Wildcat football to feature several new faces for 2025 season

Louisburg senior Johnny Hendrickson (54) is one of four returning starters from last season’s 7-2 team.

For the last three seasons, the Louisburg football team has had a steady stream of experience run through the program that culminated with a 24-member senior class a year ago.

With so much departure from last season, the Wildcats knew they would see many new faces on the varsity roster in 2025. Louisburg has just seven seniors on the roster and several players will be making their varsity debut on Sept. 5 when the Wildcats travel to Tonganoxie for their opener.

Not the ideal setup for any program, but head coach Drew Harding has liked what he has seen from his players when they started work over the summer to now.

“We definitely needed a good summer,” Harding said. “We had lots of opportunities for kids to compete and improve individually as well as a team. I think the kids took advantage of that and now we are in a better position. 

“It has been going well so far. This is a young group overall, but they are taking coaching and we are seeing improvement throughout the roster.”

Louisburg returns four starters from its 7-2 season a year ago that saw the Wildcats lose a close game to Bishop Miege in the first round of the playoffs. One of those starters is senior lineman Johnny Hendrickson.

Hendrickson is a 3-year starter on the Wildcat offensive line and will look to lead a young group up front on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Hendrickson will be joined by senior Michael Foote, while several others are competing for spots. Colin Schleicher, Braxton Koechner, Owen Ebenstein, Murphy Adams, Gaston Schleicher and Hunter Brotherton could all see time this season.

“Johnny will be huge for us on both sides of the lines,” Harding said. “He is a really hard worker and kids look up to him with how he approaches things, not only on the field, but in the weight room as well. He will be the guy that really makes us go this year.”

Along with a new offensive line, comes a new quarterback. Junior Max Amren is the new signal caller for the Wildcats, and according to Harding, he can do a little bit of everything for the offense.

“Max is doing a good job,” Harding said. “He has the ability to throw it as well as run it.  He is a smart kid, which is a good thing as we put a lot on our quarterback’s plate. We are looking forward to getting him out there on Friday nights and seeing what he can do.”

Louisburg senior Blaise Vohs is a returning first team All-Frontier League kicker from a season ago.

Senior Rickey Giles is the team’s other returning starter on offense as he looks to lead a Wildcat receiving core with some new faces as well. Along with Giles, seniors Ayden Spradling, Martin Soto, sophomore John Guetterman and junior Ayden Filkins will all be targets for Amren, along with tight ends Eli Roth and Gavin Manson.

The Wildcats will use a running back by committed approach, at least to start the season as senior Blaise Vohs and juniors Bryce Thompson and Tate McGreer will all get touches in the backfield.

Vohs will also be a weapon in the kicking game as the Wildcat senior returns after earning first team All-Frontier League honors a season ago.

Defensively, several players are competing for spots on the line with Hendrickson that include Foote, Koechner, Roth, Devin Goeman, Gaston and Colin Schleicher and Adams. Thompson, Guetterman and Will Norton will serve as the team’s starting linebackers.

Another returning starter, senior Gage Feldkamp, will lead the Louisburg secondary. Soto, Cole Heinrich, Cole Lanz, Amren, McGreer, Giles, Spradling and Vohs could all see time at corner or safety.

Even with all the new faces, the Wildcats coaches haven’t treated this season differently. They are looking forward to seeing what their players can do under the lights.

“I honestly don’t think the preparation for the season has been that much different,” Harding said. “We have been moving a little slower through some installs, but I think kids have been picking up things well. They have stepped up and realized this is a great opportunity for them to get on the field and show what they can do.”

The Wildcats begin their season on the road at Tonganoxie as they begin a tough grind through the Frontier League.

“The Frontier League is tough and I think it will be especially deep this season,” Harding said. “I hope that we continue to improve each and every week so we can be playing our best football come playoff time. I think this is a group that will go out and compete and we are looking forward to getting started.”