Hays Post Sports
Grant Stephenson began his fourth season as head football coach Monday, with 33 student-athletes taking part in the first football practice of the season.
The Monarchs are coming off a 6-3 season and back-to-back winning seasons, but they have to replace six starters on both offense and defense.
“I felt like we had a good summer,” Stephenson said. “I think the best thing coming into this year is, my entire coaching staff is the same, which will be a first for this year, and everything we’re going to do offensively is pretty close to the same.”
With just two seniors, the Monarchs will rely on several young players to step up.
“I think there’s still some growing up to do,” Stephenson said. “We are going to ask some kids to hopefully step in in spots. But from camp this summer and what we’ve seen so far, there are some kids that we are very excited about.”
The Monarchs will travel to Larned for a jamboree Aug. 28.
They open the season at home against the Norton Bluejays on Sept. 4 at Lewis Field in Hays.