Ad Astra Radio is previewing our area high school football teams based on county. Today, we will preview area Kingman County.
Previous previews:
Cunningham Wildcats
Coach: Lance McGuire, 19th season
Classification: Six Player
District: 2
2023: 10-2
Postseason: Had first-round bye; beat Lost Springs 66-0; beat Pawnee Heights 70-6; beat Tescott 52-6; lost to Cheylin 57-8
Best postseason finish: State champions 2022
Top returning players: Luke Albers, Dagim Reed, Trent Schnittker, Will Wegerer, Dylan Halderson, Skyler Thimesch, Stephen Kerschen, Layne Green
Key game: Sept. 6 at South Barber. What a season opener for six-player football. Maybe the best six-player program in its short Kansas history in Cunningham vs. the newcomer that has been a strong eight-player program in South Barber.
Outlook: Cunningham was expected to take a slight step back due to graduation in 2023, but the Wildcats still played for a state title. Cunningham has five starters back and 13 returning lettermen. There are probably a few 6A schools that don’t have that kind of experience back. Cunningham will be one of the favorites (again) to win the state championship, and barring injury and other unforeseen circumstances, anything less than a trip to Greensburg on Thanksgiving weekend will probably be considered a disappointment. The non-district schedule is stacked, including a tasty opener at South Barber, followed by what could be the first of two meetings with Peabody-Burns.
Kingman Eagles
Coach: Tanner Hageman, sixth season (38-18)
Classification: 2A
District: 5
2023: 7-3
Postseason: Beat Hillsboro 31-6; lost to Southeast of Saline 36-28
Best postseason finish: State runner-up, 1972, 2022
Top returning players: Ben Bradshaw, sr., QB/DB; Gabe Anderson, jr., RB; Brody Bell, sr., OL/DL; Isaac Martens, sr., OL; Will McBeth, sr., OL; Collin Schreiner, sr., LB/OL; Colby Arensdorf, sr., LB/OL; Kade Osborn, sr., LB
Key game: Oct. 11 at Garden Plain. These teams played a barnburner last season, won late by Garden Plain. They’ll meet again in district play and this game will go a long way to deciding the district champion.
Outlook: Injuries bit Kingman at the absolute worst time possible last season. Still, the Eagles darn near beat Southeast of Saline in the second round. Kingman is an established program now, where trophies and November football are the standard, and there’s quite a bit back where that should be on the table. Bradshaw is a good two-way player, and Anderson should be able to carry the load in the backfield. The offensive line is big, strong and experienced, maybe the best in Hageman’s tenure. The skill positions will be a concern, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t potential. Kingman should be ready for another strong season and some November Fridays.
Norwich Eagles
Coach: Ross Foley, first season
Classification: Eight-player Division 2
District: 5
2023: 3-6
Postseason: Lost to Lebo 52-6
Best postseason finish: Runner-up 1974
Top returning players: Kruce Liddeke, OL/DL; Lucas Higler, LB; Kyler Murphy, QB; Braxton Poe, DL; Brayden Pauly, WR; Drayton Denning, WR; Zane Woglemuth.
Key game: Oct. 4 at Pretty Prairie. With this district expected to be balanced, these swing games will carry a lot of weight. The winner of this game will be in the mix to host a first-round playoff game.
Outlook: Norwich has some optimism this season with a new coach. The Eagles have been solid the last five years, being just one game under .500. They’ve won at least three games in each of those seasons, and there is personnel to take this program to the next step – a winning season and host a playoff game. Murphy was one of the area’s top quarterbacks last season, and he has some weapons around him. If there is a concern it’s in the trenches. If Norwich can develop some linemen, this could be the best it has had in at least five years.
