Sectional Champions Pounding the Rock Going Forward

Three games deep into the 2025 post-season and we are starting to see some interesting developments as we roll into Sub-State this Friday.   But before we dive into the endless probabilities of future games, I wanted to take a step back and recognize some teams and players who delivered for their teams in a big-time way when they needed it.   In this report, we are looking at three games from last week and a handful of the rising stars who made victory happen for their teams. First up we take a look at the Salina rock fight between Central and South, followed by #1 Kapaun who dismantled an out-manned Wellington squad, and then wrap it up with Derby's upset win over powerful Wichita NW.   So without further adieu, let's check out what these teams and playmakers have been up to.   SALINA CENTRAL 49-24 OVER SALINA SOUTH: in their second meeting this year Central dispatched their neighbors with an overwhelming ground game, rushing 47 times for 438 yards, 9.3 per carry and seven rush TD's. The running game has been a strength all year as they have churned out 3,470 yards, averaging 8.8 per touch and piling up 43 TD's in 11 games. Next up: traveling to Great Bend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-reves/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-reves/"></a> , 6'2, 215, RB, Salina Central, ‘26, it was more of the same last week demonstrating again that he is an apex predator of an RB and one of the most dangerous backs in the state. Last Friday he delivered another crushing performance when he carried the ball 35 times for an eye-popping 309 yards and five touchdown's. He has had 11 straight games with 100+ yards and is averaging 262 yards rushing per game in the last four games. For the year he has an incredible 2,410 yards on 242 carries, averaging 10-yards a carry and scored 27 total TD's so far. The Northern Iowa commit (for wrestling) is a big, fast baller of a back who rips through arm tackles and has the burst to break the long one.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> , 5'10, 175, Salina Central, '27, the other half of the Mustang's powerful offense is this dual-threat gunslinger who has been a sharpshooter in the passing game as well as a lethal runner in the RPO or extending plays with his legs. Last Friday the team didn't need to throw much as the ground game was dominant, and he responded with 125 yards on 11 carries, averaging 11+ yards per run and scored a pair of touchdowns. So far this year he has completed 121 of 179 passes for 1,604 yards, completing 68%, fired 26 TD passes and impressively has only had two picks all year. For a first-year starter this season, he continues to be en fuego.   [player_tooltip player_id='401683' first='Kaden' last='Snyder'] (#64 above), 6'6, 305, OL, Salina Central, '26, the blue-chip Kansas-commit has been one of the top linemen in the state and a key leader in the trenches this year who has helped enable the Mustang's ruthless running attack. Lining up at left tackle he is a violent blocker in the run game, pounding defenders with 60+ pancake blocks so far, but also has the length, explosiveness and quick feet to wall off athletic edge rushers in pass pro as well. This guy is going to be opening holes for the Jayhawks in the very near future.   [player_tooltip player_id='557340' first='Warrick' last='VanBlaricon'] (#71 above), 6'3, 285, OL, Salina Central, '27, he is another D1 prospect along the front lines for the Mustangs who has provided leadership and standout play all year. A versatile athlete in the trenches with power and quickness to spare, he can play anywhere on the line but this year has been the bookend tackle opposite Snyder, and has piled up 30+ pancakes. The two of them might as well open a pancake delivery service with the numbers they have been burying in the turf this year. Keep this guy in your sights, he is a baller on the rise.   Saijon Mills (#68 above), 6'1, 270, OL, Salina Central, '26, anchoring the interior line from his right guard position, he is a two-year starter who has been a consistent force in the trenches. With his strong base, weaponized hands and active feet, he can blow open gaps in the run game between the tackles or pull and take out defenders on the perimeter. He is starting to get some next-level interest as he should with his size and skills and is also a top-flight thrower in the discus and shot put in track and field.   Also stepping up as key contributors all year has been center, Reyce Kelley (#57 above), 6'3, 270, OL, '27, who is another versatile trench warrior who can play either guard position but has solidified the interior of the box for the Mustangs and enabled the offense to hit on all cylinders this year. Playing opposite of Mills at the left guard position is, [player_tooltip player_id='2058132' first='Parker' last='Pinks'] (#79 above), 6'3, 290, OL, '27, who can play guard or tackle, but has stepped up as an asset in the interior and has been a road grader of a blocker in the run game. And, last, but certainly not least, Noah Peck (#8 above), 6'5, 245, TE, '26, is a large and in charge tight end and multi-positional senior who can play both ways but has really turned heads this year as a tough-as-nails tight end who can destroy downblocks in the ground attack but also has consistent hands and a next-level catch radius making contested receptions over the middle.     KAPAUN 64-0 OVER WELLINGTON: the 10-1 Crusader's rolled over Wellington as they have done to everyone in the playoffs this year. In the last three games they have demolished the competition 189-0, which averages out to a score of 63-0 in each game. And, much like Salina Central above, they have relied on a dynamic run game with numerous big, fast running backs pounding the rock. Next up: hosting Wamego.   Kenneth Huff, 6'0, 205, RB, Kapaun, '27, leading the juggernaut ground game is this junior running back who has been flying under the radar early-on but started piling up big games right out of the chute and is not being overlooked anymore. Last Friday he was a force when pounding defenders running inside as well as showcasing his wheels hitting the perimeter. On the night he picked up 150+ yards rushing and scored three touchdowns. This guy is an explosive next-level playmaker who has the size and speed to shred defenses at will.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114752' first='Cal' last='Purvis'] , 6'3, 225, LB/RB, Kapaun, '26, the Air Force commit has been one of the top two-way threats in the state the last few years as a pile-driving running back on offense and a sledgehammer of a hitter from his LB position. On defense he has led one of the top linebacker units in the state this year and helped the defense hold the opposition to less than 80 yards rushing the last five weeks. With his size, speed and next-level instincts he is going to be a huge factor going forward in the playoffs.    [player_tooltip player_id='1228898' first='Nick' last='Anciaux']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-anciaux/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-anciaux/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-anciaux/"></a> , 6'5, 285, OL, Kapaun, '26, he is another D1 performer as a versatile offensive lineman who can play guard or tackle but has really shined at tackle. He received significant attention over the past year from D1 schools in the region but eventually signed with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. He is a returning all-state performer who has prototype size and reach and has quick, nimble feet that he optimizes for positioning and efficient leveraging. The Crusader running attack is in good hands with this baller up front.   [player_tooltip player_id='1609901' first='Landon' last='Heise']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> , 6'3, 315, OL, Kapaun, '26, coming off a strong regular season, this guy is a versatile offensive lineman who has helped blow open holes in the Crusader's vaunted running game all year. With ideal size and strength he has a powerful frame clearing out holes, chipping off to take out defenders at the second level or aggressively giving the beat-down to the opposing forces in pass pro . With his game peaking at the right time on the number-one team in the state he is earning more and more next-level attention.     DERBY 63-21 OVER WICHITA NORTHWEST: the Panthers absorbed a suprising loss to Bishop Carroll in the last game of the regular season, which didn't bode well at the time, with the rapidly-approaching playoffs coming up; but they have responded like the championship program they are with three-straight post-season victories, including last Friday's huge win over NW. On the night they would run and pass for almost 600 yards of total offense and averaged right at 15 yards every time a Panther touched the ball. Next up: traveling to Manhattan, another team peaking at the right time.   [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a> , 5'7, 160, RB, Derby, '27, this game-breaking running back/return man has already started the last three years and every season seems to get even more dangerous than the year before. He is coming off a regular season rushing for 1,195 yards on 139 carries and scoring 13 TD's, despite playing half the game in frequent team blowouts. Last week's huge win over NW was more of the same as he carried the ball 17 times for 223 yards and had a pair of TD's on runs of 44 and 55 yards. Also playing well on offense was dual-threat quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='944906' first='Blade' last='Clark'], 6'0, 190, QB, Derby, '27, who has helped the team peak at the right time in the playoffs on offense with his impressive gunslinger game. This past week he was a force running and passing as he completed four of eight passes for 166 yards and three scoring tosses and also ran the ball nine times for another 134 yards to give him 300 total yards and five scores on the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1585530' first='Mason' last='Moaliitele']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mason-moaliitele/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mason-moaliitele/"></a> , 6'0, 210, RB/LB, Derby, '27, after sustaining a mid-season injury he accelerated his rehab to make it back for the playoffs and has delivered this post season. In the eight games he was able to play he rolled up 100 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. In last week's monster win over Wichita NW it was more of the same as he piled up eight tackles. This guy is a ball-buster of a backer who gets better every game. Also stepping up on defense was a guy I reported on a few weeks ago who is arguably one of the top defensive end/edge rushers in the state the last few years, [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback'], Edge/OLB, 6'2, 220, Derby, '26. Last Friday he played his usual dominating game, with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks. This guy is the real deal and will be playing on Saturdays next fall.     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'

Three games deep into the 2025 post-season and we are starting to see some interesting developments as we roll into Sub-State this Friday.