Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds – Football Preview – Presented by David Tew Shelter Insurance
Shawnee Heights enters the 2026 football season with a young roster, but coach Jason Swift believes the lack of experience could create opportunities for players who have spent the offseason preparing to compete for varsity jobs. The Thunderbirds went 4-5 in 2025 and return five offensive starters and three defensive starters. Swift, entering his 24th […]
Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers – Football Preview – Presented by Preferred Physical Therapy Kansas City
Gardner Edgerton will enter the 2026 football season with a younger roster than it has had in recent years, putting an emphasis on development as the Trailblazers navigate a challenging schedule. Gardner Edgerton went 9-3 last season, but coach Jesse Owen knows his team will have to grow quickly this fall. The Trailblazers face a […]
Paola Panthers – Football Preview – Presented by Preferred Physical Therapy Leawood
The Paola football team enters the 2026 season with a mix of returning experience and new faces, hoping steady improvement throughout the fall can lead to better results. The Panthers went 5-5 last season and return five starters on both sides of the ball. While Paola graduated several talented players, coach Mike Smith believes the […]
Trego Eagles – Football Preview – Presented by WSU Tech
Trego-WaKeeney enters the 2026 football season looking to build on a 10-1 campaign while replacing several key players and leaders from last year’s team. The Eagles return five starters on both offense and defense, giving them a solid foundation. But coach Pat Haxton knows replacing the contributions and leadership of last year’s seniors will be […]
Topeka Trojans – Football Preview – Presented by David Tew Shelter Insurance
Topeka High enters the 2026 football season focused on becoming a more disciplined and physical team after finishing 3-6 a year ago. Coach Jason Filbeck said the Trojans are emphasizing execution on offense while continuing to build on a defense that has been a strength over the past two seasons. “We are making efforts to […]
Piper Pirates – Football Preview – Presented by Preferred Physical Therapy Kansas City
With nine returning starters and several players who gained valuable varsity experience last season, Piper football enters 2026 with optimism — and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. The Pirates finished 5-5 last season and will look to take the next step under third-year coach Cole Orrick. Piper returns five offensive starters and a […]
Hoisington Cardinals – Football Preview – Presented by WSU Tech
After putting together a 10-1 season in 2025, Hoisington High School enters the 2026 football season with a clear goal: finish the job and win a state championship. Coach Zach Baird, who is entering his 12th year at Hoisington, said the Cardinals know there are areas they must improve if they want to make a […]
Cair Paravel Latin High Schools’ Matteo Gossard – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by April Kelsey Farm Bureau Financial Services
Cair Paravel Latin School sophomore Matteo Gossard is already carving out a reputation as a leader on and off the field, driven by faith, family and a commitment to constant growth. Gossard, a wide receiver and cornerback, credits his father as his biggest influence. “He always pushes me to be a better player, a better […]
Topeka’s Asher Filbeck – Athlete Spotlight – Presented by Community Church
As an upcoming senior at Topeka High School, varsity quarterback Asher Filbeck approaches athletics with the same focus and conviction that guide his life off the field. For Filbeck, faith anchors everything he does. He calls Jesus his greatest inspiration, describing Him as “the perfect example of what we should be like.” Filbeck transferred to […]
Manhattan’s JJ Dunnigan named VYPE Kansas Football player of the year Sponsored by Shelter Insurance
With senior JJ Dunnigan on the football field, there was a common impulse to start videoing – because there was always the expectation that you’d capture a highlight reel. Dunnigan, a two-way player who signed with Miami, is Shelter Insurance’s VYPE Kansas Football Player of Year. “JJ was a phenomenal player for us,” Manhattan coach […]