Pair Of Defending State Champs Feature College Prospects

Jeremy Deckard

June 29, 2023 @ 01:21 PM

Wamego high school hosted a four-team 11-man padded football camp on June 29.   In attendance were the programs from Rock Creek, St. Mary's, and Nemaha Central. All four programs are coming off State Playoff seasons with two of those programs finishing as State Champions.   Here is the second of two reports from the scrimmage session in Wamego. This one features prospects from Nemaha Central and St. Mary's.   Nemaha Central won the Class 2A State championship last season defeating Kingman. While St. Mary's won the Class 1A state title by knocking off Inman. Both teams look poised to make deep playoff runs in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='146106' first='Holden' last='Bass'], 6'3", 275, DL, Nemaha Central, '24   Bass is currently ranked No. 39 in the Kansas Class of 2024 as ranked by Prep Redzone. He can play both sides of the ball as an offensive tackle or a defensive tackle. His size, strength, and drive to compete make him a force in the trenches. His ceiling is high and you would think a few Division I and Division II football programs would be involved in his recruitment.   [player_tooltip player_id='544747' first='Abe' last='Hilbert'], 6'6", 235, DL, Nemaha Central, '24   The largest athlete on the field at Wamego on June 29, was Nemaha Central's Hilbert. At six-foot-six he is a big body to run behind on the offensive line and a large obstacle to block when he plays defense. Scouts and coaches who watch the Thunder play this fall will witness some of the best linemen in the state. Hilbert is currently ranked No. 185 among his class of 2024 peers in the Prep Redzone rankings.   Jonah Deters, 5'11”, 180, LB, Nemaha Central, ‘24   Deters is a guy who jumped out at me during the scrimmage. He was not among our ranked players and nowhere near my radar until I watched him play. He is a solid linebacker who moves well laterally and can also rush the passer. He is solid in coverage and has good hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], 5'10”, 190, ATH, Nemaha Central, ‘26   Hajek is a young athlete who lined up all over the place during the scrimmage. He took snaps at quarterback, lined up in the backfield, and was spread out wide. He will be a prospect to watch over the next couple of seasons. He is a naturally gifted athlete who will work hard to find his niche on the field.   Atticus Martin, 6'2”, 245, C/NG, St. Mary's, ‘24   Martin is a solid lineman for St. Mary's. He works hard and can play both ways. He keeps a solid pad level and delivers a solid first punch. You can tell by the work that he has put into creating his Hudl film that he has a passion for the game and wants to compete at the college level. He received all-league honors during his junior season and looks to be a solid fit for NAIA or JUCO levels programs.   Nate Hutley, 5'10”, 165, RB/WR, St. Mary's, ‘24   Hutley is another athlete who can line up at multiple positions and burn defenses from any of them. I liked the way he ran the ball during the scrimmage. His speed plays and he is a tough ball carrier to bring down. He is a deep threat in the passing game and can be a weapon on special teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='1329862' first='Howie' last='Rezac'], 6'2”, 215, ATH, St. Mary's ‘25   Affectionately known as “Sonny Boy,” here is an athlete with a sunny future. Rezac can pick them up and put them down. He has impressive speed and good hands. The question with this young man will be, does he hit the gym and get bigger, or hit the track and get even faster, or some combination thereof? He is very skilled and has two more years of high school ball to continue to evolve on the gridiron.

Wamego high school hosted a four-team 11-man padded football camp on June 29.