City League football preview: Wichita’s top players, best games and predictions
Friday nights in the City League never fail to deliver the drama and this fall should be no different.
With playmakers spread across every roster, rising stars ready to break through and rivalries that never disappoint, the GWAL once again figures to be one of the top leagues in the Kansas high school football world.
Here’s a look at the names, games and storylines to know heading into the 2025 season, which begins on Friday, plus predictions on how the league race could shake out.
Five to know in City League football
Game-changers on offense
- Aaron Bohannon Jr., East senior running back
- Augie Fast, Northwest senior running back
- Rashawn Johnson, South senior wide receiver
- Jay’den Kirk-McGowan, South senior running back
- Jaylen Mason, Northwest senior quarterback
Game-changers on defense
- Pharrell Adams, East senior linebacker
- Ja’Mari Bland, Northwest senior linebacker
- Johnmichael Fountain, Northwest senior linebacker
- Cal Purvis, Kapaun senior linebacker
- D’Anthony Rivera, Northwest senior defensive back
Game-changers in the trenches
- Nick Anciaux, Kapaun senior offensive lineman
- Dustin Cochran, Northwest senior offensive lineman
- Key Henderson, East senior defensive lineman
- Maddox McGinnis, Northwest junior offensive lineman
- Deongelo Williams, Northwest senior offensive lineman
Rising stars
- Mason Collins, Kapaun senior defensive back
- Cooper Herrman, Carroll junior running back
- Prince Marshall, East sophomore quarterback
- Cole Rapp, Kapaun senior quarterback
- Darius Rogers, Height senior running back
Must-see matchups
- Northwest at Kapaun, Sept. 26
- East at Northwest, Sept. 12
- East vs. Kapaun (at Northwest), Sept. 19
- Kapaun vs. Carroll (at Equity Bank Park), Oct. 10
- South at Carroll, Sept. 26
League predictions with team previews
1. Northwest Grizzlies (6A)
2024 record: 9-2, lost in 6A quarterfinals
Head coach: Steve Martin, 13th season, 110-33
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, Carroll; Sept. 12, East; Sept. 19, at Junction City; Sept. 26, at Kapaun; Oct. 3, at West; Oct. 10, Manhattan; Oct. 17, at South; Oct. 24, Eisenhower.
Top players: Jaylen Mason, sr., 6-2, 205, QB; Augie Fast, sr., 6-1, 195, RB; Deongelo Williams, sr., 6-5, 270, OL; Ja’Mari Bland, sr., 5-10, 215, LB; Maddox McGinnis, jr., 6-3, 305, OL; Dustin Cochran, sr., 6-5, 280, OL; Johnmichael Fountain, sr., 6-1, 205, RB-LB; Brock Martin, jr., 5-7, 230, OL; Ryder Campbell, sr., 6-3, 210, WR; D’Anthony Rivera, sr., 5-8, 155, DB; Bishop Smith, sr., 6-2, 240, DL; Griffin Baker, sr., 6-3, 195, WR; Jaelynn Ligon, jr., 5-9, 165, WR-DB; Dallas Gray, so., 6-2, 220, DL; Logan Fast, jr., 5-9, 160, DB; Justin Roberts, jr., 6-0, 255, OL; Gabriel Sylvester, jr., 6-0, 250, OL; Caius Garolla, jr., 6-0, 245, DL; Jayden Roberts, sr., 6-1, 270, DL; Xytryl Pless, jr., 5-9, 165, LB.
2. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders (5A)
2024 record: 7-3, lost in 4A second round
Head coach: Weston Schartz, sixth season, 41-14
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, at Andover; Sept. 12, North; Sept. 19, East (at Northwest); Sept. 26, Northwest; Oct. 3, at Southeast; Oct. 10, Carroll (at Equity Bank Park); Oct. 17, at St. James; Oct. 24, at Heights.
Top players: Cal Purvis, sr., 6-3, 225, LB; Nick Anciaux, sr., 6-5, 270, OL; Mason Collins, sr., 6-3, 205, DB; Owen Young, sr., 5-9, 165, DB; Ken Huff, jr., 5-11, 200, RB; Landon Heise, sr., 6-3, 265, OL; Wyatt Sullenger, sr., 6-0, 210, RB; Cole Tarantino, sr., 6-0, 195, DL; Jude Porter, sr., 6-0, 165, DB; Max Worrell, jr., 6-3, 205, OL; Ethan Dupont, jr., 5-8, 140, K; Cole Rapp, jr., 6-1, 175, QB; Rocco Keller, sr., 6-5, 190, WR; Ben Doering, sr., 6-0, 200, DL.
3. East Blue Aces (6A)
2024 record: 7-4, lost in 6A quarterfinals
Head coach: Ene Akpan, eighth season, 42-27
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, Heights (at South); Sept. 12, at Northwest; Sept. 19, Kapaun (at Northwest); Sept. 26, at West; Oct. 3, at Highland Park; Oct. 10, North (at South); Oct. 17, at Carroll; Oct. 24, at Dodge City.
Top players: Pharrell Adams, sr., 5-11, 205, LB; Aaron Bohannon Jr., sr., 5-8, 185, RB; Key Henderson, sr., 5-11, 265, DL; D.J. Ngassa, sr., 5-11, 260, DL; Amaree Bohannon, sr., 6-1, 190, DB; Ryan Slaughter, jr., 6-3, 260, OL; Hunter Fulton, sr., 6-3, 255, OL; Jamarius Howard, sr., 5-10, 175, DB; Corey Triggs, sr., 5-11, 160, WR; Prince Marshall, so., 6-0, 190, QB.
4. South Titans (6A)
2024 record: 6-4, lost in 6A second round
Head coach: Russ Wells, seventh season, 18-35
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, at Southeast; Sept. 12, Liberal; Sept. 19, Dodge City; Sept. 26, at Carroll; Oct. 3, North (at Northwest); Oct. 10, at Heights; Oct. 17, Northwest; Oct. 24, West.
Top players: Rashawn Johnson, sr., 5-9, 155, WR-DB; Jay’den Kirk-McGowan, sr., 5-9, 210, RB; Ja’Marion Peters, jr., 5-9, 160, WR-DB; Jaeden Frierson, sr., 6-2, 165, WR-DB; Anthony Nguyen, sr., 6-1, 250, OL-DL; De’Moni Harris, jr., 6-2, 185, TE-LB; Anthony Villareal, jr., 5-10, 250, OL-DL; Jarrell James, sr., 5-9, 165, RB-DB; Mason Holmes, sr., 5-11, 180, TE-LB; Jon Kimball, sr., 5-11, 200, OL-DL; Ayden Rojas, jr., 6-1, 205, OL-DL; Angel Rueda, jr., 6-0, 285, OL-DL.
5. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles (5A)
2024 record: 2-7, lost in 5A first round
Head coach: Chris Jaax, first season, 0-0
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, at Northwest; Sept. 12, Southeast; Sept. 19, Bishop McGuinness (Okla.); Sept. 26, South; Oct. 3, at Heights; Oct. 10, Kapaun (at Equity Bank Park); Oct. 17, East; Oct. 24, at Derby.
Top players: Blake Bowmaker, sr., 5-7, 155, DB; Nick Wineland, sr., 6-2, 150, WR; Aedyn Acosta, jr., 6-1, 180, DB; Zane White, sr., 6-3, 250, OL; Landon Steven, sr., 6-0, 180, DB; Jack Duling, sr., 6-1, 190, DL; Zach Helten, sr., 6-4, 230, DL; Zack Anderson, jr., 6-1, 210, OL; Sean Armbrister, jr., 6-3, 200, LB; Cooper Herrman, jr., 6-2, 205, RB; Ridge Trail, sr., 5-9, 195, LB; Mitchell Frank, jr., 6-4, 200, DL; John Corrigan, sr., 6-1, 170, QB; Jonah Mull, sr., 6-2, 175, QB; Harrison King, jr., 5-9, 160, WR; Drew Ferguson, sr., 6-1, 175, WR; Laine Graf, sr., 5-10, 170, WR; Quentin Mauler, sr., 6-0, 210, OL.
6. Heights Falcons (6A)
2024 record: 2-7, lost in 6A first round
Head coach: Dominick Dingle, eighth season, 28-34
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, East (at South); Sept. 12, Topeka; Sept. 19, at Garden City; Sept. 26, at Southeast; Oct. 3, Carroll; Oct. 10, South; Oct. 17, North (at Northwest); Oct. 24, Kapaun.
Top players: Joshua Ibidokun, sr., OL; Darius Rogers, sr., RB; Tyson Phillips, jr., DL; Latrelle Reed, sr., DB; Zane Masterson, sr., QB; Jonovan Wyatt, sr., RB; Chris Bodney, jr., WR; Durrell Jefferson, sr., OL; Terrance Smith, sr., OL; Wyatt Van Dorien, sr., OL; Jamiere Armstrong, sr., DB; Jadian Smith, jr., DB; Chaylen Bodney, so., QB; Josh Parks, sr., DB; Trae Kiel, jr., LB; Nate Raya, jr., DB; Zayden Allen, so., DB.
7. Southeast Golden Buffaloes (6A)
2024 record: 2-7, lost in 6A first round
Head coach: Corby Milleson, second season, 2-7
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, South; Sept. 12, at Carroll; Sept. 18, at Topeka; Sept. 26, Heights; Oct. 13, Kapaun; Oct. 10, Garden City; Oct. 17, West; Oct. 23, North (at Heights).
Top players: Marcus Johnson, sr., 6-1, 180, LB; Mack O’Bar, jr., 6-4, 185, QB; Kedrick Harrison, jr., 5-9, 180, RB; James Horn, sr., 5-10, 260, OL; Will O’Bar, jr., 6-4, 190, DB; Vernon Williams, sr., 6-0, 190, DB; Mike Cooks, sr., 5-8, 165, RB; David Cooks, jr., 5-9, 170, RB; Kenny Jackson, jr., 5-10, 175, LB; Jacob Norris, sr., 6-1, 170, TE; Evan Brashear, jr., 5-9, 170, DL; Keon Moses, jr., 6-3, 195, DL; Jonas Simmons, jr., 5-9, 185, DL; Brandon Dixon, jr., 6-1, 170, WR; Kasen Hartfield, sr., 5-9, 160, DB; Romeo Dailey, sr., 5-10, 180, DB; Malachi Hines, sr., 5-8, 160, DB; Justus Ijo, sr., 6-3, 175, WR; James Brizgaloff, sr., 5-9, 290, OL; Torian Kincaid, sr., 5-10, 280, OL; Lennon Lopez, jr., 5-10, 170, OL; Tevin Brown-Barrier, so., 6-2, 280, OL; Caprice Harrison, so., 5-10, 170, LB.
8. West Pioneers (6A)
2024 record: 2-7, lost in 6A first round
Head coach: Jeremy Moss, third season, 5-13
2025 schedule: Sept. 4, at Topeka; Sept. 12, Emporia; Sept. 19, North; Sept. 26, East; Oct. 3, Northwest; Oct. 10, at Louisburg; Oct. 17, at Southeast; Oct. 24, at South.
Top players: Colby Eck-Watkins, sr., 5-10, 175, QB; Lee Straughter, sr., 5-10, 160, WR; Alijah Moore, sr., 5-9, 260, OL; Deonte Fraizer, sr., 6-0, 185, LB; Timmy Stroud, sr., 5-11, 255, OL; Jacobe Copes, sr., 6-3, 240, OL.
9. North Redhawks (6A)
2024 record: 0-9, lost in 6A first round
Head coach: Mitch Kucera, first season, 0-27
2025 schedule: Sept. 5, at Liberal; Sept. 12, at Kapaun; Sept. 19, at West; Sept. 26, Great Bend (at Heights); Oct. 3, South (at Northwest); Oct. 10, East (at South); Oct. 17, Heights (at Northwest); Oct. 24, Southeast (at Heights).
Top players: Eli Judson, sr., 5-8, 145, WR; Manuel Avalos-Lopez, sr., 6-1, 230, OL; Valentin Prado, jr., 6-2, 250, OL; Carlo Hernandez, sr., DL; Armoni Lopez, so., 5-11, 160, QB; Xavier Bennett, jr., OL; Tommy Shields, sr., RB; Noe Alvarado, sr., 6-0, 200, LB; Jhett Haberly, jr., 5-9, 135, DB; Julian Vizcarra, jr., 5-6, 145, DB; Brandon Welch, jr., LB; Brendan Welch, jr., 5-10, 160, DB.
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