Spring Training Updates – Players Ready To Shine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopefully everyone survived another April Fool's Day, which besides being a day for stiff-arming practical jokes, it is an important date for off-season gym rats working to be elite players. It also essentially launches the next phase in the recruiting gauntlet as school visits start ramping up with spring games scheduled throughout the month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once April rolls around, the grinders are shifting into overdrive to make the last 3-4 months of the off-season as productive as possible. It is the last chance to take training and overall mind-body preparation to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put it off any further at your own peril...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a busy time of year and easy to take training for granted with everything else going on. The key, as we have mentioned before, is to not just taking your discipline and focus to the next level by working through the distractions; but owning it in such a way that you are<em> peaking</em> at the right time this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experts like Coach Tabor<em> @PIAthletes</em> and Coach Daniels <em>@RashadDaniels12 ,</em> who train many of the Wichita and surrounding area athletes, build this factor into their programs to ensure their guys are ready to pop when the time comes to pad up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at five guys who have been hard at it and are poised and ready to elevate their game this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1211012' first='Roman' last='Gage']</strong>, 6'0, 255, OL/DL, <em>Valley Center</em>, '26. He may be flying under the radar so far, but not for long. He is a pile-driving offensive guard as well as a defensive tackle who has been hard at it since the first of the year and is getting ready for a dominant season this fall. His all-around game in the trenches is excellent, with great feet, good first step and pad level and when he delivers a blow, explodes through his opponent. Ultimately, he is focused on playing at the next level and has visits already scheduled with Friends, Western Missouri, Washburn, Central Oklahoma and Kansas Wesleyan. And that is just <em>in April</em>. Summer camp plans are still being considered but he intends to stay busy one way or another. He is currently doing his off-season team training, establishing PR's in the key lifts and diligently doing his speed and agility training. This guy is going to be a force in the trenches this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515918' first='Peyton' last='Hare']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-hare/"></a> </strong>, 6'2, 195, QB/LB, <em>Eureka</em>, '26. He is another rising star in the making coming up on his senior season after being a standout in multiple sports without getting as much attention as he has deserved. Coming off an impressive season as a dual-threat QB, he is big and fast and has the dynamic skills needed to take a game over. Last fall he piled up 1,700+ total yards and 25 TD's running and passing. He has been busy in the off-season, having just wrapped up basketball and recently picked up 2nd in state in the 198-pound class in powerlifting. Shifting gears to track, he is getting prepped for his first track meet at the end of the month. He is one the best in the state in the 400m, looking to go sub-50 early in the season. His camp schedule is still a work in progress but he hopes to firm that up this month. This guy has all the tools and is going to burn it up for a big senior season encore in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611906' first='Preston' last='Merlau']</strong>, 6'0, 190, RB/LB, <em>Hoisington</em>, '26. He is a talented two-way player for the Cardinals who started last fall on the edge and picked up good experience as a running back on offense. He helped his team go deep into the playoffs a year ago and is working hard in the off-season to top that in 2025. On defense he has really shined so far as an aggressive, physical defender with great instincts who can collapse down and pound the runner between the tackles or shoot the gap and cause chaos in the backfield. On offense he is a powerful fullback who is difficult to tackle and picks up big yards after the initial hit. His off-season workouts have been strong and consistent to date as he is pounding the iron and doing a lot of speed and agility work. He is still plotting out his spring and summer plans but is definitely going to hit multiple camps, as well as the Hoisington team camp coming up. This guy is going to blow it up this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610922' first='Drake' last='Brecheisen']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drake-brecheisen/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'0, 235, OL/DL,&nbsp;<em>Eisenhower,</em>&nbsp;'28. He is coming off a solid freshman season getting acclimated in the trenches on both sides of the ball for the playoff-bound Tigers last fall. He has already had a busy off-season training for football and has made significant gains lifting and in his speed and agility work. This spring he is on the track team and is doing all the throws. As far as summer plans, he is planning on going to Baker's camp and is still finalizing the complete camp/clinic list. On offense he is versatile enough to play either guard or tackle as needed. With good size and power already, his strong frame and quick feet enable him to effectively hammer defenders in the run game or lock up and smother blitzing linebackers in pass pro. On defense he is a mauler in the middle at nose guard or can move over and play the three technique. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is going to have a breakout year this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Landon Reed</strong>, 5'10, 185, RB/LB, <em>Derby</em> (next fall), '29. He is the first <em>2029</em> prospect from the Wichita area to get reviewed by me with more to come. He is definitely one to keep an eye on, as a multi-sport baller with the size, speed and skills to succeed at the next level right out of the gate. It has already been a busy spring, as he is playing baseball for <em>Driving Force</em> as a pitcher/3B/OF and helped them win the championship in KC last weekend. He also runs the 100m and throws the shot/discus for Derby Middle during track season. For his football training, he is working with Coach Daniels locally. Additionally, his dad is a former standout powerlifter and has helped him take his lifting to the next level at an early age. Once baseball is over he is headed to the UA, FBU, and RIVALs camps to continuing preparing to play varsity as a freshman for powerhouse Derby. Keep this guy in your sights, he looks like another Panther stud in the making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, these guys are getting ready to rumble this fall so get them on your watchlists and following their progress in the off-season. And, as always, let me know if you run across anybody flying under the radar via DM on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Keep Grindin'...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->