Senior Standouts: Cheney High School

2020 was mostly kind to the Cheney Cardinals football program. It posted one of the best records in the state at 9-1, which was good for first in the Central Plains District. Unfortunately, the season ended on a sour note as the team finished as the regional runner-ups. With that said, expectations are still very high for Shelby Wehrman’s unit heading into what should be another productive campaign. One of the top teams in Kansas 3A football returns a trio of very talented seniors that could cap off their high school careers with a memorable season if things unfold favorably. Let’s take a look at three of Cheney’s best athletes in the 2022 class. [player_tooltip player_id="109937" first="Harrison" last="Voth"] - 6’1", 190 pounds, QB Voth is a three-sport athlete, spending time on the baseball field and basketball court in addition to thriving on the gridiron. He amassed 3,041 total yards and 40 touchdowns last season, proving to be one of the better quarterbacks in the state. Voth remains composed in the pocket, able to shuffle his feet and navigate well despite surrounding pressure. Most high school signal-callers are hesitant on throws into tight windows, but not him. He has a strong arm and pairs it with excellent touch on throws down the field — specifically in the back corner of the end zone. Voth is a threat to extend plays with his legs and does very well in situations that require some improvisation. He should only get better this season and is a must-watch player as he finishes his career with the Cardinals. Voth is the No. 38-ranked player in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/kansas/rankings/2022-rankings/">class of 2022 rankings</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="159151" first="Quincy" last="Thomas"] - 6’0", 175 pounds, RB Thomas is the No. 118-ranked player in our class of 2022 rankings and recently received an offer from Bethel College. He’s a patient runner that processes action quickly and allows the blocks ahead of him to develop. Delayed handoffs, option runs and halfback tosses were staples of Cheney’s offensive attack last season, and Thomas excelled in all facets of the game plan. He possesses plus short-area burst and his tape is littered with plays in which he outran the opposing defense on long runs. He is difficult to bring down on first contact and improved throughout the year on sorting through traffic. Thomas is a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield, tracking the ball well and having reliable hands. The next step for him is to continue developing his prowess on inside runs. If recent history is any indication, he’ll put together his best season yet in 2021. <strong>Luke Grace - 6’3", 170 pounds, WR</strong> Grace is a lengthy receiver who thrives in contested catch situations and should be a viable red zone target if he plays at the collegiate level. He maintains great body control throughout the catch process and his contact balance is above average. Grace utilized head fakes and hesitations in his routes, which is a testament to his understanding of the finer elements of the game. He finds soft spots in coverage and is very agile in the open field. He combines a lethal juke move with a swipe-aside or stiff arm to generate more yards after the catch. If Grace can fill out his frame without losing any of his quickness, he’s likely to have a career year. When taking into account how willing Voth is to extend plays and throw passes that give his receivers opportunities to make plays, Grace is a perfect complement to that style within the Cheney offense.