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 2022 season include: Sean Boston (Eagle Radio); Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Chet Kuplen (Sports in Kansas); Brent Maycock (KSHSAA Covered); and Conor Nicholl (Kpreps.com).
Check back next Friday to see our picks for Week 5, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Daegan Jensen, TE/WR, Bishop Miege (Clisso)
Jensen (6-3, 210) has been a key receiver for a Bishop Miege offense that is averaging more than 40 points per game. Stag quarterback Mac Armstrong has been exceptional this season having thrown for more than 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jensen has 15 receptions for 225 yards and two scores. Last week against Rockhurst, Jensen had seven receptions for 125 yards in the Stags’ 28-21 win. Jensen and Miege will need another big performance on the road at Blue Valley this week.
McPherson Offensive Line (Boston)
McPherson is off to a 3-1 start behind a solid offensive line that has helped produce more than 250 yards per game and 34 points. The Bullpup offense has shown good balance with 140 yards per game on the ground and 110 yards through the air. The Bullpup offensive line has been a big part of that success behind experienced linemen such as Connor McVicker, Joe Nutt, and Mason Clark. McPherson will travel to Winfield tonight for a matchup with the winless Vikings. Winfield has allowed nearly 27 points per game.
Michael Murray, WR, Southeast of Saline (Nicholl)
Southeast of Saline senior wide receiver Michael Murray is among Kansas’ fastest players and was a medalist last spring in the sprints at state track. Murray has a Division II Northwest Missouri State offer, among other interest. He has helped Southeast of Saline stay atop the Class 2A rankings all fall. Last Friday, Murray recorded eight offensive touches for 161 yards, including 143 receiving, and three touchdowns in a 49-17 win against Halstead. Southeast of Saline has a key home matchup against Clay Center this week.
Nemaha Central Offensive Line (Maycock)
Nemaha Central had to replace three starters across its front line from a year ago, but returned a big-time foundation in junior Holden Bass and senior Connor Deters. The new trio of juniors Abe Hilbert and Josh Gonzalez and sophomore Abram Keim have not only fill the voids, but done so well enough that the Thunder own the highest-scoring offense in Class 2A, averaging 57.5 points per game. The Thunder has put up more than 70 points twice already this season and the offense is cranking out just over 400 yards per game, including more than 300 per game on the ground. Senior back Cooper Hajek ranks among the state's top rushers with 762 yards and he's rushed for at least 4 touchdowns in every game this season. Nemaha racked up 323 yards and 8 TDs rushing in last week's 78-0 win over Horton. This week, the Thunder get 0-4 Jefferson West, which has given up 40 points per game and gave up 399 rushing yards to Sabetha two weeks ago.
Braden Sinclair, LB, Lincoln (Kuplen)
Junior linebacker Braden Sinclair has 82 tackles through the first four games for Lincoln. Sinclair logged 25 total tackles including three for loss in last week’s 28-20 win over Mankato-Rock Hills. Sinclair is averaging 20.5 tackles per game. He’ll need another big week if the Leopards are going to pick up their second win of the season. Lincoln takes on a tough Clifton-Clyde team this week which has been ranked for a portion of the season.
Wichita Northwest Offensive Line (Gilmore)
Wichita Northwest is ranked No. 4 in the latest Class 6A poll. The Grizzlies feature an explosive offense that averages nearly 496 yards per game. More than 307 yards per game come on the ground with Northwest’s talented backfield that features senior L. J. Phillips, junior Cencere Thompson, and junior quarterback Jayce Glasper. Phillips has rushed for a team-high 591 yards ahd eight touchdowns while Thompson has added 424 yards and seven scores. Glasper has passed for 726 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for more than 150 yards and two scores. The Grizzly offensive line has been excellent and features seniors Connor Armstrong and Alex Herrera, and juniors Nathan Davis, Braxton Hopper and Dalton Schraeder. Northwest will host a Topeka High team this week that is allowing more than 46 points per game.
Week 4 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Blue Valley West Offensive Line – The Jaguar OL produced 388 yards of total offense and 5 touchdowns including 298 yards rushing, but Staley scored a pair of late touchdowns to win 34-33. (Clisso – 22 pts)
Luke Gebhardt, QB, Southeast of Saline – Gebhardt passed for 204 yards and three touchdown and added 119 yards rushing as the Trojans beat Halstead, 49-17. (Gilmore – 49 pts)
Cooper Hajek, RB, Nemaha Central – Hajek rushed for 128 yards and four touchdowns as the Thunder rolled to a 78-0 win over Horton. (Boston – 36 pts)
Jessie Jones, WR, Parsons – Jones had two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 14 yards in the Vikings’ 61-8 win over Baxter Springs. (Kuplen – 9 pts)
Keiondre Smith, QB, South Sumner County – Smith didn’t have his usual high numbers in a 48-0 win against Udall that was called at halftime because of the mercy rule. The Outlaws, ranked fifth in Eight-Man, Division I, improved to 4-0. Smith rushed three times for 50 yards and a score. (Nicholl – 11 pts)
Ty Weber, LB, Washburn Rural – Weber recorded 16 tackles including three for loss and a pass breakup in Rural’s 28-25 loss to 6A No. 1 Manhattan. (Maycock – 32 pts)
Standings for the 2022 season through Week 4:
- Chet Kuplen, Sports in Kansas 192 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 181 points
- Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered 153 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 124 points
- Sean Boston, Eagle Radio 98 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps.com 75 points
2022 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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