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You know a program is rolling along when a "down" year, the team still makes the Kansas Class 5A semifinals.

Such is the case with Mill Valley, as the 2015 and 2016 state champs entered the playoffs with a 4-4 mark, before reaching the doorstep of the Class 5A final. 

The case should be no different for the Jaguars in 2018, as Mill Valley returns 17 starters, including 10 on defense. 

Seniors Christian Roth (78 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks) and James Smith and junior Justin Sanders return on the defensive line, while seniors Sage Sieperda (6-foot-1, 215)and Chase Shryock (6-foot-2, 200) will return at linebacker after combining for 237 total tackles in 2017. 

"We definitely have some some experience up front and a great group to make plays on defense," said head coach Joel Applebee, who enters his ninth season at Mill Valley with a 64-25 overall mark.

The Jaguars will also have a wealth of experience in the secondary, with seniors Ben Hanson (6-foot, 175), Tanner Moore (6-foot-2, 91 tackles), Eli Midyett (69 tackles), Steven Colling, Nick Davie and Ryan Bauer all returning, providing both depth and leadership in the defensive backfield. 

"Overall, we have a lot of experience and a defense that has played together, and knows each other," Applebee stated.

Offensively, the Jags return top playmakers in senior running back Cameron Young (6-foot, 195). Young ran for 836 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2017.

On the outside, wide receiver Logan Talley returns as one of the city's best following a campaign of 1,254 yards on 91 receptions, 11 which were touchdowns. Fellow senior Trevor Wieschhaus (5-foot-11, 190) offers versatility after 212 yards on the ground, 184 by air and four total scores last year. Senior Matt Wittenauer (251 receiving yards, 3 TDs) also brings a lethal threat outside.

Mill Valley will likely break in senior Jordan Preston to the starting lineup at quarterback, after the graduation of Brody Flaming. Sophomore Cooper Marsh could also receive looks.

Up front, senior Alex Kremer (6-foot-1, 250), junior Kyle Kelly and sophomore Ethan Kremer return to anchor the offensive line.

"We have seven starters back and while we lose Flaming, we will have plenty of pieces for our offense to have success," Applebee said.