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Panthers are top pick in tight CNC gridiron coaches survey

PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The St. Mary's-Colgan Panthers claimed the No. 1 spot in a very tight Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League preseason coaches poll announced during the High School Football Media Luncheon at the Watco Companies Conference Room Thursday (Aug. 9).

The luncheon was sponsored by The Ticket -- 99.1 ESPN Radio and the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A total of 19 points separated the top team with the No. 6 team in the poll, and nine points came between rankings two through six.

Under veteran head coach Chuck Smith, entering his 33rd season at SMC, the Panthers will need to rely on last season's depth to to step up and take leadership roles. St. Mary's-Colgan has just one starter back from last season, but still topped the poll with 58 points and five first-place votes (coaches could not vote for their own school).

The Panthers also move to Class 3A for the first time in 2012.

Girard tied with league newcomer Columbus for second in the survey, with each school getting 48 points. The GHS Trojans of Leon Miller, in his fifth season at the helm, a lot of experience expected back with eight starters returning on each side of the ball.

The Columbus Titans make their CNC League debut after decades of membership in the Southeast Kansas League. Dan Grundy's squad will begin its new membership by hosting The Ticket -- 99.1 ESPN Radio Kickoff Classic against new foe Southeast on Aug. 30 at Cecil Kline Field.

The Riverton Rams placed fourth with 45 points and two first-place votes. Senior Grayson Spriggs has seen significant playing time since his freshman season and is expected to lead Derrick Rider's squad as a quarterback and linebacker.

A second-generation Smith will make his head coaching debut as Chuck Smith's son, Mark, guides the Frontenac Raiders in 2012. FHS was fifth in the poll with 41 points, and should have eight back on offense and seven on defense from last season's 5-5 squad.

Mark's Raiders, like this dad's squad, moves up in classification this year as they'll be in Class 4A.

The Galena Bulldogs, who advanced to the sectional round of the Class 3A playoffs in 2011, finished sixth in the CNC poll with 39 points and one first-place vote. Senior RB/LB Tyler VanCleve and junior QB/DB Nick Sivert lead a group of six starters expected to return on each side of the ball.

The Southeast Lancers were a distant seventh in the poll with 17 points, but lose only one part-time player from last season's team. Second-year head coach Clint Rider expects all 11 starters back and to improve on 2011's finish of 1-8.

Rick Horton comes to Erie after a stint as head coach for Iola's final seasons in the SEK League, and takes over a team which was picked eighth in the poll with 15 points. The Red Devils were 6-5 last season, advancing to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Baxter Springs rounds out the survey with 13 points. Second-year head coach Donnie Bigby expects 18 lettermen back from last season's 1-8 squad.