(Preview is a feature article in the 2016 Pigskin Preview magazine get your free copy at these area businesses - for location list click here) 

After six straight years of having a State Champion (2008-2013) from the 11-Man or 8-Man League the Twin Valley League has gone two years without a State Champion, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of success last year in the League. Five League teams between 11-Man and 8-Man made the playoffs going 9-5 in the postseason. Three of the five teams made deep runs with two State runner-ups (Hanover – 8-Man Division I & Troy – Class 2-1A) and another team that made the Sub-State round (Axtell – 8-Man Division II). The 2016 season sets up to be another competitive year in the TVL as all the 11-Man teams are now in Class 2-1A action, while the 8-Man scene adds two teams this year.

After a season opening loss to Washington County, Troy rolled off 10 consecutive wins last year in their best season in school history and ultimately fell 30-29 to Phillipsburg in the 2-1A State Championship. Derek Jasper’s Trojans scored 42 points per game with nearly 500 yards of offense and a plus 23 turnover ratio. Nearly all the firepower returns with seven starters back on both sides of the field, including about all the skill position playmakers. Filling holes in the trenches is about the only thing keeping Troy from another shot at a TVL and perhaps State title, but the 2-1A East bracket is much tougher in 2016.

The Washington County Tigers were the ones to unseat Centralia atop the TVL 11-man standings last year giving the League a new champion for the first time in 16 years. Matter of fact the Tigers went through the regular season unbeaten and won a playoff game but saw their season come to an end in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. A few key players have graduated but a strong senior class returns to guide the Tigers as they look to challenge in the TVL again and in Class 2-1A as they move down a class.

For the first time in 16 years the Centralia Panthers were unable to win the TVL title and finished just 5-5 on the season, but made the playoffs for the 20th straight year. Once again the Panthers come into the season looking to fill multiple holes with limited experience returning to the fold. Centralia also moves back down to Class 2-1A action after two years at the 3A level and as the Panthers look to return to the top of the TVL and put together a strong season a tough schedule stands in their way with TVL play and games against Sabetha and Nemaha Central.

The record was a setback for the Valley Heights Mustangs from the previous year but the team was competitive despite injuries and low numbers. This year plenty of playmakers return giving Coach Tony Trimble some strong athletes to work with and build upon their experience garnered from last year. The big problems that stand in front the Mustangs this year are much of the same as the previous low numbers and lack of size, but the team looks to make for what they lack in size with quickness and athleticism as they look to execute the triple option.

Doniphan West has a new coach for the second time in three years as Robert Randall comes into the program with a good understanding of the team and players. Nine talented seniors have departed after a 4-5 campaign that fell one-win short of making the playoffs. More than half the D-West starters must be replaced on both sides of the ball and the biggest holes to fill are across the lines of scrimmage.

8-Man

For the second straight year the Hanover Wildcats finished the season 12-1 and 8-Man Division I State runner-ups, while setting several team and individual State records in the process. Graduation claims several key players from last year’s team but perhaps the Wildcats actually come into this season with more known than the previous year as some key players are back. The Wildcats look to continue their reign atop the Twin Valley League and challenge for another State title moving down to Division II this season.

It’s been much of the same the last two years for the Frankfort Wildcats finishing 5-4 for the second straight year, with all four losses to the same teams who all made the playoffs. Just like 2014 Frankfort did end the season strong with three-straight wins and this year Nick Anderson takes over as head coach. Coach Anderson being an alum knows the tradition of Wildcat football and with a solid core back this year looks to install his game plan to help Frankfort pounce on a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

Clifton-Clyde brings back plenty of experience to be excited about coming into the season as they look to make big strides after another rough season. Things will start in the trenches for the Eagles as they will look to their senior leadership upfront to open up things for their rushing attack and also set the tone on defense. A strong senior class as Clifton-Clyde eager to start the season and take flight with new obstacles awaiting them in District play.

One of the new kids on the block to the 8-Man football scene in the Twin Valley League this year will be the Onaga Buffaloes as they transition down from 11-Man football. While the Buffaloes come into the season off of a struggling 1-8 record from last year, they have plenty to be excited about coming into the season. Nine guys on each side of the ball come back with starting experience giving new head coach, Travis Callaway (was an assistant last year) plenty to work with for the Buffaloes to compete in the 8-Man football ranks. A couple of League games plus another to start year and Buffaloes then hit District play in a seven-team 8-Man Division I District.

Back-to-back trips to Sub-State and 10-2 and 9-3 records the last two years Coach Eric Detweiler and the Axtell Eagles have built something strong for football program. This year the Eagles will have plenty of new faces looking to continue to build upon the past two years. Only one-starter returns and limited amount of upperclassmen the Eagles will take flight with players green in experience at the varsity level and how well those players gel together and transition into their roles will dictate, how well the Eagles challenge in the TVL and Districts as they look to retool.

It’s been some tough luck over the past few years for the Linn Bulldogs and last year there was plenty of tough luck for Linn with a young inexperienced team and dealing with a pile of injuries. The Bulldogs look to make those struggles from the past few years pay off this year as seven starters are back on each side of the ball with plenty of upperclassmen leading the way. With a strong core to build upon the lumps taken the past few years the Linn comes into the season looking for their first winning record since 2005.

Blue Valley improved its win total by two wins but still had plenty of struggles last year finishing just 2-7. This year four starters are back on each side of the ball, along with a solid group of upperclassmen and the fact the total numbers are up give set the Rams up under Coach Matt Schreiber for an opportunity to continue to take strides forward. Mixing in the young guys with the upperclassmen and continuing to understand the game situations and schemes will be key to the Rams progress and success. 

The other new kid on the block in the TVL in 8-Man football along with Onaga is the Wetmore Cardinals who are set to compete at the varsity level of 8-Man football for the first time since 1987. The Cardinals field a JV team last year and posted a 2-5 mark gaining some solid experience and learning the schemes of Coach Rick Schnacker. Six starters back give the Cardinals a strong core to build on for the season, but the same obstacles face them as they did last year as JV team: experience, lack of numbers and being a young team.