'29 Playmakers Ready For Varsity - Challenge Accepted

Way back in July we took a look at a handful of rising-star players from the class of 2029 who were on a collision coarse with their first year of varsity football that fall. Most have assimilated well with a few who have taken off like a rocket.   And, as the season unfolded, we became aware of quite a few other ballers who had not received much early attention and others who weren't even on anyone's radar.   In this report we are revisiting some of the players from the July article to see how the season is shaping up for them as well as check on some of the new faces who are taking the game by storm so far in 2025.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing this fall:     [player_tooltip player_id='1663254' first='Adonis' last='Dunnigan'], 5'11, 175, DB/WR, Manhattan, he and his teammates are regrouping after a wake-up call loss to Junction City 28-14 last Friday to move to 3-1 and drop them from #1 to #4 in the 6A rankings. Navigating his way through the early challenges has been this rising-star secondary playmaker who has been getting better every contest. He brings an explosive game coupled with mature read-and-react skills and standout closing speed which he has parlayed into two interceptions in four games. More than a shutdown cover guy, he collapses down on the run from the secondary to decapitate backs and receivers trying to torch the perimeter. He and the rest of the Indian No Fly Zone are looking to get back to their winning ways against an improving Emporia team tomorrow.   [player_tooltip player_id='1488557' first='Cael' last='Claibourn'], QB, 6'1, 180, QB, Emporia, following a busy summer cross-training in track, baseball and hoops, he even found time to compete in the National Junior Olympics in the long jump and triple jump. He took that athleticism to the gridiron this fall helping the Spartans to a 2-2 record so far after the team went 0-9 last year. Last week they lost a heartbreaker to Topeka 13-12 but he was a standout with a passing TD to speedy athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1616521' first='Oliver' last='Kline'], scored another TD on the ground and had just under a hundred yards rushing. The challenge continues this week as 6A #4 Manhattan comes to town.   [player_tooltip player_id='1651118' first='Landon' last='Reed'], 5'11, 185, LB/RB, Derby, the Panthers are loaded at the linebacker position with several all-state performers on the depth chart so any freshman linebacker getting playing time must be a rising star, which this guy clearly is. After a strong summer training with Coach Rashad he arrived ready to ball as a freshman and has played his way into the rotation with 32 tackles, a sack, an interception, a couple of pass deflections, and three tackles for a loss in his first four games. He was also had a standout baseball player this summer, hitting a 400′ home run, stole 30 bases and featured an 80+ mph fastball on the mound.   [player_tooltip player_id='1881645' first='Riley' last='McEvoy'], 6'3, 190, WR, SHHS, '29, he is one of the freshman ballers who was not included in the July article and really wasn't on my radar until teammate and two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='1351253' first='Carter' last='Raney'] pointed me in his direction. An athletic receiver, he can split wide and burn teams deep with his burst and acceleration or line up in tight as a hybrid tight end and use his excellent catch radius to make contested catches over the middle. He has played his way into significant game time catching passes from three-sport athlete Jordan Miller.   [player_tooltip player_id='1881290' first='Blace' last='Rodina'], 5'10, 155, QB, SHHS, '29, he is another rising-star gunslinger who is backing up Miller at quarterback and learning the ropes from a guy who knows how to light it up. He is an athletic, dual-threat QB who can beat teams with his arm or his legs and has been effective when he has had opportunities. So far this fall he has fired three touchdown passes and picked up a rushing touchdown to go along with 300+ yards passing. He expertly extends plays when the scheme breaks down and is more than a scrambler, using his speed and quickness and throwing well on the move, off platform and from different arm slots.   RECENT MENTIONS:   Below are some of the '29 players mentioned since the season started and are guys who have stepped up big on the varsity scene through the first four games. Anytime a freshman plays varsity it deserves to be celebrated...so here we go!   [player_tooltip player_id='1582714' first='Blake' last='Thomas'], ATH, 5'11, 185, BVSW, the biggest splash so far in the 2025 season has been this freshman phenom who got off to a sizzling start in his first game, scoring on a 95-yard kickoff return and had 226 yards on five returns and a 24-yard TD reception. After that thunderbolt start nobody would kick in his direction but he still busted loose in game two catching seven passes for 180 yards and three more scores. So far this year he has 651 total yards and six TD's. He also teams up with a standout kicking-team battery as the holder on FG/PAT's, taking the long snap from fellow freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='1577751' first='Abe' last='Harms']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/abe-harms/"></a> , 5'11, 175, LB/LS, BVSW, '29, who handles long-snapping duties as well as rotating in as a head-busting linebacker and an aggressive special teams performer. The third member of the freshman battery is kicking and punting four-star sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1743366' first='Rhys' last='Poggio'], kicker/punter, BVSW, who is 10 for 10 on extra points, kicked a field goal and handles punting and kickoff duties.   I also recently mentioned Braigan Dinkel, 5'11, 175, QB, Russell, who is backing up a senior QB who is among the leading passers in the state, Trey Zorn. With his solid pocket presence and mechanics he is going to be ready to take the reins when his opportunity arises but in the meantime is staying busy as a receiver catching three passes for 100+ yards and a score in a little over a quarter of play. I also recently shined a light on the next Aquinas apex predator, [player_tooltip player_id='1649519' first='Mason' last='Arndt']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mason-arndt/"></a> , 5'10, 180, Aquinas, DB, who is already getting attention from scouts and coaches with his speed and explosiveness. He is getting positioned to join the top team in the state later this year following several strong JV performances. And last, but certainly not least, Braxton Stroda, 6'0, 190, LB/ATH, Junction City, caught my eye recently for red-hot Junction City as a rare starting middle linebacker for a 6A team as a freshman who helped his team upset top-ranked Manhattan last week. He has next-level instincts and tracking speed and is a headhunter on special teams, swarming the ball on kickoffs and punts.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

Way back in July we took a look at a handful of rising-star players from the class of 2029 who were on a collision coarse with their first year of varsity football that fall. Most have assimilated well with a few who have taken off like a rocket.