by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — For the first time in years, the South Haven football team isn’t predicted to strut its stuff — dominate in such a way that winning the South-Central Border League is just a foregone conclusion.

But when you lose 12 seniors off an eight-man football team from the previous year that tends to happen.

Nevertheless, South Haven is still predicted as the team to beat. There is enough returning talent and a winning tradition to keep the Cardinals near or at the top.

Still, this preseason, there has not been so much intrigue in the preseason in years. Three other teams can realistically come out and become league champions. Caldwell is returning a slew of players from last year’s second-round playoff qualifying team. Oxford has a lot of returning experience, making for one of its strongest eight-man teams yet. Udall has a lot of players and experience, and may have enough to wrestle away the crown. Central-Burden could end up as the champion.

Plus, when the year ends, there is a possibility a clear-cut league champion won’t be crowned. Not every team plays the other in the SCBL, thanks to the KSHSAA six-team district schedule and dividing eight-man into two divisions. For instance, Caldwell won’t play Oxford this year.

Argonia-Attica also changes things up as it merged the two football programs into one this season (see story here) and adopted the Argonia schedule. That left schools scrambling for teams to play, who had Attica on their schedule.

Oxford will play Sunrise Academy. Caldwell gets to play Baileyville B@B on a neutral site. South Haven didn’t have Argonia or Attica on its schedule so it didn’t have to scramble.

The predicted order of finish according to VYPE magazine is:

1. South Haven

2. Udall

3. Central-Burden

4. Oxford

5. Caldwell

6. West Elk

7. Cedar Vale-Dexter

8. Sedan

9. Flinthills

10. Elk Valley.

 

Here’s a synopsis of the Sumner County teams in the SCBL ahead.

 

SOUTH HAVEN CARDINALS —

Head coach — David Hughes. Overall record: 170-93.

 

Years at school: 34(!). 2012 record 10-1. League record 7-0.

 

2012 finish: South Haven advanced to the second round where it lost to Madison-Hamilton 66-28.

 

Top returning starters: 

 

Richie Goble —  (6-2, 210, sr.), is a returning first team all-SCBL center and will also play linebacker. He has been a two year starter at center, and Hughes said he should find a place on defense.

“He works extremely hard and is dedicated to being a good player,” Hughes said.

Goble threw the javelin and discus on the track team as well as high jumped and even won a medal in the 4×800 relay.

 

J.T. Yunker – (6-1, 185, sr.) started for South Haven as a tailback last year and is one of the best backs in the area, Hughes said.

“He has good vision and football speed,” Hughes said. “He has gotten bigger and stronger in the weight room. He plays with a lot of emotion, which is a key to our success in that he must keep it in control.”

Defensively, Yunker is known as a big hitter and has a nose for the ball.  He pole vaulted, ran the hurdles, and was a member of the 4×100 relay team at the state track meet.

 

Riley Blaylock- (5-11, 165, sr.) started for South Haven  at a defensive back last season.

“He has worked hard in the weight room this year and has gotten bigger and faster,” Hughes said. “He is slated to be our quarterback this year so he will have a huge responsibility in leading this team.”

Blaylock ran the 800, 400, 4×800, and will be participating in the pole vault and 4×400 at the state track meet.

 

Anthony Hawkins – (6-2- 195, sr.) was a second team all league defensive end.

“He plays smart tough football, and has put on 30 pounds since last year working in the weight room,” Hughes said. “He is getting faster and his footwork has improved.”

Hawkins’ participation in track this year has helped him become a better athlete, as he threw the discus, ran on the 4×800, and other running events.

 

Parker Ray  — (5-10, 170, jr.) will be playing in the backfield this year and as a linebacker on defense.

“He is a hard worker and has a motor that gives 100 percent at everything he does,” Hughes said. “He may not be the best athlete we have but he makes it up with work ethic.”

Ray participated at the state track meet in the 400, 4×100, and the 4×400.

 

Tanner Creed –  (5-10, 160, sr.) should be a factor on the offensive line and on defense.

“He is another kid who goes all out every play,” Hughes said. “He isn’t the biggest kid but will give you 100 percent at all times.  With a good commitment to our summer program he should be a factor for us on the offensive line and on defense.

SOUTH HAVEN SCHEDULE
Sept. 6	Norwich away
Sept. 13	South Barber, home
Sept. 20	Cedar Vale-Dexter, away
Sept. 27	West Elk, away
Oct. 4	Oxford, home
Oct. 11	Udall, home
Oct. 18	Caldwell, away
Oct. 25	Sedan, away
Oct. 31	Central Burden, home.

 

CALDWELL BLUEJAYS — 

Head Coach — Sean Blosser, third year as head coach. Overall record: 11-10.

Last year’s record: 6-4.

2012 finish: Beat Waverly in the first round 50-36, before losing to eventual state champion Baileyvillle B@B 48-0.

 

Returning starters: 

Offense: 

Darin Ward — Quarterback.

Hunter Stuewe — offensive guard.

Devan York — offensive line.

Trent Kendrick — running back.

Rhett Lee — running back/wide receiver.

 

Defense: 

Kaden Halling, defensive back.

Trent Kendrick, linebacker.

Devan York, defensive end

Hunter Stuewe, defensive line.

Sam Wencel, defensive back.

 

Potential starting unit: 

QB — Darin Ward* 11^th  5-9 140 Hon. Ment. QB SCBL

RB — Trent Kendrick* 11^th 5-10 155

RB — Rhett Lee 12^th 5-10 130

Kaden Halling 11^th 5-11 140

WR/TE — Sam Wencel 11^th 6’ 155

WR/TE — Kyler Bruey 10^th 5-11 150

OG — Devan York 12^th 6’2 180

OG — Hunter Stuewe 11^th 5/11 195

C   – Ross Kuehny 10^th 5-10 175

 

DE — Devan York 12^th 6’2 180

DE — Sam Wencel 11^th 6’ 155

Ross Kuehny 10^th 5-10 175

DT — Hunter Stuewe 11^th 5’11 195

LB — Trent Kendrick 11^th 5’10 155

LB — Kyler Bruey 10^th 5/11 150

Brenden Cole 12^th 5’10 185

CB — Rhett Lee 12^th 5-10 130

CB —  Darin Ward 11^th  5-9 140

SS — Kaden Halling 11^th 5-11 140

K   — Trent Kendrick

 

Caldwell’s outlook: The strength of the team will be centered around Caldwell’s experience at skill positions.

“We return a majority of our backs for both offense and defense,” Blosser said. “The Young players of last year’s team were asked to step up and contribute on a regular basis and this should add to their confidence for this coming year.”

Caldwell has a couple of spots that need to be filled from graduating seniors on the offensive line.

“We are looking forward to building off the success, we found last year late in the season,” Blossser said. “The young men are working hard to become a better team and players during the summer during weights and our team camp.”

 

CALDWELL SCHEDULE
Sept. 6	Cehtral Burden, home
Sept. 13	Udall, away
Sept. 20	Cunningham, away
Sept. 27	Baileyville (neutral site).
Oct. 4	Stafford, home
Oct. 11	South Barber, home
Oct. 18	South Haven, home
Oct. 25	Argonia-Attica, away
Oct. 31	Norwich, home.

 

OXFORD WILDCATS 

Head coach: Shawn Burkes, eighth year.

2012 record: 5-4. Did not make the playoffs last year.

Returning starters:

Tom Lawlis, 5-9, 170, sr. — OG-LB.

Dexter Norris, 5-10, 160, sr. — TE-LB.

Colton Silhan, 6-0, 180, jr. — TE-LB.

Daelyn Haskins, 5-7, 165, jr. – RB.

Kurt Sloan, 6-2, 190, jr, – DE.

Oggie Shimkus, 6-1, 180, DE.

 

Oxford outlook: 

The Wildcats have not taken the league by storm after being one of the last SCBL teams to drop from 11 man to eight man football a few years back. But 2013 could be a breakout year for the Cats.

Dexter Norris (5-10, 160 sr.) will be starting at quarterback, replacing Gage Burkes, who started for four years.

Colton Silhan (6-0, 180, jr.) will be the starting fullback after starting tight end last year. Daelyn Haskins (5-7, 165, jr.) will be the starting running back.

The offensive line looks solid with two returning starters. The tight ends, though, will be new, since Norris and Silhan have been moved elsewhere.

Oxford will implement a 3-4 hybrid defense and brings back several three-year starters.

Oggie Shimkus and Kurt Sloan both return on the defensive line. Silhan and Norris will be anchoring a very good group of linebackers. Haskins will be starting on defense for the first time this year.

Burkes said he is worried about the depth.

“We have a good core of players returning from last year’s 5-4 team,” he said. “Developing some depth will be an important key for success.”

Oxford hosts Sumner Academy in week one as a make-up game after the Attica merger.

OXFORD SCHEDULE
Sept. 6	Sunrise Academy, home
Sept. 13	Norwich, home
Sept. 20	Flinthills, away
Sept. 27	Udall, home
Oct. 4	South Haven, away
Oct. 11	Sedan, away
Oct. 18	Central-Burden, home
Oct. 25	Cedar Vale-Dexter, away
Oct. 31	West Elk, home.

 

ARGONIA-ATTICA TITANS 

Head coaches: Luke Greenwood, Argonia and Lance Vandeveer, Attica.

Records last year: Argonia 1-8, Attica 2-7.  Neither team made the playoffs.

Season outlook:

Argonia-Attica Titans, aka A&A Titans, merged to allow the students of both schools the opportunity to play a full schedule which wouldn’t have been the case otherwise.

Argonia is currently practicing in Attica since they started school two weeks earlier.  When school starts for Argonia this week, then the practices will come to the Sumner County school to make up the two weeks in Attica

Coach Vandaveer will be handling the defense and Greenwood will be calling the plays on offense but will help each other out on both sides of the ball.

“We will run multiple sets on offense and defense but we’ll primarily run a version of the pistol and single wing on offense and a 3 – 4 on defense,” Greenwood said.    Offensively, Alec McDaniel, Devon Newberry, and Garrett Wells should make for a quick backfield.

Jack Deviney, Doss Grigsby, Andrew Mages, and Jerry Swart will split time at the tight end/wide receiver position.

ARGONIA-ATTICA SCHEDULE
Sept. 6	Udall, home
Sept. 13	Cedar Vale-Dexter, away
Sept. 20	Norwich, away
Sept. 27	Cunningham, home
Oct. 4	Hope, home
Oct. 11	Stafford, home
Oct. 18	South Barber, away
Oct. 25	Caldwell, home
Oct. 31	Burrton, away

Matt Harsh, Dylan Prescott, Austin Tracy, and Rayden Nemechek should all get time on the line.

“This year will be an important step moving forward as we prepare to make the transition to Div. I next year,” Greenwood said. “This will be a good opportunity for us to try and come together and get the kinks worked out and get the fine tuning done.”