The Kpreps Picks to Click feature is back for the 2026 season!
In our Picks to Click, we feature 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 2026 season include: Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Brent Maycock (KSHSAA Covered); and Conor Nicholl (Kpreps.com).
Check back next week to see our picks for Week 2, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Vladon Crawford, QB, WaKeeney-Trego (Nicholl)
Crawford is expected to take on a larger role in the WaKeeney-Trego offense after making an impact in several ways during his 2025 freshman season. The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore is expected to take over at quarterback for the Golden Eagles to replace the graduated Ashton Wynn. Crawford contributed mostly as a receiver last fall with 27 catches for 235 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll now lead an Eagle offense that returns backs Jack Conness and Jared Aschenbrenner as well as several key pieces up front. WaKeeney-Trego, ranked No. 2 in 8M-I, opens the season at home against MCL-rival Hill City. In last year’s season opener, Trego defeated Hill City 30-20 before Hill City returned the favor with a 58-36 victory in the state quarterfinals.
Jeremiah Miller, QB, Lincoln (Gilmore)
Miller (6-2 ,185) returns for his senior year after leading the Leopards to the Eight-Man, Division I state runner-up finish in 2025. That included the first playoff wins in school history. Jeremiah and his twin brother Xavier make up one of the top quarterback-receiver combos in eight-man football. As a junior, Jeremiah passed for 2,058 yards and 28 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He was equally effective rushing, adding another 1,442 yards and 30 scores. Lincoln opens with a road tip against Northern Plains League rival Lakeside-Downs this week. Last season, the Leopards beat the Knights 64-6 with Jeremiah Miller passing for 281 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 183 yards rushing and four more scores.
Dan Sogard, QB, Blue Valley (Clisso)
Expectations are high for the Blue Valley Tigers as Coach Allen Terrell’s team returns several starters from last year’s 4-5 squad. That includes senior quarterback Dan Sogard (6-3, 190) who passed for 1,983 yards last season. Sogard has the benefit of a talented receiving room that includes Jacob and Jordan Lockett and Ben Herold. The Lockett twins combined for 98 catches and nearly 1,200 yards last season and are poised for a big senior year. The Tigers open with a challenging Eastern Kansas League test against Blue Valley Northwest.
Austin Swonger, QB, South Barber (Maycock)
Swonger (5-10, 160) is among the preseason favorites for 6-Man Player of the Year. The South Barber senior quarterback posted incredible numbers during the 2025 season in which the Chieftains reached the state semifinal round. Swonger passed for 2,120 yards and 45 touchdowns against only six interceptions. He also added 810 yards rushing with 11 more scores. The second-ranked Chieftains open with a ranked showdown against No. 3 Tescott.
2026 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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