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 final standings and top performers for the 2024 season.
Christopher Aiello, QB, Blue Valley (Clisso)
Aiello (6-2, 185) has already put up passing numbers that surpass the totals from his junior campaign in 2023. As a junior last fall, Aiello passed for 1,672 yards and nine touchdowns. The Tiger senior quarterback has already completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,746 yards and 16 touchdowns against only five interceptions. Last week, Aiello threw for 445 yards and four scores in a 35-34 loss to Blue Valley West. Blue Valley features a talented trio of receivers in seniors Grady Westphal and Jackson Hopper and sophomore Grant Westphal. Grady has 27 catches for 532 yards and three touchdowns, while Grant has 24 catches for 452 yards and three scores. Hopper has 475 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Aiello and his receiving corps will need another big night to beat Bishop Miege.
Kolson Cook, LB, Bucklin (Gilmore)
Cook (6-1, 170) has had a breakout season for the unbeaten Red Aces. The senior has registered 103 tackles, including 22 tackles for loss and five sacks. Cook has also forced three fumbles and recovered three. Bucklin is one of six undefeated teams remaining in Eight-Man, Division II. The Red Aces will host unbeaten Minneola this week to decide the District 7 championship.
Easton Nickelson, LB, Hoxie (Maycock)
Nickelson is the defensive leader for Eight-Man Division II No. 1 Hoxie, leading the eight-man ranks in tackles this year with 108 total tackles. The senior linebacker opened the season with back-to-back 22-tackle games against Osborne and WaKeeney-Trego and has double-digit stops in five of seven games this year. Hoxie faces Rawlins County in a big showdown this Friday and with the Buffaloes a run-heavy offense behind leading eight-man rusher Ryan Sramek, the tackle opportunities will be numerous for Nickelson and Co.
Jesse Smith, WR, Minneola (Nicholl)
Smith (5-11, 145) is putting together a strong senior season for the unbeaten Wildcats. Smith has 29 receptions for 504 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has added 62 yards rushing and a score. Minneola is one of six remaining undefeated teams in Eight-Man, Division II. The Wildcats will travel to unbeaten Bucklin this week in a game that will decide the District 7 championship.
Week 7 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Augie Fast, RB, Wichita Northwest – Fast carried 13 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns as Wichita Northwest rolled past Wichita South, 62-8. (Gilmore – 33 pts)
Jackson Heights Offensive Line – Going into its game against Valley Falls, Heights was averaging 54.3 points and 414 yards per game. The Cobras did nothing to hurt those numbers against the Dragons, rolling to a 74-0 win. Heights had 311 yards of total offense, but had six different backs combine for 7 rushing touchdowns and added a touchdown pass for eight offensive scores. (Maycock – 30 pts)
Dalton Meyers, LB, Hays – Meyers registered five tackles in the Indians 21-0 loss to Great Bend. (Nicholl – 10 pts)
Myles Vohs, WR, Louisburg – Vohs was limited to two catches for four yards and one rush for five yards in the Wildcats’ 17-7 win over Ottawa. (Clisso – 0 pts)
Standings for the 2024 season through Week 8:
- Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered 322 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 291 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 167 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps 139 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
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.
