Chase Gumm (12) and Zach Demars (11) have provided most of the offense for the Southern Cloud Warriors this season. (Photo by Jim Williams, For Kansas Pregame/Kpreps.com)
By Matt Gilmore, Kpreps.com and John Baetz, Kansas Pregame
Posted: October 28, 2010 - 10:10 AM
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In our Picks to Click, we feature six players or position groups from across the state that we feel will have breakout performances in this week's action. Check back again next week's to see how our picks performed.
Tanner Fisher, RB, Buhler
Fisher has filled the role of the departed Jordan Oden admirably. The 5-9, 185-pound junior has rushed for 1,562 yards and 27 touchdowns as the Crusaders are unbeaten and ranked third in Class 4A. Fisher has tallied four, 200-yard games this season, and came within just four yards of a fifth. He and the Crusaders will look to secure a district championship and a playoff spot with a win over a much improved Nickerson team.
Camron Leupold, RB, Hiawatha
Leupold has rushed for 1,412 yards and 12 touchdowns despite a rough 3-5 season for the Redhawks. He has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in every game but one; finishing with 80 yards in a 49-6 loss to Jefferson West in week two. It has served as a bittersweet return for the senior whose 2009 campaign was cut short after six games due to injury. In those six games last season, Leupold led the state with 1,443 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Gunnar McKenna, RB, Holton
McKenna leads a potent Wildcat rushing attack that is averaging more than 400 yards per game. The senior back has rushed for 875 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season including over 100 yards and 2 scores in last week’s loss to Topeka Hayden.Holton is ranked fourth in Class 4A and must defeat Royal Valley (7-1) to qualify for the playoffs.
Zack Demars, RB, and Chase Gumm, QB, Southern Cloud
Demars and Gumm have provided much of the offense for the Southern Cloud Warriors the last three seasons and the seniors have combined for 2,819 yards so far in 2010. Gumm, a 6 foot, 190 pound quarterback has thrown for 859 yards with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions and also tallied 587 yards rushing and 11 more scores. Demars, a 5-10, 180 pound running back has posted 668 yards rushing, 705 yards receiving and 22 total touchdowns. The duo also lead the team in tackles with 85 for Demars and 81 for Gumm. The pair will try to end their final season in style and deliver the Warriors a rare winning season with a victory over Pike Valley tonight.
Cale Sharp, RB, Salina Central
After posting consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons Salina Central's senior running back Cale Sharp has become a target of opposing defenses. He opened the season with 123 yards rushing in a 42-27 win over Derby, but was held to less than 100 yards in the next four games as the Mustangs went 2-2 during that stretch. The Mustangs are now riding a four game winning streak and coach Mike Hall has relied heavily on Sharp in those contests as the 6 foot, 185 pounder has picked up increased yardage in each of those wins culminating with a 170 yard three touchdown performance in last week's 42-20 win over Great Bend. With a win Friday the Mustangs can secure a district championship and their 18th trip to the playoffs in 19 seasons, and Hall is sure to rely on Sharp to make that happen.
Cody Parmely, RB, Junction City
At 5-8, 185 pounds, senior running back Cody Parmely doesn't intimidate alot of teams during warm-ups. In class 6A football diminutive players like Parmely are few and far between, but few are as effective as this versatile running back. The Blue Jays can't wait for Friday's district championship match-up with arch-rival Manhattan and Parmely is coming off a brilliant 190 yard rushing performance where he carried the ball 31 times as Junction City avenged a 2009 loss to the upstart Topeka High Trojans, 45-26. Expect more of the same Friday as Parmely is a big-game player who has performed consistently for the Blue Jays in his career.
Last week’s Picks to Click (Week 8):
Justin Fulks, RB, Blue Valley – Stilwell -- Fulks rushed for 192 yards on 17 carries as the Tigers remained unbeaten with a 49-7 win at Pittsburg.
Holton's Defense -- Kansas Pregame publisher John Baetz put his patented jinx on yet another Kansas high school defense last week as the Holton Wildcats allowed the most points (27) in Friday's 27-13 loss to top-ranked Hayden since a week one loss to Topeka High (33).
Reggie Jordan, QB, Hill City -- Jordan rushed 38 times for 319 yards and 6 touchdowns as the Ringnecks eliminated defending champion Quinter 44-28. Jordan also threw for 116 yards on the night.
Donnie Lockhart, RB, Shawnee Heights -- Lockhart rushed for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries as Heights knocked off Topeka West 55-16 to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Allen Troyer, RB, Anderson County – Troyer rushed for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns on 21 carries as the Bulldogs outscored Iola 61-46. Troyer now has 1,518 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Dayton Walter, QB, Lincoln – Walter completed 7 of 13 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown as the Leopards shutout Solomon 50-0 in a game that ended just after halftime.
