If there was any question who the powerhouse of Class 5A is in Kansas, Mill Valley laid that dispute to rest last year.

The Jaguars notched their second repeat as state champions with a 10-2 season and averaging 45 points in semifinal and title game wins over St. Thomas Aquinas and Wichita Northwest, respectively. Coupled with back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and Joel Applebee has won four of the last six Class 5A titles at Mill Valley.

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But that was then, and this is now. Mill Valley returns just two starters on offense, and two on defense. Yet, as history has shown, its more a reload than a rebuild for Applebee.

Offensively, replacing Cooper Marsh at quarterback won’t be an easy task. Marsh threw for 1,607 yards and 16 TDs with 551 rushing yards and 13 TDs in just nine games. Junior Hayden Jay brings back experience with 285 passing yards and two TDs with 153 rushing yards and five TDs in action in 2020. Sophomore Davion Harris also may see time at playcaller.

On the outside, Mill Valley does return senior tight ends Kendrick Jones (32 receptions, 548 yards, 5 TDs) and Jared Napoli (198 yards, 2 TDs). Also catching passes will be senior Sean Allerheiligen, and fellow senior receivers Blake Boatwright and Aidan Jacobs. Junior Amarian Graves will be in the mix at running back.

Up front, the Jags will feature a new offensive line with senior Ryan Fulcer, senior August Steinle and junior Lance Lee, as well as sophomore Blake Neis.

Defensively, Mill Valley does return a pair of senior defensive linemen in Cody Moore (34 tackles, 7 for loss, 6.5 sacks) and Aidan Shaffer (3.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks). Junior Grant Rutkowski  also will line up in the trenches.

Neis, senior Payton Douglas and junior Broc Worcester will patrol at linebacker, while seniors Jason Smith and Kris Twigg will help lead the secondary.

Even with just four returning starters, Mill Valley returns 53 lettermen across both sides the ball.

“We lose a lot of starting experience, but we return a lot who saw experience and learned what it takes to step in and continue the Jaguar tradition,” said Applebee, who’s 91-34 overall in his 12th season at Mill Valley.