Ellsworth’s Josh Homolka: Coach of the Month-Presented by Salina Regional Sports Medicine
By Blake Chadwick Entering his eighth season as the head coach of the Ellsworth Bearcats, Josh Homolka has built his program into one of the best in the state. “We are slowly changing the culture of EHS football,” Homolka said. “There are more and more expectations to be successful each year. You can see that […]
Minneapolis’ Owen Just-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by American Family Insurance-Ausherman
By Blake Chadwick Quarterback Owen Just has all the tools to help get Minneapolis to make a deep playoff run. Since he was a kid, Just has always wanted a ball in his hand. Starting in fifth grade, he was finally able to play tackle football after years of flag football and has consistently been […]
Cunningham Football-Team of the Month-Presented by Visit Wichita
By Blake Chadwick After a runner-up finish in the 6-man state football game and a state championship win in the state basketball game, Cunningham is looking to right their loss this football season. “For the first time in my career, the core of this team made the final football game and the final basketball game,” […]
Minneapolis’ Zach Nelson-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Harvest Crop Insurance
By Blake Chadwick After a challenging 4-5 record during the 2023 season, the Minneapolis Lions have plans to get over the hump of a sub .500 record. Senior running back Zach Nelson will be one of the many moving pieces that can help the Lions kickstart their winning ways, on and off the field, with […]
Clay Center’s Weston Hammond-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Wildflower Studio & Lehman Brothers Angus Ranch
By Matt Browning/Photo Credit Phil Frigon Clay Center’s Weston Hammond has a special bond with his teammates. “This season I am excited to play on the field with the rest of my senior teammates that I have played with since fourth grade,” Hammond said. Now a senior, Hammond understands how he will be viewed by the […]
Chapman’s Cade Hanney-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by PrairieLand Partners
By Matt Browning On eight different occasions last season, Chapman’s Cade Hanney was named the team’s offensive, defensive or special teams player of the week. Hanney is looking forward to being an even better player in 2024. “I would like to overall be a better player by increasing my total rushing yards and tackles this […]
Clay Center’s Owen Craig-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Nex-Tech
By Matt Browning Last season, Clay Center’s Owen Craig was a second team all-league defensive back, where he racked up 50 tackles with one interception. But Craig was a two-way player for the Tigers, so he also had 1,000 all-purpose yards. Craig has some lofty goals in mind for his 2024 season, both individually and […]
Tracer Murdock-Concordia High School-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Hog Wild
By Matt Browning Over the past two seasons, the Concordia football program has gone a combined 4-14. So a change has been welcomed for Panther defensive end Tracer Murdock. “The thing I’m most excited for this season is the change,” Murdock said. “I’m excited for all the new change we have with the new […]
Smoky Valley’s Gabe Baker: Salina Area Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Smoky Valley Chiropractic, P.A.
By Matt Browning Besides playing for an emerging team, Smoky Valley’s Gabe Baker has a special reason to be excited for his senior season. “I am excited about a couple things,” Baker said. “We have a very promising team that knows how to work hard even through adversity. I’m also very excited to be able […]
Clay Center’s Cole Pladson-Athlete Spotlight-Presented by Visit Salina
By Matt Browning/Photo credit Phil Frigon Clay Center’s Cole Pladson has committed to play baseball at Oklahoma State and is one of the top players in the state. But he’s also a decorated football player, too. Last season, Pladson was one of Class 3A’s best two-way players. On offense, he had nearly 1,700 total yards […]