Wichita-Area 2027's: Summer Baller Alert

After dipping their collective toe in the varsity pool last year, the freshman standouts around the state are making the last-second adjustments needed before reporting to camp for year number two. With a year under their belts, another year of around-the-clock training and plenty of timely coaching, the stars of tomorrow are ready to go off like a Friday-Night Roman Candle this fall.   For the division 1 candidates, the sophomore season is especially critical as it is an opportunity to lock in with coaches and scouts early and develop a next-level relationship that will help making a decision down the road.   The sophomore season played right sets the stage for putting together a high-school career that will be captured for the ages. It is also another opportunity to achieve more at the top levels of the sport - winning a state championship and achieving all-conference and all-state recognition.   I have already shined the spotlight on a number of Wichita-area 2027 future ballers, but wanted to make sure and get these guys some attention before the summer comes to a close.   So, without further adieu, I bring you, the 2027 Mid-Week Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.'], 5'7, 160, RB, Derby, is ranked #1. He is coming off a stellar freshman season when he carried 29 times for 309 yards, averaging 10+ yards per carry and six touchdowns. Lining up as a tailback or returning punts and kicks, he is a highlight-reel ready to happen anytime he touches the ball. Possessing next-level instincts and blazingly-quick feet, he effortlessly weaves through traffic making people miss. He has a great burst and acceleration off the cut, slices through arm tackles and shifts gears to speed-mode in the open. He is more than just a runner, as demonstrated by his blocking and special teams play. This kid has been called "special" by numerous people I have talked to and is surrounded with some serious talent. Get ready for him to explode this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'], 6'1, 200, LB, Great Bend, is ranked #7. He is coming off an excellent start to his high school career, starting at inside linebacker and piling up 57 tackles and a fumble recovery in the process. He comes from good DNA, as his older brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], was an all-state linebacker last year as well. Little bro is off and running making a name for himself as a rugged backer who will bust blockers in the mouth and make pile-driving hits on the ball carrier. He has outstanding instincts, with great read and react skills, and all but shuts down the run game between the tackles. He is also fast, athletic and a top-notch open-field tackler running down speedy backs on the perimeter. This kid is going to be a stud. Get out and see him help lead a tough Great Bend defense this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='403631' first='Cordale' last='Johnson'], 6'0, 160, DB/WR, Maize is ranked #12. Closing in on the top 10 of the 2027 class, he wasted no time last year making a name for himself as a two-way, multi-positional player. He lines up all over the Maize offensive formation, where he takes advantage of mismatches to burn teams long down the sideline. He has good size and length and already plays a mature game. He is a smooth, precise route runner who gets immediate separation off the ball. He has outstanding hands and is fearless going up to the apex point or catching the contested pass over the middle. He is also a dangerous return man on Maize special teams. I had the pleasure of watching him in action working with Coach Cagle and @MPA_Training at Bethel College recently. This kid is the real deal, get your popcorn out this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='936547' first='Malachi' last='Brunk'], 6'0, 165, ATH, Inman, is ranked #23. He is coming off a solid freshman season where he picked up playing time on offense as a QB and on the other side of the ball as a defensive back. On offense, in the last six games, he threw for just over 700 yards and ten touchdowns. He also added 145 yards rushing. On defense he is a smothering defensive back who was in on 31 tackles and picked off a pass. Besides going both ways, he is a multi-positional player with good athleticism, size and length. He has outstanding read and react skills on defense, where he sits back in zone or man, reading the quarterback's eyes and then with top-end closing speed flies to the football. He can play anywhere on the field and is expected to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='945007' first='Cash' last='Barrientos']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cash-barrientos/"></a> , LB, 6'0”, 170, Eisenhower, is ranked #27. A talented multi-sport athlete who is coming off a solid start to high school sports this past year. Along with being an up-and-coming linebacker on the football team, he is also a multi-positional player on the baseball team. Unfortunately, there is not much tape and even less information available to run with at this time. Keep him on your list of players to check out this fall as Eisenhower is loaded this year.   In conclusion, get these guys on your watchlist. They are getting ready to make some serious noise this fall. And, as always, if anyone knows of players flying under the radar feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

After dipping their collective toe in the varsity pool last year, the freshman standouts around the state are making the last-second adjustments needed before reporting to camp for year number two. With a year under their belts, another year of around-the-clock training and plenty of timely coaching, the stars of tomorrow are ready to go off like a Friday-Night Roman Candle this fall.