2026 Season Opens With Big Offensive Performances

The opening week of the 2026 season came out fast and furious as playmakers came ready to show their skills.   Last Thursday night kicked things off with a handful of early games and they did not disappoint.   And, once Friday hit, there was no slowing down the 2026 season as the flood gates opened with the rest of the games.   In this report, we are taking a quick look at offensive playmakers who started strong this fall in their first game of the year.   First up are a couple of RBs who kicked things off last Thursday with big games on the ground, followed by the rest of the RB/WRs and then take a look at how some of the QBs from throughout the state started the season.   So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out:     RBs/WRs:   [player_tooltip player_id='1593083' first='Gus' last='Ketteler'], 6'1, 195, RB/DB, Shawnee Mission East, '27, (PICTURED) he wasted little time last Thursday kicking off the season with a bang as he spearhead the team's opening-day victory over Olathe North, 42-28, with 153 rushing yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns. After a strong track season, training that produced next-level measurables (4.55 40; 36" VJ, 10'1" BJ) and showcasing his game at key camps this summer, word is getting out about his game. This guy has been making up for time missed in a hurry after early injuries a year ago and is going to rip it up this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1530365' first='Erik' last='Olivas'], 5'9, 185, RB/DB, Goddard, '27, following a junior season when he rushed for 1,661 yards, caught passes and returned kicks for 600+ more yards and scored 21 TDs, he started his senior year on the same trajectory, helping the team win game one, 36-12 over Campus last Thursday, with 27 carries for 266 yards and 5 TDs. He was electric from the start, ripping off a 60-yard TD in the opening possession and added a 73-yard TD run later in the game. This guy is going scorched earth everytime he touches the ball this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2087738' first='Jrayton' last='Dansel'], 6'0, 205, LB/RB/ATH, Andale, '27, he is the returning Non-Senior Defensive Player of the Year who helped his team to their second straight undefeated 3A state championship last fall, and after their opening day 65-12 win over a #8-ranked Rose Hill squad that included a couple of D1 players, it looks like more of the same this year. In only a couple of quarters of play he piled up 186 yards on a scant 9 carries, including a 70-yard TD run on his first carry, and scored two touchdowns. This guy is ready to seek and destroy once again this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2047467' first='Cade' last='Liggett'], 6'0, 195, RB/LB, Pratt, '28 - up next and the only junior RB/ATH in this report is a 3-sport baller who is primed for a blow-out season. Last Friday he helped his team win 36-14 over Circle on the strength of his 245 yards rushing on 15 carries, including a 78-yard TD burst, averaging 16+ per carry and scored four touchdowns. Last year he established himself as one of the fastest players in the state while gaining 1,300+ APYs and scoring 12 TD's and by all indications he is ready to torch the turf again this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1447083' first='Mason' last='Samuels'], 6'3, 230, TE/ATH, Council Grove, '27, last and certainly not least in the RB/WR group is a versatile baller who not only helped his team win the opener 62-6 over Mission Valley with three catches for 136 yards and three TDs, but in the process established the school record for career receptions. After a busy off-season leading the league in rebounding in hoops, fine-tuning skills playing 7v7 for Grind Time and as one of the top javelin throwers in the state in track, he is ready for an all-state kind of season this fall.     QBs:   [player_tooltip player_id='1488557' first='Cael' last='Claibourn'], 6'2, 200, QB, Emporia, '29, up first for the gunslingers is a sophomore who adjusted quickly to the varsity game last year as a freshman, had a strong off-season showcasing his game and started the season red-hot, leading his team to a 69-0 win over Wichita North. He dominated in the air and on the ground, piling up 250 APY and three TDs, which included an 80-yard TD pass and a 60-yard TD run. Also stepping up big for the Spartans last week was another sophomore baller, Noah Rodecap, 5'10, 165, RB/DB/ATH, Emporia, '29, who not only intercepted two passes, but returned them both for touchdowns totaling 97 yards, and also added three PBUs, a two-point conversion, and caught a pair of passes on offense. This guy is flying under the radar now, but will change that in a hurry this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2143539' first='Tatum' last='Heavner'], 5'11, 175, QB/ATH, Garden City, '29, up next is a sophomore gunslinger who caught my eye last year as a rare 6A freshman QB starter who delivered some mature numbers: 116-176, 1,362 yds, 66%, 13 TD passes, 3 picks. He came out firing both barrels last Friday, helping his team knock off Wichita Heights, 29-22, completing 14 of 17 passes for 143 yards and two TD passes as well as converting a pair of key two-point conversions. This guy is a rising-star, pass-first dual threat QB. but has also demonstrated he has the speed and quickness to be dangerous running as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2101915' first='Izrael' last='Telles'], 6'2, 185, QB, Salina South, '28, after a sophomore season when he completed 153 of 294 attempts, for 2,269 yards and rifled 24 TD's, there would be no surprising anyone this fall and he didn't flinch in the season opener last Friday, leading the Cougars to a thrilling 35-33 win over rival Salina Central, the defending 5A State Champs, to win the annual Mayor's Cup after losing six straight years. On the night he was 12 of 17 for 203 yards and 5 TD passes, including three TDs to baller [player_tooltip player_id='1113160' first='Noah' last='Hines']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/noah-hines/"></a> , 6'2, 175, WR/ATH, a transfer from Sacred Heart, who had 37 receptions for 787 yards and had 11 TDs a year ago; and two scoring strikes to returning ace wideout [player_tooltip player_id='2147552' first='Jay' last='Curtis'], 6'1, 175, WR/ATH, '27, who had 49 receptions for 772 yards and nine TDs of his own last fall. This Cougar vertical air attack is going to be lethal this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1487563' first='Colton' last='Elmore'], 5'10, 185, QB, Wellington, '28, speaking of not surprising anyone this fall, this returning 4A leader in passing and total yards (1,707 yds passing; 460 yds rushing; 2,167 total yds) and 21 TDs helped the Crusaders off to a game-one win over Clearwater 48-7. On the night he piled up 284 yards and five total TDs, scoring two rushing while also throwing a TD to versatile all-purpose athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1311567' first='Cole' last='Zeka'], 6'3, 235, TE/RB/DE/ATH, Wellington, '27 and then hooked up on two more TD passes with dangerous wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2101928' first='Jackson' last='Curry'], 5'11, 185, WR/ATH, who caught 44 passes for 664 yards and four TDs a year ago. These guys are going to light it up this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579585' first='Jerick' last='Humphreys'], 6'1, 195, QB, Hesston, '27, after putting up stellar numbers last year when he completed 94 of 137 attempts, for 69%, 1,349 yards and 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions and a sizzling 121 passer rating, he continued along the same path last Friday helping the team defeat Halstead 35-6. He was a sizzling 16 of 20 for 256 yards and two TD passes, both of which went to [player_tooltip player_id='1113257' first='Gavin' last='Larson'], 6'0, 195, WR/LB/ATH, '27, who caught 8 balls for 155 yards, including a 91-yard score. The Swathers are in good hands with this gunslinger.   Landen Lewis, 6'1, 195, QB/ATH, Rossville, '28, he backed up a senior all-state QB last year and didn't get much attention, but after helping his team win 35-14 over PLBSA last Friday that is going to change, and change in a hurry. In last week's season opener he completed 13 of 17 passes for 159 yards, completed 70%, carried the ball 21 times for 167 yds for 326 total yards and five total touchdowns along the way. Get this guy on your watchlists, he is already en fuego...   <a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a>   <a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a>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'

The opening week of the 2026 season came out fast and furious as playmakers came ready to show their skills.