Kansas Pregame 8-Man Top 8: Jack Skocny

Kansas Pregame polled 8-Man coaches earlier this month who voted for the top four seniors they coached against this season. Kansas Pregame staffers then used those votes to develop a Top 8 list of seniors for each division. Check out several more Top 8 capsules below, and find the complete list of Top 8 selections, and the honorable mention list, here for 8-Man I and here for 8-Man II. 

Clifton-Clyde senior Jack Skocny closed out an outstanding football career with a dynamic 2024 season, leading the Eagles to the 8-Man Division I state semifinals and a 9-3 record. Skocny’s leadership and versatility were instrumental in the team’s success, as he excelled both as a quarterback and defensive back. Clifton-Clyde head coach Russ Steinbrock praised Skocny’s ability to adapt and lead during what he described as a rebuilding year for the program.

“Jack's impact on our team this year was discovering what his role was and taking it,” Steinbrock said. “This was an ongoing process not only for Jack but for all of us this season. The 2024 season was a complete rebuilding year for our team, and discovering our identity was part of the process each week. Jack and this senior class are one of the best groups of leaders I have coached in 24 years. They all understood the role they played, and they did their job without hesitation.”

Skocny’s statistics highlight his versatility. He rushed for 1,289 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding 721 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through the air. His ability to distribute the ball to seven different receivers kept opposing defenses guessing. On defense, he registered 38 tackles and led the team with five interceptions, consistently taking on the challenge of guarding opponents’ top receivers.

“Jack's biggest strength was his playmaking ability with the ball in his hands,” Steinbrock said. “This season much of our offense was set up around the RPO (run/pass option), specifically for Jack to have the ball in his hands and make plays. Jack has a very high football IQ and is a gifted athlete. He does a great job of reading defenses, and he can beat you with his arm or his feet.”

A defining moment of Skocny’s senior season came in a pivotal Week 6 matchup against undefeated Sylvan-Lucas. With the score tied at zero after the first quarter, Skocny connected on a 65-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, igniting the Eagles’ offense en route to a 32-6 victory. 

“It was at that point I really saw his confidence grow,” Steinbrock said. “He played an outstanding game and led our team to victory.”

Skocny’s career includes a 31-10 record, three state playoff trips, two district championships, a regional and sectional championship, and a sub-state runner-up finish. His 2024 accolades include being named First Team All-League Skill Position in the Twin Valley League, All-District First Team Quarterback and Special Teams Returner, Sports in Kansas First Team All-State Athlete, KSHSAA Covered First Team All-State flex position, and an SIP Offensive Player of the Year finalist.

Skocny’s athletic excellence extends beyond the gridiron. A standout basketball player, he plans to play at the collegiate level after graduating. In his current senior season, Skocny is averaging nearly 30 points per game, including a 31-point performance in a loss to Sacred Heart and 33 points in their other loss to Council Grove. As a junior, Skocny averaged 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game while shooting 65% from the field. He earned First Team All-League honors, was a Sports in Kansas First Team All-State selection, a KSHSAA Second Team All-State pick, and a Class 1A Player of the Year finalist while helping lead the Eagles to a state tournament appearance.