BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ROZEL — Pawnee Heights football coach Ryan Klenke loves small-town high school football. The starting quarterback for the Pawnee Heights state 6-man runner-up in 2016 has served as junior high head coach and varsity assistant.
"Small-school football is the best because the community supports us and always has our back," Klenke said. "I'm blessed and grateful to coach at my high school."
After struggling during he season, the Tigers (6-5, 3-2 District) downed Southern Coffey 70-20 and Chetopa 49-34 before losing to state runner-up Cunningham 70-6 in the 6-man quarterfinals.
"We learned a lot in 2023 when we faced adversity," Klenke said. "We bounced back after three losses that humbled us. We didn't play our best football. We won a home playoff game and played our best football against Chetopa. We traveled five hours and played a tough football game. Our players got a good taste of playoff football."
Klenke is optimistic.
"With a new team, district and a fresh season, anything is possible. If we can stay healthy, we'll make a great run," Klenke said. "Defensively, we're solid. We have players who love to hit, and they're ready. We want to earn a winning season with no injuries. Being a small school, we're happy when players join our team. We'd love to be the team people worry about when they see us on their schedule."
Two standout players return. Undersized playmaker Clayton Hammeke passed for 576 yards and 15 TDs and had 211 yards receiving with six scores. He averaged eight tackles per game. Alexis Ibarra averaged 7.3 tackles per game. Back Jimmy Gardner transferred to Larned after accounting for 26 touchdowns and 1,850 yards.
"Hammeke is a team leader. He thinks like me offensively, and we're on the same page. Our plan is to air the football out and be a dominant quarterback. He's going to be our top defensive player. Ibarra is ready hitting the weight room and ready to make an impact on offense."
Klenke commented on several other promising players.
"Brady Carlson is a great asset on both sides of the football. He'll be a factor offensively and a key player on defense.
"Brynnen Cody will be a defensive threat who will hit and tackle with speed.
"Cody Holste will be a key offense and defensive player. He is a smart kid who knows football."
District members South Barber and Ingalls recorded winning records last year.
"South Barber had a great year in 8 man football last year," he said.
The Tigers earned a 6-man state football championship in 2017 with a 62-12 victory over Cheylin. They finished runner-up in 2016 to Weskan and earned fourth place in 2018.
PAWNEE HEIGHTS
6-MAN DISTRICT 3— 3— South Barber 8-2 (3-1), Ingalls 7-3 (3-1), Pawnee Heights 6-5 (3-2), Rolla 1-6 (0-4), Moscow 1-8 (1-3)
TIGER ROSTER
1—Clayton Hammeke, 5-10, 127, QB/S, 12
4—Brynnen Cody, 5-3, 129, RB/ FS, 11
8—Alexis Ibarra, 5-6, 137, WR/S, 11
10—Brady Carlson, 6-2, 144, 12
11—Roberto Cordero, 5-8, 164, 10
15—Austin Neighbors, 12
21—Cody Holste, 9
22—Rylan Reece, 9
27—Augustus Baier, 6-0, 145, G/ DE, 11
28—Logan Enabit, 11
30—Thomas Boese, 9
32—Kasey Hoffman, 10
33—Logan Nave, 9
40—Peyton Price, 5-7, 139, 10
88—Bradlee Froetschner, 9
TIGER SCHEDULE
8-30—at Chase Jamboree (Tescott/Otis-Bison/Chase)
9-6—Chase
9-13—at Western Plains
9-20—at Otis-Bison
9-27—Peabody
10-4—*Rolla
10-11—*at Moscow
10-18—*South Barber
10-25—*at Ingalls
10-31—6-man playoffs
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Ryan Klenke
HS Head Football Coach
