By CONOR NICHOLL and CHET KUPLEN
The Wide Receiver/Tight End/Hybrid position is quite possibly the best returning group for all positions in Kansas. This is an historically deep group that features five of the state’s top-13 recruits, a Power 5 commit, two historically great eight-man players, possibly the best returning non-quarterback in six-man and dozens of others.
Multiple teams returned key pass-catchers off squads that set school passing records. This list is not ranked. Sports In Kansas has already done positional breakdowns for Quarterbacks, Offensive Linemen and Running Backs. Scoring offense numbers from Conor Nicholl, Sports In Kansas, along with databases used at Prep Power Index, KPreps and 24/7 Sports. Criteria is combination of many things: based on last football season, projectability, stats, honors, film evaluation, camps/combines we’ve covered, input from coaches/other media. If you’re a player interested in playing at the next level, you should consider a premium player evaluation with Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas, a service that has helped hundreds of football players in Kansas over the last 11 football seasons, more info on the service: sportsinkansas@gmail.com
This list is NOT RANKED or in any specific order.
John Niesen/Callahan Huston/Finn Burritt, St. James Academy
St. James wide receiver John Niesen easily paced Kansas in receiving yards – and by far the most among non 11-man seniors. Niesen helped SJA win its second straight state championship. He delivered 64 catches for 1,275 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Niesen collected second team all-Eastern Kansas League. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Niesen posted 48.8 seconds in the 400-yard dash and has a 31 ACT. He will have a new quarterback this season after Jackson House moved when his dad became LSU’s defensive coordinator. Niesen has offers from Drake and Central Missouri. Callahan Huston and Finn Burritt also return for the two-time defending champion Thunder. St. James will enter this fall on a nine-game winning streak. Burritt delivered 21 catches for 178 yards and a score. Huston delivered 17 catches for 163 yards and a TD. St. James finished 9-4 and was No. 10 in 4A with 29.6 points per game.
Andre Davis, Blue Valley
Like Niesen, Blue Valley’s Andre Davis was a second team all-league pick. Davis was second among non-seniors in receiving yards with 53 catches for 883 yards and three scores. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Davis is the state’s No. 7 recruit and has committed to Kansas State. Blue Valley was 8-2 and delivered 36.6 points per game, sixth-best in 6A.
Jaxon Goldberg, Blue Valley North
A first team all-conference Eastern Kansas League selection, Jaxon Goldberg delivered 58 catches for 874 yards and 11 scores. Goldberg, a middle infielder, is also a talented baseball player. BVN averaged 28.1 points a contest. He was also a non-senior pick from Sports in Kansas last season at WR.
Eastern Kansas League
As a whole, the Eastern Kansas League, the state’s best conference and known for its passing offenses, has multiple talented receivers back outside of the highly recruited, well-known players.
Bishop Miege quarterback Mac Armstrong returns three key recievers: junior Isaiah Coppage, junior Daegen Jensen and Tommy Wright.
The following were honorable mention all-EKL: Blue Valley senior Ben Dalke; Bishop Miege senior Rohan Putz (wont play in 2022 because of baseball); Blue Valley West senior Jack Schneider; Blue Valley senior Alec Swarens; Blue Valley Northwest senior Chase Wernimont; Wright
Plus, Blue Valley North’s Alonzo Morgan posted a 4.44 in the 40 at the Northern Iowa football camp.
Noah Bruce, Andale
Noah Bruce is another headliner for Andale after a unanimous first team all-league selection at tight end. Andale has won three straight 3A state titles and enjoyed another dominant season. Andale led 11-man football with 53.4 points a game. Bruce has the opportunity to be one of the best tight ends in Kansas. He may not get to display catching the ball a lot in a dominant run heavy offense but has great hands. Bruce is one of the best blockers in 3A.
Bryce Cohoon/Justin Stephens, Maize
Maize has its Power 5 duo of QB Avery Johnson and WR Bryce Cohoon. Johnson, the state’s No. 1 recruit, has committed to Kansas State. Cohoon has committed to Syracuse. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Cohoon won the 5A 100-meter state championship in 10.57 seconds. Cohoon delivered 40 catches for 804 yards and seven scores. Stephens is one of the most underrated players in the state and finished with 42 catches for 717 yards and TDs. Maize is the defending 5A state runner-up after it made the first championship game in school history. Maize was eighth in 5A with 35.2 points a game.
Miege?
Coppage, Wright and Jensen are all targets to look at this season for QB Mac Armstrong. Rohan Putz won’t play his senior year to focus on baseball. Expect a lot of production at WR/TE as always for the Stags.
Centennial League: Tre Richardson, Highland Park; Amr Sabarrini, Washburn Rural; Junction City senior Tyree Holloway; Emporia senior Parker Leeds, Tight End Lukas Hanks
Highland Park’s Tre Richardson is a four-sport athlete and among the state’s top recruits, he fits into multiple spots as an athlete. He plays a key role in all three phases. Richardson delivered 32 catches for 523 yards and eight scores. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Richardson is listed as an Athlete and a 3-star national recruit. He is the state’s No. 12 recruit. He has taken a Kansas visit, and has offers from New Mexico State, Kansas, Northern Iowa and Penn. He recently committed to New Mexico State.
The Centennial League returns multiple talented wide receivers. Sabarrini helped Washburn Rural win a share of the conference title for the first time since the mid-90s. He delivered 37 catches for 457 receiving yards, 511 all-purpose yards and seven scores. He has NAIA offers from Bethel, Doane and Hastings, along with some FCS and FBS interest. Emporia’s Parker Leeds delivered 37 catches for 617 yards and two TDs.
Rural and Junction City both finished 8-2 and delivered 35.1 and 31.8 points a game, respectively.
Hanks is one of the top tight ends in the league for Washburn Rural who seems to have a load of talent back this season. He has great size at 6’3” and 236 pounds.
Jaden Hamm/Adrion Seals/Jaiden Bender, Eudora
Jaden Hamm is a senior tight end, Adrion Seals is a junior receiver, Bender is a senior WR. Hamm and Seals were first team all-league selections for Eudora. The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Hamm is the state’s No. 5 recruit and has committed to Arkansas. Eudora has new coach Drew Steffens, a longtime assistant in football and basketball. Eudora delivered 33.7 points per game, sixth-best in 4A. Eudora finished 6-5 and made a sizable run in the 4A East playoffs and could make a deeper run this season. Eudora’s first four losses came by: three points on a last-second Hail Mary; seven points, one point and one point. Eudora was highly competitive in a 21-6 home playoff loss to Bishop Miege. Seals posted 4.6 in the 40. Bender has 6-4 185 size with offers from KU and Kansas State.
Holy War rivals: Will Anciaux, Kapaun Mt. Carmel/Tate Blasi, Bishop Carroll
In KMC’s run-based offense, KMC senior TE Will Anciaux has served as the Crusaders’ top target in each of the past two seasons. Anciaux delivered 20 catches for 283 yards and three scores. The state’s No. 9 recruit, Anciaux is 6-foot-6, 220 pounds and has committed to Kansas State. Tate Blasi was a first team all-league selection and a multiple sport all-state athlete. KMC was second in 5A with 39 points a game, while Carroll was No. 12 in 5A with 33.2 points a game. We also expect a big year for junior to be Luke Holthusen who comes from a highly athletic family with several accolades over the years.
Cooper Tabor, Andover Central
Andover Central’s Cooper Tabor helped AC to a 4A state runner-up showing to St. James Academy. Tabor delivered 56 catches for 825 yards and eight scores. AC finished 11-2 and is 29-6 in the last three seasons. Tabor returns in the secondary for a team that permitted just 206 yards and 12.4 points per game. AC has three state runner-up showings: ’15, ’19 and ’21. Tabor also delivered 122 rushing yards, 188 in kick return and 105 punt return for 1,028 all-purpose yards. He was first team all-league and consensus honorable mention all-state. AC was fifth in 4A with 34 points a game.
Olathe North?
North has Caden Butler, Aiden Bruce, Joshua Parrish and Michael Canseco that could all be big playmakers with a lot of speed for the Eagles, its just a matter what position each end up at as many are dynamic playmakers at multiple spots if needed. Although a school more known for its running game and running backs over time, also always a lot of talent at receiver.
Wichita Northwest trio
Wichita Northwest again paced 5A in scoring offense and moves to 6A this season. Michael Lopez delivered 28 catches for 500 yards and five scores. Taccarri Brown and Trenton Salisbury also return for the Grizzlies. Northwest again by far led 5A with 52 points a game.
Tyler Little, Galena
Galena senior Tyler Little stands 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and is the state’s No. 13 recruit. He has offers from Arkansas State, Eastern Michigan and New Mexico State among several others. Little is a talented basketball player, too. Galena was No. 15 out of 48 teams in 3A with 30.9 points a game. Galena was 8-2 in 3A and has posted a winning season every year since 2004.
Ethan Burton, Council Grove
Council Grove’s Ethan Burton is one of the state’s most dynamic and fastest players. Burton has just committed to Division II Arkansas Tech. CG is an expected Class 2A breakout team under veteran coach Butch Hayes. Burton was second in Kansas among 11-man players with 24.2 yards per catch, per MaxPreps. He delivered 24 catches for 580 yards and six scores. His teammate, Jace Goodman, returns after 13 catches for 288 yards and three scores – including an 87-yard catch.
He holds school records for single season receiving yards and the single game mark with 180. Burton was fourth in the 100 and second in the 200 at state track this spring. He has posted 4.27 in the pro agility and 4.47 in the 40. He broke the single season receiving record that had stood for 14 seasons and the single game mark that was set in 2003. Council Grove went 1-8 last season but has multiple factors pointing up and is a trendy breakout team for 2021. CG has seven total wins in the last four years.
Cadon Clark, Ark City
Clark (WR) has been a big part of the Ark City offense the last two years and will be the primary target for Gabe Welch. Clark was a breakout player two seasons ago on the 4A state runner up team with over 600 yards receiving.
Jake Gebhardt/Michael Murray, Southeast of Saline
Southeast of Saline’s Jake Gebhardt caught passes from his brothers, Jaxson and Luke, the last couple of years. Gebhardt delivered 38 catches for 524 yards and six scores. Michael Murray delivered 33 catches for 489 yards and seven scores in nine games. SES was second in 3A with 48 points a contest. SES will drop to 2A this season and is a significant state favorite. Murray has 10.67 speed in the 100 meters and has an offer from Northwest Missouri State. This is one of the better duos in the state at WR.
Brant Wilson, Basehor Linwood
Wilson is back after earning first team all-league in the United Kansas Conference last season. Gone is Chants Nelson at tight end, Zach SIsemore at RB and Brady Garrison at QB but the Bobcats have done a nice job of reloading at the skill spots under HC Rod Stallbaumer. Gage Greeer was also an all purpose player that earned all-league honors that returns for his senior season.
Kael Gorski/Ty Williams, Perry-Lecompton/Marcus Bauman, Sabetha/ Charlie Gilliland, Holton
P-L has enjoyed multiple big play threats in recent years. Kael Gorski delivered 37 catches for 624 yards with 10 receiving scores in 10 games. Gorski finished second in Kansas in receiving touchdowns. Ty Williams is also back with 39 catches for 358 yards and four scores. Sabetha junior Marcus Bauman was first team all-Big 7, along with Gorski. Gilliland is a first team all-league tight end for a loaded Holton squad that returns several players in its backfield.
Eli Oliver, Alma-Wabaunsee
Eli Oliver had a huge season as his brother Cade’s top target. Cade has graduated and will play at Washburn. They helped Wabaunsee enjoy its best season since the ‘90s. Oliver delivered 34 catches for 516 yards and a team-high 12 TDs. He could own school records for career receptions and receiving yards by the end of the year. Oliver also has the school record for receiving touchdowns. Wabaunsee was 7-3 and ranked seventh in 1A with 30.7 points per game. Wabaunsee had its most wins in at least 25 years, per the Kansas Football History database.
Chanute/Southeast Kansas:
Chanute junior Kaiden Seamster and Independence senior Hayden Smith earned first team all-SEK. Labette County’s Griffin Eaton finished with 55 catches for 565 yards. Columbus’ Cole Minor was a second team all-league selection in the CNC and Landin Midgett was injured a year ago that could make a lot of noise this season, along with several other key receivers back for QB Brett Hamilton. Dagen Dean listed below is also a hybrid WR/TE that should be one of the best two-way players in 4A this season and has great size at 6’3.5” 210 lbs with speed. Although Mario Menghini is one of the best 3A threats in the state at RB, he can also double as a very good receiver if needed out of the backfield with his great size and speed. Tucker Harrell has posted sub 4.5 hand held 40 speed and cleans over 300 lbs as a junior for St. Mary’s Colgan. We expect a huge year out of the Colgan junior. Jackson Turnbull of Pittsburg is more known as an all-state baseball player but doubles as a TE/DE in the fall for the Dragons with great size at 6’5″ and 225 pounds. Cade Brown of Parsons is a player that will open up a lot of eyes on both sides of the football this fall as a junior at 6’1” and 215 pounds. He’s a very explosive player that doubles as a H-Back/TE, will also be a big time linebacker in the SEK area this season. Tyler Little listed below is the player that highlights this list as he’s one of the states top multiple sport athletes with multiple FBS offers out of Galena.
AVCTL Division I
Hutchinson’s Noah Khokhar is a terrific hybrid player and earned first team all-conference honors at RB/WR. Khokhar has a Hutchinson CC offer. The 5-foot-9, 167-pound Khokhar has posted 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Salina South’s TeJon McDaniel is a key multi-purpose player for the Cougars as a receiver, defensive back and returner. He finished with 36 catches for 506 yards and three scores. McDaniel was a second team all-league selection. Newton has three key players back: Isaac Klug, Ryan Ruggerio and Camden Carr. Plus, Sammy Dresie returns for Maize South.
Cole Watson/Lance Bassett, Lawrence
Lawrence delivered a 9-3 season and 31.3 points per game, No. 13 in 6A. Watson is a consensus top-5 tight end in all of Kansas, earning Sports in Kansas 6A all-state and Non-Senior honors last season. He also has nice size at 6’4”. He holds two FCS offers and multiple D2. Watson and Bassett provide two tight end options if needed. Watson more as a receiver, although very underrated blocker, Bassett as a blocker. Bassett played his first two seasons as an offensive lineman at KC Piper and is known more as a defender. Watson is the top returning TE or WR in the SFL with the graduation of all of its all-league and all-state players at TE or WR from last year with the exception of him.
Mill Valley? Sunflower League?
Mill Valley graduated Kendrick Jones, Jared Napoli and Sean Allerheiligen from last season but this is a program that doesn’t rebuild they reload. It will be interesting to see what names emerge as frontline players at TE and WR for the Jaguars in 2022. The league also lost Baylor Bowen of Lawrence, Jordan Brown of Free State, Jack Meylan of SMNW, Blake Reeder (QB/TE), from last season with Cole Watson (Lawrence) the only first or second team all-league returnee this season. Although he is one of the best running backs in the state we also expect big-time production catching the ball for Malik O’Atis of SM Northwest.
Wichita East Group
As star junior QB DaeOnte Mitchell said on his reply with a pic of Wichita East receivers to who would be top receivers in Kansas “Pick One.” We expect the Blue Aces to air it all over the yard this season with a talented cast of receivers that go at least six deep. This may be the deepest group in the state. We know the offensive skill guys will be there for Wichita East but how will their line play and defense stack up against the rest of 6A?
Jerrit Norris, Troy
Norris (WR) is the top returning receiver in 1A football this season after earning all-state honors as a junior last fall. He’s a multiple sport standout that is looking for another huge season for the Trojans. He has great size at 6’3” and 185 pounds. Coach Derek Jasper teams are always pass heavy so expect another big year for Norris.
Jerry Arteaga, Garden City
Six-foot-2, 177-pound Garden City senior Jerry Arteaga is an elite athlete with a 41-inch vertical and consistently 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That included a 4.4 at the Kansas State camp. Arteaga qualified for state track in four events: 100, 200, long jump and 400 relay. He has posted 10.64 seconds in the 100 dash. Last season, Garden City rushed for 2,098 yards and passed for 343. Arteaga was by far GC’s top receiver with eight catches for 211 yards and three TDs. He also returned nine kicks for 98 yards.
In 6A, Arteaga was fifth in the 100 dash, third in the 200 dash, sixth in the 400 relay and qualified in the long jump.
Jackson Swartz, Chaparral
Jackson Swartz, an exceptional athlete and electrifying big-play threat, delivered 31 catches for 783 yards and eight scores. Swartz paced Kansas with 25.3 yards per catch. Swartz was a first team all-league selection. The 6-foot-5 Swartz has a Tabor College basketball offer. Both Jackson and his sister, Matte, were standout track athletes. Matte signed with Wichita State track after she captured three high jump gold medals. Jackson was a state placer in the 400 dash and the 1,600 relay and qualified for the high jump.
Tanner Heckel; Harrison and Eli Brunk, Inman
Inman enjoyed the best season in school history and earned the 1A state runner-up to Olpe. QB Jace Doerksen graduated after he reset the school record book for passing. However, multiple top offensive players return, including the leading three receivers.
Tanner Heckel is among Kansas’ most dynamic athletes. He delivered 23 catches for 339 yards and four scores. As well, Heckel finished with 62 rushes for 675 yards and a TD. Harrison Brunk paced the team with 28 catches, while Eli Brunk delivered 18 catches for 429 yards.
Harrison finished third in the 100 dash in 2A in 10.81 seconds. He won the 2A 200 title in 22.74 seconds. Eli Brunk was sixth in the 110 hurdles at 16.03 and fifth in the 300 hurdles with 43.17. Heckel and the Brunks helped Inman take state runner-up in the 400 relay and the 1,600 relay. Heckel finished second in the long jump in 21-4. They helped Inman finish third in 2A track.
Rock Creek group
Rock Creek quarterback Dalton Whitworth is the state’s returning leader in passing yards. Whitworth has multiple talented receivers. Ethan Burgess had 61 catches for 1,030 yards and 11 scores. Yanci Spiller, among Kansas’ best defensive backs, delivered 50 catches for 531 yards and nine scores. Daegen Vinduska delivered 30 catches for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns. We can tell you one thing, there are going to be some major offensive numbers this season at RC.
Sam Becker, McPherson
Becker was a first team all league defensive lineman last season for McPherson and will also be depended on heavily as a tight end after earning all-league second team honors at that spot one year ago.
Bryce Salmans, Hays
Salmans is a big bodied tight end that doubles as a H-back and defensive end. He is one of the stronger players in the state with a 505 squat, 315 clean and shows explosiveness with a 33” vertical. Salmans is 6’2.5” and 230 pounds. He has offers from D2, Juco and a NAIA. Hays loses a loaded cast but they’ll depend heavily on Salmans in 2022. He earned All-WAC first team last season and is a very underrated player in Western Kansas.
Ty Smith/Bonner Jeffries, Circle
Circle was among Kansas’ best breakout stories behind its passing offense last season. Ty Smith delivered 730 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just seven games. The 6-foot-1, 172-pound Smith has shown great leaping ability and ball skills. He is a 3.6 GPA and has posted 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Circle finished 6-4, which was the program’s most wins since 2001.
Dagen Dean, Chanute
Dagen Dean is among the elite talent at Chanute, a strong 4A East contender and among Kansas’ most intriguing teams entering this fall. Dean is a hybrid WR/TE hybrid. There aren’t many 6’3.5” 215 pound kids that can run like Dean, a state champion relay sprinter in track and field.
Avery Albright, Kingman
Albright was a first team all league defensive back last season and should be one of the top players in the Central Plains league this season along with QB teammate Nolan Freund of Kingman, Jackson Swartz of Chaparral and Jack Voth of Cheney. Albright was also a second team all-league pick on offense at WR. Albright was the 400 meter state champion in May.
Jack Voth, Cheney
While older all-state brother graduates after being the 3A OPOY from Sports in Kasnas, younger brother Jack returns as one of the top small school junior receivers in Kansas. Despite losing one of the best athletes in school history, we still expect some big offensive production for the Cheney offense.
Luke McLaughlin, Rose Hill
A relative unknown player to many but has put himself on the recruiting map with an offer from D2 power Northwest Missouri State. He has great size at 6’2” 186 pounds with a 10.9 100 meter dash. 36” vertical makes him a very explosive player to watch this season as a DB/WR/ATH.
Brayden Cunningham, Oakley
Cunningham earned first team all-league honors at TE in likely the states top 2A/1A league last season for the Plainsmen. Expect another big year for the Oakley senior.
Wichita Collegiate Group
Wesley Fair, a Kansas State commit, is looking to be one of the better quarterbacks in the state this season although will play safety in college. He brings back several key players this season that will have to be key targets on this years team including 3A baseball player of the year Hayden Malaise at tight end, 100 meter state champion ATH Jaden Mitchell as a hybrid player. The backfield could also feature several different players in it that include Mitchell, Cole Gagnon and Carson Phelps. All have the ability to catch the football and should expect an uptick in production with the graduation on Ahstun Villagomez and Jack Duarte.
Jake Proctor, Hesston
Hesston’s Jake Proctor is a multiple sport star that could be a big time target this season for Hudson Ferralez. This will be a duo worth watching in the Central Kansas League. Proctor was also an all-state pick in 3A basketball last season in helping his team to back to back state championships. Proctor had 42 catches for 721 yards with nine touchdowns last season as a junior.
Wamego trio
Wamego had its best scoring offense since at least the mid-80s last season. The Red Raiders return quarterback Hayden Oviatt, an Army West Point commit. He has three talented receivers with Chase Cottam, slot Hagan Johnson and Colin Donahue. Cottam was on the SIK All-Underrated team last fall.
8-Man/6-Man:
Jett Vincent/Cason Mastre/TJ Koehn, Canton-Galva
One of Kansas’ best players for all classes, Jett Vincent transferred to Canton-Galva after he spent the last three seasons at Wheatland-Grinnell. Vincent is the reigning Eight-Man, Division II Defensive Player of the Year and helped the Thunderhawks reach the state championship game for the best season in school history. Vincent, who has a strong chance to break the state mark for career interceptions, is also a prolific receiver.
C-G and defending champion Axtell are the preseason top-two Division II squads. Vincent delivered 67 catches for 1,341 yards and 18 scores. He is 6-3, 180 with a 35-plus inch vertical leap with offers from Highland and Peru State, among others. He and teammate Cason Mastre are an excellent 1-2 duo for elite quarterback Garrett Maltbie. Mastre delivered 31 catches for 630 yards and 10 scores. Koehn, known more for his blocking and his play on defense, finished with 13 catches for 288 yards.
Brandon Schmelzle/Eli Broxterman, Axtell
Axtell, with zero seniors in key roles, finished 13-0 and won the Eight-Man, Division II state championship. Last season, Axtell had its two dynamic freshmen first cousins with Brandon Schmelzle and Eli Broxterman.
Schmelzle led the nation in touchdowns among eight-man freshmen, per MaxPreps. He delivered 69 rushes for 742 yards and 19 scores. As well, Schmelzle caught 41 passes for 651 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Broxterman delivered 34 rushes for 405 yards and eight scores, along with 41 catches for 585 yards and six TDs. In the 44-18 state championship win against Wheatland-Grinnell, Broxterman delivered six catches for 147 yards.
Grayden Stapleton, Meade
Meade’s Grayden Stapleton delivered 34 catches for 664 yards and 12 scores for the Buffs, the 13-0 Eight-Man, Division I state champions.
Brady Jones/Ryan Shaw/Miles Baalman, Hoxie
Brady Jones served as the main receiver for Hoxie all-state quarterback Ashton Dowell. Jones delivered 45 catches for 741 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns – one behind Vincent for the eight-man lead. Ryan Shaw also returns after 28 catches for 496 yards and five scores. Miles Baalman delivered 29 catches for 318 yards and 10 TDs.
Lane Halderson, Cunningham
Lane Halderson was a 6-Man Player of the Year finalist for Cunningham, the state runner-up to Natoma. Halderson is a superb player who delivered 32 catches for 601 yards and 15 scores.
Gunner Wilson, WaKeeney-Trego
Wilson helped the Golden Eagles jump from one win to an 8-2 season last fall. He, QB Owen Day and RB/KR James Kriegh form one of the stronger skill groups in eight-man. Wilson finished with 30 catches for 443 yards and nine scores.
Kaleb Wagenblast, Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge’s Kaleb Wagenblast has played since his freshman year. He is 6-1, 218 with a 290-pound clean. Wagenblast delivered 15 catches for 216 yards and two scores. In three years, Wagenblast has played in 31 games with 48 catches for 782 yards and nine scores.
Peyton Rush, Oxford
Oxford’s Peyton Rush delivered 30 catches for 631 yards and eight scores.
Jaedon Granere, Marmaton Valley
Marmaton Valley’s Jaedon Granere was first team all-league as a freshman. Marmaton Valley went 4-5, though was No. 14 in the 48-team Eight-Man, Division I with 43.6 points per game. On Oct. 8, Granere helped Marmaton Valley defeat Oswego, 106-98, the highest scoring contest in Kansas history. Granere scored eight times versus Oswego and four touchdowns in a win against Chetopa.
Andrew Bowman, Bucklin
Bucklin’s Andrew Bowman helped the Red Aces to its best football season since the ‘90s, the best basketball finish in school history (final four) and the regional championship in baseball. Standouts Scott Price and Nathan Bowman graduated, though coach Trever Powell returns key junior Andrew Bowman. He paced Bucklin with 493 receiving yards and finished second with 28 catches and four scores.
Grant Stephens, Little River
Grant Stephens, listed as a fullback/tight end, has 15 catches for 312 yards and five scores. LR is a state champion and state runner-up the last two seasons. The Redskins graduated all three of its first team all-state linemen, though returns all its key skill players. Little River is state champion and state runner-up in the last two seasons. LR has never lost a home game in the three-year Kevin Ayers era. LR went 12-1 and finished No. 11 in Eight-Man, Division I with 48.9 points per game.
Cal Kohlmeier, Chase County
Originally started his career at Emporia but last year and this year at Chase County. He had 12 TDs and 20.3 yards a reception last year for Chase County who we expect to be a breakout team in 8M-I football this season. Kohlmeier and Budke are going to be very dangerous players this season.
Javon Letsch, Natoma
Natoma returns QB Roy Bright and TE Javon Letsch from the undefeated state championship team. Letsch delivered 16 catches for 303 yards and five scores. Letsch stands 6-2, 220 with impressive athleticism.
Romeo Terriquez, Leoti-Wichita County
Romeo Terriquez finished with 38 catches for 473 yards and seven scores. Wichita County is again a state contender after a 6-3 season and 55.8 points per game, best in Division I.
Others:
11-Man
Louisburg senior Mason Dobbins (second team all-league); Tonganoxie junior Isaiah Holthaus (second team all-league); Baldwin senior Sam Darnell (HM offense); Brayden Cunningham, Oakley senior (first team all-MCL TE); Wichita East’s Dayontay Standifer; Independence’s Hayden Smith (526 receiving yards), Wichita North’s Jacob Wassall (521), KC Piper’s Colin Vigil (35 catches, 557 yards, four scores); Rossville’s Kade Perine (28 catches, 510 yards) Great Bend’s Braylon Council (469), Basehor-Linwood’s Brant Wilson (35 catches for 463 yards; first team all-conference), Blue Valley Southwest’s Sam Swickard (446), Humboldt’s Dakota Slocum (437), Sublette’s Ace Martinez (435), Lyndon’s Evan Feuerborn (414), Silver Lake’s Troy Heiman (401), Columbus’ Cole Minor (388), Nemaha Central’s Brayden Uphaus (302); Buhler’s Matthew Eddy, McPherson’s Tucker Pelnar; Wellsville’s David Signs; Marysville’s Rhett Williams
8-Man
Gage Burk, La Crosse (second team utility as a sophomore); Rogelio Ibarra, Macksville; Cair Paravel’s Jachin Bonura (812), Hanover’s Josh Zarybnicky (620), Argonia-Attica’s Conner Harnden (542), Lebo’s Landon Grimmett (541), Rawlins County’s Brandon Chvatal (403), Little River’s Braden Young (398), Lebo’s Luke Davies (365), St. Paul’s Landon Beachner (351), Minneola’s Noah Deibert (345), Wheatland-Grinnell’s Treven Humphries (328), Linn’s Ezequiel Raucho (327)
Others to Watch (if not listed above):
Valley Falls’ Zac Evans; Damon Mesa – Holcomb, Alex Coester – Girard, Aiden Damman – Girard, Kamryn Kaniper – Silver Lake, Nicholas Smith – Hillsboro, Troy Heiman – Silver Lake, Dacota Slocum – Humboldt, Truman Bailey – Olpe, Evan Feuerborn – Lyndon, Boden Benitz – Troy, Sam Entz – Remington, Isaac Klug – Newton, Ryan Ruggiero – Newton, Camden Carr- Newton, Sammy Dresie – Maize South, Austin Anderson – Jefferson West, Blake Stallbaumer – Nemaha Central, Jaxon Bowles – Manhattan, Logan Nabus – Junction City, Tyree Holloway – Junction City, Seth Schwien – Victoria, Chase Wernimont – BV Northwest, Jack Schnieder – BV West, Ben Dalke – Blue Valley, Alec Swarens – Blue Valley, Camrelo Orosco – Ulysses, Gaitlin Samuel – Blue Valley, Mason Dobbins – Louisburg, Isaiah Holthaus – Tonganoxie, Collin Vigil – Piper, Sam Darnell – Baldwin, Adam Mendoza – Hugoton, Santiago Macias – Hugoton, Caiden Neal – Wichita South, LT Robinson – Wichita East, Ashton White- Wichita East, Anthony Reyes – Wichita West, Romelo Golston – Wichita NW, Henry Orth – Kapaun, Damean Mercado – SW Heights, Carter Cellmer -Plainville, Kason Gomez – St. Marys, Landon Allen – Southeast of Saline, Cole Webber – Ellsworth, Rhett Williams – Marysville, Brandon Chvatal – Atwood, Evan Pearce – Sharon Springs, Lakin Getz – Quinter, Josh Popp – Atwood, Daniel Cramer – Dighton, David Signs – Wellsville, Dez Winton – Wellsville, Noah Diebert – Minneola, Micah Geary – Olathe NW, DJ Leonard – SM East, Jason Scoma – Olathe North, Austin Buie – Gardner Edgerton, Cade Burdette – Southeast Cherokee, Tony Gillispie – Pleasanton, Jacob Malcom – Shawnee Heights, Jayden Moore – Shawnee Heights, Amarion Green – De Soto, Kyreese Groen – Hays, Colton Brack – Great Bend, Kaden Kirkpatrick – Osage City, Ryan French – Lansing, Solomon Drinkard – Valley Hts, Cortez Velasco – SM West, Jason Desbien – Smith Center, Tristen Davidson – Kingman, Matthew Heckman – Burlingame, Landon Wheat – Parsons, Jessie Jones – Parsons, Keamonie Archie – Hays, Caden Butler – Olathe North, Alex Parks – BVSW, Sam Swickard – BVSW, Alonzo Morgan – BV North, Amir Luten – Coffeyville, Braylon Council – Great Bend, Jameer Moore – Salina Central, Landin Midgett – Columbus, Devon Hamilton – Free State, Brax Fisher – Abilene, Jeron Askren – Maize South, Donald Collier – Wichita Trinity, Gavin Cain – Nemaha Central, Crew Myers – BV West, Damaree Blackburn – Wichita SE, Brady Whitman – BV North,
