Class 1A State Championship Preview: Players to Watch

The right to be called Class 1A State Champions comes down to a battle in Fort Hayes between the Olpe Eagles and the Oakley Plainsmen. Olpe comes into this contest with their high scoring offense, averaging an impressive 42.5 points per game. However, Oakley will look to make things difficult for the Eagles, as they only surrender 12.3 points per game. Something will have to give in this exciting matchup. These are four players that could be a deciding factor in their team’s chance of winning the state title. <strong>Kynden Robert – </strong>Olpe, 5’9”, 170, RB Robert is the go-to guy in this explosive Olpe offense. It is a must to get him the ball, whether it be from the backfield, or through the air as a receiver. He’s a physical runner that can make the first tackler miss, and he does a good job of driving through defenders for extra yards. Robert’s vision is also impressive. He finds open holes quickly and if they’re clogged, he’s able to find cutback lanes. Good luck to defenders once he gets into the open field, because this young man is quick. Robert is a very versatile player for the Eagles, and one Oakley must have eyes on at all times. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35618" first="Ted" last="Skalsky"] – </strong>Olpe, 6’1”, 200, LB Skalsky is one of the leaders for the Eagles on defense. Something impressive from his film is his ability to read plays. Once the ball is snapped, he quickly sees where the play is going and tracks down ball carriers. In addition to this, he does good job off shooting gaps when he blitzes. Skalsky is a solid tackler as well. He makes sure to engage in contact first and then wraps up. The Eagles will need a strong performance from Skalsky in order to shutdown Oakley. <strong>Ethan Able – </strong>Oakley, 5’9”, 180, RB Oakley’s ground game is headlined by Able. He impressed his senior season, rushing for 1,979 yards and scoring 26 touchdowns. The first thing that jumps out on Able’s film is his speed. This young man can fly once he’s in the open field. He’s also tough to bring down on first contact. Able reads blocks well and finds cutback lanes to keep plays alive. Oakley likes to move him around, and he is dangerous on special teams as a kick returner. Part of Olpe’s game plan has to be centered on containing Able. <strong>Eric Cain – </strong>Oakley, 6’0”, 155, QB/CB Cain is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Plainsmen. He led the team with 6 interceptions, one being returned for a touchdown, and on offense he is a dual threat quarterback. Cain is good about extending plays and keeping his eyes down field. If his receivers aren’t open and the pocket collapses, Cain then breaks down defenses with his legs. He makes quick reads and he has the ability to make deep throws as well. Olpe will have to contain Cain in the pocket, and they need to be careful when throwing his way.