High School Sports

Park Hill, Staley, BV North, LS West players among Simone Award finalists

Blue Valley North quarterback Graham Mertz is one of the finalists for the Simone Award.
Blue Valley North quarterback Graham Mertz is one of the finalists for the Simone Award. jsleezer@kcstar.com

Finalists for the 2017 Thomas A. Simone football awards, which honor the best high school football players in the Kansas City area, were announced Tuesday night by PrepsKC.

Winners will be announced Dec. 5 at the high school of the Simone Award recipient.

Simone Award

WR Ronnie Bell, Sr., Park Hill: 1,605 yards receiving, 21 TDs.

RB Phillip Brooks, Sr., Lee’s Summit West: 1,600 yards rushing and 21 TDs; 556 yards receiving and 8 TDs.

QB Graham Mertz, Jr., Blue Valley North: 3,684 yards passing, 45 TDs and 6 INTs.

QB John Raybourn, Sr., Staley: 3,170 yards passing, 44 TDs and 4 INTs; 1,109 yards rushing and 12 TDs.

Frank Fontana Award

QB/DB Diego Bernard, Sr., St. Joseph Lafayette: 2,148 yards passing, 24 TDs and 7 INTs; 1,095 yards rushing and 8 TDs.

QB Tanner Clarkson, Sr., Platte County: 3,390 yards passing and 38 TDs; 5 rushing TDs.

QB Carter Putz, Sr., Bishop Miege: 2,844 yards passing, 38 TDs and 5 INTs; 596 yards rushing and 11 TDs.

QB Amaun Ryan, Sr., Center: 2,300 yards passing, 28 TDs and 3 INTs; 419 yards rushing and 7 TDs.

Buck Buchanan Award

LB Nick Allen, Sr., BV Southwest: 151 tackles, 97 solo, 21 TFL, 3  1/2 sacks.

DL Daniel Carson, Sr., William Chrisman: 73 tackles, 49 solo, 17 TFL, 6 sacks.

OL/DL Daniel Parker, Sr., Blue Springs: 34 tackles, 20 solo, 20 TFL, 16 sacks.

LB Brighton Ramirez, Sr., Park Hill: 142 tackles, 83 solo, 36 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles.

Bobby Bell Award

LB Dylan Downing, Jr., Bishop Miege: 142 tackles, 92 solo, 14 TFL, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs.

OT Marshall Kellner, Sr., De Soto: 87 pancake blocks, 0 sacks allowed.

DE Nick Kruse, Sr., Harrisonville: 98 tackles, 44 solo, 21 TFL, 6 sacks.

DE Michael Smith, Sr., Platte County: 58 tackles, 23 solo, 11 TFL, 16  1/2 sacks.

Otis Taylor Award

WR Ronnie Bell, Sr., Park Hill: 89 receptions for 1,605 yards and 21 TDs.

WR Dominic Gicinto, Sr., Raytown: 85 receptions for 1,341 yards and 10 TDs.

WR Jackson Heath, Sr., Blue Valley Northwest: 54 receptions for 771 yards and 6 TDs.

WR Logan Talley, Jr., Mill Valley: 91 receptions for 1,254 yards and 11 TDs.

This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Park Hill, Staley, BV North, LS West players among Simone Award finalists."

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