Medicine Lodge & Sterling Have Two Top 1A Tacklers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Northeast Viking prospect was the top tackler among Class 1A defenders, while Medicine Lodge and Sterling had multiple players among the top 20 tacklers in Kansas from 1A schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into the holiday season, here is the second scouting report on tackle leaders from Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braden Young</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 175, Northeast (Arma), ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young was atop the standings for tackle leaders all year long. He finished with an eye-popping total of 151 tackles in nine games played. He has the speed to get in the backfield as evidenced by his 18 tackles for loss. He also recorded one interception and three fumble recoveries. He rushed for 700 yards on offense for the Vikings and is a solid baseball prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabe Riffel,</strong> DL/LB, 6'2”, 255, Sterling, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riffel has the frame to play football and he carried the load for the Black Bears defense during his senior year. In 10 games he collected 102 total tackles and 13 of those were for a loss of yardage. Griffel more than doubled his tackle totals from his junior to senior season. NAIA schools still looking to add to their defensive units should give this kid a call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryan Jaske</strong>, LB, 6'0”, 195, Ellinwood, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaske finished with 101 total tackles in nine games for the Eagles. Not many college programs still use a traditional full-back, but Jaske fits that mold. He rushed for over 400 yards and is a solid lead blocker. The Ellinwood senior also recorded two fumble recoveries during his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colby Beagley,</strong> DL/OL 5'9”, 180, Sterling, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Bears had a couple of prospects finishing with impressive tackle numbers. Beagley finished his senior season with 98 total tackles in 10 games. He registered two tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. Beagley also recorded 17 pancake blocks protecting the Black Bear ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223994' first='Durham' last='Nittler']</strong>, DB, 5'10”, 135, Medicine Lodge, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nittler is a solid defensive back who can stick ball carriers or defend the pass. In 11 games played, he finished with 93 total tackles. Five of those tackles were for lost yardage. Nittler recorded two interceptions for the Indians and on the offensive side, he made 13 receptions and caught two touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derrek Randels</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 160, Medicine Lodge, &nbsp;‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Medicine Lodge Indians had two defenders close in on 100 tackle seasons. Randels finished with 84 total tackles in 11 games, three of those tackles were for lost yardage. He has a nice combination of size and speed which made him an offensive weapon for the Indians. Randels caught 49 balls for 796 yards and nine touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->