Week 3 Game Balls: Gunslingers and Teammates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are already three games deep into the 2025 season and there are signs of players starting to break away from the pack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all the skill players in <em>Kansas</em> there has been a significant amount of firepower being brought to the gridiron each Friday and some of these guys are off to record-breaking starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up first are some gunslinger quarterbacks, followed by a series of teammates who have banded together to bring their A-game each Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So without further adieu, hang on tight as we go rumbling, bumbling and sometimes stumbling through some of the best performances from last Friday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEEK 3:<em>&nbsp;QUARTERBACKS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-hajek/"></a> </strong>, 6'0, 210, ATH, <em>Nemaha Central</em>, '26. Coming off a jaw-dropping junior season where he loaded up 3,537 total yards, was responsible 53 TD's and had 71 tackles and three interceptions on defense. He started up where he left off last year and is currently among the state leaders once again for total yardage with 917 yards and has collected 13 touchdowns and averaged 10+ yards everytime he touches the ball. Last Friday he put on one of his more dazzling performances when he helped his team wallop <em>Rossville</em> 56-28 on his 446 total yards and seven touchdowns along the way. Needless to say, he is one of the primo ballers in the Sunflower state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1075837' first='Tevin' last='Cotter']</strong>,</strong>&nbsp;QB, 6'0”, 185,&nbsp;<em>Liberal</em>, ‘28. He is coming off a standout freshman season as one of the few QB's to start right out of the gate for a 6A school. After leading the Redskins to a 6-3 record a year ago, he has started off hot this year, completing 29 of 49 passes for 474 yards, a 60% completion percentage and 10 TD passes to only a pair of picks. He is also averaging 9+ yards per carry for 109 yards rushing through three games. He is a talented dual-threat who is starting to show his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connor Thatcher</strong>, 6'2, 205, QB, <em>Valley Center</em>, '26, he is starting to get some attention as he has led <em>Valley Center</em> to a 2-1 record behind the blistering-hot start he has had so far in 2025, and last Friday led the charge in downing <em>Maize South</em> 35-14. Through three games he has completed 46 of 63 passes for 728 yards, averaging 245 yards a game, completing 73% of his passes, while firing seven TD passes to a single pick. Get ready for more spotlight on this gunslinger as he is on a roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Canaan Mitchell</strong>, 6'1, 175, QB, <em>Rossville</em>, '26, he and his teammates are coming off a tough loss to powerhouse <em>Nemaha Central</em> last Friday, to go to 2-1 on the season. For the year the dual-threat ace has completed 42 of 71 passes for 476 yards and four TD passes to one pick. On the ground he carried the ball 48 times for 243 yards, averaging 6+ yards per carry and four more touchdowns to give him 700+ total yardage and eight TD's. This guy is a dangerous threat with the ball in hand and is getting ready to lead his team into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WEEK 3: <em>TEAMMATES BRINGING THE HEAT</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578939' first='Brayden' last='Myovela']</strong>, 6'4, 215, QB/P, <em>Maize</em>, '26, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944902' first='Nolan' last='Hadley']</strong>, 6'3, 285, OL/DL; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856864' first='Pearce' last='George'], </strong>6'0, 195, ATH, '26;<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='944905' first='Drake' last='Blasi'],</strong> 5'11, 205, LB, '27<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1585166' first='Hunter' last='Jennings']</strong>, 5'10, 195, LB, <em>Maize</em>, '26. the word is getting out that <em>Maize</em> is a serious threat and is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. This past Friday they steamrolled a tough <em>Hutchinson</em> team, 56-19. The defense has been getting a lot of attention as they returned significant talent and are playing almost all junior and seniors. All three levels of the defense are stacked, but the headhunter linebackers are the driving force, with <em>Blasi </em>and <em>Jennings </em>leading the team last year in tackles and have carried that over into this year. On offense, <em>Myovela</em> is a D1-QB prospect who can take over and dominate games with his arm or his legs. With prototype size, speed and athleticism, he consistently makes plays when his team needs it. In the air he has found all-purpose back/receiver <em>George</em> often, who had a rushing TD and caught a TD pass last Friday while playing multiple positions and returning kicks and punts. Up front in the trenches <em>Hadley</em> is a beast who secures the front lines crushing run blocks and using his quick feet and reach to wall off in pass pro, giving <em>Myovela </em>time to execute the offense. This week they have a huge test against <em>Derby</em>, so we shall find out shortly just how good this team is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664431' first='Savion' last='Stone']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/savion-stone/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 205, QB,&nbsp;<em>KC Washington</em>, '26. This dual-threat QB is coming off a standout junior season as a dangerous signal-caller who can dismantle defenses with his legs or his arm. So far in 2025 he is among the state leaders with 1,114 Yds all purpose yards, 735 Pass, 329 Rush, 70+% cmpletion percentage, following <em>Washington's</em> 61-0 victory over <em>Harmon </em>Friday night. In limited play he completed 15 of 16 passes for 323 yards and four TD's through the air and rushed five times for 68 more and a pair of TD's. Teaming up with lethal all-purpose back/receiver, <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125716' first='CamRon' last='Fields']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 180, RB,&nbsp;<em>KC Washington</em>, '27, who uses his next-level burst and spatial awareness to consistently deliver the big play. So far this year he has rushed for 323 yards, and caught passes for 480 yards. Last Friday he scored three TD's, carrying the ball four times for 67 yards and a TD and caught seven passes for 200 yards receiving. Better bring your A-game on defense if you want to try and contain these playmakers.<a href="https://x.com/NolanH72"></a><a href="https://x.com/NolanH72"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason']</strong>, 6'3, 200, QB, <em>Wichita NW</em>, '26; and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660346' first='Griffin' last='Baker'], </strong>6'3, 195, WR, <em>Wichita NW</em>; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904436' first='Augie' last='Fast']</strong>, 6'1, 195, RB, <em>Wichita NW</em>, '26, another Wichita-area school who is going to challenge the state leaderboard once the playoffs roll around. Leading the way is <em>Mason</em> who is one of the best, <em>if not the best</em>, dual-threat QB's in the state and is a <em>KU-commit </em>who should step in and lead the troops once <em>Jalon Daniels </em>graduates. So far in limited action he has run and passed for just under 700 yards, completing 37 of 54 passes for 507 yards and a 70% completion percentage and has only thrown a single pick. On the ground he has carried the ball 31 times for 165 yards and a pair of TD's. When he goes to the air one of his primary targets is the 6'3 <em>Baker</em>, who has caught 20 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown through three games. When pounding the rock, <em>Fast</em> gives the team a dynamic running threat who takes some of the heat off of <em>Mason </em>and is coming off a sizzling junior year when he piled up 1,745 yards, averaging nine yards a carry and scored 14 touchdowns. Get your popcorn handy, these guys are going to continue to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall']</strong>, 5'10, 175,&nbsp;<em>Salina Central</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'27</strong>, who is a young-gun rising star who backed up an all-state quarterback last fall but is making up for lost time already leading his team to a 3-0 record on the strength of his 800+ total yards, with a 78% completion percentage and an eye-popping 139 passer rating. Also coming up big has been <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-reves/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>,</strong>&nbsp;6'2, 215, RB,&nbsp;<em>Salina Central</em>,&nbsp;<strong>‘26</strong>, who is averaging 226 yards rushing per game, averaging 10 yards a carry and scoring 10 TD's. So, how do these guys put up these numbers? They are fortunate to have two of the top trench warriors in the state in KU-commit and 4-star OT&nbsp;<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401683' first='Kaden' last='Snyder']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kaden-snyder/"></a>&nbsp;</em>and versatile D1 prospect <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557340' first='Warrick' last='VanBlaricon']</strong></strong>, 6'4, 285, OL,&nbsp;<em>Salina Central,&nbsp;</em>'27, who can play any position across the front but when he teams with Snyder they form one of the best trench combo's in the state. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658264' first='Gage' last='Koenigs']</strong>, 5'11, 215, LB/RB, <em>Goddard</em>, '26, and <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698501' first='Micah' last='Mayer']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/micah-mayer/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 215, MLB,&nbsp;<em>Goddard</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'26</strong>, are a couple of rock-solid linebackers who lead the <em>Goddard</em> defense and are coming off a disappointing loss last Friday when they fell to <em>Andover</em> 19-16 to move to 2-1. <em>Koenigs</em> has been shot out of a cannon so far this year as his off-season training has served him well, leading the team in tackles with 32 and also has a pair of tackles for loss. Also coming up big has been senior backer <em>Mayer</em>, who has logged 15 tackles and five tackles for loss so far through three games. These guys are going to keep <em>Goddard</em> competitive regardless who the opponent happens to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1343607' first='Tyler' last='Brown']</strong></strong>, 6'4, 255, TE/DL,&nbsp;<em>Oxford</em>,&nbsp;'27, the Wildcats are off to a fast start, currently sitting at 3-0 and have been getting votes in the top 10 in the state so far. Leading the way has been this two-way baller who is out in front of a three-headed beast that have been making big-time plays all year. On offense he is a talented TE who has great size and reach and can make the tough, contested grab. On defense he can play anywhere in the trenches and is a dominating force along the line of scrimmage. Also stepping up has been <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248293' first='Dahzael' last='Castillo']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 230, Edge/OL,&nbsp;<em>Oxford</em>,&nbsp;'27, the junior two-way playmaker is coming off a solid sophomore season when he piled up 40 tackles, four TFL and four sacks. On offense he can play guard or tackle and is a crushing force on the edge as a defensive end. Also coming up big has been two-way baller, <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597293' first='Logan' last='Gaither']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-gaither/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-gaither/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'2, 215, FB/LB,&nbsp;<em>Oxford</em>, '27, who is another junior who was slowed in the off-season with an ankle injury playing basketball but is back in form as a bulldozing fullback who tramples defenders in his path on offense and is ball-busting linebacker on the other side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cade Liggett</strong>, 6'0, 195, RB/LB, <em>Pratt</em>, '26 and <strong>Hudson Titus</strong>, 5'11, 170, RB/LB, <em>Pratt</em>, '27, are a couple of talented playmakers who are flying under the radar somewhat, but not for long. <em>Liggett</em> is off to a fast start, rushing for 223 yards on 34 carries, averaging 6.3 yards a carry and averages 107 yards rushing per game. He also contributed eight tackles on defense. <em>Titus</em>, is a junior who has a nose for the ball and uses his instincts and read and react skills to load up 20 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss so far. On offense he plays running back and has carried the ball six times for 55 yards and also returns punts and kicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582714' first='Blake' last='Thomas']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/blake-thomas-2/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, ATH, 5'11, 185,&nbsp;<em>BVSW,</em>&nbsp;'29, and last but certainly not least I wanted to wrap up with a quick shout to the freshman who work together to command the kicking game for <em>BV Southwest.</em> <em>Thomas </em>has already made numerous headlines with his incredible start, scoring six TD's in his first two games rolling up 255 yards and three TD's, which included a long kick return for a score. As the holder on PAT's and FG's, he takes the long snap from another freshman, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577751' first='Abe' last='Harms']</strong>, 5'11, 175, LB/LS, BVSW, '29, who handles long-snapping duties as well as rotating in at LB and on special teams. Kicking and punting for SW is four-star master blaster <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743366' first='Rhys' last='Poggio']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/rhys-poggio/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, kicker/punter,&nbsp;<em>BVSW</em>, '29, who went three for three on PAT's in his first varsity game and since then has converted 8-8 on PAT's and also drilled a field goal. Keep these guys in mind as they are going to be around for a long time.</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 -->