The Adrian Blackhawks, fresh off a storybook 13-1 season that ended with a Class 1 state championship, took the field last Friday in the Sarcoxie Jamboree. Head Coach Matt Davis liked what he saw from his squad, telling Tailgate TV, “It was good, we got good reps for kids who are fighting for playing time. Fun to see young kids step up and compete.”
Adrian opens its title defense at home Friday night against the Sherwood Marksmen, who finished 5-5 record a season ago. Coach Davis says that he expects the Marksmen to show up ready to play, saying “Sherwood will be a well-coached team, Coach Tittlemeier does a great job of finding unique ways to get the ball to his best kids with space.”
The Butler Bears are also looking to make noise after going 6-5 last fall. The Bears broke in plenty of new faces at the Holden Jamboree last week, including transfer standout Eli Ferrell, a 1st-Team All-District running back at Sherwood last season where he rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored more than 20 touchdowns. Butler also welcomes back senior quarterback Bryson Kash, returning to football for his final year, alongside proven playmaker Jake Chandler. At the helm remains Coach Greg Webb, whose reputation for building tough, disciplined teams continues to define Butler football. The Bears open at home Friday against North Platte.
The Rich Hill Tigers enter 2025 looking to build on steady progress. After winning just one game in 2022, the Tigers doubled that in 2023, then climbed to 5-6 last year. The program’s upward trajectory has confidence soaring heading into this fall. Rich Hill tested itself at the WEMO 8-man Jamboree last week and now turns its focus to the season opener at home against New Heights Christian Academy on Friday.
With championship defenses, new stars, and rising programs all taking the field, fans across the region should expect another memorable season under the lights.
