Week 3 Performances: Wrapping Up A Big Week

Last Friday was game three of the 2025 season and it included quite a few noteworthy matchups and big names from across the state.   This will be the third report this week shining a spotlight on some of the top performances in week 3.   In this report we will focus on players from the following games: Wichita Northwest - Junction City; Heights - Garden City; Maize - Hutchinson; and Great Bend - Buhler.   We will then wrap up the report with a new addition - The Weekly Injured Reserve list - which will touch on some of the top ballers who have sustained injuries that will keep them out of action for awhile.   So, without further adieu, let's jump in and see what these guys have been up to.     Wichita Northwest 31, Junction City 21 - Next Game #4: Wichita NW vs Kapaun; Junction City @ Manhattan   [player_tooltip player_id='1125648' first='Maddox' last='McGinnis'], 6'4, 290, OL, Wichita NW, '27, he is one of the top D1-prospects in the state who has been getting significant college interest as a junior and is already an experienced, explosive baller in the trenches for several years now with more to come. With prototype size, great first step, quick lateral movement and a nasty edge to his game, he is a defensive front seven's worst nightmare.   [player_tooltip player_id='1402695' first='Dustin' last='Cochran'], 6'4, 270, OL, Wichita NW, '26, he is another trench warrior coming off a great junior season that he parlayed into a scholarship to play for South Dakota. He is a versatile head-pounder in the trenches who can play either tackle or even guard as needed. He has been impressive the last few seasons as a mauling, brawling force in the trenches that the Coyotes are going to appreciate shortly.   [player_tooltip player_id='403631' first='Cordale' last='Johnson'], 6'1, 165, DB/WR/Returns, Wichita NW, '27. He is coming off an excellent sophomore season as a three-way player who can do it all. In the off-season he transferred from Maize to NW and brought his athletic skill sets as a WR/DB and dangerous kick returner. In his first three games he has 14 tackles, three pass break up's and an interception. He has also contributed just under 200 yards in returns.     Heights 28, Garden City 38 - Next Game #4: Heights @ Wichita SE; Garden City @ Hays   [player_tooltip player_id='1254888' first='Joshua' last='Ibidokun'], 6'5, 325, OL/DL, Heights, '26, the Falcon big man has been flying under the radar on a team off to a slow start. Nonetheless, word is getting out that there is a man-mountain in the Wichita area that can play. Over the summer he was busy, with visits to Oregon State among others. With his ideal size, good mechanics and versatility, he can play anywhere along the offensive front and is a massive anchor on defense at the nose or three tech.   [player_tooltip player_id='1277778' first='Shawn' last='Kirksey'], 6'3, 285, C/DL, Wichita Heights, '27, is a big, bruising lineman who can play center or guard and on defense is an anchor of a defensive end who can slide down and play DT. He has good size with strong hands that he uses effectively on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a massive steamroller of a blocker and is particularly effective in the run game between the tackles. On defense he owns his space and is difficult to dislodge from the gap once established.     Maize 56, Hutchinson 19 - Next Game #4: Maize vs Derby; Hutchinson vs Salina South   [player_tooltip player_id='944902' first='Nolan' last='Hadley'], 6'3, 285, OL, Maize, '27, with his D1-size and mobility, he has already started drawing significant interest from coaches and recruiters. He can play either guard or tackle position and with his powerful base, great feet and reach he is a master-blaster of a blocker, expertly walling off in pass pro or pulling and destroying defenders on the next level. He is going to be playing for a top school next year, question is which school is going to get him?   [player_tooltip player_id='1615986' first='Rendor' last='Hada'], 6'1, 220, DE/RB, Maize, '27. He is another one that has flown under the radar somewhat but that is changing in a hurry. With his powerful frame and athleticism he blows through double teams and brings the jackhammer whether it is collapsing down on the run or lighting up the QB with his bull-rush and body lean when crashing the gate off the edge. He had a strong off-season and is already reaping dividends as a top-end defensive baller.   [player_tooltip player_id='944903' first='Ryder' last='Zimmerman'], 6'3, 205, WR/ATH, '27. He is another standout receiver who has stepped up in the high-octane Maize offense. With his excellent size and speed he can play as a possession receiver making the contested grab or burn secondaries on the deep ball. With his soft hands, reach and standout catch radius he is a difficult receiver to man up on. This guy is going to surprise defenses this year   [player_tooltip player_id='1645153' first='Easton' last='Melton'], 6'1, 165, QB, '28. He is a rising-star gunslinger QB who is learning the ropes backing up a senior quarterback but once he steps behind the center for good, watch out, he can rifle the ball accurately at all three levels of the defense. Definitely get this guy on your watchlist.     Great Bend 38, Buhler 14 - Next Game #4: Great Bend @ Wichita North; Buhler @ Circle   [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton'], 6'0, 195, QB, Great Bend, '26, he is the straw that stirs the drink for a loaded Great Bend team that went 9-1 last year and returns most of their stars. Last fall he passed for 1,800+ yards and 22 touchdowns despite typically playing half the game due to blow outs, and is focused on an even bigger senior year. So far through three games he is 37 of 56 for 533 yards, a 67% completion percentage, seven total TD's and only one pick. He also added 134 yards rushing. He is already out in front leading one of the most cutthroat passing attacks in the state this fall, as returning on the flank is 6'6 all-world [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], 6'6, 230, ATH, Great Bend, '26, who is the number-one ranked player in the '26 class, a recent Notre Dame commit as a hybrid TE/WR, and is one the best, if not the best, overall athletes in the state who is an All-State player in three sports with D1 offers in two of the three so far. He is an elite playmaker who creates mismatches wherever he lines up on both sides of the ball. Keeping the heat off Premer is another playmaker who is arguably one of the best athletes in his class. [player_tooltip player_id='933826' first='Cooper' last='Ohnmacht'], 6'1, 185, ATH, Great Bend, '27, who is the returning 2X State Champ in the triple jump and is coming off a game this year when he piled up 13 receptions for 167 yards and a TD, had one carry for a 34-yard rushing TD, threw a TD pass, grabbed an interception and was a standout in all the special team activites as a kicker and return man. Keep your popcorn handy, this guy is explosive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], 6'1, 215, MLB, Great Bend, '26, on the defensive side of the ball the Panthers have some stellar athletes as well with this guy as one of the best middle linebackers in the state. Seems to be a theme with this team...leading a strong LB core group, Kern is a 2X All-State and Defensive Player of the Year, middle linebacker, who led the team with a jaw-dropping 113 tackles last year. Also stepping up is little bro, [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'], 6'1, 210, LB, Great Bend, '27, who is no longer little but a rising-star linebacker in his own right who had 40+ tackles last year and is off to a great start this fall, leading the team with 20 tackles and four tackles for loss so far. This guy is a pounding linebacker with great read and react skills and closing speed when taking out the ball carrier.     Injured Reserve (Key players who have sustained injuries this season):   [player_tooltip player_id='1585747' first='Carston' last='Simmons'], 6'1, 180, QB, Colgan, '26, unfortunately he will be out for several games while he heals from a broken thumb. He is one of the top dual-threat QB's in the southeast region and is coming off a sizzling junior season when he completed 58 out of 96 passes for 1,040 yards, a 60% completion rate, 28 touchdowns running and passing, and only two picks all year. He has great ball placement accuracy and the ability to throw darts at all three levels, while playing a high-IQ game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1161942' first='Keon' last='King'], 6'0, 165, WR/DB, Blue Valley NW, '27, he also got hit with a major injury early in the season, blowing out a knee and ending his season. As an athletic, versatile three-way baller, he is a gifted wideout and is a glove-like defender in the secondary. On offense he is a clutch receiver with soft hands who can line up in the slot or flex out wide and go deep. He is also one of those stone-cold corners who can bust receivers in the chops and then flip hips at the snap and stay in the receiver's hip pocket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1693651' first='Nisbyc' last='Johnson'], 5'11, 175, DB/ATH, Manhattan, '26, is another versatile secondary athlete who was injured recently when he separated his shoulder. He should be able to return shortly for #1 Manhattan where he is one of the fabled d-backs for the Indian's smothering "No-Fly-Zone" secondary as an athletic, ballhawk defensive back who is flying under the radar so far but is getting ready to change all that this fall as one of the defensive leaders.     [player_tooltip player_id='1256364' first='Trenton' last='King'], 6'1”, 205, LB/RB, Emporia, ‘28, he sustained a nasty leg injury recently, breaking his big toe and ankle but is shooting to be back in time for the playoffs. It was a shame as he is a rising star in the class of '28 as a two-way baller who can blow up defenses as a powerful RB but has been drawing rave reviews as a pile-driving linebacker who flows quickly and uses his instincts and ability to quickly decipher offensive schemes. Best of luck my man - hopefully you get fitted with the injury-boot today.   [player_tooltip player_id='1264072' first='Colton' last='Bannister'], 5'11, 190, LB, Wellington, '26, he recently injured the soft tissue around the ankle that slowed down the returning ball-buster linebacker for the Crusaders. As a starter since he was a sophomore he has posted consecutive seasons with 100+ tackles and is a shut-down backer who can plug the run between the tackles or fly out on the perimeter to make jarring plays on the edge. He should know this week how much longer he is going to be limited.   In conclusion, get out and follow their progress – you will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.    And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

Last Friday was game three of the 2025 season and it included quite a few noteworthy matchups and big names from across the state.