Week One Showcase Match-up: Pratt at Hoisington

Week one of the Kansas High School football season kicked off this past Friday (September 5th) and I was honored to start things off with two quality ball clubs featuring two future FBS prospects. Pratt and 2026 Colorado State tight end commit [player_tooltip player_id='1403609' first='Arley' last='Morrell'] traveled to Hoisington to face 2027 defensive end prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1113168' first='Brody' last='Pfannenstiel'] and his Cardinal teammates.   Pratt started off the scoring with a touchdown pass from Cade Liggett to Morell to make the score 8-0 Greenbacks. Unfortunately that was the last of the scoring for Pratt this night. There were two more golden opportunities for Pratt to score but Liggitt fumbled in the red-zone and Morrell had a big time 50+ yard touchdown brought back on a holding call. Both chances came in the second half.   Hoisington first answered Pratt score with a touchdown run from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1241211' first='Mason' last='Martin'] and followed that score up with four more touchdowns coming from running back Taylen Morales and running back CJ Bryant. Both had two rushing touchdowns a piece in the ball game.   The Cardinals come away victorious with a score of 34-8. Hoisington (1-0) goes on the road in week two to face a quality opponent in the (1-0) Hesston Swathers. Hesston came out on top in their rivalry game against the Halstead Dragons 27-7. Pratt will face those same Dragons at home and both teams look to go (1-1) on the early season.   Notable players from this match-up were as followed.   Pratt:   [player_tooltip player_id='1403609' first='Arley' last='Morrell'], TE/DE, 6-foot-6, 215-pounds, '26   Morrell showed why he is a Colorado State tight end commit, even if his stats may not have show it Friday night. He was a player the Cardinals doubled much of the night but he was still able to show his athletic ability and playmaking abilities. He still managed to have six receptions for 24 yards and one receiving touchdown. He did have a 50+ yard scoring play that was called back for a hold. That play showed his extreme playmaking ability and athleticism nonetheless. Much like with what Great Bend does with [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], Pratt tries to get Morrell involved any way possible. If that is as a receiver or carrying the rock. He also had nine tackles on the night from his defensive end position.   Cade Liggett, RB/LB, 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, '28   Liggitt is already a very exciting and developed player, even if he is in the 2028 class. He led the Greenbacks in rushing with 15 carries for 88 yards. He also threw a touchdown pass to Morrell early in the first quarter. The Cardinals did a good job slowing down Liggett in the second half but he gave plenty of life to Pratt in the first half. He also chipped in four tackles defensively. Definitely keep your eye on Liggitt as the season and years progress.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612730' first='Kyler' last='Barker'], LB, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, '27   Barker led the Greenbacks in tackles on the night with 14 stops. He showed good speed, toughness and instincts from his linebacker position. He forms a very solid linebacker group along with Gavin Rupe and Luke Gatlin (who led the team in tackles last season).   Hoisington:   [player_tooltip player_id='1113168' first='Brody' last='Pfannenstiel'], DE/TE, 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, '27   Pfannenstiel comes over to Hoisington after playing his first two seasons in Russell. He brings quite the presence for the Cardinals and he already holds FBS offers from the likes of Kansas and Illinois. Much like Morrell, they have him playing all over the field, not just as a defensive end and tight end but also will line him up at running back and defensive tackle. Pratt normally ran away from him but he still had a very productive night on both sides of the ball. Pfannenstiel has always shown a great burst off the ball, really good bend around the end and a really good change of direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='1632882' first='Layton' last='Hoffman'], C/DT, 6-foot-0, 285-pounds, '26   Hoffman was a terror on both sides of the ball but it is on the offensive side he shows the most. He is a straight road grader who plays with good pad level, explosion, and has a nasty demeanor on the field. If you see a player getting driven back and pancaked, it is likely coming from Hoffman. Older brother, Caiden, plays for Fort Hays State.   Taylen Morales, K/RB/LB, 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, '26   Morales may not be the biggest player but he always plays so much bigger either as a running back or as a linebacker. He is also a very good kicker. The opening night was not his best effort in that department but he still showed off his strong leg quite nicely. With the injury to [player_tooltip player_id='1611906' first='Preston' last='Merlau'], Morales is going to be asked upon to carry a heavy load offensively for the Cardinals going forth. He did a very good job opening night.   Other notable players from the Cardinals are 6-foot-3, 235-pound lineman Colin Mater, 5-foot-7, 155-pound athlete Carson Mason, 6-foot-0, 160-pound quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1241211' first='Mason' last='Martin'] and 5-foot-11, 160-pound running back CJ Bryant.

Week one of the Kansas High School football season kicked off this past Friday (September 5th) and I was honored to start things off with two quality ball clubs featuring two future FBS prospects. Pratt and 2026 Colorado State tight end commit Arley Morrell Arley Morrell 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE Pratt | 2026 State KS traveled to Hoisington to face 2027 defensive end prospect Brody Pfannenstiel Brody Pfannenstiel 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Hoisington | 2027 State KS and his Cardinal teammates.