Small Town Stars on The Rise in 7v7 Action
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Over the past month + I’ve hit the road regionally every weekend scouting Kansas players on the 7v7 circuit. Some players are All-State, college bound prospects, and some are on-the-rise underclassmen trying to make names for themselves. Some are small…
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Continue ReadingOver the past month + I’ve hit the road regionally every weekend scouting Kansas players on the 7v7 circuit. Some players are All-State, college bound prospects, and some are on-the-rise underclassmen trying to make names for themselves. Some are small town standouts, and some hail from the bigger metros of Wichita, Topeka, and KC. Some I’ve seen and covered enough times that I’ve met their parents, and some that were new faces to me. The goal is to leave no stone unturned with scouting these athletes, so you can imagine how being at these events is like being dropped in a Beyblade stadium. So much action going on at once, you end up all over the place trying to see athletes. This report I decided to narrow my focus on the small town players that are looking to be more than just hometown heroes.
Jackson is a player that stood out from the very first game I saw him play. He understood how to run routes and was very successful working across the middle of the field and through zones. Made a ton of catches inside versus SS/LBs and had enough speed to pick up yards after catch and enough size to absorb hits. He’s sure handed and made catches whether covered or running free. Voth is coming off a 1000yd season at 3A Cheney High where he was 1st Team All-State. Playing with the Kansas Colts on the 7v7 circuit, he’s getting a chance to show the people outside of Cheney that he can ball with the best in the Midwest regardless of Class size or town size. If Voth continues to show the rest of the region what Cheney, KS already knows this spring and summer expect a few college scouts to have Cheney High in their GPS on Fall Fridays.
Highlights
Cole Webber
Cole Webber
This kid immediately catches your eye just due to his frame. He’s listed at 6’4″ and has an D1 ready body right now. Watching him go through warm-ups was equally impressive. Cole is smooth with his movement and looks natural playing the position. He was catching one handed deep balls with little effort. He probably isn’t the fastest WR on the circuit, but his frame and experience as a route runner makes him virtually impossible to play press coverage against at this level. His ability to run routes across the middle of the field and eat up zones and ability to go deep and win 50/50 balls shows his versatility. The Ellsworth, KS star is a matchup nightmare, and he’s proving that he’s a problem against any level of competition. Cole Webber will have eyes watching him closely throughout the Fall.
Hesston High signal caller Hudson Ferralez Hudson Ferralez 6’1″ | 205 lbs | QB Wichita Collegiate | 2024 State KS quickly became one of my favorite players to cover. The 6’1″ QB showed all the characteristics that you want in the leader of your offense. Hudson is big strong built kid with thick legs and big arm. Your initial impression of him is, he had the size to play college football right now. Watching him warming up, the ball just jumped out of his hand with velocity so effortlessly. His mechanics look polished and he has good touch on his passes. He knew when to put some zip on the ball to fit it in tight windows and when to take some off and drop it in a spot. There were even a few times where dipped into his trickbag and completed some circus throws having fun. Hudson has shown the ability to complete all the throws on the route tree. From a mental standpoint, he’s equally as impressive. He’s a leader and has a personality as live as his arm. Very fun kid to interview. He has a high IQ and is very poised. Never seemed to be rattled or under pressure in any game I saw him. He in turn seems to thrive off of it. He appears to love the bright lights and had fun no matter who the opponent was. He is a coach’s son and calls his own plays. That’s very impressive for a kid with one more year of HS remaining. It’s more impressive that he’s led the Kansas Colts to a 7v7 tournament championship on a competitive regional circuit. I think this kid has a bright future and will have a healthy list of suitors in the Fall as he plays out his senior season at Hesston High.
Highlights
Maddox Waters
Maddox Waters
Another 6’4″ sturdy built pass catcher for the Kansas Colts team. His frame is college ready right now as a junior and is an issue for smaller high school DBs. He’s also listed as a TE on his school’s roster, but 7v7 basically consist of spread formations so he splits out wide. Maddox isn’t a burner, but he has adequate speed for his size and knows how to get open. He typically has the size advantage on DBs and can create separation or boxout defenders. His routes are smooth and he has sure hands. He made catches in traffic and at all 3 levels of the defense. Smart player who’s able to make plays against more athletic defenders. Coming out of Class 2A Beloit High, Maddox is still under-the-radar but being productive and making plays against 5 and 6A players from other regional states will change that.
Ian Andalon-Silva Ian Andalon-Silva 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB Ellsworth | 2024 State KS -Silva
Ian Andalon-Silva Ian Andalon-Silva 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB Ellsworth | 2024 State KS -Silva
If you’re looking for a versatile pass catcher out of the backfield, this kid fits the mold. Built similar to a Deuce Vaughn/Darren Sproles type back, low to the ground but very strong solid legs, Ian is cat quick and deceptively strong. 7v7 is a great forum for smaller versatile backs to show their skillset in the passing game. This kid showed great hands out of the backfield and in the slot and shiftiness when the ball was in his hands. He created match-up problems for LBs trying to cover him out of the backfield. He’ll have one more season in the Fall and a fresh start to build on his Spring highlights as a pass catcher out the backfield and add to his career rushing totals.
Keon Edwards
Keon Edwards
This kid is a strong built DB who is listed as a SS with his school but doubles as a CB on the 7v7 circuit. Edwards has ideal size to cover big WRs and TEs, and I think he’ll end up settling in as a Safety/Rover at the next level. He’s fundamentally sound and plays with patience. I rarely saw him bite on fancy releases off the line and double moves, and he stayed on top of his man. The senior-to-be is strong when gets a jam on the WR, and probably is biggest strength. He’s shown good ball skills too coming up with a few interceptions this Spring. Look for Keon Edwards to be a name listed amongst the better DBs in Kansas if he keeps up with this momentum from 7v7.