Sunflower League player ratings, by the numbers

Olathe South's Jake Seurer has done well at the
quarterback position, but his defensive numbers
are as good as any player in the state. KC Star.

Article compiled and written by Johnny Carver, special to the Sunflower League Football Blog.

The following lists were based completely on statistical analysis. The players are listed at each respective position in accordance to the statistics they've produced through five weeks of play.

Quarterback

1. Joe Dineen – Free State

Stats: 53 for 98 passing, 799 yards, 11 TDs

The KU commit is making a clear case for winning the league MVP this season.  He is second in the state and first in the league in passing touchdowns.  He is also second in the league in passing yards. Simply put, he is outperforming everyone in the league statistically.

2. Cole Murphy – Olathe North

Stats: 48 for 81 passing, 713 yards, 7 TDs; 79 carries, 423 yards, 6 TDs

3. AJ Verdini – SM West

Stats: 43 for 80 passing, 856 yards, 6 TDs

Running Back

1. Jason Randall – Leavenworth

Stats: 95 carries, 735 yards, 8 TDs

Randall has had a great season thus far, proving to be the best running back in the league.  He is first in the league and third in the state in rushing yards.  He is also second in the league in touchdowns.  Randall has been at times the only life that the Pioneer have had.

2. Venus Triplett – Olathe North

Stats: 102 carries, 637 yards, 9 TDs

3. Luke Taylor – SM East

Stats: 129 carries, 679 yards, 5 TDs

Wide Receiver

1. Andre Maloney – SM West

12 receptions, 353 yards, 4 TDs

Fittingly, the Sunflower League Player of the Year award has been renamed the “Andre Maloney Award.”  Through 17 quarters (compared to other players who had 20) he ranked second in the league in receiving yards.  He was also tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions.  Maloney was an impact player that was a difference maker for SM West both offensively and defensively.  They will miss him greatly.

2. Tyler Mitchell – SM East

13 receptions, 260 yards, 2 TDs

3. Nick Perez – SM North

13 receptions, 382 yards, 3 TDs

Tight End

1. Chase Gitlin – Olathe Northwest

Stats: 27 receptions, 300 yards, 2 TDs

Gitlin is far and away the league leader in receptions.  He also ranks third in the state.  Much of this is because he plays for the most pass-heavy offense in the league, but his stature hasn't hurt.  At 6-foot-6, he’s a big target and the Ravens have been throwing to him at every chance.  He should have more than two touchdowns given his size, but nonetheless he's been spectacular so far this season.  He has been one of the best offensive performers in the league, and he’s proving to be the most reliable target in the league.

2. Josh Moore – Olathe North

Stats: 9 receptions, 181 yards, 3 TDs

3. Connor Alexander – Olathe East

Stats: 7 receptions, 134 yards, 3 TDs

Offensive Lineman

1. Braden Smith – Olathe South

Stats: N/A

Smith is having another season where he is living up to the hype.  He has big time offers that fit his NFL-ready body.  He might possibly be the strongest player the league has ever seen.  There isn’t a defensive player in the league who could get past him one-on-one with much success, so the best solution is to work around him.

2. Kyle Wittman – Lawrence

Stats: N/A

3. Austin Chambers – SM West

Stats: N/A

Defensive Lineman

1. Kyle Ball – SM East

Stats: 54 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

Although there are no statistics on how many solo tackles he has this season, Ball has accumulated 54 total tackles.  This leads all other defensive linemen in the league.  He has 16 tackles for loss, which is seven more than the next best in the league.  He also has more tackles for loss than any player in the state of Kansas. 

2. Mitch Holsinger – Olathe Northwest

Stats: 16 solo tackles, 36 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

3. Austin Chambers – SM West

Stats: 10 solo tackles, 37 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss

Linebackers

1. Devin Shockley – SM Northwest

Stats: 45 solo tackles, 82 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 forced fumbles

Shockley is second in both the league and the state in total tackles, and first among linebackers.  He is also tied for the league lead in forced fumbles.  Perhaps this is because the Cougars are on the field as much as any team in the league.  But Shockley is making a case for being one of the best defensive players regardless.  He is outperforming every other linebacker in the state right now.

2. Drew Green – Lawrence

Stats: 28 solo tackles, 65 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 fumbles recovered

3. Nathan Guthrie – Olathe East

Stats: 25 solo tackles, 63 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss

Defensive Backs

1. Jake Seurer – Olathe South

Stats: 51 solo tackles, 82 total tackles, 1 INT

The safety, who also plays quarterback, has been spectacular on defense.  He leads both the league and the state in total tackles.  He's also come up with three turnovers, recovering two fumbles and grabbing one interception.  

2. Joe Dineen – Free State

Stats: 18 solo tackles, 32 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss,

3. Ethan Wall – Olathe Northwest

Stats: 24 solo tackles, 39 total tackles, 3 INT, 2 forced fumbles

Kick Return/Punt Returns

1. Jake Horner – SM Northwest

Stats: 6 returns, 240 yards, 2 TDs (KR)

Horner plays almost the entire game for the Cougars.  He plays quarterback, cornerback, and returns kicks and punts.  He is the only player to have returned a kick for a touchdown this season and he has two to boot.  He's statistically performing as well as any player in the state on special teams, and those efforts are keeping SM Northwest even when their offense isn't producing.

2. Andre Maloney – SM West

Stats: 5 returns, 178 yards (KR); 6 returns, 69 yards, 1 TD (PR)

3.  Venus Triplett – Olathe North

Stats: 3 returns, 125 yards, 1 TD (PR)

Johnny Carver can be reached by email at jrcarver24@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @CarverJohnny.