By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
BELOIT, Kan. — Central Christian School football coach Matt Barnett will get the opportunity to coach two of his longtime players one final time Saturday during the Kansas Eight-Man Football Association all-star game at Trojan Stadium.
Barnett will serve as the head coach of the Division II West team, which includes former Central Christian standouts Piercen Huff and Konnor Sullivan.
The Division I all-star game is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Division II matchup between the East and West teams at 1:30 p.m. The annual event is celebrating its 41st year.
Players arrived in Beloit on Tuesday and spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practicing and preparing for the games. The Friday schedule concludes with a Friday Night Lights event at 8 p.m. at the Fort Hays Tech North Central gym, where players and their families can watch a highlight video from the week.
Huff said the week has given him an opportunity to build relationships with talented players from across the state.
“It’s been pretty fun just getting to meet a bunch of new people and a bunch of really talented football players,” Huff said. “They’re super cool guys. Getting to know them and experiencing this together with my teammate has been a lot of fun.”
Sullivan said the all-star format has made the practices and other activities especially enjoyable.
“It’s a pretty cool experience getting to play both with and against other people who are the best at their own schools,” Sullivan said. “It gives you a chance to really just play the game at the best that it can be. A lot of camaraderie has been made, and it’s been a good week.”
Barnett served as an assistant coach in the all-star game last summer. His first experience with the event came in 2022 when his son (Tommy) was selected to play.
“Getting to do the head job, trying to be the one in charge, it’s always a big task,” Barnett said. “But we’ve got a lot of good kids, and it’s been a lot of fun. We’re excited to play tomorrow.”
Barnett helped select the Division II West roster from a pool of nominated players. One of his biggest challenges this week has been installing an offense and defense while finding the best roles for a roster filled with versatile athletes.
“There are a lot more options because the talent level is so high,” Barnett said. “We’ve got several guys who can play quarterback. We’ve got several guys who can play lots of different positions. That’s the good news. We’re a lot deeper.”
Huff and Sullivan helped lead Central Christian to a 10-1 record during the 2025 season. The Cougars reached the Eight-Man Division II state quarterfinals before falling to Victoria, 36-22.
Saturday’s game will give the pair one final opportunity to represent Central Christian on the football field.
“It’s going to mean a lot,” Huff said. “Just to be able to represent all the teachers, fellow classmates and fellow students who’ve helped us get here, and coaches. I hope that we’ll play with integrity and keep our heads so that we can represent them well.”
Sullivan said he understands that the way he and Huff carry themselves will reflect on their school.
“It’s how we act and how we glorify God and act on behalf of our school,” Sullivan said. “Our school’s name is on us, and what they think of our school is how we act and how we exemplify Christ in our actions.”
Barnett said coaching Huff and Sullivan again has made the week even more meaningful.
“It’s been an honor to coach them for the last four years, and to be able to do it one more time is kind of cool,” Barnett said. “I even coached them in middle school basketball, so I’ve known them for a long time. They’re great kids. It’s going to be fun to see them perform one more time.”
Huff said taking the field with Barnett again will bring back memories from throughout his high school career.
“I’m super excited,” Huff said. “He’s a great guy. I love playing for him. It’ll be amazing to play one last game with him leading us. I’m sure it’ll bring back a lot of memories and nostalgia from the last four years.”
Sullivan also described the final game as a meaningful conclusion to his time playing for Barnett.
“He’s been a great coach to play for the last four years,” Sullivan said. “He’s great with all the players. He’s a great coach, and he glorifies God in everything he does. It’ll be a bittersweet moment, the last time on the field with him.”
The Division II West roster also includes Fairfield standouts Brodie Snodgrass and Chase Combs. Fairfield coach Kyle Finder is serving as one of Barnett’s assistants.
Barnett said working with Finder has been a welcome change after spending previous seasons preparing to face his teams.
“I’m normally used to going against him, trying to figure out how to stop his running attack and all that,” Barnett said. “Coach Finder, man, he just really gets the kids fired up, and it’s a lot of fun to have him out there.”
The West roster also features players from Victoria, the team that ended Central Christian’s season in the state quarterfinals. Huff said the week has helped turn former rivals into teammates.
“I was a little skeptical, especially with the Victoria guys,” Huff said. “But I’m rooming with one of them from Victoria, and he’s just a great guy. They’re all highly competitive, hilarious people. They’re a lot of fun to hang around.”
Sullivan said the same competitive edge that made the Victoria players difficult opponents has also made them valuable teammates.
“On the football field, they give it their all, and I respect that,” Sullivan said. “But then when you spend time with them outside of it and hang out with them, they’re great guys. It’s been a joy to get to know them on and off the field better.”
Huff said getting to know players from opposing teams has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“There are players that we played against, and I would have thought one thing about them from just playing football with them,” Huff said. “But actually getting to know them and seeing them for who they really are, everyone on our team is just great. Getting to know these guys that I’ve heard about or played against has been really cool.”
The Division II West team will look to rebound after being shut out by the East in last summer’s game. Sullivan said his main objective is simple.
“I just want to win,” Sullivan said. “Go out and leave it all on the field. Give it everything you’ve got one last time and definitely give it your best to win it.”
Barnett said the West will need to sustain drives offensively and play well against a talented opponent.
“It’s going to be another tall task,” Barnett said. “But we’ve got the talent to do it, for sure. I’m excited for the challenge. I think the guys are excited for the challenge and ready to get out there and use their pads again.”