Chucky Hunter, Sr., Free State

The Free State tailback set a school record with 1,707 yards on the ground to lead the Firebirds. Hunter also added 154 yards on 14 catches and led the team with 16 touchdowns.

Camren Torneden, Jr., Free State

Despite starting the first game of the season at wide receiver, Torneden became the Sunflower League’s first-team quarterback after a breakout year. Torneden’s 2,404 total yards — 1,362 rushing and 1,042 passing — went along with 13 rushing TDs and 10 passing TDs.

Grahm Saunders, Sr., Free State

Saunders was one of several talented FSHS linemen who paved the way for Hunter and Torneden and caused havoc for opposing offenses. Saunders was among team leaders in tackles, sacks and tackles for losses.

Clifton Sims, Sr., Lawrence

Sims led the Lions’ rushing attack this season with 932 yards on 190 carries and eight touchdowns. Rarely did the 5-foot-5, 175-pound runner go down upon first contact. He often dragged tacklers with him and roared ahead for extra yardage.

Aaron Rea, Sr., Lawrence

Rea led the Lions in receiving with 505 yards on 28 catches and led the Sunflower League in yards-per-catch at 18. Rea’s four touchdowns placed him third on the team, and he emerged early as a go-to target for LHS quarterback Clint Pinnick.

Ryan Fisher, Sr., Eudora

Fisher racked up 1,826 yards on 264 carries in just eight games. He added 20 touchdowns to those totals and ran for 300 yards in a game twice, including a 443-yard performance in his last game. He earned all-league and all-state honors.

Shane Gimzo, Sr., Perry-Lecompton

The PLHS quarterback rushed for 1,301 yards and 23 touchdowns and added 1,420 more and 11 additional TDs through the air. He also was a force on defense for the Kaws, finishing with five interceptions and 64 total tackles.

Joel Gantz, Sr., Perry-Lecompton

Perry’s big tight end finished the season with 465 yards and five touchdowns on 26 receptions and was a great blocker all season. On defense, Gantz chipped in with 83 tackles, 47 of which were solo take-downs.

Sam Beecher, Sr., Baldwin

Beecher finished with 1,807 yards on 256 carries, good for seven yards a pop. He also added 25 rushing TDs to that total. Through the air, Beecher completed 57 of 103 attempts for 907 yards and seven touchdowns.

Mike Sprowl, Sr., De Soto

De Soto coach Brad Scott called Sprowl the best offensive lineman he ever had coached. In addition to earning first-team all-league honors and mention on a handful of all-state teams, Sprowl was a monster on the field. He had a 16-pancake-block game against Ottawa, which included four separate plays where he flattened two players on the same play. The 6-2, 290-pound right guard keyed the Wildcats’ running game all year and was dominant on defense, as well.

Honorable Mention: Eudora High — William Gadberry, Sr., Cody Carlson, Sr., Colton Lynch, Jr., Boomer Mays, Soph.; Perry-Lecompton High — Caleb Wedge, Sr.; Baldwin High — David Tuley, Sr., Logan Schiller, Sr.; Oskaloosa High — Brandon Barnes, Jr., Chase Tenpenny, Sr., Lakota Coffman, Sr.; De Soto High — Jamel Townsend, Sr., Dylan Buford, Jr.; Tonganoxie High — Zack Robinson, Sr., Jeremy Carlisle, Soph., Boomer Carey, Sr.; Lawrence High — Clint Pinnick, Sr., Jake Green, Sr., Stephen Mason, Sr., Jay Baker, Jr., Darren Sorem, Soph.; Free State High — Michael Lisher, Jr., Taylor Stuart, Sr., Joe Riordan, Sr., Preston Randolph, Sr.; Seabury Academy — Gus Wiggen-Toccalino, Sr.; Veritas — Jeremiah Johnson, Sr.