Sports in Kansas Player and Coach of the Year - Selections

It’s been a little over a week since two local teams were crowned state champions and with that player and coach of the year honors have started to roll in.

The latest to release honors was Sports in Kansas and two coaches along with five players earn postseason honors.

Nemaha Central head coach Warren Seitz was named the Coach of the Year for all classes and Class 2A after leading the Thunder to their first state championship in school history with a 19-0 win over Norton in the title game.

Along with Seitz, Centralia head man Larry Glatczak was named the Class 1A coach of the year after guiding the Panthers to a 12-1 season and a state title with an 18-14 win over Smith Center in the title game.

Five players were also named players of the year in their respective classifications beginning in 8-man DII with Axtell senior Quinn Buessing being named the offensive player of the year after combing for over 3,000 all purpose yards with 61 touchdowns.

In Class 1A Centralia senior Kamble Haverkamp was also named the offensive player of the year as he combined for over 2,850 all purpose yards and 41 scores while leading the Panthers to a 1A state title.

The Class 2A defensive player of the year was Nemaha Central senior Bryce Uphaus who was a monster for the Thunder in their 2A title run as he finished the season with 133 tackle, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

In Class 3A Sabetha’s Gabe Garber was named the co-offensive player of the year while Jeff West’s Pene Saili was named the defensive player of the year.

Garber rushed for 788 yards and 37 touchdowns while also throwing for over 1,000 yards and nine more scores.

Saili meanwhile in his junior season compiled 118 tackles, 20 for loss, six sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries while leading the Tigers to an 8-2 season.