(Preview is a feature article in the 2016 Pigskin Preview magazine get your free copy at these area businesses - for location list click here) 

Following a transition year, a case could be made that the 2015 football season was one of the best for the Big 7 League.  Five teams made the playoffs and Holton advanced to the 4A Division Two State Championship Game.  It was the 18th straight year for the Wildcats to participate in the post-season and they made the most of it before falling to Holcomb in the title bout.  Jeff West qualified for a Regional game for the fourth time in the last five years, but against saw their season end with a close setback at Santa Fe Trail in 4A Division Two.  Sabetha posted their best football season since 2008 by making the playoffs for a eighth straight year and then beat perennial powers Centralia and a huge victory at Silver Lake to advance to the final eight of Class 3A.  Riverside made the post season for just the second time in their five-year history, but had a rematch at Nemaha Central in the opening round.  The Thunder, making the playoffs for the second year of their existence, won that game to improve to 10-0 on the season, but then fell in the second round to eventual 3A Champ, Rossville.  However, Nemaha took over as the Big 7 League Champions, as they beat Holton to end the Wildcats 47 consecutive game League winning streak and end their seven-year reign.  The upcoming 2016 season looks very promising for the League as well, and now everyone is looking up and listening to the sound of Thunder a top the Big 7. 

NEMAHA CENTRAL is coming off a remarkable season that included an unbeaten League Title and District Championship.  Since arriving in Seneca, Coach Warren Seitz is 38-13 and now has his football team on top of the Big 7.  It is not unanimous, but the Thunder are the preseason pick to repeat and defend their League Title in 2016.  Despite returning only four starters on each side of the ball, Nemaha has an all league quarterback in Ryan Hasenkamp to build around and as much athletic talent and depth as any other team.  Rebuilding the line of scrimmage is the main concern for the Thunder to repeat. 

HOLTON had won the Big 7 the previous seven years and has still won 15 of the last 18 titles.  Coach Brooks Barta surpassed 200 wins in his 20th year and lost 16 seniors, including 5 now playing college ball.  Yet, the Wildcats have nine players back with starting varsity experience including a stable of strong runningbacks and linebackers.  All State lineman, Brandon Lennherr returns with fellow senior lineman Tel Wittmer and Aaron Bain to help pave the way for the Wishbone rushing attack.

SABETHA had a breakthrough season last year and looks to build on that while replacing 15 seniors.  But, the Bluejays return more than half their starters on each side of the field and have more experience and depth in the trenches that most other league foes, including third-year starting seniors: Eric Renyer, Greg Remmers and Brendon Rokey.  Coach Garrett Michael also has a pair of starting runningbacks returning and the most talented group of sophomores in the Big 7. 

JEFF WEST returns a dual threat quarterback in Hunter Dean who ran for more than 1,100 yards last year helping the Tigers to a winning campaign and playoff appearance.  Coach Steve Johnson did graduate 13 seniors and 4 of them were big starting offensive lineman.  Jeff West also returns only two starters on defensive and got a tough draw in their new district with Holton, Hayden and Santa Fe Trail. 

PERRY LECOMPTON could make a jump up the league standings in Coach Mike Paramore’s 16th season.  The Kaws have a deep seniors class and seven of them return as starters.  Cole Kellum is a great runningback and Perry is hoping that Jordan Spreer is the next top performer as the new duel-threat quarterback.  The Kaw defense should be very good as they drop to Class 3A.

ROYAL VALLEY made the biggest leap last year with a winning season for the first time in five years.  Coach Jake Lott has turned the program around in just a couple years and the Panthers return an upperclassmen with starting experience in 14 of 22 positions.  Jacob Box is one of four starters back on both sides of the line, but new play-makers must emerge at the skill spots. 

RIVERSIDE has a strong throwing quarterback in Andrew Miller, who started and threw for more than 900 yards as a sophomore last year.  Gaige Olivero is a senior that is one of the best ball carriers and linebackers in the League and Coach Scot Korranda also returns four starters up front.  Yet, the Cyclones lack depth, must limit mistakes, and will count on some sophomores at receiver and in the secondary for a defense that must improve.                

ACCHS, like Riverside makes their third trip back around the Big 7 League and should be more competitive after losing only a couple starters on each side of the ball.  The Tigers return four runningbacks, including all league products, Hunter Ostertag and Chance Liggett, as well as a third-year signal caller in Lane Bowen.  Coach Nick Fuemmeler  knows the defense can’t allow 43 points per game and many sophomores must play with only about 10 upperclassmen on the roster. 

HIAWATHA has the only new coach in the League as Ted Brown takes over in his first 11-man gig.  The Redhawks didn’t win a Big 7 contest a year ago but only had two seniors on the roster.  While most everyone returns, they must adjust to a new coach and style and many underclassmen will be on the field every Friday night with only a couple juniors on the 2016 roster.  Coach Brown does have four senior starters back on the line and a nice dual-threat signal caller in Joseph Kunkel to build around.