MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball head coach Jeff Mittie has hired Elisabeth Brown as the program’s first Director of Student Development and Branding.

In her role, Brown’s responsibilities include: aiding in the navigation of NIL for the student-athletes, enhance branding opportunities, content creation, special projects and events including community service and player appearances. She will also be the direct liaison for the women’s basketball program with K-State’s NIL staff and ensuring that each student-athlete has the ability to grow their brand to the fullest.

Prior to joining K-State women’s basketball, Brown was the director of digital media for the Allen Americans, an ECHL professional hockey team in Allen, Texas from 2021 to 2023. While serving in this role for two seasons, she was responsible for planning, creating and publication of social media content on the organization’s social media platforms. She also assisted in the creation and implementation of graphics for websites and e-mails and managed the content for Americans member e-mails.

Brown also worked for a season with Clutch Entertainment, where she served as the director of communications and public relations for the Brazos Valley Bombers, Brazos Valley Cavalry and Texarkana Twins from November 2020 to September 2021.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Agricultural Leadership from Texas A&amp;M in 2019. She also received a Master of Science in Sport Management from Texas A&amp;M in 2022.

While earning her bachelor’s degree, Brown was an intern/media assistant with TexAgs during the 2018-19 season. During this time, she photographed numerous Texas A&amp;M athletic events.

K-State women’s basketball season tickets for the 2023-24 season are available now for purchase. For more information on season ticket packages for the Wildcats’ home schedule, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693495011200.jpeg" alt="K-State Women's Basketball" />
 <figcaption>K-State Women's Basketball</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball head coach Jeff Mittie has hired Elisabeth Brown as the program’s first Director of Student Development and Branding.In her role, Brown’s responsibilities include: aiding in the navigation of NIL for the student-athletes, enhance branding opportunities, content creation, special projects and events including community service and player appearances. She will also be the direct liaison for the women’s basketball program with K-State’s NIL staff and ensuring that each student-athlete has the ability to grow their brand to the fullest.Prior to joining K-State women’s basketball, Brown was the director of digital media for the Allen Americans, an ECHL professional hockey team in Allen, Texas from 2021 to 2023. While serving in this role for two seasons, she was responsible for planning, creating and publication of social media content on the organization’s social media platforms. She also assisted in the creation and implementation of graphics for websites and e-mails and managed the content for Americans member e-mails.Brown also worked for a season with Clutch Entertainment, where she served as the director of communications and public relations for the Brazos Valley Bombers, Brazos Valley Cavalry and Texarkana Twins from November 2020 to September 2021.She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Agricultural Leadership from Texas A&amp;M in 2019. She also received a Master of Science in Sport Management from Texas A&amp;M in 2022.While earning her bachelor’s degree, Brown was an intern/media assistant with TexAgs during the 2018-19 season. During this time, she photographed numerous Texas A&amp;M athletic events.K-State women’s basketball season tickets for the 2023-24 season are available now for purchase. For more information on season ticket packages for the Wildcats’ home schedule, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-221-CATS or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

Mittie Names Brown Director of Student Development and Branding

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Ell-Saline Cardinals made their first foray into the world of 8-man football in 2022 and posted a strong finish, wrapping up the inaugural campaign with a record of 6-3.

With a year of 8-man football under their belts, and a wealth of returning veterans, the Cardinals will look to step up their game and compete with some of the top teams in 8M-DI throughout a challenging 2023 schedule.

“A lot of these guys got an extensive amount of playing time last year because of some injuries we sustained so we bring back a lot of snaps,” Ell-Saline head coach Joe Roche said. “We’ve got a good group of kids and this is gonna be a fun year.”

While the adjustments and comforts of playing a new brand of football are still cementing themselves, this flock has 3-4 years of experience playing together, something that continues to show week in and week out.

“We feel we can hang out hat on our toughness and experience,” Roche said. “Hopefully, we can put together some good game plans on both sides of the ball from that. This core has been together for a long time now and they know what it takes to win on Friday nights.”

The Cardinals will once again lean on the experience of Marshall Johnson at quarterback, with Ryder Dent taking on a new role as a fullback, and Reese Krone moving to tight end.

Kas Kramer and Joe Hiechel reprise their roles as the team’s leading wideouts, while Victor Ruiz, Jake Tillberg, and Hunter Holmgren lead the charge on the offensive line.

That trio in the trenches will also anchor the D-Line, in addition to Dillon Moore and Aiden Culver, with Hiechel and Kramer patrolling the secondary.

Rounding out the defense is a deep corps of linebackers, several of whom will rotate in at other positions as well, including Ryder and Collin Dent, Reese Krone, and Hunter Holmgren.

While most of the Cardinal’s pieces remain intact, their identity on both sides of the ball is still taking shape and could be the key to unlocking their full potential.

“We still need to figure out what kind of team we want to be,” he said. “Are we going to be an old-school team under center? Do we want to run out of the shotgun? A combination of both? We also need to sort out what kind of defense best suits our strengths and athletes on that side of the ball.”

There’s no question that Ell-Saline handled their business against a majority of their schedule last year, but the focus in 2023 will be on closing the gap to the prestigious programs on their schedule like Little River and Clifton-Clyde.

“I want to be more competitive against the teams that beat us last year,” Roche said. “We didn’t just lose those games, we got beat up pretty good and we don’t want revenge but we feel like we should have been able to play with those teams.”

The Cardinals will kick off the new season on Friday, September 1st when they host Moundridge in Brookville.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of Ell-Saline football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Ell-Saline football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ell-Saline Cardinals made their first foray into the world of 8-man football in 2022 and posted a strong finish, wrapping up the inaugural campaign with a record of 6-3.With a year of 8-man football under their belts, and a wealth of returning veterans, the Cardinals will look to step up their game and compete with some of the top teams in 8M-DI throughout a challenging 2023 schedule.“A lot of these guys got an extensive amount of playing time last year because of some injuries we sustained so we bring back a lot of snaps,” Ell-Saline head coach Joe Roche said. “We’ve got a good group of kids and this is gonna be a fun year.”While the adjustments and comforts of playing a new brand of football are still cementing themselves, this flock has 3-4 years of experience playing together, something that continues to show week in and week out.“We feel we can hang out hat on our toughness and experience,” Roche said. “Hopefully, we can put together some good game plans on both sides of the ball from that. This core has been together for a long time now and they know what it takes to win on Friday nights.”The Cardinals will once again lean on the experience of Marshall Johnson at quarterback, with Ryder Dent taking on a new role as a fullback, and Reese Krone moving to tight end.Kas Kramer and Joe Hiechel reprise their roles as the team’s leading wideouts, while Victor Ruiz, Jake Tillberg, and Hunter Holmgren lead the charge on the offensive line.That trio in the trenches will also anchor the D-Line, in addition to Dillon Moore and Aiden Culver, with Hiechel and Kramer patrolling the secondary.Rounding out the defense is a deep corps of linebackers, several of whom will rotate in at other positions as well, including Ryder and Collin Dent, Reese Krone, and Hunter Holmgren.While most of the Cardinal’s pieces remain intact, their identity on both sides of the ball is still taking shape and could be the key to unlocking their full potential.“We still need to figure out what kind of team we want to be,” he said. “Are we going to be an old-school team under center? Do we want to run out of the shotgun? A combination of both? We also need to sort out what kind of defense best suits our strengths and athletes on that side of the ball.”There’s no question that Ell-Saline handled their business against a majority of their schedule last year, but the focus in 2023 will be on closing the gap to the prestigious programs on their schedule like Little River and Clifton-Clyde.“I want to be more competitive against the teams that beat us last year,” Roche said. “We didn’t just lose those games, we got beat up pretty good and we don’t want revenge but we feel like we should have been able to play with those teams.”The Cardinals will kick off the new season on Friday, September 1st when they host Moundridge in Brookville.

Cardinals Look to Close the gap to 8-Man Frontrunners in Year Two

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's fight song begins, “There is no place like Nebraska.” When it comes to volleyball, those words never rang more true than Wednesday night.

The Cornhuskers laid claim to the world record for largest attendance at a women's sporting event with 92,003 filling Memorial Stadium for their volleyball match against Omaha.

The university took aim at the record last spring when it announced it would hold a daylong celebration of a sport that enjoys immense popularity in this state of fewer than 2 million.

“We took a chance by playing in Memorial Stadium, and to go for the record and break it. ... I don’t think anybody could have envisioned that when this whole thing started,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “It feels like a great accomplishment for this sport called volleyball played by women. It’s a state treasure. We proved it.”

The event began with an exhibition between in-state Division II powers Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State and was followed by the Huskers' three-set sweep of Omaha in a regular-season match. Country artist Scotty McCreery performed afterward.

The previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-soccer-sports-soccer-barcelona-0abf21b88c76e5183fda8cc4ac03244a">attendance record was 91,648, set during a Champions League soccer match</a>&nbsp;when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 at the Camp Nou Stadium in 2022.

Memorial Stadium's official capacity is just over 85,000 for football, but that number was higher for this event because there were seats and standing room on the field.

Fans in red and white started their tailgate parties outside the stadium hours before first serve of an exhibition Wayne State won in three sets. The stadium was one-quarter full at the start of that match and gradually filled to capacity as players for Omaha and Nebraska were warming up.

There was a flyover during the national anthem and, minutes before first serve, Cook led his Huskers into the stadium to the Tunnel Walk, the longtime tradition of the football team. Synchronized chants of “Go Big Red!” were heard all around.

Conditions were 83 degrees, clear skies and a south wind listed at 4-mph at court level with gusts that sometimes moved the ball in unpredictable ways.

Though 91,648 was widely acknowledged as the women’s sports attendance record, at least one match at the unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mundo-women71.html">1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico City reportedly drew 110,000 people.</a>

The American record attendance for a women’s sporting event had been 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup soccer final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California — the game where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/sports/soccer/23seconds.html">Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt</a>&nbsp;after scoring the decisive penalty shot for the U.S. win.

The NCAA does not track attendance across all sports, but associate director of media coordination and statistics Jeff Williams said a crowd of 90,000-plus was easily among the largest for a non-football game. A 2010 outdoor&nbsp;<a href="https://collegehockeyinc.com/stats/boxes11.php?mmicmsu1.d11">hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor drew more than 113,000 fans.</a>

A message seeking comment from officials of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/">Guinness World Records</a>&nbsp;was not immediately returned.

Nebraska has sold out 306 consecutive regular-season matches. (Wednesday's event won't count toward the streak because it is not being held on the team's Devaney Center court.) The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since 2013, and eight of the top nine crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved Nebraska.

Nebraska has won five national championships in volleyball, and its program is one of the few in Division I women's sports that turns a profit — $1 million last year, according to athletic department CFO Doug Ewald.

“This is a statement on Title IX, and having two daughters of my own, what Title IX has done for women's sports is huge,” fan Troy Pfannenstiel of Omaha said before the matches.

Chancellor Rodney Bennett canceled classes for the day. NCAA President Charlie Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti were on hand, as was Gov. Jim Pillen. So were Husker volleyball players who were part of iconic coach Terry Pettit's teams over four decades. High school teams from across a state stretching 430 miles border to border were excused from classes to attend.

There are 75 women from the state of Nebraska who are on Division I volleyball rosters this season. At 44 players per million in population, the state trails only Hawaii (67 per million) in Division I players produced per capita, according to volleyball statistician and historian Rich Kern of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richkern.com/vb/FreePage.asp">RichKern.com.</a>

“You don’t think you’re going to be part of a world record event, and seeing how much everyone supports volleyball and wanted to be part of that record is awesome to see,” Omaha's Shayla McCormick said.

Volleyball has surpassed basketball as the No. 1 girls high school team sport in the United States. It’s long been No. 1 in Nebraska.

About 7,000 girls play high school volleyball in the state. Volleyball has been played in varying forms in Nebraska since the early 1900s. For many years, girls volleyball matches were warmup acts for boys basketball games. Volleyball became a sanctioned sport in 1972 and took off in the late 1970s when Pettit invited many of the state’s high school coaches to work at his camps in Lincoln.

Pettit also conducted so-called “satellite” clinics in small towns across the state. In a place where boys grow up dreaming of becoming Cornhusker football players, many girls are equally passionate about some day playing volleyball for a Nebraska team that annually ranks among the nation’s elite.

Ella Beck, 10, came with a group from tiny Pierce to see her first college volleyball match and root for her favorite player, setter Lexi Rodriguez.

Neveah Kehr, 10, came with her mom, Nicki, from Bismarck, North Dakota, to be part of the event. Nicki graduated from Nebraska, and she brought up her daughter watching the Huskers on television.

Neveah wore the No. 5 jersey of middle blocker Bekka Allick at a pep rally before the matches and, with more than 1,000 fans cheering, was invited to walk to where the players stood and was introduced to the woman she called her idol.

Neveah teared up, and Bekka gave her a hug.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693453778144.jpeg" alt="Nebraska and Omaha play a college volleyball match Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Eric Olson)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska and Omaha play a college volleyball match Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Eric Olson)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC OLSON AP Sports WriterLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's fight song begins, “There is no place like Nebraska.” When it comes to volleyball, those words never rang more true than Wednesday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">😌😌😌 <a href="https://t.co/KyQCRk99A5">https://t.co/KyQCRk99A5</a>&mdash; Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUVolleyball/status/1697082227476107476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Cornhuskers laid claim to the world record for largest attendance at a women's sporting event with 92,003 filling Memorial Stadium for their volleyball match against Omaha.The university took aim at the record last spring when it announced it would hold a daylong celebration of a sport that enjoys immense popularity in this state of fewer than 2 million.“We took a chance by playing in Memorial Stadium, and to go for the record and break it. ... I don’t think anybody could have envisioned that when this whole thing started,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “It feels like a great accomplishment for this sport called volleyball played by women. It’s a state treasure. We proved it.”The event began with an exhibition between in-state Division II powers Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State and was followed by the Huskers' three-set sweep of Omaha in a regular-season match. Country artist Scotty McCreery performed afterward.The previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-soccer-sports-soccer-barcelona-0abf21b88c76e5183fda8cc4ac03244a">attendance record was 91,648, set during a Champions League soccer match</a>&nbsp;when Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2 at the Camp Nou Stadium in 2022.Memorial Stadium's official capacity is just over 85,000 for football, but that number was higher for this event because there were seats and standing room on the field.Fans in red and white started their tailgate parties outside the stadium hours before first serve of an exhibition Wayne State won in three sets. The stadium was one-quarter full at the start of that match and gradually filled to capacity as players for Omaha and Nebraska were warming up.There was a flyover during the national anthem and, minutes before first serve, Cook led his Huskers into the stadium to the Tunnel Walk, the longtime tradition of the football team. Synchronized chants of “Go Big Red!” were heard all around.Conditions were 83 degrees, clear skies and a south wind listed at 4-mph at court level with gusts that sometimes moved the ball in unpredictable ways.Though 91,648 was widely acknowledged as the women’s sports attendance record, at least one match at the unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mundo-women71.html">1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico City reportedly drew 110,000 people.</a>The American record attendance for a women’s sporting event had been 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup soccer final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California — the game where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/sports/soccer/23seconds.html">Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt</a>&nbsp;after scoring the decisive penalty shot for the U.S. win.The NCAA does not track attendance across all sports, but associate director of media coordination and statistics Jeff Williams said a crowd of 90,000-plus was easily among the largest for a non-football game. A 2010 outdoor&nbsp;<a href="https://collegehockeyinc.com/stats/boxes11.php?mmicmsu1.d11">hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor drew more than 113,000 fans.</a>A message seeking comment from officials of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/">Guinness World Records</a>&nbsp;was not immediately returned.Nebraska has sold out 306 consecutive regular-season matches. (Wednesday's event won't count toward the streak because it is not being held on the team's Devaney Center court.) The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since 2013, and eight of the top nine crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved Nebraska.Nebraska has won five national championships in volleyball, and its program is one of the few in Division I women's sports that turns a profit — $1 million last year, according to athletic department CFO Doug Ewald.“This is a statement on Title IX, and having two daughters of my own, what Title IX has done for women's sports is huge,” fan Troy Pfannenstiel of Omaha said before the matches.Chancellor Rodney Bennett canceled classes for the day. NCAA President Charlie Baker, Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti were on hand, as was Gov. Jim Pillen. So were Husker volleyball players who were part of iconic coach Terry Pettit's teams over four decades. High school teams from across a state stretching 430 miles border to border were excused from classes to attend.There are 75 women from the state of Nebraska who are on Division I volleyball rosters this season. At 44 players per million in population, the state trails only Hawaii (67 per million) in Division I players produced per capita, according to volleyball statistician and historian Rich Kern of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richkern.com/vb/FreePage.asp">RichKern.com.</a>“You don’t think you’re going to be part of a world record event, and seeing how much everyone supports volleyball and wanted to be part of that record is awesome to see,” Omaha's Shayla McCormick said.Volleyball has surpassed basketball as the No. 1 girls high school team sport in the United States. It’s long been No. 1 in Nebraska.About 7,000 girls play high school volleyball in the state. Volleyball has been played in varying forms in Nebraska since the early 1900s. For many years, girls volleyball matches were warmup acts for boys basketball games. Volleyball became a sanctioned sport in 1972 and took off in the late 1970s when Pettit invited many of the state’s high school coaches to work at his camps in Lincoln.Pettit also conducted so-called “satellite” clinics in small towns across the state. In a place where boys grow up dreaming of becoming Cornhusker football players, many girls are equally passionate about some day playing volleyball for a Nebraska team that annually ranks among the nation’s elite.Ella Beck, 10, came with a group from tiny Pierce to see her first college volleyball match and root for her favorite player, setter Lexi Rodriguez.Neveah Kehr, 10, came with her mom, Nicki, from Bismarck, North Dakota, to be part of the event. Nicki graduated from Nebraska, and she brought up her daughter watching the Huskers on television.Neveah wore the No. 5 jersey of middle blocker Bekka Allick at a pep rally before the matches and, with more than 1,000 fans cheering, was invited to walk to where the players stood and was introduced to the woman she called her idol.Neveah teared up, and Bekka gave her a hug.

🏐 Nebraska volleyball stadium event draws 92,003 to set women's world attendance record

Three years ago, the Ellsworth Bearcats finished the 2020 football season just 2-6, with one of the youngest rosters in the state of Kansas.

A year later, the team once again recorded just two wins, but this time, fell in five of those losses by just one score.

The Bearcats knew they had something special, and in 2021 all of the pieces fell into place, culminating in an explosive 8-2 campaign, and the first playoff win for the program since 2014.

“Most of these guys have been starting since they were freshmen and last year we were finally big enough to really compete,” Bearcat head coach Josh Homolka said.

The scariest part about all of this for the eight teams on Ellsworth’s schedule; the Bearcats graduated just one senior in 2022.

With a slew of three and four-year starters back for one last year, Ellsworth will have a pristine opportunity to take their program to new heights in 2023, and to continue building something that Coach Homokla hopes will last far beyond this season.

“We’re trying to build a real football program here, not just one or two years of excellence,” he said. “I’m hoping that the younger kids all the way down to our junior high look up and see how these guys do the right things and handle their business.”

One of the biggest “business handlers” over the last several years has been quarterback Will Cravens, who racked up 1,474 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns in 2023.

Cravens will return to the backfield alongside a pair of 500-yard rushers from 2022 in Loden West and Wyatt Bohnen, as well as Salina South transfer Ian Andalon.

He will also have all of his favorite weapons back in his arsenal as Cole Webber, Layton Leiker, and Dax Leiker all return to terrorize opposing secondaries.

The line blocking for this group will feature five familiar faces in Trent Hays, Tyler Conley, Micah Galvan, Jordan Rodriguez, and Brendan Anderson.

In the defensive trenches, the Bearcats return two-way stars Hays, Anderson, and Rodriguez in addition to Riley Stone, while Ian Andalon and Dax Leiker patrol the secondary.

And finally, Ellsworth has all of its heavy hitters back in the linebacker corps as Cole Webber, Layton Leiker, Tucker Goss, and Loden West all reprise their roles.

The only real question marks for the Bearcats will come in their depth, and how the team handles the pressure of sky-high expectations as a new known quantity in the 2A landscape.

“I think as a football program to be considered a top team in the state is new for us,” he said. “I’ll be interested to see how we handle our business when we have a target on our back.”

As for goals, Ellsworth remains humble, but will work week-by-week to build themselves into a true contender come late October.

“We’re breaking things into three seasons,” Homolka said. “We want to build through our non-conference schedule, play well in our district to earn a high seed for the playoffs, and see if we can’t set ourselves up to make a run.”&nbsp;

The Bearcats will open their 2023 campaign on the road when they take on a league rival in the Beloit Trojans at 7:00 on Friday, September 1.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of Ellsworth football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Ellsworth football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>Three years ago, the Ellsworth Bearcats finished the 2020 football season just 2-6, with one of the youngest rosters in the state of Kansas.A year later, the team once again recorded just two wins, but this time, fell in five of those losses by just one score.The Bearcats knew they had something special, and in 2021 all of the pieces fell into place, culminating in an explosive 8-2 campaign, and the first playoff win for the program since 2014.“Most of these guys have been starting since they were freshmen and last year we were finally big enough to really compete,” Bearcat head coach Josh Homolka said.The scariest part about all of this for the eight teams on Ellsworth’s schedule; the Bearcats graduated just one senior in 2022.With a slew of three and four-year starters back for one last year, Ellsworth will have a pristine opportunity to take their program to new heights in 2023, and to continue building something that Coach Homokla hopes will last far beyond this season.“We’re trying to build a real football program here, not just one or two years of excellence,” he said. “I’m hoping that the younger kids all the way down to our junior high look up and see how these guys do the right things and handle their business.”One of the biggest “business handlers” over the last several years has been quarterback Will Cravens, who racked up 1,474 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns in 2023.Cravens will return to the backfield alongside a pair of 500-yard rushers from 2022 in Loden West and Wyatt Bohnen, as well as Salina South transfer Ian Andalon.He will also have all of his favorite weapons back in his arsenal as Cole Webber, Layton Leiker, and Dax Leiker all return to terrorize opposing secondaries.The line blocking for this group will feature five familiar faces in Trent Hays, Tyler Conley, Micah Galvan, Jordan Rodriguez, and Brendan Anderson.In the defensive trenches, the Bearcats return two-way stars Hays, Anderson, and Rodriguez in addition to Riley Stone, while Ian Andalon and Dax Leiker patrol the secondary.And finally, Ellsworth has all of its heavy hitters back in the linebacker corps as Cole Webber, Layton Leiker, Tucker Goss, and Loden West all reprise their roles.The only real question marks for the Bearcats will come in their depth, and how the team handles the pressure of sky-high expectations as a new known quantity in the 2A landscape.“I think as a football program to be considered a top team in the state is new for us,” he said. “I’ll be interested to see how we handle our business when we have a target on our back.”As for goals, Ellsworth remains humble, but will work week-by-week to build themselves into a true contender come late October.“We’re breaking things into three seasons,” Homolka said. “We want to build through our non-conference schedule, play well in our district to earn a high seed for the playoffs, and see if we can’t set ourselves up to make a run.”&nbsp;The Bearcats will open their 2023 campaign on the road when they take on a league rival in the Beloit Trojans at 7:00 on Friday, September 1.

Senior-Heavy Bearcat Squad Ready to take Program to New Heights

These are uncertain times for the world of Champions Indoor Football.

The league that has served as the home of the Salina Liberty since 2016 was supposed to enter its ninth season in 2024, but doubt has begun to loom large as teams have abandoned the league in droves.

Earlier this offseason the Omaha Beef, Sioux City Bandits, and Topeka Tropics announced they would be the first to desert, with Omaha and Sioux City quickly finding a home in the National Arena League for the 2024 season.

On Monday, the CIF announced the addition of a new expansion team from Park City, Kansas in the ICT Regulators, but no sooner was the ink dry on the paperwork before the Billings Outlaws were confirmed as the newest member of the prestigious AFL (Arena Football League) just a day later.

These moves left the CIF with just five member teams for 2024 (Salina Liberty, Gillette Mustangs, SW Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, and ICT Regulators), but the chaos may not be done yet, as on Wednesday it was announced in a statement that the Gillette Mustangs were being put up for sale by owner Steve Titus.

While a return to the Champions Indoor Football League is not impossible for the Tropics, who have, as of Wednesday, August 30th, not yet found a home for 2024, many are left to ponder the fate of a league that in eight seasons has never seen its membership dip below six teams.

For more on this developing situation, stay tuned to the Salina, Little Apple, and JC Posts.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThese are uncertain times for the world of Champions Indoor Football.The league that has served as the home of the Salina Liberty since 2016 was supposed to enter its ninth season in 2024, but doubt has begun to loom large as teams have abandoned the league in droves.Earlier this offseason the Omaha Beef, Sioux City Bandits, and Topeka Tropics announced they would be the first to desert, with Omaha and Sioux City quickly finding a home in the National Arena League for the 2024 season.On Monday, the CIF announced the addition of a new expansion team from Park City, Kansas in the ICT Regulators, but no sooner was the ink dry on the paperwork before the Billings Outlaws were confirmed as the newest member of the prestigious AFL (Arena Football League) just a day later.These moves left the CIF with just five member teams for 2024 (Salina Liberty, Gillette Mustangs, SW Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, and ICT Regulators), but the chaos may not be done yet, as on Wednesday it was announced in a statement that the Gillette Mustangs were being put up for sale by owner Steve Titus.While a return to the Champions Indoor Football League is not impossible for the Tropics, who have, as of Wednesday, August 30th, not yet found a home for 2024, many are left to ponder the fate of a league that in eight seasons has never seen its membership dip below six teams.For more on this developing situation, stay tuned to the Salina, Little Apple, and JC Posts.

Uncertainty Looms Large as CIF Continues to Shed Members

In an effort to avoid issues with Saturday's weather forecast, officials at Kansas Wesleyan University have changed the game time for football's contest with Bethany College. 

The game will now kick-off at 10 a.m. at Gene Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.&nbsp;

"Looking at the weather forecast, keeping the health and safety of all the involved student-athletes in mind, and consulting with our athletic training staff, we made the decision to move the game to the morning," said Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Director Miguel Paredes.

KWU fans that are unable to make the rescheduled time and have reserved premium tailgate parking spots can contact the Athletics Office (<a href="mailto:karyn.underwood@kwu.edu">karyn.underwood@kwu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-833-4400) to request a refund of the ticket. The request must be made before 12 p.m. Thursday.

Any spectator who has purchased tickets online that cannot attend Saturday's game due to the time change can also request a refund by contacting the Athletics Office (<a href="mailto:karyn.underwood@kwu.edu">karyn.underwood@kwu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-833-4400). This request must be made by 12 p.m. Friday.

Saturday's game will be the 113th&nbsp;meeting in the series between the teams separated by just 15 miles.

The Kansas Wesleyan broadcast of the game will be available locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Eagle Communication's Post site (salinapost.com in Salina). &nbsp;The live stream video broadcast will be available on the Coyote Sports Network at kwucoyotes.com and&nbsp;<a href="http://kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan">kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.

In an effort to avoid issues with Saturday's weather forecast, officials at Kansas Wesleyan University have changed the game time for football's contest with Bethany College. The game will now kick-off at 10 a.m. at Gene Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex.&nbsp;"Looking at the weather forecast, keeping the health and safety of all the involved student-athletes in mind, and consulting with our athletic training staff, we made the decision to move the game to the morning," said Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Director Miguel Paredes.KWU fans that are unable to make the rescheduled time and have reserved premium tailgate parking spots can contact the Athletics Office (<a href="mailto:karyn.underwood@kwu.edu">karyn.underwood@kwu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-833-4400) to request a refund of the ticket. The request must be made before 12 p.m. Thursday.Any spectator who has purchased tickets online that cannot attend Saturday's game due to the time change can also request a refund by contacting the Athletics Office (<a href="mailto:karyn.underwood@kwu.edu">karyn.underwood@kwu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-833-4400). This request must be made by 12 p.m. Friday.Saturday's game will be the 113th&nbsp;meeting in the series between the teams separated by just 15 miles.The Kansas Wesleyan broadcast of the game will be available locally on KINA 910 AM/107.5 FM, and online at Eagle Communication's Post site (salinapost.com in Salina). &nbsp;The live stream video broadcast will be available on the Coyote Sports Network at kwucoyotes.com and&nbsp;<a href="http://kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan">kcacnetwork.com/kansaswesleyan</a>.

KWU Football Kickoff vs. Bethany Moved to 10 AM on Saturday

After capping off their first winning campaign since 2014, the Minneapolis football program will look to take the next step ahead of what should be an exciting 2023 season.

The Lions are coming off a 5-4 year that saw them go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the state, falling exclusively to teams that were ranked in the Kpreps.com top five at one point or another throughout the season.

All-in-all, Minneapolis returns seven starters on each side of the ball, and could be primed for an explosive offensive output, with a unit that comes loaded at running back and wide receiver.

“Our skill guys will be a big strength for us this season, Minneapolis head coach Tom Flax said. “We have five or six guys that could go for 100 yards rushing or receiving in any given week which isn’t something we’ve always had.”

The architect of that offensive unit will also be one of its newest pieces, as sophomore Owen Just takes over at quarterback for Ryan Parks, who will move into more of an H-Back role in 2023.

“Owen has learned a lot from Ryan this offseason,” Flax said. “He has a lot of the intangibles that coaches like. He’s a big, intelligent kid with a strong arm and good elusiveness when he runs the ball.”

Just will be joined in the backfield by All-League rusher Braylon Smith, as well as Mason Smith, and Zach Nelson, with several returning wideouts led by Chase Johnson.

Personnel in the trenches will be the biggest question mark for the Lions to sort out, as positional battles still rage for the last few spots on an O-Line led by Gus Johns, and a D-Line that will see several newcomers step up to make a difference alongside rushers converted from other positions.

“We have six or seven guys that could play a role on our offensive line,” he said. “Defensively we return a bunch of our back seven but up front we’ve moved some guys around and we won’t be huge but we have some good speed.”

Beyond the line, the Minneapolis defense returns a great store of talent, with Braylon Smith and Gus Johns reprising their roles at linebacker, and Zach Nelson, Chase Johnson, and Ethan Bohl patrolling the secondary.

While many teams would simply be happy to get over the .500 hump, Minneapolis will come into 2023 hungry for more, with a veteran-heavy roster eager to take the program to new heights.

“We want to win all of the league games on our schedule,” Flax said. “We don’t just want to qualify for the playoffs, we’d like to secure a home game and make a run. We’ve exited in the first round since I’ve been here and we’ve never been higher than a 3-seed so we’d like to do that this season as well.”

The Lions will open their season on Friday, September 1st when they travel to Belleville to battle Republic County.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of Minneapolis football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Minneapolis football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After capping off their first winning campaign since 2014, the Minneapolis football program will look to take the next step ahead of what should be an exciting 2023 season.The Lions are coming off a 5-4 year that saw them go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the state, falling exclusively to teams that were ranked in the Kpreps.com top five at one point or another throughout the season.All-in-all, Minneapolis returns seven starters on each side of the ball, and could be primed for an explosive offensive output, with a unit that comes loaded at running back and wide receiver.“Our skill guys will be a big strength for us this season, Minneapolis head coach Tom Flax said. “We have five or six guys that could go for 100 yards rushing or receiving in any given week which isn’t something we’ve always had.”The architect of that offensive unit will also be one of its newest pieces, as sophomore Owen Just takes over at quarterback for Ryan Parks, who will move into more of an H-Back role in 2023.“Owen has learned a lot from Ryan this offseason,” Flax said. “He has a lot of the intangibles that coaches like. He’s a big, intelligent kid with a strong arm and good elusiveness when he runs the ball.”Just will be joined in the backfield by All-League rusher Braylon Smith, as well as Mason Smith, and Zach Nelson, with several returning wideouts led by Chase Johnson.Personnel in the trenches will be the biggest question mark for the Lions to sort out, as positional battles still rage for the last few spots on an O-Line led by Gus Johns, and a D-Line that will see several newcomers step up to make a difference alongside rushers converted from other positions.“We have six or seven guys that could play a role on our offensive line,” he said. “Defensively we return a bunch of our back seven but up front we’ve moved some guys around and we won’t be huge but we have some good speed.”Beyond the line, the Minneapolis defense returns a great store of talent, with Braylon Smith and Gus Johns reprising their roles at linebacker, and Zach Nelson, Chase Johnson, and Ethan Bohl patrolling the secondary.While many teams would simply be happy to get over the .500 hump, Minneapolis will come into 2023 hungry for more, with a veteran-heavy roster eager to take the program to new heights.“We want to win all of the league games on our schedule,” Flax said. “We don’t just want to qualify for the playoffs, we’d like to secure a home game and make a run. We’ve exited in the first round since I’ve been here and we’ve never been higher than a 3-seed so we’d like to do that this season as well.”The Lions will open their season on Friday, September 1st when they travel to Belleville to battle Republic County.

Lions Primed to Make a Run Following Best Campaign in a Decade

K-State Athletics As K-State football fans prepare to descend upon Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the home opener Saturday against SEMO, fans are alerted to the following construction projects in and around the Manhattan area that could impact travel and parking plans.

I-70 at Junction City –&nbsp;A&nbsp;pavement replacement project is underway between Exit 295 on the west and mile marker 302 on the east of Junction City. The passing lanes in each direction will have periodic closures to allow for crossover construction as the project continues. The speed limit is reduced in this area and delays are anticipated with heavy gameday traffic. Please allow for additional travel time to and from the stadium and use caution in the work zone.&nbsp;

North Campus Corridor –&nbsp;Kimball Avenue is fully open, allowing access to all stadium and auxiliary parking lots.&nbsp;

Parking Lots –&nbsp;With the completion of the Morgan Family Volleyball Arena/Morris Family Olympic Training Center, Gate&nbsp;1 from College Avenue&nbsp;is open again to all Ahearn Fund members assigned parking in the West stadium lot. Gate 3 (from College Avenue) and Gate 5 (from Kimball Avenue) are also available.

On the east side of the stadium, the only change this season is that Ahearn Fund members assigned to Lot E-1 will be required to exit postgame out of Gate&nbsp;7 eastbound onto Kimball Avenue&nbsp;to help safely expedite exiting traffic from Lot E-2 on the south end of the Shamrock Practice Facility.

Satellite Parking Lots –&nbsp;The signal light at Gate 8/Agriculture Road (Grain Science Center) is operational. Parking in the Grain Science Center Lot for eastbound and westbound traffic is accessible only from the signal.&nbsp;

Fans parking in the Agronomy Lot north of the stadium will be required to enter from the new frontage road on College Avenue just north of Kimball Avenue. This is the only entrance into the Agronomy Lot.&nbsp;

Final construction of the frontage road from the Grain Science Center to Denison Avenue will be ongoing through the fall. Along with the construction of a new commercial office building just west of the KSU Foundation, parking has been reduced at the Foundation but is still accessible from Denison Avenue at this time. Additional satellite parking is available at the Equine Center off Denison Avenue to the north of the Fire Station and in the new Bullpen Lot off Kimball Avenue east of Denison Avenue at the Discovery Way entrance to NBAF.

All parking lots around Bill Snyder Family Stadium open five hours prior to kickoff (1 p.m. this Saturday).&nbsp;As always, fans are encouraged to arrive early as pregame traffic could become congested.

A free shuttle sponsored by the K-State Union, Housing and Dining Services and K-State Campus Store is available to fans with free parking in the K-State Parking Garage. The shuttle begins two hours prior to kickoff from the south circle on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between the K-State Parking Garage and the Union. Passengers will be dropped off near the Jardine Plaza Neighborhood. Return trips resume with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and rides will continue until approximately one hour after the end of the game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693417296247.jpeg" alt="Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Image Courtesy K-State Athletics&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Image Courtesy K-State Athletics&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Athletics As K-State football fans prepare to descend upon Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the home opener Saturday against SEMO, fans are alerted to the following construction projects in and around the Manhattan area that could impact travel and parking plans.I-70 at Junction City –&nbsp;A&nbsp;pavement replacement project is underway between Exit 295 on the west and mile marker 302 on the east of Junction City. The passing lanes in each direction will have periodic closures to allow for crossover construction as the project continues. The speed limit is reduced in this area and delays are anticipated with heavy gameday traffic. Please allow for additional travel time to and from the stadium and use caution in the work zone.&nbsp;North Campus Corridor –&nbsp;Kimball Avenue is fully open, allowing access to all stadium and auxiliary parking lots.&nbsp;Parking Lots –&nbsp;With the completion of the Morgan Family Volleyball Arena/Morris Family Olympic Training Center, Gate&nbsp;1 from College Avenue&nbsp;is open again to all Ahearn Fund members assigned parking in the West stadium lot. Gate 3 (from College Avenue) and Gate 5 (from Kimball Avenue) are also available.On the east side of the stadium, the only change this season is that Ahearn Fund members assigned to Lot E-1 will be required to exit postgame out of Gate&nbsp;7 eastbound onto Kimball Avenue&nbsp;to help safely expedite exiting traffic from Lot E-2 on the south end of the Shamrock Practice Facility.Satellite Parking Lots –&nbsp;The signal light at Gate 8/Agriculture Road (Grain Science Center) is operational. Parking in the Grain Science Center Lot for eastbound and westbound traffic is accessible only from the signal.&nbsp;Fans parking in the Agronomy Lot north of the stadium will be required to enter from the new frontage road on College Avenue just north of Kimball Avenue. This is the only entrance into the Agronomy Lot.&nbsp;Final construction of the frontage road from the Grain Science Center to Denison Avenue will be ongoing through the fall. Along with the construction of a new commercial office building just west of the KSU Foundation, parking has been reduced at the Foundation but is still accessible from Denison Avenue at this time. Additional satellite parking is available at the Equine Center off Denison Avenue to the north of the Fire Station and in the new Bullpen Lot off Kimball Avenue east of Denison Avenue at the Discovery Way entrance to NBAF.All parking lots around Bill Snyder Family Stadium open five hours prior to kickoff (1 p.m. this Saturday).&nbsp;As always, fans are encouraged to arrive early as pregame traffic could become congested.A free shuttle sponsored by the K-State Union, Housing and Dining Services and K-State Campus Store is available to fans with free parking in the K-State Parking Garage. The shuttle begins two hours prior to kickoff from the south circle on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between the K-State Parking Garage and the Union. Passengers will be dropped off near the Jardine Plaza Neighborhood. Return trips resume with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and rides will continue until approximately one hour after the end of the game.

K-State Fans Alerted to Road Construction Projects

With another fall semester already underway, the Southeast of Saline cross-country teams are gearing up for what should be another pair of exciting seasons for one of the most dynastic programs in the state of Kansas.

The girl’s team, which is currently on a run of three straight 3A state titles, added a tenth banner to the rafters last year, and will be the favorites to pull off an unthinkable fourth straight state win for the second time in program history.

“We’re hoping that our girl’s team can run up to those expectations and bring home another championship,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We feel that we have the power and depth to do that. There’s nothing I would love more for them than to have an opportunity to four-peat.”

On the boy's side, Wichita Trinity remains the favorite in Class 3A, but last year’s runner-up Trojans will be hungry to challenge the Knights again, and will be expected to at the very least medal in this year’s state meet.

“Wichita Trinity has everyone back from their two-time state championship team but we feel like we’re a podium team come Rim Rock,” Caselman said. “It’s just going to be about finding our 6th through 8th runners and closing down our time gaps to the front.”

Despite losing one of their top runners in Ashley Prochazka to graduation, the Lady Trojans return a stacked lineup for 2023, including seniors Sadie Franklin and Brookelyn Adams, junior Abby Commerford, and sophomore Breckyn Alderson, all of whom ran at state last year.

The girls’ team will also get a boost from a trio of promising freshmen in Anna Jackson, Regan Duran, and converted track runner Piper Brown, who will get her first taste of cross-country experience this fall.

Southeast’s ability to churn out exceptional runners year after year is the product of a program that encourages kids to start running early, and fosters lifelong relationships in a family atmosphere few other schools can hope to replicate.

“Having a program like the one we have here at Southeast is so important,” Caselman said. “Our Freshmen come in every year with the experience of having run in some big meets and that helps them to be ready to step in and compete right away at the high school level.”

On the boy's side, despite graduating Damion Jackson and Nakari Morrical-Palmer, the Trojans return a strong lineup headlined by seniors Levi Allen and Cayden Walker, and sophomores Jacob Bircher and Brayden Walker.

The Trojans will also look to their #6 and #7 runners from a season ago to step up and play a big part, as Ben Grauerholz and Isaiah Kejr take on bigger roles in 2023.

The teams will open the new year at the Abilene Invitational on Thursday, August 31st, and will be eager to see where they stack up after a long offseason.

“The kids are looking forward to getting out there and competing again,” Caselman said. “Most of our team got a lot of miles in over the summer and they’re excited to get on the course to see all that hard work pay off.”

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of SES cross country is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES cross country is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>With another fall semester already underway, the Southeast of Saline cross-country teams are gearing up for what should be another pair of exciting seasons for one of the most dynastic programs in the state of Kansas.The girl’s team, which is currently on a run of three straight 3A state titles, added a tenth banner to the rafters last year, and will be the favorites to pull off an unthinkable fourth straight state win for the second time in program history.“We’re hoping that our girl’s team can run up to those expectations and bring home another championship,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We feel that we have the power and depth to do that. There’s nothing I would love more for them than to have an opportunity to four-peat.”On the boy's side, Wichita Trinity remains the favorite in Class 3A, but last year’s runner-up Trojans will be hungry to challenge the Knights again, and will be expected to at the very least medal in this year’s state meet.“Wichita Trinity has everyone back from their two-time state championship team but we feel like we’re a podium team come Rim Rock,” Caselman said. “It’s just going to be about finding our 6th through 8th runners and closing down our time gaps to the front.”Despite losing one of their top runners in Ashley Prochazka to graduation, the Lady Trojans return a stacked lineup for 2023, including seniors Sadie Franklin and Brookelyn Adams, junior Abby Commerford, and sophomore Breckyn Alderson, all of whom ran at state last year.The girls’ team will also get a boost from a trio of promising freshmen in Anna Jackson, Regan Duran, and converted track runner Piper Brown, who will get her first taste of cross-country experience this fall.Southeast’s ability to churn out exceptional runners year after year is the product of a program that encourages kids to start running early, and fosters lifelong relationships in a family atmosphere few other schools can hope to replicate.“Having a program like the one we have here at Southeast is so important,” Caselman said. “Our Freshmen come in every year with the experience of having run in some big meets and that helps them to be ready to step in and compete right away at the high school level.”On the boy's side, despite graduating Damion Jackson and Nakari Morrical-Palmer, the Trojans return a strong lineup headlined by seniors Levi Allen and Cayden Walker, and sophomores Jacob Bircher and Brayden Walker.The Trojans will also look to their #6 and #7 runners from a season ago to step up and play a big part, as Ben Grauerholz and Isaiah Kejr take on bigger roles in 2023.The teams will open the new year at the Abilene Invitational on Thursday, August 31st, and will be eager to see where they stack up after a long offseason.“The kids are looking forward to getting out there and competing again,” Caselman said. “Most of our team got a lot of miles in over the summer and they’re excited to get on the course to see all that hard work pay off.”

SES Cross Country With Opportunities to Add to Dynasty in 2023

After a disappointing 3-6 campaign in 2022, the Chapman football program is primed for a bounce-back this year, with 12 returning seniors and another year of varsity experience.

While the traditional run-heavy offense featured the talent to work effectively, the Fighting Irish relied a bit too much on hammering teams through brute force last season, but now possess the tools to return to what has made Chapman football so efficient in years past.

“We’re much improved as an actual option running team this year,” 7th-year head coach Kurt Webster said. “Last year we were a lot more power-oriented and we struggled to get the ball pitched at the right times but our slots are improved and our QB is reading and running triple option well.”

That quarterback comes in the form of sophomore Kelan Gruver, who will take the reigns in the backfield alongside a stable of returning backs in Aiden Whitley (1,400+ yds in 2022), Dakota Curtis, and Cooper Lewis.

The offensive line will be anchored by a pair of veteran returners in seniors Weston Langvardt (1st team All-NCKL) and DJ Messerly, while Ian Suther reprises his role as the team's leading wideout.

On defense, Chapman will see both its biggest returning strength, as well as its biggest unknown, as Messerly and Langvardt, both all-league defensive linemen, return to the trenches alongside Michael Shipman, playing in front of a mostly new linebacking corps.

“Linebacker play will be something we’ll be keeping an eye on in the first couple of weeks,” Webster said. “We’ve got some guys that have been on the field on Friday nights but didn’t get a ton of reps.”

That group will see Ryan Clark, Cade Hanney, Kenden Blacketer, and Ben Griffis look to wreak havoc in the middle of the defense, while Ian Suther (All-NCKL Defense), and Cooper Lewis patrol the secondary.

The NCKL looks just as formidable as always ahead of the 2023 season, which will provide Chapman with an opportunity to go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the state each week.

“With where we are in our league and district we’re capable of beating everyone on our schedule but everyone on our schedule is capable of beating us,” he said. “We have to make sure we take things one game at a time and put our full focus and energy into each week because we play in the toughest leagues and one of the best districts in 3A.”

Despite coming off a down year, the Irish see 2022 as little more than a blip on the radar, and fully expect to be a competitor once again when the new season gets underway this week.

“We always want to compete for a league and district title,” Webster said. “We want to put ourselves in a position to make a deep playoff run and if things fall into place even a state title run. Last year we only had five seniors, this year we have about 12 so we’re poised for a bounce-back year.”

The Irish open their 2023 campaign at home on Friday, September 1st when they take on the Concordia Panthers at 7:00.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of Chapman football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Chapman football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After a disappointing 3-6 campaign in 2022, the Chapman football program is primed for a bounce-back this year, with 12 returning seniors and another year of varsity experience.While the traditional run-heavy offense featured the talent to work effectively, the Fighting Irish relied a bit too much on hammering teams through brute force last season, but now possess the tools to return to what has made Chapman football so efficient in years past.“We’re much improved as an actual option running team this year,” 7th-year head coach Kurt Webster said. “Last year we were a lot more power-oriented and we struggled to get the ball pitched at the right times but our slots are improved and our QB is reading and running triple option well.”That quarterback comes in the form of sophomore Kelan Gruver, who will take the reigns in the backfield alongside a stable of returning backs in Aiden Whitley (1,400+ yds in 2022), Dakota Curtis, and Cooper Lewis.The offensive line will be anchored by a pair of veteran returners in seniors Weston Langvardt (1st team All-NCKL) and DJ Messerly, while Ian Suther reprises his role as the team's leading wideout.On defense, Chapman will see both its biggest returning strength, as well as its biggest unknown, as Messerly and Langvardt, both all-league defensive linemen, return to the trenches alongside Michael Shipman, playing in front of a mostly new linebacking corps.“Linebacker play will be something we’ll be keeping an eye on in the first couple of weeks,” Webster said. “We’ve got some guys that have been on the field on Friday nights but didn’t get a ton of reps.”That group will see Ryan Clark, Cade Hanney, Kenden Blacketer, and Ben Griffis look to wreak havoc in the middle of the defense, while Ian Suther (All-NCKL Defense), and Cooper Lewis patrol the secondary.The NCKL looks just as formidable as always ahead of the 2023 season, which will provide Chapman with an opportunity to go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the state each week.“With where we are in our league and district we’re capable of beating everyone on our schedule but everyone on our schedule is capable of beating us,” he said. “We have to make sure we take things one game at a time and put our full focus and energy into each week because we play in the toughest leagues and one of the best districts in 3A.”Despite coming off a down year, the Irish see 2022 as little more than a blip on the radar, and fully expect to be a competitor once again when the new season gets underway this week.“We always want to compete for a league and district title,” Webster said. “We want to put ourselves in a position to make a deep playoff run and if things fall into place even a state title run. Last year we only had five seniors, this year we have about 12 so we’re poised for a bounce-back year.”The Irish open their 2023 campaign at home on Friday, September 1st when they take on the Concordia Panthers at 7:00.

Fighting Irish Primed for a Bounce Back Season

<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-fan-guide/" target="_blank">Fan Guide</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/mobile-ticket-central/" target="_blank">Mobile Tickets</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;It’s officially football season as the Kansas Jayhawks kick off their season&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 1&nbsp;against Missouri State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Fans can expect to see&nbsp;the return of popular and some new&nbsp;game day enhancements for the 2023 season.

The Jayhawks play host to seven home games in 2023, including the season opener against Missouri State&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 1&nbsp;under the lights at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks will host Illinois&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 8, before taking on Big 12 opponents BYU, UCF, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Kansas State throughout the 2023 season.

e below for a breakdown of gameday enhancements for the 2023 Kansas Football season:

Help welcome the Jayhawks back to the Booth by joining us for the Hawk Walk! New for 2023, the Jayhawks will walk down “The Hill” to the locker room&nbsp;two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. They will be dropped off near the Campanile, with Hawk Walk taking place as they walk down the Hill. Fans can line the walk and greet them as they arrive for the day’s game.

New for 2023, all tickets and parking passes will be accessible via mobile device to increase efficiency. Fans are encouraged to download the Kansas Jayhawks Mobile App and download tickets to their mobile wallet before arriving to the stadium to decrease wait times. For more information on mobile tickets and parking, including step-by-step directions to download your tickets,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/mobile-ticket-central/" target="_blank">view the mobile tickets guide</a>.&nbsp;

Concessions Happy Hour is back! From 90 minutes to 30 minutes before kickoff, fans can enjoy concessions happy hour – an offer that allows fans to get items like hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, pretzels and beverages (sodas and beer) at a discounted price. The happy hour pricing can be found&nbsp;at these select stands on the lower-level concourse: 4, 6, 21, and 23.

Fans can expect to see some new food options around David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, including new additions Pizza Hut, Uplift Coffee and Biggs BBQ. All concessions are now 100% cash less and take all forms of credit and debit card, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Gameday on the Hill Presented by Electric Park

Enjoy the re-imagined Gameday on the Hill before every game during the 2023 home season. You will find entertainment from local cover bands and DJs, and food trucks at the bottom of the Campanile hill.

Gameday on the Hill will feature a fan tailgate that includes&nbsp;open-air and tented seating and socializing areas, TV’s, tailgating games,&nbsp;light snacks and a cash bar. Admission comes with&nbsp;one drink token&nbsp;which you will receive upon check-in. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available. For more information,&nbsp;<a href="https://fevogm.com/group/gamedayonthehilltailgate?utm_source=ku&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=fb&amp;utm_term=fb_tailgate_on_hill&amp;utm_content=fbtailgateonhill&amp;elq_cid=371774&amp;RSRC=Email&amp;RDAT=1886&amp;ehash=bc9cc75d1e7d8acabacf50f748e900d1a8c56cdc65f35a6d7012f13396636387" target="_blank">click here.</a>

Activities on the Hill begin three hours prior to kickoff. There’s fun for everyone, including an expanded Family Fun Zone&nbsp;including inflatables, tailgating games, kids activities and more on the practice fields.&nbsp;

Students can expect a variety of giveaways and events throughout the 2023 season, including free student tailgates with food and activities for select games (Missouri State, UCF, Kansas State). There will also be student giveaways every game on a first-come, first-served basis, including a student jersey giveaway to the first 2,000 fans against Missouri State&nbsp;on Sept. 1.

Returning from the 2022 season, Kansas Football games will feature a sideline personality to serve as an in-game host to help bring the energy on gamedays.

As the Jayhawks take the field, the team entrance will feature the return of the “Hollow K” formation from the Marching Jayhawks for the team to run through in addition to added pyrotechnics.

Before each home game a former Kansas Jayhawk student-athlete will continue the tradition of raising the gameday flag on the north end of the stadium to honor the program’s history.

Fans can also expect to see a new look around David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, with new branding and signage throughout the stadium.&nbsp;

With&nbsp;Friday night’s kickoff slated for&nbsp;7 p.m. CT, parking lots will not open to fans&nbsp;until 2 p.m.&nbsp;In addition, beginning mid-afternoon, some campus roads will become one-way thoroughfares to accommodate fan arrival to the game.

With portions of K-10 and&nbsp;23rd&nbsp;Street&nbsp;undergoing construction, fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays. For more information on directions, parking, the clear bag policy and more, refer to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-fan-guide/" target="_blank">Kansas Football fan guide</a>.

Fans needing assistance on game day can contact the KU Help line by texting “KUHELP” to&nbsp;1-866-218-6864.

Fans looking to attend the season opener can purchase single-game tickets in advance to save money and avoid lines on game day. In addition, mini packs and season tickets are available with season tickets starting as low as $195.&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">Tickets can be purchased here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693397883259.jpeg" alt="Lawrence game day enhancements. Image Courtesy KU athletics&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence game day enhancements. Image Courtesy KU athletics&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-fan-guide/" target="_blank">Fan Guide</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/mobile-ticket-central/" target="_blank">Mobile Tickets</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;It’s officially football season as the Kansas Jayhawks kick off their season&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 1&nbsp;against Missouri State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Fans can expect to see&nbsp;the return of popular and some new&nbsp;game day enhancements for the 2023 season.The Jayhawks play host to seven home games in 2023, including the season opener against Missouri State&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 1&nbsp;under the lights at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks will host Illinois&nbsp;on Friday, Sept. 8, before taking on Big 12 opponents BYU, UCF, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Kansas State throughout the 2023 season.e below for a breakdown of gameday enhancements for the 2023 Kansas Football season:New Hawk WalkHelp welcome the Jayhawks back to the Booth by joining us for the Hawk Walk! New for 2023, the Jayhawks will walk down “The Hill” to the locker room&nbsp;two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. They will be dropped off near the Campanile, with Hawk Walk taking place as they walk down the Hill. Fans can line the walk and greet them as they arrive for the day’s game.Mobile Tickets and ParkingNew for 2023, all tickets and parking passes will be accessible via mobile device to increase efficiency. Fans are encouraged to download the Kansas Jayhawks Mobile App and download tickets to their mobile wallet before arriving to the stadium to decrease wait times. For more information on mobile tickets and parking, including step-by-step directions to download your tickets,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/mobile-ticket-central/" target="_blank">view the mobile tickets guide</a>.&nbsp;Concessions Happy HourConcessions Happy Hour is back! From 90 minutes to 30 minutes before kickoff, fans can enjoy concessions happy hour – an offer that allows fans to get items like hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, pretzels and beverages (sodas and beer) at a discounted price. The happy hour pricing can be found&nbsp;at these select stands on the lower-level concourse: 4, 6, 21, and 23.New Concessions OfferingsFans can expect to see some new food options around David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, including new additions Pizza Hut, Uplift Coffee and Biggs BBQ. All concessions are now 100% cash less and take all forms of credit and debit card, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.Gameday on the Hill Presented by Electric ParkEnjoy the re-imagined Gameday on the Hill before every game during the 2023 home season. You will find entertainment from local cover bands and DJs, and food trucks at the bottom of the Campanile hill.Gameday on the Hill will feature a fan tailgate that includes&nbsp;open-air and tented seating and socializing areas, TV’s, tailgating games,&nbsp;light snacks and a cash bar. Admission comes with&nbsp;one drink token&nbsp;which you will receive upon check-in. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available. For more information,&nbsp;<a href="https://fevogm.com/group/gamedayonthehilltailgate?utm_source=ku&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=fb&amp;utm_term=fb_tailgate_on_hill&amp;utm_content=fbtailgateonhill&amp;elq_cid=371774&amp;RSRC=Email&amp;RDAT=1886&amp;ehash=bc9cc75d1e7d8acabacf50f748e900d1a8c56cdc65f35a6d7012f13396636387" target="_blank">click here.</a>Activities on the Hill begin three hours prior to kickoff. There’s fun for everyone, including an expanded Family Fun Zone&nbsp;including inflatables, tailgating games, kids activities and more on the practice fields.&nbsp;Student Giveaways and EventsStudents can expect a variety of giveaways and events throughout the 2023 season, including free student tailgates with food and activities for select games (Missouri State, UCF, Kansas State). There will also be student giveaways every game on a first-come, first-served basis, including a student jersey giveaway to the first 2,000 fans against Missouri State&nbsp;on Sept. 1.Live Sideline HostReturning from the 2022 season, Kansas Football games will feature a sideline personality to serve as an in-game host to help bring the energy on gamedays.PyrotechnicsAs the Jayhawks take the field, the team entrance will feature the return of the “Hollow K” formation from the Marching Jayhawks for the team to run through in addition to added pyrotechnics.K Club Flag RaisingBefore each home game a former Kansas Jayhawk student-athlete will continue the tradition of raising the gameday flag on the north end of the stadium to honor the program’s history.Stadium Signage EnhancementsFans can also expect to see a new look around David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, with new branding and signage throughout the stadium.&nbsp;With&nbsp;Friday night’s kickoff slated for&nbsp;7 p.m. CT, parking lots will not open to fans&nbsp;until 2 p.m.&nbsp;In addition, beginning mid-afternoon, some campus roads will become one-way thoroughfares to accommodate fan arrival to the game.With portions of K-10 and&nbsp;23rd&nbsp;Street&nbsp;undergoing construction, fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays. For more information on directions, parking, the clear bag policy and more, refer to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-fan-guide/" target="_blank">Kansas Football fan guide</a>.Fans needing assistance on game day can contact the KU Help line by texting “KUHELP” to&nbsp;1-866-218-6864.Fans looking to attend the season opener can purchase single-game tickets in advance to save money and avoid lines on game day. In addition, mini packs and season tickets are available with season tickets starting as low as $195.&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=FB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">Tickets can be purchased here</a>.

Kansas Athletics Announces Gameday Enhancements

Kansas State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/1976">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;and select players met with members of the media on Tuesday inside the Vanier Family Football Complex to preview Saturday's season opener against SEMO. Links to video and audio of Klieman's press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above in addition to an audio link of player breakout interviews. A transcript of Klieman's opening statement is below.

Opening Statement "Well, good afternoon, everyone. We're excited for game week. It'll be fun to watch a lot of veteran guys play that are excited about getting the season started, and then all the new guys that are going to have an opportunity to play out at the Bill for the first time. We have a number of young players that we feel are getting better and just need those game experience reps. So, I think we'll play an awful lot of guys, partly because of injury and partly because we just want to find out more about people, especially on special teams. We know this is going to be a really good football game. Coach Tuke (Tom Matukewicz) does a great job at SEMO. I've known about his program and SEMO for a long time. They're a playoff team, perennially, in the FCS. They're probably the best team in the OVC this year. They have really good talent. So, we've got to play exceptional football to give ourselves an opportunity to be successful. That's the key for us. We've got to continue to push these young guys because they need to show up and then play well on Saturday."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693397650993.jpeg" alt="Chris Klieman Image Courtesy K-State Football" />
 <figcaption>Chris Klieman Image Courtesy K-State Football</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/1976">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;and select players met with members of the media on Tuesday inside the Vanier Family Football Complex to preview Saturday's season opener against SEMO. Links to video and audio of Klieman's press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above in addition to an audio link of player breakout interviews. A transcript of Klieman's opening statement is below.CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH Opening Statement "Well, good afternoon, everyone. We're excited for game week. It'll be fun to watch a lot of veteran guys play that are excited about getting the season started, and then all the new guys that are going to have an opportunity to play out at the Bill for the first time. We have a number of young players that we feel are getting better and just need those game experience reps. So, I think we'll play an awful lot of guys, partly because of injury and partly because we just want to find out more about people, especially on special teams. We know this is going to be a really good football game. Coach Tuke (Tom Matukewicz) does a great job at SEMO. I've known about his program and SEMO for a long time. They're a playoff team, perennially, in the FCS. They're probably the best team in the OVC this year. They have really good talent. So, we've got to play exceptional football to give ourselves an opportunity to be successful. That's the key for us. We've got to continue to push these young guys because they need to show up and then play well on Saturday."

K-State Previews Season Opener at Weekly Press Conference

Salina Central defeats Goddard (2-0) - 25-13, 25-20

Salina South falls to Maize (0-2), and Andover (0-2) - 16-25, 16-25 vs. Maize - 22-25, 18-25 vs. Andover

SE of Saline falls to Clay Center (1-2), defeats Minneapolis (2-0) - 17-25, 25-23, 16-25 vs. Clay Center - 25-21, 25-15 vs. Minne

Sacred Heart defeats Solomon (3-0) - 25-16, 25-17, 25-21

Salina Central defeats Goddard (2-0) - 25-13, 25-20Salina South falls to Maize (0-2), and Andover (0-2) - 16-25, 16-25 vs. Maize - 22-25, 18-25 vs. AndoverSE of Saline falls to Clay Center (1-2), defeats Minneapolis (2-0) - 17-25, 25-23, 16-25 vs. Clay Center - 25-21, 25-15 vs. MinneSacred Heart defeats Solomon (3-0) - 25-16, 25-17, 25-21

HS Volleyball Scores: Tuesday 8/29

There’s no mistaking that the Salina South football program has been down on its luck for the better part of the last decade.

The last time the Cougars finished north of .500 was during their explosive 10-2 campaign back in 2014, but things bottomed out during an injury-riddled 2022 season that saw South go 0-9.

While it’s true that the Cougars have nowhere to go but up ahead of the 2023 kickoff, there’s real cause for optimism in the Salina community, as South believes they have all the pieces they need to start rebuilding their program in earnest.

“We return a lot of kids that have varsity experience and we have some really strong senior leadership,” Cougar head coach Sam Sellers said. “We haven’t had a group like this in a long time that really just enjoys football and that’s something we’re really excited about.”

A season ago, South lost their starting quarterback, as well as three other key players, before the first game of the campaign had even kicked off, and an exceptionally young roster struggled to compete in one of the toughest leagues in Class 5A.

One of those leading the youth charge was sophomore quarterback Landon Putman, who returns as the Cougar’s signal-caller in 2023.

“[Landon] is a special kid,” Sellers said. “He’s incredibly intelligent, a fierce competitor, and a natural leader. He had a great offseason and it makes a huge difference when you know that you’re the dude. He knows what Friday nights are all about and we’re excited by what he brings to our offense.”

With a chance to start the season on level ground, Putman will be joined in the backfield by senior running back Carson Power, and will have several of his favorite weapons back in the receiving corps, including Layson Sajdak, and Drew Emerson, as well as a few newcomers in Tristan Bernhardt and Jaxon Myers.

Salina South will also have another year of experience in the trenches, with Brayden Fencl and Aiden Anderes anchoring the O-Line, while Damian Hightower, Cade Miles, and Jayven Correa-Brown lead the charge on the D-Line.

“We finally feel good about both of our line groups and the depth we have there,” he said. “We feel like we will be better to significantly better at every position compared to last year.”

Alex Davidson will return to anchor the Cougar linebacker corps while the all-league duo of Carson Power and Drew Emerson join Dawson Dooley to patrol the secondary.

While some may call it lofty, Coach Sellers and his staff have fully committed to restoring Salina South to its former glory, and the team has bought into a vision that some might even go so far as to call crazy, but which could be the seed for something much greater to come.

“A lot of people will think this is absurd but we’ve had success here and we want to get back to the level where we’re competing for state championships every year,” Sellers said. “Going 0-for last year was a tough pill to swallow, we’re competitive people, but we’ve decided that our expectation is to once again play for a state championship. Our kids have bought into that and our coaching staff is behind them.”

The Cougars open their season on Friday, September 1st with the Mayor’s Cup Matchup against cross-town rival Salina Central at 7pm.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of South football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of South football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>There’s no mistaking that the Salina South football program has been down on its luck for the better part of the last decade.The last time the Cougars finished north of .500 was during their explosive 10-2 campaign back in 2014, but things bottomed out during an injury-riddled 2022 season that saw South go 0-9.While it’s true that the Cougars have nowhere to go but up ahead of the 2023 kickoff, there’s real cause for optimism in the Salina community, as South believes they have all the pieces they need to start rebuilding their program in earnest.“We return a lot of kids that have varsity experience and we have some really strong senior leadership,” Cougar head coach Sam Sellers said. “We haven’t had a group like this in a long time that really just enjoys football and that’s something we’re really excited about.”A season ago, South lost their starting quarterback, as well as three other key players, before the first game of the campaign had even kicked off, and an exceptionally young roster struggled to compete in one of the toughest leagues in Class 5A.One of those leading the youth charge was sophomore quarterback Landon Putman, who returns as the Cougar’s signal-caller in 2023.“[Landon] is a special kid,” Sellers said. “He’s incredibly intelligent, a fierce competitor, and a natural leader. He had a great offseason and it makes a huge difference when you know that you’re the dude. He knows what Friday nights are all about and we’re excited by what he brings to our offense.”With a chance to start the season on level ground, Putman will be joined in the backfield by senior running back Carson Power, and will have several of his favorite weapons back in the receiving corps, including Layson Sajdak, and Drew Emerson, as well as a few newcomers in Tristan Bernhardt and Jaxon Myers.Salina South will also have another year of experience in the trenches, with Brayden Fencl and Aiden Anderes anchoring the O-Line, while Damian Hightower, Cade Miles, and Jayven Correa-Brown lead the charge on the D-Line.“We finally feel good about both of our line groups and the depth we have there,” he said. “We feel like we will be better to significantly better at every position compared to last year.”Alex Davidson will return to anchor the Cougar linebacker corps while the all-league duo of Carson Power and Drew Emerson join Dawson Dooley to patrol the secondary.While some may call it lofty, Coach Sellers and his staff have fully committed to restoring Salina South to its former glory, and the team has bought into a vision that some might even go so far as to call crazy, but which could be the seed for something much greater to come.“A lot of people will think this is absurd but we’ve had success here and we want to get back to the level where we’re competing for state championships every year,” Sellers said. “Going 0-for last year was a tough pill to swallow, we’re competitive people, but we’ve decided that our expectation is to once again play for a state championship. Our kids have bought into that and our coaching staff is behind them.”The Cougars open their season on Friday, September 1st with the Mayor’s Cup Matchup against cross-town rival Salina Central at 7pm.

Cougars Unveil Lofty Goals Ahead of 2023 Season

After three straight winless seasons, the Abilene football program completely righted the ship in 2022, winning four games and hosting Rose Hill in the opening round of the playoffs.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693233053848.jpeg" alt="Coverage of Abilene football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Abilene football is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After three straight winless seasons, the Abilene football program completely righted the ship in 2022, winning four games and hosting Rose Hill in the opening round of the playoffs.Now, following that taste of success, the Cowboys will look to take the next step with the first class of freshmen to become seniors under the watch of fourth-year head coach Brad Nicks.“It’s been incredible to watch these guys grow up from freshman and we knew from the beginning that they had the potential to be really special,” Nicks said. “From the weight room to what they’ve done in basketball, baseball and track it’s been so fun to watch them grow and they’re a really great group of kids.”Abilene returns a wealth of talent from their 2022 campaign, including at quarterback, where Stocton Timbrook (1,753 yds, 14 TDs) reprises his role as the Cowboy signal caller.Timbrook will be joined in the backfield by his senior counterpart Zach Miller, with fellow senior Brax Fisher returning from injury to play a big role in 2023.The Cowboys also return four different weapons for Timbrook who hauled in at least one touchdown pass a season ago, as the senior will look downfield for Weston Rock, Taygen Funston, Heath Hoekman, and Keaton Hargrave.While the skill positions will be exceptionally deep for Abilene in this campaign, the O-Line could very well be its biggest strength, as both trench units have beefed up considerably over the offseason.“Our biggest improvement has been on our offensive and defensive lines,” Nicks said. “That group has kept with what we’re trying to do and we may not have those 6-4, 280 type guys but they’ve worked incredibly hard to keep getting faster and stronger.”The D-Line will be led by Hoekman, Sam Whitehair, and Kayden Timm, with Zach Miller and Landon Taplin anchoring the linebacking corps.Meanwhile, in the secondary, Keaton Hargrave, Brax Fisher, and Joe Welsh will patrol the deepest parts of the field at safety while Weston Rock and Judah Bowell slot in at corner.“We can always hang our hat on how hard we’re going to play, especially defensively,” he said. “That unit flies to the football, they’re smart players and they’ve become sound tacklers.”With so many guys playing two ways on Friday nights, Abilene will need some new young stars to step up big in order to stay fresh, especially deep into the season.“Most of our question marks are in our backups and our depth,” Nicks said. “We’re still looking for guys to give us 3-5 big plays here and there and we feel good about the great junior and sophomore classes we have behind these guys.”Despite the slight lack of depth in some areas, the Cowboys boast both the talent, and the drive to do big things in 2023, and will be eager to take that next step come kickoff this Friday.“We want to host a playoff game again,” he said. “That was a big deal for us last year and that’s always going to be on our list but this group also wants to win our first playoff game since 2015 and we’d love to be hosting in the second round as well. You have to be in the top four on the west side to do that but I think that’s a great goal for us.”Abilene opens their season on Friday, September 1 when they host the Marysville Bulldogs at 7:00.