Bringing 2025 to a Close - Young Ballers Breaking Out

The 2025 season has come and gone and for many it means moving on to the next sport or for others it means already committing to the 2026-grind and/or preparing for the rapidly approaching 7v7 season this spring.   Lots going on this time of year but before we shift gears and file the 2025 season away, I wanted to continue to provide a glimpse of some the excellent performances from this past season by guys who maybe didn't receive as much attention as they deserved.   In this report we will take a look at 10 ballers split between three sections who stepped up for big seasons this past fall.   Starting off we will take a look at three young gun QB's and a rising-star kicker, then hit four guys who stood out playing some combination of LB-DB-RB and then wrap up with three ballers flying under the radar, for now.   So without further adieu, let's check these guys out:     QB/KICKER ACTION:     [player_tooltip player_id='1590409' first='Tyler' last='Davis'], 6'0, 180, QB, Shawnee Mission North, '28, he is a sophomore gunslinger who had a strong off season working his craft and it resulted in a good sophomore year spearheading an offense that utilized his passing skill sets. He was more relaxed in the pocket this year as things started to slow down through experience, and with good pocket mechanics, tight rotation and quick release, he can rifle the ball into all three levels of the defense with standout ball placement. He is also athletic with quickness and good foot speed for running the RPO or extending plays with his legs. His eyes are disciplined for his age, keeping locked in on keys working progressions and particularly when the pocket collapses. This guy is a diamond in the rough, get him on your watchlists.   [player_tooltip player_id='1488557' first='Cael' last='Claibourn'], 6'1, 185, QB, Emporia, '29, he is a freshman baller who I have been following since I heard about this young gun in Emporia who was cross-training last summer while also playing competitive basketball and baseball as well as preparing for the National Junior Olympics in the long jump and triple jump. This past fall he was able to successfully make the jump to varsity ball by helping improve the team from 0-9 a year ago to 2-7, which included some close loses, and started building momentum with a young team. He played some wide receiver to get on the field and then late in the year started two games at QB, both against 6A opponents and stepped up to fire a pair of TD passes, along with a rushing touchdown and piled up 200+ total yards. This guy is the real deal.   [player_tooltip player_id='1743366' first='Rhys' last='Poggio'], K/P, Blue Valley SW, '29, next up is the only kicker/punter in this report and is a guy I have been following since last summer when he was traveling around working the fundamentals of his gifted game. He is one of those freshman ballers who has worked hard the last several years getting his game ready so he could hit the ground running at the varsity level sooner rather than later. Coming into the season he was a 4-star, 5-tool kicker/punter who brings a complete kicking game to the Wolfpack and it resulted in a solid first season when he was 16 out of 17 on PAT's and also booted four field goals. On kickoffs he consistently hammers the ball deep and had eight touchbacks. He also handled punting duties, averaging 30+ yards a punt. This guy is going to be a varsity weapon the next few years.     LB-DB's/RUNNING BACKS     [player_tooltip player_id='1594487' first='Curtis' last='Campa'], LB, 5'10”, 185, Clearwater, ‘27, this guy started the year flying under the radar somewhat but by the end of the season the Ark Valley knew who he was. Even though the Indians played a buzzsaw schedule and lost some close games, he stepped up all season to have another strong campaign. On the year he had 70 tackles, four tackles for loss and four QB hurries and had a season-high 17 tackles against a playoff-bound Garden Plain team late in the season. He plays an aggressive game, with quick read and react instincts and a nose for the ball. When he collapses down on the ball he shows his closing speed and lateral quickness and when he arrives, blows up plays before they even get started. This guy is going to be in the 100+ tackle club next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1585528' first='Dane' last='Becker'], 5'11, 165, RB/DB, McPherson, '27, he is a rising star two-way baller who turned in another strong performance doing things that don't show up on the stat line to help his team. On offense he is an experienced running back who has the quickness and spatial awareness to make things happen between the tackles or on the perimeter. Even sharing carries with another back he still piled up 800+ all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns. On the other side of the ball he displayed his versatility playing d-back or linebacker as needed. He plays a locked-in game reading plays as they unfold and then slices his way through traffic to make jarring tackles at the line of scrimmage. This guy is already a seasoned vet and will be delivering a big-time senior year in '26.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530394' first='Julian' last='Gallegos'], 5'11, 200, LB, Eisenhower, '27, this guy has been on my radar for a while now and just keeps getting better. He was one of those seek-and-destroy warriors who has taken his read and react skills to another level, with right at 100 tackles, six tackles for loss and picked off three passes. He got off to a good start this past fall when he racked up 15 tackles and a pair of TFL against Goddard in game two and then never dipped below double-digit tackles the rest of the year. He is a multi-positional player on defense who can play any of the linebacker positions but can also move back and line up as a ball-hawk free safety who can float in zone or take out backs trying to hit the perimeter. He is already deep into the grind and will be one of the top defensive players in the Wichita area in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1577751' first='Abe' last='Harms']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/abe-harms/"></a> , 5'11, 190, LB/LS, Blue Valley SW, '29, this guy is a versatile baller coming off a strong freshman year getting acclimmated to the varsity game. He is part of one of the top PAT/FG units in the state as a long snapper and it enabled him to get some early action this past fall. It also gave him the opportunity to showcase his other skills, particularly as a hard-hitting weak-side linebacker who saw limited action in his first year, but made things happen on the field and delivered 15 tackles on the season. On special teams he also stepped up as a ball buster on kickoffs. With a great showing at the PRZ Showcase in St Joseph, MO this past Sunday and having already been selected to play with <a href="https://x.com/GrindTime7v7">@GrindTime7v7</a> this spring, he is a guy that is just getting warmed up.     FLYING UNDER THE RADAR (ONE FROM EACH CLASS)     Drew Wilson, 5'11, 185, RB/WR, Shawnee Mission NW, '27, this guy is another Cougar baller that Coach Cook brought to my attention and he looks like a game-breaker in the making. He is a multi-positional player in the NW flexbone who plays the slot or can split out as needed. He is also a dangerous return man in development as he got some action on special teams last fall. Where he really stood out, however, is as a weaponized running back who has outstanding speed and quickness, but also has the strength and power to drive the ball between the tackles. For the year he got in enough to show coaches and fans that they have a stud in the making, with 34 carries for 305 yards, averaging right at 10 yards a carry, scored five TD's, hauled in five passes for 155 yards, and added two more TD's. This guy is going to be en fuego in '26.   Tre Hafenstein, 5'11, 195, QB/ATH, Central of Burden, '28, this guy caught my eye earlier in the summer when he was preparing to hit the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana to continue to fine-tune his emerging dual-threat quarterback skills. He is an athletic, rising-star QB who can deliver in the big moments when his team needs it. For the season, he piled up 1,618 total yards, including 782 passing yards, 836 rushing yards, and 405 in return yards, averaging 20 yards a return on kickoffs, and ended up with 13 total touchdowns. On defense, he is an aggressive hitter who can play anywhere in the secondary or as a LB as needed and ended up with 45 tackles. For his efforts he earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore. He is a versatile baller who is getting ready to flip script for his team in '26 with his high-octane game.   Braxton Stroda, 6'0, 190, LB/ATH, Junction City, '29, he caught my eye once the season got going when I heard rumors of a freshman middle linebacker starting for the 6A Bluejays. When I took a look, his play jumped off the tape as a guy way more seasoned and mature than his years indicated playing a very difficult position. He engages with an explosive game, using his athleticism and baller instincts to read the flow and once he locks in hits gaps like a torpedo to disrupt plays in the backfield. For the year he posted 30+ tackles, four tackles for loss, forced a pair of fumbles and added a fumble recovery for good measure. His ability to dismantle blockers and split double teams has been impressive, and when he arrives on the ball carrier he is a stone-cold hitter ready to lower the boom. This guy is definitely a rising-star middle linebacker.     In conclusion, keep an eye on these guys as they come into their own.   Note: if your stats referenced above are inaccurate let me know - my stat source is primarily MAXPREPS and lately have been catching errors in their numbers.   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

The 2025 season has come and gone and for many it means moving on to the next sport or for others it means already committing to the 2026-grind and/or preparing for the rapidly approaching 7v7 season this spring.