25 EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION II FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024
 

 
WES ANDERSON, FRANKFORT

The son of head coach Nick Anderson, Wes has been an extension on the field as Frankfort’s starting quarterback since Day 1. He missed some time with an injury his freshman year, but returned strong and stayed healthy throughout his sophomore season and had a monster year. Leading Frankfort to the state semifinals and a 9-3 record overall – all three losses to state champions – Anderson threw for 2,184 yards and 34 touchdowns while getting picked off just five times. He was the leading passer in eight-player football a year ago. With 3,551 yards and 55 touchdowns in two seasons, Anderson already owns every Frankfort passing record for both single-season and career. He played limited snaps in the defensive secondary last year, mostly on key downs and in the postseason, and had 37 tackles and 4 interceptions, including three in the playoff win over Canton-Galva. Anderson moved up to first-team All-Twin Valley League honors last year after being second-team as a freshman and will lead a talented and experienced Wildcat team this fall that will be among the best in Division II, starting the year ranked No. 2.

 

CALE BRAUN, VICTORIA

Braun will provide strong leadership on the offensive line and at linebacker for the Knights, perennial contenders. The senior is one of six returning starters for Victoria, which went 9-2 last season and reached the state semifinals before falling to South Central. He helped the Knight defense limit opponents to just 12.2 points per game. Victoria will be turning to a new quarterback, likely senior Wyatt Griffin. Braun earned honorable mention All-Eight-Man Division II honors last year.
 

 
ELI BROXTERMAN, AXTELL

Broxterman and fellow senior Brandon Schmelzle formed a dynamic duo when they joined the Eagle program in 2021 as freshmen, helping push Axtell over the top and to its first state championship since 1993. They’ve been a driving force behind Axtell’s current run of three straight undefeated Eight-Player Division II championships as leading figures on both sides of the ball. Last year, Broxterman was the Division II offensive player of the year after rushing for 608 yards and 13 touchdowns and catching 33 passes for 520 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ranked second on the team in tackles with 77 from his linebacker position after being the leading tackler for the 2022 championship team. For his career, Broxterman has rushed for 1,335 yards and 30 touchdowns, added 1,690 yards and 28 TDs receiving and had 247 tackles and 6 interceptions, earning first-team All-Eight-Player II honors each season.

 

RILYN BUESSING, AXTELL

A complementary player on defense for the Eagles’ 2022 Eight-Player Division II state championship team as a sophomore, Buessing took on a far bigger role last year as a junior. He was the leading tackler on an Axtell defense that allowed just 88 points all season, half of that total coming in one game – a 60-44 win over Cair Paravel in the season opener. Axtell shut out five of its final 12 opponents and held the other seven to a single touchdown, winning all of those games by the 45-point mercy rule, including a 50-0 win over South Central in the title game. Buessing finished with 76 tackles and had an interception he returned for a touchdown against Frankfort. He also got involved in the offense with 10 catches for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns. Buessing was a second-team All-Twin Valley League pick and will team with Eli Broxterman and Colin Shaughnessy to give Axtell three of its top five tacklers in the linebacking corps.
 

 
TYSIN BULSON, HARTFORD

On a team loaded with underclassmen a year ago, Bulson was one of the few veteran presences and helped lay the groundwork for what Hartford hopes is a turnaround season this year. Bulson was the leading receiver for the Jaguars a year ago, catching 60 passes for 771 yards and 8 touchdowns, setting a school record for yardage. He also ran for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Lyon County League honors. Bulson had an impact in all three phases, recording 65 tackles and 16 tackles for loss defensively from his linebacker spot and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, another school record. He also holds school records for fumbles forced in a game (2) and kick return yards in a game (147) and career (979) and ranks top 10 on multiple school lists for receiving and tackles.
 

CHASE COMBS, FAIRFIELD
 
Combs quickly emerged as a key building piece for Fairfield coach Kyle Finder, earning all-district first-team honors and all-state honorable mention in his first season as a full-time starter at center and linebacker. Finder inherited a program that went winless in 2022, but the Falcons ended last fall with a victory over Hartford to snap a 17-game losing streak. Now, Combs enters his junior campaign as one of four returning starters on the line. Defensively, he could transition to end this season after recording 46 tackles and 2 sacks last fall. Wherever he plays, Combs brings intangibles that Finder covets as he tries to elevate the Falcons. 
 

DANIEL CRAMER, DIGHTON

A star on both the football field and basketball court, the Hornets will rely heavily on Cramer in his senior season. Cramer will handle quarterback duties again after throwing for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He nearly reached 1,000 yards rushing as well, finishing with 915 yards and nine touchdowns. Cramer was a ball hawk on defense, leading the team with eight interceptions. The Hornets went 6-5 in 2023. Cramer was first-team All-Eight Player Division II and earned All-Northwest Kansas League honors on offense, defense and special teams.

 

TY GLISSMAN, WAVERLY

Glissman was a first-team All-Six-Player selection at wide receiver last year after leading Waverly to a 9-1 mark. He caught 31 passes for 497 yards and 10 touchdowns in becoming a big part of the Bulldog offense as a sophomore a year ago. He also manned an outside linebacker/defensive end role on defense, making 41 tackles with 7 for loss, while recovering two fumbles. Waverly moves back to eight-player football this season and Glissman is one of five returning starters on offense. He’ll have a new quarterback throwing to him with the graduation of All-Six-Player pick Ben Meehan but is one of three returning skill players along with backs Carter Ohl and Dustin Foster who are all underclassmen.
 

 
PARKER HAID, BURLINGAME

Haid moved into the starting center spot as a freshman for the Bearcats in 2021 and hasn’t relinquished the position since. He’s helped clear the way for some potent offenses throughout his career and last year Burlingame rolled up 241.4 yards per game in posting a 5-4 record. Haid has earned All-Lyon County League honors on offense all three years and also is a two-time all-league pick at defensive end. Last year, he had 34 tackles and a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss. He’ll be one of three seniors starting up front for Burlingame this season as it drops from Division I to Division II and looks to contend for a state championship.
 

PIERCEN HUFF, HUTCHINSON CENTRAL CHRISTIAN
 
Huff produced good numbers on both sides of the ball for Central Christian as a sophomore, earning All-Heart of the Plains first-team honors in the secondary with 95 tackles and 7 interceptions. Quarterbacks Nate Reed and Luke Eigsti combined to complete 96 passes last season, and Huff caught 42 of them for 692 yards. He added 31 carries for 113 yards and finished with 10 total touchdowns. Huff, who earned all-state honorable mention at end, and Reed will re-establish their connection after Reed missed the final three games of 2023 with a sprained knee. After finishing 6-4 last season, a senior-heavy 2024 Cougars roster should help Huff continue to flourish.
 

KYLE HUSER, VICTORIA

One of the top linemen in the Eight-Player ranks, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound offensive lineman is primed for a big junior season. He turned in a strong sophomore campaign, helping the Victoria offense put up 46.6 points per game. Huser will anchor an offensive line that will look to pave the way for a group of skill players who are taking on bigger roles. Victoria figures to contend again in Eight-Player Division I after going 9-2 last year and reaching the state semifinals. Huser was a first-team All-Central Prairie League pick and earned first-team All-Eight Player Division II honors. 

 

LUCAS KIRK, BUCKLIN

Kirk is a seasoned veteran on both sides of the ball for the Red Aces. He’s entering his third year as starting quarterback and his fourth year as a safety. Kirk is equally skilled  as both a passer and runner. He rushed for 968 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing for 926 and 10 scores. On defense he logged 62 tackles with an interception. Kirk holds Bucklin’s single-game record for passing touchdowns with five against Satanta in 2022. He was honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division II last year and earned All-SPIAA first-team honors on defense. Bucklin went 6-4 in 2023.

 

BRAYDEN LAWSON, MARMATON VALLEY
 
Lawson will lead a Marmaton Valley team looking to build off a 6-3 season a year ago. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback and defensive end led a high-scoring offense as the Wildcats scored 50 points in seven games last season. Lawson threw for 1,474 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 645 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. His top target, senior wide receiver Jaedon Granere, is back. On defense, Lawson lived in the backfield as he racked up four sacks and six tackles for loss on his 67 tackles as part of a unit that pitched three shutouts and held another to just 6 points.
 

 
LANE LOISEAU, FRANKFORT

The fastest player on Frankfort’s roster, getting the ball to Loiseau in space was a priority for the Wildcats and when it occurred, good things happened for the Wildcats. He was equally dangerous in the run and pass game, logging 63 carries for 508 yards and 12 touchdowns and catching 49 passes for 686 yards and 11 scores. He holds school eight-player records for single-season and career receptions and career touchdowns, having 75 catches for 1,073 yards and 19 TDs in his career. He also has 1,410 yards and 27 touchdowns rushing in his career. As big of an impact as he’s had on offense, Loiseau arguably has been Frankfort’s best defensive player as well the past couple years. He led the team in tackles last year with 85 and also picked off four passes, earning first-team All-Eight-Player II honors to go with first-team All-Twin Valley League honors both ways.
 

LATHAN MCPHAIL, ASHLAND

McPhail has played all over on offense for the Blue Jays, who are moving up to the Eight-Player ranks after a successful stint as a Six-Player program. He split time with now-graduated Britt Grigsby at quarterback, throwing for 274 yards and eight touchdowns last year as a junior. McPhail also caught 19 passes for 384 yards and 3 TDs. On defense he recorded 41 tackles with two interceptions. McPhail’s senior season will mark the end of a string of McPhails excelling for Ashland. His cousins Landen and Hayden were both stars for Ashland, with Landen wrapping up his career with a huge senior season last year. Ashland will look to become an immediate contender in Eight-Player Division II after going 9-2 in Six Player last year and reaching the state title game in 2022.   

COLE NORTON, MINNEOLA

Minneola lost star quarterback Eli Lang to graduation but the Wildcats bring back eight total starters off last year’s 10-1 team  including Norton, an offensive lineman/linebacker. Norton, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior, helped the Wildcats average 57.2 points per game last year. He was one of the top defensive playmakers for Minneola, which held St. John and Sylvan Lucas to a combined 12 points before ending its season with a 58-12 loss to South Central. Norton earned first-team All-SPIAA honors last year and was honorable mention All-Eight Player Division II. 
 

 
CARTER OLSON, FRANKFORT

Coming off a solid sophomore season in which he had 23 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns, Olson became Wes Anderson’s big-play machine in the Wildcats’ potent passing game. He demolished Frankfort’s single-season touchdown record with 16 of his 40 catches going for touchdowns. He finished with 768 yards and for his career now has 63 catches for 1,143 yards and 19 touchdowns. Olson also starts at linebacker on defense and had 74 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions last year. He was a second-team All-Twin Valley League selection last year at receiver and with Anderson back throwing him passes and fellow senior Lane Loiseau complementing him in the passing game, Olson and the Wildcats will once again boast the top passing game in eight-player football.
 

 
ZACH OSWALD, LEBO

Oswald will be the leader of a veteran offensive line for Lebo with four players back who started at some point last year, including fellow senior Ashton Lattimer. Oswald led the unit a year ago as well, earning first-team All-Lyon County League honors both ways in helping the Wolves to a 6-4 mark. He finished his junior season with 58 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Oswald can maul opposing defenders on offense and demand double-team attention on defense. He’s got agility to go with his size and has been Lebo’s top post player on back-to-back Class 1A Division II state runner-up basketball teams.
 

HAZEN RYDQUIST, HODGEMAN COUNTY

Rydquist is an explosive receiving threat. He and now-graduated quarterback Owen Reece connected 90 times last year, with Rydquist finishing with 874 yards and 9 touchdowns. He had five 100-yard receiving games last year as a junior, including a 178-yard effort against South Gray. On defense, Rydquist notched 52 tackles and three seniors. The Longhorns will hand the reins of the offense to sophomore quarterback Ian Reece. Hodgeman County went 5-4 last season. Rydquist was honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division II last year and first-team All-SPIAA.

 
BRANDON SCHMELZLE, AXTELL

Regarded as one of the state’s top overall athletes, Schmelzle has already committed to the University of Kansas – a rare Division I recruit from the state’s eight-player ranks. But Schmelzle has certainly been an X-factor when it comes to his impact on Axtell’s program. His arrival – along with fellow senior standout Eli Broxterman, in particular – helped usher in Axtell’s current reign of dominance in Eight-Player Division II as the Eagles have posted three straight undefeated state championship seasons with Schmelzle and Broxterman key figures in that success. Schmelzle served as a utility back during his first two seasons on offense before taking over for Top 11 pick Isaac Detweiler at quarterback last year. All he did in filling that void was set a state record for completion percentage (82.6%) while throwing for 1,571 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also ran for 790 yards and 21 touchdowns to lead Axtell and earned All-Eight-Player Division II honors for the third straight year. Defensively, he picked off 9 passes and in his career has 25 interceptions – just six away from the state’s career record of 31 set by Bennington’s Gunner Boss from 1985-88. He’s produced nearly 5,200 yards of offense and 114 touchdowns in his career as well.
 

REIKEN STALLBAUMER, HANOVER

Stallbaumer enters his third season as Hanover’s starting quarterback even with the depth at the position creating plenty of competition for the job each season. He stepped in as a sophomore starter in 2022 and threw for 1,288 yards and 23 touchdowns and also ran for 325 yards and 7 scores. Stallbaumer finished last year with remarkably similar numbers, throwing for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 504 yards and 11 scores. He led Hanover to a 6-5 mark last season and was a second-team All-Twin Valley League selection.
 

 
JD TYSON, BURLINGAME

A defensive standout for Burlingame as a sophomore in 2022 when he posted 88 tackles to lead the team, Tyson became an offensive force as well last fall. Moving from a slot back position to fill Burlingame’s hole at quarterback, Tyson flourished. He completed 59.6% of his passes for 1,366 yards and 21 touchdowns and also ran for a team-high 552 yards and 10 touchdowns. He remained the Bearcats’ second-leading tackler with 60 (just behind Timmy Roberts’ team-high 67) and earned first-team All-Lyon County League honors both ways. With leading receivers Dane Winters, Timmy Roberts and Drake Skirvin returning as well as three senior offensive linemen, Tyson could have an even bigger senior season with the Bearcats moving down to Division II this fall.
 

CARSON VINEYARD, ARGONIA/ATTICA
 
The Titans expect to lean heavily on Vineyard as they move to Eight-Player Division II this season. The junior running back and linebacker earned All-South Central Border League first-team honors and All-Eight-Player Division I honorable mention on defense in 2023, recording a team-high 106 tackles. But even as Argonia/Attica dropped its final three games to finish 5-4, Vineyard’s versatility was on display. He produced 10 total touchdowns (4 rushing, 3 receiving, 2 punt returns, 1 kickoff return) while rushing 74 times for 456 yards and catching 17 passes for 383 yards. Vineyard added more than 500 return yards, giving him 1,348 all-purpose yards for the season. He starts the season 217 receiving yards and 98 tackles shy of top-5 career program marks.
 

GEORGE VON LEONROD, DIGHTON

Dighton will rely heavily on von Leonrod and fellow senior Daniel Cramer as it looks to build on last year’s 6-5 record. The senior linebacker/running back is a two-way standout for the Hornets. Von Leonrod was a tackling machine last year, leading the Hornets with 149 stops. He contributed 451 yards rushing with 8 touchdowns on offense. Postseason honors for von Leonrod included honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division II recognition and a first-team selection on the All-Northwest Kansas League defensive team. 
 

 
DANE WINTERS, BURLINGAME
 
Winters could line up just about anywhere in the Burlingame offense as veteran coach Jeff Slater looks to get the ball in arguably his top playmaker’s hands in space. He’s already established himself as the best receiver in Bearcat history, holding all the school’s single season and career records for catches, yards and touchdowns. Last year, he had 58 catches for 710 yards and 13 touchdowns catching passes from cousin JD Tyson, and in his career he had 84 catches for 1,202 yards and 19 scores. Winters also ran for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns and defensively picked off five passes in the Burlingame secondary and had 46 tackles. Winters was first-team All-Lyon County League both ways and was named the league's offensive MVP.