In our Picks to Click, 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 four, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior.
Morgan Burns, RB, Wichita Trinity
Through three games, Burns is averaging nearly 16 yards per carry. The 5-11, 200-pound senior has carried 39 times for 612 yards and eight touchdowns – well on his way to surpass the 1,415 yards and 20 scores he produced in 2009. The potential exists for another big night as the Knights take on fellow Central Plains League member Wichita Independent. The Panther defense is giving up an average of 44 points per game, including allowing 69 points in a week three loss to Conway Springs.
Kyle Brunson (RB) and Skyler Windmiller (QB), Mill Valley
Senior running back Kyle Brunson is off to a strong start this season in rushing for 476 yards and six touchdowns through three games – a solid follow-up to a 1,500-yard and 19-touchdown season in 2009. While Brunson has been the model of consistency for the Jaguars, the offense has taken off under sophomore quarterback Skyler Windmiller. Windmiller took over the offense after starting quarterback MacAuley Garton went down with a knee injury early in the early minutes of the Bonner Springs game in week two. Windmiller responded in that game by completing 10-14 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown in leading the Jaguars to a 42-25 win. In his two games under center, Windmiller is 20-26 passing for 552 yards and six scores. Senior wide receiver Dylan Floyd has benefited from Windmiller’s arm by catching ten balls for 302 yards and two scores in the last two games.
These two are a big reason that Mill Valley has put up 99 points in the last two games under first year head coach Joel Applebee. Only a season opening, one-point loss in the final minutes to Lansing separates Mill Valley from being unbeaten. The Jags appear to match-up well against a Bishop Ward defense that has struggled thus far this season in allowing an average of 43 points per game.
Isaac Miller, RB, Washington County
Through three games Tiger running back Isaac Miller has rushed for over 425 yards and seven touchdowns, five of which he scored on each of his five carries in last week's win over Chase County. Miller is a returning all-league player who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last fall and he shows no signs of stopping now.
Trevor Smith, RB, Phillipsburg
Last week Smith, a 6 foot, 175 pound senior running back rushed for 94 yards on 10 carries with touchdowns of 20 and 5 yards to help his Panthers improve to 3-0. This week Phillipsburg faces a solid Mid-Continent League foe in Ellis who has sandwiched close losses to Norton and Smith Center around a 22-10 win over Plainville. If the Panthers are to improve to 4-0 Smith will need to have another big game on the ground.
Christian Smith (RB/LB) and Zach Smith (RB/LB), St. Mary’s Colgan
Two of the better athletes in the state, the Smith twins are capable of impacting a game in a variety of ways. As sophomores last season, Christian and Zach rushed for 504 (13 ypc) and 351 (15 ypc) yards respectively, and posted 122 and 116 tackles on defense. It has been more of the same in Colgan’s first three wins this season. Christian has rushed for over 200 yards and six touchdowns in averaging nearly 13 yards per carry. Zach has put up similar numbers on the ground scoring four times, and has turned in several big plays receiving and in the kick return game. From their linebacker spots, the twins lead a Panther defense that has yet to allow a varsity touchdown this season. They will certainly be tested this Friday as Colgan travels to Galena to try and avenge last season’s 36-34 loss to the eventual CNC champion Bulldogs.
Wichita Heights Defense
Through three games the Falcon defense has pitched three shutouts. Led by a lightning quick defensive line spearheaded by Zerrance Brickhouse and Dominique Henderson and a lock-down secondary highlighted by Evan Wessel there's no reason to think the Falcons can't keep the streak of shut-outs alive even against a solid WAC team like Great Bend. Heights defensive coordinator Steve Martin, a former head coach at Troy High School, will look to develop a plan to stop Panther QB Greg Hildebrand.
Last week’s Picks to Click (Week Three):
Tanner Brunner – rushed for 157 yards and a TD; completed 7 of 13 passes for 106 yards and 3 TDs to help beat Hope for the first time in 14 years.
Cameron Craig – Craig caught two passes for 159 yards, both of which went for touchdowns in only playing the first half.
Guy Fullmer – 28 carries for 208 yards and 5 TDs; threw a 30-yard TD pass; 10 tackles and INT.
Michael Glatczak – rushed for 99 yards and 3 touchdowns, and threw for 107 yards and a touchdown in 42-6 win over Onaga.
Caleb Keltz – completed all 5 of his passes for 120 yards and a TD; rushed 4 times for 48 yards and 3 TDs; 7 tackles
Casey Sedbrook – rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns as Hays beat Liberal 30-7.
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