Welcome to the 2010 football season and the first installment of our Picks to Click. This is a new addition to our coverage this season where we feature six players from across the state that we feel will have breakout performances on Friday night. Check back next Thursday to see our picks for week two, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior.
So with all due respect to White Sox announcers Ken “Hawk” Harrelson and Steve Stone, here are our Picks to Click for week one.
Matt Bromley, RB, Independence
Bromley (5-9, 185) has been a key in the resurrection of the Bulldog football program only a few years removed from a 38-game losing streak. The senior running back rushed for over 2,000 yards and a SEK League record 29 touchdowns in 2009. He looks to open the 2010 season on the same note against an Iola defense without Shrine Bowl selection and Pitt State signee LB Kyler Thompson.
Mitch Buhler, QB/DB, Rossville
The Rossville Bulldogs have a tough season opener against fellow Mid-East League power St. Marys. But Buhler is a gamer and as the coach's son in the opener of his senior year should be primed for a big night. Add to that the Bulldog offensive line returns four of five starters and St. Marys has only four starters back on defense including no defensive linemen and Buhler's stat sheet on Saturday morning could be special. But the Bears are among the elite in 2A and can never be counted out of any contest.
Brady Coover, RB/NG, Lincoln
Coover will be the featured back in Mike Strack's offense this season and the 5-11, 200 pound bruiser should have a big night against a Tescott defense that has struggled since the loss of a big senior class in 2009 that enjoyed much success from 2006 through 08. Coover is a punishing runner who is expected to carry the ball more out of Strack's zone read. The key will be the maturity of sophomore quarterback Dayton Walter who will be pressured by opposing defenses.
Michael Hlavaty, RB/LB, Otis-Bison
Hlavaty contributed over 1,000 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns to the Cougars record-setting offense. This season, Hlavaty is expected to get the brunt of the carries for Otis-Bison who will look to replace 2009 Kpreps 8 Man-II Player of the Year QB Kevin Wissman. The Cougars open against a St. John Tiger team that they defeated 74-14 to open the 2009 season.
Brandon Willingham, RB/DB, Olathe East
Willingham will be one of the state’s most exciting players this fall. As a junior last season, he rushed for more than 900 yards while averaging over seven yards per carry before his season was cut short because of an injury. He could get off to a fast start on Friday against a Shawnee Mission North defense that allowed 30 points per game last season.
Ryan Zachman, RB/LB/KR, Russell
Zachman returned five kickoffs and one punt return for touchdowns and rushed for 771 yards and 10 more scores in 2009. The senior could have a big night against an inexperienced Southeast of Saline team that returns only two starters and welcomes a first-year coach. Fortunately for SES those two starters are talented linebackers Brock Long and Clayton Kuhn who will serve as the heart of the revamped Trojan defense, but it still may not be enough to slow down Zachman in the opener.
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