Mark Rountree

EASTON – It is impossible to ignore the positivity around the Pleasant Ridge High School football program as it enters the 2025 season. Coach Spencer Foster’s team is not running from the difficulties of last year’s winless season.

BASEHOR – The Basehor-Linwood High School football team enters the 2025 season brimming with experience and hungry to take the next step.With 22 seniors on the roster and coming off a successful 8-2 campaign that ended in the 5A regionals, the most experienced Bobcats know this season is their final chance to take that leap.“It’s good that they’ve got that fire and they’re doing a good job of leading others, which is huge,” veteran coach Rod Stallbaumer said. “It’s been a very well-rounded and deep senior class.

TONGANOXIE - Two consecutive appearances in the sub-state finals have not caused the Tonganoxie High School football program to lighten up its preparation for the upcoming season. On the contrary, coach Preston Troyer has maintained his workmanlike approach for the Chieftains.

By the time you read this, the five area high school football teams will be less than one week away from playing in games that count.It is a thrilling time for all high school sports fans, as the beginning of football season also marks the reintroduction of our tightly knit communities rallying around our young student-athletes. Yes, football season also means tailgating season has begun.While I am thinking specifically about Lansing’s highly organized tailgate road, I am also aware that each of the other schools has its own Friday night traditions throughout the season.