Local Sports

It is not unheard of for a high school soccer player to try out for football. But when the soccer player is a girl, it makes it all the more unique. Ruth Cazier has kicker her way onto the Highland Park football team. Video

The Raiders are coming off a 3-6 season under John Scoggins, but return a nice nucleus of bodies with seven offensive starters and six defensive starters. Skill position returnees are a big plus with quarterback Luke Simmer back under center and fullback Taylor Shaffer. "We have eleven seniors out and each one of us wants to win hard," said Shaffer. Video

The Cobras only have 7 seniors on the squad, and the class experienced a winless season as freshmen, 2 wins as sophomores, and 3 wins last year. The rebuilding phase is still in progress for Head Coach Ed Ramsey who enters his 2nd season at Jackson Heights. Video

There's one thing that's evident if you happen to stop by a Jeff West practice, and that is that the Tigers hit hard. They have six starters back on both sides of the football and coming off their first playoff appearance in 12 years. "Last year was a great year," said senior lineman Cameron Langston. Video

Jeff Co. North missed out on the playoffs a season ago with a (4-5) record. This year the Chargers return all-league starting quarterback Jeff Hale and 11 total starters from last year. JCN opens the season against Pleasant Ridge this Friday. Video

The Holton Wildcats entered the 2009 postseason undefeated before losing in the 4A Playoffs to eventual champion Bishop Miege. This year the Wildcats return with a strong nucleus, but also an intriguing schedule as Holton will meet Topeka High and Hayden. Video

Head Coach Chris Stewart switched the gameplan a bit after just one win a season ago. The Bulldogs moved from the spread offense to a power-I formation. McLouth opens the season on Friday night at rival Oskaloosa. Video

The Kaws are ready to put behind them what was a disappointing finish in 2009. The two-win season came with a young team coming off a runner-up finish at the 4A state tournament in 2008. Mike Paramore has a healthy group returning led by senior running back Trent Robb and quarterback Jeremy Immenschuh. It'll be a tall order switching from the Kaw Valley to the Big 7 League, but these guys aren't about to shy away from any challenges. Video

Head Coach Jason Grider enters his fifth season with the Panthers and will try to improve upon a (4-5) record from 2009. Royal Valley brings back six starters on each side of the ball and will open the season on Friday at Santa Fe Trail. Video

One of the all-time football greats at KU returned to meet with Jayhawk fans on Sunday. Todd Reesing is the leading passer in school history and began a tour promoting his new book: "Rising to New Heights." Video