Head Coach: Jamie Cruce—2nd season at Andover (4-5), 19th overall (80-97)
Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-4
Home: Trojan Stadium—Andover, Kansas
Last season: 4-5, lost to Hays (31-0) 5A playoffs
Last playoff win: 2021 (def. Salina South, 51-21)
League: Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division II
Last league title: 2021 (AVCTL-III)
State titles: 1 (1984)
2025 OUTLOOK
When Jamie Cruce arrived last fall, Andover football was coming off an 0-9 season and searching for stability. In his first year, the veteran coach sparked immediate progress, leading the Trojans to a 4-5 record and restoring momentum to a program that had struggled to compete in the rugged AVCTL-II.
Now, entering Year 2, Andover looks to continue its climb with a senior-laden roster that will be asked to carry the program forward.
“We’re looking forward to our second season here at Andover High School,” Cruce said. “Replacing last year’s seniors will be a challenge, but we expect this year’s team to keep building a consistently tough football program.”
The Trojans graduated two cornerstones in quarterback Quincy Jonas and running back Noah Noyes. Jonas accounted for 276 of the team’s 339 passing yards and was also the second-leading rusher with 501 yards and four touchdowns. Noyes, an all-league selection, anchored the ground game with 1,233 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
This fall, senior Will Quinn takes over at quarterback, while juniors Pete Vega and Nas Williams and senior Daniel Beck will share the responsibility of replacing Noyes’ production. Vega showed promise with 139 yards on 26 carries, Williams adds physicality, and Beck provides valuable senior leadership. At receiver, Barrett Hill returns to the slot, where he contributed 335 rushing yards and a pair of scores last year. Seniors Parker Lane and Vaughn Nun anchor the offensive line, while Ben Reynolds is a steady target at tight end.
Defensively, Andover returns experience and toughness. Senior linebacker Aaron Kimball paced the team with 58 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Senior Gatlin Tilson provides versatility as a two-way standout; he logged 38 tackles, tied for the team lead with two interceptions, and added a fumble recovery. Tilson also contributes at receiver and as the team’s punter. Senior Brecken Bell and junior Tyson Ross give the Trojans strength in the trenches, with Ross emerging as one of the league’s biggest defensive linemen.
Andover expects to start eight seniors on offense and seven on defense. The lone projected underclassman starter is sophomore Carson Goentzel, but a strong sophomore class will be scattered throughout the rotation, giving the Trojans depth and a glimpse of the future.
The schedule offers a measuring stick from the start. After opening Sept. 5 at home against Kapaun Mt. Carmel, the Trojans travel to Maize before hosting Goddard. The regular season wraps Oct. 24 with the annual rivalry showdown against defending 4A champion Andover Central.
With veteran leadership in the starting lineup and a talented sophomore class waiting in the wings, Andover looks ready to keep moving forward in its rebuild.
2025 schedule
Sept. 5: vs. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
Sept. 12: at Maize
Sept. 19: vs. Goddard
Sept. 26: at Arkansas City
Oct. 3: vs. Eisenhower
Oct. 10: vs. Newton
Oct. 17: at Salina Central
Oct. 24: at Andover Central
