LITTLE RIVER FOOTBALL RETURNS 13 STARTERS

GARRISON, KONEN, JANETTE, EWERTT LEAD REDSKINS

By Staff

LITTLE RIVER – Reloading is the storyline for Little River football in 2025 as they have 13 players returning with starting experience, including seven seniors to lead a team of 29 aiming for a deep run in the Class 8-Man, Division 1 state playoffs.

Last season, the Redskins finished 8-3 overall after going 5-0 in Wheat State League play and 3-1 in district games. Little River closed the 2024 season with a loss to Central  Plains in the third round of the state playoffs.

         Leading the team for year number seven will be Kevin Ayers who holds an overall record of 58-13 at Little River and 218-52 overall in his career. Chad Lafferty, Tyson Konen, and Shane Cordell will again assist Ayers on the sidelines.

         Among the four players needing to be replaced will be Logan Renken who totaled 1,556 yards in total offense last season at quarterback. Renken threw for 707 yards and ran for 849 while helping to account for 35 touchdowns. Tyler Bergkamp totaled 479 yards and 11 scores running and receiving the ball while Ruxton Birdsong and Hunter Sneath supplied solid performances on both the offensive and defensive lines.

         Eight seniors will help push the Redskins to success with defensive back Jaxson Konen,  tight ends Ty Janette and CJ Herzog, along with lineman Chris Norez, Lakin Wege, Tristan Bristow, and David Crandall. Kelby Rice started as a sophomore at offensive guard and defensive tackle before missing his junior season with an injury. Janette was a top target on offense while Konen recorded 52 tackles on defense.

         Add to that an equally impressive group of five juniors led by Jaren Garrison who will take over at quarterback after leading the team in rushing in 2024 with 889 yards and throwing for another 188 yards. While playing linebacker, Garrison made 63 tackles of which 40 were solo stops.

         Another junior, Jhet Ewertt after a huge sophomore season where he led the team in tackles with 96, 64 of those being solo stops, will again main the safety position, while Logan Schubert had 345 yards on offense while being the Redskin’s top kick returner.

Throw in tight end/defensive end Blayne Baldetti and center Elija Stagner and Little River have the players to make the run for a Class 1A Division I title.

Looking at what he has for the upcoming season, coach Ayers shared his reflections by saying, “Our players have had a great summer and are showing some nice improvements. Graduation leaves us four holes to fill on the offensive side and three on defense. Good numbers should lead to very competitive practices which then should transfer to the field on game day. We will continue to run the option-based offense and our 3-2 defense which we hope to play with a disciplined and physical style of football. The kids look to put a better team on the field each week as we build toward another deep postseason run in 2025.”

Little River will open the 2025 season at home hosting Chase County on Friday, September 5.

2025 LITTLE RIVER SCHEDULE:

Friday, September 5 – hosting Chase County

Friday, September 12 – at Rural Vista (Hope/White City)

Friday, September 19 – hosting Centre

Friday, September 26 – at Goessel

Friday, October 3 – hosting Canton/Galva

Friday, October 10 – at Ell-Saline

Friday, October 17 – at Central Plains

Friday, October 24 – hosting Solomon

Little River will then begin State Playoffs

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)