The Cherryvale Chargers are preparing for their Week 1 matchup against Fredonia, with head coach Harry Hester set to face former Cherryvale assistant coach Lucus Lanning, who is now in his first year as head coach of the Yellowjackets.

The matchup will feature two coaches who know each other well, but Hester is preaching to his team that it doesn’t matter who lines up across from them.

Hester says preparation and hard work will determine who has the better chance of coming out on top.

Hester has also emphasized the importance of the little things, particularly for his players up front, as the Chargers look to get off to the right start.

Cherryvale will travel to Fredonia this Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff, with both the Chargers and Yellowjackets looking to start the season 1-and-0.

The Caney Valley Bullpups are coming off a football jamboree Friday night, where head coach Criss Davis and his team got a chance to take on Independence and Field Kindley ahead of their season opener against Eureka this Friday.

Davis and the Bullpups will look to continue their winning ways and make another run at a state championship. Caney Valley will face Eureka for the first time since 2023, when the Bullpups rolled to a 58-16 victory.

Davis says his team had a strong offseason in the weight room and with conditioning, and he says the excitement surrounding the program has carried over into the start of the season.

Playbook retention has also been an area Davis has been pleased with, with coaching continuity helping the Bullpups stay sharp with their assignments and play calls.

Eureka is coming off a 6-and-2 regular season and will try to hand Caney Valley an opening-week loss, something the Bullpups have experienced just twice over the last 10 years.

Caney Valley hosted a football jamboree Friday night, with Field Kindley and Independence also taking part as all three programs made their final preseason preparations before opening the regular season next week.

The jamboree allowed each team to face an opponent other than its own teammates, allowing coaches and players to get a better feel for where they stand heading into Week 1.

The three teams rotated through matchups, with offenses given a set number of plays against opposing defenses regardless of down and distance, with varsity competing on one side of midfield while junior varsity teams took to the opposite half. 

Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis, Field Kindley head coach Mike O'Connor and Independence head coach Kendall Fiscus each had an opportunity to evaluate their teams in live action while knocking off some of the rust ahead of the regular season.

All three teams will open their seasons Friday night at 7. Caney Valley will travel to Eureka, Field Kindley will host Pittsburg, and Independence will travel to Columbus. The Caney Valley game can be heard on KUSN 98.1, with pregame coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m.

In the 42nd edition of the Border Battle between Northern Oklahoma A&M and Coffeyville, the Golden Norsemen used a strong running game and stout pass defense to defeat the Red Ravens 31-14 at Red Robertson Field Saturday night.

NEO struck first after an interception by Coffeyville quarterback John Nicholas deep in Norsemen territory. Running back Nathaniel Stanley capped a lengthy drive with a 14-yard rushing touchdown to give NEO a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Stanley found the end zone again in the second quarter, this time from 19 yards out, to double the Norsemen's advantage.

Coffeyville answered with 7:34 left in the first half when Nicholas connected with sophomore wide receiver Tyler Jackson in the back-left corner of the end zone for the Red Ravens' first touchdown of the season. NEO added a late field goal, taking a 17-7 lead into the break.

The Norsemen extended their advantage in the third quarter when quarterback Jackson Jensen found Todd James for a 17-yard touchdown pass, making it 24-7.

Coffeyville cut the deficit back to 10 when Nicholas again found Jackson for a touchdown, but NEO put the game away late in the fourth quarter as Stanley scored his third rushing touchdown of the night.

Coffeyville falls to 0-1 to begin the season and will return home next Saturday to face defending NJCAA national champion Iowa Western. Kickoff at Veterans Memorial Stadium is set for 11 a.m.

The Coffeyville Community College football team is set to open its 100th season at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday, renewing its longstanding rivalry with the NEO Golden Norsemen in its season opener on the road. 

Head coach Nick Dobler is entering his third season at the helm after joining Coffeyville in 2020 as the defensive coordinator. Dobler was promoted to head coach in November 2023 and owns a 16-and-6 record through his first two seasons.

Dobler is familiar with NEO after spending eight years in the same conference as a defensive coordinator at Kilgore Community College. He says he expects the Norsemen to lean on their ground game while bringing different looks defensively.

After a Friday scrimmage last week to close out another portion of preseason preparations, Coffeyville is ready to get the season underway. Dobler says he's confident in his players and looking forward to seeing who steps up when the lights come on.

A win would put the Red Ravens on solid footing heading into Week 2, when they return home to face reigning NJCAA Division I champion Iowa Western.

The game will be aired on KUSN 98.1 with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Sedan Blue Devils are wrapping up their third week of practice as they prepare for another eight-man football season, with head coach Mick Holt entering his 17th year at the school.

Holt owns a 90-and-57 record through his first 16 seasons with Sedan and has guided the Blue Devils to three undefeated regular seasons since taking over in 2010, most recently in 2021.

Sedan will enter this season with some changes in the backfield, as Holt says the Blue Devils are looking to create dual threats in the run game by shuffling the quarterback and running back positions to better fit their personnel.

Holt says Sedan has talent at multiple skill positions, but he also emphasized the importance of the offensive line, pointing to players who have shown grit and versatility in pass protection.

With gameday now just a week away for Sedan and programs across Kansas, the Blue Devils are putting the finishing touches on their preparation before Friday Night Lights officially returns.

The Erie Red Devils are entering a new chapter this season, with head coach David Pitts beginning his third year and leading the program into its first season of eight-man football.

A drop in enrollment forced Erie to adjust to a roster three players smaller than in previous seasons, but the change hasn't dampened the team's enthusiasm, with the new format bringing excitement heading into a season filled with unknowns.

One thing that isn't unknown is who Erie will lean on in the backfield, as Pitts says his primary running back will be an important piece while several younger players look to make an impact.
 

Pitts also says a newcomer on defense could provide some added strength on the other side of the ball as the Red Devils adjust to the eight-man game.
 

With a new format, new strategies and new schemes in place, Erie is preparing to write a new story as the Red Devils begin their first-ever eight-man football season.

The Coffeyville Community College volleyball team picked up a win in its home opener Wednesday, defeating Seminole State College in five sets at Nellis Hall.

The Red Ravens have now played three five-set matches this season, winning each one. Coffeyville closed out Wednesday's match by taking the deciding set 15-13.

The victory continues a strong start for Coffeyville under first-year head coach Blair Wyrick. After opening last season 1-and-4, the Red Ravens have shown an ability to make plays in the closing stages of tight matches.
 

Coffeyville will look to extend its winning streak to three matches tomorrow when the Red Ravens host Dallas College Mountain View in Nellis Hall. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The West Elk Patriots are in the middle of their third week of practice for eight-man football, as head coach Ian Denton and his team continue preparing for the start of the season.

West Elk finished 2-and-6 during the regular season in 2025, but the Patriots closed the year on a positive note with a 36-26 road win over Central Burden.

Denton says West Elk will return several key pieces on offense this season, including what could be a potent quarterback-to-tight end connection, along with experience at running back.

The Patriots are eager to get the season underway, and Denton says the hard work from his players and the support they've received from the community have both stood out during the preseason.

Patriot Nation will have plenty to look forward to early in the season, with West Elk opening the year with two straight home games as the Patriots look to bounce back from last year's record.

The Parsons Vikings continue preparing for their first game of the season, now less than 10 days away, with head coach Jeff Schibi back on the sidelines for another season in southeast Kansas.

Parsons is just two years removed from a 7-and-1 regular season that ended with a deep postseason run, and the Vikings will look to get back to that level and extend their season into November once again.

Despite the ups and downs of the past two seasons, Schibi says the program is heading in the right direction, with consistency playing an important role in finding success.
 

Schibi says he's looking forward to seeing what his players can bring on both sides of the ball, particularly with several athletes returning from injuries.

In addition, Schibi says two juniors who missed last season will also look to make an impact on defense as Parsons continues working toward the start of the season.

Health will be important for the Vikings and teams across Kansas, with the majority of the state's high school football seasons set to begin next Friday.

The Coffeyville Community College men's soccer team remains unbeaten early in the season after playing to a 2-2 draw with Rose State College on Wednesday.

The Red Ravens traveled to Rose State looking to move to 3-and-0, but the Raiders twice answered after Coffeyville took the lead.

Coffeyville struck first within the opening 16 minutes, but Rose State responded just four minutes later to send the match into halftime tied at 1-1.

The Red Ravens regained the lead in the 72nd minute, but the Raiders found the equalizer in the 85th to ultimately split the points.

Coffeyville moves to 2-0-and-1 on the season and will continue its road trip Sunday at the University of Arkansas Cossatot, with kickoff set for 3 p.m.

Central Park Sports Complex becomes the new home of Independence Community College softball.

Through a partnership with the City of Independence, the Pirates will use the new complex for practices and home games. ICC Athletic Director Melissa Anderson says the move gives fans and families an accessible place to support the Pirates while making the softball program more visible in the community.

City Finance Director Lacey Lies says the partnership supports the city’s goal of making Central Park a community gathering place for recreation and competition. Schedule information will be available at indypirates.com.

Field Kindley High School has named Mike O’Connor as the interim head coach of the Golden Tornado football team.

O’Connor has spent the past several years on the sidelines for the Nado as an assistant coach and currently serves as the City of Coffeyville’s fire chief.
 

According to Dr. Craig Correll, former head coach Deonta Wade has been placed on administrative leave. No further information has been provided at this time.

The Independence Bulldogs are into their second week of practice under head coach Kendall Fiscus, looking to start the season with a win for the third time in Fiscus' first four years at the helm. 

A strong start would be welcome for the Bulldogs, who are looking to carry that momentum throughout the season and secure their first winning campaign since 2016.

Fiscus says the Bulldogs will have plenty of experience returning at key positions, including quarterback, running back and along the offensive and defensive lines. 

Fiscus also says one thing that has consistently stood out about his players is their effort, with everyone willing to put in the work regardless of position or class. 
 

Now entering his fourth season at Independence, Fiscus and the Bulldogs will look to turn their early-season success into sustained results throughout the 2026 campaign.

The Labette County Grizzlies and head coach Bradley Argabright continue their preseason preparations as they look to build on a breakthrough 2025 season. 

Argabright took over for longtime head coach Sean Price last year and led the Grizzlies to a deep postseason run, including a 3-and-1 record in one-possession games. 

Argabright says togetherness and hard work have stood out during preseason preparation, two traits that could again prove valuable in close games and during the postseason. 
 

The Grizzlies will also have plenty of experience along the offensive line, with four seniors expected to start up front. Argabright says that experience gives Labette County a strong foundation heading into the season. 
 

Labette County went 6-and-2 during the regular season last year and will look to return to the playoffs while making an even deeper postseason run in 2026.

The Kansas State Wildcats are off to a 4-and-0 start for the second straight season, continuing the momentum from their first winning season in program history in 2025.

K-State finished 7-6-and-5 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play during head coach Colleen Corbin's first year at the helm. 

Corbin arrived in Manhattan after spending the previous season as the associate head coach at Saint Louis, where she helped the Billikens to a 15-2-and-6 record, an Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. 

The Wildcats set 49 school records during Corbin's first season, including marks for total wins, goals and assists, and they're off to another strong start after defeating South Dakota State 2-0 last Sunday. 

K-State will return home this Sunday to host Nebraska at Buser Family Park, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Cherryvale Chargers and head coach Harry Hester are into their second week of practice, with the team already getting a scrimmage under its belt after competing amongst themselves Saturday. 

Hester returned to Cherryvale in 2025 after five years away and has spent more than half of his head coaching career with the Chargers, including a 12-year stint from 2008 through 2019. 

Cherryvale enters this season with just one senior on the roster, something Hester says he has never experienced during his coaching career. Despite the youth, Hester says he likes the chemistry between the younger classes after the Chargers went 5-and-3 during the regular season last year. 

Hester says he wants disciplined and physical football to become the identity of his team, something he saw the Chargers begin to establish late last season. 

With opening night now less than two weeks away, Cherryvale will look to carry that physical, hard-nosed approach from practice into the regular season.

The Caney Valley Bullpups are into their second week of practice, with head coach Criss Davis and his team using 7 p.m. practices to beat the summer heat. 
 

Davis has built a storied career at Caney Valley and has no plans to slow down, with football having been a part of his life since he was young. For Davis, Caney Valley has become home, and he says his players have shown a willingness to fill whatever role the team needs, even if it isn't their preferred position. 

With just two seniors departing from last year's team, the Bullpups have valuable continuity, and Davis says enthusiasm and expectations are high heading into another season.

Caney Valley will host a football jamboree Friday night at 7, with Field Kindley and Independence also taking part as all three teams get an opportunity to evaluate themselves before the start of the regular season.

The Kansas Jayhawks volleyball team is preparing for the start of the regular season after earning a five-set exhibition win over Creighton Saturday at Horesji Arena. 

Four of the five sets were decided by three points or fewer, giving the Jayhawks a competitive test against a quality opponent before the first serve of the campaign.
 

The Jayhawks are entering their second season under head coach Matt Ulmer, who spent eight years with the Oregon Ducks before taking over in Lawrence. Kansas has also spent the entirety of the past three seasons ranked in the national top 25. 

Ulmer says getting back on the court against a quality opponent in a game-like environment was valuable for his team. 

Kansas enters the season ranked 15th in the AVCA preseason poll and will open the regular season against fourth-ranked Pitt. Ulmer says he's looking forward to seeing how the Jayhawks respond to that early test. 
 

The road doesn't get any easier from there, as Kansas will face fifth-ranked Stanford on Sunday, giving the Jayhawks two opportunities for marquee wins during the opening weekend.

Both Coffeyville Community College soccer teams have opened the 2026 season 2-0 after sweeping a pair of Oklahoma opponents. 

The Red Raven men opened the season at home Thursday, August 20, with a 3-1 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M after falling behind 1-0 early before scoring three unanswered goals. The women dominated, shutting out NEO, winning 3-0. 

Coffeyville continued its strong start Monday night on the road, with the men blanking Northern Oklahoma College 3-0 and the women earning a 4-1 victory. 

Through two matches, the Red Ravens have outscored their opponents by a combined 13-2. 

The men will continue their road trip Wednesday at Rose State, with kickoff set for 3 p.m., while the women return to action Sunday at Arkansas Cossatot with a 1 p.m. start.

South Coffeyville head coach Rich Giesen and the Lions are entering their second season together after returning to the playoffs in 2025 for the first time in eight years. 

After several seasons without a postseason appearance, a lot went right for South Coffeyville last year. Now, Giesen and the Lions are looking to build on that success and make the playoffs a regular destination. 

South Coffeyville has already completed three weeks of practice, and Giesen says his players are eager to finally get on the field for their first game. 

Giesen says he sees several strengths heading into the season, including the Lions' running game and their ability to make opposing offenses uncomfortable. 

Giesen enters his 43rd year of coaching this season, bringing plenty of experience to a South Coffeyville program looking to build on last year's turnaround and make another trip to the playoffs.

The Parsons Vikings are looking to get back on track after two straight losing seasons, with seventh-year head coach Jeff Schibi leading the way. 

Parsons sent 3-and-3 through its first six games last season before narrowly missing out on wins in each of its final two regular-season games, falling by an average of just four points. 

Schibi says he's been encouraged by the camaraderie he's seen during practice, with players supporting one another and multiple leaders stepping up within the team. 
 

The offensive and defensive lines are another area where Schibi says there is potential for the Vikings, with the size of his players up front standing out during the early stages of practice. 
 

Schibi is also no stranger to the Parsons program, having played for the Vikings during his own high school career. He says leading the team he once suited up for makes his role as head coach especially meaningful.

The Coffeyville Community College volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a 2-2 record at the Cougar Invitational in Dallas on Friday and Saturday. 
 

The Red Ravens opened the tournament Friday with a 3-0 loss to Dallas College Eastfield before battling back from a two-set deficit to defeat Collin County in five sets. 

Coffeyville returned to the court Saturday and dropped a four-set match to Arlington Baptist before closing the tournament with another five-set victory, this time against Seminole State. 

The Red Ravens alternated sets with Seminole State before winning the deciding fifth set 15-13 to finish the weekend with two wins. 

Coffeyville will face Seminole State again Wednesday, August 26, with the rematch scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Fredonia High School’s football jamboree scheduled for next week is canceled.

The jamboree was scheduled for Friday, August 28^th in Baldwin but because of circumstances involving the Baldwin football field it has been canceled.

Fredonia’s Black and Gold Scrimmage remains scheduled for Thursday, August 27, at home. District officials say they continue to monitor the forecast because of the ongoing high temperatures. Any changes to the scrimmage schedule will be announced.

The Kansas Jayhawks women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday night, falling to No. 19 Ohio State in a top-20 matchup. 

The Jayhawks are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in last year's NCAA Tournament, and third-year head coach Nate Lie is looking to take the program even further in his third season. 

Kansas entered Thursday's match 2-0 and ranked 12th nationally before traveling to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes. 

Ohio State scored a late first-half goal that held up in a shutout victory over Kansas. Lie's teams have gone 19-7-2 on the road over the past three seasons, and he says depth will be an important factor as the season moves forward. 

Kansas will continue its trip through Ohio Sunday, traveling to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes as the Jayhawks look to bounce back.

The Independence Bulldogs are nearing the end of their first full week of practice, with head coach Kendall Fiscus and his team scheduled for another session this Friday at 7. 

Fiscus is entering his fourth season as Independence's head coach after coming to the program from Phillipsburg, bringing plenty of experience to a Bulldogs team still searching for its first winning season under his direction. 

Fiscus says the Bulldogs have solid numbers heading into the season and will have their largest senior class since he took over the program. 

Along with that senior group, Fiscus says Independence has a versatile group of athletes capable of making an impact at multiple positions across the field. 

Size may not be the Bulldogs' biggest advantage, particularly up front, but Fiscus will look to that versatility and experience to help Independence overcome any deficiencies along the line. 

Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis is entering his fourth decade at the helm of the Bullpups, coming off a 2025 season that saw Caney Valley finish 9-2 with just one regular-season loss. 

Davis has consistently produced competitive teams throughout his tenure, with the Bullpups not recording a losing season since 2003. 

One of the biggest takeaways from Caney Valley's first week of practice was the number of athletes ready to compete for playing time. Davis says the Bullpups have plenty of players looking to contribute to an already deep roster. 

Caney Valley also returns a large portion of last year's team, with several players already familiar with Davis' system and expectations. Davis says that experience should benefit the Bullpups as they work toward another successful season. 

With plenty of returning talent, Caney Valley will look to replicate last year's success and make another trip to the playoffs as one of the area's top teams. 

The West Elk Patriots are already into their second week of practice, as head coach Ian Denton and his team continue adjusting to the heat while working toward full pads. 

Denton is entering his second season at the helm after taking over for longtime head coach Chris Haag, who led the Patriots for 25 years before hanging up his whistle following the 2024 season. 

West Elk will have just three seniors on its roster this season, and while the Patriots may not have as much size as they did a year ago, Denton says this year's group makes up for it with athleticism and experience.

The Patriots will be a younger team this season, but Denton is looking forward to seeing what his skill players can bring to the field, and says he believes several are ready to take the next step. 
 

West Elk will complete its second full week of practice Friday as the Patriots look to bounce back from a 2-and-7 season in 2025.

The Kansas Jayhawks are entering their third week of fall practice, with head coach Lance Leipold and his team preparing for their 2026 season opener against Long Island on September 4. 
 

Kansas will once again look to establish a strong ground game, with transfers Dylan Edwards, Yasin Willis and Jalen Dupree joining the backfield this season. 

Leipold says he's encouraged to see the group getting back to full health after injuries impacted the Jayhawks' running backs throughout the 2025 season. 

Edwards, Willis and Dupree arrive at Kansas from Colorado, Syracuse and Kansas State, respectively, giving the Jayhawks a variety of threats in the backfield. Leipold says each player brings something different to the group. 

Edwards and Willis were both named to the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list, putting two Kansas running backs among the players to watch as the college football season approaches.

The Sedan Blue Devils are wrapping up their fourth practice of the season, with head coach Mick Holt and his players turning to morning practices as they work to beat the summer heat. 

Holt brings more than three decades of high school coaching experience to the Blue Devils, with time spent coaching football, softball and basketball. This fall, his focus is on getting Sedan ready for another football season. 

Sedan finished 4-and-5 last year and won three of its final four regular-season games. Holt says his seniors will play an important role as the Blue Devils look to break through after several middle-of-the-pack seasons. 

Sedan has a long tradition of success, and Holt says he can see the hunger within his senior class as the Blue Devils look to avoid another first-round playoff exit. 
 

Sedan will also have a familiar rivalry to look forward to this season when the Blue Devils take on West Elk. Holt and Patriots head coach Ian Denton are both looking forward to the matchup later this fall.

The Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens enter the 2026 season ranked eighth in the NJCAA preseason national poll, with third-year head coach Nick Dobler looking to build on a successful first two seasons. 
 

Dobler is 16-and-6 during his time at Coffeyville, leading the Red Ravens to a share of the KJCCC title in his first season before finishing second in the conference last year. 

Coffeyville has seen some turnover on its coaching staff from year to year, but Dobler says his players have bought into the new faces joining the program. 
 

The Red Ravens will also face a significant test early in the season, with their first home game coming against defending NJCAA Division I champion Iowa Western. The Reivers defeated Hutchinson 28-10 in last year's national championship game, and Dobler says Coffeyville will need to be ready from the opening whistle. 

Before that matchup, Coffeyville will open the season on the road against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College on August 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Labette County head coach Bradley Argabright and the Grizzlies are looking to build on an impressive 2025 season, one that saw the program make its first-ever appearance in the state semifinals. 

Labette County finished 9-and-3 last season and rolled through much of its competition before its postseason run came to an end against Bishop Miege, falling 37-7 in the state semifinals. 

The Grizzlies will lean on their senior class this fall, with 13 fourth-year players returning after 18 seniors suited up for Labette County a season ago. Argabright says that experience will be important as the team works to replace several key contributors. 

Argabright also says his skill players have the ability to continue playing at an elite level in Class 4A, giving the Grizzlies an opportunity to make another deep postseason run. 

Labette County may have lost a significant portion of last year's roster, but returning players and continuity within the program can help the Grizzlies fill those voids.

Head coach Lucas Lanning and the Fredonia Yellowjackets completed their second full day of practice Tuesday afternoon as teams across the area continue preparing for the upcoming high school football season. 
 

Fredonia is looking to put last season behind it after managing just one victory during an eight-game regular season. With the Yellowjackets' first game now roughly two and a half weeks away, Lanning and his team are focused on making the most of the time they have before the season begins. 
 

Lanning says the team's strength will come along the offensive and defensive lines, where Fredonia has a combination of experience and depth. 
 

The Yellowjackets will also enter the 2026 season with a new system on offense, defense and special teams. Lanning says the changes will help the team continue to improve and compete at a higher level. 

Fredonia will wrap up its first week of practice on Friday, with the Yellowjackets taking what they've learned into the weekend as they continue preparing for the start of the season.

The Neodesha Bluestreaks have their first week of practice underway, as head coach Nathan West and his team begin preparations for the upcoming season. 

Neodesha finished 5-and-4 last season after starting the year 4-and-1, but the Bluestreaks stumbled down the stretch, dropping three of their final four games. 

That finish isn't expected to carry over into this season, and Nathan West says Neodesha is returning a deep group of seniors who have been key pieces of the program since their freshman year. 
 

West also says his players can make an impact at the high school level, while creating opportunities to continue their football careers at the next stage. 
 

Neodesha will look to build on its strong start from a year ago, while putting together a more consistent finish throughout the season.

The Erie Red Devils have their first practice of the season in the books, as head coach David Pitts and his team took the field for the first time Monday afternoon, working around the torrid heat. 

Erie had a slow finish to last season, and the Red Devils are looking to get off to a stronger start this year. Coach David Pitts says several underclassmen were forced to step up in recent seasons and are now taking on bigger roles. 

Erie enters the season with a younger core of players, but Pitts says there’s still plenty of energy and excitement surrounding the program, especially as the Red Devils make the move to eight-man football this fall. 

Erie will continue its first week of practice throughout the week, alternating between outdoor and indoor training sessions depending on the temperature.

A new gridiron campaign is just a few weeks away in Cherryvale, and head coach Harry Hester and his Chargers enter the 2026 season looking to improve on last year's 5-4 record. 

Cherryvale closed the 2025 regular season with a three-game winning streak, beating its final three opponents by an average of three touchdowns. However, the Chargers fell to Riverton in their opening playoff game, ending an encouraging season. 

Hester is entering his 14th year at Cherryvale, his 19th as a head coach and his 24th year in coaching. He brings more than two decades of experience to a program seeking its first playoff win since 2013. 

The Chargers return nine starters this season, five on offense and four on defense, while several newcomers will look to make an immediate impact in the trenches on both sides of the ball. With a mix of experience and new faces, Cherryvale will look to take the next step in 2026.

A local high school baseball coach is working to get extra eyes on high school baseball and softball players in the area.

Midwest Diamond Academy Founder Will Owens says asking himself the question of what can I do to help grow the sport led to the creation of the academy. Owens says later this month they're hosting a showcase area high school softball players.

There are 42 softball players from around the area who will be featured in the showcase. The seven colleges that will be in attendance include Coffeyville Community College, Missouri Southern, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Southwestern College, Southwestern Christian University, NEO and Neosho Community College.

Coffeyville Community College is picked to finish second in the KJCCC football standings this season.

The Red Ravens receive 38 points and one first-place vote in the conference’s preseason coaches poll. Five-time defending champion Hutchinson takes the top spot with 48 points and the other six first-place votes.  Coffeyville has gone 16-and-6 overall and 10-and-2 in conference play during Nick Dobler’s first two seasons as head coach. That stretch includes a share of the 2024 conference championship and a second-place finish last season.

Garden City is picked third, followed by Butler, Dodge City, Independence and Highland. All seven conference teams will play at least 10 games this season through scheduling agreements with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference.  The Red Ravens open the season on Saturday, August 29th at 7:00pm in Miami, Oklahoma taking on NEO.