810 Varsity answers submitted questions about various topics.
The mailbag will be answered periodically through the summer, and weekly during the school year.
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I read about the 810 Varsity camps and looked like a good turnout. What benefit is there for players to come?
We had multiple kids from not just around Kansas City, but Kansas, Missouri and seven states total. The combines provide a great opportunity for a kid from Paola or Carthage to see how they stack up against equal competition, or see players at a higher level.
Kids and parents always ask if their Division I, or why they aren't getting Division I offers, and with some of the elite in Kansas City and the region, they get to see first-hand what a Division I prospect is, from Drew Lock and the Davis twins over the years, to the Roberts brothers who earned MVP honors this past year.
Finally, players get officially clocked 40 times, broad jumps and more. And as with quite a few kids, a chance to be seen in front of 20+ colleges - and had 40+ offers just from the May 5 combine!
Wilson and Gore on the same defense? This for real? Best duo since...?
If all holds, Johnny Wilson and James Gore will be a force for offenses for a couple of years for Park Hill. And both get to see what they can do with Wilson missing a good portion of 2017 due to injury, and Gore getting to step up on the stage of Class 6.
Best duo since - well, let's step all the way back to 2014 to the trio of Carlos and Khalil Davis, and Elijah Lee at Blue Springs. That trio (or duo if want to pare down to the Davis brothers) will be legendary in KC folklore.
Who you got for #1 in Top 25?
Man, a lot of candidates with no one returning as a no-brainer. Will have to go into research, interviews, analysis and more ahead. But honestly, no one really jumps off the page as a can't miss No. 1 team - yet. Stay tuned in late July
How will Excelsior Springs do this season without Peyton Soria at QB?
Excelsior won't be bad, but losing Soria at QB will no doubt be tough to replace. He ranked second in the Metro in rushing TDs in 2017, and having that threat, especially in the red zone, is hard to find.
We know about MoKan and Run. Who else is impressive in KC?
Without a doubt, the top 3 in Kansas City are MoKan, Run GMC and Team Rush - pretty much in that order. After that, the KC Pacers used to be in the #3 or #4 discussion, but I'd rank the KC Spurs now in the #4 slot. After Spurs, can dunk in Pacers and Team Elite KC. Na Da Gym and Marcus Denmon Elite are worth mention for fun.
Who's going to win the EKL this year in football?
This may be the hardest question yet. Bishop Miege seems like the default answer, but replacing Carter Putz and some linemen will be a trick. Yet Miege still stands as the team to beat. Blue Valley should get their feet under them with over a full calendar year after everything that transpired. St. Thomas Aquinas will be a beast and may be there to win it all. And hard to count out anyone with Graham Mertz.
Yeah, Mill Valley can be mentioned, but the EKL almost is harder than any class overall in Kansas - where else can you find the Class 6A, 5A and 4A champ regularly - but will look to go toe-to-toe with Aquinas by November in 5A.
How will Basehor do in 5A?
I think better, and for a couple of reasons. Less teams (though the reconfigured 4A may not be as bad as the old system) and let's be honest, no Miege to deal with. Two years ago, BLHS ended their seasons in the playoffs - and even out to the state finals - in boys soccer, football and basketball successively. Ouch.
What's your thoughts on the title in 6A going to Shawnee Mission East?
That's quite the ending to a golf championship, and wouldn't be surprised if it made a national website.
Without going into great detail, just listen to the podcast, as it even made Between the Lines.
