In our Picks to Click, we feature six players or units from across the state that we feel will have breakout performances on Friday night.
We’ve assembled a team of six 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.
Check back next week to see our picks for week five, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Kenneth Banks, WR, Lansing (Clisso)
The Lions big target will be key for Lansing this week as they take on Bonner Springs. In three games the 6-foot-6 receiver has 12 catches for 240 yards and this could be a good week against a Bonner Springs team that is tough but can give up some points.
Beloit Offensive Line (Baetz)
After losing multi-year standouts Bowe Behymer, Payton Vetter, and Bryce Black to graduation it appeared the Trojans would take a step back this season. An opening game loss to rival Concordia showed a chink in the armor, but the Trojans have rebounded the last two weeks behind a big physical offensive line who has imposed its will against league foes Ellsworth (60-0) and Sacred Heart (48-6). The Trojans travel northeast to play Republic County in Belleville Friday, and while it's a feel good story that the Buffs broke a 33-game losing streak two weeks ago, the Trojans will keep it on the ground and control the clock and the ball in this NCAA match-up.
Cannon Burns, RB, Fairfield (Kuplen)
Burns has rushed for 376.7 rushing yards per game in 2014 over the first three games. Last week he had 32 carries for 429 yards and nine touchdowns in the 102-56 victory over Norwich. Yes 102-56. Expect another big outing for the senior who has went over 300 plus yards in all three games. Fairfield will play Hutchinson Central Christian this week.
Chetopa Offensive Line (Schremmer)
The Chetopa offensive line has helped the Green Hornets scored 186 points in just six quarters of play during wins over Marmaton Valley, St. Paul and Pleasanton. Chetopa’s offense could have put up big numbers at Uniontown.
Santa Fe Trail Offensive Line (Gilmore)
Santa Fe Trail is enjoying its move to the Pioneer League and is off to a 3-0 start. The Chargers’ three wins are their most in a single season since 2006 as they entered the 2014 with a combined 10-80 record over the past ten seasons. Veteran skill players like Darric Cashier, Weston Gloss, and Chaz Wright have put up big numbers this season, but without the help of an experienced offensive line with guys like Skylar Swaney, Joe Penrod, Jake Hastings, Cody Hastings, and Justin Baker. The Chargers are averaging nearly 300 yards per game on the gorund and more than eight yards per carry. Expect another strong performance by Santa Fe Trail when they host winless Anderson County this week.
Brandt Wolters, WR, Osborne (Nicholl)
Wolters and Osborne junior quarterback Jake Tiernan have helped Osborne run its winning streak to 16 games after a 3-0 start this season following an Eight-Man, Division I title last year. The Bulldogs set the eight-man record for scoring offense in 2013 and has outscored opponents 154-78 this fall, including big wins against Thunder Ridge and Beloit/St. John’s-Tipton. This week, Osborne plays host to Lincoln in a key district matchup. Wolters has 25 catches for 275 yards and four scores and poses matchup problems at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds.
Week 3 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Kyler Alderson, QB, Wamego – Alderson completed 15 of 22 passes for 228 yards and five touchdowns in Wamego’s 55-9 win over Marysville. He also rushed for a touchdown in the game. (Gilmore – 58 pts)
Dylan Becker, WR, Salina South – Becker had five catches for 59 yards during Salina South’s 27-21 victory against Hutchinson. (Schremmer – 5 pts)
Centralia-Wetmore OL – The Panther offensive line paved the way for 449 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a 56-14 win over Onaga. Centralia averaged 11 yards per carry in the game and did not complete a pass. (Kuplen – 44 pts)
Kyler Kinnamon, QB, McPherson – Kinnamon completed 10 of 19 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the Bullpups’ 32-20 win over Augusta. He also rushed 11 times for 61 yards and another score. (Baetz – 41 pts)
Colton McCumber, QB, Blue Valley – McCumber completed 18 of 28 pass attempts for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers 42-21 loss to Bishop Miege. (Clisso – 42 pts)
Jace Ruder, QB, Norton – Ruder completed 4 of 10 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Bluejays 35-6 win over Oakley. (Nicholl – 23 pts)
Standings for the 2014 season through Week 3:
- John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine 149 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 140 points
- Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas 122 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 84 points
- Mark Schremmer, The Joplin Globe 78 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps contributor 77 points
2014 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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