Charger football to kick off season against Mission Valley

Lauren Schutter | sports editor

Wabaunsee football is kicking off its season tonight with high expectations. 

Seniors Cade Oliver, Brayden Meseke, Caden Yonke, and Aiden Boeckman return a lot of experience to this squad, and plan to propel the team forward. “We are the leaders of the team; most of us have played for four years and know what we’ve got to do to be successful,” Meseke said. “It’s on us to hold the team and ourselves accountable.” 

Statistically speaking, senior Cade Oliver is turning a lot of coaches’ heads. Last season alone he threw for 2,083 yards and 21 touchdowns. In his career thus far, he’s started 28 games. 

Other key returners are sophomore linebacker Tate Deever, junior lineman Maverick Havenstein, junior wide receiver Eli Oliver, and junior wide receiver Logan Clark.

Success is in the minds of the team already. “Everyone needs to do their job every play,” said senior Cade Oliver, “We also need to just stick to our game-plan and play with intensity the entire game. If we can do those things we will be successful.” 

The Chargers played Mission Valley and Council Grove in a jamboree last week, which helped sharpen up for the season. The Charger defense didn’t allow any scores during the scrimmages. “It helps get in live reps before the first game,” head coach Jess Rutledge said. “Helps the team see what they need to work on and their strengths and weaknesses.”

The team will start its season at 7 p.m. tonight against Wabaunsee County rival Mission Valley. 

This is a game head coach Jess Rutledge looks forward to every year, as he is an alumni of Mission Valley. As the man says, “ It’s a great feeling; there’s no better way to start the season than playing your county rival.”