We are proud to welcome SureFire Ag Systems as the primary sponsor of our “SureFire Picks to Click” feature for 2015. Our SureFire Picks to Click feature six players or units from across the state that we feel will have breakout performances on Friday night.
SureFire Ag Systems is proud to support Kansas high school football. SureFire Ag provides solutions for the control and application of liquid and anhydrous ammonia fertilizer. Learn more about these products, and other industry leading agriculture technologies by visiting www.surefireag.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Like last season, 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.
Picks to Click contributors for the 2014 season include: John Baetz (Kansas Pregame Magazine); Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Chet Kuplen (Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas); Conor Nicholl (Kpreps contributor); and Mark Schremmer (The Joplin Globe)
Check back next Thursday to see our picks for week two, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Connor Byers, QB, Bonner Springs (Clisso)
As a junior last fall, Connor Byers put up strong numbers in leading the Braves to a 7-3 season and a berth in the state playoffs. For the 2014 season, Connor completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,889 yards and 20 touchdowns against only five interceptions. He added 658 yards rushing and eight more scores. Bonner Springs looks to avenge one of those three losses in their opener as the Braves host Eudora. The Cardinals beat Bonner Springs 35-27 in Week 1 last season. Byers passed for 200 yards and rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns in that game.
Brady Dinkel, QB, Victoria (Nicholl)
Dinkel started slowly last season but emerged as one of eight-man's best quarterbacks in the last two months of the year. He finished with 1,052 rushing yards and 20 scores and 976 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Victoria won its last 12 games after a season-opening road loss to Central Plains, and won the 8-man II state title. Central Plains went undefeated for the 8-man I crown. The Knights returned all but two players this season. Dinkel enters his third year as a starter and is 18-2 all-time as the starting quarterback. He will look to carry a big load in the home season opener versus the Oilers.
Armando Gomez, RB, West Elk (Kuplen)
Gomez had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2013 earning Kpreps All-State honors after rushing for 1,632 yards and 27 touchdowns. Last season he was hampered by an injury but still put up 1,089 yards and 17 scores. The Patriots beat St. Paul 46-0 last year and with Division I recruit (13 offers), Isaiahh Loudermilk (6-7, 287) paving the way, look for a big night from Gomez on Friday.
Tucker Horak, QB, Rossville (Gilmore)
A two-time Kpreps 3A All-State selection, Horak led the Bulldawgs to a undefeated season and their first ever 3A state championship in 2014. Last season, Tucker rushed for 2,089 yards and 28 touchdowns, and passed for 1,651 yards and 22 more scores. In the state championship game, Horak rushed for 212 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining. For his career, Tucker has rushed for 4,085 yards and 64 scores, and passed for 3,440 yards and 37 touchdowns. He will benefit from four returning offensive linemen this season, and should see the ball a lot on Friday against an experienced Clay Center team.
Mike McCoy, RB, Topeka High (Schremmer)
McCoy will be a featured part of the Trojans' offense this season and that should start in Week 1 against KC Schlagle. McCoy, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, rushed for 1,093 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior and has already received a scholarship offer from the Kansas Jayhawks.
Ian Rudzik, RB, Ulysses (Baetz)
Ian Rudzik begins his senior season with a game against the 5A Liberal Redskins. Entering his fourth year as a starter, Rudzik has rushed for more than 5,200 yards and 67 touchdowns in his career. Last season, Ian rushed for 2,061 yards and 26 touchdowns including a 195-yard, 4-touchdown performance in the 38-6 season opening win over Liberal a year ago. If the offensive line develops consistency early on, look for Rudzik to have another big night against the Redskins.
The final standings for the 2014 season were:
- Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas 387 points
- John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine 348 points
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 328 points
- Conor Nicholl, Hays Daily News 246 points
- Mark Schremmer, The Joplin Globe 239 points***
-
Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 227 points
***points total from eight weeks only
2015 Picks to Click Rules
- 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.
