EIGHT-PLAYER DIVISION I FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
 

TATE BALTHAZOR, HILL CITY

Balthazor is back to build on a strong junior season that saw him pass for 1,449 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Ringnecks expect to have plenty of depth and experience up front to keep their three-year starting quarterback protected as they look to improve on last year’s 7-4 season. They’ll need to develop new playmakers around Balthazor after graduating a versatile weapon in Dayton Stephen. Balthazor was a second-team All-MCL selection last season and earned honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I honors.
 

MAT BRETZ, HOXIE

After losing a whopping 10 seniors off last year’s undefeated state champion squad, the Indians will turn to Bretz as a leader. Now a junior, he played a key role in Hoxie’s stingy defensive unit as a linebacker last year. He’ll also see more action on offense as a running back this season. Bretz earned honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I honors last season and earned a first-team spot on the All-Mid Continent League team. Bretz and lineman Javon Kachel are Hoxie’s only returning starters.
 

ASA BRISCOE, SOUTH GRAY

Briscoe was a catalyst in helping the Rebels produce a solid 6-4 season a year ago. He played defensive end and fullback, earning first-team All-SPIAA honors on defense and honorable mention on offense. Briscoe logged 27 tackles with one sack and caught 16 passes for 257 yards and seven touchdowns. The senior will remain at defensive end this season but move to guard on offense. An honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I selection in 2024, Briscoe is looking for a strong senior season to open up possible opportunities at the next level. 
 

TYLER BROWN, OXFORD
 
Brown has made his 6-foot-4, 250-pound presence felt for the Wildcats in his first two seasons, recording 97 tackles with 13 behind the line of scrimmage. He racked up a team-high 4.5 sacks in 2024, as Oxford finished 7-3 with its first playoff victory in 20 years. Brown, a junior, recorded 50 tackles last fall with 10 for loss. He also caught four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown at tight end. Brown earned first-team All-South Central Border League and all-district honors on defense.
 

COOPER CRISS, CEDAR VALE/DEXTER
 
Criss, a junior, enters his third season at quarterback for the Spartans with 2,949 career passing yards and 43 touchdowns. He directed Cedar Vale/Dexter to a 5-4 record last season after a 2-7 mark in 2023. With his top target, junior Maverick Schalk, and four other receivers who caught at least 12 passes returning, Criss will have plenty of options after completing 127 of 235 attempts for 1,723 yards and 29 touchdowns a year ago. Criss, a first-team All-South Central Border League selection who also received All-Eight-Player I honorable mention, has 12 career rushing touchdowns and a receiving TD.
 

BRODIE CRITES, CENTRAL PLAINS

Central Plains coach J.D. Johnson believes Crites is still one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in the state despite building an impressive resume over his first two seasons. After throwing for 945 yards and 19 touchdowns as a freshman, Crites finished with 1,333 yards passing and 18 TDs as a sophomore in helping lead the Oilers to a state runner-up showing. Johnson says Crites has a “great wealth of knowledge for the game but continues to be a sponge and soak up every bit of knowledge he can.” Crites earned honorable mention All-Central Prairie League honors last year and was honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I.
 

LANDON DANIELS, CENTRAL PLAINS

Daniels is one of the top eight-man offensive linemen in the state and played a pivotal role in helping the Oilers reach the state title game a year ago. The 6-foot, 232-pounder earned first-team All-Eight-Player Division I honors as a junior and picked up first-team All-Central Prairie League recognition on both sides of the ball. Daniels and fellow returning starter Peyton Kempke will provide much-needed protection for quarterback Brodie Crites and open up running lanes for the Oilers’ backs.
 

 
OCTAVIAN DEAN, MADISON

Coming off a solid sophomore season for the Bulldogs, Dean had a huge junior season for Madison as it upset Ell-Saline early in the Eight-Player Division I playoffs and went 7-4 overall. In particular, Dean became a dominant force on defense where he recorded 123 tackles and had 21 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries from his end position. He also force three fumbled and recovered one, earning first-team All-Lyon County League honors. Dean also was first-team all-league at tight end and though he only had 11 catches for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns, he was a key blocker for 1,000-yard rushing Cruz Leiser.
 

TRU DEWEY, RAWLINS COUNTY

Dewey will return to the same linebacker and tight end positions where he earned first-team All-Northwest Kansas League and honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I honors last year as a junior. Dewey, a three-year starter on defense, logged 92 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 5 interceptions. He made nine receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns. The Buffaloes went 7-3 in 2024.
 

DAYLAN FAIRCHILD, RAWLINS COUNTY

A three-year starter at guard and two-year starter at defensive tackle, Fairchild has established himself as one of the top eight-man linemen in the state. He was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League selection on both sides of the ball last year and also picked up first-team All-Eight-Player Division I honors on offense. Fairchild racked up 75 tackles, 21 stops for loss and 4.5 sacks as a junior. The Buffaloes have to replace a star skill player in Ryan Sramek but will bring back significant experience from last year’s 7-3 team.
 

JONATHAN FROESE, SUBLETTE

Froese is one of seven returning starters on offense and eight defense as the Larks’ return a wealth of experience from last year’s 7-3 team. The running back/linebacker received first-team All-Hi-Plains League honors on both sides of the ball and was honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I. The senior-laden Larks are hungry to make a deep run in the playoffs.
 

DAYTON FROMHOLTZ, ST. FRANCIS

St. Francis returns its top receiver in Fromholtz, who made 60 catches for 617 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. The Indians bring back their entire starting offensive unit from last year’s 5-4 team. Fromholtz also plays defensive end, one of seven returning starters on that side of the ball. He was a first-team All-Northwest Kansas League selection on offense and earned honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I honors.
 

 
JAREN GARRISON, LITTLE RIVER
 
The younger brother of former All-Stater Jayden Garrison, Jaren possesses some of the same versatility his sibling displayed in leading the Redskins to an Eight-Player Division I state championship in 2020. The junior has lined up at about every skill spot in the Little River backfield in his first two years and will be a hybrid quarterback/running back this season as the Redskins replace starting quarterback Logan Renken. Last year, Garrison led the Redskins with 889 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns and also threw for 188 yards and 3 TDs, earning first-team All-Wheat State League honors at running back. He ranked third on the team in tackles with 63 from his linebacker spot where he was second-team all-league.
 

 
WYATT GRIFFIN, CHASE COUNTY
 
On a team loaded with upperclassmen in 2023, Griffin stepped in and took over the starting quarterback job and helped lead Chase County to a 7-4 record, throwing for 1,351 yards and 15 touchdowns. Griffin took on a bigger load last year, particularly in the running game as he went over 1,000 yards on the ground as well as through the air. He finished his junior season throwing for 1,006 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 1,006 yards and 21 scores in leading Chase County to another seven-win season. After the offense lost versatile back Luke Budke, Griffin will be counted on even more this season to carry the load as new skill players emerge around him. He is an Emporia State commit.
 

JACK HERD, SOUTH CENTRAL

Herd put together a huge junior season from his linebacker spot, recording 120 tackles, 2 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and two defensive touchdowns. He’s already amassed 323 career tackles. On offense, Herd will move from guard to tight end this year. He was a first-team All-Eight-Player Division I selection last season and a first-team All-SPIAA pick on both sides of the ball. South Center is one of the top contenders after going 11-1 last season.
 

EASTON HUCK, SOUTH CENTRAL

Huck handled quarterback duties for the Timberwolves as a sophomore last year when J.T. Prusa shifted over to running back/receiver. It proved to be a wise move, with Huck throwing for 1,260 yards and 24 touchdowns and adding 528 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. That production earned him first-team All-SPIAA honors and honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I recognition. At defensive back, he recorded 28 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Huck will start again at quarterback and defensive back as the Timberwolves look to make a run for a state title.
 

KAS KRAMER, ELL-SALINE
 
After helping Ell-Saline reach the Eight-Player I semifinals two seasons ago, Kramer was a two-way force for the Cardinals as a junior, running for 1,020 yards and 20 touchdowns, and intercepting seven passes. Kramer’s ability to impact a game was highlighted in Ell-Saline’s eighth and final victory of 2024, when he scored eight touchdowns – five rushing, one receiving and two on fumble returns – in a 56-8 victory over Rock Hills. Kramer had five receiving touchdowns and 40 tackles last season, earning first-team all-district honors on offense and defense and All-Eight-Player I honorable mention.
 

REESE KRONE, ELL-SALINE
 
Krone, a senior, was efficient last year in his first varsity season at quarterback. Switching from tight end after the 2023 campaign, Krone passed for 695 yards with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions as Ell-Saline finished 8-2. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Krone led the Cardinals’ defense with six sacks. Krone caught 17 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore, helping Ell-Saline post a 10-2 record and reach the Eight-Player I semifinals. Krone earned first-team all-state honors last fall at the defensive flex position, and was a two-way all-district selection. 
 

 
CRUZ LEISER, MADISON
 
Having missed his entire sophomore season with an injury, Leiser hit the ground running to make up for lost time last year and paired with Colton Isch to give Madison a dynamic duo in its offensive backfield. Leiser led the Bulldogs in rushing with 1,105 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Lyon County League honors and leading Madison to a 7-4 mark at the Eight-Player Division I state quarterfinals. With Isch gone, Lesier may take on an even bigger role in the offense this year and also will move into a starting role on defense at an end position to bookend with returning first-team all-leaguer Octavian Dean.
 

 
DRAKE LOVEALL, MADISON
 
With Madison boasting playmakers on its defensive line in Octavian Dean and Packer Bolinger, Loveall was able to roam free from his linebacker position and have a huge year in his first year as a starter. After recording 39 tackles in a reserve role as a sophomore, Loveall led the Bulldogs with 153 tackles last year, earning him Lyon County League defensive player of the year honors. He added 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries and also forced three fumbles. Loveall, a bull rider in the offseason, will wrangle opposing defensive linemen this year as well as he moves into a starting guard position on offense to try and help Madison improve on last year’s 7-4 record.
 

DYLAN LUNA, WICHITA COUNTY

Luna is a three-year starter for the Indians at receiver and defensive back. He was Wichita County’s top receiver and logged 24 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and one interception for the Indians, who went 8-2 in 2024, falling to eventual champion Hoxie in the quarterfinals. Luna earned first-team All-Hi-Pains League honors in the secondary as a junior. He’ll be counted to help the Indians replace a strong senior class from last year. 
 

 
JAMES MARCOTTE, LYNDON
 
The lone remaining starter off Lyndon’s 2023 undefeated Eight-Player Division I state championship team, Marcotte helped a young Lyndon team maintain a winning record last year after graduation claimed seven seniors off the title squad with the Tigers going 5-4. The second-leading tackler on the title team as a sophomore with 99 stops, Marcotte led the Tigers last year with 47 of his 64 tackles solos, while also coming up with a pair of interceptions. He took on a leading role in the offense, even more so when returning quarterback Eli Feltner went down with an injury, and finished the season with 887 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns. He added 303 receiving yards with 5 scores through the air. Marcotte will lead a veteran Lyndon squad this fall as seven starters return on offense and six are back on defense.
 

XAVIER MILLER, LINCOLN

Miller put up impressive receiving numbers as a sophomore, catching a whopping 20 touchdowns from his twin brother Jeremiah and posting 850 receiving yards. He earned first-team All-District 4 honors and landed on the All-Eight-Player Division I first team. Miller is part of a strong returning core from last year’s 6-3 team that also includes Ben Bell, who had 700 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season. The Leopards will be eying the school’s first-ever playoff win.
 

KADE MORALES, SUBLETTE

Sublette returns a key playmaker in Morales at the running back and defensive back spots. He earned first-team All-Hi-Plains League honors as a junior and was honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I. He’ll look to help lead Sublette to a playoff run following last year’s 7-3 season.
 

 
CHRIS NOREZ, LITTLE RIVER

Little River’s vocal leader and strongest player in the weight room, Norez is looking to make an even bigger impact on the field last year after being a role player for the Redskins last year. He started on offense at a guard spot and will be the leader of the unit this year with the graduation of All-Eight-Man I pick Ruxton Birdsong. Norez will drop back from the line to a linebacker spot on defense this year as well and that should help his tackle numbers increase after he only had 14 stops last year. Norez’s biggest impact a year ago came on special teams where he was first-team All-Wheat State League at kicker after having 21 touchbacks. Norez suffered a knee injury during the preseason that could affect his season, however.
 

JOSIAH PATTANGALL, OBERLIN

Pattangall is a dynamic playmaker for the Red Devils. He ran for more than 1,300 yards with 17 touchdowns as a sophomore. Pattangall is also a standout linebacker, earning first-team All-Northwest Kansas League honors at both his positions last year. He was honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I. Pattangall is one of several key returners looking to help the Red Devils improve on last year’s 4-5 finish.
 

LUCAS RAILE, ST. FRANCIS

Raile delivered impressive numbers through the air for the Indians as a junior. He passed for 1,745 yards and 21 touchdowns. A dual threat, Raile added 597 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. All of his top receiving targets are back, led by Drayton Fromholtz. Raile was a second-team All-Northwest Kansas League selection at quarterback and earned honorable mention All-Eight-Player Division I honors.
 

MAVERICK SCHALK, CEDAR VALE/DEXTER
 
Schalk, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior, flourished in the Spartans’ spread passing attack last season. He led Cedar Vale/Dexter with 36 receptions for 743 yards and 10 touchdowns. Schalk also recorded 25 tackles on defense, and helped the Spartans score at least 52 points in each of its five victories. Schalk, a first-team All-South Central Border League end, heads a group of pass catchers for quarterback Cooper Criss that featured five with at least 12 receptions and four with at least four touchdown receptions a year ago.
 

TRENT SCHARTZ, ELLIS

Schartz was one of the top impact freshman players in eight-man last year. He threw for 1,326 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 635 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. “He did not play like a freshman,” Ellis coach Bryant Eichman said. “We are expecting him to take the next step.” Schartz was a second-team all-district selection and earned honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I honors.
 

GARRETT USRY, WEST ELK
 
Usry, a senior, will be an important part of the Patriots’ transition after the graduation of standouts Creyo Koop, Trent Haag and Maddex Moreno, who led West Elk to 34 victories over four seasons. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Usry caught 14 passes from Haag last season for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He made a bigger impact on defense, recording 63 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries to earn first-team All-South Central Border League honors. A two-year starter, Usry was also all-league second team at end.
 

CASHTON YOUNG, WICHITA COUNTY

Young became the latest in a long line of Wichita County quarterbacks to establish himself as a standout. He did most of his damage on the ground, rushing for 1,511 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, but added 465 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. Young earned first-team all-district and Hi-Plains League honors as a junior. He was honorable mention All-Eight Player Division I.