By John Mesh
The Reno County Sabres homeschool football team will play six eight-man games and two 11-man games in 2024.
The Sabres open the season Sept. 5 at Stafford.
This is the second season for the Sabres’ high school program, who posted a 3-3 record in 2023. The team is coached by Lee Smith and he expects to have 28 players out for the squad.
All of the Sabres games are on the road because the team has no home field. The Sabres practice in Partridge twice a week.
“We were very young last year and gained some valuable experience at the varsity level,” Smith said. “We have had a good offseason of strength and speed work and are excited to see those gains translate onto the field.
“Last year, we averaged 55 points a game. We are looking to keep that going while improving on the defensive side of the field. We see football as a great tool for young men that can be used to help us grow in the Christian faith.”
Returning starters on offense for the Sabres are Amos Lilyhorn, sophomore guard; Evan Miller, sophomore guard; Andre King, sophomore center; Jett Smith, sophomore wide reciever; Bo Smith, sophomore quarterback; Brecken Guthrie, senior running back.
Returning starters on defense are Tucker Spellman, junior defensive end; Bo Smith, sophomore linebacker; Brecken Guthrie, senior safety; Koby Washington, junior cornerback; Laurence Cable, sophomore cornerback; Gene Lilyhorn, junior defensive tackle.
# Last First Grade Positions
3 Cable Laurence 10 RB/DB
7 Smith Bo 10 QB/LB
9 Guthrie Brecken 12 RB/DB
11 Neidenthal Beckim 9 WR/LB
12 Ball Samuel 10 QB/DB
13 Smith Jett 10 WR/DB
15 King Dayne 9 WR/LB
16 Ball Dillon 11 WR/DE
17 Cass Ryan 11 WR/DB
21 Kingsley Wyatt 9 WR/DB
22 Wallman Jacob 11 WR/DB
24 Kingsley Bruce 11 WR/DE
25 Donley Cruz 11 WR/DE
28 Washington Koby 11 RB/DB
43 Hayes Simeon 11 RB/DB
44 Spellman Tucker 11 RB/DE
50 Lilyhorn Gene 11 OL/DL
52 Cass Kaleb 10 OL/DL
55 Harverson Ahron 10 OL/DL
56 King Kyle 10 OL/DL
57 Miller Evan 11 OL/LB
58 King Andre 10 OL/DL
60 Fall Josiah 9 OL/DL
62 Miller Eric 9 OL/DL
64 Hildebrand Seth 9 OL/DL
74 Fall Arlen 10 OL/DE
75 Betz Evan 10 OL/DL
78 Lilyhorn Amos 10 OL/DE
SCHEDULE (all road games)
9/5 Stafford
9/13 Norwich
9/20 Fairfield
9/27 Marmaton Valley
10/4 Colony-Crest
10/11 Douglass (11 man)
10/18 Burlingame
10/25 Eureka (11 man)
Reno County Sabres volleyball team opens season Tuesday
The season started Tuesday for the Reno County Sabres volleyball program with a home match against the Wichita Defenders at the Journey Church Activity Center, 808 South Poplar Street in South Hutchinson.
The Sabres played three junior high school matches (A, B and C teams), a high school junior varsity match and a high school varsity match.
The Sabres play matches Friday at Arkansas City.
The Sabres’ volleyball athletic director is Cari Smith, who also is the junior high head coach.
Becki Asberry is the head high school coach and her assistant is Laura Schawe. For the junior high players, Smith is assisted by Sarah Fall and Audrey Lee.
“We have six returning seniors for our varsity team this year, all of whom are great contributors to the program,” Smith said. “We are excited for the largest number of players we have ever had this year for our volleyball program. We have 22 junior high and 21 high school players.
“We are looking forward to a full schedule of matches against homeschool, private school and public school teams this season.”
Seniors on the Sabres’ team are Bryana Stoltfus, Shania Schrock, Anne Schwab, Megan Asberry, Kinley Duft and Maggie Spexarth.
Juniors are Lacie Penner, Brianna Miller and Kiana Otto.
Sophomores are Sophia Stoltfus, Lexi Lynch, Jamie Reese, Kaya Washington.
Freshman are Madi Lynch, Bella Spexarth, Harper Kendrick, Katherine Hjerpe, Ava Penner, Annabelle Walters, Margaret Masar and Blake Thompson.
Eighth graders are Payton Dick, Sarah Schawe, Charlotte Walters, Heaven Dugo, Shavae Wilson and Alexis Wilson.
Seventh graders are Paige Walter, Shaylee Smith, Josie Wiggins, Eliza Williamson, Brooklyn Schrock, Annelysse Fall, Natalie Harper, Janna Hjerpe and Cambria Stoltfus.
Sixth graders are Shaylee Otto and Mckenzi Lynch. Remi Smith is a fifth grader.
The Sabres will host their own tournament for junior high and high school teams at Sterling College on Sept. 21. The team’s full schedule can be found at renocountysabres.com.
“Our mission is to develop these young women into better volleyball players, while at the same time instilling lifelong valuable lessons through athletics, “ Smith said. “Our core focus is to create a culture of JOY by putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third.”
Reno County Sabres 2024 volleyball schedule
Aug. 20 Wichita Defenders
Aug. 23 @ Arkansas City ACCA/Tyro
Aug. 27 Life Prep Academy
Aug. 29 WAHAA
Aug. 31 Central Christian
Sept. 5 Newton, Victory Village @ Greer Auditorium, Moundridge
Sept. 7 @ Angels Academy Tournament
Sept. 10 @ Sunrise Christian, Wichita
Sept. 17 Central Christian, Pretty Prairie @Central Christian
Sept. 19 @ Republic County
Sept. 21 Sabres Invitational @Sterling College Gleason Center
Sept. 23 @ SVHE
Sept. 26 Gladiators/Wichita West @Wichita West
Sept. 30 Golden Belt Arrows
Oct. 1 @Sunrise Christian
Oct. 5 @Chief Thunder, St. George
Oct. 8 @Victory Village
Oct. 8 @Wichita Gladiators/El Dorado Oilers @Ark Church, Maize
Oct. 19 @ Life Prep/Defenders
Oct. 12 @Angels Academy Midwest Invitational
Oct. 15 Wichita Warriors, Senior Night
Oct. 19 Junior High/JV Tournament @ Salina Fieldhouse
Oct. 24-26 @KASC Tournament, Wichita
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Varsity Nationals Tournament @Iowa West Field House, Council Bluffs, Iowa