By John Mesh
The Hutchinson High School Salthawk football team returns 14 starters from the 2023 team that posted a 7-3 record and lost to Maize South in the regional round of the Kansas Class 5A state playoffs.
Mike Vernon, who begins his seventh season as Hutchinson coach and has a 31-27 record at Hutchinson and is 60-46 overall, said in order to look at 2024, he has to look back at the 2023 season.
“I thought we underachieved as a program last year,” Vernon said. “We became complacent and lost sight of what was needed to be successful. Our program learned a very valuable/painful lesson. Nothing in this world is given to you and you’ll need to work and focus to reach your true potential.
“I really like our senior class and believe that they have what it takes to make big waves in the state of Kansas this year. They have the right mindset and understand past mistakes. They will make good leaders for the underclassmen.
“However, I do worry about our depth. With a couple of injuries along the offensive/defensive line things could become very interesting. We will have to develop some younger linemen a little faster than we would like. On the flip side, coach Sean Harper and coach Scott Yantes do an excellent job and always answer the call.”
The Salthawks will have to replace quarterback Robert Hunter, who transferred to Wichita East High School. However, Levi Kepler transferred back to Hutchinson from Inman and could take over the position, said Vernon.
“Robert Hunter took the majority of our snaps so we will have to break in a new quarterback,” Vernon said. “On the positive side, we have Levi Kepler. We have a tremendous amount of comfort starting (Kepler). This summer will be important to build that cohesion back within reads and footwork of our offense. I fully expect Levi to have a wonderful year and play at a high level.”
Vernon added that complacency is another major concern for the Salthawks and the Hutchinson coaching staff.
“We return a lot of starters and guys who played a lot of minutes,” Vernon said. “As a staff, we can’t let them feel entitled to their position on the team. There needs to be competition and improvement from day one. We need to take that next step as a program and now isn’t the time to be comfortable.”
Vernon said the Salthawks have a strong senior class returning that have played a lot of football.
“They are very good football players that can really impact games,” Vernon said. “Over the off-season they have put on good weight and improved their speed/agility. Terrell King, Spencer Riggs, Caleb Cape, Skylar Ray, Carter Morgan, Kevin Wilson and Kade Smith are all-state caliber kids.”
The Salthawks return five of the seven starters from last year’s group of defensive backs.
“They have played a lot of football together and have good cohesion,” he said. “I like where this group is headed and the potential growth they possess. The summer can be spent working on new wrinkles and coverages that can be pulled out in the fall.”
Vernon said King, 5-foot-10, 141-pound senior, is the best football player on the Salthawk football team. King received all-state honors again last year.
“Terrell is an amazing talent that can fill many different roles,” Vernon said. “He will continue to play snaps on both sides of the ball and be put in situations where he can make plays. I honestly believe he is the best football player in AVCTL Division 1.”
He added that Spencer Riggs is an under the radar player that could garner attention from some big schools by the end of the year.
The Hutchinson linebackers (Morgan, Wilson and Anderson) have all been first or second team all-league selections during the past two years.
“They play fast and have amazing instincts. I expect this defense to play at the standard of last year’s team,” Vernon said.
Vernon said the Salthawks will have to find a corner and defensive end. He said the Salthawks have some athletes that can fill these positions.
“If they play at a high level the defense could be stifling,” Vernon said. “I will always bet on our defensive staff developing our young players.”
Salthawk football will feature a gun package this year on offense.
“We had played around with the idea at the end of last year and liked our results,” he said. “It’s been fun looking at things through a different viewpoint and gotten the creative juices flowing. We will still primarily be a flexbone team but have the option to be in the gun.
“In the end, this team has the potential to be special. They are a competitive group that likes to work. If we can avoid complacency and continue to improve I see a deep run possible.
“We still have to fight for every inch out on the field. We will have to get off the field on third down on defense and hold onto the ball on offense. Personally, I think we’ll be pretty good going into November.”
What does Vernon expect to see Friday nights on offense?
“The offensive line will have to break in a couple new faces,” Vernon said. “I don’t know if there will be any growing pains there but I’m not naive enough to think they won’t appear. Once they settle in I think the offensive line will be a strength. I would expect a more concerted effort to get the ball to our playmakers.
“Traditionally we have left our best athletes on the defensive side. This year you will see more crossover. Players like Terrell King and Spencer Riggs will have manufactured touches each game. Kade Smith is the best flexbone fullback we’ve had since Alec McCuan. He is someone that can control a game and generate offense. He will have his name called often.”
What does Vernon expect on Friday nights on defense?
“You’ll see an athletic defense where kids can run and make plays. The defensive line could become a major force even with the new faces starting. The linebackers all return and are excellent, smart football players. The secondary will have to find a corner but I think they will end up being just fine. I truly expect the defense to be elite.”
The Salthawks open the season Sept. 6 at home at Gowans Stadium against Andover Central and host Valley Center Sept. 13. Other Hutchinson home game are Derby, Oct. 4; and Newton, Oct. 18.
Road games for Salthawks are Maize, Sept. 20; Salina South, Sept. 26; Campus, Oct. 11; and Maize South, Oct. 25.
Vernon said the top teams in Class 5A are Mill Valley, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hutchinson, Great Bend and Maize. Others to watch are Hays, Maize South and DeSoto.
The top teams in Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division I are Derby, Hutchinson, Maize, Maize South, Newton, Campus and Salina South.
First-round 5A state playoffs begin Nov. 1, followed by the second round Nov. 8 and quarterfinals on Nov. 15. State semifinals are Nov. 22.
The Class 5A state championship game is Nov. 30 at Emporia State University’s Welch Stadium.
2024 players to watch for Hutchinson:
Seniors: Terrell King 5-10 141, athlete; Spencer Riggs 6-1 177 DB; Taishaun Govain 6-2 187 WR; Carter Morgan 6-0 173 OLB; Taysen Runyon 6-6 180 PK; Kevin Wilson 5-10 171 MLB; Kade Smith 5-10 176 RB; Sylar Ray 5-10 191 DL; Kaleb Cape 6-2 246 OL; Christian Khokar 5-10 178 DL; Jaden May 5-10 237 DL; Mitchell Rice 6-1 152 WR; Bryson Hammond 6-1 310 OL; Levi Klepper, 6-2 175 QB.
Juniors: Jackson Anderson 5-10 161 OLB; Kylan Mendoza 6-1 242 OL; Tramel Walker 5-9 153 RB/DB; Adarius Miller 5-10 178 DL; Gavaughn Embers 5-10 224 DL; Bailey Bishop 5-9 249 OL.