Updated through November 12, 2017
1. John Raybourn, Staley
The quarterback has steadily rolled up numbers all year, and seemingly moves up a slot weekly - except finally, there's nowhere to go up anymore!
Raybourn has done it all year via air or ground - or both, as highlighted in a 357-yard passing, 100-yard rushing night vs Blue Springs South.
The latest heroics came in the quarterfinals against Fort Osage, as Raybourn had a solid day passing (181 yards, 2 touchdowns), but did it again on the ground with 151 rushing yards and two scores, attributing for all four scores in the Falcons' 28-14 win.
Barring injury, Raybourn has a likely shot at a 3,000 / 1,000 yard season, with eight games over 250 passing yards this year and a ludicrous 40-2 TD to INT ratio.
But the senior also has done it on the ground with fpur 100+ yard rushing games, including 179 yards in the district final win over Liberty to continue Staley's undefeated march and a possible Class 5 title.
There's a good shot that Raybourn finishes in the top 10 in MO history in TD passes, total offense and passing yards. Add all that together with a run to the state title game, and Raybourn remains a no-brainer!
Passing yards: 2,840
Passing TDs: 40
INTs: 2
Rushing yards: 880
Rushing TDs: 9
2. Ronnie Bell, Park Hill
Bell jetted up to the top of the list in the past recent weeks. And on non-John Raybourn seasons, Bell likely wins the award. But Raybourn's continued racking up of yards, scores and wins moved Bell back to No. 2.
Bell finishes the season with 1,595 receiving yards - 7th all-time on MSHSAA's single-season charts. His 21 touchdown receptions ties for 9th all-time. Both leave Bell as the highest total in either category on both sides of the state line in Kansas City history for a season - the best year for a Kansas City area receiver ever.
For the year, he scored 25 touchdowns overall - 21 receiving, 3 on the ground and one on a punt return - plus two two-point conversions.
When the aerial attack wasn't clicking, Bell still produced 88 rushing yards and two scores in a first-round win over Lee's Summit.
If you haven't read enough, just watch the Missouri State basketball commit turn a simple out into a highlight of the season to give Park Hill a two-score lead in the district final win over Rockhurst.
Receiving yards: 1,595
Receiving TDs: 21
Total TDs: 25
3. Phillip Brooks, Lee's Summit West
Brooks seemingly scored 3 touchdowns a game because, well, he pretty much was. The senior did it in every facet of the game with a stupid six touchdowns vs Lawrence, five scores vs Hickman, 143 rushing yards and three more rushing touchdowns and oh yeah, a 41-yard touchdown pass in a win at Fort Osage.
For the year, Brooks racked 1,666 rushing yards, 556 receiving and 31 total touchdowns - including a passing and punt return for a TD.
Rushing yards: 1,666
Rushing TDs: 21
Receiving yards: 556
Receiving TDs: 8
Passing TD: 1
Punt Return TD: 1
4. Graham Mertz, Blue Valley North
In just his first year as a starter, Mertz simply has racked up 2,919 passing yards along with 38 touchdowns - and counting, as he's helped lead BV North to the Class 6A semifinals. Oh yeah, he also garnered multiple Division I offers before committing to Wisconsin - as a junior.
Mertz destroyed the SM East defense with 254 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 45-10 blowout in the quarterfinals. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game, five with 4+ passing TDs.
Mertz may end up leading the city in passing yardage and TDs despite two less games than others.
While Mertz may not win the award - unless he leads the Mustangs to the Class 6A title - he is setting up for a big senior year. A trip to the state final, and Mertz may be in the final four nonetheless.
Passing yards: 2,991
Passing TDs: 38
5. Carter Putz, Bishop Miege
Putz will be punished by his team being too good, as Putz basically puts up his numbers in barely a half of play, before being pulled well before the fourth quarter in many games.
The numbers are still crazy good (31-3 TD-INT) for Putz, who owns the Kansas career touchdown record - and counting. Putz also should finish a three-time state champion, and winning the EKL should not be overlooked either. Especially since the EKL has beat the Sunflower League in playoff matchups and could end up with arguably the top 4 teams in the state and three state champions.
What will hurt in any voting awards will be Putz playing against Kansas Class 4A foes the final six weeks of the year. But again, state records, winning the EKL and great numbers should still earn a finalist nod.
Passing yards: 2,293
Passing TDs: 31
Completion %: 75.8
Rushing yards: 404
Rushing TDs: 8
6. QB Billy Maples, Park Hill
After holding the top spot from the first few weeks, Maples slipped as Brooks went nuts, then his own teammate Ronnie Bell took the lead. Maples still has strong numbers and leads the Metro in TD passes. Plus setting a national record never hurts with his eight touchdown passes in a half in Week Two.
While Maples has been great most of the year, there have been a few hiccup games - but that argument can be that playing Class 6 schools week in and week out will lend that to any quarterback. Playing Free State, Blue Springs twice, Rockhurst, Lee's Summit West - on and on. A win over Blue Springs this Saturday would go a long way to finishing in the final four - even with a teammate in the race.
Passing yards: 3,114
Passing TDs: 41
7. Jax Dineen, Free State
Dineen has been similar to Braasch, leading the Firebirds with some bigger games as the season progresses. Dineen has rushed for 16 TDs in the last five games, while averaging nearly 200 yards per game (796 total) in the last four games.
Also Dineen has led the undefeated Firebirds at middle linebacker, and a likely trip to the Kansas Class 6A state final.
Dineen and Braasch possibly colliding in the last game, figuratively and literally, in the Class 6A title game would be an epic finish for these two. Dineen may take a slight back seat as a junior this year while being a favorite in 2019.
8. Milton Braasch II, SM East
In addition to defense, Braasch has cranked up his offensive output as East looks to march to the Kansas Class 6A title game. The running back has eclipsed 200+ yards in 3 of the final 4 games, and 15 TDs in the final four games.
Overall, Braasch has 26 rushing touchdowns and with three games left, could roll over 2,000 yards and mid-30s in TDs.
Rushing yards: 1,482
Rushing TDs: 26
9. Brady McCanles, Rockhurst
McCanles led the Hawklets on the ground, and rose up when the Rock needed him the most. His incredible catch made national highlights and set up the final go-ahead score in the district semifinal at Lee's Summit West.
McCanles accounted for 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns over SM East. Even in losing efforts to CBC (148 yards) and Park Hill (174 yards, 2 TDs).
10. Daniel Parker, Blue Springs
Parker plays on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats, who are making their second straight Class 6 state title game appearance. The Mizzou commit has registered 11 sacks to lead the Blue Springs defense.
11. Ivan Webb, Schlagle
Webb went nuts all year and looked to threaten the 3k mark on the ground. In the end, the Stallions checked out in the Kansas Class 5A second round but Webb still racked up 2,842 and 35 touchdowns in 10 games, a crazy 284 yards per contest.
12. RB Robert Rawie, Liberty
Rawie finished in the top 10 after an injury-plagued season, but out of toughness, played with a dislocated finger, a severe ankle injury and more. Yet Rawie helped lead the Jays to one of their best seasons in recent years and to the district final. For the year, the senior finished with 1,345 rushing yards and 23 scores - 20 on the ground.
The slot also can go to Thomas Henrichs - as well as many throughout the Metro....
Others
Dante Jackson, Lawrence
Dorian Clayton, Park Hill
Thomas Henrichs, Liberty
Clyde Price, North Kansas City
Jack Petz, St. James Academy
Cameron Jackson, St. Thomas Aquinas
* Small class player rankings will be available after this weekend.
