Playoff Performances and Ballers Ready to Dominate

With the second week of the post season upon us I wanted to recognize a number of guys who are stepping up so far in the playoffs as well as a handful of players who played well but their teams lost in the opening round.   In this report, we are taking a closer look at some battle-tested linemen in the "DOMINATING IN THE TRENCHES" category, followed by "GAME-BREAKER WIDE RECEIVERS" and then close out with "GUNSLINGERS PUTTING ON A SHOW."   So without further adieu, let's check out what these guys have been up to.     DOMINATING IN THE TRENCHES   [player_tooltip player_id='1536103' first='Jaylen' last='Wilson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaylen-wilson/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaylen-wilson/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaylen-wilson/"></a> , 6'3, 265, DL, Andover Central, '26, after helping his team win a state championship a year ago, the Boogieman is back at it again this year. Last week he and his teammates disposed of Abilene 35-7 and he was a force along the defensive front, picking up seven tackles and three 3 TFL's. This week the Jaguars are going to have to bring their A-game as they square up with #1-ranked Kapaun. He is a versatile force in the trenches who can throttle plays inside as a nose guard, or shift outside and shutdown the perimeter on his side as a powerful edge rusher. This year he was busy and has piled up 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two deflected passes, a blocked PAT and a forced fumble. Next up: Kapaun.   [player_tooltip player_id='1616710' first='James' last='Horn']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/james-horn/"></a> , 6'0, 260, OL, Wichita Southeast, '26, he is coming off a strong junior year when he established himself as a baller in the trenches. He followed up with a standout season this year, helping his team to the best record in 20+ years, opening with a first-round win to advance and will take on a dangerous Manhattan team this Friday. It has been a good senior year even though he missed some time early in the season with an ankle injury, but he is back to steamrolling defenders in the trenches. With his powerful base and strong hands, he is a hammering blocker in the run game and can also pull and lead sweeps and screens. He is also skilled in pass pro, using his read and react skills to wall off the perimeter. Next up: Manhattan.   [player_tooltip player_id='934065' first='Angelo' last='Engler'], 6'3, 320, OL, Blue Valley NW, '27, he is a trench warrior and baller who caught my eye earlier in the year when he jumped off the tape while I was scouting skill players. He is a battering ram of a blocker who can play anywhere along the line of scrimmage, but has really excelled at guard. With his imposing size, quick feet and next-level mechanics, he gets positioned with a quick first step for leverage and then proceeds to bury defenders in the turf. He has dominated all year and has played a highly-effective game in the trenches, as he did not allow a sack the entire year, had zero holding calls, zero tackles for loss and registered 30+ knockdowns. When this guy shifts into beast mode he is a one-man wrecking crew along the front lines.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254888' first='Joshua' last='Ibidokun']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joshua-ibidokun/"></a> , 6'5, 325, OL/DL, Heights, '26, although the Falcon season has been challenging, this guy was one of the bright spots as an anchor in the trenches on offense but can excel on both sides of the ball as needed. With his lower-body power, wide reach and good feet for a big man, he wrecks havoc in the trenches at a variety of positions. On offense he lined up at right tackle this year and was a crushing blocker in the run game. In pass pro he locks on and uses strong hands and a powerful initial strike to flatten defenders on contact. On defense he can play nose or a 3-tech and he owns the area between the tackles. Word is getting out that he is a player as he had a number of school visits, including Oregon State this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1622720' first='Anthony' last='Nguyen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-nguyen/"></a> , 6'2, 225, DE/DL, Wichita South, '26, although it was not the senior season he and his teammates were hoping for he was a standout defensive baller who can play down as a five tech but really shines as a mauling, brawling edge rusher who creates chaos in the backfield. Storming the gates off the edge, he used his explosiveness, heavy hands and quick feet to pile up 30+ tackles, five tackles for a loss and had a fumble recovery. He plays an aggressive game with attitude, coming off the ball low with good bend and has the speed to blow past blockers, but also the raw strength to bull rush and go over the top if needed. He has been flying under the radar but is starting to get some notice as a baller ready to make the next step.     GAME-BREAKER WIDE RECEIVERS   Dominic Falco, 6'2, 175, WR/K, Wamego, '26, he is a fluid, athletic wideout/return man who caught my eye earlier in the season and has gone on to have one of the top wide receiver seasons in the state this year, finishing in the top three regardless of class and hauling in 42 passes for 923 yards and averaged 22 yards per reception. As the primary target in the high-octane Wamego passing game he uses his exceptional speed and acceleration to create separation on the long ball, but also has reliable hands in making contested catches over the middle. He is particularly dangerous in the open field, picking up yards after the catch or returning kicks. Last week in a blow-out over Winfield he continued playing a hot hand with six receptions for 122 yards and a pair of TD's. Next up: Hesston   Carson Mason, 5'8, 165, WR/DB, Hoisington, '26, he has been one of the key weapons in the high-scoring Cardinal offense this year as well as a baller in the secondary in helping his team to an undefeated record heading into the second round of the playoffs. Along the way he caught 15 passes for 270 yards and a pair of TD's on offense, as well as delivering as a shutdown defender on the corner who had 66 tackles, an interception and a blocked field goal in regular season. He also added 350+ return yards on special teams. With his speed, quickness and athleticism he is difficult to tackle in the open field and can cut on a dime. On defense he uses his next-level football IQ, instincts and read and react skills to quickly collapse down and make punishing open-field tackles. Next up: Hillsboro.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115792' first='James' last='Fieser']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/james-fieser/"></a> , 6'3, 185, WR, Liberal, '26, he has been flying high this fall as the top target in the Redskin air attack and has come on strong the last two games when he caught 24 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns, which included last week's playoff win over Topeka Seaman. On the year he was one of the top receivers in the state with 60 receptions for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns, which included two 15-catch, three-touchdown games along the way. He also added 10 tackles and an interception in limited defensive play. With his prototype size, speed and athleticism he can burn secondaries on the long ball but is also a reliable target with soft hands who can make things happen after the catch. Next up: a Salina South team gathering late-season momentum.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612738' first='Max' last='Holman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/max-holman/"></a> , 5'10, 165, WR, Liberal, '27, he is another three-way baller and standout receiver in the Redskin passing attack that I wanted to mention as well. He is a junior receiver who has come on strong toward the end of the season, catching 18 passes for 220+ yards and a TD in the last three games, which included a 6-catch, 123-yard, one-TD game in the playoff opener with Seaman. On the year he has caught 30 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns on offense and on the other side of the ball had 30 tackles, two TFL, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. He is an athletic, versatile baller who can impact in all phases of the game with his speed and quickness and the scary thing is he is just getting warmed up. Next up: Salina South     GUNSLINGERS PUTTING ON A SHOW   [player_tooltip player_id='1579585' first='Jerick' last='Humphreys']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jerick-humphreys/"></a> , 6'1, 195, QB, Hesston, '27, he has quietly put up some stellar numbers as a junior gunslinger leading his team into the second round after a 35-0 thrashing over Trinity in the post-season opener. On the year he has rifled 94 completions in 137 attempts, completing 69% of his throws, for 1,349 yards and 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions and a sizzling 121 passer rating. In one three-game span in mid-season he was razor-sharp beyond the norm, completing 39 of 43 passes for 556 yards and five TD's, which translates to a 91% completion percentage. He is a dual-threat QB with excellent size and athleticism and one who throws smoothly in the pocket, on the move and from different launch angles. Next up: powerful Rock Creek.   [player_tooltip player_id='1075837' first='Tevin' last='Cotter'], 6'0, 180, QB, Liberal, '28, he caught my eye last year as a rare 5A freshman QB starter and this year has delivered, leading his team into the second round of the playoffs. On the year the sophomore gunslinger has been spinning it well, completing 139 of 230 passes for 1,811 yards, a 61% completion percentage and 22 touchdowns. And, as well as he has played this year, he has been particularly dangerous the last two weeks when he aired it out completing 48 of 79 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns. He is a dual-threat who is athletic and can burn teams on the ground or extend plays with his legs but also has a seamless throwing motion and can make off-platform throws with excellent ball placement. Next up: Salina South.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall'], 5'10, 165, QB, Salina Central, '27, as a first-year starter he didn't waste any time establishing himself as one of the top junior quarterbacks in the state this year. He is a lethal dual-threat who can scorch teams with his speed and elusiveness on the ground but is also a sharpshooter in the pass game who lights up all three levels of the defense. For the season he has put together an impressive stat line, completing 109 of 156 passes for 1,434 yards, a sparkling 70% completion percentage and 22 TD passes to only one pick. On the ground he ran for 659 yards and six more scores to give him 2,093 total yards and 28 TDs on the year. He has also led his team to an impressive 8-1 record. Next up: Goddard.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys while you still can.   Note: if your stats referenced above are inaccurate let me know - my stat source is usually MAXPREPS and lately have caught numerous errors in their numbers.   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

With the second week of the post season upon us I wanted to recognize a number of guys who are stepping up so far in the playoffs as well as a handful of players who played well but their teams lost in the opening round.