If you checked out our annual Johnson County football preview, which came out on Wednesday in the zone edition of your local paper (and I know you did), chances are you saw our list of the top 11 players to watch in Johnson County.

The EKL had four representatives - Bishop Miege receiver Justin McCay, Blue Valley offensive lineman Ryan Miller, St. Thomas Aquinas offensive lineman Jake Morin and St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Ricky Nachbar.

The thing is, there are other players in the EKL who deserve recognition. So lets show them some love, right here, right now.

Demetrious Baylis, St. Thomas Aquinas, senior running back: The 5-11, 200-pound Rockhurst transfer is a bit of a mystery to other teams at this point. But while this will be Baylis' only season with the Saints, one thing is for sure - he will make a huge impact in the Saints' spread offense. Look for the Saints to feature Baylis and athlete Dagan Reed prominently in an effort to improve a running attack that struggled at times last year.

Mike Britton, Blue Valley North, senior offensive tackle: The Mustangs lose a talented lineman in Bob Klug, a KC Star All-Metro selection who anchored the offensive tackle position for the Mustangs last season. The thing is, there shouldn't be much of a dropoff this year, because Britton is a talented player who Jones says has already been offered by all the service academies.

Tyler Bullis, BV West, senior defensive tackle: At 6-2, 221 pounds, Bullis isn't the most imposing lineman you'll see. But he is a guy that most coaches in the league feel is the best three-technique in the EKL. Bullis used his quickness to rack up seven sacks and pick up all-EKL and all-state honors last season.

Conner Combes, Blue Valley, senior tight end/defensive end: Combes is a terrific athlete who made our all-Johnson County baseball team as a first teamer. He's one of several returning starters on an offense that could be explosive if it limits its mistakes. At 6-4, 220 pounds, he will present an inviting target for quarterback Tanner Purdon, both downfield and in the short passing game. 

Brian Grover, BV West, senior receiver/safety: At 6-2, Grover presents matchup problems on the perimeter with his size and speed. Despite having a profilic receiver like Aaron Ashley (16 touchdowns) on the other side of the field last season, Grover still found a way to score 10 touchdowns. As the sole returning starter on the Jaguars' offense, look for coach Scott Wright to get him the ball as much as possible.

Blake Martin, St. Thomas Aquinas, junior defensive lineman: Martin gets lost in the shadow of some of his high-profile teammates, but there is little doubt that Martin is one of the league's top returning players. Despite being just a sophomore, the 6-3, 190 pound defensive end had 123 tackles, six sacks and 13 tackles for loss while being named to the all-EKL first team.

Matt Ornduff, BV Northwest, junior receiver: The 6-2 receiver came on toward the end of last season and has caught the attention of the coaching staff with his remarkable hands. Coach Mike Zegunis says Ornduff won't fly by people, but he runs great routes and finds a way to come down with the ball when defensive backs are draped over him. Look for Ornduff to be quarterback Michael Petersen's go-to-guy on third down.

Michael Petersen, BV Northwest, senior quarterback: An all-EKL honorable mention selection last season, the 6-2 Petersen has the tools to be the league's best quarterback. And with the responsibility of an offense that loses nine starters placed solely in his hands, look for Petersen to improve on the 10 touchdown passes he threw last year.

 Did I miss anybody? Got a story idea? Shoot me an e-mail at tpaylor@kcstar.com.