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 nine, and how the players performed that we picked this week.
J’veyon Browning, RB, KC Schlagle
Browning (5-10; 185) has led the Stallions to a 6-1 start by rushing for 1,288 yards and 18 touchdowns. The junior back has rushed for more than 175 yards in six of Schlagle’s seven games, including their lone loss which came 41-34 to Bonner Springs last week. In that game, Browning rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown. The Stallions take on Lansing in Week 8.
Austin Case, RB, Marais des Cygnes Valley
Case rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries in the Trojans’ 60-36 loss to White City last week. For the season, the senior has tallied 1,215 yards and 16 scores, but Marais des Cygnes Valley is stuck in a loaded district where the top three teams (Madison, Lebo, and White City) are a combined 19-2.
Ja'Mon Cotton, FB, Hutchinson
In Randy Dreiling's flexbone offense the fullback is the centerpiece and like Josh Smith and Ben Heeney before him he's making the most of his opportunities. Thanks to experience on the offensive line and an effective option quarterback in Trevor Turner, the 5-6, 167 pound senior fullback has rushed for 1,090 yards and 21 touchdowns through seven games.
Only once has Cotton been held under 100 yards rushing and that was a 99 yard, 1 touchdown effort in a week one loss to power Rockhurst in Kansas City.
Last week Cotton posted 162 yards and four touchdowns on just six carries in a rout of Wichita West and he is sure to pick up more yards this week against a Liberal team that has lost five straight and is 1-6 on the season.
Kip Keeley, RB/LB, LaCrosse
Junior Kip Keeley got big this summer. The 6-3, 215 pound running back and linebacker is an imposing figure for the unbeaten and fifth ranked LaCrosse Leopards and whether he's running the football, catching passes, or making tackles he's often the best player on the field.
Keeley has rushed for 539 yards this season and is averaging an incredible 10.78 yards per carry. He's also caught 14 passes for 132 yards and tallied 40 tackles on defense in play limited by several blowout wins. Keeley has scored seven total touchdowns for the Leopards this season and grabbed three interceptions from his linebacker spot.
Keeley and the Leopards have one final tune-up with Ellinwood before facing off against emerging 2A power Plainville in what will likely be the district championship to end the season next week.
Chris Pyle, RB, Eudora
Pyle broke out with a 271-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Cardinals’ 49-18 win over Santa Fe Trail last week. The senior back has rushed for 857 yards and seven touchdowns for Gregg Webb’s team which is 6-1 and just outside of our 4A Top 5. Pyle rushed for only 17 and 16 yards in respective 8-point wins over DeSoto and Paola, but has since totaled 412 yards and five scores the past two weeks. Look for another big game from Pyle in the Cardinals against Ottawa in Week 8.
Austin Stebens QB & Chance Stebens TB, Ashland
Much of the media attention surrounding the Ashland Blue Jays the last two seasons has been focused on Ben and Giles Fox. The duo was a force for an Ashland team that went 19-2 combined in 2009 and 10. Giles is back at fullback and linebacker for the Blue Jays this season and again is a defensive stopper and bruising fullback, but much of the offensive fireworks are generated by cousins Austin and Chance Stebens.
The seniors - and cousins of head coach Jesse Stebens - handle the ball on nearly every offensive play and together have generated over 1,300 total yards and 27 total touchdowns in a season that has included a number of mercy rule shortened contests.
In last week's 52-6 thumping of previously unbeaten Moscow Austin completed 7 of 14 passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw just his first interception of the season. He added 66 yards and one score on just three carries. Chance tallied 73 yards on 11 carries with one score and added a 27 yard touchdown on his only reception.
The Blue Jays will end their regular season at Ingalls Friday night and the Stebens cousins will be looking to add to their already impressive statistics.
Last week’s Picks to Click (Week Seven):
David Cardinal, RB, Hays – Cardinal rushed for 287 yards, four touchdowns, and the winning two-point conversion as Hays edged Great Bend, 43-42 in overtime.
Montel Cozart, QB, Mill Valley – Cozart threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns as Miege rolled past Mill Valley 41-7 in district play.
Gabe Guild, RB, SM South – Guild rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries but the Raiders fell to SM West, 33-17.
Benn Kirmer, RB, Central Plains – Kirmer rushed for more than 250 yards and six touchdowns as Central Plains edged Lincoln 62-60 in district play.
Nathan Peterson QB, Brock Long, RB, Southeast of Saline – Peterson rushed for 183 yards and threw for 83 more yards and a touchdown as the Trojans beat Hillsboro 47-21. Brock Long rushed for 210 yards on 30 carries.
Rock Hills Offensive Line – The Grizzlies’ O-Line opened holes for 193 rushing yards, but Rock Hills couldn’t stop the explosive Lakeside-Downs Knights in a 68-22 loss.
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
