Missouri High School Football- Week 8 MVPs

The playoffs are about to start but seedings were on the line in the final week of the regular season. The following players not only helped their teams to a win but in quite a few cases improved their teams’ position heading into the playoffs. This list is a bit quarterback heavy because that is the position that is the most critical this time of year. Here are the Week 8 #BellRingers (players who made everyone take notice). <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-64802" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201025_112658-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />QB [player_tooltip player_id="37235" first="Kannon" last="Nesslage"], Senior, Kirkwood (6’5, 190) Nesslage has played at a high level all season and continues to improve each snap he takes. He is the engine that drives the Kirkwood offense and has set his team up for an epic run into the playoffs. Nesslage is commanding in the pocket, has a big time arm and gets above average velocity on his throws. With improving mechanics, Nesslage should be on every college coaches radar. I am actually surprised the senior signal caller has not received more attention and if I were a college coach, I would be ALL over him. Nesslage’s star is only ascending. <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-46946" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200829_123418-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />QB [player_tooltip player_id="37297" first="Gabe" last="Serri"], Senior, St. Dominic’s (6’2, 185) I made a rule when I agreed to write for Prep Redzone, that I would highlight as many players as possible. That included (albeit not fair) only allowing a player to be a #BellRinger once per season.  That has been a difficult rule to follow because MVPs typically play lights out every game. And I am breaking my own rule today because I have no choice. [player_tooltip player_id="37297" first="Gabe" last="Serri"] broke two school records on Friday Night, scoring five touchdowns and passing for 308 yards. Serri is everything a team needs in terms of a leader, quarterback and athlete. His senior year has been an example of how to conduct yourself for opportunities at the next level. Like Nesslage, Serri deserves more love from college programs. Heck, I would bring Serri in as a QB and if that doesn’t pan out, make him a safety. <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-64803" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201025_112650-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />QB [player_tooltip player_id="37608" first="Patrick" last="Heitert"], Junior, CBC (6’1, 185) The junior finally got his chance to shine and talk about taking the bull by the horns. The strong armed QB accounted for five touchdowns and 332 passing yards in a glorious win over MCC rival Chaminade. Heitert showed accuracy, touch and ball placement that is uncanny for a young player. The more game experience the junior gets in the playoffs will add to his confidence and the sky is the ceiling for the talented and future star at CBC. QB Tyler Lindemann, Senior, Fort Zumwalt East (5’10, 170) Whether running the football or passing, Lindemann found a way to get into the end zone on Friday Night. His four touchdowns paced East and his heady, tough play laid the foundation for his team heading into the playoffs. Though not a dominant physical specimen, the senior fits the bill as a warrior, doing everything in his power to will his team to win. Teams with guys like Tyler Lindemann at the front can go a long way in the playoffs. But no matter his size or skill, this past Friday, the senior was the best player on the field. <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-64804" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201025_112639-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />QB Cole Rickermann, Junior, Festus (6’2, 160) I am breaking my rule again here. I’ve had the junior as an MVP before. Heck it was in Week 6 when the gun-slinger had four touchdowns. Well, anytime you lead your club to a No. 1 seed and undefeated season after years of struggle, you deserve more recognition. Especially because Rickermann threw for six touchdowns on Friday Night. Efficient with the football, Rickermann used touch, a quick release and downfield vision to lead his squad to a blowout win. Rickermann is a name to watch as the playoff roll on. QB [player_tooltip player_id="37427" first="Jacob" last="Weaver"], Senior, Helias (5’11, 185) All [player_tooltip player_id="37427" first="Jacob" last="Weaver"] knows how to do is win. The senior signal-caller led his team to an undefeated season and did so by beating a good Cardinal Rittner team on Friday Night. Weaver always seems to find the open man and when a tough yard needs to be gained, the senior will pick the unit up by running for the first down or a score. He accounted for two touchdowns on Friday and rallied his team whenever they needed a pick-me-up. Weaver has the Helias team playing very well and with the senior’s leadership on full display, will be a tough team to beat in November. RB Zahmari Gary, Junior, Raytown (5’7, 170) Though not the most imposing player on the field, Gary may be the quickest and fastest each time he steps between the lines. His ability to patter his feet to find the hole and then burst through is God-given and fun to watch. He literally looks like a jitterbug dancing on the top of the water, leaving defenders in his wake. On Friday, the 2022 graduate had a 94 yard kickoff return for a score and 222 yards rushing and three more end zone gallops. Though he might not fit some college coaches measurements, the coaches that want a dynamic playmaker will find him a role. <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-64805" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201025_131653-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />RB [player_tooltip player_id="37423" first="Jericho" last="Farris"], Senior, Cassville (5’10, 180) The muscle hamster went ham on Friday Night (in reality, Farris has been going ham all season) scoring five touchdowns on impressive runs inside and outside. Showing patience to wait for the seam to open, Farris has the short area burst and explosive genes to hit the hole on time and get to the second level on a mission. The hard-charging runner plays under his pads well and wins in contested situations by having uncanny balance. A smart college program will give the powerful runner a long look. <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-64807" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Kevin-Coleman-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />WR [player_tooltip player_id="37523" first="Kevin" last="Coleman"], Junior, St. Mary’s (5’10, 170) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2022-rankings/">The number one ranked WR and No. 3 ranked overall player</a> in the 2022 class in Missouri gets a lot of local, state and national love. And rightfully so. But when you actually see him play and WIN a game almost single-handedly, that is when the true appreciation and admiration starts. What else is awesome is when other players throughout the state recognize real and shout a player out. Coleman’s skill set on the field is electric from his game breaking speed to savvy route running. But he is a fierce competitor who pushes himself to greatness and makes everyone around him better. That, my readers, is a true MVP! &nbsp;