Week 7 Preview: Eisenhower Rolls into Andover Central

It seems like the season just got started and here we are already zooming into week 7. Every game from here on out will be huge as the elite teams are pushing hard to fine-tune all three phases of the game before the playoffs hit.   The super highway to the high school playoffs can be traveled in numerous ways. Some teams weather the storms week in and week out and arrive battled-tested in week 7. Others, whether due to injuries or early-season struggles, have absorbed a loss or two along the way which puts even more emphasis on the remaining games.   In today's report we will take a look at a couple of teams who have traveled these precarious routes and are on track for a high-speed collision this Friday in Andover, when undefeated 5A #5 Goddard Eisenhower (6-0) travels across town to take on 4A #3 Andover Central (5-1).   Both teams have already played in some big games and against many of the same opponents to date. Additionally, there will be some serious star-power on the field as between the two teams there will be numerous future collegiate players ready to go to war this Friday.   In last year's meeting Eisenhower caught AC early in the year and took them out behind the woodshed for 41-17 thrashing. It would prove to be one of several wake-up calls that would ignite the Jaguars on the late-charge that led to their state-runner-up performance in the 4A State Championship.   Eisenhower would go deep into the playoffs as well, but lost to eventual 5A state-runner-up Kapaun by three, 42-39, in the semi-finals.   Both teams return numerous players from last year's successful teams and have also introduced some solid underclassmen who have stepped up to fill any roster voids.     Eisenhower (6-0):   Games Played So Far:   9-5 beat Valley Center 28-17   9-12 beat Goddard 32-21   9-20 beat Newton 49-7   9-27 beat Salina Central 51-28   10-4 beat Andover 21-17   10-11 beat Ark City 47-13   Eisenhower Offense: strong senior leadership from some proven performers as well as bringing on standout underclassmen who have stepped up to help make this year's edition of the Tiger offense a potentially record-breaking group. Anytime someone covers the Tiger offense this year it usually highlights who I refer to as the Eisenhower Trifecta - QB [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'], 6'3, 195, '25; WR [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] , 6'1, 185, '25; and All-Purpose Back [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], 5'8, 185, '26, who are all three off to scorching-hot seasons.   But, in this report, I will highlight their extraordinary start to the 2024 season and then emphasize some of the unsung hero's on the team who may not be getting as much exposure as they deserve.   Skill Players: Morgan has completed 76 of 99 passes for 1,449 yards and a sizzling 77% completion percentage to go with 21 TD passes and only two picks for an off-the-charts QB rate of 149. Pabst, who set a school record last year with 19 TD's is off to an even hotter start this year as he has caught 37 passes for 835 yards, a 22.6 average and 15 TD's, which includes a punt-return TD. Pappas has been the workhorse in the Tiger running game and has rushed for 100+ yards in his last five games. On the year he has carried the ball 109 times for 722 yards and four TD's and has caught three passes for 73 yards and another score.   Offensive Front: when you have all that star-power at the skill positions you better have some studs in the trenches to help grease the skids. And, thankfully, for the resident Trifecta referenced above, they have a top-end group. Moving left to right, at left tackle is [player_tooltip player_id='1542896' first='Ethan' last='Trometer'], 6'2, 230, '25 - who can play guard or center and can come off the edge as a DE as needed. He has been rock-solid so far and needs to be as he fills a critical role in protecting his star QB's backside. At left guard is Josh Nelson, 6'3, 235, '25 - another versatile lineman in the trenches for the Tigers, who has excellent feet and moves well in pass pro and chipping off to pick up linebackers in the running game. Solidifying the middle at center is [player_tooltip player_id='1542910' first='Jake' last='Truzzolino'], 6'1, 215,'25 - who can also play guard and is the Tigers' long snapper on special teams. He has a powerful base and has a quick initial step gaining leverage in the trenches. At right guard is Brody Engel, 6'0, 210, '25 - another senior warrior along the Eisenhower front lines, who has stepped up to help make this one of the team's strong suits with his aggressive play. At right tackle is [player_tooltip player_id='1542914' first='Landon' last='Salazar'], 6'2, 275, '27 - as the only underclassman on the starting five, he brings excellent size and mobility to the starting position. He is only a sophomore but has great reach and moves well in pass pro.   Eisenhower Defense: coming off a year when the Tigers' fielded one of their best defensive squads in school history, this year's team had some big shoes to fill. So far in 2024 they have been a strong unit who is only going to get more polished with time.   In the trenches, [player_tooltip player_id='1466196' first='Makai' last='Tagatac'], NG, 6'1, 235, '25 is a versatile mauler who can play anywhere along the front but has excelled as a show-stopper of a NG who has collected 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks in six games. Also helping shut down opposing teams in the trenches has been junior [player_tooltip player_id='1542918' first='Jameson' last='Turner'], DL/Edge, 6'1, 225 , '26, an athletic ball-buster of a defender who has 36 tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack so far in 2024. Additionally, the defense is further bolstered by a couple of stout linebackers in [player_tooltip player_id='1306216' first='Peyton' last='Dean'], 6'1, 250, '25 who has been a run-stuffer after transferring in for his senior year from Wichita NW; and sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1530394' first='Julian' last='Gallegos'], 5'10, 185, '27, who can play outside LB or as a hybrid d-back as needed. He has been in on 59 tackles and has three tackles for loss in six games.   Tiger Wrap-up: I have followed Eisenhower closely all year and they look like the real deal. They have risen to the occasion in a couple of tough games, survived a monsoon game early-on, and in almost every game so far have been able to show off their high-octane offense. The defense gets stronger with every game, so if they can steer clear of injuries they should be able to go deep into the playoffs once again.     Andover Central - last fall a young team took some shots mid-season that threatened to derail the entire year, as well as any hope of making the playoff's. With the way forward somewhat obscured, enter that cagy veteran, Head Coach Derek Tuttle, who calmly circled the wagons, pulled a few key levers and made some timely adjustments. The team got focused, pulled out of the tail spin and proceeded to plow through the competition before falling to state powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in the State Championship game.   Fast-forward to the 2024 season and the Jaguars return 9 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters , 26 lettermen and many others who saw varsity action last fall when they finished second in state. They also return players who scored 44 of the 47 touchdowns scored by the team last year. And, until getting surprised two weeks ago by a tough Goddard team 16-22, had been steamrolling the competition, averaging 40+ points per game on offense and holding the opposition to a single-digits average.   Games Played So Far:   9-5 beat Hutch 47-7   9-13 beat Newton 42-7   9-20 beat Ark City 56-17   9-27 beat Valley Center 24-0   10-4 LOST to Goddard 16-22   10-11 beat Salina Central 31-7   AC Offense:   Skill Players: the Andover Central offense is one of the few that can actually match Eisenhower's star power at key positions. This Friday night they will bring on their own four horseman at the gridiron skill spots in QB [player_tooltip player_id='1333007' first='Jace' last='Jefferson'], 6'0, 185, '25; TB Maddox Archibald, 5'8, 175, '25, 3-way All-State athlete [player_tooltip player_id='442661' first='Jace' last='Adler'], 6'3, 190, '25 and rising star wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1228443' first='Brandt' last='Stupka'], 6'2, 180, '25 who have all been off to fast starts so far this year.   And, as I did above, after a brief overview of the the big four's offensive prowess, we will dive into the studs behind the scenes who are helping the team not only win, but make their skill players look good.   Jefferson is 84-147 for 1,266 yards and 16 TD passes to only four picks. Maddox has been busy, rushing 104 times for 672 yards for a 6.5 yard average and 11 total TD's. Adler has caught 27 passes for 385 yards for six touchdowns on offense, racked up 27 tackles and four TFL and also returns punts and kicks. Stupka has stepped up as the top receiver on the team, with 31 receptions for 576 yards and seven TD's. He is averaging 19 yards a catch, which included an 80-yard score.   Offensive Front: where the Tigers have more of a lean-mean machine on the front lines, the Jags take up plenty of gap space with their array of massive ballers who are skilled at both blocking on the run and in pass pro. And, like the Tigers, AC also has some serious skill-player firepower at their disposal. They have effectively built a powerful base to work from so they can shift into full-time missile-launch mode as needed. The Jags have fortified the offensive front with the dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='571097' first='Dawson' last='Rodd'], 6'3, 300, '25 - who is a returning all-state starter since his sophomore year on both sides of the ball and has dominated, getting considerable interest from D1 and D2 schools. [player_tooltip player_id='1301851' first='Logan' last='Lira'], 6'4 285, '25 is another versatile brawler and returning all-conference starter who can play multiple positions. He has stepped up and been strong as the left tackle responsible for protecting his all-star QB's blindside. Rodd and Lira both train in the off-season with legendary Coach Tabor @PIAthletes. On the other side is [player_tooltip player_id='1274704' first='Grant' last='Fuksa']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grant-fuksa/"></a> , 6'4, 275 OL '25 - another returning starter and all-conference tackle who has excellent reach and size and provides the Jags with solid perimeter coverage from his right tackle position.     AC Defense: on the defensive side of the ball, the Jags have been a brick wall, holding opposing teams to less than seven points in four of their first six games. In their other two games the most the opposition has scored this year is 22, which unfortunately corresponded with an uncharacteristically average showing on offense, when they could only muster up 16 points after averaging 40+ through the earlier games.   Up front in the trenches the Jags utilize a one-two punch from a couple of junk-yard dogs in [player_tooltip player_id='1306212' first='Gaige' last='Hurley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gaige-hurley/"></a> , 6'4, 250, DL, '25, a returning starter and all-conference performer who moves around in the defensive scheme to shut down the game between the tackles. So far this year he has 25 tackles and one each sack and TFL. Working in lockstep along side, is Jaylen "Boogieman" Wilson, 6'2, 260, DL '25 who has been carving up opposing offensive lines from his nose guard position or when moved out wide to storm the gates off the edge. He leads the team with three sacks and three tackles for loss. This is the right time of year for the dreaded "Boogieman".   Swarming behind the beef up front are a couple of standout LB's in [player_tooltip player_id='1322065' first='Logan' last='Taggart']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-taggart/"></a> LB/TE, 6'3, 225 – a returning all-conference player who has piled up 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a pair of sacks; and all-state LB [player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'], LB/DB, 6'0, 195 '25 - the all-state defender returns as the leading tackler on the team with 118 total tackles in'23. He is a versatile multi-positional player who can go both ways and play as a head-pounding LB or as a hybrid defensive back stalking the passing lanes. So far through six games he has 54 tackles and four TFL.   Jag Defense Wrap-up: Similar to Eisenhower, Andover Central has been one of the teams I have been watching closely and they look strong so far in '24. They started the year by stomping a good Hutch team by 40 and other than their surprise loss two weeks ago, they have looked like the #1 team in 4A. Last year the Jags learned it ain't over until it's over as they overcame more than one big loss to hit the title game, so don't count this team out. They still have a lot of fireworks in store for 2024.     In conclusion, this is going to be a serious slugfest with loads of talent on both sides. Get out and see some of the best playing live this Friday. And, as always, if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar, feel free to give me a shout on X via DM.

It seems like the season just got started and here we are already zooming into week 7. Every game from here on out will be huge as the elite teams are pushing hard to fine-tune all three phases of the game before the playoffs hit.