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.
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 2016 season include: John Baetz (Kansas Pregame Magazine); Dion Clisso (PrepsKC.com); Matt Gilmore (Kpreps.com); Chet Kuplen (Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas); Conor Nicholl (Kpreps.com); and Mark Schremmer (Kpreps.com).
Check back next Thursday to see our picks for Week 3, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Austin Anderson, QB, Wichita Northwest (Gilmore)
Wichita Northwest junior quarterback Austin Anderson (5-11, 170) had an incredible debut in leading the Grizzlies over Class 5A’s top-ranked Bishop Carroll Eagles. Anderson completed 14 of 25 passes for 352 yards and six touchdowns in Northwest’s 61-49 win. Anderson also carried eight times for 111 yards and a score. This week’s challenge comes against a young but talented Wichita Heights team that beat Olathe North 41-21 in Week 1. Olathe North didn’t complete a pass in four attempts against the Falcon defense, but did rush for almost 260 yards. Wichita Heights can score quickly with sophomore quarterback K’Vante Baker’s big-play running ability, so Anderson and the Grizzlies may find themselves in another shootout on Friday night.
Matt Dercher, QB, Blue Valley (Clisso)
Senior Matt Dercher debuted as the starting quarterback with a standout performance in the Tigers’ 35-28 win over Bishop Miege. Dercher completed 22 of 37 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns in the win. All three of Dercher’s touchdown passes went to senior wide receiver Gus Gomez, who caught five balls for 110 yards. He’ll need another solid performance as the Tigers take on Blue Valley West (1-0) on Friday night.
Brody Flaming, QB, Mill Valley (Schremmer)
The junior quarterback has immediately filled the void left by graduated All-State quarterback Logan Koch. Flaming completed 24 of 36 passes for 311 yards and five touchdowns during a 35-13 win over a highly touted St. James Academy. Expect another strong outing from Flaming when the Jaguars play at Blue Valley Northwest on Thursday night.
Hutchinson Offensive Line (Baetz)
Conor Craig and Tracy Harris had a big opening night behind the Salthawk offensive line in Hutchinson's week one over Olathe East. It could be more of the same for Hutchinson in their AVCTL season opener against a Newton team still trying to find its footing under first year coach Chris Jaxx. While the Railer squad includes Division I prospects Kade Remsberg and Aidan Mills (K-State commit), the Salthawk front is led by K-State commit and Kansas Pregame coverboy Josh Rivas, a three-year starter and one of the state's top prospects.
Jace Ruder, QB, Norton (Nicholl)
Ruder enjoyed one of the finest statistical games in his career with 7 of 18 passing for 182 yards with a touchdown and 12 carries for 113 yards and two scores in Norton's season-opening 42-7 victory versus Goodland. Ruder, a Division I talent who carries multiple offers including Kansas State and Tulsa, set a career high in single game rushing yards and had his third biggest passing total of his career. Norton will travel to surprising Plainville in a key MCL matchup this week.
Dalton Sporing, QB, Burlingame (Kuplen)
Sporing had a big year in 2015 in leading Burlingame to 8M-I semis, and he started the 2016 season right where he left off. Dalton had five rushes for 111 yards and two touchdowns while completing seven of nine passes for 161 yards and five touchdowns. Expect another video game number performance on Friday night against Hartford.
Week 1 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Will Bruna, QB, Hanover – After a record-breaking 2015 season, Bruna got off to a solid start in completing 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats 22-0 win over Lebo. Bruna also rushed for 39 yards and a pair of touchdowns. (Kuplen – 41 pts)
Dawson Hammes, RB, Rossville – Hammes rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 33 yards as Rossville held off Marysville 27-20. (Schremmer – 14 pts)
Hunter Kaufman, RB/WR, Pratt – Kaufman carried eight times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Greenbacks’ 31-16 win over Larned. (Baetz – 12 pts)
Jacob Murray, QB, Great Bend – Murray had a fantastic season debut in the Panthers’ 57-13 win over Coffeyville. The senior completed 16 of 20 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 124 yards and three more scores. (Gilmore – 71 pts)
Taylor Rogers, RB, St. Francis – Rogers rushed 12 times for 69 yards including a 42-yard touchdown in the Indians’ 22-20 win over Sharon Springs-Wallace County. Rogers also caught two passes for 15 yards in the game. (Nicholl – 13 pts)
Sammy Wheeler, QB, St. James Academy – Wheeler completed 13 of 26 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice. He also added 44 yards rushing on 15 attempts. The Thunder fell to defending Class 5A champion Mill Valley, 35-13. (Clisso – 22 pts)
Standings for the 2016 season through Week 1:
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 71 points
- Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas 41 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 22 points
- Mark Schremmer, The Joplin Globe 14 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps contributor 13 points
- John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine 12 points
2016 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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