In our Picks to Click, we feature six players or units 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.
Beloit's Defense
The Beloit Trojans have been an offensive machine scoring over 44 points in three games this season including twice scoring 60 or more, but last week the offense was slowed down by league foe Russell, yet it was more of the same for the defense as they held the Broncos to less than 10 points (9) and posted their fourth single digit points allowed game of the season. In the Trojans season opening loss to Concordia the offense only mustered 6 points, but the defense was solid allowing the Panthers 12 points. The Trojans are allowing less than 90 yards rushing and less than 30 yards passing per game and have three players with over 40 tackles already this season: Robert Ludwig, Garett Schmitt and Casey Smith.
Christian Boor (LB) & Scott Martin (FS), Pittsburg High
Boor & Martin have been tackling machines for the Purple Dragon defense, and a big reason why Pittsburg is off to a 4-1 start. Earlier this season, the two seniors recorded 16 and 17 tackles each against Paola, and followed that up with an identical 16 and 17 tackles a week later in the Dragons win over Chanute. On the season, Martin is averaging 14 tackles per game, while Boor is contributing 11 stops per contest. Their challenge in week six; contain the split-back veer of arch rival Fort Scott.
Marcus Irsik, QB, Elkhart
Irsick is the catalyst of a Wildcat offense that is averaging 39 points per game. The senior signal caller has made good on 59 percent of his pass attempts this season for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns. Irsik has been equally effective with his legs in rushing for 458 yards and six scores while averaging nearly six yards per carry.
Tyler Matthews, QB, McPherson
Matthews has been flying under the radar as offensive weapons like Ulsaker and O'Connor have earned much of the ink for a Bullpup team that is 5-0 and facing power Gardner-Edgerton this week. Matthews is an incredible 76 of 96 with 1,258 yards, 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season and is one of the premier passing quarterbacks in all of Kansas. The 6-3, 190 pound junior transferred from Goddard where he threw for over 1,000 yards in only six games for the Lions last season. Matthews has thrown at nearly an 80 percent completion rate, and shows no signs of stopping, but will it be enough for the Bullpups to pick up a win against the Blazers in of the biggest games this season?
Bo Savage, QB, Central Burden
The son of Raider head coach Jeff Savage, Bo is on pace to be one of the state’s most prolific career passers. This season, Savage has completed 98 of 177 attempts for 1,363 yards and 22 touchdowns against only six interceptions. He’s appears poised to surpass his stellar sophomore campaign when he completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,198 yards and 36 touchdowns. For his career, the junior quarterback has thrown for 3,561 yards and 58 touchdowns with 16 interceptions.
Austin Steinfort, QB, Hanover
Steinfort, a 6-0, 175 pound senior dual-threat quarterback has tallied 691 yards passing with 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions on 23 of 38 passing while playing for only a half in most games so far this season. Steinfort has also rushed for 286 yards and seven more touchdowns while averaging over 8.5 yards per carry. Now, the Wildcats face their nemesis in Baileyville B&B, a team they have not beaten since 2007 following close losses to the Falcons in '08 and '09. If Hanover is finally to get over the hump against Baileyville they'll need a big game from Steinfort.
Last week’s Picks to Click (Week Five):
Ross Binford, QB/RB, Kiowa County -- Binford rushed for 508 yards and six touchdowns on 40 carries as Kiowa County outscored South Central 58-42. The Maverick QB also passed 9-20 for 140 yards and a TD. He has now rushed for 1,542 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 561 yards and five touchdowns on the season. The junior’s career numbers are now 2,460 yards rushing and 47 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,693 yards and 17 scores.
Kellan Hernandez, QB, Meade -- Hernandez threw for a touchdown and rushed for another as the Buffaloes beat previously undefeated Stanton County 46-6.
Lane Martin, QB, Oswego – Martin completed 5 of 10 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 94 yards and two more scores. Martin also intercepted two passes on defense as the Indians remained unbeaten with a 58-13 over Humboldt. On the season, Martin has rushed for 599 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing for 433 yards and six scores.
LaQua Mayes, RB, Rose Hill – Mayes rushed 16 times for 101 yards and three touchdowns as the Rockets rolled past Winfield 42-7. Mays also caught three passes for 98 yards and a TD in the win. Mayes season rushing total is now at 527 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Luke Ropp, RB, Inman – Ropp got the Teutons off to a good start in district play by rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries in a 28-8 win over Plainville. Ropp has now rushed for 783 yards and nine touchdowns on the season.
Tayler Stull, QB, LaCrosse -- Stull rushed for 108 yards and one touchdown and passed for 90 yards and three more scores on 6 of 9 passing in the Leopards 44-26 win over Sacred Heart. LaCrosse is now 5-0 on the season and Stull has passed for 448 yards, nine touchdowns and only one interception and rushed for 585 yards and eight more scores for the Leopards.
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