Football Friday Ballers Already In Mid-Season Form

We are rolling into the regular season mid-way point and the standout play continues to amp up as the ballers are rising to the occasion and helping take their teams to the next level.   One of the enjoyable aspects of following high school football is in watching players develop over the seasons. The guys that really catch my eye are the force multipliers - those few and far between multi-skilled performers who can be counted on to deliver elite play in the clutch, but just as importantly, have the ability to consistently make their teammates around them even better.   There are a lot of of talented ballers out there, but not all have cracked the code on making those around them better, while being the positive force the team relies on to drive them to success.   Once you attain that rareified air of true greatness, you will be ready to apply the skill set to any situation that arises where leadership, team building and timely performance is required to take the next step.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at some force multipliers who are bringing their A-game so far this fall:   FRIDAY BALLERS:     [player_tooltip player_id='1351253' first='Carter' last='Raney']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-raney/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-raney/"></a> , 5'11, 175, LB/SS, Spring Hill, '28, he is a talented baller who caught my eye last year as a freshman and I have been following his progress since. Helping his team to a sizzling 3-1 start, they are coming off a 49-21 victory over KC Piper and will take on Ottawa later today. This guy is a headhunter of a d-back with next-level instincts and a nose for always being around the ball. He locks down the pass game in coverage, but once he reads run collapses down on the ball carrier to blow up the opposition's ground game. He has all the tools of an elite defender, with acceleration and burst as well as an explosive 36" vertical. On the other side of the ball is dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1585750' first='Jordan' last='Miller'], 6'3”, 185, QB, Spring Hill, '26, who is coming off a junior season as an all-conference performer who led the Bronco's to an 8-win season. This year he has taken his game to a whole different level as a dangerous signal caller who uses his speed and athleticism to carve up defenses in the RPO, but can also sit back in the pocket and fire missiles with great ball placement at all three levels of the defense. So far this year he has passed for 380 yards, rushed for 300 more and has piled up 11 TD's as the offense has out-scored the teams 147-52 through four games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1594487' first='Curtis' last='Campa']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/curtis-campa/"></a> , LB, 5'9”, 170, Clearwater, ‘27, it has been a tough year for the improving Indians, who moved to 1-3 on the season after running into a buzzsaw Cheney team last Friday and this week will attempt to get back in the winning column when they host Chaparral. One of the bright spots has been the linebacker play as Campa has turned a strong sophomore season when he piled up 68 tackles, had a sack and recovered a couple of fumbles into strong play in 2025. He is off to another good start with 18 tackles and one TFL so far. Also playing well from the LB position has been [player_tooltip player_id='1515812' first='Dalton' last='Wulf'], 6'0, 200, RB/LB, Clearwater, '26, who was one of the most prolific tacklers in the state last year and is off to a busy start with 41 tackles, one TFL and has carried the ball 17 times for 105 yards and a 6.2 average. Wulf is an old-school backer who uses his baller instincts and the aggressive edge to his game to always be around the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1594491' first='Connor' last='Goerzen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/connor-goerzen/"></a> , LB, 5'10”, 190, Maize, ‘27, the Maize defense is loaded with standout players and one that hasn't got as much attention as he deserves is Goerzen, who is a pile-driving middle linebacker who has been one of the top tacklers on the Eagle's defense the last few years. He can play any of the LB positions but is particularly effective in shutting down the run game between the tackles as an inside linebacker. He is also an excellent baseball player, which seems to be a theme with this team. Another baller who hasn't gotten the attention he deserves and is also a standout baseball player is [player_tooltip player_id='1587813' first='Scotty' last='Hadley'], 5'10, 175, DB, Maize, '26, who is a versatile, athletic, headhunter of a hitter from his strong safety position who has 40 tackles, averaging 10 per game. This guy has excellent read and react skills and when he isn't shutting down the pass game is using his closing speed to stop the run in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1656510' first='Bryis' last='Alford']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bryis-alford/"></a> , QB/LB, 5'11,175, Baldwin, '27, he is coming off an injury-marred season a year ago, when he missed six weeks of the season. Fast forward to this fall and he is making up for lost time with a baller of a start to the season as last week they steamrolled Wellsville 35-14 to move to 3-1 and will take on Silver Lake later today. He is a dual-threat destroyer with the ball in hand, who has completed 31 passes in 50 attempts 563 yards, a 62% completion percentage, a 7:1 TD pass to interception ratio and a sparkling passer rating of 132. He also added 262 yards rushing, averaging 7+ yards per carry and 11 total touchdowns. This guy is fun to watch and is getting more dangerous with every game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1585528' first='Dane' last='Becker']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dane-becker/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dane-becker/"></a> , 5'11, 165, RB/DB, McPherson, '27, he is another junior running back/defensive back who has been a consistent force in the McPherson run game the last few years and has picked up where he left off last year. Last week he helped his team knock off Winfield 46-27 to move to 3-1 and so far is keeping defensive coordinators awake at night trying to figure out how to slow him down. So far this year he has 409 yards on 69 carries, averaging 6+ yards a carry and has scored five TD's. He has been consistent all season but the last few games has come up big, picking up just under 200 yards and scoring twice as the Bullpups start to ratchet up their game for District play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1594489' first='Joshua' last='Duerksen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joshua-duerksen/"></a> , DL/TE, 5'10”, 190, Hesston, ‘27, the Swathers are off and running on a solid start going 3-1 so far after coming off a 55-14 romp over Nickerson last week. Later today they will play at Smoky Valley, and expected to have another big game is Duerksen, who is off to a great start with 40 tackles, a tackle for loss and one sack so far this year. He is an athletic two-way baller with great instincts who can slam the door shut in the run game as a hard-hitting linebacker, but also has the speed and explosiveness to excel anywhere on the defense. In the off-season he is a versatile athlete with the size and strength to set records in the shot and discus but with the speed to run sprints and relays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1689847' first='Jayden' last='Wyss']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jayden-wyss/"></a> , 6'3, 305, OL/DL, Bishop Carroll, '27, he got off to a solid start a year ago as a sophomore trench warrior who picked up valuable experience that has prepped him to hit the ground running this fall. The Golden Eagles are off to a 2-2 start after beating Wichita South last week 47-12 and will play at Heights later today. A versatile offensive lineman, he has commanding size, with a powerful base and the size and reach to demolish defenders along the LoS as either a guard or tackle. Along with his size and strength, he has a good first step that he uses effectively in getting leverage. He had a busy off-season preparing and his work is paying off as he and his teammates are just getting warmed up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1804106' first='Braylon' last='Reed']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylon-reed-2/"></a> , 5'11, 180, ATH/DB, Derby, '28. He caught my eye earlier in the off-season as a young-gun d-back who can play anywhere in the secondary but appears to be developing into a savvy strong safety who can smother receivers in pass coverage but is also a master-blaster of hitter when he stonewalls plays at the line. He has been working hard in the off-season with Coach Rashad and has gotten bigger and faster and also spends time reviewing tape and understanding offensive schemes to help enhance his read and react skills. The Panthers have absorbed a couple of losses early but don't count them out just yet as with guys like Reed they have the talent to flip the script before season end.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732199' first='Avonte' last='Housh']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/avonte-housh/"></a> , 6'0, 255, OL/DL, Atchison '26, after a strong junior year he used the off-season to get ready and so far has been a dominating force in the trenches who can handle business on both sides of the ball. With his powerful lower body, quick feet and agility, he can play anywhere along the offensive line and last year showed his potential in a memorable match-up when he walled off Shrine Bowl MVP Ayden Ellington, who had four sacks in the all-star game. On defense he can penetrate gaps and blow up double teams getting to the ball. This year he is helping make the Atchison offense one of the most dangerous units in the state with his timely blocking. Tonight they have a big challenge as they travel to undefeated KC Washington.   [player_tooltip player_id='1738191' first='Kellen' last='Weisguth']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kellen-weisguth/"></a> , 6'0, 180, QB, Blue Valley West, '29, and last but certainly not least I wanted to include a freshman QB who caught my eye over the summer and has been a new fave to follow based on what I have seen of his game so far. With excellent size, athleticism and speed for a freshman, he can handle whatever the offense needs. He is particularly dangerous executing the RPO, where he uses his burst and elusiveness as a breakaway threat with the ball in hand. In the air he can thread the ball into tight windows, throw the long-ball touch pass and can seamlessly extend plays throwing off platform or on the move. So far this fall he has rifled 15 touchdowns and 1,100 yards in junior varsity play and is showing why he is the next big thing for the Jags.     INJURED RESERVE: (Key players who have sustained injuries this season):   [player_tooltip player_id='1585747' first='Carston' last='Simmons']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carston-simmons/"></a> , 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.   [player_tooltip player_id='1161942' first='Keon' last='King']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keon-king/"></a> , 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.   [player_tooltip player_id='1693651' first='Nisbyc' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nisbyc-johnson/"></a> , 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 a ballhawk defensive back who is flying under the radar so far but that is getting ready to change.     [player_tooltip player_id='1256364' first='Trenton' last='King']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trenton-king/"></a> , 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.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

We are rolling into the regular season mid-way point and the standout play continues to amp up as the ballers are rising to the occasion and helping take their teams to the next level.