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Third and Long: Ryan Edwards 6/12

The annual Be YOUnion.com Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star game is loaded with some of the Metro’s top talent.

This year, Kansas may have the talent – especially at the quarterback position – to finally take down Missouri. Missouri has had the edge over Kansas in recent years, but not this year. 

Kansas will be led by Blue Valley Southwest quarterback Dylan Dunn – the 41st winner of the Thomas A. Simone Award – and Mill Valley’s Daniel Blaine. Dunn led a prolific Timberwolves offense, passing for 3,777 yards and 47 touchdowns, while Blaine did most of his damage on the ground, carrying the ball 98 times for 875 yards and scoring five touchdowns.

Not only does Kansas have the edge at quarterback, they have the edge at running back and wide receiver. Blue Valley Southwest’s Alex Parks – who won the Otis Taylor Award as the Metro’s top wide receiver or tight end – finished his senior year with 83 receptions, 1,381 yards and 20 touchdowns. On the ground, Kansas will try to establish a punishing rushing attack led by Mill Valley’s Tristan Baker. Baker carried the ball 219 times, raking up 1,648 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns to help Jaguars win their fifth straight Class 5 championship.

The one advantage Missouri does have is the speed and size department. That’s the way it has always been. Missouri may not have the prolific gunslinger at quarterback, or dynamic, explosive receiver, but make no mistake, this Missouri team is still talented. 

Leading the way for Missouri is Grain Valley running back Ty Williams. Williams led the metro in rushing with 2,311 yards and 32 touchdowns. Williams is a punishing running back, who has the capability for running through and around defenders. 

Not only does the Kansas defense have to deal with Williams, they may have to deal with another big, physical running back in Pleasant Hill linebacker Brayden Bush – the winner of the Bobby Bell Award. Bush, who is known for his defense, also provides Missouri with another imposing running back that can move the chains, if head coach Logan Minnick decides to give him snaps during the game.

Having covered a Minnick coached team in recent years, I know he will try to use a lot of misdirection run game to open up the passing game. 

Other keys to the game:

I am looking forward to seeing the war in the trenches. The last few years Missouri has had the decided advantage up front on both sides of the ball. If Kansas can limit the pressure from getting to Dunn and Blaine, then this game will have a chance to be one of the best All-Star games in years.