The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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August 10, 2012

Colgan tops CNC football poll

By Ryan Atkinson Globe Sports Writer

PITTSBURG, Kan. — There has long been talk of the parity in the Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee league.

If the coaches’ preseason prognostications are any indicator, that parity is about to get ridiculous.

Less than 20 points separated the top six teams in a poll released Thursday at the 99.1 ESPN The Ticket CNC coaches’ luncheon, and all six received at least three top-3 votes.

If that’s not enough, the No. 6 team in the poll — perennial playoff contender Galena — was one of four teams to receive a first-place vote.

“Everything about this league is quality,” new Frontenac head coach Mark Smith said. “The football, the coaches, the media. It’s quality all around.”

Mark’s dad, Chuck, once again saw his St. Mary’s-Colgan Panthers atop the preseason poll, to the surprise of no one but himself, it seemed.

“We have one starter back on offense but he was hurt all summer and we have zero on defense,” Chuck Smith said. “I’m kind of surprised to see us picked up there.”

Columbus, which is in its first season in the CNC after 100-plus years in the Southeast Kansas league, was picked in a tie for second with Girard. The Titans, who go from one of the smallest schools in the SEK to one of the largest in the CNC, return a solid group of starters from last year’s Class 4A playoff team.

“This has just re-energized all of us,” Columbus coach Dan Grundy said of the move to the CNC. “We want to get the most out of our kids, and this league is full of coaches who are able to do that.”

Colgan received four first-place votes while Girard and Galena had one each. The Riverton Rams, under third-year coach Derrick Rider, received two first-place nods and were just three points behind the Trojans and Titans.

It was a vote of confidence of sorts for the Rams, who had an uncharacteristic playoff-less season in 2011.

“I’m surprised to see us that high,” Rider said. “Last year was a disappointing season for us. I think failure makes you re-evaluate what you do. We’re getting back to the basics and focusing on doing what we can do and controlling what we can control.”

Frontenac came into its own last season and will have a stable of 18 seniors for Mark Smith, who, of course, was a Raider foe during his time at Colgan. The Raiders, Smith said, should boast a roster of at least 60 players.

“That’s a blessing for us,” he said. “We will have a lot of competition for playing time and positions.”

Galena finished two points behind Frontenac in the poll and earned three top-3 votes in addition to its first-place nod. The Bulldogs were back in the 3A playoffs last year and coach Beau Sarwinski said he is pleased with the summer of work his players have turned in.

“I’d say this was probably the best summer we’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “The kids worked hard and got stronger and faster. We’re real pleased with that.”

Southeast, Erie and Baxter Springs rounded out the poll.

Southeast, under second-year coach Clint Rider, could easily surpass those expectations with their load of experience returning. The Lancers kick off the CNC season on Thursday, Aug. 30, at Columbus.

“We lost one senior and he was a non-starter,” Clint Rider said. “We return everyone and these kids are hungry.”





CNC football poll

The CNC football coaches preseason poll, with first-place votes in parentheses and total points, conducted by 99.1 ESPN The Ticket:

1, St. Mary’s-Colgan (4)    58

2, Girard (1)                      48

(tie) Columbus                  48

4, Riverton (2)                  45

5, Frontenac                    41

6, Galena (1)                   39

7, Southeast                   17

8, Erie                             15

9, Baxter Springs            13

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