by joanna

I put a date on this blog post because I figured we’ll need to do several of these as we get closer to the season.

We’re more than a month away from the start of football practice, but let’s get going on predictions for the season.

Predictions

*Champions

I don’t know if you can say we have a clear-cut possible champ in any class. The closest would have to be Hutchinson in Class 5A. I think Gardner-Edgerton could be right up there, and Bishop Miege should be a contender, as well. Bishop Carroll will have to be in that mix. McPherson welcomes quarterback Tyler Matthews, who transferred from Goddard, and that’s a key addition. The Salina schools could be tough, too. I’m curious how Andover and Andover Central will fair in Class 5A. Could be interesting.

In Class 6A, Heights has to be a favorite for a couple reasons — the Falcons played in the championship game in 2009 and returns most of its team. I’m curious what they’ll do at quarterback. Matt Reed filled in for John Moreland in the latter part of the season, and both are back. They’re two pretty different players.

Olathe North, the defending champ, will be a tough team, as well. Adonis Saunders will be at running back, and that kid has straight-up speed. Derby has to be mentioned as a contender, as well.

In Class 4A, I like Andale, because I always like Andale. It’s tough not to. I like Hayden, because I always like Hayden. Again, it’s tough not to. But I like Rose Hill, of course. I like Wellington.

In Class 3A, oh, it gets dicey here picking a champ. How can you not like Conway Springs or Garden Plain? But Smith Center moves back up into 3A after dominating 2-1A for years. Could be interesting! Plus, there’s Collegiate, although I have a hard time seeing a championship run since the Spartans lost that amazing 2010 senior class.

This is by no means meant to be an all-encompassing look at possible champs, so feel free to add in who you think and why.

*No. 1-ranked teams

Class 6A, Olathe North or Heights?

Class 5A, Hutchinson? (Seriously, I can’t rank anyone else above Hutch. Not now.)

Class 4A, Andale?

Class 3A, Garden Plain, Conway Springs, Collegiate, Smith Center?

Class 2-1A, Centralia?

*League predictions

City League — It has to be Heights or Carroll. Who else?

AV-CTL

Division I — Hutchinson

Division II — Hmmm. Tough call. I’ll take McPherson, but Andover and Andover Central are right there.

Division III — Rose Hill

Division IV — Andale

Central Plains League — Garden Plain or Conway Springs (I can’t see W. Trinty beating either one)

Central Kansas League — Hesston

Anything else you want to predict? Top 11 players? All-Class players? All-league players?

Go for it.