Unbeaten Conway Springs Amped Up For 1A Repeat

Conway Springs has been the apex predator in 1A this year as they are both the defending state champion and owners of a sizzling 23-game winning streak.   The last time they lost was the second week of September in the 2023 season. After starting that season 0-2, they worked through early issues, regrouped, ran the table in their final 11 games and picked up the most treasured hardware in the sport, a state championship. It would be the school's eighth, but they had not won one since 2011, so it was not old hat for these guys. Not yet at least.   Fast forward to the 2024 season and there have not been any early stumbles. The Cardinals roll into Hutchinson unscathed through a dozen games to take on a scrappy 11-1 Centralia team in the 1A championship game. They are looking to make a back-to-back state championship a reality this Saturday, something that has not happened in a long time.   The Conway recent football history, at least the last quarter-century, is an intriguing one. The school had produced decent teams over the years but could never take the next step. Then they hired Mark Bliss as head coach in 1997 and things changed in a hurry.   When he was getting ready to take the job, I visited with him about his plans to use the single wing on offense. We both played at Southwestern in Winfield and later were both inducted into the SC HoF within a few years of each other. He was convinced at the time that the uniqueness of the single wing could give his team an edge at the high school level.   And did it ever.   He would win the school's first state championship in his second season. And then really ascended from 2001-2004 when they won 62 games in a row. The class of 2005 would never experience a losing game. Heady times for Cardinal football.   Bliss would eventually move on and in 2009 Matt Biehler, the current head coach who has been with the program since the 1998 championship season, took over and would win another state crown in 2011, but then would not win another one until the 2023 season.   Now they are riding the 23-game winning streak and with a second-straight championship in sight, it could be the start of another dynasty. This year's team is an evolution of what was started in in the late 90's. On offense what was once the seldom-seen single wing, then later was called the wildcat, is now the finely-tuned "Cardinal Wing", which is essentially the Conway Springs version of the single wing on steroids.   The powerful cardinal-wing running attack demolished the competition throughout the 2024 season, piling up just under 4,000 yards rushing on 550 carries for an eye-popping 7.3 yards every time someone carried the ball and 54 rushing touchdowns.   And, along with an opportunistic, sledgehammer defense and a legendary, entrenched championship culture, these guys are not just supposed to win, they are supposed to win big and haul off hardware every year. Anything less is unacceptable.   For this kind of team to win big requires ballers in the trenches and selfless warriors who do the dirty work to make the Cardinal's high-powered skill players look like superstars week in and week out.   In this report we will take a closer look at some of the players flying under the radar who have been instrumental in the Cardinals superlative play this year and then take a quick look at two skill players who have super-charged the running attack.   So, without further adieu, let's dive in.   Cardinals Making a Difference:   Ashton Stull, 6'0, 255, OL, '26 - a year ago a starting offensive lineman went down to injury prior to the season starting, forcing Stull to step up as a sophomore. He not only stepped up, but was a key member of the starting offensive line on a state championship team. This year he has taken his game to the next level and per Andale coaches "has been a huge reason" for their overwhelming running attack. With his powerful base and quick feet, he is a mauler in the trenches and has been dominating all season. Whether it is pile-driving down blocks or hammering defenders in space, he is primed and ready for a standout game in the 1A state championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228495' first='Cooper' last='Koster'], 6'4, 260, OL/DL, '25 has been a major part of the senior leadership in the trenches on both sides of the ball all year. He was recently named first-team all-conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He is a mauler along the line of scrimmage, working low with great pad level, quick feet and delivers a blow on contact. He also has excellent reach and heavy hands that he uses to leverage players on both sides of the ball. He has been another critical piece in the running-game success the Cardinals have had all season and will be counted on to continue his high-level of play this Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='284900' first='Cade' last='Howell'], 5'11, 225, FB/LB, '25 is another essential playmaker that coach Biehler mentioned for his outstanding play this year. He was recently named all-conference linebacker, as well as being named the conference defensive most valuable player. He is an explosive hitter on defense and has piled up 92 tackles this season, with two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. On offense he is a crushing blocker from his fullback position in the cardinal wing. Howell has been a two-way wrecking ball all year and appears primed and ready to go scorched earth on the opposition this Saturday.   Grant Fisher, 5'11, 170, Flex/DB, '25, was another key part of the team's success as a multi-positional player who stars on both sides of the ball. He was recently named first-team all conference as a flex/RB player on offense and was also a second-team defensive back. An athletic playmaker, he has done a little bit of everything for the Cardinals, rushing for 606 yards on 63 carries for a 9.6 average and six TDs. He also caught five passes for 141 yards and two more touchdowns to give him 840 total yards and eight TD's. On defense he was busy, picking up 37 tackles, three TFL, three fumble recoveries, a sack and an interception.   [player_tooltip player_id='1224115' first='Isaac' last='Winter'], 5'11, 180, '25, has been the highest-profile player on the team this year and has put together an impressive stat line to back it up. He was also recently named all-conference running back and second-team LB. For the year he been nothing short of electric, carrying the ball 196 times for 1,708 yards, for an 8.7 yard average and 23 touchdowns. On defense he had 41 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks from his linebacker position. He has been destroying defenses all year pounding the rock and is going to be a major factor in the game Saturday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1585776' first='Logan' last='Osner'], ATH, 6'1, 175, '26, is another versatile performer who can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball and was recently named an honorable mention all conference defensive back. On offense he can play running back or quarterback and has racked up 1,141 yards rushing on 161 carries for a 7.1 average and 12 touchdowns. Between Osner and Winter they have represented almost 70% of the team's offense. On defense he had 65 tackles, three tackles for loss, four picks and a fumble recovery. He is also the team's punter just to stay busy. He is going to play an important part in this week's game.     In conclusion, it's not too late to make arrangements to get to Hutchinson and see these guys in action. You will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you know of any teams or players flying under the radar, feel free to give me a shout via DM on X.

Conway Springs has been the apex predator in 1A this year as they are both the defending state champion and owners of a sizzling 23-game winning streak.