WYANDOTTE BEARS
Coach: DOUG BUCKMASTER
9-3
OFFENSE
Moving up in classification can seem like a daunting task, however for coach Doug Buckmaster and the Wyandotte football team, the move is being embraced as a challenge the Bears are willing to accept. “Expectations are high coming off a 9-3 record in 2023.
We lost two starters off last year’s team which was predominantly a sophomore laden team with a few juniors. We are leaving Class A and moving into 2A-II. Our overall schedule will be a slight upgrade, but we feel like we have a chance to compete with everyone on our schedule,” said Buckmaster. Quarterback Hunter White (6-0, 180, Jr.) returns after throwing for 2,216 yards and 23 TDs with 824 yards on the ground and 16 TDs to his credit. White is a weapon, but he does know who to distribute the football. Running back Evan Brown (5-9, 160, Sr.) had 71 carries for 339 yards and three TDs. Mason Brown (6-3, 215, Jr.) caught 44 passes for 744 yards and scored seven times from his tight end spot. Dawson White (5-10, 170, Jr.) contributed 34 receptions for 393 yards and five TDs. Through the air or on the ground, the Bears can move the football. The offensive line looks good with Terry Hembree (5-11, 190, Jr.) who can play tight end or tackle, and Kutter Thompson (5-11, 180, Sr.) at tackle. Garret Morgan has joined the Bears team and could be a nice compliment to the running backs group this season. Expect the Bears to run a no-huddle, spread offense with a fast tempo.
DEFENSE
Ten starters are back on defense for the Bears including Hembree and M. Brown at linebacker. Last season Hembree accounted for 94 tackles while M. Brown made 66 tackles. Hembree has been called a tackling machine and is willing to do whatever the team needs to help ensure the success of the group. Evan Brown and Dawson White round out the linebacker corps for the Bears. Evan Brown recorded 66 tackles of his own, while White contributed 63 tackles. Another OLB to watch is Hagen Lankford (5-8, 150, So.) who flew around the field as a freshman making 47 tackles and playing outstanding football for an underclassman. The 3-3 odd stack defense will give the Bears the ability to play guys with speed, but one area they have turned a lot of attention to is the secondary. H. White will start in the secondary where he made 49 tackles and three INTs last year. Coach Buckmaster said White is a tremendous leader and a great competitor who does not take a play off. The coaching staff includes Randy Heatherly (DC), Chris Gwartney (OL/DL), Terry Sapp (DB/WR), CJ Springsguth (DB/WR), Chayton Ellick (OL/DL), Ty Earp (OL/DL), and Sean Gwartney (DFO).
9-6 – vs. Quapaw
9-13 – at Ketchum
9-20 – vs. Fairland
9-27 – at Colcord
10-4 – vs. Kansas
10-11 – at Chelsea
10-17 – vs. Salina
10-25 – at Commerce
11-1 – vs. Adair
11-8 – at Keys
