JAYHAWK-LINN JAYHAWKS
Head Coach: Randy Leach (28-11 — .718, sixth season)
Assistant Coaches: Clint Johnson, Jason Casner, Joe Wunderly
2018 record: 6-3 (4-1 league)
Offensive Scheme: Veer
Defensive Scheme: 4-4
State Classification: 2A District 1
Top returning players:
WR/DB Brance Ware — (6’2, 170, Sr.) — 1st team All-TRL Defensive back, HM All-TRL Receiver
RB/SS Lane Thompson — (5’11, 160, Sr.)
OL/DE Jake Robinson — (5’10, 180, Sr.) — HM All-TRL Defensive end
OL/DE Clint Barker — (6’2, 300, Sr.)
OL/DL Connor Stults — (6’1, 185, Sr.)
FB/LB Cade Kellstadt — (6’1, 195, Jr.)
OL/DL Garrett Scott — (5’10, 245, Jr.)
OL/DE Jason McKinley — (6’1, 215, So.)
RB/SS Daylon Burk — (5’8, 150, So.)
OL/DE Trenton Gray — (6’2, 175, Jr.)
OL/DL Jared Williard — (5’10, 230, So.)
TE/DB Kaden Nation — (5’10, 165, Jr.)
2019 season preview: As with most seasons, expectations are high for the Jayhawk football program. While the last two years have seen high quality players graduate, Jayhawk-Linn still returns eight players on offense and defense who started nearly half of the games in 2018. Randy Leach has guided his team to five straight post-season births as well as twenty-three wins over the last three seasons, and I would expect similar success in 2019 for the ‘Hawks.
Predicted 2019 Three Rivers League finish: TRL Coaches Preseason Poll 3rd – SEK-Sports.com Contributors – 3rd
| 2019 Jayhawk-Linn Football Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | |
| 9/6 | v. Yates Center* | |
| 9/13 | @ Uniontown* | |
| 9/20 | v. Pleasanton* | |
| 9/27# | @ Humboldt | |
| 10/4# | @ Southeast-Cherokee* | |
| 10/11# | v. Northeast-Arma* | |
| 10/18# | @ Erie | |
| 10/25# | v. Riverton | |
| 11/1 | TBD | |
* League Opponent / # District Game
Biggest game of 2019: @Pleasanton. Truthfully, when you year in and year out compete for league titles you are typically everyone’s “get up”game. Jayhawk-Linn has experienced this the last several years after winning multiple league championships. This year however there is a league champion to be hunted. After losing to the Blu-Jays a season ago, the Jayhawks should be chomping at the bit to reignite this old rivalry.
Q&A:
SEK-Sports.com — What was the highlight of the 2018 season for you and your football program?
Randy Leach — “Having the opportunity to work with student-athletes.”
SEK — What players within your football program will you look to for leadership?
RL — “All of them at some point! As the conditions change, some kids adjust and naturally step forward and lead. My staff and I try to encourage each student-athlete to take charge and lead when the opportunity presents itself.”
SEK — Heading into the season what do you believe are your team strengths?
RL — “I think our kids have high expectations and will compete.”
SEK — What will be the biggest change for your team heading into the 2019 season.
RL — “As every year, being a small school, graduation takes its toll. We have big shoes to fill this season.”
SEK — What are your main goals for the upcoming season?
RL — “To improve each day.”
Thank you for reading along! You can catch scores, standings, schedules, and in-depth articles on SEK Sports.com all throughout the season.