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. This season we’ve assembled a team of six media members across the state to each select one player (or unit) each week. We will track the cumulative statistics of our selections throughout the season similar to fantasy scoring. Check back next Thursday to see our picks for next week, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Dylan Allison, LB, South Barber (Schremmer)
Allison has already posted 69 tackles (50 solo) over four games with the Chieftains. He also has posted three tackles for loss, helping South Barber to a 2-2 record thus far. He had 23 tackles, including 20 solo, in South Barber's 46-20 win over Pratt-Skyline. Allison also has rushed for 443 yards and seven touchdowns.
Luke Eilert, WR, Beloit St. John’s-Tipton (Baetz)
Eilert (6-4, 180) is the leading receiver for a Blujay team that has completed a four-year turnaround from an 0-9 season when their roster included just nine players. Eilert caught seven passes for 160 yards in the Blujay's huge win over state power Thunder Ridge last week. He'll need another good game this week against a Northern Valley team that heading into the season was expected to challenge for a playoff spot out of District 5.
Gardner-Edgerton offensive line (Clisso)
The Trailblazers' guys up front have plowed the road for Traevohn Wrench all season long. Gardner's offensive line helped to spring the standout tailback to 343 yards on 35 carries last week in a wild 56-51 win over Bishop Miege. This week the Trailblazers take on a good Blue Valley West team that has talent but has been battling injuries to start the season.
Kyle Gfeller, QB, Sharon Springs-Wallace County (Nicholl)
Gfeller is the top playmaker for the Wildcats in his first season as a starting quarterback. He has completed 12 of 17 passes for 143 yards with a 3/0 TD/INT ratio. As well, he has rushed 45 times for 253 yards and nine scores. Gfeller is also 3 of 4 on kick extra points and has kicked a 35-yard field goal. Gfeller had his biggest game in a 36-28 Week 2 victory against Hoxie when he rushed 26 times for 133 yards for three scores, returned a kickoff for a TD and kicked a field and an extra point. He will likely need to have a big game as No. 3-ranked Wallace County takes on No. 2 Hanover in a key Eight-Man, Division II matchup at a neutral site in Natoma.
Brad Ivey, LB, Bishop Miege (Gilmore)
Ivey (6-2, 220) is the leader of the Miege defense and one of the top linebackers in the state. He is a two-time Kpreps.com All-State selection at linebacker and registered more than 150 tackles last season. This year, Brad is averaging 13.5 stops per game including seven tackles for loss and a sack. He should be primed for another big game this week as the Stags take on Blue Valley Southwest’s run-heavy offense.
Ryan Schadler, RB, Hesston (Kuplen)
The Hesston (4-0) senior running back has produced video game like numbers on the 2013 season. He has 1,055 rushing yards on 55 carries, giving him a ridiculous average of 19.2 yards per carry. Schadler (5-10, 170) has 19 total touchdowns through four games, with 16 of them coming on the ground. First year Hesston coach, Clint Rider, called him the most gifted player he has ever been around. He has also a very successful track and field athlete, earning 4A all-state honors in the 100, 200 & Long Jump in 2013. Schadler turned in an impressive performance at this summer’s Shrine Bowl Combine including a 4.5-second forty-yard dash, 16 reps on 185-pound bench press, and had a broad job of 9'5.5. Look for a big night for him at home against Kingman on Friday.
Week Four’s Picks to Click results (scoring):
Kahlil Bailey, WR, Lansing – Bailey hauled in four receptions for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Lions beat Basehor-Linwood 34-8. (Clisso – 25 pts)
Alex Gomez, QB, Elkhart – Gomez completed 4 of 11 passes for 52 yards, but rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Leoti-Wichita County 41-7. (Baetz – 35 pts)
Trenton Hammond, WR, Liberal – Hammond hauled in five receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a 94-yarder, in Liberal’s 40-27 win over rival Dodge City. (Gilmore – 30 pts)
Andrew Jay, WR, La Crosse – Jay had three receptions for 28 yards in the Leopards 40-8 win over Plainville. He also rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown and returned a kickoff for a score. (Nicholl –19 pts)
Elijah Jones, LB, Coffeyville – Jones recorded six tackles in the Golden Tornado’s 27-21 come-from-behind win. (Kuplen – 12 pts)
Landon North, WR, Riverton – North had just two receptions for five yards in the Rams 39-0 loss to unbeaten Columbus. (Schremmer – 0 pts)
2013 Picks to Click contributor standings:
Conor Nicholl, Hays Daily News (161 points)
John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine (143 points)
Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com (136 points)
Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com (126 points)
Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas (100 points)
Mark Schremmer, Joplin Globe (97 points)
2013 Picks to Click
- The objective will be to have the most cumulative points over the course of the season.
- Participants may select a quarterback, running back, WR/TE, offensive line or a defensive player each week.
- Everyone must pick a WR/TE, offensive line and defensive player at least once.
- Points will be rewarded only for the player's offensive or defensive stats, depending on how you designate the player that week. For instance, if you pick a running back then you will not receive any of his points for defense.
Scoring system
QBs/RBs/WRs/TEs
- 1 point for every 10 yards passing, rushing or receiving from a quarterback, running back or wide receiver
- 6 points for every passing, rushing or receiving touchdown
Offensive line
- 1 point for every 50 yards gained as an offense
- 3 points for every offensive touchdown
Defensive player
- 2 points for every tackle
- 4 points for every INT, sack or fumble recovery
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