By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

The Norton prep football program has enjoyed a bevy of accomplishments. Entering 2010, the Bluejays carry a streak of 14 consecutive winning seasons and 10 straight playoff berths, both the Mid-Continent League's top current marks. In school history, the Bluejays have a 69.6 winning percentage, according to state and national records available at texashsfootball.com, a national high school football site. Norton ranks ninth in Kansas history for winning percentage, best among area teams.

However, Norton has lacked the biggest prize in that span: a state championship. The Bluejays have won just two in school history, in 1985 and '86. Last year, they finished 9-4 and advanced to the Class 3A sub-state title game, the program's best postseason finish in 20 years.

This year, Norton has a talented, experienced and close-knit senior class, many of whom have played together since fourth grade, look to break through with a championship.

"I believe we can," senior center/linebacker Kaid McKenna said. "We have the ability to and everything, but we got to play one game at a time and play as a team. I think everybody is buying into the fact that you have to work in the offseason. We have enough people that stepped in and played last year that knows what it's like to go that extra step."

The senior class includes multiple all-conference players, including senior running back Terrell Lane, a 2008 Hays Daily News Super 11 selection, and McKenna, first team all-Mid-Continent League on defense. Senior tackle Landon Keiswetter, senior defensive tackle Justin Griffith, senior running back/defensive end Jeremy Sproul and senior kicker Caleb Laughlin have earned honors as Norton returns five offensive and six defensive starters.

"Let's try to build on what we did last year and do even better," coach Lucas Melvin said.

Senior Spencer Shirk, a starter on defense last season after he had knee surgeries his freshman and sophomore year, takes over for graduated Connor Pfannenstiel at quarterback. Pfannenstiel, the MCL's top signal caller in 2009, threw for 1,945 yards and 20 scores against 12 interceptions in his career.

"I am pretty sure he can do just as good as Connor," McKenna said. "He has got a little bit of size and speed. More speed than Connor had. It's just that if he gets used to playing. He will be real shy the first few games, but he will come around and it will be just like he started all four years, I think."

McKenna, a three-year starter at center and two-year starter at middle linebacker, picked up 131 tackles in 2009. He weighs 185 pounds, but leads an offensive line that has no returning starter over 190 pounds.

"They have come together a bunch," Sproul said. "It's just all of the communicating that they do. It all works together as one."

Sproul, who Lane calls "Crazy legs," because of his ability to dodge tacklers, rushed for 351 yards and five scores.

He picked up 57 tackles with a team-high three forced fumbles. Against Lakin, Sproul rushed for a 64-yard TD. Sproul opened the run when he cut across the field and was about to be tackled.

"He is about to fall on his face," Lane said. "His legs are way above his shoulders. He catches his balance."

"I just turn the switch on and I just go," Sproul said. "I try my best not to fall down and get tackled."

The next week, Sproul had a sweep against Beloit. A Trojan hit him, Sproul spun around, hit the same player and then kept running. The play helped Norton defeat Beloit, 42-20, and move into the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Two weeks later, the Bluejays lost to eventual state champion Wichita Collegiate in the sub-state title game. This year, the goal for the seniors is two more wins.

"What I have seen so far, I think we are going to be pretty good," Shirk said. "Lose a couple of guys, but I think we can replace them and we play really well together. I think we will go farther, I hope."