Shining a Light on Baller Performances From Friday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Friday officially kicked off the 2025 season and it included quite a few noteworthy matchups and big names from across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be the second report this week shining a spotlight on some of the top games played in the state and recognizing playmakers in all four classes in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we will take a look at three groups of players who balled out last Friday: the "<em>Dynamic Duo Playmakers</em>," which looks at team's with a pair of players who performed well; the <em>Hammering Whatever Moves - Defensive Standouts,"</em> which looks at players flying to the ball and stacking up tackles, and the "<em>Gunslinger QB's From Each Class To Watch</em>," which looks at top performances from QB's in each class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's jump in and see what these guys did last Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DYNAMIC DUO</strong> <strong>PLAYMAKERS</strong> <strong>STEPPING UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Salina Central 31, Salina South 21</em></strong> - the <em>Mustangs </em>prevailed in a rock fight between two <em>Salina</em> schools and leading the charge was <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves']</strong>,</strong> 6'2, 215, RB, <em>Salina Central</em>, <strong>‘26</strong>, who is coming off a year when he racked up 1,128<strong> </strong>yards and 14 touchdowns as a RB and once again won both state and national titles in wrestling. With the size, speed and athleticism of a next-level back, he came out and showed the big dawg is still in town with 27 carries for 230 yards and an 80-yard TD run. This guy generates big yardage after the initial hit and is already shifting into the next gear. Also stepping up big on the <em>SC</em> offense was first-time starter, <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 175, <em>Salina Central</em>, <strong>'27</strong>, who is a young-gun rising star who backed up an all-state quarterback last fall but when he got in the game he was a difference maker, completing 22 of 25 passes for 293 yards, a sizzling 88% completion percentage, four TD passes and zero picks. He parlayed that hot hand into a standout start this year as he rifled strikes all over the field for 250+ passing yards and scored twice, once on the ground and in the air. This guy is looking good and with <em>Reves</em> pounding the rock behind him the offense looks strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Southeast Saline 60, Minneapolis, 21</em></strong> - <em>SES</em> cruised in their first game since winning the state championship a year ago and leading the way was a pair of multi-positional athletes who were key pieces in last year's title run. <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229095' first='Grady' last='Gebhardt']</strong></strong>, 5'9, 185, ATH,&nbsp;<em>SE Saline</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'26</strong>, is coming off an all-state, undefeated title year with 2K in all-purpose yards, 18 TD's and had 80 tackles on defense. He picked up where he left off last year with a four-touchdown game, carrying the ball nine times for 87 yards and a pair of scores and caught six passes for 104 yards and two more TD's. He is already in mid-season form. Working in tandem on the high-octane<em> SES</em> offense has been all-state gunslinger <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403641' first='Gannon' last='Jacobson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gannon-jacobson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong></strong>, 6'2, 180,&nbsp;QB/DB,&nbsp;<em>SE Saline</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'26</strong>. who is coming off an incredible junior year leading his team to the title while passing for 3,000+ yards and 44 total TD's and also had 67 tackles and an interception on defense. After numerous clutch performances in the playoffs last year he showed immediately that he was going to be even more sizzling hot this fall firing 14 completions in 17 attempts for 267 yards, an 82% completion percentage and five TD strikes. This is one dangerous duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HAMMERING WHATEVER MOVES</strong> <strong>- DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1452348' first='Andre' last='Johnson']</strong></strong>, 6'0, 210, RB/LB, <em>Rossville</em> <strong>'26</strong>, is a ball-buster of a LB/RB coming off a junior season when he registered 100+ tackles and helped lead the <em>Bulldogs</em> into the playoffs. This off-season he trained hard while playing multiple sports, and was one of the top power lifters in the state as well as an outstanding javelin thrower. The off-season work and growth paid off as he hit the ground running last Friday with a dominating defensive performance when he had 20 tackles and helped his team top <em>Silver Lake</em> 28-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1331128' first='Cole' last='Frank']</strong></strong>, 6'0, 195, ATH, <em>Wabaunsee</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is another athletic two-way baller who is coming off an excellent junior season when he ran and passed for 1,400+ yards and 17 TD's. On defense he picked up 41 tackles, had six tackles for loss and intercepted a pass. He didn't waste any time delivering on being even better this year when he hammered away on defense for 15 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in a losing effort to a strong <em>Council Grove</em> team 26-7 last Friday. This guy is an athletic force on both sides of the ball and is going to have a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311567' first='Cole' last='Zeka']</strong></strong>, 6'3, 230, DE/TE,&nbsp;<em>Wellington</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'27</strong>. Reporting earlier I mentioned that coaches would be making the pilgrimage to <em>Wellington</em> to see this guy in action in the near future and that future is now. He is coming off a solid season establishing himself as a versatile two-way playmaker TE on offense, and a mauling, brawling DE/Edge on the other side of the ball. Last Friday he got warmed up helping the <em>Crusaders</em> beat <em>Collegiate </em>32-13, with seven tackles, three TFL, one sack and a fumble recovery on defense. He also was a bright spot on offense, catching a pair of passes for 52 yards and a score. This guy is a dominator ready for a huge season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599229' first='Dallas' last='Gray']</strong>,</strong> 6'2”, 210, DE/Edge, <em>Wichita Northwest</em>, <strong>‘28</strong>. He is another athletic baller of a perimeter player on defense who is versatile enough to play outside linebacker but is even better as a head-pounding Edge/DE. He is coming off a strong freshman season proving he was ready for varsity ball and followed that up with an outstanding first game last Friday when he had 14 tackles and two tackles for loss. With great read and react skills, quick feet, strong hands and a powerful frame, this guy is going to be a beast this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GUNSLINGER QB'S</strong> <strong>FROM EACH CLASS TO WATCH</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780458' first='Conrad' last='Gomez']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/conrad-gomez/"></a> </strong>, 6'1, 190, QB, <em>Junction City</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. After a breakout season passing for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago, he worked hard in the off-season and the effort is already reaping dividends as last Friday he had a six-touchdown night leading his team to a 41-3 win over Campus. On the night he spread the ball around for 315 yards passing and in Q3 fired five of his six TD passes. This guy is just getting warmed up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1250383' first='Jack' last='Reeves']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-reeves/"></a> </strong>, 6'0”, 185, QB/RB/ATH, <em>Shawnee Mission East</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is a rising-star and versatile athlete running the <em>SME</em> flexbone who had 1,700 yards of total offense and 22 total touchdowns last year. He came out in his first game this year ready to show last season was just a warm up, as he carried the ball 16 times for 183 yards, including an 83-yard TD run and completed seven of 10 passes for another 106 yards in a thrilling 31-28 win over over Olathe NW.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113374' first='Kasen' last='Parsons']</strong></strong>, 6'1, 205, QB/DB-LB,&nbsp;<em>Osage City</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. He is coming off one of the top dual-threat QB seasons in the state when he completed 138 of 183 (75%) for 1,821 yards and 21 TD's to only three picks for a blistering 138 passer rating and added 1,000+ yards rushing and 20 more TD's to give him 41 on the year. He got bigger and faster in the off-season and the work with his receivers has paid off as he was surgical last Friday, completing18 of 23 passes for 270 yards (78%), three TD's and zero picks in <em>Osage City's </em>41-13 romp over <em>Olpe</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672095' first='Joey' last='Dintino']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 170, QB/DB,&nbsp;<em>Plainville</em>, <strong>'27</strong>. He is another excellent dual-threat QB coming off a strong sophomore season when he ran and passed for 1,100+ yards and 10 TD's. He has the athleticism to beat teams on the ground or in the air and last Friday showed he was ready to light it up with 300+ yards passing and three TD passes and also had six tackles and picked off a pass on defense. This guy has a standout arm and can shred all three levels of the defense from the pocket or on the move. He is getting ready to shine this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083571' first='Braxton' last='Wagner']</strong></strong>, 6'1, 185, QB,&nbsp;<em>BV North</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'28</strong>. Scouts and coaches have been patiently waiting to see this guy in action as he has the next-level size, athleticism and dual-threat skills that can take over a game. He worked hard in the off-season to get ready, hitting major camp-combines and working with his QB coach and it has paid off as last Friday he completed 11 of 17 passes for 165 yards, a 65% completion rate, one TD pass, zero picks and a sizzling 116 passer rating. Get your popcorn handy, he is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1694269' first='Kipton' last='Kruger']</strong>, 5'11, 190, QB, <em>Silver Lake</em>, <strong>'29</strong>. And last but not least in the QB section, we have a rising-star freshman QB who didn't just dip his toe in the varsity pool last Friday night, but dove into the deep end. And, it was quite a plunge for a freshman and he came out with both barrels blazing, completing 22 of 34 passes for 282 yards, one TD pass and had 50+ yards on four carries in a heartbreaking loss to Rossville 28-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Cool note</em>: Kipton's great uncle is the legendary <em>Lon Kruger</em>, a former <em>Silver Lake</em> player and one of the best athletes to come out of the state of Kansas. He was <em>Big 8</em> Player of the Year for <em>K-State</em> basketball two years in a row and a shortstop on the baseball team. He also played and coached in the <em>NBA </em>and at <em>OU </em>among others and was invited by the <em>Dallas Cowboys</em> to training camp as a quarterback.</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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->