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 go back across the line of scrimmage and talk all things linebacker. There are always a good group of linebackers in the Metro, but this year might be one of the deepest and most talented group in decades. As we put together a list of players to watch the number easily crept toward 30. Here are just a few names to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
As we have in the past, we start on the Kansas side.
Dawson Merritt, Blue Valley – The senior is part of a talented defense but that doesn’t mean you don’t hear his name called a bunch on Friday nights. The Alabama commit mans the second level, but he can also be a key pass rusher on big downs.
Jayden Woods, Mill Valley – After spending his first two seasons with his hand in the dirt the senior moves back to the middle. Linebacker spot to anchor the Jaguars defense. Size, speed and game knowledge makes Woods the player other teams have to find first on every play. He is a Penn State commit that backs it up every Friday.
Ashton Moore, Louisburg – When he’s not scoring touchdowns from the running back position all Moore is doing is putting up 100 tackles a year. Runs sideline to sideline with the best of them and has been a big part of a Louisburg team that is 20-3 since he became a large part of the team in 2022.
Garrett Pierce, Basehor-Linwood – The senior is the anchor of a defense that is a strength for the Bobcats in 2024. He is coming off a season with over 100 tackles and is leading a team that is off to a 3-0 start heading into a showdown with United Kansas Conference rival DeSoto. Pierce will be a big part of whatever success Basehor-Linwood has in 2024.
Others to Watch:
Maguire Richman, sr., Blue Valley
Tannar McDaniel, sr., Piper
Parker Moore, sr., Lawrence Free State
Joshua Galbreath, jr., Lawrence
Jack Cook, sr., Blue Valley West
Don’t worry Missouri is loaded as well. Let’s take a look at some linebackers from the Show-Me State.
Theo Grace, Kearney – The Bulldogs are coming off a Class 4 championship in 2023 and are currently 4-0 and on a 15-game winning streak. While Kearney’s offense was a powerhouse in 2023 the defense was a standout unit during their title run. This season the defense looks even better shutting out Fort Osage and Grandview in the first two weeks then allowing 14 points to Smithville and 17 to Park Hill.
Isaiah Hung, Liberty – The senior is the anchor of a defense that has been dominant since a season opening loss to Lee’s Summit. The Jays have allowed just 26 total points in wins over Liberty North, Raytown South and Park Hill South. The hallmark of a Liberty defense is toughness and physicality, and Hung is front and center with this group.
Anthony Thompson, Fort Osage – While his older brother takes snaps for the Dolphins on Sundays, Thompson is imposing his will on Metro offenses. He has anchored a defense that went to the Class 5 title game as a sophomore and is currently one of the best units in Class 5 in the Metro. Thompson has also subbed in at running back so he has a little bit of ability on that side of the ball as well.
Carl Molle, St. Pius X – The Warriors are one of the top programs in the Metro and have been dominant this season. The only blemish is a week No. 1 loss to Class 6 No. 1 Rockhurst. In that game Pius held the Hawklets to 24 points and since that time only 15 in wins over St. Michael, Cameron and Maryville. Molle is a 100 tackle a season player with double digit tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Others to watch:
Jade Richberg, jr., Blue Springs South
Haze Middleton, jr., Smithville
Chase Pearsall, sr., Lee’s Summit North
Landon Nolan, sr., Savannah
Mason Wright, jr., Park Hill South
