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.
Justin Fulks, RB, Blue Valley – Stilwell
Fulks has already rushed for over 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns this season as the Tigers are unbeaten under first-year Coach Eric Driskell. Fulks rushed for nearly 850 yards as a sophomore last season as the Tigers overcame a 1-6 start before falling in the state semifinals on a late field goal to eventual champ Olathe North. Fulks, who is also a solid receiver out of the backfield, is primed for another big game this week against Pittsburg.
Holton's Defense
Kansas Pregame publisher John Baetz will attempt to avoid jinxing yet another defense as the Holton Wildcats face Topeka Hayden in a match-up of 4A's top-ranked teams that will most likely determine the district championship. Since a week one loss to Topeka High the Wildcats of Holton have allowed more than seven points in a game only twice - 20 in a 66-20 win over Santa Fe Trail and 14 in a 47-14 win over Perry-Lecompton. Head coach Brooks Barta knows defense - the former stand-out K-State linebacker has his Holton squad allowing an average of 9.2 points in each of the team's six wins - but his team will have their work cut out for them Friday against a team that plays an ultra-tough Centennial League schedule and posted their only loss against 6A's number two ranked Manhattan High Indians.
Reggie Jordan, QB, Hill City
The Ringnecks are thinking deep playoff run and avenging a two-game losing streak to defending 8-Man I Champion Quinter will all but deliver the Ringnecks a playoff berth. If Hill City is to continue scoring at their frenetic pace it will come from the arms and legs of the Reggie Jordan show, perhaps the most electric quarterback in 8-Man football. With nearly 2,000 yards of total offense and 178 points scored Jordan should perform well in the Ringnecks biggest game this season.
Donnie Lockhart, RB, Shawnee Heights
Despite battling a turf toe injury that limited him to only five carries against Topeka Hayden in week six, Lockhart hobbled his way to 166 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in Heights district opening win over Highland Park. Lockhart also had 108 yards receiving on four catches in that win. He has rushed for 1,060 yards on the season and, if healthy, should have another big game this week against a winless Topeka West team that’s allowing nearly 68 points per game.
Alen Troyer, RB, Anderson County
Troyer broke loose for 347 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs 36-21 win over Prairie View last week. The senior running back has rushed for has rushed for 1,284 yards and 13 touchdowns this season on only 116 carries for an average of 11 yards per attempt. Expect Troyer to have another big night in week eight as Anderson County hosts an Iola team that is allowing 55 points per game.
Dayton Walter, QB, Lincoln
Friday, the Leopards have the chance to win their seventh game in a season for the first time in 30 years and sophomore quarterback Dayton Walter is directing Mike Strack's wide-open offense to near perfection. Walter has passed for over 1,400 yards and 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions and his five rushing touchdowns keep opposing defenses guessing. On the verge of qualifying for the playoffs and winning the most games in a single season for a Lincoln team since the early 80s Walter is poised for another big game.
Last week’s Picks to Click (Week Seven):
Trevor Axelson and Harrison Gilliland, RBs, Plainville – Axelson rushed for 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Gilliland contributed 56 yards on eight carries as the Cardinals blanked Ellinwood, 46-0.
Alex Bontz, RB, Andover Central – Bontz rushed 39 times for 190 yard and a touchdown as Andover Central beat arch-rival Andover 21-7.
Zack Goodrich, RB, Marais des Cygnes Valley – Goodrich rushed for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Trojans doubled-up White City 48-24.
Matt Perez, RB, Girard – Perez rushed for a team high 84 yards, but the Trojans came up short in a 20-6 district loss to Parsons.
Gunner Phelan, QB, Quivira Heights – Phelan threw for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns, but the Thunderbirds fell 38-14 to Hope.
Smith Center Defense – The Redmen defense surrendered 30 points but forced five turnovers in a 35-30 win over Beloit. Truitt Kuhlmann and Nathan Cox led Smith Center with 13 and 10 tackles respectively.
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