Football Friday Ballers Taking the Stage Tonight

Week 7 kicked off last night with a handful of games and will kick into gear later today as teams face late-season challenges all over the state.   With only a handful games left before district/playoff action the time is now to start making a serious push or maintain the momentum already established.   In this report we are looking at a number of players in a variety of positions who have caught my eye so far this fall and are ballers I am expecting to continue their outstanding play to close out the season.   So without further adieu, let's check out these guys and see how they have performed so far in the 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1229066' first='Manny' last='Myers']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/manny-myers/"></a> , 6'0, 185, ATH, Mulvane, '26, leading his team on a five-game winning streak and vaulting them to #4 in the rankings, this dual-threat gunslinger is once again stepping up as last week they blasted #3 ranked McPherson 34-3. So far in '25 he has not had to pass as much as last year as the running game has been strong, but so far this fall has completed 30 of 56 for 352 yards and three TD's. On the ground he has continued to be a problem for defenses, running for 766 yards on 99 carries and eight TD's. This guy is one of the most dangerous dual-threat QB's in the state and teaming with younger brother Grady, have the Wildcat running game operating at full throttle.   Grady Myers, 5'10, 170, RB/DB, Mulvane, '27, speaking of Grady, part of the reason the Wildcats are not depending on the pass game as much as in the past is because this guy has stepped up to give the offense a dynamic duo who can electrify defenses from anywhere on the field. Little bro is a versatile, multi-positional baller who has been flying under the radar so far but that is rapidly changing as he stacks up the big-yardage games and touchdowns. So far this fall he has carried the ball 95 times for 828 yards for an 8.7 average and 12 TDs. The last three games he averaged just under 170 yards a game rushing and scored seven TD's. Look for him to continue his offensive onslaught tonight when they host Field Kindley .   Jaxson Green, 5'9, 175, RB, Andover Central, '27, he is another baller who started the season flying under the radar but has started turning heads with his performances right out of the gate. So far this season he has established himself as one of the top RB's in the state who many have not heard of, but that is quickly changing. Through six games he has been running around, through and over the top of defenses week in and week out and has already piled up 1,066 yards on 146 carries, averaging 7+ yards per carry and has scored 10 TD's. He is looking to add to that total when he and his teammates travel to play at Eisenhower tonight. This guy is off to a sizzling start and doesn't give any indication of slowing down.   William Voos, 5'9, 175, RB, Sabetha, '26, he and his teammates are coming off a tough loss, their first of the season, to powerhouse Nemaha Central 20-18 last Friday and are looking to get back on track tonight when they host a (2-4) Oskaloosa squad. After a solid junior year he has parlayed that experience into a strong start to the '25 season, rushing for 767 yards on 120 carries, averaging seven yards a carry and has scored nine touchdowns. Last week against Nemaha he had a productive game in the two-point loss, carrying the ball 18 times for 127 yards and a TD. This guy has speed to burn and is a shifty runner who makes decisive cuts before turning on the jets and leaving defenders in the vapor trail.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612742' first='Joseph' last='Mortensen'],5'11, 185, DB/ATH, Manhattan, '27, he is a junior multi-positional, three-way baller who can play anywhere in the secondary, is a dangerous return man and this year has also started playing more offense as an athletic running back with the burst to break the long one, which he did a week ago when he ripped off a 58-yard TD run. On defense he can play safety or CB but has really seperated himself from the pack as a lock-down corner who can get in a receiver's grill, flip hips at the snap and use his 4.4 speed to stay glued to the target. When the opposition tries to run his way, he collapses down on the ball quickly and delivers pounding open-field tackles. This guy has game.   [player_tooltip player_id='585907' first='John' last='Hoytal']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/john-hoytal/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/john-hoytal/"></a> , 6'3”, 200, QB, Washburn Rural, ‘26, he is another gunslinger who has been playing lights out in leading his team to a 5-1 record with the only loss to undefeated Platte County (MO). He hit the ground running this fall and has shown that his dual-threat game stands up with the best QB's in the state. So far in '25 the strong-armed gunslinger has completed 94 passes in 127 attempts for 1,221 yards, a 74% completion percentage and 16 TD passes. He has also rushed for 277 yards on 58 carries and added another TD. Last week against Emporia he was a sharpshooter once again as he completed 19 of 21 passes for 218 yards and five total touchdowns. This guy is a baller.   [player_tooltip player_id='944972' first='Zein' last='Rector']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a> , 6'1, 255, OL/DL, Nickerson, '27, he was already a two-year starter coming into his junior season this fall and has continued to ramp up his game. Last week he helped his team pick up a big win over Lyons after playing a brutal schedule early in the season. He is an experienced two-way baller in the trenches who can play anywhere along the offensive front or move to the other side and dominate on the defensive line. With his powerful frame and quick feet he can wall off effectively in pass pro as well as deliver pile-driving blocks in the run game. He may not be getting a lot of attention just yet but he is changing that in a hurry with his standout play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590414' first='Derek' last='Leggett']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/derek-leggett/"></a> , 6'3, 250, OL/DL, Sedgwick, '28, it has been a tough season for the (1-5) Cardinals as they are used to fielding a winning program after success the last few years. Even with the challenges there have been some bright spots and one of those is this trench warrior who picked up valuable experience starting last year as a freshman and used that experience to take his game to the next level this fall. A versatile offensive lineman, he can play guard, tackle or center and with his powerful frame, excellent reach and standout instincts he has been piledriving defenders all season. He is already getting noticed by scouts as a young baller with a high ceiling.   [player_tooltip player_id='1609901' first='Landon' last='Heise']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a> , 6'3, 275, OL, Kapaun, '26, after a strong junior season and a busy off-season he was primed and ready for a big senior year and has delivered on that. He has helped the team to an impressive undefeated start at (6-0) and are currently the #1 ranked team in the state. Along the way he has stepped up to help the offense get more dangerous every game. With his strong base, active hands and next-level read and react skills, he shifts seamlessly from stonewalling defenders in pass pro to delivering sledgehammer hits in the run game. He has already generated a lot of interest from scouts and coaches and that will only increase the way he is playing.     In conclusion, get out and see this guys while you still can.   And, as always -   Keep Grindin'

Week 7 kicked off last night with a handful of games and will kick into gear later today as teams face late-season challenges all over the state.