Front Line Ballers Ready to Romp This Fall

August is upon us and for the grinders who have been hard at it since late last year it is one of the last open weekends before the football floodgates open and the grind becomes real.   And, whether it is off-season or hitting mid-season form, it never gets more real than being a two-way mauling, brawling force in the trenches.   The guys who man the front lines on both sides of the ball are usually the reason teams win as they handle the dirty work of making the skill players look good.   And, to survive in the trenches, these guys have been focusing on fine-tuning key mechanics, footwork, and embedding trench warfare nuances while they get bigger, faster and more explosive in the off-season.   In this report we are taking a look at three seniors and a pair of juniors who are at different stages in their football journey but what they have in common is focused training in the off-season to not only provide team leadership, but better position themselves for playing at the collegiate level.   Some have already been generating next-level interest while others have been flying under the radar somewhat and are ready to change that this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's see what these guys have been doing as we roll into August:     Max Worrell, 6'3, 245, LT/DE, Kapaun, '27, up first for the seniors is a two-way baller who helped his team win the 4A State Championship last year. On offense he can play multiple positions along the front but will probably anchor one of the OT spots to help pave the way for the Crusader's powerful running attack. On defense he is a punishing DE/Edge who can bend and burn coming off the edge or blow up double teams getting into the backfield in a hurry. He has a quick first step, impressive lateral agility and is relentless in pursuit. He can also slide down and play the 3-tech & shut down the run game between the tackles. Once the season was over he has been training with Coach Tabor and PIA and the time and effort is paying off as he has put on 20 pounds while getting faster and more explosive. He has also been playing a lot of baseball and was an All-Metro/All-State catcher with a good stick. This guy is ready for a big senior year guarding the championship hardware.     [player_tooltip player_id='1562422' first='Cody' last='Holzrichter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cody-holzrichter-2/"></a> , 6'4, 300, OL/DL, Haven, '27, up next is a trench warrior coming off a strong junior season as a force on the offensive line. He caught my eye last year when my colleague Coach Mitchum covered the Haven roadgrader, who had a mind-boggling 164 pancakes over 10 games and gave up zero sacks on 237 passes. He can play multiple positions along the front and last season impressed with his pounding blocks in the run game as well as his surprisingly quick feet in pass pro and pulling and plastering on the perimeter. A year ago he helped his team to a 7-3 record that broke school records in rushing and TDs. Off that team several o-linemen graduated and he intends to step in and provide senior leadership in their absence. With next-level size, power and good feet, he also has a non-stop motor and enjoys hitting defenders in the mouth. Get this guy in your sights, he is still uncommitted and will also be an early graduate.     Demitrius Morgan, 6'1, 245, DL, Olathe North, '27, and for the final senior slot we have a guy who caught my eye earlier in the year as a defensive end/tackle/edge rusher coming off a solid junior season when he had 32 tackles, 9 QB pressures, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. With his size, strength, physicality and versatility, he can move up and down the defensive front as a d-tackle, or slide wide and bury backs trying to hit the perimeter as a DE. This summer he has been fine-tuning his game in the weight room and doing speedwork with trainer @coachbcain_ as well as training with teammates. He was also able to showcase his game on the camp circuit at the K-State Big Man, Pitt State, Emporia State, Mid-America Nazarene and recently wrapped up with an excellent performance at Missouri S&T. He has not been getting the attention he deserves yet, but word is getting out that he is a baller and the offers are starting to pick up momentum. Get ready to see this guy have an en fuego season this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1677993' first='Carter' last='Lewis']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-lewis/"></a> , 6'4, 270, OL/C, Eudora, '28, up first for the juniors is a rising-star trench warrior who is coming off a good sophomore year as a three-sport baller and versatile offensive lineman. He can play anywhere across the front but really shined at RT last fall and this year will also play center. With ideal size, reach and power he is a pile-driving blocker in the run game with a quick first step getting leverage before driving defenders into the turf. He also has athletic feet in pass pro, with a quick kick slide and set, and locks on with a powerful initial punch. He has had a crazy-busy off-season playing hoops, throwing the shot and discus and had numerous D1 visits. This summer he got on the road for a jaw-dropping 17 camps as well as a number of padded team camps. He has also been working twice a week with trainer Chris Gomez in KC as well as Sundays with Mike Kelly in Lawrence. This guy is primed and ready for a dominating season this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='2263983' first='Manny' last='Badilla'], 6'2, 265, OL/DL, Olathe NW, '28, and last but certainly not least is a guy who has been flying under the radar somewhat but has had a strong off-season getting ready to show his game this fall. Once the season ended he went into wrestling and doing football training on the side. He has continued both through spring and has ramped up his football preparation, establishing weight training PRs in the key lifts and getting in a lot speed work and agilities. He was also able to showcase his high-ceiling game at the Baker camp earlier in the summer and has had good showings in padded team camps. With his powerful base, quick first step and violent hands he can be moved up and down the defensive line to help shut down the run game and has the burst to penetrate gaps and get in the backfield. All of his work and off-season effort is getting ready to pay off as he is ready to take his game to another level this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys dominate this fall - you will not be disappointed. Also, DM me via X if you run across any players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

August is upon us and for the grinders who have been hard at it since late last year it is one of the last open weekends before the football floodgates open and the grind becomes real.