Top Players Eliminated in the Semifinals: Class 4,5 and 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Missouri state semifinals saw some of the top players exit the playoffs as their teams lost this past weekend. Here are some of the top ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 6 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DE SMET </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322134' first='Caleb' last='Redd']</strong> 2024 EDGE committed to Kentucky had a very good senior year at OLB/Edge for the Spartans. Caleb was a leader on one of the best defenses I watched in 2023, and led them in sacks again with 13 to go along with 49 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. Schools in his conference will be glad to see the long, speedy edge rusher go to the SEC next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123367' first='Quincy' last='Byas'] </strong>2025 DE had a breakout junior year and has started picking up D1 offers based on his play this season. Byas was second on the team in sacks with 12 to go with 51 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. He will likely have a very busy offseason as his recruitment continues to pick up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285142' first='Jason' last='King']</strong> 2025 LB is another big-time D1 prospect defender on the Spartans defense that came oh so close to making to the state championship game. King's rise as a D1 prospect started in the spring and summer, but his play solidified him as one of the top prospects in the state in the 2025 class. The 6'2" 215 linebacker led his team in tackles with 90, and also contributed 4 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries, along with an interception. He had 14 tackles in the loss to CBC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285140' first='Dillon' last='Duff']</strong> 2025 QB is part of the super talented Missouri class of junior quarterback class. Duff was the main cog of the offense throwing for 1,863 yards and 15 touchdowns, while completing 61% of his passes, and also showed some wheels running the ball for 595 yards and 8 more touchdowns, averaging 9.4 yards per carry, showing himself to be a threat through the air and on the ground. Dillon is a very good athlete who was able to show his full game in 2023. He is another D1 prospect who will return for one more year for the Spartans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112565' first='Titan' last='Davis'] </strong>2026 DL is on the ascendency with his recruitment as multiple D1 schools offered after seeing what the 6'5" 240 DE did this season. Titan is very athletic with a good motor and is just scratching the surface of his potential with a high ceiling as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROCKHURST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218447' first='Andrew' last='Sprague']</strong> 2024 OT and Michigan commit was dominant this season from his offensive left tackle spot, holding it down and protecting his QB, while being a devastating run blocker in leading the way for runners. He also played defensive end for the Hawklets and had 14 tackles, The 6'8" 300lb Sprague is perfect for the Big Ten and should be a contributor for the Wolverines sooner rather then later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='861177' first='Thomas' last='Coppinger'] </strong>2024 LB/FB is one of the top players in the state without a D1 full-ride offer. Thomas was a stud carrying the ball, receiving and blocking as a large part of the Hawklets offense and was the top defender I saw watching them play this season as their leading tackler with 85. The 6'3" 230 Coppinger has multiple preferred walk-on offers from schools such as K-State, Kansas and others, and looks like he will be a contributor wherever he goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218445' first='Ethan' last='Hansen'] </strong>2024 QB is another college caliber player for the Hawklets that is still flying under the radar considering his playing ability he has shown for three years as the starting quarterback. Hansen threw for over 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns, completing 61% of his passes, while running for another 300 yards and 4 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aidan Ryan</strong> 2024 RB did it all on offense rushing for over 800 yards and 16 touchdowns catching 19 passes for 177 yards and 4 more scores, was a great blocker and complete back, plus was an outstanding special teams performer. He also played defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 5 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CAPE CENTRAL</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112573' first='Keyshawn' last='Boyd']</strong> 2026 RB is one of the top sophomores in the state and top running backs overall at 6'0" 195. Boyd has size, speed and power with good vision. He's a physical runner who can house it on any given carry and make some long touchdown runs in 2023, including a school record for longest TD run with a 99-yarder. In fact, he set 5 schools records with longest TD run, most yards in a season with over 2,200, most touchdowns with 34, and most points. Look for big things for the rising prospect in the offseason and into 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353071' first='Zai'Aire' last='Thomas']</strong> 2025 running back has been making big plays since he was a freshman. One of the fastest backs in the state ran for over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. He is also a threat as a receiver and as a return man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEBB CITY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128432' first='Gabe' last='Johnson']</strong> 2026 QB speedster rushed for 1,417 yards and 13 touchdowns and threw for over 600 yards and 5 touchdowns as the offense ran through him. Johnson is an elusive and tough runner who makes big plays, He'll return as a leader of the team next season in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 4 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LUTHERAN NORTH </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='188600' first='Dakarri' last='Hollis']</strong> 2025 QB has one of the best seasons of any offensive player regardless of class. A true dual threat who could beat you with his arm or his legs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trey Bass</strong> 2025 WR was a go-to playmaker when the Crusaders needed to make a play through the air. Good size, speed and very reliable hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mike Clark</strong> WR Speedster and big play player who could run down a deep ball or take a short pass and turn on the jets and house it with his athleticism and elusiveness track speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130998' first='Lonnie' last='Johnson'] </strong>2027 OL is just a freshman but at 6'2" 305 made a name for himself as one of the Crusaders top linemen, and one of the best regardless of grade in the St. Louis area. He's big and powerful, but quick, with good feet and equally talented with his run and pass blocking ability. He will only get better over the next three years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darrion Boone</strong> 2027 DE is another member of one of the best freshmen classes I have seen in a long time at one school. Boone will be one of the top edge rushers over the next few year with his speed and explosive first step. He contributed 34 tackles and 5 sacks in his first season of high school varsity ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131012' first='James' last='Bryant']</strong> 2027 LB had a monster debut season as the top performer of the Crusader freshmen. James didn't play like a freshman flying around the field and shitting down opponents with 91 tackls, 11 sacks and a fumble recovery as part of a stingy defense. Look for him to continue to pick up honors for his play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285149' first='Karvon' last='Jefferson']</strong> 2025 LB had one of the best defensive seasons across the state, and was a constant member of the stat monsters I would post about on a weekly basis throughout the season. Karvon had a monster 156 total tackles ,to go along with 7 sacks. Jefferson can cover a lot of ground and also has very good pass coverage skills. He is also one of the most physical hitters in the state and Midwest. Already holding multiple D1 offers, look for more to come his way in the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JEFFERSON CITY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254477' first='Brody' last='Smith'] </strong>2024 OL is a D1 prospect who had been a mainstay for the Jay on their offensive and defensive lines during his four years on varsity. The 6'5" 285-pounder had his best season yet in playing a big role in helping Jeff City make it to the semifinals. Brody is very athletic and has a frame to be a lean 300-pounder and play multiple positions along the OL on the next level. His recruitment is still open and attracting more schools leading up to signing day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradarious Lewis</strong> 2025 RB led the Jays in rushing in 2023 as part of a talented rotation of backs, including a 146 yard 1-TD game in their loss to Kearney in the semifinal game. Lewis finished his junior season. Lewis ran for 1,268 yards, avaeraging 11.1 yards per carry, and scoring 11 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendric Johnson</strong> 2025 WR/DB was they Jays leading receiver with 386 yards, avaering 25/7 yards per catch and scoring 4 touchdowns through the air. He also recorded 35 tackles from his defensive back position, and contributed on special teams. He'll be back to help lead the team next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->