25 SIX-PLAYER FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024
 

LUKE ALBERS, CUNNINGHAM
 
Albers was more of a primary target for Cunningham’s passing attack in 2023, and he responded with team-highs in receptions (35), receiving yards (509) and receiving touchdowns (9). That production earned him All-Six-Player first-team honors for the state runner-up Wildcats after he received honorable mention as a sophomore, when he caught 29 passes for 446 yards and 8 scores on Cunningham’s title-winning team. With top passer Will Wegerer also back, the Wildcats have an established connection that should continue to generate big numbers. Albers made a sizable impact on defense last season as well with 31 tackles and a team-leading 7 interceptions. He was a two-way All-Heart of the Plains first-team selection.
 

TREY ALLEN, WESKAN

The Coyotes are making their return to the Kansas State High School Activities Association in football and Allen will look to help make the Coyotes immediate contenders. Weskan wasn’t an official KSHSAA member in football last season but managed an 8-1 record, the lone loss coming to state champion Cheylin. Allen, also a star basketball player, is a standout receiver/linebacker and will be joined by several other returning starters as the Coyotes look to make noise this season.

BRECK AVERHOFF, INGALLS

Averhoff is a standout up front for the Bulldogs. The center/defensive end has also proved to be an effective pass catcher, hauling in 22 receptions for 470 yards and seven touchdowns last year as a junior. He logged 36 tackles and eight sacks. Averhoff was a first-team All-Six Player selection by KSHSAA Covered as an offensive lineman. Ingalls went 7-3 last year reaching the Six-Player quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Cheylin. 
 

TAGG BOND, CHETOPA
 
Chetopa graduated most of its production, on both sides of the ball, from its quick turnaround season under then first-year head coach Tommy Heatherly. The senior-laden team went 5-3, earning the team’s most wins since going 11-1 in 2014-15 during the last season under current Labette County head coach Sean Price. If the Green Hornets are going to replicate the success of 2023, Heatherly will likely look to Bond to take on a bigger role this season. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior tight end and linebacker was quarterback Blake Carter’s second downfield target behind wide receiver Cauy Ross. With those two graduated, as well running back Derrick Thomas, Bond will likely be the focal point for whoever wins the quarterback battle between senior Lawrence Holt and junior Jackson Lawellin.
 

 
OAKLEY DUVALL, SOUTH BARBER
 
Duvall and the Chieftains make their maiden voyage into the Six-Player division after finishing 8-2 last season in Eight-Player Division II. One of two returning starters, Duvall earned All-Heart of the Plains first-team honors at receiver after catching 28 passes for 579 yards and 8 touchdowns. He recorded 129 tackles as an all-league second-team linebacker, and also earned all-state honorable mention. Duvall, a senior, is the veteran on a young squad that brings good speed and quickness to the six-player game. 
 

 
CADE GOSSEN, PEABODY

As one of only two juniors on a Peabody team last year that had no seniors, Gossen had to take on a leadership role in addition to his production on the field. He delivered with another strong season that helped the Warriors to a 5-4 mark. Gossen led the team in tackles, recording 73 as a junior after collecting 80 as a sophomore, which ranked only behind older brother Colton in 2022. Gossen also was a complementary piece on offense, rushing for 281 yards and 8 touchdowns after running for 305 yards and 6 scores his sophomore season. He’ll be one of two seniors this year along with Chris Spencer, who plays tight end and linebacker, as Peabody looks to take the next step this season and advance deep into the playoffs.
 

DYLAN HALDERSON, CUNNINGHAM
 
Halderson had his breakthrough season last year as a sophomore, leading the Wildcat defense with 55 tackles, including 28 solo stops as an All-Heart of the Plains second-team linebacker. He also had two of Cunningham’s 20 interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles. His defensive role could shift as the Wildcats considered moving him to end during the offseason. When called upon offensively, Halderson also delivered, with five of his seven receptions going for touchdowns. That role figures to expand in a Cunningham offense that favors the pass.
 

CLAYTON HAMMEKE, PAWNEE HEIGHTS 

Pawnee Heights will have some big holes to fill after Jimmy Gardner moved away for his senior season and Davin Hamby graduated. Those two were the Tigers' top playmakers last year but Hammeke is back after turning in a solid junior season. He threw for 576 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 211 yards receiving with six touchdowns. On defense, he averaged eight tackles per game. He bounced back last year from a season-ending injury he suffered as a sophomore in 2022. The Tigers went 6-5 in 2023. 
 

JAKE HOOPINGARNER, OTIS-BISON

Hoopingarner returns at quarterback and linebacker for the Cougars, who are making the move to the Six-Player ranks this year following an 0-9 season last year. Hoopingarner will look to provide leadership and experience as Otis-Bison makes the transition. Otis-Bison will be coached by Marc Cowles, former Ness City and Weskan coach. He’ll look to help the Cougars break a skid of four straight losing seasons. Hoopingarner earned All-Central Prairie League honors last season. Cowles said Hoopingarner's hunger to win is evident and he's willing to do whatever necessary to help the team. 
 

 
AIDEN HURST, PEABODY

Thrust into Peabody’s starting quarterback job last year as a freshman, Hurst didn’t bat an eye or look the least bit intimidated. In fact, he looked like a comfortable veteran in enjoying a huge debut season. He started with an 140-yard game against Tescott and then threw for 298 yards the following week against Chetopa. Hurst finished the season throwing for 1,717 yards and 29 touchdowns, throwing for six touchdowns in three different games and a season-high 345 yards against Pawnee Heights. Hurst also had three games where he ran for more than 100 yards and finished with 734 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns. Hurst added 36 tackles on defense playing an end position. With leading receiver Jameson Miles back after a big freshman season at receiver as well, Hurst has his main connection to have an even bigger sophomore season.

 

HARLEY MCPHERSON, CHEYLIN

McPherson will be counted to help Cheylin offset heavy graduation losses from last season’s undefeated state championship squad. The defensive end recorded 46 tackles a year ago, 23 of them solo stops. McPherson and John Paul Sabatka will be interchangeable at quarterback and running back according to new head coach David Blochlinger, who takes over for Chris Walden.
 

 
JAMESON MILES, PEABODY

Miles was the other half of Peabody’s freshmen sensation a year ago, teaming with classmate quarterback Aiden Hurst to help the Warriors to a 5-4 record. With Hurst throwing for more than 1,700 yards, Miles was his No. 1 target, hauling in 31 passes for 844 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns. He snagged five TD grabs in a win over Altoona-Midway and had two games where he caught 4 TD passes. Miles saw spot duty on defense but could be asked to do more on that side of the ball and in other aspects of the game as Peabody looks to take the next step, returning the entirety of last year’s young team.
 

AUSTIN MILLER, TESCOTT

Miller returns as starting quarterback and outside linebacker for the Trojans, which enjoyed a solid 7-3 season last year. Miller completed 55 of 98 passes for 717 yards and four touchdowns as a junior and logged 55 tackles and two interceptions. He’s expected to take on an even bigger role in the offense this season and will look to capitalize on a strong summer.
 

LANGSTON NOTHERN, INGALLS

Nothern, a senior, has been Ingalls’ top offensive playmaker. He rushed for 837 yards and 20 touchdowns last year as a junior and had 220 yards receiving with six touchdowns. Nothern was 8 of 13 through the air for 138 yards and two scores. Nothern and lineman Breck Averhoff give the Bulldogs strong leadership as they look to help the team build on last year’s 7-win season. Nothern was honorable mention on KSHSAA Covered’s All-Six Player team last season.
 

DIEGO PEREZ, GOLDEN PLAINS

Perez is the top returner for the Bulldogs after earning first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty honors. Perez, a junior, is entering his third year as a starting running back and defensive end. He rushed for 413 yards and four touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 216 yards and two scores last season. He excelled on defense, recording 105 tackles last year. Golden Plains will look to improve on last season’s 2-7 record.

 CHARLIE PHELPS, TESCOTT

The junior tight end has started since his freshman year on offense and will be making the move to inside linebacker on defense this year. Phelps is looking to fill the void left by All-State linebacker Carter Peters, who graduated. Phelps recorded 39 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery last year as a sophomore. He is also likely to take on a bigger role on offense following the graduation of Dawson Lee.

 

 
NOBLE PHILLIPS, BURRTON
 
Phillips will begin the season at quarterback for Burrton, but new Chargers coach Tyler Dansel expects to move him around to any position that can benefit from the senior’s quickness and speed. Phillips received All-Heart of the Plains honorable mention at linebacker during Burrton’s 2-7 campaign in 2023. He will mix his defensive time there and at free safety. With only seven players on the team to start the season, Noble’s good health will be paramount to success, as the Chargers will need him on the field whenever possible.
 

JOSH RATH, GOLDEN PLAINS 

Rath gives the Bulldogs experience at quarterback and defensive back. He’ll be a three-year starter at both positions. Rath completed 64 of 130 passes for 671 yards in 2023. He rushed for 276 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries. On defense he logged 67 tackles with one interception and three fumble recoveries. He was honorable mention All-Western Kansas Liberty League as a junior. The Bulldogs return three all-league players that will look to help the Bulldogs’ improve from last year’s 2-7 season.
 

DAGIM REED, CUNNINGHAM
 
Reed’s diverse skills, primarily in the kicking game, have been crucial to Cunningham’s success the past three seasons. The senior earned All-Six-Player honors last season by making 35 of 42 conversion kicks – worth 2 points in the six-player game – and both of his field-goal attempts. The Wildcats looked to Reed less in the passing game last season as he had just four receptions, but defensively he registered 35 tackles, including three for loss, and intercepted two passes in nine games. Reed will see time at end and outside linebacker in addition to handling kicking duties.
 

JOHN PAUL SABATKA, CHEYLIN 

Sabatka will step into a larger role for the reigning champions. He recorded 59 tackles with 39 solo stops last year as a junior from his defensive end spot. He’ll share quarterback and running back duties with fellow senior Harley McPherson this season. Coach David Blochlinger lauded Sabatka and McPherson for their leadership as Cheylin looks to replace eight seniors from last year’s championship team. 

 

TRENT SCHNITTKER, CUNNINGHAM
 
The 250-pound Schnittker gave Cunningham a commanding presence up front as the Wildcats returned to the Six-Player state title game. A three-year starter, Schnittker earned All-Heart of the Plains first-team honors and All-Six-Player honorable mention. He enters his final season as the likely candidate at center and defensive end. Schnittker was third on the team in tackles last season with 51, including three for loss.
 

WILLIAM STACKHOUSE, ALTOONA-MIDWAY
 
Stackhouse hauled in 61 catches for 937 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns receptions while running for 713 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He also threw for 112 yards as he completed seven passes on 13 attempts. As a kick returner, Stackhouse averaged 44.3 yards per return and took two of his eight returns back for a touchdown. With him leading the way, Altoona-Midway is hoping to improve off from the team’s 3-7 campaign last season.
 

GAVIN THALHEIM, NORTHERN VALLEY

An elite defensive player, Thalheim is the top returning player from a Northern Valley squad that took significant graduation losses from last year’s 9-2 team. The linebacker/defensive end racked up 136 tackles last year as a sophomore after making 88 stops as a freshman. Thalheim contributed 426 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last year as a running back. He was first-team All-Six Player on defense last year and a first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty selection. Thalheim also handles kicking duties for the Huskies.
 

 
LANDON TRAVER, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY

With Marais des Cygnes Valley making the move down to six-player football this season, the Trojans will need a playmaker to lean on and Traver will be that guy. After all, that’s what he was a year ago for a young Trojan team that went 0-9. Traver was the brightest spot in a winless season for the Trojans, rushing for 833 yards, passing for 539 and catching passes for 386 yards. He finished with more than 2,200 all-purpose yards and scored a total of 13 touchdowns. Defensively, he was all over the field, making 88 tackles and having 3 tackles for loss and forcing two fumbles. Traver will split time between running back and receiver this season, though he also could see some snaps at quarterback. He earned second-team All-Lyon County League honors both ways a year ago.
 

WILL WEGERER, CUNNINGHAM
 
Wegerer was the primary passer last season in Cunningham’s dual-armed attack, completing 46 of 75 attempts for 839 yards and 20 touchdowns with two interceptions. Now-graduated all-state selection Luke McGuire added 544 yards and 11 TDs on 60 attempts, putting opposing defenses behind the 8-ball when it came to scheming for the Wildcats. Wegerer and top receiving target Luke Albers are back after leading Cunningham to the Class 1A Division II basketball title, and that senior connection should continue to thrive.