The Northeast Kansas League saw an overall improvement last season compared to the year before in 2020. Last season, the NEKL had five teams finish .500 or better compared to just two teams posting winning records in 2020.

ACCHS was crowned League Champions while Jefferson County North and Pleasant Ridge both finished with winning records. Jackson Heights and Maur Hill-Mount Academy both finished with .500 records.

One of the top storylines in the league this season will be Valley Falls returning to 11-Man football and will play an NEKL schedule this year.

This will once again be a competitive league in 2022 with the familiar teams competing towards the top. ACCHS has the tools to repeat but you can make an argument for four other teams that they’re capable of winning the League Title this season.

Oskaloosa and Horton both enter 2022 with new head coaches while McLouth is hoping some returning experience can lead them to a more competitive season.

Buckle up and grab your hats because the Northeast Kansas League is ready to roll.

NEKL 2021 Football Standings

1. ACCHS 6-3 (4-0)
2. Pleasant Ridge 5-4 (4-1)
3. Jefferson County North 7-3 (3-1)
4. Jackson Heights 5-5 (2-1)
5. Maur Hill-Mount Academy 4-4 (1-2)
6. Oskaloosa 1-8 (1-4)
7. McLouth 0-7 (0-3)
8. Horton 0-9 (0-3)

2022 Predictions

1. ACCHS
2. Jefferson County North
3. Pleasant Ridge
4. Jackson Heights
5. Maur Hill-Mount Academy
6. Valley Falls
7. Oskaloosa
8. McLouth
9. Horton

All-League NEKL Returners

Sam Joyce           MH-MA                               OL/LB    SR           1st Team/2nd Team
Julian Butto        Jackson Heights                OL/DL    SR           1st Team
Dalton Damon   ACCHS                                 OL          SR           1st Team
Canyon Tull         ACCHS                                 DL          SR           1st Team
Jude Williams     Jackson Heights                LB           SR           1st Team
Silas Holliday      Jackson Heights                DB/WR  SR           1st Team/2nd Team  
Bricen Lee           ACCHS                                 DB/QB   SR           1st Team/2nd Team
Coltin Myers       ACCHS                                 DL/RB    SR           2nd Team
Tucker Heim       Pleasant Ridge                  DL          SR           2nd Team
Grant Fuhrman  JCN                                      OL          JR           2nd Team
Trenton Kimmi   ACCHS                                 LB           SR           2nd Team
Ethan Noll           JCN                                      LB           JR           2nd Team
Blake Fowler      JCN                                      DB          SR           2nd Team
Haden Doyle      Jackson Heights                OL          SR           2nd Team
Tyler McRae       ACCHS                                 OL          JR           2nd Team