Emporia High opens the 2026 football season Friday night, as the Spartans travel to Wichita to take on Wichita North at Wichita Northwest High School.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with the game airing live on Mix 104.9 FM.
The Spartans are looking to get the season off to a fast start and build on a two-win campaign a year ago. Wichita North comes in looking to snap a long regular-season drought, with the Redhawks’ last regular-season win coming in 2018.
Head coach Daniel Goodman enters his second season at the helm and is excited about the progress he’s seen from his team since last fall. He knows it is important to start the year off well.
Emporia High brings back seven starters on both sides of the football, providing plenty of experience for a team looking to take another step forward.
One of those returning starters is Garrett LeBlanc, who is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball. He is one of six Spartans projected to start on both sides of the ball in the 90 plus degree heat. He has been drinking plenty of fluids to prepare for it.
Wichita North will also have a new face leading the program this season. Lee Weber takes over as the Redhawks’ head coach after more than two decades of coaching experience.
Goodman expects North to be prepared when the two teams meet.
The RV Doc Pregame Show gets underway at 7:15 Friday night on Mix 104.9 FM, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 from Wichita Northwest High School.
