Maliek Collins

SCHOOL: Center

YEAR: Senior

Center earned a little payback Wednesday night with a 13-12 victory at previously-unbeaten Hogan Prep Academy. Center, 9-2, lost to Hogan Prep in the third week of the season. Maliek Collins ensured Center’s spot in the district title game Monday when he made a tackle for a loss on the game’s final play. He had three sacks, 14 tackles and one forced fumble in the win.

Venus Triplett

SCHOOL: Olathe North

YEAR: Sophomore

Playing rival Olathe South, the reigning Kansas 6A state champion, in a win-or-go-home district finale, Triplett powered the Eagles in the postseason with a 21-14 win. He finished with 23 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per game against a defense that had ranked third in the Sunflower League and allowed 4.1 yards per rush during the first eight games of the season. Triplett also had a 22-yard punt return.

| Tod Palmer, tpalmer@kcstar.com