Top Performers Rolling Into The Post Season Gauntlet

The post-season is finally here with a number of intriguing early matchups and a ton of talent ready to put their thumbprint on the 2025 playoffs.   Some will leave more than a thumbprint while others will provide an equally important support role, with coaches burning the midnight oil putting the finishing touches on stitching it all together to come out ready to hit the opposition in the mouth in the opener.   In this report we will take a look at a dozen ballers who have been lighting it up in the regular season as well as some who have played a critical support role getting the team to this point.   So without further adieu, let's check out what these guys have been up to.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672095' first='Joey' last='Dintino']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joey-dintino/"></a> , 5'10, 170, QB/DB, Plainville, '27, he is a two-way baller I have been following who has had an excellent all-around season as a quarterback/defensive back. On offense he is an athletic, dual-threat QB who can beat teams with his arm or his legs. On the year he has run and passed for 750 yards and piled up 10 total touchdowns. On defense he had 20 tackles, a pair of interceptions, two blocked punts and also returned a punt for a TD. This week he and his teammates will travel to (6-2) Hutch Trinity for the opener. The Cardinals have won two of their last three games in regular season play and will be looking to pull off the upset.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> , 5'10, 175, Salina Central, '27, he is a sizzling-hot dual-threat gunslinger who has been dealing a hot hand in leading his team to a 7-1 record in his first season as a starter. He has been impressive all year and has completed 98 of 143 passes for 1,284 yards and 17 TD's to only one interception and a passer rating of 133. He ran for 650 yards and another three scores to give him just under 2,000 yards of total offense and 23 TD's. Stellar numbers for a guy who is quickly becoming a discussion point when discussing top QB's in the state. This week they will host 1-7 Topeka West and look to keep the momentum of the '25 season going.   [player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-reves/"></a> , 6'2, 215, RB, Salina Central, ‘26, the other half of the high-octane Salina Central offense was this all-purpose back who has been one of the most productive running backs in the state this year. Through eight games he has run for 1,608 yards on 173 carries for a 9.3 average and 14 touchdowns. He is also a dangerous weapon catching the ball out of the backfield, with 21 receptions for 160 yards and another TD. He has been a dominating force pounding the rock whether it be steamrolling LB's running between the tackles or turning on the afterburners hitting the perimeter like he did earlier in the year on an 82-yard score.   [player_tooltip player_id='1452348' first='Andre' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andre-johnson-2/"></a> , 6'0, 210, RB/LB, Rossville, '26, he is a ball-buster defender who I have been watching closely since last year when he piled up 100+ tackles. This year he picked up where he left off with a 20 tackle game in the season opener and then averaged 15 tackles a game in the first three. He would finish the regular season with 77 tackles, and a pair of TFL's and sacks with one interception. He is a quick strike defender but is also an effective running back on the other side of the ball, rushing 33 times for 220+ yards and a seven yard average, scoring seven touchdowns. This week they will host Mission Valley and look to keep their five-game win streak alive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250383' first='Jack' last='Reeves']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-reeves/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-reeves/"></a> , 6'0”, 185, QB/RB/ATH, Shawnee Mission East, '26, he was off to an eye-popping start before sustaining an MCL sprain late and missed the last two games of the regular season. The good news is he heals fast and will be ready for the opening playoff game this week against BV West. When healthy, the dynamic dual-threat was running the SME flexbone to perfection, running for 1,274 yards on 130 carries, averaging 9.8 yards a carry and 19 TD's in only seven games. In one three-game stretch in mid-season he averaged a 262 yards rushing per game. He also completed 30 of 44 passes for another four scores to give him 1,700+ total yards and 23 touchdowns. He is definitely electric when healthy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593083' first='Gus' last='Ketteler']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gus-ketteler/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gus-ketteler/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gus-ketteler/"></a> , 6'0, 175, RB/DB, Shawnee Mission East, '27, also in the SME backfield is another rising star to keep an eye on as a versatile running back who can use his track speed to burn up the perimeter but is also developing into an aggressive blocker leading between the tackles or taking out d-backs on the corners. On the year he carried the ball 52 times for 273 yards for a 5.3 yard average. He also caught a pair of passes for another 24 yards to give him just under 300 total yards. With his lateral quickness and burst he hits the hole fast and is effective burning up the perimeter with his acceleration. He is ready for a big post season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1658644' first='Max' last='Walters']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/max-walters-2/"></a> , 5'11, 180, RB/LB/ATH, Centralia, '28, he is a young baller I have been following since the start of the year who is an excellent two-way athlete playing running back and linebacker. He had a strong off season that he has parlayed into a good sophomore year and has helped his team to a seven game winning streak when they take on 3-5 Onaga later this week. He has been relentless playing JV early and then cracking the varsity lineup before putting together one of his best games of the year when he was in on 10 tackles from his linebacker position as he and his teammates knocked off Riverside 14-7 and claimed the district title.   [player_tooltip player_id='1638196' first='Larry' last='Jeremiah']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/larry-jeremiah/"></a> , 6'1, 165, RB/DB, Hutchinson, '28, he is another sophomore really stepping up this fall as a two-way baller for the Salthawks who can play RB or split out as a receiver as well as return kicks. He showed his potential early in the season when he caught six passes for 160 yards, averaging 27 yards a reception and scored a touchdown in a win over South. On the year he caught 26 passes for 422 yards and four scores, with a long of 67 yards. Add in another 84 yards rushing and returning and he ended up with 500+ total yards for the regular season. This week he and his teammates host 2-6 Emporia and are looking to be a surprise team in 5A playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1670215' first='Anthony' last='Salas']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-salas/"></a> , 6'3, 255, DL, Kapaun, '26, he is a versatile trench warrior who can line up in multiple positions across the offensive front but has really stepped up this fall as a defensive tackle who also slides down to stuff the run at nose guard as needed on the #1-ranked Crusader's headhunting defensive unit. He worked hard in the off-season with Coach Tabor with @PIAthletes, who joined the KMC staff and has turned the d-line into a mauling, brawling bunch in the trenches. So far this year Salas has gotten stronger every game on defense and he and his teammates are looking to start making a run for the 4A championship this week when they host 0-8 El Dorado.   [player_tooltip player_id='1703633' first='Tyson' last='Ross'], 6'5”, 290, Andover, OL, '26, with a late start to the varsity game, this large and in charge offensive lineman didn't take much time showing D1 coaches and scouts what he has to offer, as he has already received offers from Michigan, Auburn and Nebraska, as well as KU and K-State among others. With his prototype size, reach, quick feet and athleticism he overwhelms defenders in the trenches. He is adept at walling off in pass-pro as well as delivering pile-driving blocks in the Andover run game. He is another athlete who has been training in the off-season with Coach Tabor. This week he and his teammates will host a 1-7 Salina South team who has played better than their record indicates.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530415' first='Caleb' last='Strong'], 6'0, 175, ATH, Pratt, '27, he and his d-back teammates helped with numerous picks and tackles in last week's big win over Cheney and are riding a seven-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. Strong had another big game, including an interception return for a TD. On the year the versatile athlete has carried the ball 19 times for 201 yards, an 11 yard per carry average and two scores. He added nine receptions for 252 yards and four more TD's and also had just under 100 return yards to give 600+ total yards. On defense he added 19 tackles and a pick. Also stepping up big in the secondary was Hudson Titus, 5'10, 165, ATH, Pratt, '27, who has had a solid junior season and put an exclamation point on it with a 10-tackle game against Cheney last Friday. For the year he has picked up 100+ yards running, receiving and returning kicks but has really made his mark on defense with 59 tackles, a pair of TFL and an interception. Another baller flying under radar who had a strong game against Cheney was Levi Thibault, 6'1, 170, DB, Pratt, '27, who picked off a pass and was in on several tackles and PD's.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys while you still can.   And, as always -   Keep Grindin'

The post-season is finally here with a number of intriguing early matchups and a ton of talent ready to put their thumbprint on the 2025 playoffs.