Class 6A Preview

For nearly two decades leading into the 2008 season, Class 6A’s state champion had been a forgone conclusion. Three successive dynasties had dominated Kansas’ top classification over the previous 19 seasons. Lawrence won five of six titles (1989-1995); Then Olathe North won seven of eight titles (1996-2003); Then Hutchinson won four (2004-07).

Hutch’s relegation by population to Class 5A for the 2009 season opened the door for only the third state champion school other than Lawrence, Olathe North or Hutch since 1989.

Junction City would win its first state title since 1969, the first year of Kansas state football playoffs, joining Derby (1994) and Garden City (1999) as the classification’s rare opportunists.

Is there another dynasty waiting in the wings?

Olathe North is still in mix; Blue Valley Stilwell, four times a Class 5A state champ under coach Steve Rampy since 1991, enters its second season in Class 6A after losing at sub-state by a touchdown to Lawrence Free State in 2008; And Free State’s 2008 state final berth marked a first for Lawrence high schools since the split in 1997. Maybe it just took the city of Lawrence a decade to recover.

The more likely conclusion is that there won’t be another dynasty. Class 6A has finally entered an “open” era. Certainly over the next couple seasons, the city of Wichita has its best shot at bringing home a state title for the first time since 1983. –TW