The season is here, and players are already making it known they plan on making huge impacts for their teams on Friday nights.
This year there is a new honor that will separate the best of the best. The PrepsKC McCarthy Elite team will be announced at the season’s end with only 28 players making the cut. Each week PrepsKC will highlight a position group with some of the top players who are making waves and getting known for their work on the field.
This week we look at the guys tote the rock, the guys who take the pounding and then run to glory. This week we look at running backs and receivers. There will only be three spots for each position group on this team so this deep field will have to be cut down as the season goes on.
Let’s start on the Kansas side with some running backs to watch:
Cal Arndt, St. Thomas Aquinas – has been outstanding all year averaging 150.1 yards a game. Has 1,351 yards and 20 TDs in 9 games.
Reggie Reece, Mill Valley – The junior has burst onto the scene with two big games against Olathe South and Lee’s Summit North. Reece has continued with 1,873 yards and 26 touchdowns in 10 games.
Frankie Tryban, Blue Valley North – As the Mustangs fortunes have improved so has Tryban. He’s up to 1,370 yards and 11 touchdowns as North is in the 5A quarterfinals.
Patrick Stumpff, Spring Hill – His season ended last week but through the first nine games he had 1,260 yards and 16 TDs for the Frontier League champs.
Let’s take a look at the Missouri side of the state line:
Robert Palmer, Grain Valley – Through the first few weeks Palmer looked on his way to a monster season averaging more than 200 yards a game. Though he came back to earth a little down the stretch he finished with 1,472 yards and 18 TDs averaging 9.4 yards a carry in 10 games.
Jaxon Hicks, Liberty – The Jays senior tailback is a big reason his team is still playing heading into the district finals. He has rushed for 1,990 yards with 23 TDs while averaging 8.5 yards a carry.
Darius Morgan and Kendrick Hawkins, Blue Springs South – Normally we would talk about players individually, but this pair have turned in almost identical seasons so far. Hawkins has 986 yards and 13 TDs while Morgan has rushed for 942 yards and 16 TDs.
AJ Smith, Warrensburg – The Tigers are playing for a district title at Pleasant Hill this week and Smith has been tearing it up with 1,514 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Preston Hatfield, Lee’s Summit – The junior has rushed for 1,203 yards and 13 TDs while averaging 7.6 yards per carry in 10 games.
This year there are a good group of receivers but only three will be on the PrepsKC McCarthy Elite team.
Let’s start on the Kansas side:
Quin Myers, Blue Valley West – The Jaguars senior has been the main target for standout quarterback Tate Nagy. Myers has 68 catches for 828 yards with 10 TDs for the Jaguars as they prepare to play in the 6A quarterfinals against Shawnee Mission Northwest
Sam Niesen, St. James Academy – As the Thunder have made their way through the 5A bracket Niesen has been huge for his team. Niesen sits at 827 yards averaging 15.6 yards per catch.
Teryn Jackson, Bishop Miege – The Stags have started to find some wins and the offense has been a big reason. Jackson has 707 yards on 52 catches and six touchdowns.
Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights – Heights was an offensive juggernaut even though wins were hard to come by. Parker finished with 50 catches for 946 yards with 11 touchdowns in 9 games.
The Missouri side could be deeper with at least seven receivers averaging more than 20 yards per reception.
Isaiah Mozee, Lee’s Summit North – He’s been dinged up at times this year and only played in eight games but he sits at 778 yards on 50 receptions with 12 touchdowns.
Tommy Hutsler, St. Pius X – The junior has put up big numbers in limited time on the field. The Warriors are one of the top offenses in the Metro and Hutsler has 45 catches for 855 yards and 17 touchdowns as St. Pius X gets ready to take on Platte County in the Class 5 District 8 championship game.
Larry Porter, Raytown – The senior finished with 92 receptions for 1,410 yards and 18 TDs.
Karsten Fiene, Lee’s Summit – Another big-play receiver the junior is averaging 17.2 yards a catch to go along with 929 yards and 15 TDs in 10 games.
