Program Pre-Season Review: Halstead Dragons

For the Halstead Dragons, last year started promising with a big win over Smoky Valley 47-8 in the opening game of the 2023 season. They would go on to begin the year at 3-3 before running into the buzz saw portion of the schedule, where they lost to Ellsworth 21-0, and then to eventual state champ Cheney 39-12.   In the first round of the playoffs they fell to powerful Garden Plain 21-7.   The three-loss finish to the end of the 2023 season was painful and for the returning Dragon players, it was an opportunity to step up in the off-season, get focused, work hard and flip the script in 2024.   Rising-star head coach Derek Racette has his program primed for a big season as they return nine starters on offense and eight on defense to go along with a number of players who saw varsity time a year ago. With a talented senior class leading the way, Halstead appears ready roll in 2024.   In this report we will take an in-depth look at the program and project how the 2024 season is shaping up. So, without further adieu, I bring you the Halstead Dragons:   2023 Recap   Classification: 2A   League – Central Kansas League-CKL   2023 regular season record: 3-6   2023 Playoff record: 0-1 Head Coach: Derek Racette   Assistants: Sean Racette, Defensive Coordinator; Jonathan Burkhart; Ry an Voran; Terry Bruton   2024 Outlook – After last year's disappointing finish, the team worked hard in the off-season to change all that in 2024. With a strong senior class and with numerous starters on offense and defense returning to anchor the team, this fall appears to be bright. The team is balanced with excellent playmakers as well as strength in the trenches. With a couple of years getting established and driving home his winning approach, this looks like the year Coach Racette's Dragons take the next step.   Strengths: Strong leadership and play from senior class; 9 returning starters on offense; 8 returning starters on defense; standout talent at the skill positions and in the trenches   Concerns: team's ability to gel early and build on that throughout the season; challenging schedule     Offense – Flexbone with alternative formations   Returning Offensive Starters/Key Players: (9 total; 7 Seniors) [player_tooltip player_id='1309801' first='Braxton' last='Creed'], 6', 185, QB/DB, '25 - Honorable-Mention All-CKL QB; 115 completions in162 attempts, 1,587 yards, 10 TD's; 86 carries for 353 yards, seven TD's; an athletic, dangerous playmaker who is primed for a standout year.   [player_tooltip player_id='868976' first='Connor' last='Herman'], 6'3, 270, OL/DL, '25 - 1st-Team All-CKL OL; coming off an excellent junior season, the "Pancake Machine" is getting ready to dominate in the trenches this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228451' first='Joey' last='Millspaugh'], 6', 180, RB, '25 - 2nd-Team All-CKL (RB); 2nd-Team All-CKL (Return man); 44 carries for 310 yards, 1 TD; 46 receptions for 480 yards, 4 TD's. A talented, multi-positional star in the making, get your popcorn out this fall.   Gage Meyer, 6'1, 235, OL/DL, '25 - returning starter   Kurt Faduell, 6'1, 280, OL, '25 - returning starter; Honorable-Mention All-CKL OL   Cody Grube, 5'10, 250, OL/DL '26 - returning starter   Kohen Corona, 6', 175, WR/DB, '25 - returning starter; ready for a big year after catching 17 passes for 276 yards and a pair of TD's last fall.   Keegan Kraus, 5'10, 180, RB/LB, '25 - returning starter   [player_tooltip player_id='1598092' first='Carlos' last='Martinez'], 5'11, 160, K, '26 - 1st-Team All-CKL Kicker     Defense – 4-2-5 with variations   Returning Defensive Starters/Key Players: (8 total; 7 Seniors) Cody Grube, 5'10, 250, OL/DL '26 - Honorable-Mention All-CKL DL; 8 TFL (Tackles For Loss) & 2 sacks   Keegan Kraus, 5'10, 180, RB/LB, '25 - returning starter and ready for a breakout year after piling up 72 tackles and a pair of sacks last year   Gage Meyer, 6'1, 235, OL/DL, '25 - returning starter   Breeson Bigley, 5'11, 160, DB '25 - returning starter   Kohen Corona, 6', 175, WR/DB, '25 - returning starter   [player_tooltip player_id='1228451' first='Joey' last='Millspaugh'], 6', 180, RB/DB, '25 - 1st-Team All-CKL Defender; 72 tackles - this guy rarely leaves the field   [player_tooltip player_id='1309801' first='Braxton' last='Creed'], 6', 185, QB/DB, '25 - another busy standout, 2nd-Team All-CKL Punter   [player_tooltip player_id='868976' first='Connor' last='Herman'], 6'3, 270, OL/DL, '25 - 2nd-Team All-CKL DL; a trench warrior whether on offense or defense   Watchlist: (9 total)   [player_tooltip player_id='1080736' first='Edric' last='Zorn'], 6', 190, RB/LB, '28   [player_tooltip player_id='1545227' first='Noah' last='Diehl'], 5'8, 155, RB/DB, '26 Brock Odhendal 5'7, 165, RB/LB, '26 Hudson Harrington, 6'1, 180, OL/DL, '27   CJ Smith, 6'0, 190, RB/LB, '26 Logan Overton, 6'0, 190, OL/DL, '26 [player_tooltip player_id='1530398' first='Reece' last='Carmichael'], 5'8, 175, RB/LB, '27 Justin Burgess, 6'3, 250, OL/DL, '25 Jaerson Mumford, 5'8, 280, OL/DL, '25   2024 Schedule: a challenging schedule this fall, with three straight on the road in the middle of the season. Two out of the three final games are against opponents who didn't just beat the Dragons last year, they shut them out; so the seniors will have even more motivation closing out their final season of high school football.   9-6-vs Hesston 9-13 vs Pratt 9-20 @ Nickerson 9-27 @ Hillsboro 10-4 @ Minneapolis   10-11 vs Ellsworth   10-18 @ Southeast Saline   10-25 vs Lyons   In conclusion, get out and see a program on the rise this fall. Top-end coaching and outstanding talent level equals fireworks on Friday nights in Halstead. Get out and see the flex bone in action! And, as always, if you know of anyone or any teams flying under the radar feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

For the Halstead Dragons, last year started promising with a big win over Smoky Valley 47-8 in the opening game of the 2023 season. They would go on to begin the year at 3-3 before running into the buzz saw portion of the schedule, where they lost to Ellsworth 21-0, and then to eventual state champ Cheney 39-12.