Week 4: Taking Another Look At Friday Performances

It is suddenly October and we are rolling into game five of the '25 season.   Where did the time go?   It has vaporized for now but the last four weeks have packed in some scintillating performances from playmakers we expected nothing less from, while new ballers arrived on the scene to show their stuff and put an exclamation point on under-the-radar play that hasn't received much circulation yet.   In this report we are taking another look at the games and players from last Friday to make sure we cover as many deserving ballers as possible before starting the review process on week five.   Up front are some rising-star quarterbacks who have impressed me to date, followed by a couple of two-way ballers who have stepped up and then close with some piledriving defenders who are already in attack mode.   So, without further adieu, let's jump in and see who played well last Friday:     [player_tooltip player_id='1113131' first='Cooper' last='Criss'], 6'0, 195, QB/ATH, Cedar Vale/Dexter, '26, first out of the chute is a young gun QB flying under the radar somewhat but has delivered enough standout performances that he is starting to catch the eyes of those in the know. Working with former standout Southwestern College QB, Coach Cagle of MPA fame, he is developing into a dangerous dual-threat weapon who can layer the ball with good ball placement in attacking all three levels of the defense. He is coming off a sizzling game when he led his team to 28-22 win over Sedan for the first time on their field since September 28, 2018. In that game he fired 16 completions in 25 attempts for 221 yards and three TD's, and rushed for 42 yards and added another TD. On the season he has piled up 570 yards passing and 10 TD's to go with 147 yards rushing and four more scores in only three games (he sat out a game due to concussion protocol).   [player_tooltip player_id='1347133' first='Max' last='Olson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/max-olson/"></a> , 6'2, 210, QB, Andover Central, '26, it was a frustrating start for this senior gunslinger after dealing with injuries last year and then losing game one to Hutchinson, but since then he has helped his team get back in the groove. With a three-game winning streak under their belt the team is starting to hit on all cylinders and will roll into game five with a 3-1 record. For the year he has completed 33 of 65 passes for just under 300 yards and a pair of scores, which included a strong performance in game two against Ark City when he was 12 for 19 for 140 yards and a pair of passing TD's.   Jr Monroe, 5'11, 175, QB/ATH, Nickerson, '26, it has been a challenging season for this standout multi-sport athlete as he and his teammates work to flip the script on their season. And, teaming with a guy who knows a thing or two about winning, ex-Andale/KSU player and now head coach Parker Bruce, it is not a matter of if, but when, things will turn for the better. This past off-season he showed his athleticisim getting ready, as a scrappy wrestler in the winter and then excelling in track running the 400 meters and throwing the javelin. With his skills, drive and leadership this guy is getting ready to make things happen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593671' first='Jesiah' last='Gooch'], 6'1, 215, LB/RB, Hillsboro, '26, he has been one of my favorites following his progress through the off-season. He is a gifted two-way baller who is a Washburn-commit but could probably have played D1 somewhere. He can line up anywhere on the field but thrives as a battering ram of a linebacker and a quick, powerful running back on the other side of the ball. So far this year he has lived up to the billing, racking up 49 tackles on defense and then showing off his surprising burst and elusiveness for a running back of his size with 445 yards through four games. With the ball in hand he tramples defenders before turning on the after-burners and out running d-backs to paydirt.   [player_tooltip player_id='904448' first='Ezra' last='Spiller'], 6'1, 215, LB/ATH, Rock Creek, '26, he has picked up where he left off last year as a punishing middle linebacker on defense and a standout TE/H-back on the other side of the ball. And, although he is a crushing blocker with superb hands as a tight end, where he really impresses is as a sledgehammer of a linebacker who essentially shuts down the running game between the tackles but also has the instincts and lateral quickness to track down and make jarring open-field tackles on the perimeter. He is spearheading a defense that is only giving up a little over six points per game and is undefeated at 4-0. So far through four games he has 21 tackles, collected five tackles for loss, two sacks and also picked off two passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612738' first='Max' last='Holman'], 5'11, 175, WR/DB, Liberal, '27, he is an athletic two-way baller who has been flying under the radar in western Kansas but the word is getting out slowly but surely that this guy has some skills. On offense he is a talented receiver who has great hands and can burn teams in the vertical game. On defense he is a lockdown corner who can stuff the receiver at the line or sink in zone and play like a ballhawk safety. He is also a dangerous kick returner who is a threat to take it to the house on every kick. In total so far he has piled up just under 200 yards of receiving, rushing, and returns in 2025.    Reed Hackleman, 5'11, 205, MLB/TE, Mulvane, '26, he is a multi-sport baller who starts both ways and has been a big part of Mulvane's overall excellent start this fall. I say overall, because the Wildcat's start to the season was a tough loss to a then top-five ranked Buhler team 34-27. Since then they have regrouped and between the eye-popping performances of the Myers brothers and timely play like Hackleman's, who hauled in a 26-yard reception late in the game to help change the momentum and then came up with one of the game-saving plays of the night when he deflected a pass that was intercepted by teammate Hays Ensley to seal the 26-23 win over Augusta.   Ayden Rookwood, 6'0, 175, WR/DB, Leavenworth, '27, it is never easy moving across the country to play for a new team as an upperclassman, but this guy has hit the ground running and making the most of his opportunities. In the off-season he transferred to Leavenworth from Blythewood high school in South Carolina, where he was a two-way athlete who can play anywhere in the secondary as needed but really stood out as a dangerous wideout on offense. An athletic WR and kick returner, he has the length, speed and explosiveness to scorch defenses on the long ball but also runs precise routes and can catch the ball under duress. On defense he can play corner or safety and is a suffocating cover man.   Mitchell Frank, 6'3, 210, Edge/LB, Bishop Carroll, '27, he is another talented baller who hasn't received the attention he deserves but has gone about changing that so far this fall. As a versatile outside linebacker who can also operate out of a stance as a gate-crashing edge rusher, he has great read and react instincts and closing speed. He really stands out as a headhunter outside LB who uses his lateral quickness and quick first step to locate and destroy the running game on his side of the field. With his powerful frame and weaponized hands, he aggressively splits double teams and quickly works his way through traffic to deliver a blow on arrival. So far this year he is averaging just under 10 tackles a game and has six TFL and four sacks.   Aiden Berry, 6'0, 275, DT, Blue Valley, '28, last but certainly not least we have a rising prospect who has been learning the ropes as an aggressive trench warrior who can play on either side but is particularly effective on defense. With his powerful lower body and relentless pursuit of the ball he can muscle his way through gaps or cave in running lanes before they can even open up. This year he has started getting more attention as a guy who can dominate and appears to be getting better with every game. Get him on your watchlists as he getting ready to make some noise.   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 or are injured, give me a shout via DM on X.    And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

It is suddenly October and we are rolling into game five of the '25 season.