Opening Week Predictions and Prospects to Watch in Kansas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week One is here! In these weekly reports, we will predict a game in every classification. We will highlight multiple prospects to watch that teams could use to secure a victory this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A: Hays over Junction City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A: Newton over Valley Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A: Maize South over Buhler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A: Andale over Rose Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A: Royal Valley over Jefferson West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A: Ulysses over Syracuse</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Edwards 2026 Record: 0-0</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Week 1 Result:&nbsp;</em>0-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospects to Watch:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1113161"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a97091824cdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1113161' first='Xavier' last='Miller'] and Lincoln kick off the season against Lakeside. He's coming off a strong 2025 season and is aiming to take it up another level. Miller can stretch the field vertically and win contests with strong hands and solid hand-eye coordination. He gives his quarterback a reliable target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/xavier_miller7/status/2094595217873645625?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/xavier_miller7/status/2094595217873645625?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a97091824d57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1652617' first='Maddox' last='Girard'] is the top long snapper in Kansas and has experience at linebacker. Long snappers often go unnoticed, but their operations, timing, speed, and more are crucial to special teams' success. He's a prospect to watch this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MaddoxGirard27/status/2092437871353631085?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaddoxGirard27/status/2092437871353631085?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2366920,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a97091824dad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2366920' first='Ethan' last='Ostlund'] is a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. He was a physical running back last season who helped keep the chains moving and will see reps at linebacker this fall. Ostlund's physicality and motor skills will be on notice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ethan_ostlund/status/2074120588411490654?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ethan_ostlund/status/2074120588411490654?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1578110"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a97091824dfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1578110' first='Ryder' last='King'] is going to garner more attention this fall. King can play two-high safety, press-corner, and inside the box due to his physicality, football IQ, and high motor. He's a reliable tackler in space and will chase down ball carriers. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ryder21king/status/2069113917368881565?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ryder21king/status/2069113917368881565?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a97091824e53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1619547' first='Romethel' last='Byrd Jr.'] is another breakout candidate this fall to monitor. He's a patient and physical gap runner with solid contact balance and leg drive at the point of attack. Byrd also brings experience at defensive back. Expect him to take that next leap this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RomethelByrd/status/2075355814315864539?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RomethelByrd/status/2075355814315864539?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->