Game Balls From Around the State: Week 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe we're already on to Week 4 in the <em>Sunflower State</em>, but the 2024 season is chugging right along. With the season now in full swing, we're beginning to see a number of prospects separate themselves from the rest of the pack. That was the case during Week 3, and now it's time to highlight some of these impressive performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Receiving Performances</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'] - Great Bend, 6'6”, 215, Class of'26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 ranked prospect in our Class of ‘26 rankings had a ridiculously efficient performance against Buhler. [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer']'s stat line was similar to Randy Moss' 1998 Thanksgiving Day numbers, as Premer caught five passes for five touchdowns. Yet another reason why the 6-foot-6, 215-pound tight end is on the radar of several <em>Power 5</em> programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1115097' first='Brody' last='Anderson'] - Burlington, 5'10”, 155, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next receiving <em>Game Ball</em> goes to [player_tooltip player_id='1115097' first='Brody' last='Anderson'] of Burlington. While five touchdowns on five catches is a very impressive stat line, Anderson's Week 3 numbers weren't too bad either. The senior racked up 194 yards on nine catches and caught two touchdowns. Anderson's quietly putting together a solid season offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1293837' first='Quin' last='Myers'] - Blue Valley West, 5'9”, 165, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1293837' first='Quin' last='Myers'] has looked good to start his senior campaign, but he really put folks on notice in Blue Valley West's victory over Bishop Miege. Myers recorded a season-high in receiving yards, as he finished the contest with seven catches for 134 yards and one score. This performance also made it three straight games with a touchdown reception for Myers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Secondary Performances</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Schmidt</strong> - Pratt, 5'10”, 160, Class of ‘25, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Schmidt</strong> of Pratt put together arguably the top individual performance of the season thus far. In Pratt's big win over Larned, Schmidt accounted for six total touchdowns. But it's what the senior did in the secondary that was truly note worthy. Schmidt returned two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Having four defensive scores in one game is wild. What's really mind blowing though, is that Schmidt did this all in just the second quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1228469' first='Steel' last='Schomaker'] - Valley Center, 6'3”, 205, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another mind blowing stat from Week 3 came from the matchup between Valley Center and Maize South. [player_tooltip player_id='1228469' first='Steel' last='Schomaker'] of Valley Center was virtually everywhere during this game. Valley Center's staff reports that Schomaker recorded 28 total tackles in the defensive battle against Maize South. On top of this, he also forced a fumble and had one interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Kicking Performances</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1403545' first='Michael' last='Johnston'] - Goodland, 5'11”, 180, Class of ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1403545' first='Michael' last='Johnston'] had a busy night during Week 3. With Goodland's offense exploding for 51 points, Johnston had a lot of opportunities to showcase his leg. Johnston was a perfect 7 for 7 on PAT's in Goodland's victory over Oakley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1114812' first='Yusef' last='Iskandrani'] - Free State, 6'1”, 180, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No surprise here with this next <em>Game Ball</em>. [player_tooltip player_id='1114812' first='Yusef' last='Iskandrani'] of Free State picked up his second <em>Game Ball</em> of the season after another strong performance. The top ranked kicker drilled three field goals, with a 47 yarder being his longest, and he connected on two PAT's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904439' first='Trace' last='Rudd'] - Blue Valley NW, 6'0”, 180, Class of ‘26 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904439' first='Trace' last='Rudd'] of Blue Valley Northwest proved once again that he's not only one of the top kickers in the Class of ‘26, but in the whole state as well. Rudd earned his second <em>Game Ball</em> of the season after drilling the game winner in Northwest's win over St. James Academy. He finished the night 3 for 3 on PAT's and was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->