Area Grads competing in NCAA Football as of 10/29/2022
Updated numbers and commentary on the Kansas and Missouri grads competing in the NCAA. Check our the commentary and the all inclusive lists.
As with all sports, football is driven by numbers. And that leads us to focus much of our attention on the offense. Take this newsletter for example. Yes, I am guilty of that, too. That is why I have to speak up about one of those defensive performances that just must be discussed. Nick Allen (Blue Valley Southwest/Kansas State) has played college career mostly out of the limelight. But, his team needed him on Saturday, and Nick stepped up to earn the national spotlight. Due to an injury to his teammate, Nick moved from special teams to linebacker for Kansas State’s high stakes game with then No. 9 ranked Oklahoma State. And what a performance. The Blue Valley Southwest product led his time with 8 tackles, 6 of them solo. The Cowboys will be glad when Nick leaves, as his career high in tackles came at the expense of OSU last year, with 10. What could make this story better? This can. After graduating last May, Nick is working on his MBA. He is also working on being a member of his fourth consecutive Academic All-Big 12 Team.
There were many notable rushing performances this week by those who played their high school ball in Kansas and Missouri. Damon Bonds (Chaminade/Lake Forest) covered lots of ground. Damon finished the day with 21 carries for 136 yards. He got into the end zone with a 74 yard kick off return as the Foresters defeated Monmouth, 31-14. Jayden Mitchell (Parkway Central/McKendree) put up big numbers in a loss to Southwest Baptist. Jayden took his 15 rushes for 140 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jonas Bennett (Odessa/Missouri Western) led his team to a win over Missouri Southern. Jonas rushed for 128 yards on 21 carries. Truman State rode to victory over Quincy University on the back of Shamar Griffith (Hannibal/Truman State) as he rushed 29 times for 177 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Clay’s (Christian Brothers/William Jewell) big numbers weren’t enough to get William Jewell past Lindenwood. Bu the sophomore ran for 151 yards on 23 carries. Here are all of the rushing numbers:
Paxton DeLaurent (Camdenton/Southeast Missouri State) keeps coming up big in his sophomore year of his collegiate career. This time he on 27 of 46 passes for 375 yards and a touchdown. Paxton is averaging over 283 passing yards per game the second most for a Mo/Kan quarterback competing in the NCAA. And he keeps the ball away from the defense as he only has 5 interceptions among his 281 attempts. Also throwing for distance are Tionne Harris (Vianney/Quincy University) with 296 yds/game, Kellen Simoncic (Smithville/Washburn) with 265 yds per game, and Cooper Callis (Jackson/Southwest Baptist) with 258 per game.
Trevor Twehous (Rock Bridge/Central Missouri) made the most of his three receptions on Saturday. He took two of them to the house for 40 yards and a season long 52 yards. Reuben Mudia (Park Hill South/Stanford) also knows how to get into the end zone when he gets the opportunity. The freshman has 4 receptions for 44 yards this season. And they have counted. He got into the end zone from 20 yards out against Colgate in his first collegiate game. Mudia followed that up with an 18 yard TD catch against Top Ten Oregon. Maybe the Cardinal needs the ball in his hands more often. Ronnie Bell (Park Hill/Michigan) continues his team leading 39 catches and 60 yards per game average for the No. 4 ranked Wolverines. Darius Cooper (Hazelwood West/Tarleton State) padded his 90 reception yards per game with a monster effort on Saturday. Darius caught 9 balls for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns.
So folks, there were a lot of stand out performances this week by guys who played their high school ball in Kansas and Missouri. Some are on winning teams, some are not. Some will end their season with the last regular season game, some will play deep into the playoffs. But all of them will continue to live their dream.