YOUTH, NUMBERS KEY TO REDSKINS IN 2024
By Staff
LITTLE RIVER – Playing with a noticeably young team in 2023, the Little River football program failed to reach 10 wins for the first time in four seasons as they finished 7-3 after losing to West Elk in the second round of the 8-Man, Division I State Playoffs.
Entering his seventh season has head coach of the Redskin program, Kevin Ayers has a superb mark of 50-10 in Little River while overall his career mark is 210-49. Assisting him in 2024 will be Chad Lafferty, Shane Cordell, and Tyson Konen.
Only two seniors graduated from the 2023 team, but they will be huge to replace as Andrew Smith and Carter Stansbury were a force with Smith totaling 2,246 yards of offense while accounting for 49 of the Redskins 59 touchdowns. Defensively, Stansbury was the team leader with 87 total tackles.
“We will need to replace our top two rushers in Andrew Smith and Carter Stansbury,” pointed out coach Ayer. “Plus, Stansbury was our leading tackler on defense, so we have a pair of huge holes to fill. What we do have coming back is our entire offensive and defensive lines, both of which will be a big plus.”
The 2024 team will still be a somewhat young squad with just four listed as seniors, the same four that will be counted on for senior leadership.
Among those four will be Kyler Bergkamp (5’9”, 160) who is the top retuning rusher with 231 yards and was third best in tackles on defense with 61 while he also pulled down three interceptions from his defensive back position.
Ruxton Birdsong (6’0”, 175) had the second most tackles in 2023 with 71 when playing defense as he also was a key blocker on the offensive line.
Two others back providing senior leadership are offensive center Hayden Eck (5’11”, 165) and offensive/defensive lineman Hunter Sneath (6’2”, 180).
Among the others who are back with playing experience are five juniors in Ty Janette (6’0”, 180, tight end); Chris Norez (5’9”, 160, tight end/nose guard); Kelby Rice (6’0”, 180”, tight end); Laken Wege (6’0”, 260”, nose guard), and Kal El Robinson (5’10”, 155, defensive back).
Sophomore Jaren Garrison (5’10”, 180), a running back and linebacker will get a chance to get more yards on offense and stops on defense after showing glimmers in his opportunities as just a freshman.
While finishing up his pre-season reflections on the 2024 season, coach Ayers added, “Our players have had a great summer and are showing a lot of nice improvements. We will have great numbers which will help provide depth in games and competition at practices. We hope to play a disciplined, physical style of football and will work to put a better team on the field each week.”
Little River football will open the 2024 season on the road at Chase County on Friday, September 6. Here is the remaining schedule for 2024:
Friday, September 13 – host Rural Vista
Friday, September 20 – at Centre
Friday, September 27 – host Goessel
Friday, October 4 – at Canton/Galva
Friday, October 11 – host Ell-Saline
Friday, October 18 – host Central Plains (senior night)
Friday, October 25 – at Solomon
Thursday, October 31 – 8-Man, Division I Bracket game, TBD
Friday, November 8 – 8-Man, Division I Regional game, TBD
Friday, November 15 – 8-Man, Division I Sectional game, TBD
Friday, November 22 – 8-Man, Division I Sub-State game, TBD
Saturday, November 30 – 8-Man, Division I State Championship at Greensburg
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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