SPORTS IN KANSAS

HUTCHINSON -- The home-school Reno County Sabres feature one of the toughest 2026 football schedules in Kansas.

The home-school program plays every game is on the road. The Sabres (9-0) face a gauntlet of state powers in 2026 after a mix of 8-man and 11-man teams.

The slate includes Axtell, which won four straight 8-Man 2 state titles before reaching last year's semifinals; reigning 8-Man 1 champion South Central; 1A runner-up Rossville; and Andale, whch has won six of the last seven Class 3A titles.

The Sabres also play Hugoton, Cimarron and Belle Plaine.

Leading the way is senior QB/LB Bo Smith, the oldest son of head coach Lee Smith, a former Hutchinson Central Christian head coach.

Smith enters his final season as a four-year starter with incredible career numbers:

355-of-570 passing (62.3%) for 5,441 yards, 85 TDs and 18 INTs

321 carries for 2,362 rushing yards (7.36 per carry) and 56 TDs

Smith completed 73% (106 of 146) for 1,712 yards with 35 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Reno County has gone 15-2 over the past two seasons under coach Smith and has established itself as a program capable of competing with both 8-man and 11-man schools.