The Race Is On

With the high number of teams, their proximity to one another, the level of talent and the deep history, City League football in Wichita is always a race to watch. No league title in the area means more than the city title. Emotions run high as friends play against friends, and each program must stand up against the past. Tradition is never lost, as most games match up rivals in some way, shape or form. Wichita Northwest, not lacking special rivals over the years with Bishop Carroll and West High, could return to the top in 2008. After an undefeated run through the city in 2005, Northwest slipped in 2006 and 2007 with blue chip quarterback Chris Harper at the helm. The loss of Harper, now with Oregon, does not spell disaster; coach Weston Schartz expects 2008 to be stronger than the previous two. The offensive line remains intact from a year ago behind senior Colby Duranleau, and Damarcus Robinson will be sensational at running back. He is a ball of muscle and quickness, reminiscent of Barry Sanders' body type. As always, however, Bishop Carroll and Wichita Heights will be right in the hunt. Carroll loses four of five offenslive linemen and its linebacking corp led by Bart Voegeli and Brock Bell, but the defending city champs always reload. The offense should be in good hands with Blake Bell, Joe Brown and Nick Johanson. The defensive line will be outstanding with Garrett Kraft and Jacob Cole. The question is who will step up among the new guys. Wichita Heights' season ended without a playoff berth, even though they were so close to being the city's top team. The 2007 season began with a double-overtime loss to Bishop Carroll, a game that could have gone either way. Then, after a loss to Wichita East got out of hand in the second half, they dropped two games in district play. Having graduated two running backs, there are certainly question marks. But the defense should be great behind Ian Knight and Adrian Hall on the defensive line and Kendric Maple and Dorrian Roberts in the secondary. Other questions: Can second-year coach Brian Byers, who is no stranger to the game as he led Friends University through a decade success in the '90s after fielding solid teams at South High, right the ship at Wichita East? Barring a last-second move by the nation's top recruit, Bryce Brown, it's impossible for the Aces to be bad. Can Kapaun remove themselves from the middle of the pack? Junior running back Dylan Knox will have to have something to say about it. Will Wichita South continue to improve under second-year coach Tony Johnson? South is 12-87 over the last 11 seasons. Southeast running back Joseph Randle will wow spectators once again. Can Southeast be better than average after winning their first playoff game since the '80s last fall?