The Bobcats of Basehor-Linwood hope to continue to claw their way up the Kansas Class 4A football rankings and put themselves in a position to win a conference championship - and maybe more – in 2021.

Head coach Rod Stallbaumer, entering his eighth year (53-22 at BLHS) looks for his team to finish where they left off, winning six of its last seven.

>> Basehor-Linwood team page, schedule <<

“Last season we started slowly but this group grew together and improved all season, hopefully setting the foundation for 2021,” Stallbaumer stated.

On offense, the Bobcats foundation has a number of the United Kansas League’s top returning talent, which will help lessen the sting of losing their all-conference signal caller, Isaac Stanton, who will look to play football on Saturday’s for the fighting Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan.

“The key to our season will be replacing senior stand-out Isaac Stanton,” Stallbaumer said. ‘He was one of the state leaders in passing yardage and set the school record with 2,663 yards and 32 TD’s.”

Fortunately for Stallbaumer, he will have a quarterback named Brady taking over from under center. The surnames may be different, but shared-first-name quarterbacks, senior Brady Garrison (5-foot-10, 175) and sophomore Brady VanDonge (5-foot-11, 160) each have about 50 days to earn the title of QB1 and a chance to continue the tradition of top signal-callers at Basehor-Linwood.

Whichever Brady earns the nod will inherit a backfield led by returning standout rusher and top UKC playmaker, Zach Sisemore. 

Sisemore (6-0, 185) enters the season as the reigning UKC rushing champion. The senior set school records last season with nearly 1,700 yards on 295 carries (5.7 per carry) and 21 touchdowns. While Sisemore is one of the top running back recruits in the area, he will also display his multitool-like ability when he lines up out wide or in the slot. Last season, Sisemore recorded 25 receptions for 220 yards and two scores. 

Up-and-coming junior running back Jekai Harris (5-foot-11, 180) will look to earn reps to lessen the load for Sisemore and offer important reps for a post-Sisemore future next season.

The Bobcats lost star wideout Jordan Brown to transfer, but have a slew of steady hands waiting to earn their chance to help the team. Senior Sean McGowan (5-foot-7, 140), and juniors Brant Wilson (5-foot-11, 145) and Tyson Ruud (6-foot-4, 170) will be receivers to watch.

Senior tight end Chants Nelson (6-foot-2, 170) returns to his starting position carrying the title of top receiving tight end in the UKC following an impressive 389 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

In the trenches, both sides of the ball return experienced muscle and brawn. 

On the O-line, junior Levi Cooley (6-foot-4, 265) is already prompting college coaches to make plans for a visit to the Cooley family living room, due to his unique combination of size, athleticism and technique.

Seniors Manny Vazques (5-foot-8, 225) and Pete Best (5-foot-10, 215), junior Logan Gall (5-foot-9, 170) and sophomore Sam Lough (6-foot-2, 225) will all work to power the steamroller and give the QB-to-be-named reassuring protection while he gains experience.

On the defensive side of the line, three-year starter Dalton Harris (6-foot-2, 190, 61 tackles) and second year starters Drake Courtney (5-foot-8, 245) and Peyton McGee (6-foot-1, 180) will once again use their stature as an advantage to paw their way into opposing backfields. Senior Jordan Johnson (6-foot, 180) will also play a key role on the D-line.

The defensive clowder for the Bobcats will be led by all-state candidate linebacker Aidan Ingram. One of the top recruits in his position throughout Kansas, Ingram notched 95 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles in his junior campaign. 

Not to be outdone by their fellow linebacker, seniors Sam Hicks (5-foot-11, 190), Caleb Baar (5-foot-11, 200) and Tucker Dixon (6-foot, 185), and junior Gage Greer (5-foot-11, 190) will demand attention from offensive coordinators due to their always-on motors and great football instincts. Hicks recorded 75 tackles last year, earning him UKC Honorable Mention recognition.

The Bobcat secondary is led by a trio of speedy senior returning starters: safety Tommy Lally (6-foot-1, 180), potential two-way player Brady Garrison (QB, DB), and defensive back Denton Gentry (5-foot-10, 165). All three have been steeled thanks to facing top quarterback talent throughout the UKC last season.

As fall camp progresses, Stallbaumer and company will look to use the time to identify and develop both a kicker and punter for special teams action. 

Stallbaumer says last year’s 1-3 start with losses to 5A state semifinalist De Soto - and eventual 4A state champion St. James, ultimately will benefit this year’s team because of the tough challenges they faced.

This year with the number of returning starters and key playmakers at-the-ready for the Bobcats, a run deep into the playoffs figures to be well within reach. Stallbaumer is cautiously optimistic for his team’s chances in 2021.

“This group learned how to compete at the highest-level last season with a difficult schedule and grew a ton,” Stallbaumer said. “We will need to take the next step this season to compete for a state championship.” 

The Bobcats open the 2021 season at Tonganoxie on September 3.

>> Basehor-Linwood team page, schedule <<