Program Preview: Wamego Red Raiders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preparation for the 2024 Prep Season is now underway. Players have started practice and will be checking out equipment this week, if they haven't already gotten it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are still days away before Kansas athletes can wear pads and start hitting, but it's never too early for Prep Redzone scouts to feature teams across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday I previewed the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats in my first “Program Preview.” Before heading out to scout a practice this afternoon I wanted to share with our readers a second team preview this one on the Wamego Red Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders are coming off a 9-4 record in 2023 reaching the Class 4A State Semifinals, after playing in the state championship game in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wamego looks to be competitive again this season which will be the eleventh season under current head coach Weston Moody.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders open their season on September 6, with a road game in Concordia. Two key match-ups on their schedule are a&nbsp; September 13, home game against Rock Creek, and on September 27, they should be in one of the top games of the week against the Hayden Wildcats at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a quick look at multiple players ranked and unranked who will be key contributors in Wamego's 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115468' first='Kaden' last='Kearn'],</strong> DB, 5'11”, 175, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearn is currently ranked No. 81 overall in the class of 2025. He is one of five returning starters on defense for Wamego. The defense might need to steal a win or two early in the season on a young offensive team. Kearn has solid ball skills and makes plays. Kearn finished his junior season with 45 total tackles and one interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115491' first='Brody' last='Oviatt'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 190, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oviatt is a fast and mean linebacker who is currently ranked No. 110 overall by Prep Redzone. He is one of the top returning tacklers for Wamego. I watched him this summer and liked the way he can play the run, rush the passer, or drop back in pass protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115449' first='Bennett' last='York']</strong>, OL, 6'3”, 250, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>York is an anchor on the Indian offensive line and is currently ranked No. 346 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025. York is one of three returning starters on the Wamego offensive line. &nbsp;York plays guard for the Red Raiders. He delivers a quick first punch, gets out of stance quickly, and blocks well at the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1329854' first='Jackson' last='Tupps']</strong>, WR, 5'9”, 165, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tupps is currently unranked but is an explosive wideout with great hands. He moved to Kansas from South Dakota this summer. I saw Tupps compete in a padded camp at Wamego in July and was impressed with his ability to get open. He is a guy who can break ankles and tackles. He is scheduled to be added to the rankings when they are released next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114763' first='Roman' last='Eveland']</strong>, DL, 5'11”, 240, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eveland is a run-stopping defensive lineman ranked at No. 140. &nbsp;He is one of three returning starters for Wamego who were in the starting 11 as sophomores. He is a strong athlete who finishes tackles. He is also a baseball prospect to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113129' first='Logan' last='Fulton'],</strong> QB, 6'0”, 185, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wamego has dangerous pass-catchers but will have a young gunslinger at quarterback. Fulton was one of the most impressive quarterbacks I saw all summer. He is currently ranked No. 17 overall in the class of 2027 Prep Redzone rankings and is the second-ranked quarterback. It's not fair to dump a ton of pressure on this kid at such a young age, but the Red Raiders' signal caller will need to eat that pressure for breakfast and guide the Wamego Offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other returning starters for Wamego who are currently unranked by Prep Redzone are <strong>Kasen Hall</strong> (DB), <strong>Hayden McCarthy</strong> (OL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1701591' first='Rylan' last='Heald']</strong> (OL), <strong>Jace Johnson</strong> (WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1343594' first='Harper' last='Lull']</strong> (WR), and <strong>Tate Warren</strong> (RB).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->