TEUTONS LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
By Staff
INMAN – After five consecutive winning seasons plus two straight trips to the Class 1A state championship game, the Inman football program took a step back in 2023 with a final mark of just 3-6.
Lance Sawyer returns for his tenth season as head coach of the Teutons where he has racked up a record of 50-36 while standing 84-85 overall as a head coach. Sawyer will again have experience by his side as Bill Garst has been an assistant for all ten seasons while Greg Froese is entering his seventh season on the sidelines and Brock Blair will be joining the team for his first year.
The Teutons do have experience returning as 12 starters from 2023 hit the practice field for 2024, including five on offense and seven on defense. Included among those returning starters will be five offensive linemen and three out of the four defensive backs, all of whom will be taking on leadership roles.
“After back-to-back State Runner up finishes, we took a step backwards in 2023,” pointed out coach Sawyer. “We are excited to get back at it and have used the offseason to get back to the standards that put us where we were. Our kids decided to dedicate themselves to the weight room and the growth has been outstanding. We are ready to see some results on the football field and we now have higher expectations this season.”
Among the youngsters returning will be sophomore quarterback/defensive back Malachi Brunk. At 6’ 0”, 165, Brunk started five games at quarterback where he threw for 391 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions while running for another 168 yards on 36 carries. On defense, Brunk recorded 31 tackles of which 18 were solo stops and grabbed one interception and a fumble recovery.
As coach Sawyer says, “Malachi (Brunk) had a good freshman season, and he continued to improve as the season progressed. He will be a tremendous athlete on both sides of the ball.”
(Malachi Brunk)
Senior leadership will come from linebacker Sebastian Martinez and defensive back Caleb Bigler.
Sebastian Martinez (5’ 10”, 150) was the starting inside linebacker of the 3-4 defensive scheme in 2023 where he made 68 tackles (21 solo, 47 assisted) to go with a pair of tackles for loss of yardage, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
As coach Sawyer says, “Sebastian (Martinez) continued to improve throughout the 2023 season. He has good vision and football knowledge and will be one of the leaders of our defense.”
Caleb Bigler (6’ 2”, 165) has been a starting safety on defense for three seasons. In 2023 he contributed with 27 tackles (16 solo, 11 assisted).
As coach Sawyer says, “Caleb (Bigler) has great field vision and is extremely intelligent.”
On the offensive and defensive line, the Teutons will be led by seniors and three-year starters, Evan Klamcynski and Eli Gillespie.
Evan Klamcynski (5’ 10”, 205) has been starting at right tackle on offense as well as defensive end since his freshman season.
As coach Sawyer says, “Evan (Klamcynski) is one of our top vocal leaders. He is explosive and a really hard worker in the weight room where he is a member of the 1,000-pound club.”
Eli Gillespie (6’ 2”, 275) has also been a three-year starter at tackle on offense and end on defense. As coach Sawyer says, “Eli (Gillespie) is a strong offensive lineman with great footwork. He has a great nose for the ball on defense and played really well as a run stopper on against power running teams such as Smith Center and Conway Springs.”
Dylan Larson (5’ 8”, 185) is a junior offensive guard who earned All-Heart of America honors last season.
As coach Sawyer says, “Dylan (Larson) is a good athlete who is tough and a great pulling offensive lineman. He will also step up to the role of middle linebacker on defense in 2024.”
Korbyn McClellan (6’ 1”, 160) was a starter at defensive cornerback as just a freshman in 2023.
As coach Sawyer says, “Korbyn (McClellan) has the potential to be one of the best athletes Inman has had. He is extremely fast and will be counted on to be one of our main running backs.”
Cooper Wiens (6’4”, 190) returns for his junior season after starting at both offensive left tackle on offense and defensive lineman in 2023. Wiens recorded 26 tackles (7 solo, 19 assisted) to go with one quarterback sack, and three tackles for a loss of yardage in playing just six games.
As coach Sawyer says, “Cooper (Wiens) is a strong lineman who is extremely long and has a great motor. He plays as hard as any athlete I have had.”
Referencing keys to victories in 2024, coach Sawyer said, “We return several starters, and our strength will be the offensive line and defensive secondary. We will need to open up what we do on offense with Malachi (Brunk) at quarterback. Our depth at wide receiver and tight end is good and we will have more speed than last season. Success in the red zone will be a key as last year the offense could move the ball but then struggled to score. We also need to stay healthy and with an experienced defensive backfield we can get more aggressive with our front seven. We will be young once again, but still experienced.”
The Teutons have a lengthy list of newcomers which the coaching staff is counting on to help build a solid, starting unit and make an immediate impact on the season. These include:
= = Gage Sisson (6’ 0”, 170, sophomore tight end/defensive lineman) ) who will compete for a spot at tight end and on the defensive line. Coach Sawyer says, “Gage (Sisson) might be one of our best team leaders as he is a hard worker and loves the weight room. Gage has completely transformed himself since the first game of his freshman season.”
= = Carsten Seidl (6’ 0”, 180, sophomore offensive lineman/linebacker) who coach Sawyer says, “is considered a great overall leader and will compete for a spot on the field.”
= = Tyler Jerrick (5’ 8”, 155, sophomore wide receiver/defensive back) who had a great track season as a freshman. Coach Sawyer says, “Tyler (Jerrick) is a smart player that is willing to do anything asked of him.”
= = Sam Brensing (6’ 2”, 180, junior wide receiver/defensive back) has put a lot of work into the upcoming season. Coach Sawyer says, “Sam (Brensing) had a good track season in hurdles and will compete for a starting wide receiver spot.”
= = Braxton Malloy (5’ 10”, 160, freshman running back/linebacker) is a quick athlete who runs a 4.8 40-yard dash and will rotate into the backfield this season. Coach Sawyer says, “Braxton (Malloy) has great vision on both sides of the ball and will make an instant impact for us.”
= = Kru Harris (5’ 11”, 155, freshman wide receiver/defensive back) who coach Sawyer says, “will compete for a wide receiver spot and rotate in the defensive backfield. Kru (Harris) has good hands and plenty of speed with great football knowledge.”
= = Jayden Mari (5’ 10”, 165, junior running back/defensive back) who coach Sawyer says, “will rotate in with the group of running backs while also looking to play one of our defensive safeties.”
= = Brayden Stutzman (6’ 1”, 275, junior offensive lineman) who coach Sawyer says, “will have the size to compete for a regular spot on the offensive line.”
= = Kash Schierling (5’ 10”, 195, sophomore offensive/defensive lineman) who coach Sawyer says, “ will compete for a spot on both the offensive and defensive lines after showing a good nose for the ball.”
= = Bo O’Neill (5’ 11”, 175, freshman offensive lineman/linebacker) who coach Sawyers says, “has a good nose for the ball and is extremely strong.”
When asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the 2024 team, Sawyer pointed out, “Our guys have worked hard in the off season to get stronger and faster. We will need to solidify our offensive backfield and linebacking to blend in with our strength along the offensive line and defensive backfield. Finding a true deep threat at wide receiver is also a need as will looking to improve our ability to score and get back to being aggressive on defense where we just can not give up explosive plays.”
Coach Sawyer concluded his pre-season reflections when he added, “In 2023 we had a lot of young guys play and I am excited to see those guys continue to grow. The guy’s love playing and being around each other, plus they will be taking nothing for granted and want to earn everything they get. We have three big games in particular, the season opener when we host Hutchinson Trinity Catholic, week three when Sterling comes to town as one of the better teams in Class 1A, and our first district game at Remington. We will need to get off to a good start if we want to make our way back to the playoffs.”
The Teutons open the 2024 season at home hosting Hutchinson Trinity on Friday, September 6. The remainder of the 2024 schedule is as follows:
Friday, September 13 – at Wichita Trinity Academy
Friday, September 20 – host Sterling
Friday, September 27 – at Remington (district game)
Friday, October 4 – host Marion (district game)
Friday, October 11 – at Sedgwick (district game)
Friday, October 18 – at Bennington
Friday, October 25 – host Moundridge (district game)
Thursday, October 31/Friday, November 1 – Cross District Bracket Game, TBD
Friday, November 8 – Class 1A Regional, TBD
Friday, November 15 – Class 1A Sectional, TBD
Friday, November 22 – Class 1A Sub-State, TBD
Saturday, November 30 – Class 1A State Championship, TBD
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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