East Central

Two of the top five teams in the state reside in this league. Second-ranked Hi-Plains is loaded with talent and should contend for the state title. Meanwhile, No. 4 and defending champion Idalia lost a lot of talent to graduation, but the Wolves have some solid players returning. With experienced squads, Deer Trail, Bethune and Liberty (Joes) could put pressure on the front-runners.

Bethune

2006: 5-4 Coach: Troy Hauxwell

Last season, for the third time in five years, the Bobcats won five games. That mark could be a little tougher to achieve this season with only three starters returning. Hauxwell will rely on the leadership of seniors Dustin Monroe and James Mari.

Deer Trail

2006: 3-5 Coach: Dave Cochran

The Eagles figure to be in the mix with eight returning starters and eight seniors. Behind Chaz Boyd and Nick Christensen, a trip to the playoffs could be a possibility.

Hi-Plains

2006: 5-5 Coach: Dave Sheffield

An early exit from the playoffs last season has the second-ranked Patriots hungry. The entire team returns, led by Kent Herman and Chase McCullough, meaning a state championship is within reach.

Idalia

2006: 11-0 Coach: Brad Wingfield

The two-time defending champion lost several key members to graduation and also features a new coach. But with junior quarterback Jonathan Castillo and senior running back Gabe Ramseier anchoring the offense, there's no counting out the Wolves.

Liberty (Joes)

2006: 2-7 Coach: David Guy

The Knights missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, but that could change this year. Four key players return on both sides of the ball, led by senior Travis Asling and junior Tyson Mann.

North

This is Peetz's league to win, as its returns all but one starter. The Bulldogs should be a main contender for the state title. After that, it's wide open for the remaining playoff spot. Pawnee will be inexperienced, but it has been in the playoffs the past two seasons. Briggsdale, Prairie and Weldon Valley continue to improve and could be in the mix.

Briggsdale

2006: 0-9 Coach: Rick Mondt

The Falcons will look to rebound with the help of four starters returning on offense, led by senior Thomas Endlsey and junior Bruce Baxter.

Pawnee

2006: 6-3 Coach: Doug Miller

Only three starters return, but they include quality players. Senior Shawn Light was an honorable mention all-state selection last season, and Neil Miller is expected to excel.

Peetz

2006: 10-1 Coach: Scott Sorensen

Another dominant season ended in the state semifinals, and the top-ranked Bulldogs should pick up where they left off. With returning all-staters Gage Roelle and Levi Whitman leading the way, this could be their year.

Prairie

2006: 3-6 Coach: Glenn Carlson

The Mustangs were much improved last year after a winless 2005 season. Continued improvement is expected behind seniors Emilo Lone Elk and Albert Kester.

Weldon Valley

2006: 3-5 Coach: Jamie Wood

The Warriors are aiming for a return to the playoffs after missing out last year. Their chances look good, with every starter returning, including seniors Adam Cooper and Beau Fuchs.

South

Third-ranked Eads is the favorite. Kit Carson, despite some key graduation losses, has some talented underclassmen to give Eads a challenge. Edison, Vilas and Hilltop Baptist could figure into the league picture, and Cheraw also should be competitive.

Cheraw

2006: 6-2 Coach: Brian Bonds

Bonds, in his first year, figures to be challenged. The Wolverines lost four starters, and only nine players reported this season. But three are seniors: Blake Pearce, Emery Crump and Jerid Bruna.

Eads

2006: 9-2 Coach: Shawn Randel

Year One in the classification found the Eagles in the state title game. With Kevin Lindholm and Wes Richardson leading the defense, Eads figures to again vie seriously for a berth in the championship.

Edison

2006: 3-5 Coach: Jeff Jordahl

In its first year of 6-Man football, Edison showed well. Although the Eagles still are young — more than half the team will be sophomores — they will rely on the leadership of Josh Doak and Zack Jepson.

Hilltop Baptist

2006: 2-6 Coach: Allen Knight

The Centurions dropped from 8-Man and struggled with the transition. They should be more competitive this season behind senior Brock Ying Ling and junior Johnny Pennington.

Kit Carson

2006: 8-2 Coach: Jim Trahern

The Wildcats always seem to figure into the state title picture, but things could be a bit tougher this season. Kit Carson was hit hard by graduation, losing all six starters on defense and five on offense. The only returning starter is junior Jon Ball.

Vilas

2006: 3-6 Coach: Corey Newhold

Newhold, entering his first season, inherits a team that improved from a winless campaign in 2005. The Broncos return four starters, led by seniors Quayde Thompson and Roman Horn, meaning a playoff push is possible.

West Central

This is the most wide-open division in the classification. Otis and Woodlin traditionally have been the powerhouse teams and should be solid again, but a talented Fleming team is expected to make a strong push for league honors. Lone Star also should improve in its second season at 6-Man, and with four returning starters, Arickaree likes its chances.

Arickaree

2006: 4-5 Coach: Dennis Koolstra

There is good news and bad news for Koolstra. Four starters are back in the fold, led by junior Aaron Crossland and senior Nathan Craig, but only nine players reported for the team.

Fleming

2006: 5-4 Coach: John King

Fleming looks ready to make its move into the classification's top flight. The Wildcats return 11 starters overall, led by Cory Brownell and all-stater Jarod Stone. The team expects to earn its first playoff berth since 1999.

Lone Star

2006: 0-8 Coach: Mike Harty

It was a rough first season in 6-Man for the Longhorns. Improvement is expected, though, behind junior Michael Carr and sophomore Tyler Jamison, who saw plenty of action last season.

Otis

2006: 7-3 Coach: Ryan Collier

The Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs last season for the fourth time in five years and should make another run at it. They have four starters returning on offense, led by all-state selections Jordan Anderson and Devin McCall.

Woodlin

2006: 6-4 Coach: Paul Griese

Power football will be the game at fifth-ranked Woodlin. The offensive line of the Mustangs averages 6-foot-1, 245 pounds. The leaders are all-stater Tony Griese (6-2, 255), who is the coach's son, Brandon Orr (6-1, 245) and Dylan Mills (6-1, 240).

2006 playoff results

• Quarterfinals Peetz 45, Hi-Plains 16

Eads 46, Woodlin 32

Kit Carson 63, Otis 13

Idalia 72, Pawnee 12

• Semifinals Eads 48, Peetz 30

Idalia 24, Kit Carson 23

• Championship Idalia 69, Eads 6

Back to Top