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 5, and how the players performed that we picked the week prior. See the bottom of this article for details.
Jacob Bradshaw, QB, Rossville (Gilmore)
Bradshaw had arguably the most difficult task of any player in Kansas entering this season. He had to replace Tucker Horak as Rossville’s quarterback. Horak’s outstanding career ended with 12,454 yards of total offense, 178 touchdowns, two consecutive 3A state titles, and a 28-game winning streak. The Bulldawgs have extended that win streak to 31 games and Bradshaw has been capable despite the size of the shoes he’s had to fill. Through three games, Bradshaw has completed 72 percent of his passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns. Like Horak, Bradshaw has done most of his damage on the ground where he has amassed 618 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in three games. Rossville hosts Wabaunsee (1-2) this week before the War on 24 against rival Silver Lake in Week 5.
Isaiah McPherson, RB, Labette County (Kuplen)
McPherson is one of the fastest backs in Kansas featuring sub 11-second 100 meter dash speed. He racked up 368 yards rushing and five touchdowns last week against Osawatomie, and has nearly 600 yards rushing on the season. Expect him to get the ball a lot against nearby rival Parsons on Friday.
Parker O’Neal, LB, Abilene (Baetz)
The number one question for the Abilene Cowboys entering the season was how to replace dual-threat quarterback Harley Hazlett. Senior Ryan Wilson has filled in nicely for Hazlett, and led the Cowboys to a 3-0 start. Perhaps more impressive has been the Cowboy defense that has allowed 19 total points in wins over Marysville and Andover Central in the past two weeks. The Cowboy defense goes through senior linebacker Parker O'Neal who will be counted on to lead the team in tackles against rival Chapman on Friday. The Cowboys and Irish matchup is the longest running rivalry game west of the Mississippi.
Shawnee Mission East Offensive Line (Clisso)
The Lancers will look to rebound from a 26-20 loss to Missouri-power Rockhurst in a game in which Shawnee Mission East turned the ball over six times. Shawnee Mission East is led by a strong group up front that has paved the way for 439 rushing yards and 100 passing yards per game this season. The Lancer offensive line includes center Justin Finnigan (6-2, 252, Jr), guards Zac Medley (6-3, 271, Sr) and Charlie Kephart (6-2, 253, Sr), and tackles Stephen Shipley (5-8, 218, Sr) and Parker Shirling (5-10, 208, Sr). Shawnee Mission East will play at Olathe North on Friday. The Eagles ended the Lancers season last fall with a 44-30 win in the Class 6A state quarterfinals, but Shawnee Mission East has won three of the last four in the series by a combined 12 points.
Cole Strickler, LB, Pike Valley (Nicholl)
Cole Strickler has led Pike Valley (3-0) in tackles entering a key Week 4 game at Northern Plains League foe Osborne. Strickler has 23 tackles, including 16 solo. He has six more solo stops than any other Panther. As well, Strickler has notched one of the Panthers' two safeties. Pike Valley has permitted 11.3 points per contest after allowing 21.5 a game last season.
Wichita Northwest Offensive Line (Schremmer)
Despite losses in each of the past two weeks, the Grizzlies have one of the most explosive offenses in the state. With a balanced attack of 878 yards passing and 845 yards rushing, the Northwest offensive line can create time and holes for its offensive playmakers. The Grizzlies average 574.3 yards and 47 points per game. Look out for a big offensive performance against winless Wichita West.
Week 3 Picks to Click results (scoring):
Alex Barton, WR, Central Plains – Barton caught eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Oilers’ 40-28 win at Otis-Bison. On defense, Barton intercepted three passes and returned one of them 79 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play. (Nicholl –17 pts)
Tate Becker, LB, Herington – Becker registered 16 tackles and a sack in the Railers 30-18 win over Centre-Lost Springs. While he was selected as a linebacker, on offense Becker threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score. (Gilmore – 36 pts)
Blue Valley Offensive Line – The offensive line helped the Tigers produce 198 passing yards, 184 rushing yards, and three offensive touchdowns. Blue Valley defeated Blue Valley North 25-7. (Kuplen – 16 pts)
Davis Dubbert, QB, Beloit St. John’s-Tipton – Dubbert passed for 171 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 34 more yards and a score in BSJT’s 50-22 win over Bennington. (Baetz –50 pts)
Ben Hartman, WR, Mill Valley – Hartman caught 10 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars’ 40-24 win over Blue Valley Southwest. Hartman now has 26 catches for 523 yards and six touchdowns on the season. (Clisso – 24 pts)
Carter Putz, QB, Bishop Miege – Putz completed 11 of 19 passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns, and added 20 rushing yards in the Stags 48-21 win over St. Thomas Aquinas. (Schremmer – 30 pts)
Standings for the 2016 season through Week 3:
- Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com 157 points
- Chet Kuplen, Kansas-Sports.com & @sportsinkansas 131 points
- Mark Schremmer, Kpreps contributor 115 points
- Dion Clisso, PrepsKC.com 97 points
- John Baetz, Kansas Pregame Magazine 87 points
- Conor Nicholl, Kpreps contributor 61 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
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.
