25 EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION I FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2023
 

AIDEN AMREIN, HILL CITY

Hill City suffered significant graduation losses off last year’s 10-2 team that reached the state semifinals, but the Ringnecks also bring back one of the top quarterbacks in Eight-Player football in Amrein. He played through injury to finish with over 2,179 yards of total offense and 32 total touchdowns. Amrein did most of his damage through the air, completing 105 of 167 passes for 25 touchdowns. Jaden Nuss is another standout senior who will share the backfield with Amrein while juniors Dayton Stephen and Cameron Atkins will look to fill the receiving void left by Kaleb Atkins. Amrein captured the Class 3-2-1A 175-pound state wrestling championship last winter.
 

 
JOSE AREVALO, BURLINGAME

Arevalo was an impact performer in the kicking game for Burlingame, somewhat of a rarity at the eight-player level. He connected on 30 of 37 PAT kicks a year ago. He might have been an even bigger weapon on kickoffs with 45 touchbacks on 88 kickoffs, forcing Bearcat opponents to start deep in their own territory more times than not. Arevalo also averaged 32 yards per punt and was the first-team All-Eight-Player Division I kicker. He’ll also start on the offensive line for the Bearcats this fall.
 

 
BRAYDEN BERENS, PRATT-SKYLINE

Berens accounted for more than 70% of Skyline’s offense a year ago on his way to first-team All-Heart of the Plains honors. Berens threw for 659 yards and 5 touchdowns and also was the Thunderbirds’ leading rusher with 473 yards and 8 TDs. He had a hand in 1,132 of Skyline’s 1,602 yards of total offense and 17 of the team’s 24 touchdowns. Berens also was the leading tackler by more than 30 tackles with 94 total stops, including 59 solos and 6 tackles for loss. He picked off 4 passes and had 8 sacks.
 

 
SPENCER COUP, SOLOMON

A three-sport standout who captured the Class 1A state golf title last spring, Coup is a three-year starter at quarterback for the Gorillas, stepping in as a sophomore starter on Solomon’s 5-4 2021 team. After throwing for 502 yards that year, Coup nearly tripled his production a year ago, throwing for 1,407 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also ran for 528 yards and 7 scores, earning first-team All-Wheat State League honors. Coup also had 58 tackles.
 

 
LANE DARBRO, MADISON

A starter at tight end on Madison’s 10-2 state semifinal team in 2021, Darbro moved into the backfield to a fullback spot last season. He only ran for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns on 34 carries, but was a devastating blocker for record-setting back Bryson Turner. Darbro was a unanimous first-team All-Lyon County League pick at defensive end for the Bulldogs last year, making 37 tackles with 5 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions. He might line up some at linebacker this year to allow him to become an even bigger playmaker on defense and with Turner having graduated, Darbro will likely take on a bigger offensive role as well.
 

 
RYDER DENT, ELL-SALINE
 
Ell-Saline made the transition to eight-player football last year and Dent helped lead the Cardinals to a 6-3 mark. He was Ell-Saline’s leading tackler a year ago with 109 and had 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 recoveries, earning first-team All-Heart of America League honors at linebacker. Dent has started at left guard on offense the past couple of seasons, but will shift into the backfield this season as Ell-Saline looks to replace leading ground gainer Kade Wilson.

 

LAKIN GETZ, QUINTER

The 5-10, 220-pound linebacker racked up 106 tackles last year. Quinter finished the season strong, knocking off Clifton-Clyde in the first round of the playoffs and nearly upsetting Meade in the next round before dropping a 30-28 heartbreaker. Getz is one of several returners looking to make a deeper run this year. Getz, now a senior, was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League pick and was an honorable mention selection on KSHSAA Covered’s All-Eight-Player Division I team last year.
 

 
BROCK GRIFFIN, CHASE COUNTY

For the past three seasons, Griffin has served in a complementary role in the Bulldog backfield with Mitch Budke carrying the bulk of the offensive load. With Budke now gone, along with fellow back Cal Kohlmeier, Griffin will step to the forefront as Chase County’s primary offensive weapon. Last year he ran for 548 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Griffin also ranked second to Budke in tackles last year with 117 and is a two-time All-District selection at linebacker.
 

 
TANNER HECKEL, LYNDON

There may not be a more impactful transfer in the state than Heckel, who spent the past three seasons as a starter for Inman, helping the Teutons to back-to-back runner-up state finishes in Class 1A. This year, he hopes to get that elusive title at Lyndon, moving to the eight-player division. Heckel was hampered by injuries early a year ago but came on strong and finished the season with 882 yards rushing and 1,109 passing with a combined 27 touchdowns, earning first-team All-1A honors. He also had 47 tackles and 2 interceptions and in the spring captured a pair of state track titles. He’ll join a backfield that returns All-District running back Jalen Massey, who ran for 991 yards a year ago, giving Lyndon a big-time 1-2 punch behind Division I lineman Kaedin Massey.
  

KHRIS HERMOSILLO, WICHITA COUNTY

Hermosillo was an integral part of Wichita County’s undefeated season in 2022. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder was a load to bring down, relying on a power running style to rush for 1,251 yards and 23 touchdowns on 132 carries. Hermosillo also shined at defensive end, recording 9.5 sacks. He was a first-team All-Hi Plains League on both sides of the ball and was a first-team All-Eight Player Division I pick on defense by KSHSAA Covered. The reigning champs will have to adjust to losing star quarterback Erhik Hermosillo, Khris’ older brother, but also return several key players to mount a strong title defense.
 

BROCK KEITH, MEADE

After helping Meade win a state championship in 2021 in more of a complementary role, Keith emerged as one of the Buffaloes’ top playmakers on both sides of the ball last year as a junior. Keith rushed for 930 yards and 17 touchdowns and logged 90 tackles with two interceptions. Meade is coming off a 9-2 season. The Buffaloes lost quarterback Grayden Stapleton to graduation but return several key players and will look to remain in contention for another state title. Keith has also doubled as a cross country runner in the fall. His twin brother Logan is one of the best distance runners in the state. 
 

 
CREYO KOOP, WEST ELK

Koop has been nothing sort of sensational in his first two seasons at West Elk. He opened eyes immediately as a freshman rushing for 1,272 yards and 24 touchdowns and also leading the Patriots in tackles with 68. Last year as a sophomore, he was even better.  Playing two fewer games, he still ran for 1,129 yards and 24 touchdowns and had 61 tackles. Koop not only was a first-team All-South Central Border League pick both ways, he also earned first-team All-Eight-Player I honors at returner after taking back four punt returns and one kickoff return for a touchdown. He already has seven return touchdowns in his career. Koop also is a standout wrestler, a two-time state placer.
 

 
TRENT LONG, CLIFTON-CLYDE

Whether he was lined up at quarterback or running back in Clifton-Clyde’s offense the ball usually ended up in Long’s hands. And he usually did something pretty good with it as he led the Eagles to a 7-2 mark. Long led the team in rushing with 850 yards and 17 touchdowns and also in passing with 481 yards and 7 scores. Long also was the Eagles’ leading tackler and a first-team All-Twin Valley League selection. With the emergence of junior Jack Skocny as a potential starter at quarterback, Long may settle more into a flex role this year on offense, but still be Clifton-Clyde’s most valuable weapon.
 

JONATHAN MADER, HOXIE

Mader was one of the top defensive players in the Eight-Player ranks last year. The 5-foot-10, 186-pound senior logged 114 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries to help the Indians go 7-3. He’ll be counted on to help lead a Hoxie squad that took significant graduation losses. He was also a key cog on the offensive line, earning first-team All-Mid-Continent League honors on offense as well as defense. Coach Lance Baar said Mader will likely be transitioning to the backfield from guard this season. 
 

 
KAEDIN MASSEY, LYNDON

Division I Power 5 schools don’t often dip into the Eight-Player ranks when it comes to recruiting, but Massey defies those odds. At 6-8, 280 pounds, it’s easy to see why Massey was a major target, eventually committing to Kansas State. He’s coming off a junior season where he was a first-team All-District pick on both sides of the ball, recording 67 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 4 sacks last year. Massey also is a force in basketball and was one of the top discus throwers in the state last year. He’s one of six returning starters for the Tigers, who have expectations of challenging for a state title this season.
 

CORBIN MICEK, WAKEENEY-TREGO 

The Golden Eagles lost most of their offensive production from last year to graduation but return a  solid two-way player in Micek at tight end and on the defensive line. Micek was a second-team All-Mid-Continent League pick last year and was honorable mention on KSHSAA Covered’s All-Eight Player Division I team. Micek, 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, caught seven passes for 110 yards with two touchdowns last year and made 25 tackles with one sack. Trego is coming off a 6-4 season.

CHRISTOPHER MICHEL, WICHITA COUNTY

Michel was a big reason why Wichita County set the Eight-Player record for scoring offense in a season during their 13-0 campaign last year. At guard, Michel helped pave the way for Erhik Hermosillo and company up front. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was also a force on the defensive line, finishing with 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. He was honorable mention on KSHSAA Covered’s All-Eight Player Division I team.

CADEN MORGAN, LA CROSSE

Morgan enters his third season as the Leopards' starting quarterback. He put up big numbers last year as a junior, completing 103 of 196 passes for 1,703 yards and 25 touchdowns. Morgan will have his favorite target back in Gage Burk, who caught 44 passes for 702 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Morgan was a second-team All-Central Prairie League pick last year and honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I by KSHSAA Covered. La Crosse will look to bounce back from a 4-5 season. 
  

 
DALTON MORRISON, ARGONIA-ATTICA

Morrison was Argonia-Attica’s most productive player on both sides of the ball last year, helping the Titans to a 5-4 record. His versatility on offense showed as he ran for a team-high 832 yards and 21 touchdowns, threw for 227 yards and 4 TDs and had another 145 yards and a touchdown receiving. Defensively, his 97 tackles were 41 more than any teammate posted and he tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries. Morrison, who attends Argonia, was a first-team All-South Central Border League selection both ways.
 

 
JACKSON RISLEY, SOUTH SUMNER COUNTY

South Sumner’s first year as a co-op between Caldwell and South Haven was a rousing success as the Outlaws went 9-1, and Risley was a big reason for the success. His biggest presence came defensively as he led the team in tackles from his linebacker spot with 138, including 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 3 fumbles forced. Risley also was the leading receiver on a run-dominant team with 246 yards, primarily using his 6-2, 190 frame to block for All-Eight-Player I quarterback Keiondre Smith, who had more than 2,400 yards of total offense. Risley is one of seven returning starters for the Outlaws this season and was a first-team All-South Central Border League pick both ways.
 

 
CARTER STANSBURY, LITTLE RIVER

Perhaps the biggest question mark going into last season for Little River was how it would replace three starting lineman from the 2021 state runner-up team – a group that also helped Little River to the 2020 state championship. Stansbury helped fill the holes quite nicely as Little River made it back to its third straight title game before finishing runner-up to Wichita County. This year, Stansbury will be the known commodity as Little River replaces its entire backfield, one that racked up 50.4 points and 320.4 yards of total offense per game. Stansbury also had 39 tackles on defense.
 

SAM WATKINS, HOXIE

A standout for Hoxie's powerhouse wrestling program, Watkins is no slouch on the football field either. Watkins, 6-2, 195 pounds, recorded 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks last year as a sophomore. He is also the Indians' top returning pass catcher after hauling in 12 passes for 150 yards and a TD from his tight end spot. He earned second-team All-Mid-Continent League honors and was named honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I by KSHSAA Covered. 
 

 
DANE WINTERS, BURLINGAME

Winters filled a variety of roles for Burlingame’s offense a year ago as a sophomore with the Bearcats able to line him up just about anywhere to utilize his playmaking abilities. He ended up with 34 catches for 569 yards and 7 touchdowns in the passing game and ran for 421 yards and 7 scores. With the graduation of quarterback Colby Middleton, Winters will become a bigger focal point of the offense this year, once again lining up just about everywhere. Defensively, Winters also shined with 74 tackles, 3 interceptions and 6 pass breakups to earn first-team All-Lyon County League honors.
 

   
CASTEN WIRTH, LYNDON

Wirth ranked second on the Tigers in tackles as a sophomore in 2021 but was far and away their leading tackler last year. Wirth was one of the top tacklers in Eight-Player Division I in fact, recording 130 total tackles with 112 of those solo stops. He had 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks and also picked off two passes, earning All-District and honorable mention All-Eight-Player I honors. Wirth also was a key blocker from his tight end spot for the Tiger offense, as well as catching 5 TD passes. 
 

 
JACE WUNDERLICH, CENTRAL-BURDEN
 
Quarterbacks tend to flourish in Jeff Savage’s wide-open spread passing attack and Wunderlich was the latest to take advantage. After throwing for just over 1,200 yards combined as a freshman and sophomore, Wunderlich easily topped that production a year ago when he threw for 1,700 yards and 28 touchdowns. Wunderlich also ran for 635 yards and 11 scores. He will miss the service of leading receiver Bradan Balman, but every other receiver is back. Wunderlich also led the Raiders in tackles with 99, picking off 3 passes and recovering 3 fumbles on his way to first-team All-South Central Border League honors.