Meet the Salina Journal's 2021 All-Saline County high school football team
The 2021 high school football season proved to be a successful one for Saline County.
Southeast of Saline made it to the sub-state final in Class 3A, while Salina Central made it to the regional round in a loaded bracket in Class 5A. Ell-Saline also made it to the regional round in Class 1A.
There were many standout athletes in Saline County this year, and it was difficult to pick the 11 best players in the County. After conversations with all five county coaches, the top 11 players were selected for the Salina Journal's 2021 All-Saline County football team.
Deserving players not among the top 11 are in the honorable mention list, which is composed of 28 players.
Ten of the 11 honorees on this year's first team are seniors. Three are repeat picks from the 2020 All-County football team.
Here's the 2021 All-Saline County football team.
More: Here are 30 top returners in high school basketball in Saline County
Kayson Dietz, Salina South
Kayson Dietz made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball during his senior season.
He's making his second All-County team after being selected as an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman as a junior. Dietz was a second-team All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division I pick with 56 tackles, 15 of them for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
"He was awfully good for us his first three years but we really felt he took it to a new level this year and was just flat dominant at times," South coach Sam Sellers said. "He is incredibly strong but where he’s made the most headway as a player is his technique with is hands and feet. He also has a great understanding of blocking schemes and could quickly diagnose how the offense was attacking him.
"The best part about Kayson is he’s a great football player but an even better kid. You’d be hard-pressed to find a friendlier, (more) respectful kid walking our hallways here at South than Kayson."
Luke Gebhardt, Southeast of Saline
Luke Gebhardt had big shoes to fill at quarterback with his brother, Jaxson, who was Southeast of Saline's quarterback the previous three years.
Luke stepped in and helped Southeast to the sub-state final against Andale. Gebhardt threw for 2,389 yards and 31 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also ran for 569 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensively, he had 33 tackles, two for a loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.
For that, he was a first-team selection in the North Central Activities Association at both quarterback and defensive back.
"Luke did a good job of running the offense this year," Southeast coach Mitch Gebhardt said. "He was fortunate to have many good receivers to throw to and Luke did a good job of getting the ball to them. He does a good job on the defensive side of the ball. He always seems to get himself in a good place to make a play.
"Luke works at everything to get better, he has a good understanding of the game and continually wants to learn more. Luke became a leader for us during the summer and continued to lead throughout the season.
Kayden Goddard, Ell-Saline
Kayden Goddard is a piece Ell-Saline has been fortunate to have the previous three years.
In nine games, he recorded 63.5 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, and had three interceptions, including a game-winning interception return against Oakley.
"Kayden has been a starter for us since he was a sophomore," Ell-Saline coach Joe Roche said. "He’s been one of our team leaders and captains for two years. He’s always willing to work and be coached. Tough, physical, and complete team player. We moved him to center and middle linebacker last year to solidify the middle of both sides of the line of scrimmage.
"He has led us in tackles each of the past two seasons. I’ve known Kayden since his second-grade year when I coached his youth baseball team. He’s been a pleasure to work with over the years."
Parker Kavanagh, Salina Central
Parker Kavanagh's name is now etched in the history books at Salina Central.
He's the Mustangs' all-time leading passer after guiding Central to a 7-3 record. Kavanagh threw for 1,694 yards and 18 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also had 601 yards rushing and six scores.
Kavanagh received second-team All-AVCTL-II honors at quarterback.
"Everything we do offensively runs through the decisions and ability of that position to execute effectively," Central coach Mark Sandbo said. "Having Parker at quarterback is like having another coach on the field for us. We put a lot on his plate with what we expect from him within our run and pass game reads, his decisions and ability to execute made our offense right a lot."
More: Parker Kavanagh holds multiple records with Salina Central football. He's not finished yet.
Jaxon Kolzow, Salina Central
Despite missing one game recovering from an injury, Jaxon Kolzow is on the All-County team for a second consecutive year.
He recorded 49 tackles, four for a loss and four interceptions. Kolzow was named a first-team All-AVCTL II pick at defensive back.
"Jaxon absolutely played the game in the right manner," Sandbo said. "He is tough, fast, physical, and played the game with a level of emotion that no question raised the play and energy of everyone around him. He was a terrific leader for us both on and off the field. His teammates felt the same way and voted him a team captain both his junior and senior year.
"I think that speaks volumes to the type of player, teammate, and program leader he is viewed as. We were fortunate to have an eraser like Jaxon on the backend of our defense."
Shae LeFort, Salina South
Shae LeFort was the Cougars' anchor on their offensive line.
He was a second-team All-AVCTL-I pick at offensive line.
"He is super athletic for his size so he was very good at setting the edge for us and blocking in space at the second and third levels," Sellers said. "His biggest strength was his IQ. He was a ton of fun to coach because we could make in-game tweaks to schemes with him and he could execute them without a problem. Due to injury and illnesses, there were a few games where he had to play some d-line for us for spells, and because of his talent level and IQ, he made an impact for us there as well despite not having a ton of reps at it in practice."
Logan Losey, Salina Central
Logan Losey could make a play at any given time, whether if it was on offense or special teams.
He had 648 yards and nine touchdowns and also had a punt return for a touchdown.
Losey was named a first-team All-AVCTL-II pick at wide receiver.
"Logan was as sure-handed as they got for us," Sandbo said. "He is a great route runner whose athleticism and strength allowed him to play much bigger than what he was listed as in our program roster. Logan seemed to make a big play or catch for us every Friday night and I would argue a couple should have been on the SC Top 10 list. They were incredible catches and something we weren’t surprised about because that’s just what he did.
"He just made plays against some of the best competition in the state."
Angel Luna, Salina Central
Angel Luna was Central's most experienced offensive lineman heading into the season.
He showed that by earning first-team All-AVCTL-II honors. He allowed no sacks to only two pressures.
"Angel was absolutely our anchor on the offensive line," Sandbo said. "I always felt like it was a good call when we were running behind him and I never worried about him within our pass game. Out of 157 pass sets, he didn’t give up a sack once. Salina Central has had some terrific offensive linemen and Angel belongs in that discussion, he is that type of football player."
Jasper McDowell, Southeast of Saline
After missing his junior season with a back injury, Jasper McDowell made an impact during his senior season for Southeast.
He makes his first All-County team after being a first-team All-NCAA pick at defensive line with 51 tackles, 12 for a loss, and three sacks.
"He made the best of the season by having an outstanding senior year on the defensive side of the ball," Gebhardt said. "Jasper was a force in every game and made play after play for us. Jasper was motivated to be the best he could be every Friday night and worked hard in practice to improve every day."
Chase Poague, Southeast of Saline
Chase Poague showed why he was a key component to Southeast's success.
On the Trojans' first play in four different games, Poague reached the end zone. He had 845 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns while adding 254 yards rushing and five scores. Poague also had two punt returns and one kickoff return for touchdowns.
Poague was named a first-team All-NCAA pick at wide receiver.
Defensively, Poague had 28 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery returned for a score and forced two fumbles.
Poague was named a second-team All-NCAA selection at defensive back.
"Chase’s stats speak for themselves, but his work ethic this year was even better," Gebhardt said. "He practiced as hard as he played in games and that really paid off for him. Chase was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He scored on both offense, defense and special teams.
"Chase had a special season, and it was fun to watch him go to work with the ball in his hands."
Matthew Rodriguez, Southeast of Saline
Matthew Rodriguez was a huge part of Southeast's defense.
He recorded 90 tackles, 24 for a loss, six sacks, two interceptions, five fumble recoveries and forced three fumbles. Rodriguez was named a first-team All-NCAA at linebacker.
Rodriguez also had 666 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, plus 85 yards receiving and a score. He was a first-team All-NCAA pick at running back.
"Matthew is a great defensive player. He has started for three years and has recorded over 270 tackles," Gebhardt said. "He has been our defensive leader for the last two years. He really stepped up on the offensive side of the ball this year. He is a very good runner and blocker."
"Matthew's leadership will be greatly missed."
Mitch Gebhardt, Southeast of Saline
"Plan A" was a motto at Southeast for the 2021 season.
And Mitch Gebhardt was pleased with how his Southeast of Saline Trojans came ready to practice and play on a weekly basis.
The Trojans made it to the final four in Class 3A for the first time since 2005 but fell to 3A state champion Andale, 37-16.
Gebhardt is the Salina Journal's All-County Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year.
"It was a great group to coach," Gebhardt said of his 2021 team. "Chance Ptacek, Trenton Douglas, Kent Jacobson and Todd Baird are great to work with. They make being the head coach at Southeast of Saline enjoyable and they work their tails off to make every player better every day.
"It is good to be the head coach at such a great school like Southeast of Saline. The players, parents and fans make it a very rewarding experience. The run we are having is a fun one. It takes a lot of people to make it all work and everyone has to be on the same page. When that happens it is good for everyone."
2021 ALL-COUNTY FOOTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Name, School; HT.; WT.; YR.; POS.
Kayson Dietz, Salina South; 6-0; 292; Sr.; TE-DL
Kayden Goddard, Ell-Saline; 6-2; 220; Sr.; C-LB
Luke Gebhardt, Southeast; 6-0; 176; Jr.; QB-DB
Parker Kavanagh, Salina Central; 6-2; 190; QB
Jaxon Kolzow, Salina Central; 5-11; 168; Sr.; WR-DB
Shae LeFort, Salina South; 6-3; 291; Sr.; OL-DL
Angel Luna, Salina Central; 6-2; 266; Sr.; OL
Logan Losey, Salina Central; 5-9; 170; Sr.; WR
Jasper McDowell, Southeast; 6-4; 320; Sr.; DL
Chase Poague, Southeast; 6-0; 175; Sr.; WR-DB
Matthew Rodriguez, Southeast; 5-10; 195; Sr.; LB-RB
Coach of the Year: Mitch Gebhardt, Southeast of Saline
Honorable Mention
Weston Fries, South; Te'Jon McDaniel, South; Jarrett Pittenger, South; Luke Simpson, South; Garrett Aills, South; Trey Berland, South; Jose Felguerez, South; Kayson Graham, Central; Kenyon McMillan, Central; Micah Moore, Central; Hayden Vidricksen, Central; Brooks Richardson, Central; Calvin Hemmer, Central; Brayden McKnight, Central; Nick Clayton, Central; Sabian Mills, Central; Mason Gary, Central; Landen Allen, Southeast; Jake Gebhardt, Southeast; Braxton Blake, Southeast; Dawson Adams, Southeast; Dalton Bunch, Southeast; Michael Murray, Southeast; Taegan Bradley, Ell-Saline; Kade Wilson, Ell-Saline; Jonathan Calzada-Villa, Ell-Saline; Evan Bogart, Sacred Heart; Adrian Panuco, Sacred Heart; Cameron Yohe, Sacred Heart.
Dylan Sherwood has been a sports reporter for the Salina Journal since August 2019. He can be reached at dsherwood@salina.com or on Twitter @DSherwoodSJ
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: The Salina Journal's 2021 All-Saline County high school football team
