Tiger football ready to roar
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ST. JOHN – The Tigers lost to Attica/Argona 70-20 after ending a 12-year playoff drought by beating Macksville 30-28 and Stafford 60-24 in District play. The Tigers have compiled a record of 16-90 the past 12 seasons.
The Tigers feature girth and a physical offensive and defensive style.
Returning multi-year starters are QB/DB first-team All-CPL Braxton Alpers; RB/WR/DB second-team All-CPL Jace Reyes; RB/DE first-team All-CPL Daniel Portillo and C/DE Julio Lozano along with second team All-CPL LB Wyatt Mawhirter, TE/WR/DB Weston Peterson and WR/DB Juan Ibarra.
Second-year St. John football coach Scott Krehbiel played football at perennial playoff qualifier Pratt and coached football at Fort Collins, Colo. for three seasons.
The Tigers will operate out of the pistol look on offense, and a traditional 3-2 on defense with some variations.
"We return seven starters who took a big step forward to finish 4-5, the most wins since 2012," Krehbiel said. "The returning starters have significant varsity experience, and we have more depth. We'll rotate more guys on each side of the football, and play a faster and more physical style of football."
Krehbiel anticipates taking a major step forward in the 8-Man District 6 featuring Victoria, Hodgeman County, Macksville and Stafford.
"The Dstrict will be tough with numerous teams that made it to the post-season," he said. "We need to be focused and ready to play physical football. We want to be successful in the league and make it to the post-season again. The biggest key to success is to focus on working to being better football players and playing for each other."
RETURNING STARTERS— QB/DB Braxton Alpers; RB/WR/DB Jace Reyes; RB/ DE Daniel Portillo; G/DT Julio Lozano; OL/RB/DE Daniel Portillo; WR/DB Juan Ibarra; TE/DL Weston Peterson
TOP NEWCOMERS—WR/DB Jericho Mawhirter; OL/DL Benny Sheets; C/DT Mikeal Nemec; OL/LB Juan Lozano; TE/DL Kaden Foote; WR/DB Bryce Burton 5’10 130
SENIORS—7—Braxton Alpers, 6-1, 185, QB/FS; 9—Jace Reyes, 5-10, 170, RB/WR/DB; 14—Juan Ibarra, 5-9, 140, WR/DB; 26—Julio Lozano, 5-11, 230, C/DE; 32—J.J. Shepherd, 6-2, 230; 34—Daniel Portillo, 5-8, 205, RB/DE; 72—Jacy Jasper, 6-3, 350, OG-DT; 89—Weston Peterson, 5-8, 170, TE/WR/DB
JUNIORS—22—Miguel Gonzales, 5-9, 205, RB; 24—Jericho Mawhirter, 5-10, 150, WR/DB; 51—Benny Sheets, 6-2, 230, OL/DL; 52—Jonathan Miller, 6-1, 195, G/DE; 62—Benny Sheets, 6-1, 230, G; 80—Kaden Foote, 6-3, 160, TE/DL; 81—William Martin, 5-5, 150, TE/DE
SOPHOMORES—3—Easton Alpers, 5-9, 155; 15—Juan Lozano, 5-9, 200, OL/LB; 17—Samuel Heller, 5-11, 150, TE/DE; 20—Wyatt Mawhirter, 5-9, 165, RB/LB; 25—D.J. Barney, 5-9, 150, WR/FS; 44—Mikel Nemec, 5-9, 185, C/DT; 55—Miseal Ramirez, 5-0, 190; 71—Jose Gonzalez, 5-7, 245
NINTH-GRADERS—2—Ryer Ward, 5-5, 100; 16—Robby Reiter, 6-0, 185; 21—Bryce Burton, 5-10, 130, WR/DB; 45—Jackson Mawhirter, 5-10, 220
ST. JOHN 8-MAN 2 DISTRICT 6— Victoria 12-1 (4-0), Hodgeman County 8-3 (3-1), St. John 4-6 (2-2), Macksville 3-6 (1-3), Stafford 2-7 (0-4)
9-5—La Crosse (46-0)
9-12—Ness City (54-50)
9-19—at Kinsley (58-64, 3 OT)
9-26—*at Hodgeman County (0-48)
10-3—*Victoria (6-62)
10-10—at Minneola (6-52)
10-17—*at Stafford (60-14)
10-24—*Macksville (30-28)
JV—9-9—La Crosse; 9-16— Ness City; 9-23—at Kinsley; 9-30—at Jetmore; 10-7— Victoria; 10-14—Macksville
Tiger spikers return four starters
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ST. JOHN — First-year St. John volleyball coach Taci Axman inherits four starters from a 1A Division 1 state qualifier. The Tigers (29-16, 7-1 CPL) qualified for the state tourney with wins over South Central 25-17, 25-22, Ashland 25-10, 25-24, Spearville 25-16, 25-18 and Pretty Prairie 25-20, 25-7. The Tigers lost to state champion Little River 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, South Gray 25-21, 25-20 and Clifton Clyde 25-11, 25-13 at the state meet.
The Tigers will be well prepared in a rugged Central Prairie League dominated by 8-time defending champions Ellinwood along with past state champion Central Plains.
The Tigers feature dazzling second-team All-Central Prairie setter Gentri Bright (852 assists), 451 serves, 123 digs, 45 winners, 23 blocks). Other returning starters are Jalyn Fisher (507 serves received, 327 serves, 122 digs, 122 winners); Averi Fisher (675 serves received, 130 digs) and Allison Lopez (101 serves received, 31 digs).
Also returning are Karly Rockenbach (228 serves received, 36 digs) and Lillian Brummer (312 serves, 301 serves received, 72 digs, 56 winners).
Axman commented on her top returning players.
"Karly Rockenbach is a versatile right-side hitter and defender. Libero Averi Fisher will lead our backcourt. Both provide steady leadership on the court.
"Gentri Bright, our returning all-league setter, surpassed 1,500 career assists last year and will be the engine of our offense. Bright, Lillian Brummer and Jalyn Fisher will lead the offensive attack.
"Jayln Fisher and Brummer were third and fourth in 'kills' last season. Allison Lopez and freshmen Hadley Bright and Lainey Peterson will make key contributions."
Axman's goal is for the Tigers to gel into a well-tuned team.
"Our key will be our ability to play as a team, with each player embracing her role," Axman said. "Serving aggressively will be a focus. Just as important will be our defensive effort—playing disciplined, scrappy volleyball that keeps rallies alive and creates scoring opportunities. When we execute in these areas, we'll be competitive."
Axman gives 8-time defending Central Prairie League champion Ellinwood the edge until some team surprises the Eagles.
"The Central Prairie League shapes up to be one of the toughest leagues after four schools — St. John, Ellinwood, Otis-Bison and Victoria — earned state trips," she said. "Ellinwood is the team to beat, but every night in thee league is a battle. We're proud of a challenging schedule that will prepare us to be at our best when it matters most."
Former St. John coach Trish Wade delivered three state volleyball titles in 2008 (43-2), 2010 (41-4) and 2011 (43-2) and Dean Rausch led the Tigers to the 1993 title (32-1).
St. John graduate Axman played volleyball for coach Dean Rausch, and served 11 seasons as Trish Wade's assistant coach.
"Both coaches built highly successful programs, and I was fortunate to learn from them," Axman said. "This will be my first season as head coach. I’m excited to be assisted by Torre Ward."
TIGER ROSTER
SENIORS—5—Karly Rockenbach, 5-5; 20—Averi Fisher, 5-3, Libero/DS
JUNIORS—2—Lillian Brummer, 5-7; 7—Allison Lopez, Libero; 9—Gentri Bright, 5-8
SOPHOMORES—3—Jalyn Fisher
NINTH-GRADERS—4—Jaleigh Burgan 4; 10—Kalla Foote; 11—Hadley Bright; 12—Lainey Peterson; 13—Caisalyn Kuhl; 23—Makenzie Kraushaar
ST. JOHN SCHEDULE
8-23—at Ingalls Jamboree/ Liberal
9-2—at Halstead/Burrton
9-6—at Pratt Skyline Tournament
9-9—at Haven/Hoisington
9-11—at Garden Plain/ Medicine Lodge
9-16—at Burrton/Macksville/ Stafford
9-18—Nickerson/Kingman
9-23—at *Central Plains/*Ellinwood/*Kinsley
9-27—at Hoisington Tournament
9-30—at *Kinsley/*Macksville/*Victoria
10-7—at *Ness City/*Otis-Bison
10-11—Central Prairie at Hoisington
10-13—at Little River
10-14—La Crosse/Chase
10-20/21—at 1A regional
10-25—at 1A substate
Tigers return quality runners
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ST. JOHN— St. John's boys placed seventh in 1A state cross country after a runner-up Central Prairie League finish and fourth-place regional finish.
The Tigers return state qualifiers Emmett Delp (S 32ND), Aaden Gonzalez (S 34TH), Garrett Dunn (S 68TH), Liam Knight (S 77TH) and Jayce Feril (S 81ST).
"We have runners with experience which really benefit our team. Our goal is to qualify for state and we should have a chance to do that," said St. John coach Joel Delp. "Emmett Delp, Jayce Feril, Aaden Gonzalez and Liam Knight had good freshmen seasons. Juniors Sye Crockett and Garrett Dunn will run their second year after coming on strong. Senior Rafael Gonzalez will run his fourth year."
Freshman Jacob Rotert will adjust to the longer 5-kilometer distance from junior high, according to Delp.
Delp likes the prospect of the runners improving.
"We had good summer training participation, which is a key going into our season," Delp said. "Emmett Delp ran well at regionals and state. Aaden Gonzalez ran in the 17s last year. Liam Knight had a good summer and is running really well."
St. John's lone girl Abigail Herrera will build on her freshman season.
ST. JOHN TIGERS
SENIOR—Rafael Gonzalez (CPL JV 6TH)
JUNIORS—Sye Crockett (CPL JV 4TH); Garrett Dunn (S 68TH, R 37TH; CPL 13TH)
SOPHOMORES—Abigail Herrera (R 45TH), Emmett Delp (S 32ND, R 23RD, CPL 9TH), Jayce Feril (S 81ST, R 45TH, CPL 20TH), Aaden Gonzalez (S 34TH, R 18TH, CPL 4TH), Liam Knight (S 77TH, R 42ND, CPL 16TH)
NINTH-GRADERS—Jacob Rotert
ST. JOHN SCHEDULE
9-4—at Lake Barton
9-9—at Hutchinson
9-13—at Wamego
9-18—at Stafford CC
9-25—at Larned
9-27—at Lawrence
10-2—at Pratt
10-9—at Sterling
10-16—at Central Prairie
10-25—at 1A regional
Tiger tennis features four seniors
ST. JOHN — St. John's tennis graduated 3-1A singles third-place finisher Camila Sanchez-Rojas (23-3) and will reload its lineup. Sanchez/Rojas lost to Sterling's state champion Chelsie Brown 6-3, 6-4 and defeated Wichita Collegiate's Amelia Blackman 6-1, 6-3 for third place.
The Tigers feature state qualifier Jenny Gracia (S 13-6, D 5-7), who lost to Marysville's Kate Frese 6-0, 6-1 and Marysville's Amy Spicer 8-0 at the state tournament. Cora Martin (D 17-10) and Jazlene Ramirez (D 19-9) also return.
TIGER ROSTER
SENIORS—Jenny Gracia (S 13-6, D 5-7), Jazlene Ramirez (S 1-4, D 19-9), Cora Martin (S 2-3, D 17-10), Anna Montagner
SOPHOMORES—Lily McAlister, Zoey Carter
NINTH-GRADE—Avery Younie
ST. JOHN SCHEDULE
8-29—at Cimarron
9-3—at Pratt JV
9-5—at Sterling
9-10—at Hoisington
9-19—at Lyons; at Pratt JV
9-24—at Sterling JV
9-26—at Greensburg
9-28—at Pratt JV
10-1—at Ashland
10-3—at Great Bend
10-5—at Dodge City
10-8—at Ashland JV
10-11-12—at 3-1A regional
10/18-19—3-1A state, Topeka
