Week 2 Playmakers Stepping Up With Strong Starts

Week 2 hit hard and fast and when the dust settled there was rankings wreckage all over the state as numerous top 10 teams got a taste of the dreaded agony of defeat.   By my count there were 29 top-ranked teams from all the classes who lost last week who were favored to win.   That's a handful.   For the teams that weathered the week-two gauntlet it was also a chance to catch the tailwind of an undefeated start rolling into week three to keep post-season plans cooking.   In this report, we are taking a look at three intriguing games from last week and focus on how the ballers involved played in their second game of the new season.   So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out:     Emporia (2-0) wins 58-20 over Wichita West, last Friday (9/11)   The Spartans are off to a hot start with wins over a pair of City League schools to start the season, piling up 127 points in two games while only giving up 20. They are getting standout support from key playmakers on both sides of the ball and from each of the top three classes. There have been a number of players who have made needed contributions, but the guys below have been particularly impressive to date:     [player_tooltip player_id='1488557' first='Cael' last='Claibourn']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cael-claibourn/"></a> , 6'2, 200, QB, Emporia, '29, after a strong off-season this young gun was ready when the season hit and has led his team to a 2-0 start after a pair of blow-out wins over Wichita City League schools. Along the way he has been dominant through the air and on the ground, piling up 366 APY and 8 TDs. In the passing game he has not had to throw much yet but is 6 of 9 for 170 yds and 4 TDs and running the ball has been electric with 11 carries for 201 yds, averaging 18 per touch and added four more TDs. Get this gunslinger on your watchlists as he is off to a breakout year.   Noah Rodecap, 5'10, 165, RB/DB/ATH, Emporia, '29, he caught my eye in week one when he not only intercepted two passes, but returned them both for touchdowns totaling 97 yards, and also added three PBUs, a 2-point conversion, and caught a pair of passes on offense. He followed that up with another standout game last Friday when he intercepted a pass, to give him three already this year, with 3T, 3PD and a 2-pt conversion. He has been flying under the radar early on, but that is already changing.   [player_tooltip player_id='2254803' first='Ben' last='Collins']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ben-collins/"></a> , 6'3, 215, RB/TE/DE/ATH, Emporia, '27, this senior multi-positional playmaker has stepped up big this year in helping spearhead the running attack and last Friday was on his game, carrying 24 times for 171 yards and scored a pair of TDs. For the year he has been a beast with a team-high 241 yards on 31 carries, averaging 8 yards a pop and has scored three times. He can play numerous positions at a high level and appears ready to have a blow-out senior year.   Also stepping up have been [player_tooltip player_id='1894717' first='Garrett' last='Leblanc'], 6'2, 185, DB/WR, Emporia, '27, a versatile playmaker who makes things happen as a dynamic skill player on offense, d-back on the other side of the ball and as a baller on special teams. Through two games he has churned out 118 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. And, [player_tooltip player_id='1616521' first='Oliver' last='Kline'], 6'2, 180, DB/WR, Emporia, '28, he is a ballhawk d-back who intercepted a pass and ran it back 55 yards for the score last Friday and added 3T, 3PD and 1FR in the team's win. He is coming off a good sophomore season, highlighted by a a sizzling 102-yard pick-6 TD, so he knows a thing or two about executing the long Pick-6.     2A #2 Silver Lake (2-0) wins 42-27 over 1A #1 Rossville last Friday (9/11)   Silver Lake took care of business but the 1A ballers from Rossville have some talented players who are going to help them finish strong. Check out these guys on both sides of the ball.     [player_tooltip player_id='1694269' first='Kipton' last='Kruger']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kipton-kruger/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kipton-kruger/"></a> , 5'11, 190, QB, Silver Lake, '29, this sharp shooter was back to his usual ways last Friday completing 19 of 24 passes for 207 yards, completing 79% and firing three TD passes and no picks in leading his team to a 42-27 win over 1A #1 Rossville. Last year he had one of the best freshman QB seasons in the state completing 178 of 252 passes for 2,118 yards and 16 TD passes. This guy is one of the best of the best among '29 QBs and is already putting an exclamation point on that, helping lead his team to a 2-0 record and shooting for the top-ranked spot.   Dominic Monhollon, 5'11, 190, RB/LB, Silver Lake, '28, [PICTURED ABOVE] the other dangerous weapon for the high-flying Eagles is this standout running back who stepped up last Friday, carrying the ball 26 times for 163 yards, averaging 6+ per carry and scored three touchdowns. He has been able to optimize the running attack and take the pressure off Kruger and has been impressive with 281 yards on 36 carries and 5 TDs through the first two games.     Landen Lewis, 6'1, 195, QB/ATH, Rossville, '28, it was a tall task to beat a highly-ranked 2A team but he played well again completing 17 of 26 passes for 215 yards and three TD passes. He also had 19 carries for 134 yards and a TD for 349 APYs and four TDs. He is currently #2 in the state regardless of class with 675 total yards (301 pass/374 run) and 9 TDs after two games. Get your popcorn handy, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1125651' first='Cael' last='Horgan'], 6'0, 180, RB/LB, Rossville, '27, also stepping up big was this dangerous wide-out who caught 12 passes for 162 yards, including a sizzling 55-yard score. So far through two games he has 205 all-purpose yards, a TD and has 6 tackles and a tackle for loss. Get this guy on your watchlists as he is off to a big year.     Follow-up : Blue Valley NW (2-0) wins 40-34 over Olathe NW last Friday (9/11)   The BVNW Offensive Weapons shine once again...the Huskies are loaded with elite skill-position ballers and are gathering momentum as they start the season 2-0. Check out the embarrassment of riches below - these guys are going to be a major strikeforce this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1083571' first='Braxton' last='Wagner']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braxton-wagner/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braxton-wagner/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braxton-wagner/"></a> , 6'2, 200, QB, Blue Valley NW, '28, this gifted gunslinger has led his team to a 2-0 start to the new year after Friday's 40-34 win over Olathe NW. He was sharp last week firing 16 completions in 24 attempts for 209 yards and a TD and had 39 yards rushing on keepers and extending plays. After missing time a year ago due to injury and a busy off-season earning multiple D1 offers, his high-ceiling game is coming together this fall and will take off like a rocket in the coming weeks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1537490' first='Aidan' last='Ihm']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aidan-ihm/"></a> , 6'2, 195, QB, Blue Valley NW, '27, also stepping up big when he saw his opportunities is this dual-threat athlete who was a pristine 7 of 7 passing for 112 yards and three TDs. For the year he has been very efficient, completing 13 of 15 passes (87%) for four TDs and rushed for 28 yards and a TD. This guy has all the tools and is in the groove to start the year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083570' first='Baron' last='Marshall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/baron-marshall/"></a> , 6'3, 195, WR/ATH, Blue Valley NW, '28, last Friday this game-wrecking WR put his skills on display hauling in 11 passes 185 yards and 2 TDs. He is coming off a season when he caught 41 passes for 684 yards and three TDs in nine games a year ago. With numerous D1 offers rolling in this off-season, expect it to pick up even more as he continues to showcase his scorched-earth game.   [player_tooltip player_id='934700' first='Trea' last='Hayes']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trea-hayes/"></a> , 6'1, 175, WR/ATH, Blue Valley NW, '27, the other lightning-bolt receiver for the Huskies is this Missouri Southern commit who also had a big game last Friday carving up the defense with 9 catches for 85 yards and a TD. He is coming off a strong junior year when he established himself as a weaponized wide-out who just keeps getting better. Keep him in your sights, he is ready to bust out.   <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 know of any players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

Week 2 hit hard and fast and when the dust settled there was rankings wreckage all over the state as numerous top 10 teams got a taste of the dreaded agony of defeat.

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Week 2 Playmakers Stepping Up With Strong Starts

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