2026 Pre-Season Baller Updates Wichita/Western KS

The 2026 class approaches a key year in their high school career this fall. The critical junior season. If things work out like they are supposed to, it is a springboard season and perfectly positions them to attract the attention of coaches and scouts and hopefully help the team win it all their senior year.   But, the road to greatness is littered with the guys who are not willing to relentlessly work at taking their craft to the next level. You have to be willing to excel in other sports, while training full-time for the gridiron along the way. It means going to camps, clinics, working with specialists, off-season team training, working at getting bigger and faster, cleaner nutrition, emphasis on the mental game, learning to block out distractions...the list goes on.   You either step up to the daily challenge or someone is gonna step over you, on their way to the next level.   In this report we will take a look at six players from 2026, who I have reported on earlier in the year but was impressed enough that I wanted to give the Sunflower State an update on their football journey this summer. Oh, and let you know to watch out for Great Bend this fall.   So, without further adieu, I bring you "The Sizzling Six" - a half dozen guys from 2026 who are getting ready dominate at their respective positions.   Running Backs:   [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brayden-pappas/"></a> , 5'8, 185, RB/LB, Eisenhower, is ranked #25. As reported earlier, he is coming off a standout sophomore season when he played five different positions and helped Eisenhower to a playoff season. Since then he has been laser focused in the off-season preparing to handle running back duties and whatever else the team needs. This summer he hit it hard in the weight room and in taking his overall training to the next level. His PR in all the major lifts seems to jump every month, with his squat hovering in the 500 pound range the last time I looked. He has also been busy hitting many of the top camps/clinics in the area. He participated in the Friends Junior Day, the KC Varsity Combine, and division 1 camps at Oklahoma State, Kansas State and the University of Oklahoma. He is primed and ready to spearhead the loaded Eisenhower offense this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-farney/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-farney/"></a> , 6'0, 185, RB, Sterling, is ranked #51. Another stud running back from the class of '26 that I reported on a month or so ago. He has been very busy in the off-season playing multiple sports while still training year around for football. As one of the top hurdlers in the state he has gotten in plenty of speed work, but he has also hit the weight room consistently. After playing at 170 pounds last year, he put on 15 pounds of muscle and will be playing at 185 this fall. He has also been active expanding his training, participating in the Kansas State camp as well as working with @SchumannKegan of Revive Performance on taking his skill sets to the next level. After rushing for 1500+ yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, he is preparing for an elite encore. This kid is getting ready to dominate this fall.   Quarterbacks:   [player_tooltip player_id='1113456' first='Kris' last='Harding II']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kris-harding-ii/"></a> , 6'0, 180, QB, Chanute. Is ranked #55. A playmaking dual-threat quarterback who I have been watching closely since his breakout season a year ago, he has been active in the off-season. He is also a multi-sport athlete who was effective on the diamond as well going 6-0 on the mound and batting .337. And, along the way, he maintained a high level of training to continue to fine-tune his skills. In addition to his daily work, he supplemented his training with key visits to camps/clinics at Missouri Southern, South Dakota State and Pitt State. Although he is coming off one of the best sophomore seasons in the state a year ago with just under 2,000 yards and 20 TD's, he is still flying under the radar playing in SE Kansas. He has a very mature game for his age and is getting ready to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/daxton-minton/"></a> , 6'0, 180, QB, Great Bend, is ranked #67. Another top-notch, dual-threat QB who has had a busy and eventful off-season. Busy in the sense that he was able to hit the K-State, KU, and the Top Prospect camp/clinics. Eventful in that he had to skip the others (Nebraska, Iowa State and Fort Hays State) after sustaining a broken orbital bone in his eye socket playing summer hoops. He has since recovered and between working with @CoachHoover in the KC area on his QB mechanics and skill sets, and locally with his teammates. Coming off a standout season a year ago when he piled up just under 2,200 yards and 24 TD's, he will be throwing to the number-one ranked player in the state in 6'6" @IanPremer, so expect some serious fireworks this fall.   Linebackers:   [player_tooltip player_id='586976' first='Pharrell' last='Adams']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pharrell-adams/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pharrell-adams/"></a> , 6'0, 210, LB, Wichita East, is ranked #9. As one of the top returning linebackers in the state as a sophomore, he is on the right trajectory for division one glory. After piling up 110 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, and added a fumble recovery and an interception last year, he has been busy collecting interest and offers from smaller universities up to many of the elite D1 schools. When I first reported on him I referred to him as the “Beast From East” who was already one of the top linebackers in the state and off and running making a name for himself as an athletic, rugged hitter. This off-season he has been pounding the weights, getting up to 210 pounds, while also running hills, doing speed work and fine-tuning his elite-level skills. He has been counting down the days and can't wait to play. This kid is the real deal.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trenton-kern/"></a> , 6'1, 225, MLB, Great Bend, is ranked #22. A multi-sport athlete who stays busy year around, he is coming off an outstanding sophomore season as an athletic All-State linebacker, WAC Champion in wrestling and an All-State Designated Hitter in baseball. He has been training hard in the weight room and doing speed work in Coach Birney's off-season training program. He is one of those old-school headhunter linebackers that numerous coaches have gone on record saying is one of the best linebackers in the state. He can play any of the linebackers positions but is particularly effective as a ballbuster of a middle linebacker who flows fast and hits like a sledgehammer upon arrival. He is also a menace on special teams, setting a school record with three blocked punts a year ago. This kid is a stud, get out and see him star this fall.   In conclusion, if you haven't already done it, get these guys on your watchlist and get out and see them play when you can. They will all be playing on Saturdays in the very near future. Additionally, if you know of someone "flying under the radar" feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

The 2026 class approaches a key year in their high school career this fall. The critical junior season. If things work out like they are supposed to, it is a springboard season and perfectly positions them to attract the attention of coaches and scouts and hopefully help the team win it all their senior year.