Game Balls From Around the State: Week 2
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We’re fully into the swing of things now as we gear up for Week 3 of the ’22 campaign. But before we look to the third week of the season, it’s a must to highlight the action that took place…
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Continue ReadingWe’re fully into the swing of things now as we gear up for Week 3 of the ’22 campaign. But before we look to the third week of the season, it’s a must to highlight the action that took place during Week 2. These were some of the top offensive and defensive performances that stood out from this past week.
Offense:
Cooper Chadwell & Ty Smith Ty Smith 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Circle | 2023 State KS – Circle, Class of ’23
Circle High School’s Week 2 win against Buhler was huge for the program, and this duo played a significant role in the Thunderbirds’ victory. The seniors would scorch the Crusaders’ secondary, as the two linked up four times for 183 yards and three scores. Cooper Chadwell also added 104 yards rushing on four carries with two touchdowns, and Ty Smith Ty Smith 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Circle | 2023 State KS came up with three interceptions on defense.
Brayden Lawson Brayden Lawson 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Marmaton Valley | 2025 State KS – Marmaton Valley, 6’1”, 185, QB, Class of ’25
Brayden Lawson Brayden Lawson 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Marmaton Valley | 2025 State KS picks up two accolades after his impressive performance from Week 2. In addition to earning an Offensive Game Ball, Lawson is also one of the latest additions to the Class ’25 Player Rankings. This comes after the sophomore accounted for nearly 450 yards of total offense, and scored seven total touchdowns in just his second game as a starter. This breakout performance could be a huge confidence boost for Lawson going forward.
Brooks Kappelmann & Zayden Martinez – Liberal, Class of ’24
The connection of Kappelmann and Martinez was on point in Liberal’s Week 2 win against Emporia, as the duo accounted for 24 of the Spartans’ 53 points. They‘d hook up five times for 210 yards and four touchdowns. These two have been a nice surprise out of Class 5A to start the ’22 campaign, and they have the potential to be one of the top duos in the division the rest of the season.
Mitch Budke Mitch Budke 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Chase County | 2023 State KS – Chase County, 5’9”, 160, ATH, Class of ’23
Mitch Budke Mitch Budke 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Chase County | 2023 State KS had multiple Game Ball worthy performances last season, and he’s maintained that level of play through the first two games of his senior year. He’s the second 8-Man player to pick up an Offensive Game Ball in this Week 2 edition, as he accumulated 439 yards of total offense with six total touchdowns in Chase County’s win over the Crest Lancers. Budke also had 17 total tackles to go along with his impressive offensive performance.
Defense:
Bradley Eldridge – Council Grove, 5’8”, 165, ATH, Class of ’23
Eldridge’s monster performance was a big reason why the Braves shutout Mission Valley in Week 2. The senior came up with 9 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and a safety. That’s a very impressive stat line regardless of classification level.
Brandon Roupsouay – Olathe West, 5’8”, 175, DB, Class of ’23
Despite the Owls losing a close one to Lawerence this past week, Roupsouay turned in a Game Ball worthy performance. The senior safety shot into the Lions’ backfield for three tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and finished with nine total tackles and one forced fumble on the night.
Walt Gray Walt Gray 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Bishop Carroll | 2023 State KS – Bishop Carroll, 6’3”, 215, DL, Class of ’23
Rounding off this 2nd edition of Game Balls From Around the State is the 7th ranked defensive lineman in the Class of ’23. Walt Gray Walt Gray 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Bishop Carroll | 2023 State KS was featured in the 1st Prospect Matchups of the season, and he’s been a beast since then. In Bishop Carroll’s Week 2 win over Wichita South, Gray racked up six total tackles and two sacks.