Jayhawks will have to overcome low numbers

Jayhawk-Linn's second-year head coach, Kirk Holt, is going to have to get the maximum out of the minimum this season. There isn't much choice.

There are not a lot of kids playing football at Jayhawk-Linn this year. Some estimates have the turnout in the low 20's. As a Class 3A school, that's terribly low (Area 2A schools Pleasanton and Uniontown each had almost 40 players report).

And Pioneer League play begins this season, which means the Jayhawks have to play three Class 4A schools -- Anderson County, Osawatomie and Prairie View -- it could mean a long season for the Jayhawks.

Jayhawk-Linn was 0-3 in its final year in the Three Rivers League last season. The schools which consolidated into the Jayhawk-Linn district in the early 1970's were founding members of the TRL in the late 1960's. Up to last season, when Pioneer League play began in other sports while its football teams played out their schedule commitments, Jayhawk-Linn was just one of four TRL schools that had been in the league its entire existence even as many other schools joined and left it at various times.

The Jayhawks scored more than 12 points only twice -- and were shut out four times -- during a 3-6 season last year. That's a number that will have to improve as Jayhawk-Linn faces a tougher league and a tougher district than in the past.

"We had a tough time all year getting in the end zone," Holt said. "We could move the ball. But inside the 20-yard line, we couldn't punch it in."

The Jayhawks hope switching Ryan Sutherland (5' 7", 135, Sr.) from receiver to quarterback might help. With Briar Snyder (5' 11", 170, Jr.) -- who has become a regular in sprinting events at the State track meet in his two years at Jayhawk-Linn -- running the ball and returning linemen Caleb Jackson (5' 10", 240, Sr.), Robert Binford (6' 0", 225, Sr.) and Derek Wilert (5' 10", 265, Jr.) leading the way, the 'Hawks hope to have a strong running game.

Wyatt Jackson (6' 0", 170, Jr.) is a hopeful starter at tight end while Terry Baker (6' 0", 165, Sr.) steps in at receiver. Jared Avery (5' 6", 160, Soph.) and Alan Johnson (6' 1", 230, Sr.) hope to gain starting spots on the offensive line.

The Jayhawks have just three starters returning on defense. The Jayhawks had a shutout win over Oswego last season but held only two other teams under 20 points.

Jackson made 68 tackles on the defensive line last season while Tyson Baker (6' 0", 155, Jr.) made 35 from his linebacking position. Binford, another lineman, had three quarterback sacks among his 14 tackles last year.

Wilert, Avery and Johnson will also see time on the defensive line of the Jayhawks' 4-3 defense. Jackson and Quincy Hodges (5' 9", 155, Jr.) are slated to join Baker at linebacker.

Sutherland returns at cornerback with Matt Hardman (5' 6", 140, Sr.) expected to join him on the other side of the field. Baker is a free safety. Snyder could end up at strong safety.

While it looks as though the Jayhawks could have a solid starting lineup, the low number they have will create depth issues, making injuries a potentially greater factor than for most teams. The starters will likely also have to play more downs with less rest, so conditioning will be very important.

"With the amount of inexperience and returning players moving positions, it's difficult to know what areas we'll be able to count on," Holt said. "All areas will need to be improved for success because we will be very inexperienced.

"Fans will see a team that plays with emotion and heart."

The league schedule will be tough. In addition to the Class 4A schools mentioned, Wellsville and Central Heights -- another former TRL member -- each made the Class 3A playoffs last season. Both teams advanced into the playoffs with losing records and Central Heights won its first-round game, showing that a team on a roll at the end of the season can still make a good showing in its district.

Heights is in the Jayhawks' new Class 3A district along with Eureka and Burlington, a school that sits on that line between 3A and 4A most years. That will be a tougher group to advance from than the one that included Erie and Northeast-Arma the past two years.

The Burlington and Eureka games will be home contests. How the Jayhawks perform in those games will determine their playoff chances.

For the first time in several seasons, the schedule is made up entirely of Kansas schools.

The Jayhawks begin their season Friday night with a home non-league contest with Oswego. The Jayhawks, despite their recent years with losing records, have not lost to the Indians since they joined the TRL, so a good start to the season could be in the cards.

Bold -- Pioneer League game.

Italics -- Class 3A, District 3 game.