2026 encouraged by a roster that returns almost the entire team from last season, when the Lions finished 4-5 under head coach Jeff McCoy. With only two seniors gone from 2025, McCoy believes this will be the program’s deepest team in recent years at virtually every position.
“We return pretty much the whole team from last season for the most part as we only had 2 seniors last season. As long as we keep focused on each day and winning each day with Maximum Effort, Great Attitude, and Toughness everything else takes care of itself. I am a strong believer in this mindset. This will be our deepest team from previous years in every position on the field as far as depth,” McCoy said.
The staff continuity should help that philosophy stick, with assistants Austin Williams, Tim Parrish, Kyler Cook and Bill Buck all back on the sideline. Baxter’s 2026 slate features home dates against Frontenac, Girard, Caney Valley and Riverton, plus key road tests at Quapaw (Oklahoma), Cherryvale, Galena and Columbus.
With experience stacked across the depth chart and a full year of development for a largely intact roster, the Lions expect internal competition in practice to raise the standard on both sides of the ball. That combination of depth, returning production and a demanding schedule gives Baxter Springs a chance to push into the upper tier of its district this fall.
Caney Valley
Last season: 9-2
Caney Valley enters 2026 looking to build on a 9-2 campaign under longtime head coach Criss Davis.
Experience is a clear strength. Caney Valley lists a deep group of returning starters and key contributors across the board: quarterback Layne Denny; backs Jace Buckley and Traxcyn Garton; fullback/defensive end Boone White; linemen Jace Wren, Austin Freisberg, Anthony Ranes, Ethan McElwain, Angel Martinez and Keith Ellison; tight ends Jacob McVey and Drake Roberds; receivers/DBs Konner Paulie and Huck Seger; and defensive linemen Benton Spillman and Sam Denton. That mix gives the Bullpups proven pieces at quarterback, multiple ball carriers, the offensive line, tight end and all three defensive levels.
The staff’s stated goals for 2026 are simple but demanding: “Stay healthy, just win.” With a veteran coach, a strong core of returning starters and a challenging but manageable TVL and district slate, Caney Valley appears positioned to remain a factor in its league race and push for another postseason berth if it can maintain health and consistency through the fall.
Chanute High School
Last Season: 5-5
Chanute enters 2026 aiming to take the next step after a 5-5 campaign under head coach Clete Frazell. The Blue Comets will lean on an experienced core of returning starters to navigate another demanding schedule.
The staff lists a deep group of key contributors back, including two-way playmaker Jalen Duncan at defensive back/running back and lineman Karter Naff on both sides of the ball. Quarterback/linebacker Gage Frazell returns to run the offense and direct the defense, with athletes like Bo Small, Kysen Seamster and Kasen Audiss providing options at wide receiver and linebacker/defensive back.
Chanute also brings back physical presence up front with Braddox Bancroft and Clint Cooper on the line, plus hybrid H-back/defensive lineman Brier Alonzo. A large group of newcomers led by skill players Krew Follmer and Derrick Walls and several young linemen will push for snaps and bolster depth.
“The 2026 Chanute Blue Comets lost some talented players due to graduation, but will return a host of key contributors during the 2026 season,” Frazell said. “The key for this team will be development during the summer and leadership emerging from the junior and senior classes. The recipe for success with the 2026 Blue Comets will be hard work and having a great summer to put them in position to be a very good team.”
Cherryvale High School
Last Season: 5-4
Cherryvale returns to the field in 2026 fresh off a winning season, looking to build on a 5-4 finish under head coach Harry Hester. The Chargers bring back five offensive starters and four on defense, with 13 total lettermen returning to anchor a roster that leans heavily on its junior class.
Junior quarterback/defensive back Wyatt Duncan headlines the offense after throwing for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns while adding 427 rushing yards and 5 scores on the ground. He’s joined by versatile junior playmaker Zeke Thornton, an all-league and all-area honorable mention running back who totaled 440 rushing yards, 161 receiving yards and 8 total touchdowns.
Sophomore multipurpose threat Remington John gives Cherryvale another dynamic option after contributing as a passer, runner, receiver, and in the return game. On defense, junior linebacker and all-league honorable mention defensive end Jayce Simmons returns as a tone-setter after racking up 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Hester likes the blend of experience and youth as Cherryvale tackles a retooled district that now includes a senior-heavy Baxter Springs squad along with veteran groups at Caney Valley and Riverton. With a small senior class and talented sophomore and freshman groups that were undefeated in middle school, the Chargers believe last year’s reps for their underclassmen will pay off under the Friday night lights in 2026.
Coffeyville-Field Kindley
Last Season: 0-9
Coffeyville-Field Kindley moves into 2026 determined to turn the page after an 0-9 season in 2025. The Golden Tornado scored just 20 points and allowed 467 a year ago, but return 31 players, including 10 starters on offense and 10 on defense.
That experience matters in a program that leaned heavily on freshmen and sophomores in varsity roles, giving a young core valuable snaps against varsity competition. The staff has emphasized that they “owned” last season’s results all offseason while also recognizing how different this year’s group feels internally.
Offensively, Coffeyville will lean on a power spread identity built around 11 and 12 personnel, aiming to run the ball with zone and gap schemes and use the ground game to create play-action opportunities. The goal is a roughly 72-to-25 run-pass split, reflecting a commitment to establishing the run and playing physical football.
Defensively, the Golden Tornado will base out of 4-3 and 4-2-5 looks with an emphasis on stopping the run, creating long-yardage situations and mixing coverages. With continuity in the system and a large group of returning starters, Coffeyville believes improved tackling, physicality and week-to-week consistency can help close the gap in 2026.
Columbus High School
Last Season: 2-7
Columbus returns looking to bounce back from a 2-7 finish in 2025 under head coach Blake Burns.
Burns and his staff emphasize that improvement starts Monday through Thursday, stressing that breakdowns on Fridays can be traced directly to practice execution and energy. The Titans plan to sharpen attention to detail and internal accountability, focusing first on their own effort, focus and response to adversity.
Offensively, Columbus will operate out of a spread look, while the defense will remain multiple to adjust to opponents and situations. Burns expects an attack-oriented identity in all phases, with the Titans playing fast, aggressive and physical while executing with confidence and belief in each other and the game plan.
Erie High School
Last Season: 0-8
Erie heads into 2026 looking to reset under head coach David Pitts after an 0-8 campaign in 2025.
Erie’s recent slate has been unforgiving, with last year’s schedule featuring losses to Eureka, Caney Valley, Humboldt, Jayhawk Linn, Southeast-Cherokee, Uniontown, St. Marys Colgan and Pleasanton. That experience against quality opponents gives a young roster a clear picture of the standard required to compete in one of the state’s more physical small-school leagues.
Pitts’ long tenure in coaching and growing familiarity with the program provide a steady hand as the Red Devils continue their transition in the 8-Man ranks. With a full offseason to address fundamentals and depth, Erie’s focus will be on translating better weeks of preparation into more competitive Friday nights in 2026.
Fort Scott High School
Last Season: 3-6
Fort Scott enters 2026 looking to climb back above .500 under head coach Johnathan Stark after a 3-6 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Tonganoxie. The Tigers bring back four offensive starters and five on defense, plus 14 returning lettermen, in the rugged Southeast Kansas League.
Offensively, Fort Scott leans on its split veer identity and a backfield headlined by junior running back Creed Clayton and senior fullback/linebacker Paxton Allen. Clayton rushed for 739 yards and seven touchdowns at 5.4 yards per carry, earning first-team All-SEK and honorable mention all-state honors, while Allen added 470 rushing yards and was a second-team All-SEK fullback.
Senior quarterback/linebacker Dredyn Marlow returns after starting the final four games of 2025, giving the Tigers a bigger passing threat to balance the veer. In the trenches, senior lineman Brodie Stoughton (10 tackles for loss) and junior tackle Terron Nutter provide experience up front, while a deep group of potential starters will battle for remaining spots.
Defensively, Fort Scott sticks with its 4-2-5, anchored by senior leaders at all three levels in Allen, Stoughton and defensive back Shai Kennedy, a second-team All-SEK DB with two interceptions and six pass breakups. With a schedule that again features Paola, Parsons, Independence, Pittsburg, Labette County, Chanute, Wellington and Coffeyville, Stark is counting on improved line play and an experienced backfield to push the Tigers back into the postseason conversation.
Frontenac High School
Last Season: 8-2
Frontenac returns a loaded roster from an 8-2 district championship team, giving head coach Leon Miller one of the state’s more experienced small-class squads. The Raiders bring back 23 lettermen and multiple two-way starters on both sides of the ball as they chase another deep run.
Senior receiver/defensive back Brock Wiemers is a headliner as a returning starter at both wideout and in the secondary. Up front, senior lineman Ethan Merrick anchors the offensive and defensive lines, while senior Bryce Hill adds another veteran presence in the trenches.
The backfield features senior returnees Jake Murphy and Luke Sneed, with Murphy back at running back and Sneed starting both at running back and outside linebacker. Senior Jacob Murphy and junior Payton Armstrong provide additional punch at linebacker, giving the Raiders a physical second level.
Depth is a clear strength, with a long list of seniors, juniors and sophomores competing for roles at receiver, linebacker, defensive back and the line, plus an incoming freshman class of 18 that arrives with significant success at the junior high level. Miller notes that after an outstanding regular season in 2025–26, the Raiders fell short of their postseason expectations, and that has fueled offseason work as players look to carve out significant roles and push Frontenac further in 2026–27.
Humboldt High School
Last Season: 3-6
Humboldt looks to rebound in 2026 after a 3-6 campaign that still included a first-round playoff appearance under head coach Logan Wyrick. The Cubs have been a consistent factor in recent years with multiple regional titles, and they return 5 offensive and 6 defensive starters along with 14 lettermen.
Offensively, Humboldt sticks with its power spread, with junior quarterback Ty Shaughnessy returning after a season-ending injury in Week 2 and junior Gavin Gunderman back as a versatile runner/receiver who was pressed into emergency QB duty late in 2025. Senior Broc Ivy moves from receiver to running back after totaling 168 rushing yards, 124 receiving yards and 55 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and 2 sacks, giving the Cubs a two-way tone-setter.
Junior fullback/linebacker Owen Sicka (36 tackles) and senior defensive lineman Cooper Peters (21 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 3 fumble recoveries) help stabilize the front seven. Junior receiver Kolton Hanson returns after posting 13 catches for 170 yards and 2 scores, while defensive back Luke Coronado (11 tackles, 1 interception) gives Humboldt experience in the secondary.
Wyrick acknowledges major losses, including all-state captains Mason Sterling and Mark McCullough, but believes a large group of injured contributors from 2025—such as Mason Miller and Weston Johnson—will bolster both lines. With a strong JV pipeline and several young defenders like Tucker Wrestler stepping into bigger roles, the Cubs aim to blend health, returning production and a new “Tite 3 High” defensive look into another Tri-Valley title push.
Independence High School
Last Season: 3-6
Independence looks to turn close calls into wins in 2026 after a 3-6 campaign in which the Bulldogs were competitive in nearly every game but came up short on key late drives. Head coach Kendall Fiscus returns more than 13 starters and contributors as Indy pushes toward the top of the Southeast Kansas League.
The Bulldogs will again operate out of the Gun T on offense with a 4-3 base defense, leaning on a large core of returning two-way athletes. Quarterback/defensive back Javen Colbert headlines that group, joined by versatile H-back/linebacker Reece Reichenberger and a veteran offensive line with Brayden Littlepage, Noah Edington, Logan Peschka, Ian Martinez, Jeremiah Melugin and Kendrick Penn all back up front.
On the perimeter, Independence brings back multiple playmakers in receivers/defensive backs Amare Brown, Joel King and Maddox Purvis, along with backs Kaeson Lewis and Kumari Jay, who will share carries and defensive roles. Defensively, that same core forms the spine of a unit that aims to finish drives after last year’s near-misses against league rivals.
“This year, Independence Football is looking to build off of the momentum that we built from last season… we want to use that experience, alongside returning over 13 starters and contributors, to make our push for the top of the SEK. The key… is to not be satisfied with close losses, but to work in the off-season and come together as a team,” the staff said.
Iola High School
Last Season: 2-7
Iola enters 2026 with as much returning experience as head coach David Daugharthy has ever had, coming off a 2-7 season where a late offensive surge hinted at bigger things. The Mustangs run a spread offense with a 4-2-5 defense and bring back nine offensive and ten defensive starters, essentially returning starting experience at all 22 spots.
Junior quarterback/linebacker Reed Clift is the centerpiece after accounting for 910 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through the air plus 392 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, earning honorable mention Pioneer League honors at QB. Senior playmakers Austin Crooks (579 receiving yards, 4 TDs), Jase Herrmann (327 receiving yards, 4 TDs) and Kale Pratt (218 rushing yards, 224 receiving yards, 8 total TDs) give Iola multiple explosive options in space.
Up front, the Mustangs return four of five offensive linemen, including all-league honorees like Alston Nelson and Franklin Kerr, while defensively they bring back their top seven tacklers led by Kevon Loving (51 tackles), Clift, Pratt, Roy Gordon, BJ Seance, Herrmann and Crooks. A late-season switch to Clift at quarterback helped Iola average 35 points over the final four games, and Daugharthy expects that continuity plus a move from a 3-3 to a 4-2-5 defense to translate into a more balanced team.
Labette County High School
Last Season: 9-3
Labette County rides into 2026 off the best finish in school history, a 9-3 season that ended as sub-state runner-up to Bishop Miege and included a SEK title. Head coach Bradley Argabright brings back six offensive starters, five on defense and ten total lettermen as the Grizzlies look to prove last year was no one-off.
The offense again centers on senior running back Deontae Fields, a 4A first-team all-state back and SEK MVP who rushed for 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns at 6.5 yards per carry with seven 100-yard games. Senior quarterback/linebacker Aaron Wyrick returns after throwing for 945 yards and nine touchdowns and adding 230 rushing yards and six scores, while senior receiver/defensive back Nolan Nash (383 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 74 tackles) gives Labette a true two-way star.
Up front, seniors Parker Midgett, Wyatt Kepley and Madison Hoppes anchor an experienced line, with Kepley earning all-state honorable mention after 26 tackles and six tackles for loss. Defensively, the Grizzlies’ 4-2-5 is built around Wyrick at middle linebacker, Nash at safety and Fields at corner, with a deep group of impact seniors and underclassmen like Tucker Rush, Kane Nash, Kaiden Nash and Jayce Garrettson filling out the front and secondary.
Argabright emphasizes a program identity rooted in effort, discipline, attitude and mental toughness, noting that with last season’s success comes a target on their back. Labette’s goals remain clear: win the SEK again, embrace every team’s best shot and play their best football when November arrives.
Neodesha
Last season: 5-4
Neodesha enters 2026 with the look of a team ready to climb after competing well in its final season in a 3A district and returning 12 starters with multiple years of varsity experience. Head coach Nathan West believes this experienced group has the potential for a very successful year if it can put everything together.
The Bluestreaks move forward as a 2A program in the Tri-Valley League, running an I/Flexbone offense and a 4-2-5 defense. Offensively, junior quarterback Tayte Leck returns after throwing for 1,098 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior playmakers Camryn White, J’Vonte White, Jayedin Huckabey, McCoy Cody and Lauklon Roebuck give Neodesha experience and versatility at the skill spots. Cam White rushed for 420 yards and four touchdowns while adding 21 catches for 265 yards, and J’Vonte White plus Huckabey both contributed as runners and receivers.
Defensively, the returning core is just as strong. Cam White piled up 114 total tackles, J’Vonte White added 14 tackles for loss and five sacks, Huckabey produced 47 tackles with two interceptions, and linemen/box defenders Tyson Jarvais, Jack DeLong and Jacob Novotny all return after productive seasons. Senior leaders such as J’Vonte White, Cody, Jarvais, Novotny and Aiden Johnson should give the Bluestreaks toughness in the trenches and on the edge.
West lists experience as the biggest strength, but replacing an all-league offensive and defensive lineman plus an all-league running back and defensive back is the main concern. If Neodesha gets quick development from younger players and maximizes its veteran skill talent, it has the profile of a team that can make noise in 2A this fall.
Oswego High School
Last Season: 7-3
Oswego comes off a 7-3 season in 8-Man Division I, including 4-1 marks in both Three Rivers League and district play, under head coach Matt Fowler. The Indians return nine lettermen and a strong core of five offensive and six defensive starters as they chase another postseason run.
Oswego’s identity remains rooted in a single-wing offense and 3-2 defense, built around a physical front and downhill backs. Senior linemen Tucker Wimp and Kadyn Reeves and senior nose tackle Zakkary Gambrel give the Indians size and experience up front on both sides of the ball.
In the backfield, senior running back/linebacker Chance Mills and junior running back/defensive back Demitri Williamson return as key playmakers, joined by multi-position threat Deonta Williamson at running back and linebacker. Fowler emphasizes program goals of playing hard-nosed, physical football, making the community proud, and improving daily in and out of season.
Key points of emphasis include a strong summer in the weight room, building depth with solid numbers, managing discipline-related factors and winning the turnover battle. With a schedule featuring Marmaton Valley, St. Paul, Crest, Yates Center, West Elk, Erie, Southeast and Central Burden, Oswego expects better tackling and a sharper defense to help sustain its recent success.
Parsons High School
Last Season: 3-6
Parsons enters 2026 with a foundation built around line play, as head coach Jeff Schibi’s club returns solid pieces on both sides of the ball from last year’s 3-6 team. Schibi believes the Vikings’ strength should be up front after four sophomores logged offensive line snaps in 2025 and now return as juniors.
That nucleus is led by junior linemen Xander Gabbert and Jaxson Knapper, who posted 22 and 16 pancake blocks, respectively, and should anchor a more physical offense. Senior quarterback Andrew Houk is back after throwing for 544 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Preston Heitman also gives Parsons experience at quarterback after contributing 167 passing yards, one touchdown and a rushing score.
Junior receiver/defensive back Aundre Ford and junior running back/linebacker Kane Leon are key returning skill pieces as Parsons tries to replace graduated offensive playmakers Chandler Hentzen and Wyatt Shultz. The Vikings plan to stay multiple on offense, working from 10, 11, 12, 21 and 22 personnel packages to keep a balanced run-pass approach while getting the ball to their playmakers.
Defensively, Parsons will base out of 4-4 and 4-3 looks, with senior defensive back Jakarre Green returning after 29 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections. Gabbert adds punch up front after recording 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack, while Schibi expects a large junior class to step into leadership roles around a small senior group with only five returning players carrying varsity experience.
Pittsburg High School
Last Season: 4-5
Pittsburg heads into 2026 looking to take a step forward under head coach Josh Lattimer after a 4-5 campaign. The Purple Dragons return five offensive and five defensive starters, giving a solid core of experience in a triple-option, flexbone attack.
Senior utility standout JaMarcus Davis is the focal point after stepping in at quarterback following Week 3 while also contributing at running back and defensive back. Up front, seniors Alex Hinspeter and Garret Dillingham anchor the line and tight end spots, while junior quarterback/defensive back Jeremiah Lattimer and backs Landen Proffitt and Christian Krogen round out a backfield-heavy skill group.
Defensively, Pittsburg will again base out of a 4-3 with multiple fronts and coverages, leaning on linebackers Ashton Bauder and Hinspeter and defensive ends Dillingham and Dawsyn Mooney. In the secondary, veterans Kordae Hayes and Max Busch return to stabilize the back end.
“We will have several spots on offense & defense to replace from the previous year. Our goal is to get better day by day and rep by rep. This senior class will be the leaders in charge of setting a great example for work ethic, discipline, accountability and toughness. Our guys know how to work hard! We will continue to grow in the knowledge and performance of the game of football,” the staff said.
Riverton High School
Last Season: 5-5
Riverton returns a dangerous backfield and deep senior class from a 5-5 team that reached the second round before falling to Caney Valley. Head coach Danny Weaver’s Rams operate out of a spread offense with a 3-4 defense in the rugged CNC.
Senior Noah Parker, a 1,000-yard rusher and 94-tackle defender, teams with senior quarterback/running back Aydin Witherspoon, who topped 900 rushing yards after moving to QB following Week 3. Witherspoon’s development at quarterback and Parker’s dual-threat ability give Riverton a potent one-two punch.
Outside, senior receiver/safety Tyler Reitz and versatile slots like Riley Greer, Bo Crowder and Tripp Witherspoon give the Rams multiple options in the passing game and perimeter run game. Up front, seniors Grady Thomas, Cameron Quick, Rolan Watkins and Jared Moran return to anchor an experienced offensive line, with finding a new center the key puzzle piece after four-year starter Brock Ross graduated.
Defensively, Riverton brings back nearly its entire back seven, highlighted by a linebacker corps of Slate Wells, Parker, Eli Ludwig and Crowder. Weaver points to overall roster growth—returning 30 of 34 players and adding a large freshman class—as a strength, while noting that replacing two all-conference defensive linemen and navigating a typically brutal CNC slate will be critical challenges.
