SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
Hesston Swathers
After opening last season with seven straight wins and posting its best record since 2017, Hesston enters the 2025 football season with high expectations and an experienced core ready to push the Swathers deeper into the Class 3A playoffs.
Head coach Tyson Bauerle, now in his ninth season at Hesston and tenth overall, brings a 58-40 career record, including 48-31 with the Swathers. His team went 8-2 in 2024, falling just short in the regional round with a 9-7 loss to Scott City after a season highlighted by dominant wins over league and district opponents.
“Swather Football enters 2025 with high expectations,” Bauerle said. “2024 was the best start to the season (started 7-0) since 2014 and matches the most wins since 2017. However, Swather Football 2025 plans to end the streak of 3 Regional Championship Round losses in a row and begin a new streak of reaching further into the playoffs.”
Despite graduating 11 seniors, Hesston returns 23 letter winners, including seven offensive starters and six on defense. Leading the charge is junior quarterback Jerick Humphreys, who stepped in last fall due to an injury and threw for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“Jerick led the offense to a highly productive and balanced year in his first season as a starter,” Bauerle said. “The offense rushed for 1,841 yards and passed for 1,687 yards averaging 32.4 points per game.”
Humphreys is supported by a talented backfield of senior Blayne Wilson and junior Tim Rhodes, who both return with experience and complementary skill sets. Fullback Josh Duerksen is also expected to take on a larger role.
“Replacing Karter (Gonzalez) will be tough,” Bauerle said, “but the skill sets of all three returning backs match well with Humphreys’ skill set.”
The offensive line features standout seniors Ethan Coutre and Brody Martin, and juniors Gunner Goalden and Levi Flaming. Bauerle said the competition along the line this summer will determine how the pieces fit to form a cohesive unit.
“Although we return experience up front, we need to get the right combo to be a complete unit,” he said. “We have some depth but the best OL are also the best DL.”
Hesston’s leading receiver, senior Daxon Deering, returns as a home-run threat. Tight end Drew Bartell adds size and blocking strength, while players like Max Phillips, Kason Landes, and Eli Haug offer flexibility and depth.
“Daxon Deering had a breakout season and is a deep threat on every play,” Bauerle said. “We’ll need 3-4 guys to step up to be a threat in our passing game to complement Deering.”
On defense, Hesston returns a formidable front in Coutre and Goalden, who combined for more than 120 tackles, 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
“This returning combo might be the two best DL in the area,” Bauerle said. “Coutre is one of the most explosive players this staff has had. At 6’3, 230 lbs, he was the anchor of one of the fastest 4x100 squads last track season. That is impressive for a returning All-State Defensive Lineman.”
Linebacker Josh Duerksen is the lone returning starter at that position but is expected to be a leader on and off the field. In the secondary, Jamison Kohl, Gavin Larson, and Eli Haug form a seasoned group with multiple years of starting experience.
“The defense showed major improvements last season,” Bauerle said. “With six guys returning overall and many others with experience, this group could continue what was built last year.”
Hesston’s defense allowed two touchdowns or fewer in seven of 10 games, including two shutouts.
On special teams, senior Ethan Schrag returns as placekicker after earning All-League honorable mention. He converted 38 of 42 PATs and may take over punting duties. Deering and Wilson return as the team’s primary returners.
“Depth was a major factor last season,” Bauerle added. “We need some sophomores and juniors to fill some roles on both sides of the ball to help create depth again.”
2025 Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Halstead
Sept. 12 vs. Hoisington
Sept. 19 at Hillsboro
Sept. 26 vs. Nickerson
Oct. 3 at Smoky Valley
Oct. 10 vs. Wichita Trinity Academy
Oct. 17 at Riley County
Oct. 24 at Andale