That's not very good, but this is a new season and all seven teams are starting with a clean state. There's no question the overwhelming favorite again will be Derby. They bring a lot back from last season's undefeated league title season and unless they have a hiccup in the road, I see them winning every league game again this year. But after the Panthers, the race for second through seventh is wide open.
Campus and Maize are beginning new regimes under Russell Herman and Chris Davis, respectively. Coaching changes always bring new life and new hope to programs and each of those teams feels like they have the talent to compete this season. It appears like both of the Salina teams, Central and South, are shaping up for strong seasons and that should be a great battle for supremacy in Salina. And then Hutchinson and Newton are two teams that you can always count on being scrappy and teams no one wants to face.
It all should make for a great season and I will give you everything you need to know about how the league race will shape up.
1. Derby Panthers (Full Team Preview)
It's looking like the talent and the arrival of Flory is perfectly coinciding. He knows how to handle it and the Panthers should once again be a 15-16 win team in the regular season. But to get over that hump, Derby will have to prove it can defend. Not a lot, but just enough to win and grind out wins over tough teams. I think in Flory's second season Derby will be able to do that. I expect another league title and I would not be surprised in the least if the Panthers end their 16-year drought.
2. Hutchinson Salthawks (Full Team Preview)
I've always admired what Henry has done at Hutchinson. I love the way he always gets his teams to play hard defense and it's no coincidence Hutchinson always wins 2-3 more games than you would expect them to. Well, stop underrating them people. The Salthawks will once again post a winning record in a league that is wide open behind Derby. The sub-state also presents plenty of opportunity as long as you avoid North. If the Salthawks can do that and grab the No. 2 or 3 seed, then there's no reason why this team couldn't potentially be playing in the state tournament and everyone exclaiming them to be the overachievers as always. Maybe some day they'll dole out the proper respect this program deserves.
T3. Salina Central (Full Team Preview)
Salina Central appears ready for another solid season with three starters back from a successful team. Finch has a proven track record of getting the Mustangs to a winning season and I don't see that stopping this year. It's hard to imagine this group winning more than the 13 games they did last year, but I still think over 10 wins is more than reasonable. A chance for a state berth is there as well because Central's sub-state is wide open, so if this team catches fire at the right time then it could be in for a special year.
T3. Salina South (Full Team Preview)
It looks like Renk is turning things around at South. For too long they played the little brother to Central, but now it looks like Renk has the Cougars ready to compete for supremacy in Salina. I think with everybody back from last year's team they will be looking at a winning season, but it will be close. They play a difficult non-league schedule and could suffer early because of football legs. But I like the Cougars to win at least 10 games and to make a very strong push for a good finish in league and a possible state berth.
5. Maize Eagles (Full Team Preview)
You got to like the word coming out of Maize from Davis. The Eagles will be incredibly young and inexperienced, so it's difficult to imagine them competing for a league title this season. But there's no denying that Maize has some talent and could compete for it this year, especially in a division that appears wide open behind Derby. The sub-state is also kind of wide open, so there is opportunity for Maize. They may be a year away from seriously doing some damage, but don't be surprised if you see them claw to a season closer to .500.
6. Newton Railroaders (Full Team Preview)
When a 6-win team loses its best player, it's hard to predict that team to come back stronger the next season. But I think Newton has a strong chance to improve its record this season and compete in the division and also in the sub-state. Both offer huge opportunities for the Railroaders to make a move this season and I think in the third season under Cameron they will surprise some people. I expect to Newton to get off to a fast start to the season and finish right around .500 and could make a strong push to make the state tournament in a wide-open sub-state.
7. Campus Colts (Full Team Preview)
The change to the new offense should benefit the talent Campus has on the roster this season. It will help defeat over-matched opponents more easy, but it will probably run them into a buzz saw when they come up against elite teams. That's to be expected in the first year of a system, however. There's no question Campus is moving in the right direction but it still takes time. The schedule is rigorous this season and that might hide Campus' improvement. They could post a similar record from last year, but I think they will be a much more competitive team this season.
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