Highlight Plays From the 7-On-7 Circuit

<p>We're at a slow point in the calendar in Kansas, and at times off-season reporting can become repetitive. That's why we're going to switch things up a bit. Off-season action won't quite ramp up until March, but there have been a few 7-on-7 competitions that have already taken place. Since the state of Kansas has yet to allow spring football practice for high schools; the 7-on-7 circuit is the next best thing for prospects. For some, it's the first time they've touched the field since last fall, so it's safe to say they're eager to get back into the swing of things. </p>   <p>This piece not only features players that have stayed busy this off-season, but it's also an opportunity to highlight some awesome plays from this past weekend of 7-on-7 action. While folks may be familiar with most of these players, there are a few never-before-seen prospects to check out as well. </p>   <h2>Class of ‘24</h2>   <p><a href="https://twitter.com/johnnie_jlw05?s=21&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180134' first='Johnnie' last='Williams']</strong></a> – Free State, 6'1”, 165, DB</p>   <p><a href="https://twitter.com/johnnie_jlw05?s=21&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180134' first='Johnnie' last='Williams']</strong></a> of Lawrence Free State starts us off with a heads up play back at safety. One drill that is practiced daily for defensive backs is the tip drill, and Williams applied it perfectly on this play by making the diving interception. Williams will be a key starter returning for the Firebirds this season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/johnnie_jlw05/status/1624558127004762112?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/danielmcvay06?s=21&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ">Daniel McVay</a></strong> – Free State, 5'9”, 150, DB</p>   <p>Members of Lawrence Free State's secondary continue to receive praise in this one. Fellow senior-to-be, <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/danielmcvay06?s=21&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ">Daniel McVay</a></strong>, displayed a never-say-die attitude while in coverage at corner. The receiver on the perimeter during this play managed to get behind him, but McVay recovered and came up with an impressive deflection. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/danielmcvay06/status/1624777782503919617?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <h2>Class of ‘25</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'] – Derby, 6'6”, 230, TE</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'] of Derby is quickly becoming a hot commodity ahead of his junior year. He was praised for his blocking during the Class of '25 rankings update in January, but this time, we're raving over Brame's receiving skills. His leaping ability and speed were on full display over the weekend, especially on this high-flying grab in the back corner of the end zone. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dasaahn/status/1624619630793744387?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='353224' first='Marco' last='Rodriguez'] – Bishop Miege, 6'4”, 175, QB</p>   <p>Many folks around the state are interested to see how [player_tooltip player_id='353224' first='Marco' last='Rodriguez'] will do during his junior year. His play from this past weekend was a glimpse of what is to come this season. The 6-foot-4 signal caller showcased great precision on his throws, and this pass is a prime example of that.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/marcorod555/status/1624594957695873024?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] – Eisenhower, 6'1”, 170, WR</p>   <p>After a strong showing in 2022, [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] is on a mission to establish himself as one of the top wideouts in Class 5A this year. He's already off to a good start this off-season by coming up with this difficult catch in double coverage. The way he was able to maintain focus through the contact was very encouraging to see.  </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carterpabst04/status/1624767327630663680?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <h2>Class of ‘26</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy'] – Hays, 6'0”, 160, WR </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy'] was recently featured in the first Class of '26 rankings update, and he's making an early case to be a <em>Stock Riser</em> in the next one. Purdy proved to be a reliable target over the weekend, as he saw multiple targets in the 15U competition. He came up with this one-handed snag in the flats, and he did his best Antonio Brown impersonation with a toe-tap catch in the back of the end zone. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jarekp0/status/1625284841922080768?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='595717' first='Ja'Marcus' last='Vornes'] - Junction City, 5'11”, 135, WR</p>   <p>Up next is a prospect that has the potential to earn some varsity snaps this fall. Much like his freshman highlight tape, [player_tooltip player_id='595717' first='Ja'Marcus' last='Vornes']<strong> </strong>of Junction City was an absolute playmaker over the weekend. Vornes may be small in stature, but he managed to absorb the contact on these two contested catches. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/manmanj10/status/1625147106527789056?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'] – Shawnee Heights, 6'3”, 170, QB</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'] of Shawnee Heights was back to business, as he showed why he is regarded as a Top 10 prospect in the Class of '26. This clip is only one throw from the weekend of competition, but it was an impressive one nonetheless. Scott showed off his arm strength with this dart between two defenders for a touchdown. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/aiden_scott14/status/1625136464660156417?s=61&t=xwY8hVpwBANhA1M6tU4DuQ </div></figure>

We're at a slow point in the calendar in Kansas, and at times off-season reporting can become repetitive. That's why we're going to switch things up a bit. Off-season action won't quite ramp up until March, but there have been a few 7-on-7 competitions that have already taken place. Since the state of Kansas has yet to allow spring football practice for high schools; the 7-on-7 circuit is the next best thing for prospects. For some, it's the first time they've touched the field since last fall, so it's safe to say they're eager to get back into the swing of things.