CLASS 1A FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
 

KLAYTON ADAMSON, ST. MARY’S COLGAN

Adamson has been a big part of Colgan’s success the last three seasons as the Panthers have put together a 29-5 record during that span, including a spot in the state semifinals in 2023. The Colgan senior will play a big role once again in 2025 as he is a four-year starter on the varsity level. As a running back/receiver, Adamson had a successful season in 2024 as he carried the ball 30 times for 279 yards and four touchdowns, to go along with 224 yards receiving and six scores. Adamson is also a starting defensive back. He earned honorable mention All-CNC and was an all-state selection as a wide receiver last season. 
 

 
QUENTIN ALDERFER, CENTRALIA

Alderfer moved into a starting spot in Centralia’s backfield last year after seeing limited time as a freshman in 2023 and ran with the opportunity. He finished as Centralia’s second-leading rusher behind senior spinner back Jacob Flentie, ending the season with 1,064 yards and 11 touchdowns. Alderfer was a first-team All-Twin Valley League pick on both sides of the ball and was the Panthers’ third-leading tackler with more 70 tackles. Alderfer will replace Flentie at the spinner back spot and will look to lead the Panthers back to the Class 1A state championship game after a runner-up finish to Conway Springs last fall.
 

RYDDIK BETHEL, PLAINVILLE

Bethel is a key player up front for the Cardinals. The two-way starter helped Plainville finish 8-3 last year. Bethel, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound senior, logged 45 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 forced fumbles last year. He was a first-team All-1A selection on offense and earned first-team All-Mid Continent League honors on offense and was second team all-league on defense. Plainville is loaded with experience, returning 10 starters on both sides of the ball as it looks to contend in 1A. 
 

CYRUS BLOUGH, MOUNDRIDGE
 
Blough, a junior, is one of the top specialists in Class 1A. A first-team All-Heart of America League selection at kicker and punter, Blough made 26 of 29 extra points for the Wildcats last season and averaged 32.5 yards on 18 punts, placing three inside the 20-yard line. His performance helped Moundridge finish 7-1 last season and win its second consecutive district title. Blough also earned All-1A honorable mention as a specialist. 
 

 
CONNER BUSH, ROSSVILLE
 
A three-year starter in the defensive secondary for the Bulldawgs, Bush led the team in tackles from his safety spot last year, recording 120 stops overall with 40 of those solo, earning him first-team All-Class 1A honors on defense. Bush had 9 tackles for loss, showing off his closing speed on the edge, and he tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions. Bush also was Rossville’s top running back last year, rushing for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be a valuable weapon in the backfield again this year as Rossville breaks in a new starting quarterback to replace two-year starter Tayson Horak. Bush is getting interest from MIAA schools.
 

MARIO DAVIS, PLEASANTON

Davis made an impact in every facet of the game for Pleasanton last season as he earned postseason honors in all three phases. Davis, a four-year starter for the Blu-Jays, had a big season last year on offense at wide receiver with 45 catches for 641 yards and six touchdowns. He also has more 1,000 career receiving yards and 14 scores. At defensive back, Davis registered 28 tackles and also had two interceptions. He was not only a first-team Three Rivers League selection at wide receiver, but earned first team honors at punter as well. He earned second team all-district honors at defensive back. 
 

 
WILL ELIAS, JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH

North’s JV starting quarterback his first two seasons, Elias took over the varsity job last year as one of a host of new starters after the Chargers graduated 11 seniors off its 2023 Class 1A state runner-up team. Elias had a solid debut season as a dual-threat option, rushing for 997 yards and 9 touchdowns and throwing for 591 yards and 5 scores. He started at defensive back on the state runner-up team and last year made 30 tackles as he earned second-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors both ways. Elias has also served as North’s kicker and punter during his career, lettering as a kicker his freshman season. With North only losing four seniors off last year’s 5-4 squad Elias will lead an experience team this season.
 

ZANE FARNEY, STERLING
 
Farney, a two-time, first-team all-state selection, has provided consistency to the Black Bears since his freshman year. Producing three straight seasons with at least 1,200 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, Farney ran for 1,676 yards and 20 scores last season as Sterling posted its second straight 6-4 record. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior also caught five passes for 70 yards and a score. Defensively, he added 67 tackles with 44 solo stops. Farney, who begins his final season with 4,386 career rushing yards and 48 rushing touchdowns, earned first-team All-Heart of America League on offense and second team on defense last fall. 
 

 
COLE FRANK, WABAUNSEE
 
Frank will be a man on the move for his senior season as he changes positions on both offense and defense for the Chargers. After rushing for 982 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, he’ll switch from running back to quarterback where he took a few reps last year and threw for 321 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, he moves from the secondary to a linebacker spot. Frank was a first-team All-Flint Hills League selection as a utility player on offense last year.
 

 
TY’ZELL HARRINGTON, RIVERSIDE
 
Harrington was part of a strong junior class that led Riverside to its best season under head coach Bryce Paden as the Cyclones finished 7-3. Harrington was the Cyclones’ leading receiver, hauling in 26 passes for 483 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also ran for 202 yards and was first-team All-Northeast Kansas League. A cornerback on defense, Harrington had 36 tackles and an interception. He’s got senior quarterback Beckham Griffin back throwing him the ball as Riverside looks to take another step this season.
 

JAMIE HAMILTON, ST. MARY’S COLGAN

Hamilton is entering his second year starting on the line of scrimmage for Colgan and he is a big piece on both sides of the ball. The Panther senior helps lead an offensive line that paved the way for a big season in 2024 as they scored 21 or more points in all but three games last season and scored 35 or more in seven those contests. Defensively is where Hamilton really stood out as he tallied 49 tackles, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He earned second team All-CNC honors on defense and was an honorable mention all-state selection. 
 

ISAAC HAMMERSMITH, HUTCHINSON TRINITY
 
Hammersmith, a senior, nearly replicated his 2023 season last fall, earning All-Heart of Amerian first-team honors on defense and second team on the offensive line. One of nine returning starters on defense, Hammersmith recorded 64 tackles as a junior – 16 more than he had two seasons ago – and had three sacks. Trinity posted its second consecutive 4-6 season, pushing Medicine Lodge to overtime in its season finale. With eight returning offensive starters, including Hammersmith to anchor the line, optimism is high. 
 

 
CHASE HEWINS, RIVERSIDE
 
Hewins was a force in the Cyclone secondary last season, earning first-team All-Class 1A honors after picking off a team-high 4 passes. He also ranked among the team leaders in tackles with 60 as an improved defense helped Riverside post its best season in nearly a decade as the Cyclones finished 7-3 – their most wins since 2013 and a five-win improvement over 2023. Hewins also lines up at receiver on offense and had 189 yards and 4 TDs on 14 catches. He also earned first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors on defense and is one of 11 starters back from that unit.
 

 
NOAH HINES, SACRED HEART

Hines has started at receiver since his freshman year, but became the primary target for fellow sophomore quarterback Maddox Wells last year. After having just 14 catches for 277 yards and 3 touchdowns his freshman season, Hines jumped to 43 catches for 702 yards and 12 touchdown grabs last year, ranking him among the best 1A receivers. With Wells also back this year, the duo could form one of the top pass-catch combos in 1A once again this year. Hines also starts at cornerback (24 tackles last year) and kicker.
 

PARKER HUTCHINSON, SMITH CENTER

The senior quarterback is back to lead Smith Center’s offense. As a junior, he rushed for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns while throwing for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s also a standout defensive back for the tradition-rich Redmen, who will look to re-establish themselves as a contender with several key returners from last year’s 4-5 season. Hutchinson earned first-team All-Mid Continent League honors on offense and defense last year.
 

ANDRE JOHNSON, ROSSVILLE
 
Rossville’s top linebacker last year, Johnson ranked second on the team in tackles with 102 total. His 49 solo tackles were a team-best and he’s a three-year starter there, earning second-team All-Big East League honors last year. Offensively, Johnson does a little bit of everything as he was the Bulldawgs’ third-leading rusher with 275 yards and 4 TDs and also had 167 receiving yards and 3 scores. He’s getting interest from a handful of MIAA programs and could take on an even bigger role in the offense this season.
  

 
KAIZER KANITZ, MOUNDRIDGE
 
Kanitz’s versatility earned him All-Class 1A first-team honors at receiver and All-Heart of America first-team accolades as a receiver, defensive back and returner last season. The 6-foot, 170-pound senior caught 47 passes a year ago for 718 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 22 carries for 91 yards and a score, and took two of his eight punt returns back for touchdowns. A starting free safety, Kanitz added 19 tackles and three interceptions as the Wildcats finished 7-1. Kanitz is a three-sport standout, helping the Wildcats win the Class 2A basketball title in 2024.
 

ZAYNE KELLER, MEDICINE LODGE
 
Keller, a senior, was a bit of an iron man last season for the Indians, playing every defensive and special teams snap. A middle linebacker and tight end, Keller led Medicine Lodge with 84 tackles and added two interceptions during their 7-3 run to the Class 1A quarterfinals. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Keller, a two-year starter, earned first-team All-Central Plains honors and All-1A honorable mention at linebacker. 
 

 
JAIDEN KURZEN, OLPE
 
Kurzen got a baptism under fire as a freshman in 2022, drawing the start in Olpe’s season opener and going up against All-State Top 11 pick Joe Otting of Hayden, who now plays for Notre Dame. Kurzen survived that test and hasn’t left the Eagles’ starting lineup since and will be an anchor for a veteran Olpe line this fall that returns four starters including fellow seniors Cade Whitmore and James Kimberlin. Kurzen has also started on the defensive line throughout his career, making 53 tackles and 10 tackles for loss and this year will rotate between defensive line and linebacker for the Eagles, who are coming off a 7-3 season.
 

 
BRAYDEN LIENEMANN, OLPE

A three-year starter on defense at linebacker for the Eagles, Lienemann was Olpe’s leading tackler last year with 117, including 62 solo stops. He’ll be one of nine returning starters from that unit this year. Lienemann played tight end for the Eagles last year, catching 15 passes for 264 yards, but will move to quarterback to replaced departed multi-year starter Dexton Hoelting, who was one of only three starters to graduate on that side of the ball.
 

CARSON LILES, TMP-MARIAN

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound quarterback delivered a sharp season through the air as a junior, throwing for 1,306 yards and 10 touchdowns with just five interceptions. The Monarchs return their top receiving weapons from last year’s 5-4 season and have experience up front. Liles also played defensive back and handled kicking duties last year, earning first-team All-1A honors as a special teamer. He received All-Mid-Continent League recognition on offense, defense and special teams. Liles is also a baseball standout for the Monarchs.
 

JAMESON LOOPER, MARION
 
Looper, a 1,300-yard rusher last season, provides some offensive stability to a Marion team that will field a new quarterback and looks to replace a pair of all-state linemen in Brian Nguyen and Luke Watkins. Looper scored 17 touchdowns for the Warriors in 2024, earning All-Heart of America first-team recognition and All-Class 1A honorable mention. Nguyen earned All-1A honors at linebacker, but Looper is part of a deep returning group at the position that should continue to make it a team strength. 
 

 
MADDOX MEERS, RIVERSIDE
 
Meers’ presence on the offensive line was huge in helping Riverside to its most wins since 2013 as the Cyclones completely flipped their 2-7 mark from 2023 into a 7-3 record last season. He earned first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors from his guard spot. His presence this year will be even greater as the Cyclones’ only true holes are up front where three starters around Meers graduated. Defensively, he had 33 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
 

 
DRAKE MELLIES, JACKSON HEIGHTS

Mellies burst onto the scene as a freshman starter for Heights in 2022, taking over at quarterback and in the secondary, earning first-team All-Northeast Kansas League honors on defense. He really took off offensively his sophomore season, amassing 1,872 yards of total offense and accounting for 27 touchdowns while also being a force defensive (4 interception for the second straight year) and in the return game with 2 punt return touchdowns. The rise continued last year as Mellies directed Heights to a 10-1 mark, rushing for 1,032 yards and 13 touchdowns and throwing for 1,022 yards and 15 TDs. He’s been a first-team all-league pick all three seasons and is a two-time first-team All-Class 1A selection as well. Mellies has nearly 5,000 yards of total offense in his career as well as 61 offensive touchdowns and will look to lead the Cobras’ run at a 1A state title this fall.
 

NICK MILLER, ELLINWOOD

The 5-foot-10, 255-pound junior is a force in the trenches for the Eagles. He became a full-time starter last year at defensive tackle and right guard and produced a strong season that earned first-team All-Central Prairie League honors on both sides of the ball. He also received honorable mention All-1A recognition. Ellinwood will look to improve upon last year’s 4-5 record.
 

KHARSON MONTGOMERY, SMITH CENTER

The senior has been one of the top two-way linemen in Class 1A throughout his career. He recorded 38 tackles and seven stops for loss last year. Montgomery earned honorable mention All-1A honors last season and was a first-team All-Mid-Continent League selection on both sides of the ball. He is also a standout wrestler, finishing runner-up at heavyweight in Class 3-2-1A each of the last two years.
 

 
WYATT NEWBERRY, STERLING
 
Newberry, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior, has provided solid complementary production to Sterling’s leading rusher Zane Farney while being a significant contributor in all three phases for the Black Bears. He earned All-Class 1A first-team honors in the secondary last season after recording 110 tackles – 75 solos – with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. He also added 717 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. A kick returner and punt returner for Sterling, Newberry earned first-team All-Heart of America at defensive back and honorable mention at running back.  
 

 
LOGAN OSNER, CONWAY SPRINGS
 
Osner was the Robin to KSHSAA Covered Top 11 pick Isaac Winter’s Batman last season for the unbeaten Class 1A champion Cardinals. While Winter ran for 1,934 yards and 23 touchdowns, Osner finished his junior season with 1,238 rushing yards and 12 scores. This season, Osner will be the feature back in the Cardinal wing offense behind four returning starters on the line. Defensively, he returns as a central figure at linebacker – the lone returnee in Conway Springs’ back seven -- after recording 73 tackles. Osner earned All-1A and All-Central Plains League honorable mention. 
 

JACOB SEIB, TMP-MARIAN

Seib was quarterback Carson Liles’ favorite target last year, hauling in a team-high 38 catches for 545 yards and 3 touchdowns in his sophomore season. He also was one of the Monarchs’ top defensive players in the secondary. Seib received honorable mention All-1A honors and was a first-team All-Mid-Continent-League selection as a receiver and defensive back. The Monarchs return a solid core from last year’s 5-4 team.
 

CARSTON SIMMONS, ST. MARY'S COLGAN

Simmons is entering his second year as Colgan’s signal caller and put together a strong 2024 campaign as he helped lead the Panthers to a 9-2 record and a spot in the state sectionals, before falling to Centralia. Simmons passed for 1,073 yards and 18 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He was also dangerous on the ground with 253 yards rushing and 10 more scores. Those numbers helped the Colgan quarterback earn a spot on the All-CNC second team and was an honorable mention all-state selection. 
 

CREIGHTON SMITH, VALLEY HEIGHTS

Smith was Valley Heights’ top lineman a year ago, earning first-team All-Twin Valley League honors on both sides of the ball. The Mustangs’ left guard, he’s a key blocker for their triple-option offense and last year helped pave the way for a ground game that racked up more than 3,000 yards on the ground and saw senior back Jayden DeWalt break the school’s rushing record with 1,625 yards. He had 56 knockdown blocks and as a four-year starter has racked up 101 such blocks in his career. On defense, he also had 33 tackles. Smith and fellow first-team all-league offensive lineman Lawson Stryker give the line a strong 1-2 combo as the Mustangs rebuild its ground attack with DeWalt and 900-yard rusher Logan Gray both having graduated.
 

ASHTON STULL, CONWAY SPRINGS
 
Opportunity knocked for Stull early in his sophomore season, when he entered Conway Springs’ lineup as an injury replacement. The 5-foot-10, 265-pound Stull hasn’t turned back, making 25 starts for the Cardinals and helping them win two consecutive Class 1A titles. After opening holes for Top 11 pick Isaac Winter last season, Stull, an all-district first-team pick who received All-1A honorable mention, returns as part of a hefty veteran group that includes seniors Cohen Newell and Bryson Lang along with junior Caleb Newell.
 

 
MADDOX WELLS, SACRED HEART

Wells moved into the starting quarterback position last year as a sophomore and helped the Knights win three straight games at the end of the regular season to improve on their 2023 record. He teamed with fellow sophomore Noah Hines to give Sacred Heart a potent passing attack and finished the season throwing for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 62% of his passes. Wells also started at safety and had 28 tackles and will take over at punter this year for departed all-leaguer Leon Rowe.
 

 
COOPER WIENS, INMAN
 
Wiens, a three-year starter, earned first-team All-Heart of America League honors on the offensive and defensive lines last season for the Teutons. A regular at left tackle and defensive end, Wiens, a senior, recorded a team-leading 83 tackles – 26 behind the line of scrimmage – and had six sacks. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Wiens is described by coach Lance Sawyer as “a hard-nosed player who has a great motor.” Wiens, a state medalist in the 3,200-meter relay in May, earned All-Class 1A honorable mention a year ago. 
 

 
AUSTIN ZELLER, JACKSON HEIGHTS
 
Zeller was a huge addition a year ago as a transfer in from nearby Holton, helping spark Heights to a 10-1 season and a trip to the Class 1A state quarterfinals. A 6-foot-3, 195 end, Zeller was a much-needed target in the passing game for standout quarterback Drake Mellies and finished last year with 15 catches for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also logged eight carries and averaged more than 30 yards per rush and scored on 7 of his eight runs. He was a force on defense too at his end spot and had 40 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Zeller, who has offers from a number of MIAA schools, was first-team All-Northeast Kansas League both ways a year ago.