KFBCA Top 11: Sammy Dresie

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams in early December, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Maize South wide receiver Sammy Dresie's capsule below. For a look at the complete 2023 KFBCA All-State teams click here.

Maize South senior Sammy Dresie is among the most productive receivers in state history after three varsity seasons of reeling in passes for the Mavericks. Over that span, Dresie caught 179 balls for 2,937 yards and 23 touchdowns with an average of 16.4 yards per catch.

Standing at 6-2 with a 4.5 40 and 36.2 inch vertical, Dresie often outmatched opponents physically, but was far from solely reliant on his natural abilities.

“Sammy's biggest strength is his competitive spirit,” veteran Maize South head coach Brent Pfiefer said. “He wants to win at everything he does. He wants to run the best route, he wants to beat the defender, he wants to make the best block that creates a touchdown for a teammate, and he wants to win every ball thrown his way.”

Dresie’s first year of high school didn’t see much varsity action in South’s 5-4 season that ended with a second round playoff loss to crosstown rival Maize 59-27, but was already showing promise.

“Sammy was a short skinny little guy when he entered high school, but it was obvious that he had talent, a great work ethic, and an incredible competitive spirit,” Pfiefer said. “He spent four years asking his coaches what he needed to do to get better, listened, and attacked each day to make it happen. He will only continue to improve and win as he enters college football. Sammy does not accept being second. He will do whatever it takes to be the best and help his team win.”

In Dresie’s sophomore season that promise began to show in the form of a 26 reception, 504 yard, and six touchdown season as the Mavericks went 6-4 and made another second round playoff appearance.

Dresie earned All-League honorable mention for his efforts.

The Mavericks started off strong in Dresie’s junior season going 3-1 in the first four weeks of the season before losing four of the next five and finishing the year 4-5.

Despite the losing record, Dresie was dominant, catching 69 passes for 1,063 yards and nine TDs with a 15.4 yard per catch average and earning All-League and All-State honors.

Dresie wasn’t the only weapon returning for South this fall, with seniors Jeron Askren and Landon Gatto back as dangerous targets for junior quarterback Tate McNew.

High expectations for a dynamic offense weren’t in vain. Dresie led the team with 84 receptions, 1,370 yards, and 10 TDs while helping the Mavericks to an 8-3 record, including the team’s first win over rival Maize since 2015 in front of thousands of onlookers.

Hutch head coach Mike Vernon had the challenge of facing South twice during the season, beating the Mavericks in Week 3, 28-23, before eventually losing to them in the second round of the playoffs 21-20.

“Sammy Dresie is an amazing player that warrants your attention throughout the game,” Vernon said. “We have to put our best corner on him and change coverages on the back end. The thing that makes Dresie different is he can make plays over these adjustments.”

Days after the Mavericks season wrapped up following the quarterfinal playoff appearance, Dresie announced his commitment to play football at South Dakota State University, choosing the Jackrabbits over Air Force and multiple Division II and junior college offers.

“Sammy is a quiet leader on and off the field,” Pfiefer said. “I hope that our young players have watched and listened about his journey through high school. He plays three sports, because he loves to compete. Competes with himself and his teammates in the weightroom year round, goes to the field to work routes and catch balls more than once a week year round, and does what is asked of him with a smile and incredible work ethic, but he also looks to do more than anyone else. He is constantly competing with himself and others around him, all with a positive and unselfish attitude.”