CLASS 2A FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
 

TYLER BACKMAN, NORTON

Backman will provide leadership for a Norton squad tasked with replacing a large senior class. He is a two-way returning starter at running back and defensive back. Backman rushed for 550 yards on 96 carries with 9 touchdowns in 2024, and also caught 22 passes for 309 yards with two scores. He recorded three interceptions. Backman was an All-2A honorable mention selection and earned first-team All-Mid-Continent League honors at running back. Norton finished last year with an 8-2 record, which was their final season under longtime coach Lucas Melvin, now the Bluejays’ athletic director. Jeremy Hawks replaces Melvin as head coach.
 

 
MAX BOTTORFF, ATCHISON COUNTY

A three-year starter at running back and linebacker, Bottorff was the workhorse for Atchison County’s offense a year ago and will return to that role again this year, particularly with the graduation of backfield mate Kannon Crossland. Bottorff led the Tigers in rushing with 681 yards on 101 carries, scoring 6 touchdowns. He also was the second-leading receiver with 112 yards and 2 TDs and was a first-team All-Northeast Kansas League pick. He earned the same honors on defense where he also led the team with 108 tackles, 41 more than the next-leading tackler. Bottorff more than doubled both his offensive production and tackle total from his sophomore season.
 

 
BRODY CHAMBERS, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE
 
Arguably the top two-way small-school lineman in the state last year, Chambers helped pave the way for a 13-0 Class 2A state championship season for Southeast of Saline last year. A four-year starter on the offensive line and three-year starter on the defensive front, Chambers has earned All-North Central Activities Association honors of some kind each of his first three seasons, including first-team status the past two seasons. Southeast’s offense racked up 5,331 total yards (410.1 per game) and 552 total points (42.5 per game) last year in going undefeated. Even from his defensive line spot, Chambers ranked third on the Trojans in tackles last year with 77 and had a team-high 22 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. He was Second 11 and first-team All-Class 2A. Chambers, who has 33 career tackles for loss, is one of several key returners for the Trojans as they look to defense their 2A title this season.
 

 
KANYON DOUGLAS, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE
 
The linebacking corps at Southeast is second to none in Class 2A, particularly after Douglas’ emergence last fall. After having just 24 tackles as a sophomore starter in the unit, Douglas became the Trojans’ leading tackler last fall, making 109 stops with 52 of those solo tackles. His 18 tackles for loss ranked only behind All-2A lineman Brody Chambers and he also picked off three passes on his way to first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors. Douglas also took on a bigger role for the offense last year from a slotback position and was the third-leading receiver (302 yards, 4 TDs) and fourth-lead rusher (192 yards, 3 TDs), a role that could get even bigger this year with the graduation of All-2A end and leading receiver Tucker Thaxton.
 

 
HOLDEN EDELMAN, SABETHA
 
After graduation claimed 23 seniors off Sabetha’s 2023 squad that reached the Class 2A state semifinals, plenty of starting jobs were there for the taking and Edelman was one of a handful of sophomores who made the most of their opportunity. Edelman wound up starting on both the offensive and defensive lines and helped the Bluejays to a 6-4 record. He really made his mark on defense where he earned first-team All-Big East League honors after recording 46 tackles and 7 tackles for loss. Edelman is one of nine returning starters on defense this year and one of seven on offense though he’ll have new faces surrounding him with only one other lineman back from each unit.
 

 
BLAISE FRENCH, COUNCIL GROVE

Council Grove enjoyed the best season in school history and French was a big part in the Braves’ run to their first-ever appearance in the Class 2A semifinals. He shined on defense where he only had 34 tackles from his cornerback, but ranked among the 2A leaders in interceptions with 6 – tied for second-most in school history -- earning him first-team All-Class 2A honors as a lockdown corner. With the Braves offense losing its two-leading rushers from last year, French is the top returning back having rushed for 150 yards on just 22 carries last year. He’ll likely take on a bigger role this season to complement returning quarterback Luke Stewart and receiver Mason Samuels.
 

TRAXCYN GARTON, CANEY VALLEY
 
Garton made a huge first impression two seasons ago, returning the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown in his first game against Erie. Last year as a sophomore, he helped the Bullpups post a 6-3 record by running for 1,229 yards and 17 touchdowns. Garton earned first-team All-Tri-Valley League honors and All-Class 2A honorable mention. He’ll be working behind a retooled line this season after the graduation of a trio of all-league first-team selections, including tight end Ben Matthews, an All-2A first-team pick who played in the Kansas Shrine Bowl this summer.
 

 
GRADY GEBHARDT, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE

The son of Southeast head coach Mitch Gebhardt, Grady was a first-team All-Class 2A selection at running back after leading the Trojans with 1,439 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing two games and having to share the offensive load with quarterback Gannon Jacobson, who ran for just over 800 yards. Gebhardt nearly quadrupled his sophomore rushing total of 452 yards and nearly doubled his TD total from 8. He’s also a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, catching 23 passes for 331 yards and 3 scores last year. A three-year starter on defense, Gebhardt teams with Kanyon Douglas and Killian Vaughan to give Southeast a three-headed monster at linebacker. Gebhardt ranked second to Douglas in tackles last year with 80 after leading the team in tackles as a sophomore with 104. Gebhardt helped Southeast capture its first state title since 2006 and go 13-0.
 

TUCKER GOSS, ELLSWORTH

Goss will help lead a Bearcat defense that returns key experience at the linebacker and secondary spots. As a junior, he recorded 59 tackles including six stops for loss. The tailback rushed for 273 yards and 6 touchdowns. Goss was a first-team All-North Central Activities Conference at fullback and linebacker. He also received honorable mention All-2A honors at linebacker. Goss and fellow senior Cooper McGowan will look to help Ellsworth improve on last year’s 5-4 campaign.
 

   
CARTER HAJEK, NEMAHA CENTRAL

No back in the state has shouldered the load of his team’s offense more than Hajek has the past two season, and what’s more, he’s delivered in the biggest of ways. Following a breakout sophomore season when he took over as starting quarterback for the Thunder and directed them to a second straight undefeated Class 2A state championship, rushing for 2,431 yards and 43 touchdowns and throwing for 962 yards and 10 scores, Hajek enjoyed a junior season that was just as good, if not better, statistically. Carrying the ball a whopping 374 times, he ran for 2,382 yards and 40 touchdowns and also went over 1,000 yards passing with 1,143 yards and 13 scores while cutting his interceptions nearly in half and upping his QB rating. The season ended without a three-peat as Nemaha fell in the title game to undefeated Southeast of Saline. But the Thunder only lost four seniors and with Hajek leading the way – he also was a standout on defense with 71 tackles and 3 interceptions at defensive back but moves to linebacker this season – Nemaha is positioned to get back that crown this fall. He holds school records for rushing yards and TDs in a season and career as well as defensive interceptions in a career.
 

PEYTON HARE, EUREKA
 
The 6-foot, 195-pound Hare shared first-team All-Tri-Valley League honors at quarterback with Humboldt’s Blake Ellis last season after running for a team-leading 868 yards and 13 touchdowns, and passing for 805 yards and 12 scores with just four interceptions. A 96-yard touchdown run helped Hare average 9.8 yards per carry. Hare helped the Tornadoes improve from 1-8 in its first season under coach Jonah McKee to 6-3 a year ago.
 

EMRICK HAYS, GARDEN PLAIN
 
Hays took over the Owls’ primary running duties last season from Gage Lee, an All-Class 2A back two seasons ago, and flourished. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior ran for 1,157 yards and 18 touchdowns on 197 carries to help Garden Plain post an 8-3 record. Hays, who also plays linebacker, was second on the team in tackles with 77, including 35 solo stops and 8 for loss. He earned first-team All-Central Plains League honors on offense and defense, and received All-Class 2A honorable mention.
 

LAYTON HOFFMAN, HOISINGTON
 
Hoffman returns for his senior season to occupy the middle of Hoisington’s offensive and defensive lines. The 6-foot, 285-pound Hoffman earned first-team All-Central Kansas League honors at center and All-Class 2A honorable mention after helping the Cardinals rally from a 1-4 start to the 2024 season to finish 6-5. His blocking helped Hoisington average 222 rushing yards and just over 300 yards of total offense. Hoffman, a multi-sport athlete, also plays nose guard. 
 

 
KORLEONE HOLZ, ST. MARYS

A reserve when St. Marys won the Class 1A state title in 2022, Holz moved into a starting role the following season and had a chance to leave as St. Marys’ all-time leading rusher. He ran for 796 yards last year and 5 touchdowns last year, just slightly off his sophomore numbers when he rushed for 991 yards and 10 TDs. With 1,799 yards in his career, Holz – a first-team All-Big East League pick last year at running back – is just 483 shy of the school record set by Taegan Schoenfeld from 2013-16. Holz is also a dangerous returner and will be called upon for a big season as St. Marys looks to get back into contention for another state championship.
 

 
GANNON JACOBSON, SOUTHEAST OF SALINE
 
Jacobson stepped in as a first-year starter at quarterback last fall and took his place in the Trojans’ recent lineage of standout dual-threat performers at the position. In leading Southeast to a 13-0 season and its first state championship since 2006, Jacobson threw for 2,146 yards and 33 touchdowns, completing 57.1% of his passes. He also ran for 806 yards and 10 touchdowns, complementing All-Class 2A back Grady Gebhardt in the run game. A three-year starter in the defensive secondary, had 67 tackles and an interception, earning first-team All-2A honors as well. He earned All-North Central Activities Association honors both ways, including first-team at quarterback. Jacobson threw game-winning touchdown passes in the final seconds of both the state semifinals and championship game last year and had just under 200 yards of total offense in last year’s title game, accounting for four TDs.
 

 
DAYNE JOHNSON, SILVER LAKE
 
One of Class 3A’s top basketball players last season when he earned first-team All-3A honors in that sport, he’s also been a stalwart on the gridiron and enters his fourth year as a starter for the Eagles. He was Silver Lake’s top receiver a year ago when he hauled in 51 passes for 835 yards and 9 touchdowns, those numbers ranking among the best in 3A with only Southeast of Saline’s Tucker Thaxton have more yards. When he’s not catching passes from his own quarterback, Johnson is adept at snagging them from the opponent as well as he came up with 5 interceptions last year. A first-team All-Big East League pick on both sides of the ball, Johnson will have a new quarterback throwing to him this year with the graduation of last year’s starter, Dysen Schooler.
 

 
GRIFFIN JOHNSON, BELOIT
 
Freshmen don’t often crack the starting lineup across Beloit’s front line very often, but then again guys like Johnson also don’t come along very often. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder moved right into a starting job on the offensive front alongside older brother, Eli, who has now graduated. He helped pave the way for All-3A back Joel Rexroat to rush for 1,899 yards and 28 touchdowns as Beloit advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals before falling on the final play of the game to eventual state champion Southeast of Saline. Johnson earned first-team All-North Central Activities Association honors his freshman year and this year will start on the defensive line as well with the graduation of Eli and fellow line standout Brodie Boudreaux. Johnson is also one of the top throwers in the state in the shot put and discus.
 

 
OWEN JUST, MINNEAPOLIS
 
Just took over the starting quarterback position as a sophomore in 2023 and has enjoyed two highly productive seasons throwing the ball for the Lions. He threw for 1,418 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore and followed that up last year by throwing for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns in two fewer games, improving his completion percentage to 60% while also cutting his interceptions. He hasn’t run much in his first two seasons with just 76 total carries for 288 yards and 3 scores. Just, a second-team All-North Central Activities Association pick last year at quarterback, also played defense as a sophomore before focusing solely on offense last year. He lost his top receivers from last year but leading rusher Brayton Peters returns.
 

 
BRODY LITTON, BELOIT
 
With his 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame, Litton has the size that college coaches covet for offensive linemen. And having spent last year showing off his athleticism by playing tight end for the Trojans, it’s easy to understand why Litton is already committed to Division I New Mexico for his college future. He is a four-year starter up front for the Trojans and last year earned second-team All-North Central Activities Association honors at tight end. At his defensive end spot, Litton had 36 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He’ll shift to a spot on the offensive line to help offset the loss of all-league starters Brodie Boudreaux and Eli Johnson while also returning to an end spot on defense.
 

 
JACK MACKE, NEMAHA CENTRAL

Macke moved into a starting role at both tight end and linebacker for Nemaha Central last fall and became a factor at both positions. His biggest impact came defensively where he finished as the Thunder’s third-leading tackler with 88, but led them in tackles for loss with 13. He earned first-team All-Big East League honors there. While he only caught 8 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown from his tight end spot, he was a key blocker on the edge for a Thunder offense that rolled up 4,244 yards, including 3,072 on the ground.
 

MARK MCCULLOUGH, HUMBOLDT
 
McCullough helped the Cubs post a 10-1 record last season with his play on both lines. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound senior started all 11 games at right tackle in 2024, paving the way for an offense that averaged 48.6 points and 418 yards of total offense. Defensively, he registered 22 tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage. McCullough, a first-team All-Tri-Valley League selection on offense and defense, is part of a trio of returning starters up front for the Cubs on offense.
 

COOPER MCGOWAN, ELLSWORTH

McGowan, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior, is a force on both sides of the ball. He tallied 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles from his linebacker spot last year. He is also a tight end for the Bearcats, who will look to improve on last year’s 5-4 record. McGowan earned honorable mention All-2A honors and was a first-team All-North Central Activities Association pick on offense and defense last season.
 

WALKER MIDDLETON, RUSSELL

Middleton is the Broncos’ top returning playmaker after putting up 731 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in his junior season. He added 293 yards rushing with four scores. Middleton, who also plays defensive back, is one of several experienced returners for the Broncos. He had three games last year with 100-plus receiving yards. Middleton earned first-team All-Mid-Continent League honors as a receiver and kick returner. Russell will look to take a step forward after going 3-6 last season.
 

TJ MILLS, EUREKA
 
Mills, a senior, is a do-everything player for the Tornadoes. A wide receiver and strong safety who’ll also handle kicking and punting duties, Mills earned first-team All-Tri-Valley League honors and All-Class 2A honorable mention last season after helping Eureka post a 6-3 record. He caught 18 passes for 269 yards and five touchdowns while running for 251 yards and a score. Mills was among the Tornadoes’ leading tacklers with 58, and also returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns.
 

 
KASEN PARSONS, OSAGE CITY

Parsons had huge shoes to fill when he took over as Osage City’s starting quarterback in 2023, replacing All-2A standout Landon Boss. Safe to say, he’s not only filled them but perhaps even set a higher standard for whoever will follow him next season at the position. Parsons had a stellar debut sophomore season in 2023, throwing for 2,401 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushing for 864 yards and 12 scores. While his passing yardage dipped a bit last year to 1,821 yards and 21 touchdowns, he upped his rushing totals to 1,010 yards and 19 touchdowns. A first-team All-Class 2A selection at an at-large spot on offense, Parsons led Osage City to a 10-1 record with the season ending with a last-minute loss to defending champion Nemaha Central. Parsons excels in all three phases, anchoring the secondary with 41 tackles last year and averaging 39.9 yards per punt, earning first-team All-Flint Hills League honors at quarterback and punter. That arm is good for more than just throwing footballs as Parsons was the top javelin thrower in the state last year and won the Class 3A title.
 

GRANT PATRY, HAVEN
 
As Haven tries to replace the bulk of its offensive production from an 8-2 team last season, Patry figures to play a key role. He caught 14 passes for 231 yards and five touchdowns a year ago and ran for 166 yards and two scores. Patry had a big season defensively, earning first-team All-Central Kansas League honors after recording a team-high 112 tackles at linebacker. Patty earned All-Class 2A honorable mention at linebacker, and was all-league honorable mention at tight end.
 

 
BRODY PFANNENSTIEL, HOISINGTON
 
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Pfannenstiel transferred from Russell this season, and adds a physical presence to the Cardinals. A junior tight end and defensive end, Pfannenstiel has attracted Division I interest with offers from Kansas and Illinois. He earned All-Mid Continent League first-team honors on defense last season for Russell after recording 51 tackles, including 16 solo stops, and six sacks. Pfannenstiel also received All-Class 2A honorable mention.
 

 
JOEL REXROAT, BELOIT

After having a somewhat limited role in Beloit’s offense his sophomore season, rushing for 360 yards and 3 TDs, he still showed plenty of promise that he could be a feature back, averaging 8.7 yards per carry. Rexroat more than delivered on that promise as Beloit’s workhorse last fall, rushing for 1,899 yards and 28 touchdowns in leading the Trojans to the Class 3A state semifinals and a 9-3 overall record. He was a first-team All-Class 2A pick at tailback and was first-team All-North Central Activities Association as well, also earning those honors in the defensive secondary where he will enter his third year as a starter. He’s been Beloit’s leading returning tackler the past two seasons, making 45 tackles last year after having 61 as a sophomore. Rexroat will have somewhat of a new-look offensive line to run behind this year but that unit will still be a strength for the Trojans this fall.
 

COOPER SMITH, CHERRYVALE
 
A multi-sport standout, Smith provides some valuable experience on the offensive and defensive lines for coach Harry Hester, who returns to lead the Chargers for the second time. One of 10 returning starters on offense and eight on defense, Smith earned first-team All-Tri-Valley League honors on offense and All-Class 2A honorable mention as Cherryvale finished 3-6. Smith was a regional wrestling champion last winter and set the school record in the shot put previously held by Matt Boss, a former All-State Top 11 lineman who played at Kansas State.
 

 
QUENTEN STARK, OSAGE CITY

Osage City’s leading receiver the past two seasons, he emerged as quarterback Kasen Parsons’ go-to target last year and his production spiked considerably. Having the same 35 catches he hauled in as a sophomore, Stark turned those catches into nearly 200 more yards, going for 723 yards last year after having 526 as a sophomore. His home-run ability was the biggest difference, however, as he had only 4 TD catches in 2023, but more than tripled that total to a 3A-best 13 TD grabs last fall. Stark was first-team All-Class 2A at receiver and will once again team with Parsons to give Osage City, coming off a 10-1 season and trip to the 2A quarterfinals, arguably the top pass-catch combo in 2A this season. He’s also the reigning Class 3A state high jump champion.
 

 
MASON STERLING, HUMBOLDT
 
Sterling has been a key contributor to Humboldt’s offense and defense the past two seasons, and those roles will only magnify in his senior campaign. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Sterling transitions from slot receiver and tailback to quarterback, where he’ll replace a multi-year starter in Blake Ellis. Sterling ran for 903 yards and 14 touchdowns, and caught 21 passes for 381 yards and five TDs last season as the Cubs finished 10-1. A free safety on defense, Sterling is also the Cubs’ top returning tackler, recording 66 last season to go with four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Sterling earned first-team All-Tri-Valley League honors and received All-Class 2A honorable mention last fall.
 

 
DYLAN THEEL, OSAGE CITY

Theel is the ultimate Swiss Army knife for Osage City, doing a little bit of everything in helping the Indians to a 10-1 mark last fall and spot in the Class 2A state quarterfinals. He ranked second on the team in rushing to quarterback Kasen Parsons with 539 yards and 9 TDs on just 54 attempts (10 yards per carry) and also was a receiving threat out of the backfield with a team-high 36 catches for 513 yards and 6 TDs, those totals ranking second to All-2A receiver Quenten Stark. He was just as dangerous on special teams, taking three kickoffs back for touchdowns to earn first-team All-2A honors as a returner. For good measure, Theel also was second on the team with his 55 tackles from his linebacker spot where he’s a three-year starter.
 

 
HENDRYX WAHL, NEMAHA CENTRAL
 
The biggest hit Nemaha Central took from its 2023 Class 2A state championship team came in the trenches where All-State Top 11 pick Holden Bass, All-2A pick Abe Hilbert and starting center Josh Gonzalez all graduated. Wahl, a behemoth at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, stepped right in and fill one of those voids at offensive guard more than capably. His 28 pancake blocks helped the Thunder roll up 4,244 yards of total offense, including 3,072 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground. Wahl also made 69 tackles from his defensive tackle position with 8 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-Big East League honors on that side of the ball.
 

AYDIN WITHERSPOON, RIVERTON

Witherspoon has been a fixture of the Riverton offense since his freshman season and that won’t change in 2025. The Ram running back had a solid first two seasons, including 2024. As a sophomore, Witherspoon accounted for more than 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with 12 touchdowns despite battling an injury toward the end of the season. In his career, the Riverton junior has totaled more than 1,500 all-purpose yards. He also earned first team All-CNC honors and was an honorable mention all-state selection.