League predictions: See the Wichita-area football teams poised for a crown

For some, a league championship is the No. 1 goal.

Here are The Eagle’s picks for the Wichita-area high school football leagues, including the City League and AVCTL, in the 2020 season:

City League

1. Wichita Northwest
2. Bishop Carroll
3. Wichita East
4. Wichita Heights
5. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
6. Wichita West
7. Wichita South
8. Wichita Southeast
9. Wichita North

With the Wichita Public Schools’ reinstatement to fall activities, Northwest goes from missing in the league standings altogether to reclaiming its spot on top. Bishop Carroll should be much improved though a vicious schedule might not show it, and East might have its most talented team in a decade. But no one can compare with Northwest’s depth in 2020.

AVCTL I

1. Derby
2. Maize
3. Maize South
4. Salina South
5. Newton
6. Campus
7. Hutchinson

Maize South’s move to AVCTL I from the second division should make the league-title race more interesting. Derby has absolutely dominated the league since it stamped itself as a dynasty. The real race in this division will likely come down to the hunt for second and third (the two Maize schools) and who will finish fourth (could be any of the rest.)

AVCTL II

1. Andover Central
2. Andover
3. Goddard
4. Eisenhower
5. Salina Central
6. Arkansas City
7. Valley Center

As always, AVCTL II should exhibit parity. The suburban schools of Wichita are almost entirely equal. Andover Central is coming off a state-title game appearance but lost a host of talent. Andover brings a lot back but is led by a first-year coach. Goddard is proven, but 2020 certainly doesn’t represent its strongest roster. And Eisenhower is a nice dark-horse pick.

AVCTL III

1. McPherson

2. Buhler

3. Augusta

4. Winfield

5. El Dorado

6. Circle

On paper, it’s all about McPherson again. The Bullpups have reached back-to-back Class 4A semifinals, something no other team in the league has done since Buhler in 2013-14. The Crusaders have a chance to knock off their league rival in 2020, but they are extremely young. Augusta should be solid once again, as well.

AVCTL IV

1. Andale

2. Clearwater

3. Collegiate

4. Rose Hill

5. Mulvane

6. Wellington

No one should be able to hang with Andale. Last year, the Indians beat their league opponents 238-33 on their way to a Class 3A state championship. Andale is the favorite to win 3A again in 2020. Clearwater might have its best football season in decades, and Collegiate is seeking to keep momentum gained in 2019. But Andale is on another level.

Central Plains

1. Garden Plain

2. Cheney

3. Conway Springs

4. Belle Plaine

5. Chaparral

6. Kingman

7. Douglass

8. Trinity

9. Independent

The Central Plains League doesn’t technically crown a champion because of heavy district schedules, but if there was one, it would be a tough race to call this fall. Cheney is coming off a state semifinal appearance. Garden Plain is almost always at least a seven-win team. Conway Springs is, too. And Belle Plaine has one of its best groups of talent in school history.

Central Kansas

1. Halstead

2. Hesston

3. Hoisington

4. Larned

5. Hillsboro

6. Nickerson

7. Haven

8. Pratt

9. Smoky Valley

10. Lyons

Like the CPL, the Central Kansas League doesn’t actually name a champion. Halstead and Hesston would likely be the two favorites, but Halstead beat its rival 46-6 last year. Hoisington might be the popular choice, coming off of a state-quarterfinal appearance in Class 2A, but the impact of losing a Top 11 player, Wyatt Pedigo, can’t be understated.

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.