By Blake Chadwick

The goal for 2023 is high for McPherson senior offensive lineman Joseph Nutt – he wants to be one of the premier linemen in all of Kansas. Nutt is a right guard who thrives because of his athleticism, aggressiveness and physicality on every down. He had 72 pancakes in 2022 and allowed three sacks. He also was an All-AVCTL III first team offensive lineman as well as being named All-State honorable mention in Class 4A. With a long offseason nearing the end, Nutt and the rest of his teammates recognized just how close they got through their struggles. 

“I’ve prepared for this season by showing up to all of our summer workouts as well as working out on my own and bettering my skills as an offensive lineman,” Nutt said. “The team bond has been getting better and better because of what we do.”

Though the Bullpups have never won a state football championship, after going 10-2 in 2022, Nutt and the Bullpups got a little taste of where they want to be. 

“My expectations for this year are high. I know every year people question what McPherson is going to do and every year we show them what we can do,” Nutt said. 

With plans to play college football, Nutt has been a little disappointed with the process but has been keeping up his side of the work. 

“I would love to play in college, (but) the process has been rough being a smaller O-lineman,” he said. “But I don’t doubt that I’ll be able to play.”