Pirates football team leads the way in awards
Eight different Piper Pirates football players earned awards at last weekend's KCK Preps Awards Presentation. Head coach Chris Brindle and linebacker Colton Beebe took home two of the top three awards.
PHOTOS: KCK Preps Awards ceremony
Check out some photos from last weekend's awards show at The Legends Theatre in KCK!
Prospect Profile: Tanner Eikenbary (Piper)
Here's a look at Piper Pirates quarterback Tanner Eikenbary.
KCK Preps Prospect: Kendall Short, Mill Valley
Despite missing nearly half the season, Mill Valley Jaguars running back Kendall Short finished with over 700 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns.
HIGHLIGHTS: Bonner Springs running back Johnathan Jackson against the Schlagle Stallions
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Nick Sloan
Here are some more Sport Highlights Unlimited highlights from Johnathan Jackson's performance against the Schlagle Stallions last Friday.
For those who loved the running game, there was no better opportunity in Kansas City to see two great running backs go at it.
Like I did with Browning a few moments ago, I'll point out some of the best moments in these highlights.
- Throughout the film, one thing you should notice is once the hole in the offensive line opens up, Jackson hits it as quick as possible. He does not play around.
- At both the :26-28 and :49 portions of the video, his power of getting those extra yards is on display. The first hit normally does not drop him.
- Though it's not overly on display in these highlights and its easier to see on the field, Jackson has tremendous patience on the field and does not commit to a bad decision. He waits for his blocks. A nice example of it can be found from the :37-39 mark.
- It may not have been the longest run of the game for him, but his run from 1:11 - 1:13 is my favorite from these highlights. He changes directions a few times and he displays some of that awesome patience that I rave about. Patience can get two or three extra yards, like it did in this case.
HIGHLIGHTS: Schlagle's J'veyon Browning against Bonner Springs
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Nick Sloan
Here are highlights, courtesy of David Brox at Sport Highlights Unlimited (see the link in our tabs up top).
Rather than just post the video, I will attempt to start analyzing these highlights so you might see why I'm a big fan of J'veyon Browning and the other players we feature here.
- At the :11-12 mark, Browning makes an awesome sidestep against the Bonner Springs line. It looked clear that the original call was him hitting the hole inside the tackle, but Browning side-stepped that and glided into the end-zone. He can quickly make a decision in the backfield and his cuts are just awesome.
- :26 mark: He's solid in the passing game and I think he would be great in some screen action. Once Browning gets the ball, he runs downhill.
- :35-38 mark: One of the things that impressed me about Browning against Bonner Springs last Friday was his ability to take a hit and then still gain a few yards. This is not a huge running back, but he still runs with power and can fight for yardage. I also recommend watching this at both the :57 and 1:24 points of the video. Browning's power is very underrated.
Harmon's Isaiah Ming and Bonner Springs' Johnathan Jackson are also special running backs. It's extremely tough picking between the three.
But if I had to pick just one at this point of the season, I would go Browning. All three offer tremendous skill and ability.
For now, give me Browning, though it's so close.
ACT Word of the Day: October 20
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Nick Sloan
Beginning today, KCK Preps will be running an "ACT Word of the Day" daily segment dedicated towards improving the vocabulary skills of our student-athlete readers.
Based on how much our stories are passed around on Facebook, I know we have a very healthy student-athlete readership base.
The ACT is crucial in getting into college, so I'm trying to do my part in helping to remind athletes of that and to help improve their chances on passing the exam, which can tough.
Here is today's ACT Word of the Day:
Based on how much our stories are passed around on Facebook, I know we have a very healthy student-athlete readership base.
The ACT is crucial in getting into college, so I'm trying to do my part in helping to remind athletes of that and to help improve their chances on passing the exam, which can tough.
Here is today's ACT Word of the Day:
Experienced group returns for Bonner Springs Braves basketball team
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Nick Sloan
The fun could just be beginning for Bonner Springs athletics.
Football season has been a fun one for students and teachers
at Bonner Springs High School.
New head coach Lucas Aslin and his staff have really pumped
new life into the program. Momentum is high and a spot in the postseason could
be on the line this Friday night against Washington.
As fun as it has been for the Braves in football, basketball
could be even better.
Braves basketball coach Andy Price is in the second year of
his second term as head coach of Bonner Springs. Inheriting an 8-13 club last
year, Price quickly turned around the program, finishing last season 15-6.
Expectations of a winning season should be there again, as
four of the top five leading scorers from the 15-6 group are expected back in
the rotation this season.
Leading the group should be guard B.J. Watson.
Watson was Bonner Springs’ leading scorer last year,
averaging 11.7 points per an outing last year as a junior. Watson averaged two
assists and over two rebounds a game, along with two steals.
Watson, at times, also frustrated opposing offenses with his
defense. He had 41 steals and 53 ball deflections. He’s a hard-nosed
player as well, not afraid of taking a charge for the team. He took 13 of them last year, easily leading the team in that
figure.
And if you recognize the last name, it’s an easy name worth
remembering. He’s the younger brother of former Sumner Academy great Neil
Watson, who’s now playing for former Iowa State Cyclones head coach Larry
Eustachy.
(B.J., from what I hear at Sumner Academy, is also one heck
of a bowler.)
Joining Watson are forward Stevie Williams, the team’s
leading rebounder with 5.2 rebounds a game. Williams was solid offensively for
the Braves as well, shooting 58 percent from the field and averaging over 10
points a game – second behind Watson.
The athletic Williams, a star receiver for the Braves, was
also productive in some games defensively. He had 33 steals for the Braves, along with 61 ball
deflections.
Leading shot blocker Brett Steuart is back as well. He was the fourth-leading scorer on last year’s team with
7.4 points a game, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field.
Johnathan Jackson, who’s thrilling Bonner Springs fans on
the gridiron this year, was key in last year’s basketball team as well. He averaged 4.1 points a game and 3.6 rebounds a game. He
had the most assists from last year’s team as well.
While he’s the star of the football team, expect Jackson to
be a spark for the Braves on the court this season.
He’s a player who can get the dirty offensive rebounds and
be a pain defensively. He had 43 steals and 70 deflections, the team leader in
both categories. He had 12 steals and deflections alone against Mill Valley
last season.
Coming into the season, Basehor-Linwood will likely be the
favorite in the Kaw Valley League. Lansing is often overlooked each year, but
they usually win some games and find themselves in the picture most seasons. Mill Valley is a team that could sneak into the 5A
state tournament behind stud junior Kendall Short.
But don’t underestimate the Braves. They have a solid coach who is good at winning ball games and a core of players who are classy, tough
and competitive.
Expect Bonner to be a KVL contender and a 4A dark-horse this
year.
