Last season Blake Bell introduced himself to the Kansas high school football scene, and to the nation, by throwing for 3,251 yards, breaking former Sacred Heart signal caller Dane Simoneau's Kansas single season passing record of 3,160 yards.
Although the Bishop Carroll quarterback, who accounted for 43 touchdowns in 2008, lost much of his supporting cast from a year ago he will try to keep that momentum going as he prepares for a college career at Oklahoma beginning in 2010.
Regardless of who takes the field with Bell, the 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior has the talent to dominate any game he participates in and he earns top billing as Kansas' preseason offensive Most Valuable Player in 2009.
Derby cornerback Devin Hedgepeth will join Bell in the Sooner State next fall after committing to Oklahoma State earlier this week. The 6-0, 187-pound speedster begins his final prep season as the Sunflower State's preseason defensive MVP.
Below is a look at the rest of the 2009 Kansas Big School Preseason All-State Team.
First Team Offense
QB - Blake Bell, Wichita Bishop Carroll, Sr. 6-6 215
2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
RB - Demarcus Robinson, Wichita Northwest, Sr. 5-9 192
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
RB - Josh Smith, Hutchinson, Sr. 5-10 215
2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
RB - James Franklin, Olathe North, Sr. 5-9 175
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
WR - Landon Head, Dodge City, Sr. 6-3 195
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
WR - Justin McCay, Bishop Miege, Sr. 6-3 197
McCay, a top 10 recruit at wide receiver nationally according to some experts, is headed to Oklahoma
WR - Matt Crain, Columbus, Sr. 6-4 180
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 4A Topeka Capital Journal
OL - Michael Lisher, Lawrence Free State, Sr. 6-3 260
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
OL - Cameron McLean, Gardner-Edgerton, Sr. 6-3 270
2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
OL - B. J. Finney, Andale, Sr. 6-5 280
2008 First Team All-State Class 4A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 4A Topeka Capital Journal
OL - Dylan Admire, Blue Valley West, Jr. 6-4 270
Third-ranked offensive lineman at the 2007-08 Nike SPARQ Combine
OL - Ross Lovett, Hutchinson, Sr. 6-4 247
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
First Team Defense
DL - Geneo Grissom, Hutchinson, Sr. 6-4 210
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
DL - Lucas Vincent, Olathe North, Sr. 6-3 270
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
DL - Ryan Mueller, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. 6-2 210
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
DL - Oliver Venegas, Olathe North, Sr. 6-2 250
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
DL - Travis Tuiloma, Topeka Washburn Rural, Sr. 6-3 285
Will lead a strong Junior Blues offensive line before heading to play at BYU next season
LB - Dylan Barrow, McPherson, Sr. 6-0 180
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
LB - Lawrence Tillman, Wichita Southeast, Sr. 5-8 184
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
LB - Justin Ramos, Junction City, Sr. 5-11 200
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
LB - Tre Walker, Olathe North, Sr. 6-3 210
Before heading to play for Kansas State coach Bill Snyder Walker hopes to lead the Eagles to a 6A state title
DB - Devin Hedgepeth, Derby, Sr. 6-0 187
2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6A Topeka Capital Journal
DB - Spencer Vanderbogart, Topeka Seaman, Sr. 5-11 180
2008 First Team All-State Class 5A Topeka Capital Journal
DB - Trevor Releford, Bishop Miege, Sr. 6-0 170
Known for his basketball skills but he can play football too
DB - Skylar Hawkins, Paola, Sr. 5-10 175
2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 4A Wichita Eagle; 2008 First Team All-State Class 4A Topeka Capital Journal
First Team Special Teams
K - Conner Frazell, Iola, Sr. 5-8 165
2008 First Team All-State Class 4A Wichita Eagle; 2008 Honorable Mention All-State Class 4A Topeka Capital Journal
P - Jordan Phillips, Circle, Jr. 6-6 290
Booted the ball 47 times for a 36.9 yard average a year ago
Returner - Warren Brown, Leavenworth, Sr.
Returned 23 kickoffs for a 34.57 yard average in 2008
Second Team Offense
Quarterback - Anthony Abenoja, Blue Valley, Sr.
Running Back - Joseph Randle, Wichita Southeast, Sr., Deveon Dinwiddie, Hutchinson, Sr., Dagan Reed, St. Thomas Aquinas, Jr.
Wide Receiver - Matt Ornduff, Blue Valley Northwest, Sr., Jacob Hurla, Topeka Seaman, Jr., Lucas Allen, Salina Central, Sr.
Offensive Linemen - Taylor Wallace, Kansas City-Schlagle, Sr., Rhett Enriquez, Salina Central, Sr., Jeremiah Reece, Gardner-Edgerton, Sr., Phillip McGruder, Kansas City-Washington, Sr., John McClure, Wichita Heights, Sr.
Second Team Defense
Defensive Lineman - Justin Goetz, Hutchinson, Sr., Chaquil Reed, Wichita East, Sr., Jordan Phillips, Circle, Jr., Blake Martin, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr., Jesse Ingle, Valley Center, Sr.
Linebackers - Matt Acree, Mill Valley, Sr., Laton Dowling, Dodge City, Sr., Dallas Buck, Shawnee Mission North, Sr., Sam Landis, Topeka West, Sr.
Defensive Backs - Miguel Johns, Newton, Sr., Alex Gardinier, Circle, Jr., Tyler Davis, McPherson, Sr., Mark Kolmer, Emporia, Sr.
Other Players to Watch
Quarterback - Jeremiah Plowden, Wichita Southeast; Ty Thomas, Dodge City; Camren Torneden, Lawrence Free State; Joel Piper, McPherson; Bubba Starling, Gardner-Edgerton. Running Back - Brett Jensen, Gardner-Edgerton; Rashon Johnson, Kansas City-Turner; Jimmie King, Junction City; Jameson Moore, Derby; Jorden Oden, Buhler; Cale Sharp, Salina Central. Receivers - Treg Fawl, McPherson; Devin Love, Bishop Miege; Keene Niemack, Lawrence Free State; Arthur Rucker, Shawnee Mission North; Steven Wolgamott, Maize. Offensive Linemen - Dylan Admire, Blue Valley West; Cameron Brandon, Wichita South; Tyler Ewy, Louisburg; Xavier Kelley, Wichita West; Devin Metzinger, Arkansas City; Trey Page, Wichita Northwest; Nick Perch, Blue Valley; Lucas Powell, Gardner-Edgerton; Bryant Stephens, Blue Valley; Tanner Willhoft, Hays.
Defensive Linemen - Evan Kaufman, Newton. Linebackers - Tim Chadd, Wichita Bishop Carroll; Tim Goode, Kansas City-Washington; Drew Humphreys, Shawnee Mission West; Aaron Johnson, Olathe East; Tyson Liston, Derby. Defensive Backs - Bobby Germinder, Bishop Miege; Justin Goetz, Hutchinson; Ben Heeney, Hutchinson; Arthur Rucker, Shawnee Mission North; Steven Strand, Wichita Heights; Miles Ukaoma, Maize.
