Upperclassmen to Watch in 2021: El Dorado
The 2020 season was a historic one for the El Dorado Wildcats football program. The team posted a 5-3 record, good for its first winning season since 2000 and most wins since 2002. Coach Wes Bell’s squad went 3-1 in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2020 season was a historic one for the El Dorado Wildcats football program. The team posted a 5-3 record, good for its first winning season since 2000 and most wins since 2002. Coach Wes Bell’s squad went 3-1 in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division III and is looking to improve this year. With plenty of talent throughout the roster and a positive season in the rearview mirror, who are some juniors and seniors that should play major roles for El Dorado in 2021? Let’s take a look.
Levi Wittenberg Levi Wittenberg 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH El Dorado | 2023 State KS – 6’1″, 185 pounds, ATH (2023)
Wittenberg is the No. 172 player in our class of 2023 rankings. He received All-AVCTL Honorable Mention respects on offense last season and is also a wrestler. His 4.15-second pro agility drill at the Sharp Performance Wichita Showcase was a record, as well as a great display of his athleticism. Wittenberg explodes off the snap as a center and maintains excellent leverage due to his low center of gravity. He’s undersized for a center without a doubt, but his sound technique and ability to drive with his lower body offsets that a bit. He also provides elite mobility at the second level. On defense, Wittenberg has a very impressive first step when standing up as an edge rusher and his swim move allows him to work past opposing tackles. While his frame isn’t conducive to him playing offensive line at the collegiate level, Wittenberg is an intelligent player who should only get better as a junior.
Gannon White Gannon White 5'9" | 155 lbs | QB El Dorado | 2023 State KS – 5’9″, 152 pounds, QB (2023)
White is the No. 111 player in our 2023 rankings and the 17th-ranked quarterback on the list. He recorded 572 total yards in 2020 en route to receiving All-AVCTL Second-Team honors. The electric field general is a legitimate rushing threat with great top-end speed. He weaves in and out of traffic with ease and is difficult to bring down out of the Wildcats’ triple-option sets. White can roll out to his left or right and make plays, willing to use his athleticism to extend the action and deliver passes with good touch. He’s flashed a strong arm and the ability to push the ball downfield when the opportunity presents itself. The next step in White’s development will be learning to remain in clean pockets and attack the middle of the field. There’s a ton of untapped potential in his game, and 2021 could be a huge season for him.
Jalen Rice Jalen Rice 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB El Dorado | 2023 State KS – 6’0″, 185 pounds, RB/LB (2023)
Rice is the No. 143 player in our 2023 rankings and the 23rd-ranked running back on the list. Last season, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry and recorded 31 tackles, two interceptions and a sack as a sophomore. He runs strong and is a downhill back who will lower his shoulder and power through in order to keep plays going and gain extra yards. Rice takes long strides and may not be the fastest back, but he’s a force to be reckoned with in the open field. He’s a very bright player who carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society. That intelligence shows up on defense, where Rice maintains discipline in his run fits and is a reliable tackler. He carries his assignment up the field well as a linebacker and has a bright future on both sides of the ball. This could be the year that Rice asserts himself as a star for El Dorado.
Jaydon Sundgren – 5’10”, 195 pounds, RB/S (2022)
Sundgren was an All-AVCTL Honorable Mention running back last year on the heels of a season in which he recorded 434 total yards and three touchdowns. He’s a one-cut back who hits holes and bursts through them out of the Wildcats’ wishbone offense moving to the left side of the formation. He displays good vision between the tackles, has strong legs and maintains superb contact balance. Sundgren’s instincts also show up as a safety, where he is a sound tackler and a sticky coverage piece with above-average closing speed. As he puts a cap on his high school career, Sundgren should combine with Rice to be one of the more productive running back duos in the conference.
Gavin Bell Gavin Bell 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL El Dorado | 2022 State KS – 6’4″, 270 pounds, OL/DL (2022)
Bell is the No. 32 player in our class of 2022 rankings and the 5th-ranked offensive lineman on the list. He currently has several collegiate offers to choose from, including South Dakota State and Eastern Michigan. He’s also been linked to local programs such as Kansas and Kansas State. Bell drives hard from his left guard spot and finishes plays with his assignment on the ground. His hands are disciplined and very strong, and he’s faster than he appears. He climbs into the second level to make blocks routinely. Bell uses his offensive line experience to help him disengage as a defensive lineman. Rather than work around the outside and rely on finesse, he uses a combination of strength and technique to get to the middle of the play and stop runs. Expect Bell to round out his game as an offensive anchor and possibly generate some more pass rush as a defensive stopper. He’s destined for success at the next level.