New to Kpreps this fall is our most important performance of the week powered by Athletic Strength Institute (ASI). Each Sunday our experts will hand out helmet stickers to a team or individual that delivered the most important performance of the week in their opinion.
Check out Athletic Strength Institute (ASI) – building better athletes in Lawrence (Kan.) and the surrounding area. If you mention Kpreps, you will receive a free initial screening and 15% off your initial training package. Check them out online at AthleticSI.com and follow ASI on Twitter @AthleticSI or Facebook
Helmet sticker: Clifton-Clyde (John Baetz – Kansas Pregame)
After posting just three combined wins in the last two seasons, Clifton-Clyde is off to a blistering start in 2016. The Eagles improved to 4-0 after a thrilling, double overtime victory on the road against at Rural Vista. The Heat entered Friday ranked No. 4 in the 8M-I rankings in likely in the final season of Jeff Hostetter's storied coaching career.
Russ Steinbrock's Eagles trailed 24-8 after one quarter, 44-28 at the half, and 58-44 with 5:32 left in the game before using a long touchdown pass to pull within six points. The Eagles knotted the score at 58 with just 32 seconds left in regulation. After both teams scored a touchdown and converted two-point tries in the first overtime, Rural Vista scored first in the second OT, but couldn't convert their two-point attempt. Clifton-Clyde sealed the victory with a touchdown and successful two-point attempt to head home with a 74-72 win. The close game solidifies 8-Man I, District 3 as one of the state's toughest. Burlingame, Clifton-Clyde, and Herington are all undefeated through the first four weeks, with Rural Vista now sitting at 3-1.
Helmet sticker: Coffeyville-Field Kindley (Chet Kuplen -- Sports in Kansas)
How about 4A-I Coffeyville Field Kindley? The Golden Tornado snapped a 13-game losing streak with a Week 2 win over Parsons, and have now won three in a row. Coffeyville has only five seniors this season and under 40 kids on their entire roster First-year ‘Nado coach Darrin Wegner is working on rebuilding a program that reached the Class 4A state title game as recent as 2013. The Golden Tornado have registered wins over Parsons, Riverton, and Towanda-Circle after dropping their opener to Great Bend; one of the top teams in Class 5A.
Helmet sticker: Lawrence Chesty Lions (Matt Gilmore -- Kpreps)
There were a lot of unknowns about the expectations of the Lawrence High Lions entering the 2016 season. After all, the Lions would have to replace 18 starters from a team that blitzed through its first ten games before being “upset” by Blue Valley in the second round of the 6A playoffs. Among those gone to graduation were four Kpreps 6A All-State selections in running back J.D. Woods, lineman Trey Georgie, tight end Price Morgan, and defensive end Amani Bledsoe.
Coach Dirk Wedd’s Lions opened with consecutive home wins over Shawnee Mission Northwest and Shawnee Mission North. Lawrence’s new no-huddle offense combined for 102 points in those first two games behind a great start from running back Trey Moore. Moore has rushed for 405 yards and six touchdowns in those first two games, but was held to 91 rush yards in a loss to Lee’s Summit West (Mo.) in Week 3.
On Friday, Lawrence rebounded by racing out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead before cruising to a 49-19 victory over Shawnee Mission West. The Vikings had began the season ranked No. 5 in Class 6A and were considered a serious contender in Class 6A. Quaterback Dante Jackson passed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 74 yards and two more scores to lead the Lions. Moore missed the game with a hand injury, but James Reeder stepped in and delivered a 144-yard rushing effort with two touchdowns. Suddenly at the mid-point of the season, the Chesty Lions sit among the top three seeds on the eastern half of the 6A bracket.
Helmet sticker: Derek Naegele & the Osborne Bulldogs (Conor Nicholl – Kpreps)
Week 4 featured multiple, high-profile games that went to overtime or were decided in the final seconds. It made for one of the most entertaining weeks of Kansas high school football in recent memory. In a Northern Plains League showdown, 8M-I No. 5 Osborne held off 8M-II No. 3 Pike Valley, 34-32, when the Bulldogs stopped Panther standout Lane Peters on a two-point conversion with 1:25 left.
Osborne senior guard/defensive end Derek Naegele, who is battling a torn meniscus, contributed 17 tackles and opened holes on the offensive line for 266 rushing yards. Three Osborne players contributed at least 72 yards on the ground.
Osborne went through preseason turmoil before 2015 when the Bulldogs needed a new coach late in the summer and eventually went 4-5. Coach Cullen Riner, a longtime member of the Bulldog coaching staff, credited Naegele, along senior quarterback Justin Burch, senior running back Cullen Grabast, and junior running back Denton Schurr with leading the squad. Helped by Naegele's unselfish play and the quartet's leadership and talent, Osborne remains unbeaten.
Athletic Strength Institute (ASI) – MOST IMPORTANT THING
Avoid Static Stretching Before Practice & Games
The purpose of a warm-up is to prepare your tissue, joints, and nervous system for the physical demands of practice or a game. Static stretching during warm-ups reduces strength and power.
Instead, use a progressive, dynamic warm-up to prime your five bio-motor skills: strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, and coordination.
Phase 1 – Low Intensity Exercises & Flexibility
The start of the warm-up should focus on low intensity activities to slowly raise body temperature and develop a full range of motion. A good low intensity exercise is lunges with rotation.
Phase 2 – Moderate - High Intensity Exercises
This phase of the warm-up should progress from lower intensity exercises, such as high knees to more dynamic movements, such as bounding.
Phase 3 – Position-Specific Exercises & Sprints
The final phase of the warm-up should include position-specific activities such as blocking & hitting, route running, and throwing & catching.
For more information on how to adjust training volumes contact chris@athleticsi.com.
Helmet Stickers (2016 Season)
Week 1 – Atchison, Holcomb, Mill Valley, St. Francis
Week 2 – Hoisington, Junction City, Plainvile, St. Marys
Week 3 – Central Plains, Great Bend, Topeka Seaman, Valley Center,
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