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 have 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 2024 season include: Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Brent Maycock (KSHSAA Covered); and Conor Nicholl (Kpreps.com).
Check back next Thursday to see our picks for Week 6, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Jacob Hoopingarner, QB, Otis-Bison (Nicholl)
Hoopingarner (6-0, 175) is off to a good start for the Cougars in their first season playing 6-Man football. Through the first three weeks of the season, Hoopingarner had completed 56 percent of his passes for 489 yards and ten touchdowns against three interceptions. He has also added more than 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. Otis-Bison added a game at Chase last week when the Kats’ scheduled opponent, Burrton, forfeited. Although stats were not available for last week’s game, the Cougars shut out Chase, 64-0. This week, Hoopingarner and the Cougars have a tough task in hosting top-ranked Cunningham.
Jameson Miles, WR, Peabody-Burns (Maycock)
Miles burst onto the scene as a freshman a year ago with fellow frosh Aiden Hurst to give Peabody a lethal passing game. The two have picked up where they left off. Miles opened the season with 8 catches for 262 yards and 4 TDs in a win over Tescott and last week had 6 catches for 140 yards and 3 TDs against Pawnee Heights. Miles has 16 of Hurst's 23 completions this year and has caught all 8 of his TD passes. Pabody could find itself in a shootout with unbeaten Marais des Cygnes Valley, which gave up 43 points last week to Altoona-Midway, and you can bet on Hurst to be looking Miles' early and often.
Reggie Reece, RB, Mill Valley (Clisso)
Reece (6-2, 205) has been one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season to date. The junior back has rushed for 855 yards and ten touchdowns on 121 attempts. Reece is averaging nearly 214 yards per game and better than 7.0 yards per carry. In last week’s win over Shawnee Mission South, Reece rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns. It was his third 200+ yard rushing performance of the season. Reece and Mill Valley will host Olathe North this week.
Bo Smith, QB, Reno County Homeschool (Gilmore)
Smith, a sophomore, has already put up some incredible performances in his first two seasons at quarterback. Last week’s come-from-behind win over Marmaton Valley was no exception. The Sabres trailed 38-8 in the second quarter before rallying to within 58-40 at halftime and 66-54 after three quarters. Reno County took its first lead at 68-66 midway through the fourth, but still needed a Smith touchdown pass with :33 seconds remaining to hold off the Wildcats, 84-78. Smith completed 35 of 61 pass attempts for 530 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added 138 rush yards on 24 carries. For the season, Smith has passed for 1,185 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 441 yards and nine scores. The Sabres, which play all their games on the road, will look for another big night from Smith in taking on Colony-Crest (3-1) this week.
Week 4 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Carter Aslin, QB, Manhattan – Aslin passed for 97 yards and a score and added 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Indians’ 52-0 win over rival Junction City. (Gilmore – 36 pts)
Gardner-Edgerton OL – The Trailblazer OL produced 518 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in a 35-21 win over Lawrence. (Clisso – 25 pts)
Max Huston, QB, Topeka Seaman – After torching KC Turner for 7 TD passes a year ago, Huston didn't quite hit that mark on Friday. But he still had his biggest game of the season, throwing for 276 yards and 4 TDs. Huston also ran for 67 yards and a TD in the 49-0 Viking win. (Maycock – 63 pts)
Isaiah Ridgeway, RB, Makato-Rock Hills – Ridgeway was limited to 25 yards rushing on 11 attempts and two catches for 13 yards in the Grizzlies’ 60-12 loss to Sylvan-Lucas. (Nicholl – 3 pts)
Standings for the 2024 season through Week 4:
- Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered 219 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 175 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 126 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps 101 points
2024 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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