SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
Moundridge Wildcats
With back-to-back district titles, a strong senior class, and a near-perfect 2024 regular season behind them, the Moundridge Wildcats enter the 2025 football campaign determined to continue their climb in Class 1A.
“We will look to continue to develop as a team in our new classification,” said head coach Tyler O’Connor, who is 16-2 entering his third season at the helm. “We will have a large group of seniors in which we will rely heavily on.”
Moundridge finished 7-1 last fall, falling in the first round of the playoffs to Trinity Catholic. But with numerous returning starters and one of the most dynamic athletes in the classification, expectations remain high.
Senior wideout and return specialist Kaizer Kanitz headlines the returning group. The 6-foot, 170-pound senior racked up 47 receptions for 718 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding three interceptions on defense and two punt return scores. He earned first-team All-League honors at wide receiver, defensive back, and returner, and was also named 1st Team All-1A WR by the Wichita Eagle and 1st Team All-1A Athlete by Sports in Kansas.
The Wildcats will operate their option offense behind a large, physical line led by returning starters Layton Schmidt (LT), Logan Wulf (NG/OG), and Thomas Jenkins (LG/DE), who tallied 33 tackles and three tackles for loss last season. Cyrus Blough, one of the top specialists in 1A, also returns after earning All-League and All-State honors as both a kicker and punter.
Senior Paul Grill, who rushed for 328 yards and five touchdowns and added 52 tackles at linebacker, gives Moundridge a hard-nosed, two-way playmaker in the backfield. Other key returning contributors include Logan Greenwalt (RB/FS), Brayden Elmore (CB), and Fynn Burge (WR/CB), who missed time last season due to injury but is expected to be a difference-maker.
“We will need a strong group of leaders to lead us to improve week in and week out,” O’Connor said. “New leaders will need to emerge in key roles and some players will be asked to play new positions.”
Among the new names expected to contribute are Owen Colwell (QB/LB), Josh Koehn (LB/ATH), Tione Wilson (LB/RB), and Mav Logue (TE/LB).
Defensively, Moundridge will again run its aggressive 3-4 scheme, anchored by a linebacker group that will be a blend of veteran presence and new energy.
The Wildcats’ 2025 schedule again features key district showdowns with Remington, Marion, Sedgwick, and Inman, as well as HOA matchups with Bennington and Sterling.
“Our strength lies in our senior class and the experience we return,” O’Connor said. “But we’ll need new leaders and strong execution from those stepping into bigger roles.”
With skill, speed, and a proven winning culture, Moundridge enters the season as a legitimate threat in Class 1A, and determined to make a deeper playoff push.
2025 Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Bennington
Sept. 12 vs. Sterling
Sept. 19 at Medicine Lodge
Sept. 26 at Herington
Oct. 3 at Remington
Oct. 10 vs. Marion
Oct. 17 at Sedgwick
Oct. 24 vs. Inman