By Staff
MCPHERSON – To duplicate the kind of success the McPherson football program has had the past six seasons; they will need to reload with youngsters as they return just 24 letter winners and seven starters from a team that finished 10-2 after losing to Wamego in a state sub-state game.
The reload will be led by Jace Pavlovich who enters his ninth season as head coach of the Bullpup football program holding an overall mark of 72-18. After 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator at both Hays and McPherson, Pavlovich has found success in leading the Bullpups to ten-plus wins in five of the past seasons while going 59-11.
Once again Pavlovich will have a sizable and experienced coaching staff helping him including Chet Harlin – inside linebackers/defensive coordinator; John Montgomery – tight ends/offensive coordinator; Nick Gawanda – wide receivers; Gunnar Reiss – cornerbacks; Kaden Tichenor – running backs; David Goerzen – safeties; Patrick Corcoran – offensive lineman; Mike Davison – defensive lineman; and Matt Sandbo – quarterbacks.
“We have had a great summer thus far and need to continue to build on our character and team chemistry,” pointed out coach Pavlovich as he began reflecting on the work ahead in 2023. “If we do, we have a chance to be just as good if not better than we have in the past. Our summer weight room attendance was the highest it has ever been this summer and our guys realize that working together all summer is the key to our successes.”
For the first time in five seasons McPherson began fall practices looking at replacing more than a dozen starters as they only return seven for 2023, four on offense and three on defense.
Running the ‘spread I’ offense, the Bullpups need to replace both quarterbacks as well as their top three running backs while Joe Nutt and Alex Wheat, both seniors, are the lone two returnees on the offensive line where Nutt is responsible for the center spot and Wheat plays guard. Gunnar Schumacher and Cory Muehler at wide receiver are the only other returning starters for the Bullpups, though Blaise Hoover did catch 29 passes for 367 yards and five scores in a backup role. Hoover also handles the kicking position where he made 40 of 44 extra points and went six of eight on field goal attempts.
Talking about the offense, coach Pavlovich noted, “Offensively our only question going into the fall is our offensive line. We have talented kids that can get it done, but thy have to find a way to gel as a unit. As for quarterback, it is up for competition, most likely between senior Own Fetsch and junior Carter Allen. Both these guys are capable of leading the offense to scoring a bunch of points.”
Losing six of the top seven tacklers from 2022 will be tough for the Bullpups 4-2-5 defense as they return no lineman and just defensive back Jayse Schriner as well as linebackers Javyn Alexander and Teegan Haines. Haines did lead McPherson in 2022 with 112 tackles.
Speaking of his defense, Pavlovich said, “Defensively, we have some big holes to fill though we do have some good young, talented kids that are working hard to fill the voids. We will be undersized up front so we will have to use speed and deception in order to stop opposing offenses.”
The Bullpups open the 2023 season on Friday, September 1 on the road at Great Bend before they return home for back-to-back home games against Augusta and Junction City. One highlight of the season will be the Bullpups matchup with rival Buhler is scheduled to be played at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita.
Finishing his reflections on the upcoming season, Pavlovich concluded by briefly adding, “We want to reach our potential.”
2023 McPHERSON BULLPUP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 1 = at Great Bend
Friday, September 8 = Host Augusta
Friday, September 15 = Host Junction City
Friday, September 22 = at Circle
Friday, September 29 = Host Winfield
Friday, October 6 = Host Wellington
Friday, October 13 = at Mulvane
Friday, October 22 = Host Buhler – game to be played at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita
Friday, October 29 = Bracket Game, TBA
Friday, November 3 = Class 4A Regionals, TBA
Friday, November 10 = Class 4A Sectionals, TBA
Friday, November 17 = Class 4A Sub-State, TBA
Saturday, November 25 = Class 4A State Championship in Topeka
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(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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