In our Picks to Click, we feature several 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 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.
Picks to Click contributors for the 2021 season include: Sean Boston (Southwind Broadcasting); Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Chet Kuplen (Sports in Kansas); Brent Maycock (KSHSAA Covered); Conor Nicholl (Kpreps.com); and Mark Schremmer (Kansas Chronicles & Kpreps.com).
Check back next week as we calculate the final standings for the 2021 season and see how the players performed that we picked this week. See the bottom of this article for details.
Isaac Detweiler, QB, Axtell (Maycock)
A key contributor for Axtell since his freshman year, Detweiler has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in Eight-Man football. Detweiler has run for 596 yards and 18 touchdowns and also thrown for 825 yards and 18 scores, accounting for 36 of the Eagles' 52 touchdowns this season. With Onaga boasting a powerful offense, Friday's game could become a shootout and Detweiler is the biggest weapon in the arsenal.
Jackson House, QB, St. James Academy (Clisso)
In his first year starting, House has been steady behind center for the Thunder. He’s completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,378 yards and 12 touchdowns with only four interceptions. The 6-0, 170-pound junior has also added 343 yards rushing and three scores. House has led the St. James to three consecutive wins after starting the season 0-4. Last week, the Thunder topped Blue Valley North, 37-22. House passed for 344 yards and three touchdowns and added 83 yards on the ground. He has a talented group of receivers to throw to including John Niesen and Tyler Claiborne. Niesen has 35 catches for 657 yards and four scores, while Claiborne has 43 receptions for 501 yards and seven scores. The Thunder take on perennial power Bishop Miege this week.
Nash Money, RB, Wellsville (Kuplen)
Money (5-9, 170) has been the workhorse for the unbeaten Wellsville Eagle offense. The junior back has rushed for 894 yards and 18 touchdowns through seven games this season. That’s good enough for an average of nearly 128 yards per game. He’s averaging more than seven yards per carry as well. The Eagles have shown solid balance on offense with Money and quarterback Dylan McCarty having thrown for more than 600 yards and eight scores. Wellsville will be heavily favored this week as they go on the road against winless West Franklin.
Quantre Moore, DE, KC Washington (Boston)
Moore (5-11, 185) leads the Wildcat defense with 65 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss. He has consistently been in opponents’ backfields this fall with nine quarterback sacks and 19 hurries. Moore has also forced four fumbles, recovered one, and blocked a punt. Washington is 3-3 on the season after last week’s 36-15 win over KC Turner. The Wildcats have a big challenge ahead of them this week when they host the 6-1 Atchison Phoenix.
Mikey Pauley, QB, Blue Valley Northwest (Schremmer)
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior quarterback has completed 82 of 119 passes for 1,228 yards and 18 touchdowns as he’s helped the Huskies to a 6-1 record. He’s also rushed for 565 yards and five TDs on 82 attempts. Pauley has already committed to play baseball at Nebraska but also has interest from several D-I football schools.
Kyle Reese, QB, Lebo (Gilmore)
Reese (5-10, 170) has been the offensive leader for the Wolves this season after taking over for last year’s standout quarterback Devan McEwan. Reese has completed 64 percent of his passes for 892 yards and 16 touchdowns and led the Lebo ground game with 767 yards and 21 scores. Last season, Reese did a little bit of everything in rushing for 587 yards and 13 scores, while hauling in 31 catches for 458 yards and 10 touchdowns. Reese and Lebo have a huge showdown against Marais des Cygnes Valley (4-2) to decide the Eight-Man, Division II, District 2 championship.
Trey Vincent, QB, Wheatland-Grinnell (Nicholl)
Wheatland-Grinnell senior quarterback Trey Vincent has continued his exceptional career. Vincent has played for his father, Jesse, and his top receiver is his brother, Jett. This season, Trey has enjoyed his best numbers. Wheatland-Grinnell has won six straight games. The Thunderhawk signal-caller has completed 72 of 115 passes for 1,102 yards with 15 scores against one interception. Overall, Vincent has thrown for 4,382 yards with 60 touchdowns against 22 interceptions in his career. He has thrown a touchdown pass in every game. Wheatland-Grinnell is at Triplains-Brewster (2-4) this week.
Week 7 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Chapman OL – The Chapman offensive line produced 539 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in a 52-16 win over Council Grove. (Nicholl – 34 pts)
Caden Crawford, LB, Lansing – Crawford exited the game early with an apparent injury. (Clisso – 0 pts)
Memo Flores, LB, Southwestern Heights – Heights' defense had a tough game against Ellis last week as the Mustangs lost 52-0. Flores had seven solo tackles and one assist in a little more than a half of a game. (Maycock – 16 pts)
Cooper Jermark, LB, Beloit St. John’s-Tipton – Jermark registered 24 tackles, a sack, and an interception in the Blujays 64-48 loss to Lakeside-Downs. (Kuplen – 56 pts)
Isaac Mendez, RB, Wheatland-Grinnell – Mendez rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the Thunderhawks’ 46-0 win over St. Francis. (Schremmer – 19 pts)
Matthew Potucek, QB, Hillsboro – Potucek passed for 146 yards and two touchdowns and added 62 yards on the ground with two more scores as the Trojans beat Lyons, 54-7. (Gilmore – 44 pts)
Dalton Whitworth, QB, Rock Creek – Whitworth passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns and added 49 yards rushing and a score, but it wasn’t enough as the Mustangs fell to Holton, 41-21. (Boston – 47 pts)
Standings for the 2021 season through Week 7:
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps 322 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps 313 points
- Chet Kuplen, Sports in Kansas 285 points
- Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered 252 points
- Sean Boston, KSKZ Radio 240 points
- Mark Schremmer, Kpreps & Kansas Chronicles 233 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 126 points
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