MEDFORD CARDINALS
Coach: BLAKE LAMLE
11-3
Medford comes into 2026 with championship ambitions after reaching the state title game a year ago. The Cardinals went 11-3 and return a solid core from that state runner-up squad, including six offensive starters, five defensive starters, their entire offensive line and their top offensive backfield duo. Seventh-year head coach Blake Lamle likes the balance of experience and talent and believes this team is built to make another deep run.
The offense is led by junior quarterback and VYPE Top 100 nominee Cash Kelley (6-2, 180), a two-year starter and team leader who rushed for 950 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing for 1,225 yards and 22 scores against just five interceptions last season. Senior running back Trent Lohman (5-10, 200) complements him after totaling 745 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while also adding nine receptions for 102 yards and two more scores, giving Medford a one-two punch that can hurt defenses inside and out of structure. Senior tight end Laken Lamle (6-1, 180) adds a dependable red-zone target after hauling in 10 catches for 180 yards and five touchdowns, while senior receiver Reese Royal (6-3, 165) brings a vertical threat with 17 catches for 216 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior Regan Gottsch (6-1, 170) adds another dimension after rushing for 455 yards and 10 touchdowns. Up front, senior lineman Price Locke (6-2, 235) headlines a fully intact offensive line that provides continuity and physicality. Medford will again run a shotgun, multiple, no-huddle offense that uses tempo and personnel packages to establish a run-first identity.
Defensively, the Cardinals line up in a 3-2 gap-control scheme centered on physical linebacker play and a stout interior. Lohman also serves as a senior linebacker and tone-setter after recording 108 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 15 tackles for loss. Sophomore linebacker Trevor Lohman (5-8, 185) emerged as the team’s leading tackler as a freshman with 112 stops, two fumble recoveries and eight tackles for loss, giving Medford a dynamic inside duo. Junior nose guard Brendan Winter (6-3, 240) anchors the middle after posting 58 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries, while senior defensive end Rhett Tripp (5-10, 175) contributed 57 tackles and five sacks. On the perimeter, senior cornerbacks Kyler Beech (6-2, 160) and Lyric Horn (6-0, 160) bring experience and physicality in coverage and run support. Beech totaled 52 tackles and six tackles for loss, while Horn piled up 93 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and nine tackles for loss.
9-4 – at Waukomis
9-11 – vs. Kremlin-Hillsdale
9-18 – vs. Pond Creek-Hunter
9-24 – at Oaks
10-2 – vs. Bluejacket
10-9 – vs. Crossover Prep
10-16 – at South Coffeyville
10-23 – vs. Watts
10-29 – at Covington-Douglas
11-6 – vs. Oilton
To nominate a high school student for a feature in VYPE Magazine email a nomination to [email protected]
