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 the final standings for the 2014 season. See the bottom of this article for details.
Tyler Burns, RB, Wichita Trinity (Kuplen)
Burns has rushed for 1,493 yards and 25 touchdowns for the 7-1 Knights. The 4A defending state 100-meter champion is one of the fastest players in all of Kansas. Expect Burns to put up big numbers against Clearwater.
Bryan Dome, RB, Victoria (Nicholl)
Victoria has used Bryan Dome in a variety of roles this season, and sometimes the Knights haven’t used their leader for many carries. But in a district-clinching Week 7 victory against Victoria, Dome finished with 12 carries for 99 yards and two scores. Victoria was off in Week
8 because of a forfeit by Natoma, but the Knights face Otis-Bison on Senior Night tonight, and then will play host to Hoxie in the first round of the playoffs next Tuesday. Expect Dome, a three-year starter on both sides of the ball, to deliver a strong game.
Drake Hake, RB, Concordia (Baetz)
Senior running back Drake Hake has piled up over 1,500 yards rushing with 20 touchdowns this season and will be relied upon to carry the load as the Panthers battle Clay Center with a district championship in their sites.
Alec McDaniel, QB, Argonia-Attica (Gilmore)
The Titans junior quarterback has had an exceptional year in leading Argonia-Attica to an 8-0 start and a district championship. McDaniel has passed for 1,108 yards and 24 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 903 yards and 28 touchdowns on the season. The Titans will get a Week 9 challenge at South Barber.
Drew Mills, QB, Northeast-Arma (Schremmer)
The junior has passed for more than 800 yards, while rushing 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Needing a win against Humboldt, the Vikings offense will look to go through Mills.
Jake Seurer, DB, Olathe South (Clisso)
Seurer doubles as Olathe South’s quarterback, but is also one of the better defensive backs in the state. Jake was an Kpreps 6A All-State selection at defensive back last season. This year, he’s registered 78 tackles, including one for loss. He’ll need a good performance to help the Falcons rebound from last week’s 49-0 loss to Blue Valley.
Week 8 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Joel Broeckelman, RB, Rock Hills – Brockelman carried 39 times for 240 yards and five touchdowns. He also passed for 17 yards and a score. (Kuplen – 61 pts)
Jace McDown, RB, Columbus – McDown rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a 22-13 loss to Frontenac. (Schremmer – 25 pts)
Will Schneider, QB, SM North – Schneider completed 10 of 14 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns in North’s 41-6 win over Harmon. (Clisso – 34 pts)
Spearville Offensive Line – The Spearville OL paved the way for 379 yards of total offense and seven total touchdowns in the Lancers’ 50-28 win over Hodgeman County. (Nicholl –28 pts)
Kendall Stewart, WR, Maize – Steward caught 11 passes for 102 yards in Maize’s 28-14 loss to Valley Center. (Baetz – 10 pts)
Dustin Weber, QB/RB, Pratt-Skyline – Weber passed for 16 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 57 yards and another score in the 46-0 win over Kinsley. (Gilmore – 18 pts)
Standings for the 2014 season through Week 8:
- Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas 355 points
- John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine 328 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 283 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps contributor 230 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 219 points
- Mark Schremmer, The Joplin Globe 214 points**
**points total from seven weeks.
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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