By John Mesh
While the Haven High School football has another good group of seniors returning, most of the offensive production from an 8-2 Wildcats’ team in 2024 graduated.
Graduates Van Loop, Aiden Hoopes and Nash Wray combined to score 41 of Haven’s 51 touchdowns in 2024 (80.4%).
“Looking to fill those shoes will be returning senior Grant Patry at tight end,” said Haven’s Drew Thalmann, who along with Thomas Cooprider will be co-coaching Haven for the seventh season. They have co-coached the Wildcats to 32 wins and 25 losses.
“Replacing Loop and Wray will be challenging, but sophomore Cole Brawner got a lot of game reps filling in for Loop,” Thalmann said. Nash Wray’s younger brother Brogan will replace him at quarterback.
Thalmann said the offensive line returns plenty of experience with Aaron Logan, Cody Holzrichter and Jacob Myers all returning starters.
Defensively, the Wildcats return leading tackler Patry, who earned first team all league/district and second team all state honors last year. Also returning are seniors Jackson Wilder (linebacker) and Brock Marks (defensive line).
Thalmann said the Wildcat team strengths are large experienced senior class, a very good strength and conditioning program and an outstanding youth program in Haven. His concerns are the development of the team’s underclassmen and inexperience at the skill positions.
The Wildcats open the season Sept. 5 at home against Hillsboro, then hit the road for two games (Nickerson on Sept. 12 and Smoky Valley on Sept. 19).
2025 Haven Wildcat football outlook
Returning Starters: 8 Offense, 6 Defense.
Returning Lettermen: 14
Key players:
Grant Patry 6-0 185 Sr. 1st Team All-League and district LB, HM League and district tight end.
Aaron Logan 6-0 220 Sr. 2nd All league, HM district OL
Jackson Wilder 6-1 180 Sr. HM district LB
Brogan Wray 5-10 Jr. FS/QB
Zade Turner 5-10 150 Jr, WR/DB
Cole Brawner 5-10 150 Jr. RB/LB
Cody Holzrichter 6-3 285 Jr. OL/DL
Classification: 2A
League: Central Kansas League
2024 Record: 8-2
Finish: Lost in the second round to Hoisington
League: 3-1
Offense: Spread Option
Defense: 4-4
Co-Coaches: Drew Thalmann and Thomas Cooprider, 7th year
Overall: Record 32-25
Record at Haven High School: 32-25
Assistant Coaches: Cody Dick, Jorden Oden, Grant Wray, Noah Krol, Jarred Hett
Haven 2025 Football Schedule
Aug. 29 Jamboree
Sept. 5 Hillsboro
Sept. 12 at Nickerson
Sept. 19 at Smoky Valley
Sept. 26 Douglass
Oct. 3 at Garden Plain
Oct. 10 Belle Plaine
Oct. 17 Chaparral
Oct. 24 at Kingman