2025 Team Preview: Ottawa Cyclones

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next team preview is taking us a little bit outside the Kansas City metro. In this report we'll be taking a look at prospects from a promising 2025 Ottawa Cyclones squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cyclone fans ought to be excited about this year's team as they once again project&nbsp;to be a tough squad out of the <em>Frontier League</em>. They enter the ‘25 campaign coming off their best finish in nearly a decade. In 2024, the Cyclones went 6-4 and posted their highest point total since the 2016 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A portion of their success was manufactured by a strong core of Class of ‘26 prospects. In addition, they have a few Class of ‘27 players ready to break out as well. They'll be fielding eight players that received <em>All-League</em> honors last season, which could help result in a league title and a deeper postseason run this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the players that can help the Ottawa Cyclones achieve those goals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘26</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1113457' first='Nate' last='Sims'], WR, 6'2”, 175</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football of course is very much a team sport. However, having one of the top players in the state on your roster can help elevate a team from good to great. Sims is the key that ignites Ottawa's offense, and you can bet the Cyclones' coaching staff will try to get the ball in his hands early and often. Look for the <em>Kansas-commit </em>to put together another impressive season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1403517' first='Haydon' last='Hull'], QB, 6'2”, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While opposing teams will surely game plan for Sims this season, it'd be wise for them not to underestimate Hull. The senior quarterback heads into year two as the starter after emerging as a breakout player in 2024. He's a very underrated athlete, and has the potential to be one of the top signal callers in Class 4A this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1656503' first='Jack' last='Boetel'], OL, 6'4”, 260</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order for the Cyclones to continue to have success on offense they'll need another solid season out of Boetel and the rest of the hogs upfront. Boetel is one of Ottawa's top returning linemen, and he's been putting in serious work this offseason. He heads into his senior campaign with three offers but should see more with another good season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tobias Thompson</strong>, OL/DL, 6'0”, 225</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson is another key player in the trenches for Ottawa. He may be a little undersized for an interior offensive lineman, but he uses his athleticism and strength to his advantage. Thompson is also an intricate piece on the Cyclones' defensive line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden McCullough</strong>, WR, 6'3”, 185</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCullough is known a little more for his play on the hardwood, but he is still a solid player on the gridiron. The 6-foot-3 wideout isn't quite as explosive as Sims. Despite that, he's a very reliable target in the intermediate passing game. He'll likely be Hull's No. 2 option this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1598867' first='Liam' last='Marler'], LB, 5'7”, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, the Cyclones boast one of the more underrated linebacking duos in Class 4A. Marler is one half of that duo and he's arguably Ottawa's scrapiest defender. His play in 2024 earned him <em>All-State</em> and All-League honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1656506' first='Chase' last='Myers'], LB, 5'10”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Marler anchors the middle of Ottawa's defense, Myers patrols the edge. Myers does a great job of fighting through blockers and preventing ball carriers from getting to the edge. He and Marler are sure to rack up several tackles during their senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘27</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayce Mourning</strong>, DB, 5'10”, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like McCullough, Mourning is another prospect with a basketball background that also shines on the gridiron. The 5-foot-10 defensive back was a nice surprise for the Cyclones defense during his sophomore year. In his first varsity season he earned <em>All-League</em> honors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1611948' first='Armoni' last='Velez'], RB, 5'10”, 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next prospect can help take Ottawa's offense to a new level. Our staff previously reported about Velez's transfer to the Cyclone's program, and he is definitely a player to be excited about. His dynamic style makes Ottawa's offense that much more dangerous. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->