2024 Grand River Conference West 8-Man Football Preview

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

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*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 (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Quarterback, 1^st Team All-Conference and All-District Linebacker, 1^st Team All-Conference Returner, 1^st Team All-State Athlete), Grant McIntyre (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1^st Team All-State Tight End, 1^st Team All-Conference Defensive Back), Elias Alarcon (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1^st Team All-State Offensive Lineman, 1^st Team All-Conference and All-District Defensive End), and Kolton Smith (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1^st Team All-State Defensive Lineman)  exhausted their eligibility last season.

Worth County still has a lot of talent returning with Landon Wilmes (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1^st Team All-State Running Back, 2^nd Team All-Conference Linebacker), Lucas Frisch (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, and 2^nd Team All-State Defensive End, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Defensive Lineman, 2^nd 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 (2^nd Team All-Conference Running Back and 2^nd Team All-Conference Punter), Bryce Martin (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 3^rd Team All-State Offensive Lineman, 2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Wide Receiver, 1^st Team All-Conference and All-District Defensive Back, Honorable Mention, and All-District Returner) had 478 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Seth Miller (2^nd Team All-Conference and All-District Defensive Lineman) and Andrew Wiles (2^nd 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 2^nd Team All-State Tight End, 2^nd Team All-Conference Defensive End), Jaren Padgett (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Offensive Lineman, 2^nd 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 (2^nd Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 3^rd 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 (2^nd Team All-Conference, All-District, and MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Running Back, 2^nd 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 (2^nd 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 (2^nd 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 (2^nd Team All-Conference All-Purpose Back, All-District Quarterback) and Tucker Schieber (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, and 2^nd Team All-State Running Back) are key players who are gone from last season.  Nate Giffin (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, and 3^rd Team All-State Kicker, 1^st Team All-State Punter) and Brayden Hahn (2^nd Team All-Conference Defensive End/Linebacker, All-District Linebacker) also graduated.

Colby McQueen (1^st Team All-State, All-District, and 3^rd Team All-State Defensive Back), Decker Heyde (1^st Team All-Conference Tight End), and Treston Williams (2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 1^st Team All-State Defensive Lineman, 2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference Defensive End/Linebacker, All-District Defensive End, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri Linebacker, 1^st 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 (2^nd Team All-Conference Wide Receiver, 2^nd 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 (2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2^nd Team All-State Linebacker, 2^nd 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 (1^st Team All-Conference, All-District, MSSA All-Northwest Missouri, and 2^nd Team All-State Wide Receiver), Wyatt Maize (All-District Specialist), Camden Griffith (2^nd 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 (2^nd 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 (1^st 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 (2^nd 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.”