by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com
Sponsored by
*Please cite Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com if you use the Coaches' Poll in other media
Worth County steamrolled through the Grand River Conference West last season on their way to the State Championship Game. They outscored their conference opponents by an average of 70 to 9, with their closest game being a 38-point win over North Andrew. The coaches have selected Worth County to repeat as conference champions with five first-place votes, but the Tigers will have more competition this season. Albany is #2 in the poll with three first-place votes. St. Joseph Christian comes in at #3, Stanberry at #4, North Andrew at #5, King City at #6, Pattonsburg at #7, and Princeton at #8. The upcoming season is set to kick off on August 30, 2024.
1. Worth County Tigers
The Worth County Tigers finished 2023 with a record of 12-2
(7-0 in the GRC West). They opened the
season with a 38-34 loss to Platte Valley but won 12 games in a row before
falling to Archie in the State Championship Game. If the Tigers are to become the first team ever
to win back-to-back GRC West football championships, they will have to replace
a talented senior class, which includes four All-Staters.
Tyler New (1st Team All-Conference, All-District,
and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Quarterback, 1st Team All-Conference
and All-District Linebacker, 1st Team All-Conference Returner, 1st
Team All-State Athlete), Grant McIntyre (1st Team All-Conference,
All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1st Team All-State
Tight End, 1st Team All-Conference Defensive Back), Elias Alarcon (1st
Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1st
Team All-State Offensive Lineman, 1st Team All-Conference and
All-District Defensive End), and Kolton Smith (1st Team
All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1st
Team All-State Defensive Lineman) exhausted
their eligibility last season.
Worth County still has a lot of talent returning with Landon
Wilmes (1st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest
Missouri, and 1st Team All-State Running Back, 2nd Team
All-Conference Linebacker), Lucas Frisch (1st Team All-Conference,
All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2nd Team All-State
Linebacker), Ethan Lininger (Honorable Mention All-Conference and All-District
Offensive Lineman), Carter Chapman (All-District Defensive Lineman), Brayden
Stevens (All-District Offensive Lineman), and Bo Collins (1st Team
All-Conference, All-District, and 2nd Team All-State Defensive End,
MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Defensive Lineman, 2nd Team All-State
Offensive Lineman).
Worth County coach Jon Adwell said, “We are a team this year with a lot of youth that has some big shoes to fill. They are a hard-working group that is excited for the opportunity to try and fill their shoes. I expect this group to grow on the fly as the year progresses.”
2. Albany Warriors
The Albany Warriors had a great season, finishing 7-3 (5-2
in the GRC West). It was their second straight season finishing in the number
two spot in the GRC West. However, the Warriors could not capitalize for the
second straight year when they lost their first postseason game. The Warriors
are again picked to finish second in the GRC West in 2024. Albany returns a
talented team poised to take the next step this season.
Due to graduation, Quentin Hurkman (2nd Team
All-Conference Running Back and 2nd Team All-Conference Punter),
Bryce Martin (1st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA
All-Northwest Missouri, and 3rd Team All-State Offensive Lineman, 2nd
Team All-Conference Defensive End), Kole Emerson, and Hunter Coil are gone.
Chase Cline (All-District) will return at Quarterback after
a 1,200-yard passing season with 21 touchdowns. Elliot Mercer (All-District Specialist) will
return at Running Back. Elliot had 831
yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. Wide
Receiver Kyle Emerson (1st Team All-Conference and MSSA
All-Northwest Missouri Wide Receiver, 1st Team All-Conference and
All-District Defensive Back, Honorable Mention, and All-District Returner) had 478
yards and nine touchdowns last season. Seth Miller (2nd Team
All-Conference and All-District Defensive Lineman) and Andrew Wiles (2nd
Team All-Conference Linebacker) were key contributors on the defensive side. Zane
Rippy and Trevor Akins also return for the Warriors.
Newcomers that should have an impact are Cameron Martin (RB/DB),
Keghan Schaefer (RB/LB), Shae Miller (OL/DL), Jace Palmer (LB), Porter Runnels (OL/DL),
Kutter Peterson (OL/DL), and Jay Anthony (OL/LB)
Albany coach Doug Fountain said, “Like every season, we expect to improve each week and be ready to play our best football as we enter November. We’ve been extremely pleased with our off-season commitment and look forward to the opportunity to put our hard work on the field.”
3. St. Joseph Christian Lions
The St. Joseph Christian Lions surpassed expectations last
year, finishing with a record of 7-4 (4-3 in GRC West) to secure a third-place
finish. This was a significant achievement, especially considering they were
initially predicted to finish last after a 1-win season. The Lions are entering the new season with
high expectations, as they return most of their team and welcome James
Schoonover as their new head coach.
They graduated three talented players in Vail Fruechting
(Honorable Mention All-Conference, All-District, and 2nd Team
All-State Tight End, 2nd Team All-Conference Defensive End), Jaren
Padgett (1st Team All-Conference, All-District, and MSSA All-Northwest
Missouri Offensive Lineman, 2nd Team All-Conference Defensive
Lineman), and Judson Smith. Vail had 16 touchdowns
last season, which helped him earn all-state honors, while Jaren and Judson
were experienced players on the line that the Lions will have to replace this
season.
All-Stater Peyton Hausman (2nd Team
All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 3rd
Team All-State Running Back, Honorable Mention All-Conference Defensive
End/Linebacker) returns as Running Back and is joined by a talented group of
returning players, including Cy Carlson (2nd Team All-Conference, All-District,
and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Running Back, 2nd Team
All-Conference Defensive Back). Both Peyton
and Cy ran for over 1,000 yards last season.
Peyton is a power back, while Cy has agility and speed in the
backfield. Seniors Logan Hubble (2nd
Team All-Conference Wide Receiver, All-District Defensive Back) and Levi Miller
(All-Districts Defensive End) return and will be essential additions to the
offensive line.
Mason Stewart shared time with Miller at quarterback during
his freshman year but is expected to take over full-time during his sophomore
campaign. Others to watch this season
include Aiden Martindale (2nd Team All-Conference and All-District
Linebacker), Shaden Morris (Honorable Mention and All-District Defensive Back),
and Connor Wagers.
Coach Schoonover said, “For the upcoming season, our
expectations are to be highly competitive in a challenging conference filled
with talent. We aim to focus on toughness and resilience as key areas of
improvement. Changes are inevitable due to turnover. We anticipate seeing
adjustments throughout the season. Also, transitioning from Coach Schenk last
year will bring changes, but we acknowledge the strong foundation he laid,
which continues to benefit the program.
Our outlook is positive, with high expectations for this
group of players. Though we will have to rely on youth in some key positions,
there is a great deal of excitement about the opportunities this season
presents and the future ahead.”
He added, “This is the best group of young men I have had the pleasure to be around. They have worked extremely hard to get where they are, and I hope that can be seen by the way they play the game!”
4. Stanberry Bulldogs
The Stanberry Bulldogs had a promising start last season,
winning their first five games. However, injuries to key players disrupted
their momentum, and they finished with a record of 6-4 (4-3 in the GRC
West). The Bulldogs are determined to
bounce back and navigate a challenging GRC West with a young roster this year.
Colby McQuinn (2nd Team All-Conference
All-Purpose Back, All-District Quarterback) and Tucker Schieber (1st
Team All-Conference, All-District, and 2nd Team All-State Running
Back) are key players who are gone from last season. Nate Giffin (1st Team
All-Conference, All-District, and 3rd Team All-State Kicker, 1st
Team All-State Punter) and Brayden Hahn (2nd Team All-Conference
Defensive End/Linebacker, All-District Linebacker) also graduated.
Colby McQueen (1st Team All-State, All-District,
and 3rd Team All-State Defensive Back), Decker Heyde (1st
Team All-Conference Tight End), and Treston Williams (2nd Team
All-Conference Returner, All-District Specialist) will return this season for
the Bulldogs. McQueen will start at Quarterback, where he got some experience
last season when McQuinn was injured.
Cooper Adcock is also expected to contribute for the Bulldogs.
Stanberry coach Shane Hilton said, “I fully expect us to get better as the season progresses with the youth/inexperience of our team. We should be able to compete and do well this year. We have a young team with solid talent that we will need to get in the right spots. Once we get this accomplished, we will do well.”
5. North Andrew Cardinals
The North Andrew Cardinals were coming off a run to the
State Championship Game last season.
While most people were not expecting another title run, the Cardinals
usually reload instead of rebuild.
However, losing ten seniors and then having critical injuries to a
couple of key players was too much for a team that already lacked depth. The Cardinals could not recover and finished
2-8 (1-6 in the GRC West).
The Cardinals expect to rebound this season, but the GRC
West coaches are taking a wait-and-see attitude. Payton Simmons (1st
Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1st
Team All-State Defensive Lineman, 2nd Team All-Conference Offensive
Lineman) and Matthew Evans (All-District Quarterback) are gone from last
season, but there is still a lot of talent at North Andrew.
Braxon Linville will return to Quarterback his senior season
after missing the last half of the year due to an injury. He still rushed for
800 yards and 12 touchdowns in only five games. Running Back Maddox Sybert
(Honorable Mention All-Conference and All-District Defensive End) had 683 yards
and four touchdowns last year and will also return. Avrey Miller (1st Team
All-Conference Defensive End/Linebacker, All-District Defensive End, MSSA
All-Northwest Missouri Linebacker, 1st Team All-State Hybrid) is still
one of the top defenders in the state, with 20 tackles for loss and 9.5
sacks. Some newcomers to watch for are
Jaxon Richie and Isaac Coats.
North Andrew Coach Dustin Williams expects the team to “compete with toughness and compete for a conference title.”
6. King City Wildkats
The King City Wildkats finished the 2023 campaign with a
record of 3-8 (2-5 in the GRC West). Last season was a rebuilding season, as
they had to replace 17 seniors. The
underclassmen gained valuable experience that should help the Wildkats this
season.
King City returns its entire starting lineup from last
season. Darwin Bowden, who threw for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, will
return at Quarterback. Ryder Sample (2nd
Team All-Conference Wide Receiver, 2nd Team All-Conference,
All-District, and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Defensive Back, All-District
Returner) is at Wide Receiver but is a threat to both run and catch the
ball. He had 388 yards rushing and 548
yards receiving with 15 touchdowns.
Cooper Mooney (2nd Team All-Conference, All-District, and
MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Linebacker) is one of the top defensive players
returning with 90 tackles (10 for loss) and four sacks.
Jaxzen Johnston (All-Conference Honorable Mention and
All-District Offensive Lineman), Kavien Aborn (Honorable Mention All-Conference
and All-District Defensive Lineman), Carter Jackson (All-District Defensive
End), Josiah Schellhorn (All-District Defensive End), and Graham Medsker are
also key returning players for the Wildkats this season, along with a couple of
talented freshmen, Jax Jundy (RB/DB) and Landon Carlson (QB).
King City coach Micah Breckenridge expects the team to “Build on last year's young team and continue to improve and be more consistent and competitive.”
7. Pattonsburg Panthers
The Pattonsburg Panthers finished the season 4-7 (2-5 in the
GRC West), but it was a season full of “what could have been”. The Panthers lost three conference games by
one score and led in all three but could not close them out. The Panthers finally got on the winning side
with a three-game winning streak before falling to state-power Worth County in
the District Semifinal. In addition,
they had two straight games holding their opponent under 10 points, including a
shutout of Albany. It was the first time
in school history that they held opponents to single digits in back-to-back
games.
The Panthers will lose all-state athlete Gage Iddings (1st
Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2nd
Team All-State Linebacker, 2nd Team All-Conference and All-District
Quarterback), who had over 4,000 passing yards for 58 touchdowns. Iddings added 598 yards on the ground for
another 15 touchdowns. The Panthers return
a roster of talented players this season, especially at Wide Receiver. Whoever
fills Gage Iddings's shoes at quarterback will throw to Landon Preston (1st
Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2nd
Team All-State Wide Receiver), Wyatt Maize (All-District Specialist), Camden
Griffith (2nd Team All-Conference and All-District Wide Receiver),
and Gavin Humphrey (All-District Wide Receiver). Every one of the receivers had at least 600
yards receiving and nine touchdowns, with Preston leading the way with 1,537
yards and 20 touchdowns. Also returning
on the line will be Jace Estrada (2nd Team All-Conference and
All-District Offensive Lineman), Collin Mason, and Parker Virtue.
Tate Richardson, Drake Sperry, and Rimington White are new
players to watch.
Pattonsburg coach Brandon Burkhead said, “My expectations for this year are having someone step up and fill Gage Iddings's shoes on offense and defense. I think Landon Preston will be more than capable of filling the shoes on defense. We have a defense returning that was firing on all cylinders at the end of the year. Our struggle is going to be filling the quarterback spot, but we have a good group of quarterbacks who are willing to accept the challenge. We have kids who did not play last year coming in, and I think they are going to fit in perfectly with our offense. For the first time in 4 years, we have a combination of size and speed, not just speed. I am looking forward to seeing this team get better as the year goes on! We also have a good number of linemen, giving some of the bigger guys a break where they don't have to play both sides of the ball. Same with our skill positions, we have good numbers and players who are capable of stepping in to give breaks.”
8. Princeton Tigers
The Princeton Tigers experienced some early success in the
GRC West in their first season in 8-man last season, but a demanding conference
schedule and injuries to key players made it difficult, and they finished 3-7
(3-4 in the GRC West). This season, they
have to try to start over after losing a talented athlete in Talan Holt (1st
Team All-Conference and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri All-Purpose Back and
All-District Quarterback, KMZU Dream Team - Offense) and a veteran coach, Nathan
Powell.
Louis O'Brien will take over as the Tigers' head coach this
year. In addition to Talan, the Tigers must replace the leadership and
toughness of Evan Houck (2nd Team All-Conference and All-District
Offensive Lineman, KMZU Dream Team—Defense) and Nicolas Rubio (All-District
Defensive Lineman).
Returning for the Tigers will be Tyler Coffman (All-District
Running Back) at Running Back and Linebacker, Ethan Rhoades (All-District Wide
Receiver) at Running Back and Safety, and Cooper Boxley at Wide Receiver and
Defensive Back. Clay Evans is also
expected to return after an injury last season.
Newcomers expected to contribute include sophomores Hunter
Lowrey, Corbin Powell (All-District Tight End), Kash Holt, and freshmen Mitchell
Walker and Bowe Ussery.
Coach O’Brien said, “We have an extremely young football
team with lots of potential for the future.
The freshman class coming into the season had some success in junior
high. They have great leadership
qualities and are good young athletes.
The sophomore class is crazy talented, with a couple of up-and-comers
this year. We have a few large-frame
athletic sophomores to look forward to in the future. This year, we expect to improve one game at a
time and build our program for the future.”
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