QB-WR Connections – Smaller Schools
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This is the second follow-up report on elite Wichita Area QB-WR Connections, with this one focusing on candidates from smaller schools. As referenced in the earlier reports, developing one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the state is not something…
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Continue ReadingThis is the second follow-up report on elite Wichita Area QB-WR Connections, with this one focusing on candidates from smaller schools. As referenced in the earlier reports, developing one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the state is not something that happens over night. In some cases it is years in the making, in others, it starts clicking at some point during the junior season and then morphs into something special when the senior season rolls around.
And, if last season is an indication of even better things to come, these three are going to put up a fireworks show in 2024. Last season the three quarterbacks listed below totaled right at 8,400 yards in the air and an astonishing 96 touchdown passes between them.
Every year is a little different and as these guys work through other sports and train for the final year, the connections continue to gel and build on the daily grind. Finding the winning combination in ’24 will be interesting for each, whether it ends up being a breakout season for the traditional quarterback-receiver connection; or if it transitions into more of a “connection by committee” where no one receiver is established as the primary connection, and the ball is spread around.
Listed below are three smaller school QB-Receiver connections from Cheney, Sedgwick and Wellington to keep an eye on in the upcoming season.
The Cheney Connection – coming off an undefeated state championship last year and returning key pieces from that team has led to high hopes for more success in 2024. Working out of the wide-open Cheney offense, these two started getting in a groove last year and it looks like it is going to be lights out in 2024. They work together seamlessly on a host of short passes, including curls, outs and quick slants, that quickly frustrate the defense. But that is just for openers. Once they get the defense sucked in to curb the run and the short pass, they start the long ball air raid attack, blowing up the vertical game with an impressive array of deep throws. They also work well once the play breaks down, mirroring each other to ensure there are options on the play. With a year of standout play under their belts these guys are going to be on fire in 2024.
Josh Burdick Josh Burdick 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Cheney | 2025 State KS , 6’0 185, QB, Cheney is ranked #31 but will probably be climbing the ranks after leading Cheney to the state championship and undefeated season. He also compiled some jaw-dropping stats along the way, passing for 2,625 yds and 37 TD’s on 182 for 262 passes for a shimmering 69% completion percentage. He also added 234 rushing yards and six rushing TD’s to give him an impressive 43 total touchdowns. Working out of the powerful Cheney offense, he demonstrates good pocket awareness and has excellent set up and passing mechanics. He has a nice, compact throwing motion and shows good ball placement. He slices and dices the defense with quick, surgical strikes and excellent decision making. He sets up the long ball well, and is one of the few QB’s I have scouted that has incorporated an excellent pump fake into his game. He is an elusive runner and scrambles well, but is disciplined and when he does it is with eyes downfield looking to make a pass before running. Get your popcorn and get ready to watch this kid star in 2024.
Jase Robertson Jase Robertson 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Cheney | 2025 State KS , 6’2, 175, WR, Cheney is unranked, but following a state champion season and another year fine-tuning one of the top QB-WR connections in the state, he is not going to be unranked long. He runs good disciplined routes and is very effective at working in and out of the soft areas of defender zones. He is long and has good reach with an excellent catch radius. He goes up to the apex-point for the ball and doesn’t usually get beat on a jump ball. Usually split out wide, it is just a matter of time before they burn teams deep, using an effective combination of seam routes and sideline alleys. He has good wheels and runs well after the catch. It won’t be long before you are hearing about him in the coming season.
The Sedgwick Connection – whenever you average over 300 yards passing a game there is a connection – or many connections – made and at a maddening pace if you happen to be on the defensive side of the football. Last season the wide open Cardinal offense spread the ball around to a number of solid receivers, but this year these two are peaking at the right time. Operating out of the potent Sedgwick spread offense they set up the long ball well with series of quick strikes over the middle and flooding zones in the flat. Once the defense starts to adjust to try and stop the bleeding, they dial it up long and burn up the seams and deep sideline throws. These two work well together and you can tell they have spent time developing their unique connection. All eyes on Sedgwick in 2024.
Corey Crumrine Corey Crumrine 5'9" | 155 lbs | QB Sedgwick | 2025 State KS , 5’10, 165, QB, Sedgwick is currently ranked #38. He is coming off a spectacular junior season where he passed for over 3,148 yards, on 208 of 318 passes, for a sparkling 65% completion percentage. He also added an impressive 34 touchdown passes with only two interceptions for the year. He led the state (all classes) in passing yards per game at 315 yards per contest and also had one of the best TD-to-interception ratios in the state (34-2) . Overall, he has solid mechanics setting up, with good feet seamlessly moving around the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. He throws an excellent short pass, zipping bullets on gaps in zones and showing good ball placement. Although he doesn’t have a howitzer for an arm, it is plenty strong enough to scorch teams with the long ball. He throws a nice, catchable pass and consistently hits his receivers in stride. Additionally, he is adept at throwing on the run, particularly moving left where he squares his shoulders well. If his junior season is any indication at all, this kid is getting ready to launch some fireworks in 2024.
Dallas Lagree Dallas Lagree 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Sedgwick | 2025 State KS , 5’10, 155, WR, Sedgwick, is ranked #39 – finished in the top 10 in the state in pass reception yards, on 63 receptions, for 856 yards, a 14.0 average and 7 touchdowns through the air. Split out wide in the wide-open Sedgwick air show, he runs good, precise routes and is excellent at establishing separation early. He has excellent, soft hands, and works the sidelines well. He also has deceptive speed and once he gets the short game going it isn’t long before he is burning corners deep. Looking like a breakout year coming up in 2024.
The Wellington Connection – coming off a season when they passed for almost 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, the Wellington passing attack is going to be keeping defensive coordinators up at night. And, where most passing attacks are lucky to have one decent receiver, they have multiple wideouts with differing skill sets to go to depending on the circumstances of the game. With a gunslinger of a quarterback and big, physical receivers who can run, this offense is the real deal. They can dink and dunk with short game passes or shred the defense with effective play action. With physical receivers who are good athletes these guys are deadly in the red zone. This is going to be a fun team to watch, get out and see them light things up in 2024.
Dusty Bannister Dusty Bannister 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Wellington | 2025 State KS , 6’1, 190, Wellington, is ranked #185. A playmaker dual threat quarterback who is coming off an excellent junior season when he compiled 30 touchdowns running and passing and also piled up just under 3,000 total yards. He plays an aggressive game where he uses his gunslinger mentality to make things happen. He has good nimble feet and moves well in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Overall, his mechanics on play-action and rolling out are excellent. He throws a catchable ball with nice touch going deep and can also fire bullets in the short-to-medium game. As a part of his playmaker abilities he throws off platform and from different launch angles well, but does drop the ball low on occasion which leads to a slower, more elongated throwing motion. He is also a good runner who is deceptively fast and is very effective at extending plays, scrambling as needed or keeping it on a called run. Keep an eye on this guy in 2024.
Carter Burnett Carter Burnett 6'4" | 185 lbs | DL Wellington | 2025 State KS , 6’4, 195, ATH, Wellington, is ranked #104. A rangy, active force on both sides of the ball, he won’t be ranked this low for very long. An all-state performer a year ago, he led the team in touchdowns with 11, caught 44 passes for 842 yards, averaging 19.1 yards per catch. On the other side of the ball he flew to the ball on 96 total tackles and added an interception. He is a long target with an outstanding catch radius. He goes up for the ball to catch at it’s highest point. He doesn’t lose many jump balls, particularly in the end zone. This guy is a stud you don’t want to miss in 2024.
Skyler Branam, 6’0, 190, WR, Wellington – is not currently ranked. Although flying under the radar somewhat he is coming off an outstanding season when he hauled in 36 receptions, for 868 yards, and an eye-popping 24.1 avg. He also scored seven touchdowns and started making a name for himself as a top talent. With a year under their belts this should be a connection that really blossoms in 2024. Get out and see all three this fall, you will be glad you did.
In conclusion, these guys are getting ready to make some noise in 2024 – get out and see them play. Up next – QB-WR Connection: Some of the New Combo’s in 2024. As always, any suggestions/feedback on players and ballers flying under the radar, feel free to DM me on X.