Team Preview: Rock Creek Seniors Look To Extend Winning Ways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an 8-2 season in 2024, the Rock Creek Mustangs are looking to build off five straight winning seasons and to make a deeper push into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid core of seniors will be the foundation on which the team will be built in 2025. The Mustangs return seven starters from last season and should have a shutdown defense led by four senior linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rock Creek will open its season with a road game against Bishop Wark on September 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed them, here are links to my other five 2025 Program Previews:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-holton-seniors-hunting-big-game/">Holton Widcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/thunderbirds-have-an-explosive-offensive-trio/">Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-hayden-has-state-title-game-aspirations/">Hayden Wildcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/program-preview-2025-bobcats-ready-to-pounce/">Basehor-Linwood Bobcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-seaman-out-to-defend-league-title/">Seaman Vikings</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the ranked members of the Mustang's senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904448' first='Ezra' last='Spiller'],</strong> LB, 6'1”, 215</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spiller is a mean-spirited linebacker who runs like a gazelle and hits like a bulldozer. He finished second on the team a year ago in tackles with 91. He has the speed to be disruptive in the backfield as he registered 11 tackles for lost yardage and one quarterback sack as a junior. &nbsp;He is ranked No. 100 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and is the highest-ranked Mustang senior. He will get looks from Division I and Division II programs. He has an offer from McPherson College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585146' first='Nick' last='Allen'],</strong> EDGE/LB, 6'0”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rock Creek backer led the Mustangs in tackles last season with 97. Allen is ranked No. 142 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He has the combination of size and speed to play down on the line as an edge rusher. He recorded seven TFLs as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673808' first='Karson' last='Toburen'],</strong> LB/RB, 6'0”, 195</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacking corps at Rock Creek is talented and deep. Toburen is ranked No. 241 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He finished his junior campaign with 66 tackles in 10 games. &nbsp;His impressive stat line included 10 TFLs, four quarterback sacks, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He also can play fullback, H-back, or tight end for the Mustangs. He caught four balls for 71 yards and one touchdown last season. He also has an offer from McPherson College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585755' first='Gavin' last='Rosa'],</strong> QB, 6'4”, 210</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosa is expected to be the Mustangs' starting quarterback. He shared time as the Rock Creek signal caller last season. He rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing for 781 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had a solid completion percentage of 62 percent as a junior. Rosa is ranked No. 311 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1449727' first='Cordae' last='Kirksey'],</strong> OL/DL, 5'11”, 225</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirksey is a two-way returning starter in the trenches for Rock Creek. He finished his junior season with 45 tackles and five TFLs. He was also credited with 44 pancake blocks and is expected to be a starting tackle along the offensive line. He is ranked No. 453 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other returning seniors for Holton include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1708194' first='Zion' last='Bell']</strong> (RB), <strong>Cole Greenwood</strong> (OL), <strong>Grady Hastert</strong> (OL), <strong>Marcello Ibarra</strong> (OL), <strong>Jesse</strong> <strong>Lies</strong> (DB), <strong>Kayden Payton</strong> (LB), <strong>Wade Rottinghaus</strong> (OL), <strong>Ryan Wichman</strong> (OL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->