Wichita-Area Program Review: Andover Central

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing as the State Runner-up last fall was an incredible accomplishment, but overall the 2023 season was a rollercoaster ride for <em>Andover Central</em>. They started strong winning their first three games, then turned around and lost the next three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting at 3-3 and the playoffs rapidly approaching, the<em> Jaguars</em> rallied, pounding <em>Andover</em> and<em> Valley Center</em> in the final two games of the regular season. Their 5-3 record earned them the #6 seed in the playoffs, and they continued their hot hand thumping Indy in the opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next two games were close, but the <em>Jaguar </em>machine was not to be stopped. In the semi-finals they blew out top-ranked <em>Wamego </em>26-7 to advance to the championship game against powerful <em>St. Thomas Aquinas</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The late-season roll AC had been on came to an abrupt halt in the championship game as <em>Aquinas</em> handled the game from the start and won 35-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the young <em>Jaguars</em> it was a potential stepping stone to greatness as they return a strong team focused on getting back to the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To do that, Coach Tuttle had a reminder for his team, <em>“Our consistency in league play for 2024 needs to improve, especially in the second half.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a loaded team a year older and with experience going deep into the playoffs, <em>Andover Central</em> is poised and ready to do just that and dominate this fall. In this report we will take a deep-dive into the AC program and what is behind their success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, I bring you the <em>Andover Central Jaguars</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andover Central</strong>: <em>class 4A</em>, <em>Ark Valley-Chisolm Trail Division II</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League/District Play:</strong>&nbsp;<br>2023 Overall Record: <strong>9-4</strong><br>2023 League Record: <strong>3-3</strong><br>2023 Regular Season Record: <strong>5-3</strong> (<em>#6 seed</em> in 4A West)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Playoffs: <strong>4A State Runner Up </strong>(lost to <em>St. Thomas Aquinas</em> in State Championship game)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:&nbsp;</strong><em>Derek Tuttle</em>, entering 6th year at AC, five as head coach, 45-14 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assistant Coaches:</strong>&nbsp;<br><strong>Defensive Coordinator: </strong><em>Ernie Hager</em><br><strong>Co-Offensive Coordinators: </strong><em>Aren Coppoc, Tuttle</em><br><strong>Special Teams Coordinator: </strong><em>Fred Sims</em><br><strong>Assistants: </strong><em>Ernie Hager</em> (DC/LB)<strong>, </strong><em>Dean Taylor</em> (Safeties),<em> James Banks </em>(CB), <em>Jared<strong> </strong>McDaniel </em>(DL/OL),<em> Aren Coppoc </em>(Co-OC/QB), <em>Fred Sims</em> (STC/WR), <em>Levi Wyrick </em>(Head 9th/RB), <em>Ian Carpenter </em>(9th asst./DL/OL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Football Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Strengths:</strong> <em>Experience</em>. <em>Significant firepower on offense</em>. <em>Defensive front strong in the box and a gifted secondary</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 <em>Jaguars</em><strong> </strong>return <strong><em>9 offensive starters</em></strong> and <strong><em>7 defensive starters</em> </strong>, <em><strong>26 lettermen</strong></em> and many others who saw varsity action last fall. They also return players who scored <em>44 of the 47 touchdowns</em> scored by the team last year. Needless to say, they have a dangerous arsenal returning and with a year of growth and experience they should be one of the more powerful teams in 4A this fall. Listed below are some of the standout players on a loaded Jaguar roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Impact Players for 2024:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='442661' first='Jace' last='Adler']</em></strong>, (Sr., DB/WR): one of the top athletes in the state, he is looking for an encore performance this fall. If last season is any indication, 2024 is going to be a banner year, as he piled up 98 tackles and 7 interceptions with one TD return; on special teams, he contributed 519 return yards, including a kickoff return for a TD; on offense he returns as the team's top WR with 837 yards and 13 TDs a year ago. <br>1st Team AVCTL D2 All-League DB; 2nd Team WR; 1st Team All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle<br>1st Team All-Butler County DB and Returner 2023<br>Holds ACHS school record in most INTs in one season (7) in 2023<br><strong><em>Maddox Archibald </em></strong>(Sr., RB/OLB) – one of the top running backs in the state a year ago and returns as the leading rusher, with 275 carries for 1274 yards and 18 TDs in 2023.<br>AVCTL D2 All-League HM at RB<br>Honorable Mention All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle<br>1st Team Non-Senior 4A Sports in Kansas<br>1st Team All-Butler County RB 2023<br><strong><em>Andrew Bolan</em></strong> (Sr., H/DL) - Returning starter at H-back; 2 catches for 21 yards and 1 TD in 2023.<br>AVCTL D2 All-League HM at TE/H<br>Honorable Mention All-Butler County 2023<br><strong><em>Brody DeGarmo</em></strong> (Sr., CB/WR) – Missed several games midseason in 2023 due to injury, but was still one of the team's top DBs with 55 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, 1 FR.<br>2nd Team All-Butler County DB 2023<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1274704' first='Grant' last='Fuksa']</em></strong> (Sr., OL) - Returning starter.<br>AVCTL D2 All-League HM at OL.<br>Offered by: Independence CC<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1306212' first='Gaige' last='Hurley']</em></strong> (Sr., DL) - Returning starter; 75 career tackles as starter at DE (44 last year), 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 1 INT for a TD in 2023.<br>2nd Team All-Butler County DL 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1333007' first='Jace' last='Jefferson']</em></strong> (Sr., QB) – Passed for 2214 yards, 165 of 295. 24 TDs, 14 INTs. Rushed for 1 TD.<br>2nd Team AVCTL D2 All-League at QB<br>HM QB All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, SIK, Wichita Eagle<br>#11 QB in State of Kansas - Passing Yards 2023<br>3rd Team All-Metro Wichita Eagle 2023<br>2nd Team All-Butler County QB 2023<br>Holds ACHS school record with most pass completions in one season (165) in 2023<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1301851' first='Logan' last='Lira']</em></strong> (Sr., OL) – Returning starter.<br>AVCTL D2 All-League HM at OL<br>2nd Team All-Butler County OL 2023<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'] </em></strong>(Sr., DB/RB) – leading tackler in 2023 with 118. Three sacks, 10 TFLs, 2 INTs, 2 FF.<br>1st Team AVCTL D2 All-League LB<br>HM LB All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle<br>1st Team All-Butler County LB 2023<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='571097' first='Dawson' last='Rodd']</em></strong> (Sr., DL/OL) - Returning starter at both OL and DL. 28 tackles last year on DL, 7 TFLs in 2023; starter on OL/DL since his sophomore year. <br>1st Team OL All-League AVCTL D2; HM DL<br>1st Team All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, Wichita Eagle &amp; All-Metro<br>HM All-State Sports in Kansas 2023<br>AVCTL D2 1st Team OL 2022.<br>1st Team All-Butler County OL 2023<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1228443' first='Brandt' last='Stupka']</em></strong> (Sr., WR/DB) - Returning starter. 823 yards and 5 TDs as the second leading WR. Had 38 tackles, 1 TFL, and 5 INTs defensively, playing part time. Holds school record for the Triple Jump and High Jump.<br>1st Team AVCTL D2 WR<br>HM WR All-State 4A KSHSAA Covered, Sports in Kansas, Wichita Eagle (DB)<br>3rd Team All-Metro Wichita Eagle<br>1st Team All-Butler County WR 2023<br>Holds ACHS School Record in Triple Jump &amp; High Jump<br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1322065' first='Logan' last='Taggart']</em></strong> (Sr., LB/TE) – 69 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 TFLs, 1 INT, 1 FF in 2023. One TD reception in 2023 for 6 yards.<br>Honorable Mention All-Butler County 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Players to Keep an Eye On:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Fuksa</strong> (Sr., OL) – Started two games on OL in 2023; missed most of year due to injury.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1622248' first='Carson' last='Green'] </strong>(Sr., DL) – Returning starter on DL.<br><strong>Jonny George</strong> (Jr., QB/DB/OLB) – Started a few games defensively in 2023.<br><strong>Paxton McCleod</strong> (Jr., OL/DL) – Returning starter at center.<br><strong>Caden Rubio </strong>(Jr., WR/DB) – Played some at WR in varsity action in 2023.<br><strong>Jet Thompson </strong>(Jr., WR/DB) – Started several games at WR in 2023.<br><strong>Eli Keiter</strong> (Soph., WR/DB) – Started several games in 2023 on defense until injured.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2024 Graduates</em> – <strong>Kyle Newsom</strong>, '24 Shrine Bowl DE and AVCTL Division 2 Defensive MVP; <strong>Kaden Seibel</strong>, Tabor College LB; <strong>Brandon Burlsworth</strong>, <strong>Drew Wilborn,</strong> Butler CC kicker; <strong>Landon Kitterman</strong>, <strong>Collin Sheeran, Tommy Claar</strong>, and <strong>Jayden Joy</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AC opens the '24 season with the first two games and <em>three out of the first four </em>games on the road. After trading off road and home games in the next two, they hunker down for a three-game homestand that will define their season. Coming to town will be <em>Goddard, Salina Central and Eisenhower</em>, before AC closes out the regular season as they started, on the road. This time against arch-rival <em>Andover.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/6 - @Hutchinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/13 - @Newton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/20 - vs Ark City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/27 - @Valley Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/4 - vs Goddard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/11 - vs. Salina Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/18 - vs Eisenhower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/25 - @Andover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get this team on your watchlist and follow their quest for the championship. Don't miss out on seeing a number of standout players who will be playing Saturdays in the very near future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as always, if anyone knows of players and/or teams <em>flying under the radar</em> feel free to reach out to&nbsp;<strong><em>CoolDaddyO</em></strong>&nbsp;via&nbsp;<strong><em>DM</em></strong>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<strong><em>X</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->