Kansas Colts Ramping Up For a Busy 7v7 Season

Last weekend the Kansas Colts launched the '26 7v7 season at the MoKan Winter Kickoff Classic 7v7 Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa and walked away with a Top 16 finish and the tournament Sportsmanship Award.   Earlier in the week I reported on the two 18u teams for the Colts, team Blue and team Orange, and focused primarily on some of the standout players from last weekend's action.   And, after getting a good look at the rosters for both squads, I made a note to circle back and shine a light on some of the promising young talent on the two teams.   Both squads are loaded with rising star ballers from the class of '28 and '29 from the extended Wichita area and western Kansas.   In this report we will take another look at the Colts, with the focus this time on the promising young talent on their two 18u rosters.   So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out:     18u Blue Team:   [player_tooltip player_id='1488806' first='Nick' last='Fry']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-fry/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-fry/"></a> , 5'10, 165, WR/DB, Hesston, '28, first up is a versatile two-way baller who can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, but was planning on putting an emphasis on defense in this year's 7v7 action. However, with several players not available this past weekend, he was forced to go both ways. On offense he stepped up as a sure-handed receiver making timely catches over the middle and scored a touchdown. On defense he is developing into a dominating force and used his read and react skills to force numerous pass break up's. He is coming off a solid season catching 15 passes and scoring three times, while adding 49 tackles and four interceptions, including two pick-6 touchdowns. A multi-sport athlete, he is just getting warmed up as a rising star with the Colts.   Landon Martinez, 5'10, 160, WR/RB/DB, Buhler, '28, he is another athletic two-way playmaker in his first year with the Colts, but is already showing signs of being of being an electric threat with the ball in hand. This past weekend he went both ways and impressed coaches in how quickly he acclimated to the game. He is coming off a sophomore season when he showed how explosive he is capable of being, catching 13 passes for 396 yards, averaging 31 yards per reception and piled up six total touchdowns along the way. He also added 300+ yards in punt and kick returns to give him just under 800 all-purpose yards. His big-play ability was evident from the start, as he struck from long distance on receptions of 76, 73, 69 and 54 yards last fall. He also added 28 tackles, one tackle for loss and four picks on the year. This guy is going to give the Colts some sizzle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1707575' first='Evan' last='Valencia'], 5'10, 175, RB/DB, Holcomb, '29, next up we have the first baller from the class of '29 and one who is being counted on to step up in the coming months and show what kind of an asset he can be for the team. He is coming off a freshman year last fall when he adjusted to the varsity game quickly and impressively was able to get playing time on both sides of the ball for a strong 9-1 team that won a couple of playoff games. On the year he showed promise early, averaging 9+ yards per carry running the ball and had 10 tackles on defense. With a season of varsity ball under his belt and stepping up his game playing with the Colts, he is going to deliver before the season is over.   [player_tooltip player_id='1662488' first='Dacen' last='Dedman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dacen-dedman/"></a> , 5'8, 160, RB/LB, Halstead, '29, he is another freshman first year playmaker who brings a versatile game to 7v7 action and is being counted on to rise to the occasion with the Colts this year. He has also stayed busy playing basketball and then this spring will shift gears to playing baseball and is an up-and-coming triple jumper on the track and field squad. In limited action as a freshman last fall, he averaged 6.5 yards per carry and on his only reception took it for a 44-yard gain. On defense he was in on 11 tackles as he showed quickly that he was ready for the varsity game. He has demonstrated athleticism that the Colts will be able to optimize in their high-scoring attack. Get this guy on your 7v7 watchlist.   [player_tooltip player_id='1638196' first='Larry' last='Jeremiah'], 6'3, 175, WR/RB/DB, Hutchinson, '28, he is a sophomore baller who caught my eye last spring playing 7v7 with the Colts and then this past fall stepped up with a big year for Hutch, catching 35 passes for 454 yards and scoring six times. He is back with the Colts this season and the expectations are high. He wasn't able to make the road trip to Iowa last week but will get going later in February as the tournament season heats up. With his standout catch radius and next-level athleticism he is going to be an asset once again for the Colts this year.     18u Orange Team:   [player_tooltip player_id='1080736' first='Edric' last='Zorn'], 6'0, 200, RB/LB, Halstead, '28, first up for the Orange team is a rising star who is getting ready to bust out with a big year this 7v7 season and then take it to another level this fall. Last weekend he stepped up with some outstanding play all weekend. On offense he was fearless going over the middle and was able to consistently make the tough contested catch. He is coming off a season when he did a little bit of everything, running the ball 60 times for 415 yards, averaging seven yards a carry and scoring seven times. He also caught 23 passes for 236 yards and added 242 yards on kickoff returns, including a 94-yard return for a TD. On the other side of the ball he had 49 tackles, a pair of TFL and a pick-6. This guy is getting ready to dominate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1616521' first='Oliver' last='Kline'], 6'2, 180, DB/WR, Emporia, '28, he is another versatile sophomore three-way playmaker who can line up at WR or RB on offense and return kicks and punts, as well as being a ballhawk safety on defense. On the other side of the ball as a versatile wide receiver, he had 350+ all-purpose yards and then on defense was in on 30 tackles, added two tackles for loss and picked off a pair passes, including one that he returned an eye-popping 102 yards for the score. It was one of the longest returns for a TD in the state last year. He is another first-year player for the Colts who is quickly picking up the game and will be counted on to step up later this season. This guy has all the skill sets and is going to be an excellent addition.   Xzavier Delatorre, 6'0, 180, ATH, SW Heights, '29, he is the lone freshman in this report for the Orange team and is another first-year baller for the Colts. He is bringing a high-octane game on both sides of the ball and should develop into a standout this season. On offense last fall he had 600+ yards rushing, receiving and on kick returns and added five touchdowns. And, as good as he was on offense, he was even better on defense as he had an impressive 90 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception and a pair of fumble recoveries. Quite a freshman stat line on defense. This is his first year for the Colts and he brings a game-breaker element to the team that should end up being a great fit on both sides of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1433319' first='Cooper' last='Cranston'], 6'0, 185, ATH, Holcomb, '28, he wasn't able to make the trip to Iowa last weekend but his next-level talents will be counted on later this month when the team heads to Springfield. He hasn't wasted any time establishing himself as one of the most electrifying all-around players in the state. Last fall he had a hand in everything, completing 59 of 103 passes for 808 yards, a 58% completion percentage and 12 TD passes. He also ran the ball 122 times for 1,208 yards, averaging 10+ yards per carry and scoring 12 more TD's. He added 266 yards as a receiver and on returns to give him 2,200+ all-purpose yards and 25 TD's. On defense he was in on 55 tackles, three TFL and was one of the state leaders in interceptions with eight. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is going to put on a show.   [player_tooltip player_id='1804106' first='Braylon' last='Reed']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylon-reed-2/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylon-reed-2/"></a> , 5'11, 180, ATH/DB, Derby, '28, he is another one that missed the first tournament for the Orange team but will look to bolster the Colt defense later this month in Springfield. He caught my eye last year as a promising defensive back who can play anywhere in the secondary but is developing into a talented strong safety who can smother receivers in pass coverage or collapse down on the ball to make the big hit at the line of scrimmage. He is being counted on to step up and be a strong defensive player who can help the Colts win. Get this guy on your 7v7 watchlist.   NEXT TOURNAMENT: February 21-22, Springfield, MO   In conclusion, get out and see the Colts in the coming months - they have a ton of talent and are fun to watch.   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

Last weekend the Kansas Colts launched the '26 7v7 season at the MoKan Winter Kickoff Classic 7v7 Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa and walked away with a Top 16 finish and the tournament Sportsmanship Award.