2026 Kansas 8-Man Prospect Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we close this school year and football players all across the state start getting ready for camps, combines, 7v7, summer weights, etc., lets dive into five more 8-Man prospects to keep an eye on for this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this write-up we will find studs coming from such 8-Man leagues as the Twin Valley, the Western Kansas Liberty, the Hi-Plains, the Northwest Kansas and lastly from the Mid-Continent. All of these to be seniors will be a big part of their respective programs this coming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also soon I'll be giving a update soon on what camps and combines I'll be attending this coming summer. I really look forward to getting out on the road and checking out new possible prospects to keep an eye on for this coming season and beyond. </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":["1115791"],"_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-681d57f29bd48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the better returning linebackers in the Twin Valley League is the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ohlde. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He has been one of the more productive tacklers in the state this past two seasons. As a sophomore he had over 100 tackles and this past season as a junior he added an additional 101 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries. </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 chipped in 471 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He also had an additional 100 yards receiving and another two scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His big junior season saw him honored as a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man II linebacker and also picked up First Team All-Twin Valley honors at the same position. Ohlde looks to help his team improve upon their 3-6 record and playoff loss to league rival Frankfort. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1515977"],"_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-681d57f29bdb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knipp and fellow athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1659554' first='Case' last='Ashmore'] look to lead the Trojans deep into the playoffs after finishing 8-2 this past season and a playoff loss to Hutchinson Central Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Knipp is a weapon on both sides of the ball. On offense he had 85 carries for 331 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He also hauled in six receptions for 68 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the other side of the ball, he had 62 tackles (23 solo and 39 assisted), five tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. It is safe to say he was all over the field this past fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">All that production helped him garner All-Western Kansas Liberty League honors at linebacker. Definitely look for Knipp to be big reason why Logan-Palco could that next step in the 8-Man II state playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229105"],"_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-681d57f29be03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most prolific rushers in the state returns in the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Young. He plays quarterback for the Indians but is used primarily as a runner than as a passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past fall he rushed for 1,511 yards on 108 carries and had a staggering 26 touchdowns. He also threw for 465 yards on 23 of 40 passing and nine more scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Due to his terrific junior season, he was honored as a First Team All Hi-Plains quarterback and a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I offensive back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wichita County looks to build upon their quality 8-2 season where they lost in a close playoff battle to the eventual state champions in Hoxie, 40-30. Young should once again be the focal point on their offensive attack this coming season. </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_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":"Dayton Fromholtz","_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":"160","_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":"St. Francis","_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-681d57f29beaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fromholtz was one of the top returning receivers in all of 8-Man football for this coming season. The Indians definitely need his leadership to build upon their 5-4 record from this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He gets the job done on both sides of the ball and will look to build on his First Team All-Northwest Kansas League and Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I honors as a receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-0, 160-pound athlete shows great athletic ability and explosiveness. On the offensive side of the ball he hauled in 40 catches for 617 yards and 10 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was just as effective on the defensive side, where he had 48 tackles (31 solo and 17 assisted), 17.0 tackles for loss and two sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As Fromholtz fills his frame out, he should be someone college coaches keep their eyes on for the future. </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_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":"Javon Kachel","_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":"250","_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":"Hoxie","_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-681d57f29bf53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more explosive lineman in the 8-Man ranks, Kachel looks to build upon a big year he had this past fall. He helped lead upfront a group of athletes that took home the 8-Man I state title in a shutout victory over Central Plains and a 13-0 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-0, 250-pounder is a stout interior lineman that shows good quickness, explosiveness and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. He is able to pull and move in space effectively as a offensive guard. On the defensive side of the ball, his explosive nature allows him to live in opponents backfield all game long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was a Honorable Mention All-State honoree at offensive line and also a First Team All-Mid Continent League at the same position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kachel is someone opposing coaches and college coaches need to be aware of this coming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know I have been reporting heavily on the 8-Man stars from across the state as a of late but look for new write-ups on 11-Man prospects from the Western half of the state in the coming weeks. Once again I'm eager to get out and see new kids I am unaware about and start giving them the proper pub they deserve. If you knows of anyone that fits that bill and needs the proper attention, reach out to me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->