2026 Kansas 8-Man Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one great part about sports in general is you can always find high level prospects regardless of school size. The larger schools may have more eyes on them or possibly more resources but that doesn't mean you can't find big time talent at smaller locales. I take pride in being able to showcase ballers from smaller schools, namely the 8-Man ranks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this write-up I'll be promoting 8-Man kids from such leagues like the Central Prairie, the Southern Plains-Iroquois, the Lyon County and the Wheat State. All five of these prospects took care of business this past winter for their respective basketball teams as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229102"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e70084831c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Riedy is a long athletic playmaking secondary prospect helped lead Rural Vista to a 7-3 season and a playoff appearance before bowing out to eventual state champions Axtell. Even though he is best known as a defender, he should be a big part of their rushing attacking on offensive this next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Known as a ballhawk on defense, he always seemed to have a nose for the ball and forced plenty of turnovers on the season for the Heat. As a defensive back, he had 42 tackles (24 solo and 18 assisted), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was brought home such honors as Honorable Mention 8-Man II All-State as a defensive back. Keep an definite eye on Riedy as he and his teammates look to go deeper in the playoffs this coming fall. Also a talented basketball player, who averaged nearly nine points per game this past winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1647517' first='Landon' last='Daniels']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"235","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central Plains","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e7008483298"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The heart and soul of the Oilers upfront, the 6-foot-0, 235-pound Daniels succeed on both sides of the ball this past season. Known for his leadership and his physicality he helped lead Central Plains to a 8-Man I state runner-up finish before falling to Hoxie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the offensive side of the ball, he helped the Oilers rack up 3,613 yards (301.1 per game) but also succeed on the defensive side. Always living in the backfield, he had 40 tackles (16 solo and 24 assisted), seven tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He garnered First Team 8-Man I All-State honors along the OL and also was First Team All-Central Prairie League at both OL and DL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was not only a part of a state runner-up team in football but helped the Oilers place 4th in 1A-I state basketball this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1115507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e70084832f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are looking for a 8-Man kid who is a definite college prospects that brings the desired measurable (6-foot-3, 210-pounds) but also the production that comes with it, look no further than Herd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the better defenders in all of 8-Man football, he put up huge numbers this past fall. He had a staggering 121 tackles (32 solo and 89 assisted), 16 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the offensive side of the ball he was the leader upfront where he helped the Timberwolves to 2,646 yards this past fall on a 11-1 squad who fell to eventual state champions Hoxie in the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it came to acculates, he was First Team 8-Man I All-State LB and a First Team All-Southern Plains Iroquois OL and LB. Not just a star on the gridiron but also was a First Team All-League performer in basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1647519' first='Drake' last='Skirvin']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Burlingame ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e700848338a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past fall Burlingame had yet another successful season for Coach Jeff Slater where the Bearcats had a 10-1 season where they finally fell in the playoffs to Frankfort. A big reason for the success was the 6-foot-5, 180-pound playmaker in Skirvin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are looking for a receiver that is willing to make the big play when needed, be a dependable possession receiving threat and get the jump ball, he was your man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the season he averaged 19.8 yards per reception. He had 18 receptions for 357 yards and 10 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it came to postseason honors, he as award Honorable Mention 8-Man II All-State and First Team All-Lyon County League as a receiver. A prospect all colleges should have their recruiting boards this coming fall. For sure as he continues to get bigger and stronger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1647521' first='Braxton' last='Alpers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. John","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e7008483415"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Alpers is an all-around very good athlete that excels in anything he participates in for the Tigers. A very highly productive quarterback but may even be more deadly on the defensive side of the ball as a safety. As a basketball player he averaged 10.6 points per game this past winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the season he had 722 yards passing, 1,049 yards rushing and 29 total touchdowns on the year. When it comes to defense he was tremendous playmaker from his safety position. He had 80 tackles (42 solo and 38 assisted), two forced fumbles and had a whopping seven interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Due to that high level production, he was a honored as a Honorable Mention 8-Man II All-State DB, a First Team All-Central Prairie League as a DB and Second Team performer as a QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He helped lead the Tigers to a 4-5 season and a playoff loss to Attica-Argonia but hope to lead his team to a better season next fall. He should be one of the higher regarded secondary players in the state regardless of classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep one's eyes peeled for more 8-Man stand-outs from throughout the state in coming write-up These small school kids deserve as much attention as anyone. I will also be getting back in the swing of things when it comes to showcasing other high level prospects from the 11-Man game in Western Kansas. I look forward in getting out on the road here soon enough to check out ballers in this great state perform in camps, combines and 7-on-7 events. Remember I'm always looking for unheralded or overlooked prospects to showcase. If you knows of anyone that fits that bill, reach out to me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->