By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Tescott Trojans have spent the last three seasons tantalizingly close to the ultimate prize, and with one of their biggest obstacles removed ahead of the 2026 season, that prize remains very much in view.
Since entering the 6-man arena in 2022 the Trojans have been a picture of excellence, posting an overall record of 32-11 over four campaigns.
Of those 11 losses, 7 came at the hands of Cunningham, including playoff losses in each of the last three 6-man semifinals.
Not only did Tescott graduate just two seniors in 2025, returning ten starters for the 2026 season, but a KSHSAA re-allignment elevated Cunningham to 8-Man, leaving the door wide open for another race to a 6-Man title.
“Cunningham has been an unholy terror in 6-man football,” Tescott head coach Daymon Walker said. “We did enjoy the competition with them and we enjoyed the challenge of playing them; we would have loved to have gotten them once, but this does open a window for us.”
Walker, who has been with the Trojans for 39 years including 21 as head coach, has seen many teams come through Tescott, but all of them have embodied the same values.
“Our kids have always been physical and our kids have never shied away from contact,” he said. “Even in the years where our wins and losses weren’t great, our kids never back down from anybody and that’s always been something we’ve been able to hang our hat on.”
This year’s Trojan squad is primed to take that physicality to the next level after an impressive summer spent growing larger and faster.
“We’re excited to have everyone back a year older and 10-15 pounds heavier,” Walker said. “We had a really great summer in the weight room and I’m excited to have a bigger and even more physical team back this year.”
Tescott replaces just one starter on either side of the ball, returning a roster led by three seniors and six sophomores who saw major time on the varsity field.
Both signal callers return to this 2-quarterback system, with Carter Phelps and Joey Stirn ready to run their offense in 2026.
“Carter is a very heady quarterback who knows our system well and he’s an exceptional blocker,” he said. “Joey is a first-team all-state athlete who led us in rushing and he’s very quick and very shifty. With that dual system, we feel very good about both of the guys we have taking snaps.”
Junior tailback Jace Krone will round out the backfield with his patented style of physical running, while Ayden Thompson, Konnor Vandoren, Parker Graves and Brody Hurtig round out the offensive line.
The right side of the line, led by Graves and Hurtig, will see the only new faces on an offense that could click fast if the newcomers can keep up.
“We’re still waiting to see if we’ll be able to move people the way we have in the past up front offensively,” Walker said. “You have to have a killer instinct to play up there at a high level.”
While some questions remain on offense, the defense is solidified, wiht Ayden Thompson and Parker Graves anchoring the D-Line, Miles Challans, the team's leading tackler from a year ago, returning to his spot at linebacker, and Joey Stirn, Jace Krone and Brody Thompson patrolling the secondary.
“Defensively we’re going to be really solid this year,” he said. “We have our entire second level back, our safety is a two-year starter, and we have an exceptional defensive end.”
The 3rd-ranked Trojans will be tested right out of the gate as they take on 2nd-ranked South Barber and 4th-ranked Peabody Burns back-to-back right out of the gate.
Many programs around the state would be more than content making it to the final four three seasons in a row, but there’s no mistaking that Tescott wants more, and the Trojans will be pushing all of their chips to the center of the table to make it happen.
“Our kids have posted the date for the state championship in the locker room,” he said. “Having been to the state semifinals three years in a row and seeing Cunningham step out of our way, we’d really like to play one more game this season. Our goal is to be the first team at Tescott to still be playing after Thanksgiving.”
2026 Tescott Football Schedule
- 9/4 - at South Barber
- 9/11 - vs. Peabody Burns
- 9/18 - at Western Plains
- 9/25 - vs. Otis-Bison
- 10/2 - vs. Chase
- 10/9 - at Pawnee Heights
- 10/16 - vs. Palco
- 10/23 - at Logan