Pass-Catchers to Watch During Sub-State: Class 6A-4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Championship Saturday</em> is now just a little over a week away, and this Friday night folks across the <em>Sunflower State</em> will find out which teams will be advancing to state. It's sure to be an exciting night of action as players and coaches inch closer to achieving the ultimate goal in high school football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are so many talented prospects across all classifications that will be taking the field during <em>Sub-State</em>. Many have been mentioned already this week in our staff's semifinal previews, but one group of players I'd like to highlight ahead of Friday are the pass-catchers. These prospects have made key plays throughout this postseason and could be difference makers for their respective teams. Here's a preview of some pass-catchers to keep an eye on from Classes 6A to 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Class 6A Sub-State</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1115438' first='Tim' last='Chartier'] - Gardner-Edgerton, 6'2, 180, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chartier was featured just a few weeks ago during our <em>Regional Round</em> coverage, and his play will be important again in Gardner-Edgerton's matchup against a stingy Blue Valley West defense. The senior's wide catch radius and ability to stretch the field will be key in helping the Trailblazers make it back to the 6A title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1333014' first='John' last='Lujan'] - Derby, 5'8”, 195, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Derby's matchup with the Manhattan Indians, [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'] is likely to see tight coverage all game. However, one Derby pass-catch the Indians don't want to fall asleep on is Lujan. He's the second leading receiver for the Panthers and is coming off a huge <em>Sectional Round</em> performance where he caught five passes for 122 yards and one score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904447' first='James' last='Dunnigan Jr']. - Manhattan, 6'2”, 190, Class of ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another prospect to watch in the mega matchup between Derby and Manhattan is Dunnigan Jr. The highly ranked junior is being heavily recruited as a corner, but his play at receiver could be what helps Manhattan defeat Derby. He had a strong outing last week, as he recorded four receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Class 5A Sub-State</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1317940' first='Sam' last='Niesen'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1429036' first='Parker' last='Chase'] - St. James Academy, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking down undefeated St. Thomas Aquinas will be a tall task for St. James Academy. But the Thunder's talented senior duo of Niesen and Chase could help lead them to victory. Through St. James' three 5A playoff games the two seniors have combined for 34 receptions and nearly 400 yards receiving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy'] - Hays, 6'0”, 160, Class of ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup between Hays and Eisenhower will obviously feature one of the state's top wideouts. While [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'] is sure to draw lots of eyeballs, folks in attendance shouldn't overlook Purdy. He's a versatile athlete for the Hays Indians, and is a player Hays will likely rely on. He had a few nice grabs during <em>Sectionals</em> with one being a 34–yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Class 4A Sub-State</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='442661' first='Jace' last='Adler'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1228443' first='Brandt' last='Stupka'] - Andover Central, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andover Central's offense has been on absolute fire during their postseason run. Part of their offensive success can be attributed to the dynamic senior duo of Adler and Stupka. The senior wideouts have been hard to slow down over the past three weeks, as they've combined for 23 catches, 412 yards, and seven touchdowns. The Buhler Crusaders could be in trouble if they don't figure out a way to limit these two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1115040' first='Todd' last='Brown'] - Tonganoxie, 5'10”, 170, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two key factors that could help the Tonganoxie Chieftans knock off Bishop Miege is getting their ground game going and targeting [player_tooltip player_id='1115040' first='Todd' last='Brown'] early and often. The senior wideout has come up big for Tongie over the past two weeks. Brown has accumulated 255 yards on 14 catches and has found the end zone five times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='352452' first='Teryn' last='Jackson'] - Bishop Miege, 5'11”, 170 Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrap up this semifinal preview with Jackson of Bishop Miege. He's arguably been one of the hottest receivers in the state since the start of postseason play, and is a big reason why Miege's offense has been trending in the right direction. Over his past three games Jackson has snagged 16 catches for 325 yards and two touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->