Week 8 Game Balls: 6A

There were several football players who excelled on the field in class 6A during their regular season finale in week 8.  These players helped their team gain significant momentum going into the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="35562" first="Greyson" last="Holbert"] QB Blue Valley The 6’1 185 lb Junior did it all on Friday night as he completed 9 of 16 passes for 138 yards and 2 TD while rushing for 139 yards on 19 carries and 2 rushing TD en route to a 38-28 win against St. James Academy.  For the season, he has 654 yards and 6 passing TD with 427 rushing yards and 6 rushing TD.  As a passer, he sees the field well, locates his target and delivers an accurate ball on short, intermediate and deep passes.  Shows good pocket presence and effectively eludes blitzing LB as well as DL, breaking tackles and uses his mobility to scramble for positive yards.  While rushing the ball, he displays very good play speed and athletic ability as he gets to the outside on QB design and option runs and can accelerate for big gains.  Blue Valley has won five games in a row going into their first round playoff game against Blue Valley West on Thursday. Dylan Edwards RB  Derby The 5’8 155 lb Sophomore rushed for 237 yards on 19 carries and scored 3 touchdowns in a 48-10 victory over Maize South.  On Friday Night, he had his 3rd 200+ yard rushing game for the season bringing his total to 1,025 yards and 13 rushing TD.  He is a threat to score a TD every time he touches the ball/  He displays very good play speed and acceleration to break into the open field and is also quick enough to make LB and DB miss.  An outstanding blocker who shows tremendous heart as he uses his leverage and hands to maintain his block against larger defenders and can finish blocks to the ground.  Derby is undefeated when Edwards runs for over 140 yards.  Next week, Derby who is the 4th seed in the class 6A playoffs will play the 13th seeded Wichita Southeast. [player_tooltip player_id="35348" first="Damian" last="Ilalio"] DL Manhattan The 6’2 250 lb Senior DT and soon to be Kansas State Wildcat looked great last week against Emporia.  He had 7 tackles with 4 TFL and 2.5 sacks.  For the season, he has 50 tackles with 19 TFL and 5.5 sacks.  Shows very good burst off the ball and wins the leverage battle against all OL dominating with his use of hands and play strength in his upper and lower body.  He displays good instincts as he takes the correct angle in pursuit of the ball carrier and brings him down with force.  He displays a very good motor when in pursuit of the QB and uses his athletic ability to catch the QB or force him to throw the ball earlier than he had anticipated.  Manhattan has won 3 of their last 4 games bringing their record to 5-3 and will play Garden City on Friday night. Aquantez Love RB Olathe North The 6’0 185 lb Junior ran for 105 yards on 10 carries and a TD while also providing solid support on defense with 7 tackles.  The 105 yards matches his season high from his game against Shawnee Mission East two weeks ago.  For the season, Love has 553 rushing yards on 78 carries and 7 TD.  His play helped Olathe North win big 37-0 against Olathe Northwest on Friday night.  When looking at the film, he shows very good patience as he waits for his blocks to set up, shows good burst through the hole and uses his very good acceleration to elude LB and DB en route to large gains.  Next week, Olathe North is off next week as they have a bye in the 1st round of the playoffs. Kobe Poindexter DL Olathe West The 5’11 185 lb Senior had an impressive game last week against Shawnee Mission East in a 49-19 victory.  He had 6 tackles with 2 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.  When looking at the film, he shows tremendous heart and physical toughness as he wins the leverage battle against larger LT using his play strength and rip move to shed blocks, displays good closing speed as he catches the QB in pursuit and brings him down with force.  Against the run, he fires out low beating the LT with his quickness and shows good form tackling as he drives through the RB with his shoulder resulting in a tackle for loss.  Next week, Olathe West will play Olathe South in the 1st round of the playoffs.