SNAPSHOT PREVIEW – MCPHERSON BULLPUP FOOTBALL

By Staff

      This is a breakdown as to what to look forward to in 2026 with the McPherson Bullpup football team – in summary type of manner:

THE 2025 SEASON:

Ø Finished 5-4

HEAD COACH JACE PAVLOVICH:

Ø 80-31 CAREER MARK

Ø BEGINNING SEASON 12

2026 BULLPUP SNAPSHOT:

Ø Returning Letter winners = 24

Ø Returning Starters – Offense = 9

Ø Returning Starters – Defense = 10

THE OFFENSE:

Ø Identity – Balanced attack, and high-efficiency passing

Ø Multiple explosive skill threats

Ø 2025 total yards = 3,394 (377.0 per game)

Ø 2025 passing yards = 1,900 (64.2% completions)

Ø 2025 rushing yards = 1,493 (165.89 per game)

Ø Returning QB = Carter Bengtson – 1,900 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT

Ø Returning Wide Receiver = Ashton Malm – 1,124 yards, 13 TD

Ø Running Back = Dane Becker – 732 yards, 6TD

Ø Returning Running Back = Brody Milleson – 515 yards, 8 TD

THE DEFENSE:

Ø Multiple players with 30-plus tackles

Ø Dylan Hall – lineman with 65 tackles, 2 sacks

Ø Bo Barkley – 44 tackles, 4 sacks

Ø Carter Leathers

Ø Takoda Linn

Ø Nolan Pearcy

TEAM STRENGTHS:

Ø High-efficiency passing on offense

Ø Balanced offensive production

Ø Explosive skill players

Ø Experienced defensive core

Ø Proven leaders at all levels

Ø Strong returning core should elevate consistency

NEEDS SOME WORK:

Ø Must improve tackling fundamentals

Ø Alignment issues cost team in 2025

Ø Emphasis on simplicity & execution

2026 KEYS TO SUCCESS:

Ø Defensive Fundamentals = tackling plus alignment must improve

Ø Touch Distribution = multiple offensive playmakers, manage touches strategically

Ø Situational Football = third-down conversions must improve (34.88% in 2025)

Ø Ball Security = reduce giveaways (11 turnovers in 2025)

Ø Finish Drives = red-zone efficiency will determine postseason ceiling

OVERALL, A 2026 OUTLOOK:

Ø A Veteran Roster

Ø Proven Production

Ø Balanced Offensive Identity

Ø Standard is Set

Ø Expectations are High

2026 Schedule:

Ø Friday, Sept. 4 = hosting Augusta

Ø Friday, Sept. 11 = at Great Bend

Ø Friday, Sept. 18 = hosting Buhler

Ø Friday, Sept. 25 = hosting Circle (Homecoming)

Ø Friday, Oct. 2 = at El Dorado

Ø Friday, Oct. 9 = at Mulvane

Ø Friday, Oct. 16 = hosting Tonganoxie (Senior Night)

Ø Friday, Oct. 23 = at Winfield

Ø Friday, Oct. 30 = Class 4A Bracket Game

Ø Friday, Nov.  6 = Class 4A Regional

Ø Friday, Nov. 13 = Class 4A Sectional

Ø Friday, Nov. 20 = Class 4A Substate

Ø Saturday, Nov. 28 = Class 4A State Championship

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