Wichita Area Program Review: Eisenhower

Coming off a disappointing end to the 2023-2024 season with a three-point loss to state runner-up Kapaun Mount Carmel, 42-39, Eisenhower had been on a hot streak, decisively winning three playoff games.   In the opening game of the playoffs they rolled over Andover 35-6. In the second game they continued to dominate, blasting Hays 41-17. Then in the quarter-finals drubbed a solid Maize team 35-14.   In the semi-final game against Kapaun, the Eisenhower offensive star-power was in full view, as QB [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'] completed 14-24 passes for 186 yards and four TD's. Standout wideout, [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] hauled in five passes for 109 yards, averaging just under 22 yards per catch and scored two touchdowns. While graduating senior Lucas Dickman added 186 yards on the ground.   These returning standouts and a key group of returning starters and all-conferences performers from a year ago will be expected to step up to keep the machine in high-performance mode.   In this report we will go through an in-depth look at the Eisenhower football program and detail strengths and concerns and take a look at the upcoming schedule this fall.   So, without further adieu, I bring you the Eisenhower football team.   Eisenhower: class 5A, Ark Valley-Chisolm Trail Division II   League/District Play:  2023 Overall Record: 10-2 2023 League Record: 5-1 2023 Playoffs: lost to Kapaun in Sub-State   Head Coach: Darrin Fisher - 6th Year @ EHS, 26-21 record.   Defensive Coordinator: Will Bergkamp Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Busby   Assistant Coaches: Lance Francis, Enrique Espinoza, Kris Houseberg, Jakob Thomas, Jeran Trotter, Thomas Waterman   2024 Football Outlook   Strengths: Strong leadership from senior class; returning firepower on offense, with a strong nucleus at QB-WR-RB; large number of players in the program   Concerns: Potentially inexperienced sophomore starters on both sides of the ball; particularly on defense, where there are six positions needing to be filled.   Preview:   Offensively, at QB [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'] (Lehigh University) set school records for touchdowns, completions, passing yards in a season returns to lead a high-octane offense. He is developing into one of the top dual-threat QB's in the state and will be counted on to provide team leadership.   At the receivers, All-State [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] (University of North Dakota), caught 51 passes for 893 yards and scored a dominating 19 touchdowns, returns as one of the top deep threats in the state; as well as senior WR Canyon Mayer, who was All-Conference a year ago, catching 31 passes and scoring two touchdowns.   At running back, there are big shoes to fill as Lucas Dickman, who gained 1847 yards and scored16 touchdowns, graduated. To fill the gap, [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], who has looked sharp in early practices, will be the primary back spearheading the running attack. The running game will definitely continue to be a strength offensively.   The offensive line graduated three lineman, and will be anchored this year with senior, All-Conference [player_tooltip player_id='1542896' first='Ethan' last='Trometer'] and fellow trench mate Josh Nelson. Replacing key offensive lineman will be a critical development this fall in order to keep the high-scoring offense hitting on all cylinders.     Defensively, the team is coming off one the best seasons in school history, unfortunately they graduated five starters, including two linebackers, two d-backs and one defensive lineman. To fill the gaps, the team will be looking for players to step up.   Anchoring the defense this fall will be returning All-Conference defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1466196' first='Makai' last='Tagatac'], who will be counted on to shut down the opponent's running game between the tackles, as well as rising-star linebacker junior [player_tooltip player_id='1241209' first='Jackson' last='Reed']. In the secondary two starters return, including standout cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='1573911' first='Kasten' last='Koehn'] who had 3 interceptions and was All-Conference last season.   Returning Starters: below highlights the key areas of the starting teams that need to be supplemented this fall. The returning skill players and guys in the trenches are a dangerous group. If the replacements can fill the void Eisenhower will again be a force to be reckoned with this fall.   Offense:   QB - [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'] - Sr.   OL - [player_tooltip player_id='1542896' first='Ethan' last='Trometer'] - Sr.   OL - Josh Nelson - Sr.   OL - Brody Engel - Sr.    OL - TBD   OL - TBD   RB - [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'] - Jr.   WR - [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] - Sr   WR - Canyon Mayer - Sr.   WR - [player_tooltip player_id='1573517' first='Hayden' last='Nall'] - Jr.   WR - TBD   Defense:   DL - TBD   DL - [player_tooltip player_id='1466196' first='Makai' last='Tagatac'] - Sr.   DL - Turner Jameson - Jr.   LB - [player_tooltip player_id='1241209' first='Jackson' last='Reed'] - Jr.   LB - TBD   LB - TBD   LB - TBD    CB - [player_tooltip player_id='1573911' first='Kasten' last='Koehn'] - Sr.   CB - TBD   S - Joe Santillan - Sr.   S - TBD     Key Losses:   2024 Graduates – Lucas Dickman, 1847 yards, 16 touchdowns.     2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE   9/5 – vs. Valley Center (last year - W)   9/13 – vs Goddard (last year - W)   9/20 – @Newton (Last year - DNP)   9/27 – @Salina Central (last year - W)   10/4 – vs Andover (last year - W)   10/11 – vs. Salina Central (last year - W)   10/18 – @Andover Central (last year W)   10/25 – vs Wichita NW (last year - DNP)      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.   And, as always, if anyone knows of players and/or teams flying under the radar feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

Coming off a disappointing end to the 2023-2024 season with a three-point loss to state runner-up Kapaun Mount Carmel, 42-39, Eisenhower had been on a hot streak, decisively winning three playoff games.