Nine Players to Watch in 2004
Caleb Blakesley
Ottawa
HT: 6-5
WT: 280
Class: Senior
Position: OL-DL
Why Watch?: He was rated by rivals.com as the top college prospect in Kansas, and has since committed to Kansas University. A fierce competitor and tremendously talented on both lines.
Jeff Colter
Lawrence
HT: 5-8
WT: 160
Class: Senior
Position: RB-CB
Why Watch?: Colter is a nimble-quick halfback with ankle-busting moves. He was Lawrence’s leading rusher as a junior, and added six interceptions as one of the state’s top cornerbacks.
Leif Goleman
De Soto
HT: 6-2
WT: 190
Class: Senior
Position: RB-S
Why Watch?: Not too many players have the experience that Goleman brings to his senior season. A three-year letterman, Goleman rushed for 900 yards a junior.
Ian Handshy
Lawrence
HT: 6-2
WT: 210
Class: Senior
Position: RB-LB
Why Watch?: Handshy brings great athleticism to the field, and is getting Division One interest for his play at linebacker. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry as a junior.
Brendan Jackson
Eudora
HT: 5-11
WT: 195
Class: Senior
Position: RB-LB
Why Watch?: Jackson is a big, bruising fullback who had several 100-plus yard performances last year as a junior. Should be Eudora’s top offensive option this season.
Vashon Perryman
Ottawa
HT: 5-6
WT: 160
Class: Senior
Position: RB
Why Watch?: Perryman was hidden behind two seniors last year, but he’s the man in 2004. With Caleb Blakesley blocking for him, Perryman will do just fine.
Jamie Resseguie
Free State
HT: 5-10
WT: 185
Class: Senior
Position: RB-LB
Why Watch?: Resseguie is Free State’s top returning skill player, and should be a playmaker at both running back and linebacker in 2004.
David Woods
Mill Valley
HT: 5-9
WT: 185
Class: Senior
Position: RB-DB
Why Watch?: Woods is one of the big-time playmakers in the area. As a junior, he rushed for 1,405 yards at halfback and played brilliantly as the team’s starting safety.
Jeremy Wright
Baldwin
HT: 5-10
WT: 150
Class: Junior
Position: Quarterback
Why Watch?: Wright benefited from playing with talented seniors last year, but the bottom line is, he quarterbacked the Bulldogs to the state quarterfinals as a sophomore. The sky’s the limit for him as a junior.
| School | 2003 Record | Comment | |
| 1. De Soto | 5-4 | Wildcats return most talent of anyone in the area | |
| 2. Eudora | 7-3 | Usual solid defense should make opponents struggle | |
| 3. Mill Valley | 4-5 | If RB Woods gets support up front, Jags will be solid | |
| 4. Ottawa | 7-3 | It all starts up front with Blakesley, state’s top lineman | |
| 5. Baldwin | 9-3 | Graduated a ton of talent, but returnees know how to win |