2012 Player Spotlights: Remington Whitley

Rem Whitley (#31) making a tackle.  KC Star.

Remington Whitley
Olathe South
  
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 210 lbs.
Year: Senior

Stat to Note
Whitley was all-everything in 2011, being named First Team All-Sunflower League, First Team All-State and claiming my Sunflower League Defensive Player of the Year award.

Scouting Report
Whitley, in a nutshell, is a coach's dream middle linebacker.  The numbers he put up as a junior were absolutely staggering for a player of any age.  Granted, he was playing behind two of the best defensive lineman in the state in Scott Gourley and Braden Smith, which certainly helped clear a path to the ballcarriers, but he still had to get to the ball and make the tackles.

While he's not a Mike Rivera type who can simply bull-rush the offensive line at will, Whitley does play an extremely physical brand of football (in the mode of all great middle linebackers in the SL).  When he gets his arms on a ballcarrier it's a safe bet the player will be brought the the ground.  Last season Whitley totaled 162 tackles including three sacks.  You also can't discount Whitley's ability to use his quickness to cover a ton of ground at the second level--he intercepted four passes last season.

It's going to be awfully tough for the talented senior linebacker to repeat the numbers he had as a junior, simply because teams will probably make more of an effort to keep him away from making plays.  That being said, it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if Whitley did in fact improve on his numbers and it's almost expected that he'll be the best defensive player in the Sunflower League in 2012.

Top Sunflower League Offensive Lineman since 2000

Josh Carroll.  Photo courtesy
the Olathe News.

1. Josh Carroll, Olathe North, 1999-2001

Carroll joins Darren Sproles as one of only two players to have been named a Top 11 player in Kansas in both their junior and senior seasons.  Carroll was ruthless on the football field, using his skills developed on the wrestling mat to dominate defenders.  Olathe North compiled over 10,000 rushing yards in Carroll's three years on the offensive line.

2. Travis Greer, Olathe North, 2002-2004

Greer was a legit 300-pound player, and he used every bit of his weight to dominate on the offensive line.  During his senior year in 2004, he spearheaded and offensive attack than recorded over 3,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards passing.  He was named a Top 11 player following that season.

3. Todd Haselhorst, Olathe East, 2001-2003

While many of the players on this list were tremendous talents that projected at the D2 level, it was Haselhorst who received more FBS offers than anyone.  He chose to play at Kansas over offers from Kansas State, Arizona, Michigan State and Minnesota, among others.  He was the top offensive lineman on Olathe East's explosive offensive attack in 2003 that featured players like Anthony Parks, Andre Jones and Derek Miller, and following the season he was awarded the Buch Buchanan Award as the metro's top lineman.

4. Adam Venegas, Olathe North, 2000-2002

I can rememer seeing Venegas in a game in 2002 and wondering how the heck a guy that size was still in high school. Venegas blocked for Darren Sproles, Maurice Mack and Jim Bouknight during his time with the Eagles, and as a senior he was named to the Kansas Top 11 team.

5. Michael Lisher, Free State, 2007-2009

At 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Lisher was much larger than the typical center in the Sunflower League and he used the size advantage to lead one of the league's most exciting offensive attacks ever.  The quarterback/running back duo of Camren Torneden and Chucky Hunter found much of their success running behind the talented head coach's son.

6. Brent Jepson, Olathe East, 2003-2005

If there was a prototype for what an offensive lineman should look like, it was Jepson.  He stood 6-foot-4 and weighed 285 pounds, with shoulders that even the largest shoulder pads could barely contain.  He was all-everything as a senior for the Hawks in 2005, clearing out defenders for Dee Bell while also pass blocking for Derek Miller.

7. Clint Benge, SM West, 2003-2005

Benge played his best football when his buttons were pushed.  It was a quick temper on the football field that made him one of the best offensive lineman of the mid-2000s, and helped SM West to rush for over 2,500 yards in both 2004 and 2005.  He was an all-state selection as a senior.

8. Jake Woten, Olathe East, 2006-2008

Darion Hillman.  Photo
courtesy the Shawnee
Dispatch.

Woten didn't carry a ton of weight, but he used his tall frame to his advantage, moving defensive lineman at will and helping Olathe East to consecutive 9-win seasons as a junior and a senior.  Following the 2008 season he was named to the Kansas Top 11 team for his efforts as as both an offensive and defensive lineman.

9. Darion Hillman, SM Northwest, 2006-2008

I think Hillman was the oldest looking 17-year-old I've ever seen, and his abilities on the football field only further fueled this idea in my mind.  An extremely talented athlete, Hillman clocked a legit 4.9 electronic forty time before his senior year, which, at the 290 pounds he weighed at the combine, was pretty impressive.  SM Northwest's stellar offensive attack of the late 2000s wouldn't have been possible without Hillman's efforts up front.

10. Scott Gourley, Olathe South, 2009-2011

Being the coach's son generally translates into success on the gridiron.  From Brandon Wier in the mid-1990s, to Michael Lisher, and many others, Gourley slips in at the ten spot as yet another coach's son who did great work.  This past year as a senior Gourley helped lead and explosive Olathe South rushing attack that accumulated 4,094 rushing yards en route to the 6A state title.

Sunflower League Extra: Week One

Lawrence High's Brad Strauss.

Top 5 Player Ratings

Player Ratings are subject to change on a week-to-week basis

1. Brad Strauss, Quarterback, Lawrence

Strauss is coming off a tremendous sophomore season in which he passed for over 1,000 yards, rushed for over 600, and combined to score 15 touchdowns. The junior signal-caller will be looking to lead the Chesty Lions to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

2. Tre Burt, Running Back, SM West

Last season Burt rushed for 782 yards and seven touchdowns while splitting the running back duties with Will Livingston. This season (at least early on) it looks like Burt will be carrying the majority of the load himself. The Vikings have had four 1,000 yard rushers since 2004, and we’ll most likely see Burt added to that list if he can stay healthy.

3. Elliot Faerber, Wide Receiver, SM East

With Faerber it’s not a question of his abilities, but rather how well SM East’s new quarterback Dakota Collins can distribute the ball to the talented playmaker. SM East was one of the more impressive teams in the metro in 7-on-7 competition this summer, with Faerber as their top receiver. The SM East faithful hope it will translate onto the gridiron.

4. Treshawn Root, Running Back, Olathe North

Root's transfer to Olathe North during the offseason headlined a plethora of talented running backs that made the transfer attempt to Olathe North, including Orange Mooney (successfully) and Teddy Colbert (unsuccessfully).  To this point in his career Root has been alot of talk, and besides the occassional touchdown here and there, not alot of walk.  But, bigger things are expected of Root in his senior season at Olathe North.

5. Adam Lowe, Running Back, SM East

This fifth slot is always high in liquidity and Lowe could easily climb the list or fall to the honorable mention ranks depending on how he plays at SM Northwest in week one. New faces will inevitably emerge on the scene as well, and they could slip into this slot. What we do know about Lowe is that he was close to 1,000 yards rushing last season, and he’ll probably play an increased role for the Lancers as a senior.

Honorable Mention: Orange Mooney, Olathe North; Connor Middleton, Olathe Northwest; Anthony Buffalomeat, Lawrence; Junior Williams, Olathe East; Teddy Colbert, Olathe South.

Week One Notes

Teams with the Most Pressure to Perform

Olathe North
The Eagles are coming off consecutive state championship appearances and they are seen as the preseason favorite in the SL and in Class 6A by many.  Replacing Victor Simmons and Adonis Saunders certainly won't be easy, and the Eagles don't have much preparation time.  They face Olathe East in week one.

SM East
It won't be easy for SM East to repeat the 8-1 regular season record from last year, but the Lancers will be more focused on the playoffs this time around.  Last year they lost in the first round to Olathe South.  This season the pressure will be on to at least win one playoff game and advance to the Sectional Round.

Lawrence
Lawrence High has become a darkhorse candidate for the league title over the last few months and they have a highly experienced roster returning to match it.  Their biggest hurdle will be their daunting schedule.  The Chesty Lions have road trips to Olathe North, Olathe East and Olathe South, not to mention home contests versus SM West and SM East.

Teams Flying Under-the-Rader

Olathe South
The Falcons return a solid core of talent on both sides of the ball, including their quarterback Frankie Seurer and center Scott Gourley, a First Team All-Sunflower League selection from last year.

SM West

SM West's Tre Burt.

The Vikings, like the Falcons, have the luxury of returning their starting quarterback in Armani Williams.  They also return running back Tre Burt who was a Second Team All-Sunflower League selection in 2010.  If their new starters can step up quickly the Vikings have a chance to make a big push towards the end of the season.

Olathe Northwest
The Ravens have virtually no expectations from the media heading into 2011.  Their only returning starter of note is running back Connor Middleton, and some are even calling into question his ability to carry the load through the nine game schedule.  This would be the perfect time for Olathe Northwest to sneak up on their opponents.

Week One Team Power Rankings
Full preseason analysis of each team available here.

1. Olathe North (0-0)
2. Olathe East (0-0)
3. SM East (0-0)
4. SM West (0-0)
5. Lawrence (0-0)
6. Olathe South (0-0)
7. Lawrence Free State (0-0)
8. SM Northwest (0-0)
9. Olathe Northwest (0-0)
10. SM South (0-0)
11. SM North (0-0)
12. Leavenworth (0-0)

Poll Watching

KC Metro Sports Super 25 Poll

5. Olathe North
9. Olathe South
11. Olathe East
15. SM West

Hovpensports.com Kansas Class 6A Top 10

1. Olathe North

3. Olathe East

7. SM East

9. SM West

10. Olathe South



 Photos courtesy the Lawrence Journal World

2011 Player Spotlights: Scott Gourley

Scott Gourley, number 76 above, will be key to how well
Olathe South's rushing attack operates this season.

Scott Gourley

Olathe South

Positions: Center, Defensive End

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 255 lbs.

Year: Senior

Stat to Note
Gourley was named a First Team All-Sunflower League offensive lineman following his junior season.

Scouting Report

Scott is the son of Olathe South Head Coach Jeff Gourley.  While it may seem like playing under your father would be a dubious role, Sunflower League players of past have actually done quite well.  Some notable coaches son's of the past 15 years or so include Olathe North's Brandon Wier and Mike McCall, Lawrence Free State's Michael and Brett Lisher, and Olathe South's Kyson Ginavan and Brad Gourley (Scott's older brother).

The fact of the matter is that coaches son's have done well in the SL and Scott has already added his name to that list.  As a junior he helped pave the way for Olathe South's rushing attack which averaged just under 285 yards a game and churned out over 3,000 rushing yards on the season.

With the loss of their top three running backs to graduation, Scott and company will be blocking for a completely new cast of backs in 2011.  While no team wants to break in all new ballcarriers, Olathe South can rest a little easier knowing they have number 76 in the middle of all the blocking assignments.

Aside from his duties on the offensive side of the ball, keep an eye on Scottt at the defensive end position.  Many colleges are recruiting him for defensive purposes, despite the fact that his most impressive work has come as a center.