League overview: The South East League sent four football teams to the 6-Man state tournament and will likely maintain a high standard in 2022. This league is also the home of Cheyenne Wells who put together a dominant 2021 season and ended the year as the 6-Man state champion.

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Cheraw

Head coach: Garyk Ontai

2021 Record: 7-5 (3-2 South East)

Returning All-State Players: Cade Phillips (First Team); Wade Goodrich (Honorable Mention)

A third-place finish in this league last season was very much an above-average result. It could get better this season as the Wolverines get Cade Phillips back for his senior year. He threw for 2,061 yards and 32 touchdowns and should lead the team to a solid offensive year. Braeden Harris is also back after leading the team in rushing with 570 yards and five touchdowns. Wade Goodrich will captain the defense following his 100-tackle season in 2021.

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Cheyenne Wells

Head coach: Myles Smith

2021 Record: 13-0 (5-0 South East)

Returning All-State Players: None

It wasn’t just that the Tigers finished the year as the 6-Man state champion, but no one really offered them a challenge through the course of the season. That could be a tad different this year as they lose four all-state players. But they are intent on defending their title. Blake Gilmore was the team’s leading passing, throwing for 1,055 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ty Scheler will be a huge part of the title defense on both sides of the ball. He recorded 83 tackles and ran for 211 yards and six touchdowns. The Tigers open the season with a rematch of the 6-Man title game as they take on Stratton.

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Eads

Head coach: Trey Eder

2021 Record: 4-6 (1-3 South East)

Returning All-State Players: None

The Eagles certainly had their struggles in 2021, but a tough schedule and some key wins got them into the 6-Man tournament as the No. 15 seed. They’ll face another tough slate of games this season and will hopefully utilize the experience they gained through last season to get back into the postseason and even get out of the first round.

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Granada

Head coach: Traegon Marquez

2021 Record: 9-2 (3-1 South East)

Returning All-State Players: Maddox Coleman (Second Team)

Maddox Coleman has some big shoes to fill after watching older brother Dominic graduate. The elder Coleman had been one of the top players in the state for much of his career so his loss will be felt. But the Bobcats are intent on maintaining its level as a top team in the state. Along with Maddox, juniors Jonus Guevara and John Hainer are both returning and should help the team compete for a league championship this fall. To help them do that, the Bobcats see some tough non-league opponents in Stratton and Fleming.

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Kit Carson

Head coach: Curt Conelley

2021 Record: 0-8 (0-3 South East)

Returning All-State Players: None

Last season was a staggering result considering the Wildcats had been the measuring stick of the 6-Man class only a few years ago. They lose a bit of senior leadership but there is also a group of kids that are ready to step into prominent roles and try to get the team back to the level of success it has grown accustomed to. Paul Mitchek ran for 314 yards and five touchdowns and will likely have a bigger role in the running game. Sophomore Josiah Irwin stood out as a freshman, recording 33 tackles and a sack. The Wildcats open the year against Otis and hope to snap their losing streak early in the year.

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Head coach: Bill Forgey

2021 Record: 3-7 (1-4 South East)

Returning All-State Players: None

The Eagles hit a bit of a tough stretch as they had to forfeit two games in a row and they’re hoping to avoid that problem this season. Leyton Jones gained valuable experience as he threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns which served as a compliment to his 908 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. He’ll get his favorite target back as junior Axton Bishop caught 17 passes for 209 yards to lead all receivers. Walsh opens the season on the road against La Veta.