Game Balls from Around the State: Week 6

Week 6 brought us several outstanding performances from players that stepped up in some big-time games. Here’s a quick rundown of 10 players that shined across the state during Week 6. <em>Offense: </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="98395" first="Parker" last="Kavanagh"]</strong> – Salina Central, QB, <em>Class of ’22</em> The ’21 season has treated the Mustangs much better than the 2020 season did, and they’re hitting their stride at the right time. They earned their 4^th win of the season behind Kavanagh’s strong performance against a highly ranked Andover Central squad. He completed 73% of his passes and accounted for 286 yards of total offense with three total touchdowns. <strong>Bryson Turner</strong> – Madison, RB, <em>Class of ’23</em> The battle of the Bulldogs was an exciting Week 6 matchup in the 8-Man ranks. Chase County and Madison both entered the contest at 5-0, but Madison continues their bid for an undefeated regular season thanks to Turner’s monster performance. The junior rushed for 319 yards on 26 carriers and found the end zone seven times. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215831" first="Cade" last="Friend"]</strong> – Eisenhower, WR, <em>Class of ’22</em> This senior played a key role in the Tigers’ win over Ark City. Eisenhower’s passing game was rolling against the Bulldogs, and Friend was the beneficiary of several targets. He hauled in 12 receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Friend has been a playmaker all season, and he’ll be a prospect to look for in the next Class of ’22 rankings update. <strong>Xander Newberry</strong> – Argonia/Attica, QB, <em>Class of ’22</em> There’s been some great performances from the 8-Man ranks this season and Newberry adds to this list. The Titans took care of business during Week 6 as they went on to score 62 points against Moundridge. They were led by Newberry’s dual-threat effort with him accounting for 343 yards of total offense and seven total touchdowns <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="146114" first="DaeOnte" last="Mitchell"]</strong> – Wichita East, QB, <em>Class of ’24</em> The Blue Aces have had their struggles this year after going 7-2 the previous season. However, they haven’t let this discourage them, and their play during Week 6 showed that. Mitchell helped lead them to a huge 50-7 win over a 4-1 Garden City team. The standout sophomore went 17 of 22 for 275 yards and three touchdowns, and added 85 yards on the ground with one score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="166967" first="Malachi" last="Berg"]</strong> – Topeka West, QB, <em>Class of ‘23</em> This signal caller helped lead the Charger to a victory over Highland Park with his legs. Berg and co. were explosive in this barnburner, as they lit up the scoreboard with 80 points. The 57^th ranked prospect in the Class of ’23 rushed for 238 yards and hit pay dirt five times. The dynamic junior will look to keep things rolling in Week 7 when the Chargers take on Manhattan. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215852" first="Sam" last="Elliot"]</strong> – Buhler, RB, <em>Class of ’22</em> Elliot earns his second game ball of the season after his performance in a marquee matchup against undefeated McPherson. Both teams came into the contest highly ranked and riding winning streaks, creating one of the top games of Week 6. The senior stepped up and scored nearly half of the Crusaders points. Elliot rushed for 260 yards and made his way into the end zone three times, as Buhler hands McPherson their first loss in a 42-30 victory. <em>Defense: </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215862" first="Nolyn" last="Cunningham"]</strong> – Hutchinson, DB, <em>Class of ’22</em> Cunningham was a major factor in the Salthawks’ 41-7 win over Salina South. He put together a dominant defensive stat line. Cunningham had double-digit tackles with a pair of sacks and two interceptions, one being a return for a touchdown. <strong>Brennan Walker</strong> – Beloit, DL, <em>Class of ’22</em> Beloit’s defense has been one of the top units in the state over the past three weeks; surrendering only 13 points during that span. It’s been players like Walker that have stepped up to make this happen. He did it all against Norton, returning a 99-yard kickoff to the house, coming up with a blocked punt and two sacks, and even hauling in a 17-yard touchdown reception. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123014" first="Karsten" last="McKee"]</strong> – Pleasanton, ATH, <em>Class of ’23</em> McKee is another prospect that made plays in all three phases of the game, as Pleasanton picked up their first win of the season against Northern Heights. On defense and special teams, McKee racked up 12 total tackles with an interception and had a 65-yard kick return for a touchdown. The junior impressed on offense as well, rushing for 208 yards with four scores.