League overview: The 6-Man Central League sent six teams to the state football tournament last year and should provide a competitive slate of games each week. Fleming claimed the league title last year and won the 6-Man championship as recently as 2020. After suffering a quarterfinals loss, there is little doubt that the Wildcats have unfinished in mind and play in a tough enough league to be battle tested come playoffs.
**
Briggsdale
Head coach: Lance Blickem
2021 Record: 7-4 (3-2 North)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Flacons had a difficult non-league schedule but overall played well enough to earn a playoff bid. They lost a bit of senior leadership and definitely have some holes to fill. Tanner Fiscus showed promise after running for 229 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. He also led the team with 532 receiving yards and was second on the team with nine touchdowns. He stood out on the defensive side of the ball as well. He led the team with 106 tackles, recovered a team-high four fumbles and also picked off four passes.
**
Fleming
Head coach: John King
2021 Record: 9-3 (6-0 North)
Returning All-State Players: Nolan Japp (Second Team)
The Wildcats will likely be regarded as a favorite to claim the 6-Man title this fall. They get Nolan Japp back after he ran for 1,057 yards and 20 touchdowns as well as Braylen Feather who threw for 1,489 yards and 17 touchdowns. Feather was also a turnover machine on defense as he grabbed two interceptions and recovered three fumbles. The highlight of the non-league schedule will be when they travel to Haxtun on Sept. 23 to play an 8-Man game against the defending state champion.
North Park
Head coach: Chad Carlstrom
2021 Record: 5-5 (3-2 North)
Returning All-State Players: Montgomery Ramsey (Honorable Mention)
The Wildcats have a chance to improve on their 5-5 finish from last year thanks to returning some big-time contributors. Senior Hunter Sessions threw for 1,325 yards and 20 touchdowns last year and will get considerable help in sophomore Cameron Gonzales. As a freshman, Gonzales ran for 513 yards and 12 touchdowns. Montgomery Ramsey led the team in interceptions with three and also recovered a fumble. North Park opens the season against Fleming and has four playoff teams on its regular season schedule.
Peetz
Head coach: Scott Sorensen
2021 Record: 3-6 (2-4 North)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Bulldogs were young last year but the experience the players gained could help them take a big leap forward in 2022. Sophomore Chance Segelke threw for 685 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The run game gets a boost with Colton Howell back after rushing for 235 yards on just 35 carries. He found the end zone five times. Overall, it’s not the offense that Sorensen is concerned about. “We need to be able to stop people,” he said. “I think we can score this year, but we need to generate some defense.” Aiden Hill is back after leading the team with 53 tackles as a sophomore.
Prairie
Head coach: Tyson Ramseier
2021 Record: 7-5 (5-1 North)
Returning All-State Players: Claytin Hove (Second Team)
By the time the season was over, Prairie looked like it had gone 12 full rounds. Regular season games against Stratton, Fleming, Idalia and Cheyenne Wells took their toll, but it paid off as the Mustangs made the playoffs and even got out of the first round. Claytin Hove ran for 1,001 yards and 18 touchdowns and will be a crucial piece of Prairie’s offensive production this year. Carter Jaeger is one of the top young defensive linemen to watch this year. He totaled 105 tackles, which led the Mustangs last season. The Mustangs open the 2022 season at home against Cheraw.
Weldon Valley
Head coach: Greg Edson
2021 Record: 3-6 (1-5 North)
Returning All-State Players: None
The 2021 season was rough for the Warriors but a two-game winning streak to end the year can make all the difference when gaining momentum for the next season. Coach Edson lists Jayden Felts, Jayce Davis and Doug Fenn as returning players that will make an impact for his team this season. Whatever this team is going to be in 2022, he’s hoping the players figure it out early. “The first two games will tell us a lot about where we are as a team this season,” Edson said. Those games are against Hi-Plains and Bethune and things won’t get easier after that as the Warriors will see Hanover.
