Basketball Standouts on the Gridiron: Opening Week

<p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at what some of the standout basketball players around the state did on the football field during the opening of the high school season last weekend.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="984953" first="Always" last="Wright"] (Joplin): The senior quarterback completed 24 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles dramatic 41-40 victory over rival Webb City: The 6'3" Wright is an All-State shooting guard for Joplin who has scholarship offers in both sports.</p> <p>Arhmad Branch (Festus): The junior wide receiver had five receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' victory over Ste. Genevieve. The 5'11" Branch was an All-State point guard last season as a sophomore.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="985425" first="Ryan" last="Schwendeman"] (St. Dominic): The 6'4" 240-pound senior tight end had two receptions for 45 yards and scored on a 66-yard touchdown run in the Crusaders' victory over St. Charles West. Schwendeman is a stud performer in both sports.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="992309" first="Cole" last="Rickermann"] (Festus): The senior quarterback completed 17 of 29 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers' victory over Ste. Genevieve. Rickermann was also an All-conference shooting guard for the Tigers.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1180549" first="Mason" last="Rumsey"] (Lafayette County): The senior receiver had six receptions for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Penney. The 6'2" Rumsey is already Lafayette County's career scoring leader in basketball.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1161319" first="Steven" last="Bonner"] (Soldan): The junior wide receiver had three receptions for 147 yards and three touchdowns on scores of 83, 41 and 42 yards in the Tigers' 42-40 victory over Vianney. The 6'3" Bonner is one of the top 2023 players in the St. Louis area.</p>