Playmaker Weekend Watch – KC Ballers Ready to Battle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This time next week the flood gates will have opened and the 2025 football season will finally be here. But before we launch into the official start of the season I wanted to wrap up a couple of watchlist articles to highlight players who have caught my eye in the off-season preparing for this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday I posted the first of several articles along those lines and will continue with today's article which will focus on some notable ballers from the <em>Kansas City</em> area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I usually let my talented collegue, <em>Santino Bernal</em>, handle the Northeast quadrant of the state, but occasionally I follow up with players in the area who have caught my eye or I have gotten to know in one way or another.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we are taking a look at a couple of <em>"Northwest"</em> schools in the <em>KC area</em> who feature some serious ballers ready to hit the ground running next week. First out of the chute will be a rising-star junior quarterback and a ballhawk defensive back from <em>Blue Valley Northwest</em> class of '27; and then a handful of ballers from a loaded <em>Shawnee Mission Northwest</em> squad who are getting ready to make a strong run this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll then wrap up the report with a <em>"Big Kam"</em> update on a large and in charge trench warrior from <em>Leavenworth</em> who was somehow overlooked in the latest rankings but is a baller who is ready to show the state the glaring error of his omission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a quick pre-season look at what these guys have to offer:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537490' first='Aidan' last='Ihm']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aidan-ihm/"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aidan-ihm/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aidan-ihm/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'2, 185, QB,&nbsp;<em>Blue Valley NW</em>, '27. First out of the chute is a dual-threat gunslinger QB/Punter who I have had my eye on for awhile. Last year he backed up a senior signal-caller but when he got his opportunities showed glimpses of his high-octane game, throwing for just under 300 yards and completing a lofty 70%+ of his passes. He was also effective in the redzone, firing five touchdown passes and did not throw an interception the entire year. On the ground he is a quick, athletic runner who averaged over nine yards a carry shredding defenses with his burst and lateral quickness and through the air has an accurate, powerful arm which he reinforced this past spring when he was one of the top javelin throwers in the state. Teaming up on offense with sizzling all-state running back <em>[player_tooltip player_id='586960' first='LJ' last='Bowens']</em>, who I interviewed in KC recently, and dangerous wideout <em>[player_tooltip player_id='810275' first='Ayden' last='McGibboney']</em>, the <em>BVNW</em> offense is going to be lethal this fall. Get this gunslinger QB in your sights early as he is getting ready for a blow-torch season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1161942' first='Keon' last='King']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keon-king/"></a> </strong>, 6'0, 165, WR/DB, <em>Blue Valley NW</em>, '27. The next <em>Huskie</em> is a guy who I have been following since his freshman year and am looking for him to have a breakout season this fall. An athletic, versatile three-way baller, he excels on both sides of the ball and on special teams as needed. On offense he is a clutch receiver with soft hands who can line up in the slot or flex out wide and go deep. On the other side of the ball he really sparkles as a suffocating defensive back with great instincts who can float in zone as a ballhawk safety or work on the flank as a stone-cold cornerback who can bust receivers in the chops and then flip hips at the snap and mirror the receiver's route. With next-level read and react skills he can quickly collapse down to make tackles at the line of scrimmage and with his closing speed is able to make plays all over the field. With a strong off-season getting bigger and faster while fine-tuning his skill sets, this guy is going to deliver a breakout season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1419981' first='Eshawn' last='Tyler']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/eshawn-tyler/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'10, 290, DL/NT,&nbsp;<em>Shawnee Mission NW</em>, '26. First out of the gate for the <em>Cougars</em> is a trench warrior who is flying under the radar somewhat but is getting ready to change that this fall. I covered him earlier in the year when I referred to him as a <em>wrecking ball</em> of a nose who can hammer the run game between the tackles or use his physicality to pressure the QB up the middle. With his low center of gravity, quick feet and powerful hands he routinely blows up double teams and with surprising agility and initial burst works up and down the line of scrimmage making plays. He was busy in the off-season hitting numerous camps and combines to fine-tune his game and and worked on the nuances of trench warfare with <em>Coach Cook</em>. He was also working daily this summer on getting stronger while improving speed and a lightning-quick first step. This guy is a gap-destroying force along the front lines who is getting ready for a big senior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657251' first='Mike' last='Fandel II']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mike-fandell-ii/"></a>&nbsp;,</strong>&nbsp;OL, 6'3”, 260, <em>Shawnee Mission NW</em>, ‘26. On the other side of the ball is another baller in the trenches who impressed me when I looked at his tape earlier in the year. He has the size and skills to play anywhere along the line of scrimmage but has really excelled as a versatile guard who can trample defenders in his path or when making crushing down blocks in the run game. He is also explosive coming out of his stance with great pad level and is well versed in positioning for immediate leverage. He is also adept at the quick-strike support block before chipping to the next level to seal off linebackers, or demonstrate his athleticism pulling and leading backs on the perimeter. He has had a strong off-season in the camp-combine circuit this summer while getting bigger and faster working out in the standout SMNW off-season training program. This guy is ready to dominate this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945017' first='Traimyre' last='Woodruff']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/traimyre-woodruff/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 185, ATH,&nbsp;<em>Shawnee Mission NW</em>, '26. He is a versatile, all-purpose back who can line up in the slot, split wide as a receiver or as the primary running back in the team's dangerous flexbone offense, but where he is most valuable is with the ball in hand every play as a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback. Last season he did a little bit of everything on offense, and along the way piled up just under 1,000 yards total offense, averaging 10+ yards per carry and scoring 12 TD's. When I covered him earlier in the year I referred to him as an <em>"apex predator"</em> - a designation used sparingly since it is meant for only the best of the best. This fall he is going to be deadly running the flexbone as a powerful but elusive runner who can use his burst and acceleration to destroy defensive game plans. He also throws well enough to keep the defense from loading the box, firing quick, accurate strikes or dialing up the long ball as needed. In the off-season he is a standout wrestler and a speedster in track and recently posted a video of him squatting 500+ pounds. Good luck tackling this guy - get your popcorn handy, he is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Demetric Tyler</strong>, 5'10, 210, RB, <em>Shawnee Mission NW</em>, '26. He is another <em>Cougar</em> baller who has been flying under radar so far but is looking to change all that with a strong senior season. As a versatile running back in the flexbone offense he has a high strength-speed ratio which enables him to pound the rock between the tackles effectively, or hit the perimeter quickly running wide. With his powerful frame and quick feet, he makes decisive cuts and has the burst to break to daylight or plow through traffic pummeling defenders in his path. Running between the tackles he delivers a blow on contact and is a battering ram breaking through tackles and picking up big yardage after the initial hit. However, he is more than a power back as he has the wheels to hit the corner or break the long run. This guy is a sleeper but by the time playoffs roll around he is going to be a name everyone is familiar with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kameron Geathers</strong>, 6'2, 305, OL/DL,&nbsp;<em>Leavenworth</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'27</strong>. Last and certainly not least in any conceivable way, <em>Big Kam</em> is a massive presence in the trenches on both sides of the ball and is coming off a strong sophomore season getting acclimated to the varsity game. He didn't waste any time becoming a two-way trench dominator who can throttle the inside running game along the interior defensive front or flip to the other side of the ball as a versatile offensive lineman who can play guard or center. With his powerful frame, length and ability to lock in leverage, he is a bulldozer of a blocker who can crush defenders on down blocks in the run game or pull and chip block on the perimeter. In pass pro he uses his quick feet and strong hands to stay locked on the defender and keep his QB safe. With a productive off-season under his belt he is ready to show the state that there is a new <em>big dawg</em> to contend with this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->