All Shook Up

The exit of Hesston and Cheney to 4A brings Belle Plaine and Douglass down to 3A. The Dragons and Bulldogs should fare well with the move, though they already know from their membership in the 3A-heavy Central Plains League that 3A in the area is extremely difficult. The defending 3A champs Garden Plain lose a host of players, including Logan Dold, from their unbelievably dominant team of a year ago, but they'll be in the think of the chase once again. The difference will be that there is actually going to be a chase, rather than the bludgeoning that was last year. Garden Plain didn't play a competitive ball game all year. This year, every one of their district games should be competitive against Conway Springs, Medicine Lodge and Belle Plaine. After being clobbered twice by the Owls last year, Conway should win this district. Conway, a team that won five state titles from 1998-2004, should return as a contender this year. Sophomore quarterback Caleb Brill returns as the team's leading rusher, and transfer Jaydan Bird, committed to OU, will absolutely dominate at linebacker and running back. Another very interesting district is one in which each team desperately wants a new level of success. With the move down to 3A, Douglass will try to reverse a string of losing seasons. This town does not lack support, and third-year coach Jared McDaniel needs to get it going. Independent finally became a factor the past two seasons with do-it-all quarterback David Fleming, but they still have never made the playoffs. Even without Fleming, this still may their best shot to date. Then, Wichita Collegiate is looking to get back to playoffs and win a game. They lost in OT to Conway Springs in the first round last year after barely making the playoffs. Then there's Bluestem, which is riding an enormous losing streak over the past six seasons. Finally, with the exit of Hesston to 4A, District 10 will be more competitive. Trinity Catholic in Hutchinson should come out on top against Halstead, Sedgwick and Remington. Remington has had stellar regular seasons the past two years but could never get past Hesston, missing the playoffs. This could finally be their year to get over the hump.