Under the Radar: Salina

Salina Central and Salina South have produced several talented teams over the years that have gone on to win the 5A state championship.  Many of those players went on to have success at the next level.  Here are five Seniors and Juniors that are looking to have a breakout year or improve upon their outstanding 2020 season. <strong>RB, [player_tooltip player_id="35573" first="Brandt" last="Cox"], 6’1, 195, Salina South</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35573" first="Brandt" last="Cox"] is the 8th ranked RB and the 60th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He had a great Junior season in 2020 as he ran for 654 yards on 141 carries and he also caught 10 passes for 86 yards and 2 TD.  He displays good vision as he easily finds the open hole with good burst through the hole while showing very good physical toughness as he runs behind his pads, keeps his feet moving constantly and is able to run through DB and LB.  He is a reliable receiver coming out of the backfield possessing good hands as he is able to make on target catches with ease and uses his good play speed and athletic ability to outrun LB for several yards after the catch. <strong>WR, [player_tooltip player_id="35666" first="Tejon" last="McDaniel"], 6’3, 170, Salina South</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35666" first="Tejon" last="McDaniel"] is the 10th ranked WR and the 70th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  In 2020, he caught 8 passes for 166 yards and scored 2 TD.  He plays primarily on the outside as an X and Z WR.  He is a big play receiver who uses his good play speed to get behind the CB on go routes, shows good hands as he is able to make the catch on passes that are thrown on target with ease and uses his good athletic ability to accelerate for a big gain and outrun LB and some DB after the catch is made. <strong>DL, [player_tooltip player_id="89188" first="Kayson" last="Dietz"], 6’0, 290, Salina South</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="89188" first="Kayson" last="Dietz"] is the 12th ranked DL and the 74th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  In 2020, he had a very good season for the Cougars.  He made 55 tackles with 2 TFL and 2 sacks.  He plays primarily as a NT but also lines up as a DT when the Cougars are in a 4 man front.  He fires out low, shoots his hands quickly and violently as he bullrushes and overpowers the C with ease.  He quickly sheds the block as he locates the ball carrier.  He uses his very good instincts to take the correct angle in pursuit of the ball carrier and uses his good play strength in his upper and lower body to bring down the RB with ease.  He is also a very good pass rusher as he quickly penetrates the line of scrimmage into the backfield with his good combination of power and athletic ability.  He uses his good play speed and motor while in pursuit of the QB and quickly brings him down for the sack. <strong>OL, [player_tooltip player_id="35587" first="Shae" last="Lefort"], 6’2, 290, Salina South</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35587" first="Shae" last="Lefort"] is the 9th ranked OL and the 77th ranked player overall in the class of 2022.  He plays as a RT.  While run blocking, he uses his very good quickness and agility to pull left on trap plays while using his play strength, physical toughness, leverage and hands to deliver a crushing block on the NT or DT while on the move.  In pass pro, he sets up with a hop step, delivers a powerful hand punch to the frame of the 5T causing his man to be off-balanced and uses his size and awesome play strength to physically overwhelm the DE as he tosses them to the ground with ease. <strong>QB, [player_tooltip player_id="98395" first="Parker" last="Kavanagh"], 6’3, 195, Salina Central</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="98395" first="Parker" last="Kavanagh"] is the 11th ranked QB and the 83rd ranked player overall in the class of 2022.After the ball is snapped, he uses his great mental processing ability to read the defense throughout the entire field, finds the open receiver quickly and delivers the ball with excellent accuracy and touch putting the ball where only the receiver can catch it on short intermediate and deep passes.  He displays very good arm strength as he delivers the ball quick enough to beat coverage.  Shows very good mobility on QB design runs and draw plays as he uses his very good play speed and athletic ability to outrun DL and LB with ease while showing good play strength as he drags smaller DB for several yards after contact as he picks up significant yardage and a first down. &nbsp; &nbsp;