By John Mesh
The Hutchinson Trinity Celtic football team opens the 2024 season Sept. 6 at Inman and will host home games Sept. 13 against Sedgwick and Sept. 20 against Remington.
The 2024 Celtics return four returning starters on offense, six starters on defense and a total of 13 letter-winners from the 2023 season.
Due to a small incoming freshman class and a small senior class, Trinity will have a projected roster of 28 players — the smallest numbers seen in several years.
“Leadership will need to continue to grow with the senior and junior classes,” said Trinity Celtics’ head coach Jordan Bell. “Continued development of underclassmen will remain a priority to sustain the success of the football program in future years.
“The 2024 summer will determine success based on great attendance in the weight room and by attending a team contact camp at Southwestern College. With eight full years of Zero Hour under our belt, the overall strength of the football program is getting where it needs to be.”
“We are extremely excited about the upcoming 2024 season. As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to coaching a football team that is eager to learn and work extremely hard. A handful of previous non-letter winners will have the opportunity to play meaningful minutes on Friday night.”
The Trinity offense will continue to operate out of multiple formations with an emphasis on a 50/50 run/pass percentage. Bell said the defensive unit will play fast, physically and with great effort.
The Celtics’ special teams unit lost punter Eric Armour and placekicker Manuel Ruiz de Somavia to graduation. Junior Drew Dechant is projected to be the punter with placekicking duties to be determined.
Bell is entering his 11th season as Trinity coach. His overall record is 58-39. Trinity lost in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs in 2023. Bell is assisted by Curtis Grote, Isaac Miller, Joe Schrock and Brett Towell.
Five 2023 playoff teams that won at least one game in the playoffs are on the 2024 schedule (Sedgwick, South Sumner, Conway Springs, Medicine Lodge and Sterling).
Bell predicts that Sterling will be the top team in the Heart of America League in 2024, followed by Sedgwick, Inman, Moundridge, Marion, Remington and Bennington.
Bell said Conway Springs in the best team in the district, followed by Sterling, Medicine Lodge, Ellinwood and South Sumner. He left Trinity out of both lists.
TRINITY CELTICS
RETURNING STARTERS (projected)
OFFENSE: 4
NAME POSITION
Baca, Adrian OL
Dechant, Drew QB
Hammersmith, Isaac OL
McElgunn, Kaid WR
DEFENSE: 6
Dechant, Drew DB
Dozier, Jackson DB
Griffith, Lucas LB
Hammersmith, Isaac DL
McElgunn, Kaid DB
Suter-Tan, Aidan LB
Anticipated Roster (28 players)
(13 Letterman Returning)
Seniors: (5) Juniors: (11)
Sophomores: (8) Freshman: (4)
Barnes, Lincoln OL/LB
Armour, Matt WR/LB
Bigger, Aidan OL/DL
Baca, Adrian OL/DL
Dozier, Jackson WR/DB
Chastain, Bentyn WR/LB
McConnaughy, Matthew OL/LB
Dechant, Drew QB/DB
Suter-Tan, Aidan WR/LB
Guerrero, Roberto WR/DB
Hammersmith, Isaac OL/DL
Hogan, Seamus WR/DB
Kerns, Luke RB/LB
McElgunn, Kaid WR/DB
Schroeder, Gage OL/DL
Vogel, Sam WR/DB
Bell, Augustine WR/DB
Gutierrez, Elijah WR/DB
Bigger, Eli OL/DL
Towell, Luke OL/LB
Griffith, Lucas RB/LB
Thomas, Jacob OL/DL
Kerns, Jake WR/LB
Scott, Gavin RB/LB
Metternich, Porter RB/LB
Segoviano, Julio WR/DB
Thomas, James OL/DL
Towell, Beau WR/DB
TOP PLAYERS GRADUATED:
Armour, Eric WR/DB
Judy, Gavin OL/DL
Suter-Tan, Isaiah TE/LB
Suter-Tan, Samuel OL/DL
Weathers, Tanner OL
Wilson, Gavin RB/LB
SCHEDULE
9/6 @Inman
9/13 Sedgwick
9/20 Remington
9/27 @South Sumner
10/4 @Conway Springs
10/11 Ellinwood
10/18 @Medicine Lodge
10/25 Sterling
11/1 District