As seasons go, it doesn't get much better than the one the Washburn Rural boys wrestling team turned in in 2020-21.

In a COVID-conscious season that altered the looks of a normal wrestling season, the Junior Blues not only made the most of the different-looking season, but thrived. Taking on any and all comers, Rural posted an undefeated dual record, beating the best the state had to offer head to head.

They dominated the Centennial League meet, putting 12 in the finals and coming away with eight champions. Rural followed with convincing wins at regionals and sub-state and then capped the season with a runaway victory at the Class 6A state tournament, wrapping up the program's first-ever state championship before the finals had even begun.

In every possible way, it was a dream season.

Now the question that first-year head coach Josh Hogan constantly fields is a simple one: What's next?

"We were fortunate enough that we won everything last year," Rural coach Josh Hogan said. "So really the only goal we could have is to repeat what we did last year, but in a more dominant fashion. Having 14 kids in the finals with 14 pins wins is always the goal and whether we get there this year or in 10 years, that remains to be seen."

Hogan took over the Junior Blues program when last year's head coach Damon Parker shockingly stepped down following the season, though he retained the girls' head coaching job. Hogan, a Rural alum who has been the director of the Topeka Blue Thunder Wrestling Club for the past nine years -- the feeder program for Rural's high school program -- jumped at the chance to take over for his good friend and try to continue what Parker has built into one of the state's premier powerhouses.

"I'm jacked," Hogan said upon taking the job in mid-April. "It's really just a match made in heaven for me.

"Nothing should change. Damon and I have been right- and left-hand man to each other all these years. I love Damon and everything he's about. To have a guy like him who puts the kids first, which is something I've felt I've always done as well, to have that at the top allowed me to really do my thing at the bottom."

Now he's at the top and expectations haven't changed.

"From a coaching aspect, I didn't think I'd step in here and pick right up where they left off last year, so there's a little challenge there," he said. "I'm still learning the kids and learning the coaches and how to piece it all together. But I have no concerns that the wrestling, once we hit the mat, will pick right up where we left off. The boys are ready.

"There shouldn't be a drop off in how good we can be. We just have to go out and execute now."

A change in the coaching ranks isn't the only new-look there will be for the Junior Blues in 2021-22. Graduation claimed three-time state champion Bishop Murray and state placers Bowan Murray, Remington Stiles and David Huckstep.

But plenty returns to give the Junior Blues a great shot at adding another state championship to the trophy case. Rural opens the season ranked No. 1 in Class 6A with nine of its 14 starters ranked top six at their respective weight.

Rural returns a pair of state champions in senior Jacob Tangpricha and sophomore Jonathan Morrison. Tangpricha, 33-2 a year ago, is a two-time state champion, taking the title last year at 113 pounds after winning state at 106 as a sophomore and is ranked No. 2 at 126 to start this season.

Morrison (29-3) was an upset winner for his title at 106 a year ago, beating Derby's Cody Woods in overtime in the finals after losing twice to the Panther in regionals and sub-state. Morrison is ranked No. 1 at 113.

Senior Austin Fager reached the 170-pound finals last year before falling to undefeated Blake Jouret of Olathe South to finish second in a 30-4 season. State placers Nick Vincent (4th at 152), Aidan Boline (5th at 160) and Henri McGivern (6th at 126) also return.

Fager is ranked No. 2 at 170, while Boline is ranked No. 2 at 160 and Easton Broxterman is second at 106. Vincent is ranked fourth at 152, McGivern is fourth at 120, junior Zach Franco is fifth at 220 and senior Trace Lawler is fifth at 145.

Broxterman is one of three freshmen expected to be in the starting lineup.

As Rural tries to fight off the likes of No. 2 Olathe North, No. 3 Dodge City and others in Class 6A, Hogan said he hasn't seen any complacency set in after last year's breakthrough championship.

"With a new coach, it's not the same thing as last year, so it's not like everything's the same," he said. "I'm trying to prove myself and the boys are trying to help me. I think they're more motivated than they were last year. I've followed this program for the last 10 years so I know a little bit about what's going on in the room and with the kids. They're as hungry as I've ever seen them."