🏈 High school football preview: Sterling Black Bears

Sterling Black Bears

With a veteran-laden roster and momentum from a strong 2024 campaign, the Sterling Black Bears are poised to make serious noise in Class 1A this fall.

“There is a lot of excitement for the upcoming season,” said head coach Brent Schneider, now in his seventh year at Sterling. “We return a large amount of varsity experience.”

Sterling finished 6-4 last season, including 4-1 in district play, and returns nearly its entire core on both sides of the ball, 27 lettermen and a dozen key starters. Among them is senior workhorse Zane Farney, who rushed for 1,676 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall and led a balanced backfield that also features Wyatt Newberry (717 yards, 7 TDs) and Logan Isaac (298 yards, 2 TDs).

“Zane Farney has improved each year and we feel he is ready for a monster season,” Schneider said. “Wyatt Newberry took a large step last year and he has had an outstanding offseason.”

The offensive line will be anchored by seniors Kevin Ploutz and Cale Thomas, providing size and experience up front. Schneider noted the entire offensive line is made up of upperclassmen, giving the Black Bears a strong foundation for their option-style attack.

Isaac, who completed 19-of-56 passes for 338 yards and 8 touchdowns, is expected to again contribute both through the air and on the ground.

On defense, the Black Bears bring back their top five tacklers, a group that helped fuel Sterling’s aggressive, swarming style in 2024.

Newberry led the team with 110 total tackles, including 75 solo, along with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Junior Deryn Maxwell (88 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries) and junior Tucker Haas (73 tackles, sack, forced fumble) also return as defensive leaders. Farney and Isaac are both two-way standouts, combining for more than 125 tackles last season.

“Defensively, we were thrilled with how we progressed last year with our growth and relentlessness towards the football,” Schneider said.

Other returning contributors include Landon Aguilera, Derek Krone, Cameron Morris, Jacob Lewis, and Lane Weigel, all of whom are expected to factor heavily into Sterling’s depth and rotational packages.

Sterling’s 2025 schedule features early-season matchups with Sedgwick, Moundridge, and Inman, as well as key district contests with Medicine Lodge, Conway Springs, South Sumner, and Hutchinson Trinity.

With a wealth of experience, playmakers on both sides of the ball, and depth across the field, Sterling looks primed to contend in the Heart of America League and make a push into November.

“We are excited to see this group in action,” Schneider said.

2025 Schedule

Sept. 5 vs. Sedgwick
Sept. 12 at Moundridge
Sept. 19 vs. Inman
Sept. 26 at Ellinwood
Oct. 3 vs. Medicine Lodge
Oct. 10 at Conway Springs
Oct. 17 at South Sumner
Oct. 24 vs. Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic