VK Top 25: See the Eagle’s preseason Wichita high school football rankings

A few more horses have been added to the race.

Tuesday night, the Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) Board of Education voted to reinstate fall sports. Teams like Northwest, East and Heights have their eyes set on a deep playoff run.

But they aren’t the only ones. Here are the top 25 high school football teams in the Wichita area ahead of the 2020 season:

1. Derby Panthers

The Panthers have lost one regular season game since 2015, the last time they went to Mill Valley.

2019 Record: 13-0

2019 Playoff Finish: State champions

Top Returning Player: Lem Wash, senior quarterback

Classification/League: 6A, AVCTL I

Predicted Record: 8-0

2. Wichita Northwest Grizzlies

Northwest has never reached three straight state championship games but is likely to in 2020.

2019 Record: 12-1

2019 Playoff Finish: State runners-up

Top Returning Player: Zac Daher, senior defensive lineman

Classification/League: 5A, City League

Predicted Record: 6-0

3. Andale Indians

Since Andale’s most recent regular season loss, it has outscored opponents through the first nine weeks 1,352-189.

2019 Record: 13-0

2019 Playoff Finish: State champions

Top Returning Player: Eli Rowland, senior running back

Classification/League: 3A, AVCTL IV

Predicted Record: 8-0

4. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles

Carroll hasn’t failed to reach a Class 5A state quarterfinal since 2016.

2019 Record: 8-3

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Aiden Niedens, senior quarterback

Classification/League: 5A, City League

Predicted Record: 5-3

5. Maize Eagles

Maize is in its golden years era, coming off back-to-back 5A semifinals, which hadn’t been done ever before 2018.

2019 Record: 10-2

2019 Playoff Finish: State semifinalists

Top Returning Player: Kyle Haas, senior linebacker

Classification/League: 5A, AVCTL I

Predicted Record: 7-1

6. Maize South Mavericks

Maize South moves up to AVCTL I alongside Derby and Maize High and still figures to compete.

2019 Record: 10-1

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Brandon Bowles, senior linebacker

Classification/League: 5A, AVCTL I

Predicted Record: 6-2

7. Andover Central Jaguars

Central is coming off a Class 4A state title game appearance and is looking to get back.

2019 Record: 11-2

2019 Playoff Finish: State runners-up

Top Returning Player: Jacob Rees, senior running back

Classification/League: 4A, AVCTL II

Predicted Record: 8-0

8. Wichita East Blue Aces

East is rejuvenated after having its season reinstated and has a load of talent on the roster.

2019 Record: 5-4

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: Daylan Jones, senior receiver

Classification/League: 6A, City League

Predicted Record: 5-1

9. Andover Trojans

With a new, proven coach, Andover has the talent and potential to make a playoff run.

2019 Record: 3-7

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in regional round

Top Returning Player: Isaiah Maikori, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 5A, AVCTL II

Predicted Record: 6-2

10. Goddard Lions

Goddard will see the return of standout quarterback Kyler Semrad in 2020.

2019 Record: 4-6

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in regional round

Top Returning Player: Kyler Semrad, senior quarterback

Classification/League: 5A, AVCTL II

Predicted Record: 6-2

11. McPherson Bullpups

McPherson has reached back-to-back 4A semifinals but has never made a championship game.

2019 Record: 11-1

2019 Playoff Finish: State semifinalists

Top Returning Player: Jayton Alexander, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 4A, AVCTL III

Predicted Record: 8-0

12. Wichita Heights Falcons

Heights is young in a lot of areas but has a lot of energy to compete.

2019 Record: 3-6

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: John Randle, sophomore running back

Classification/League: 5A, City League

Predicted Record: 4-2

13. Eisenhower Tigers

Eisenhower will take some lumps this season, but its experience will always make the Tigers a tough out.

2019 Record: 5-4

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: Nick Hogan, senior receiver

Classification/League: 5A, AVCTL II

Predicted Record: 4-4

14. Buhler Crusaders

The Crusaders are one of the youngest teams in the Wichita area but have a proven tradition.

2019 Record: 8-3

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Sam Elliott, junior running back

Classification/League: 4A, AVCTL III

Predicted Record: 5-3

15. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders

Legendary City League coach Weston Schartz takes over a team in need of new life.

2019 Record: 2-7

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: Ethan Stuhlsatz, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 5A, City League

Predicted Record: 3-4

16. Garden Plain Owls

Garden Plain, too, is under new leadership in former Kapaun coach Dan Adelhardt.

2019 Record: 10-1

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Anthony Hays, senior linebacker

Classification/League: 2A, Central Plains League

Predicted Record: 8-0

17. Cheney Cardinals

Cheney is fresh off its best season in school history where it reached the 3A semifinals.

2019 Record: 9-3

2019 Playoff Finish: State semifinalists

Top Returning Player: Brody Hillman, senior linebacker

Classification/League: 3A, Central Plains League

Predicted Record: 7-1

18. Clearwater Indians

2020 could be special for Clearwater, coming off a rare playoff win last season.

2019 Record: 7-3

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in regional round

Top Returning Player: Tanner Cash, senior quarterback

Classification/League: 3A, AVCTL IV

Predicted Record: 7-1

19. Conway Springs Cardinals

Class 1A is the newest destination for Conway Springs, a classification the Cardinals might dominate.

2019 Record: 8-3

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Jonathan Wright, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 1A, Central Plains League

Predicted Record: 7-1

20. Wichita West Pioneers

West will need to find its way without coach Weston Schartz, who left for Kapaun.

2019 Record: 8-3

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Jonathan Wright, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 1A, Central Plains League

Predicted Record: 3-3

21. Collegiate Spartans

Collegiate saw a bit of a lift in performance last season. It’s time for another jump.

2019 Record: 6-4

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in regional round

Top Returning Player: Michael Fair, senior quarterback

Classification/League: 3A, AVCTL IV

Predicted Record: 6-2

22. Belle Plaine Dragons

Belle Plaine lost its quarterback, but the Dragons have a wealth of skill on the outside.

2019 Record: 8-2

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in regional round

Top Returning Player: Eli Wiseman, senior defensive back

Classification/League: 2A, Central Plains League

Predicted Record: 6-2

23. Sedgwick Cardinals

It will be about getting over the hump for Sedgwick: state quarterfinalists each of the past two years.

2019 Record: 9-1

2019 Playoff Finish: State quarterfinalists

Top Returning Player: Lance Hoffsommer, junior quarterback

Classification/League: 1A, Heart of America League

Predicted Record: 7-1

24. Halstead Dragons

Halstead lost its star running back, but his brother and a few other studs are looking to keep momentum alive.

2019 Record: 8-1

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: Doug Grider, senior offensive lineman

Classification/League: 3A, Central Kansas League

Predicted Record: 5-3

25. Hesston Swathers

Hesston surprised a few last season, going 7-2. It will be interesting to see whether that can be sustained.

2019 Record: 7-2

2019 Playoff Finish: Out in Week 9

Top Returning Player: Ben Bollinger, senior receiver

Classification/League: 3A, Central Kansas League

Predicted Record: 4-4

Hayden Barber

The Wichita Eagle

316-269-6760

Wichita Eagle preps reporter Hayden Barber brings the area updates on all high school sports while adding those hard-to-find human-interest stories on Wichita’s student-athletes.