Trench Warriors Stepping Up To Start The Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As usual, the guys scoring the touchdowns and making the big plays are getting all the attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But not today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The focus today is on the guys who make the big plays and TDs happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Kansas has a deep list of quality linemen on both sides of the ball who don't get near the attention deserved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Particularly at the smaller schools and in Western Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we are focusing on some of those linemen, taking a look at a couple of rising-star junior defenders and then wrapping up with three seniors who are off to strong starts this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2070811' first='Colten' last='Walters']</strong>, 6'5, 220, DE/Edge, <em>Olathe South</em>, <strong>'28</strong>, after starting the season 0-2 he and his teammates got back on the winning track last Friday with a 27-14 win over <em>Olathe East</em>. In those three games this baller has been a one-man wrecking crew, piling up numbers that place him among the state leaders with 39 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5 Sacks. He also added 11 QB Hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked punt for a TD. He plays a high-octane game with great lateral quickness and closing speed attacking the ball. He reacts off the snap fast and physical, knifing through double teams and shedding blockers getting into the backfield. This guy is locked in and ready to take it to another level in the coming weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591883' first='Beckett' last='Kullberg']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/beckett-kullberg/"></a> </strong></strong>, 6'3, 215, DE/Edge/TE,&nbsp;<em>Blue Valley North</em>, <strong>'28</strong>, it has been a frustrating start for this two-way baller and his teammates who have lost two weeks in a row in close games, including last Friday when they fell to 5A #2-ranked St. James Academy 31-29 to fall to 1-2 on the year. Along the way he has stepped up his game after a strong off-season and so far through three games he has been a force coming off the edge. He can bend and burn around blockers getting to the QB or use his power and athleticism to bull rush and trample blockers in his path. So far this year he has 12 tackles, 2 TFL and 2 sacks and is just getting warmed up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147320' first='Jonathon' last='Couch']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jonathon-couch/"></a> </strong>, 6'2, 295, OL/DL, <em>Emporia</em>, <strong>'27</strong>, after losing their final six games last year they have flipped the script this year to start the season 2-1 and this baller has been a big part of that. He has helped anchor the offensive line from his RG position and helped the <em>Spartans</em> average 50+ points per game so far this year. On the other side of the ball he is a run-stopping defensive tackle who has dominated gap control in the trenches through three games. He had a solid off-season getting bigger and stronger while also quicker and the work is already reaping dividends as he has stepped up while the team continues to build momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944972' first='Zein' last='Rector']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a> </strong></strong>, 6'1, 255, OL/DL, <em>Nickerson</em>, <strong>'27</strong>, up next is a two-way baller lineman who has flown under the radar somewhat playing in western Kansas and at a smaller school but he has been a starter since he was a freshman and is a battle-tested vet in the trenches on both sides of the ball. On offense, he has good lower-body strength and quick hands that he has used to deliver 24 pancake blocks, while allowing zero sacks in pass pro. On defense he has been a masher between the tackles, helping stuff the run game with 18 tackles and a pair of tackles for a loss through three games. He is ready to close the season strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2336329' first='Parker' last='Ramirez']</strong>, 6'1, 230, DE/DL, <em>Shawnee Mission East</em>, <strong>'27</strong>, it has been an up-and-down season for the <em>Lancers</em> as they opened with a big win against <em>Olathe North</em>, ran into a buzzsaw in game two against <em>Rockhurst (MO)</em> and then last Friday lost a heartbreaker to <em>Lawrence</em> 35-34. Along the way this mauling, brawling DE/DT has been getting better every game and has had 12 QB hurries through three games. With a strong frame, weaponized hands and quick initial step, he shuts down the interior gaps but also has the quickness to cut off the perimeter coming off the edge. Get this guy on your watchlists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and watch these guys dominate this fall. And, as always, give me a shout via DM on X if you run across any&nbsp;<em>under the radar</em>&nbsp;guys. Keep grindin'...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->