By Ken Hansard

COACH: MarcSvaty

4-5

OFFENSE

Fredonia football Head Coach Marc Svaty likes what he has seen from his Yellowjackets in the off-season. “I feel that we have reestablished a standard of expectations for what it takes to prepare for a successful football season.  I very much look forward to watching how these kids transition their off-season efforts into a collective performance on Friday nights.” There is good cause for Svaty to be optimistic, as the Yellowjackets return quite a bit of All-League talent at several positions. “Offensively, we will be very diverse both running and throwing the football to attack opponents’ defenses.” Quarterback Brayden O’Leary (6-1, 180, Sr.) returns as a third-year starter to drive the Yellowjackets’ spread attack.  O’Leary has thrown for nearly 1800 yards over the course of the past two seasons.  Coach Svaty feels that he has five running backs who can be “effective and explosive in the run game.”  That includes Kadyn Ellis (5-10, 155, Sr.), a returning All-League defensive back who Svaty thinks could have a breakout season at the running back position and Kayson Farr (5-8, 145, Jr.), a two-time starter who “has sprinter’s speed and has shown flashes of being dynamic.”  Also in that mix could be Jaxton Gile (5-10, 215, Jr.), a returning starter who has played on the offensive line but may see some action in the backfield. Quentin Foged (6-1, 200, So., OL / DL) was a freshman starter who “was one of our most efficient linemen by the end of the season.”

DEFENSE

Defensively, the Yellowjackets utilize a multiple 3-4 attack. “We return quite a bit of experience at defensive back, and we plan to mix coverages and blitzes more than in the past.” Fredonia returns a slew of talent on that side of the ball, also. Jay Evans (6-3, 245, Sr.) is a three-year starter who “has been dominant on both sides of the ball the past few seasons.”  Max Coulter (6-0, 180, Sr.) returns for the Yellowjackets after sitting out a year because of injuries.  He was a two-way starter who should help Fredonia on both sides of the ball. Aidan Staton (5-10, 170, Jr., TE / LB) and Tristan Cannon (5-10, 215, Jr., OL / DL) are players who have “started many games for us as freshmen and sophomores and are due for a breakout season.”A couple of other newcomers of note include Noah Howard (5-10, 160, Sr., TE / DE) and Sam Stierwalt (6-0, 265, Sr., OL / DL).

As the 2025 season nears, Coach Svaty is confident that his team’s off-season preparation will bring results, “It should be a fun season.  We are looking forward to putting together performances that we and our community can be proud of.”

9-5 – at SE Cherokee

9-12 – vs. Eureka

9-19 – at Bluestem

9-26 – vs. Galena

10-3 – at Neodesha

10-10 – vs. Caney

10-17 – at Riverton

10-24 – vs. Cherryvale

10-31 – KSHSAA Playoffs