>> Mill Valley schedule <<

Every November, Kansas football fans can count on two regular events – Thanksgiving and a Mill Valley state title.

Then again, depends who your relatives are.

The Jaguars have won the Kansas Class 5A state title five straight seasons, and seven of the last nine since 2015. And even though Mill Valley returns just four offensive starters, the Jags will be ready for another postseason run in 2024.

“Our kids have learned from the group ahead of them, and are ready to take the next step as the next man up,” stated Joel Applebee, the Kansas Class 5A coach of the year in 2023. “That all comes from our coaching staff and the leadership of each class showing the way for the next group behind them.”

Mill Valley, 11-2 in 2023, does return seven starters on defense, including 810 Varsity all-metro first-team selection Jayden Woods. Woods, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior, recently committed to Penn State and will cause havoc on the edge at either defensive end or linebacker after notching 71 tackles, 10 for loss, and seven sacks in 2023.

“Woods is another one of the special players we’ve had at Mill Valley,” Applebee touted. “He’s meant a lot to the program and will continue to lead us on defense and set the tone for younger Jaguars to emulate.”

Lining up with Woods on defense will be fellow senior defensive lineman Abe Shaffer (6-foot-5, 260), who registered 30 tackles, five for loss, in 2023. Also in the defensive trenches will be juniors Hayden Heller, who racked up 46 tackles, seven for loss, and two sacks; Jackson Lucht and MJ Wash. Also joining the fray will be senior El-Roi Hasabu (5-foot-10, 185)and junior Acy VanRheen (6-2foot-2, 210).

At linebacker, senior Garret Clark (6-0, 205) tallied 70 tackles, two sacks and an interception a year ago.

In the secondary, seniors Braden Peter (6-0, 180) logged 45 tackles, and Clayton Sondgeroth (5-foot-9, 170) added 24 tackles and two picks. Senior Kye Jegen (6-0, 175) and junior Garret Cox (5-foot-11, 165) will help comprise the unit.

“We have a good mix of returners on defense, and some kids who will be ready to get in there and make plays,” Applebee said.
 

Across the line of scrimmage, senior Connor Bohon (6-foot-4, 200) will take the helm at quarterback, but did notch 816 total yards with 14 touchdowns a year ago. Junior Reggie Reece (6-foot-2, 200) will garner carries as the primary back, after scooting for 185 yards and five scores as a soph.

Among the targets for Bohon will be senior wideouts Andy Watts, Graeson Scott (6-foot-2, 175), Grayson Moore (6-foot-1, 165) and Desmon Williams, as well as senior Brody Brigham (6-foot-2, 195) at tight end.

Up front, seniors Eric Penner (5-foot-10, 240) and Zach Zaldivar return on the offensive line, while fellow seniors Davis Borchardt (5-foot-10, 235), Alex Buckmaster and C.J. Tilley (6-foot-6, 275) will get their turn in the varsity trenches as starters.

The schedule features defending Class 6A state champion Gardner-Edgerton, traditional power in Olathe North and cross-state power Lee’s Summit North on September 13. Which will help as the Class 5A playoffs will welcome the additions of Blue Valley, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. James Academy and Basehor-Linwood.

“The way Class 5A lines up now, every game in the playoffs will be a tough one,” foresees Applebee. “Our schedule will have us battle-tested come the playoffs.”

>> Mill Valley schedule <<