Players due to breakout in SE Kansas Class 2A
Three yards and a cloud of dust. This is the best way to describe the style of play in Class 2A Southeast Kansas. Running the ball 90% of the game, and only passing during the two minute drill. Although this…
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Continue ReadingThree yards and a cloud of dust. This is the best way to describe the style of play in Class 2A Southeast Kansas. Running the ball 90% of the game, and only passing during the two minute drill. Although this style of play may not be appealing to some, there are still great athletes to come out of these clouds. Here are several players that expect to raise the level of their play next fall and rise above the rest before the dust settles.
Jackson Griffin
Jackson Griffin
Jackson Griffin is the mold that many coaches look for in a skill player playing in the world of wishbone offenses and stacking defensive boxes. On defense, Griffin flies to the ball and runs through ball carriers in order to get them on the ground. He keeps his feet under him and stays square to avoid getting ran around. At times he might seem overaggressive in his pursuit at the middle linebacker position, but with little pass coverage responsibilities, that is his only role. Offense is a similar story. Griffin utilizes his legs and good stiff arm to get around people, and has the speed to maintain a gap between him and the defenders behind him. Running a wishbone offense, there are rarely any runs outside of the tackles and few catches out of the backfield. Griffin may not be the biggest player on the field, but he truly plays like he is.
Seth Welch
Seth Welch
Welch is a player that has no reason to go anywhere from up. Although Erie did not have the best season last year, it was no fault to Welch. Only playing a few snaps, Welch was still able to show off his abilities on both sides of ball. At defensive back, Welch does a good job at keeping the receivers in front of him, and flying up to make good hits on the short hitches and dig routes. He has good speed that allows him to run with most of the receiver competition that he faces, and smothers them well on deep routes. On offense, he confirms that he is just as fast with the ball in his hands as without. He also was able to display a decent deep ball with the few plays he received while under center. Seth Welch has set himself up to compete and bring the Red Devils back in 2023.
Carson Spoonts Carson Spoonts 6’0″ | 195 lbs | WR Valley Heights | 2024 State KS might be one of the most entertaining players in all of Class 2A. A running quarterback with decent size, Spoonts possesses all the tools to make big plays in open space. He has great balance and is able to collect himself on poor ankle tackles. The strength in his legs complimented by a stiff arm make him hard to bring down no matter what angle you take him on with. Carson is a one-cut ball carrier. Behind the line of scrimmage, he will plant his foot one time and then run straight to the end zone. He is a smart runner, splitting double team tackles and not getting caught from behind too often. Although he might be keen on trying to take off when dropping back instead of continuing through progressions, he still has a good touch on his crossing routes being able to drop them over linebackers, but under the safeties. Spoonts is looking to have a great senior campaign and hopes to bring the Tornadoes further into the playoffs this year.
Cole Ramey
Cole Ramey
Although it could be long shot for Ramey to break out next fall, it will happen in the next two years. Cole Ramey did not play much at all last year as a freshman, but it is not because he does not have the skillset to be great. He has great hips and quickness, allowing himself to move and juke without getting touched on some runs. Ramey also already possesses great speed and creates lots of separation from the competition that he plays against. He is most comfortable running down the sideline, and will force plays to go out there because he knows that he can outrun the defense while there. I am excited to get more Ramey film this fall and look to his contribution to the Neodesha offense.
Carsen Ellis
Carsen Ellis
Carsen Ellis is an energy guy for this Chargers team. although he is not the ideal frame for a MLB/RB combo, he has no hesitation flying into running lanes to stop opposing ball carriers. At 6 feet tall and only about 160 pounds, Ellis is a man who plays the game of football angry. You are able to see this by the way he runs around with and without the ball. With the ball, he does not dance around defenders, but will instead will use his head and put it into the chest of the defender that is in his way. He does not bust runs out to the sideline, but knows the fastest route to the end zone is a straight line. He will accept being tackled on occasion, but is almost always willing to do whatever it takes to give his team the best chance to win. This includes taking snaps, which he has done sometimes.
Sebastian Evenson
Sebastian Evenson
Who said this list was only for skill players? Evenson is a big body that is there to anchor down the right side of the Fredonia offensive. Playing mostly tackle last year, Evenson is able to keep edge rushers square with him, and has the ability to stay as deep as they get in the backfield. He stays running through plays, helping his quarterback buy time as they look for a play down field. He is very quick on running plays as well, able to push off his combo blocks and reach second level linebackers well. It would bring his play from good to great if he begins to run through the defenders he’s blocking. Evenson is excellent at getting himself into position to put defenders on the ground, but will pull up out of the play right before he connects. Once he is able to do that, Fredonia will have a scary big man to run behind all over Southeast Kansas.