Game Balls From Around the State: Week 4

The half-way point in the regular season brought us some exciting games. Multiple teams in the higher classification levels faced off against out-of-state competition, and there were a few ranked matchups that went down to the wire. Things are going to start getting interesting now as teams prepare for the second half of the regular season. Here's a look at the prospects that shined during all the Week 4 action.    Offense:   <a href="https://twitter.com/logan_mccarty3?s=21&t=9pBeyZ7t0tk6byildQ-dGw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/logan_mccarty3?s=21&t=9pBeyZ7t0tk6byildQ-dGw">Logan McCarty</a> – Cheylin, 5'11”, 170, ATH, Class of '24   <a href="https://twitter.com/logan_mccarty3?s=21&t=9pBeyZ7t0tk6byildQ-dGw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/logan_mccarty3?s=21&t=9pBeyZ7t0tk6byildQ-dGw">Logan McCarty</a> came up huge for the Cheylin Cougars in their Week 4 win over Northern Valley. This game was a shootout decided by one point, but the Cougars prevailed behind McCarty's big night. The junior impressed through the air and on the ground, as he'd complete 19-of-28 passes for 373 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries with two scores.    [player_tooltip player_id='254402' first='Kenyon' last='McMillan'] – Salina Central, 5'7”, 160, RB, Class of '23   [player_tooltip player_id='254402' first='Kenyon' last='McMillan'] was another prospect that helped will his team to victory in a high-scoring affair during Week 4. The Salina Central product is known for his speed, and it was on full display against Andover. McMillan eclipsed 300 yards on just 19 attempts, and made five trips to the end zone. He's made a very strong case to be moved up in the next Class of '23 rankings update, as he's averaging an explosive 11.8 yards per carry.    [player_tooltip player_id='259786' first='Omari' last='Elias'] – Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 5'9”, 185, RB, Class of '24   [player_tooltip player_id='259786' first='Omari' last='Elias'] had a special year during 2021, and he's on pace to put up more ridiculous numbers as a junior. Elias put together a record-setting performance that helped the Crusaders pick up their second win in dominating fashion. The top-ranked back rushed for over 360 yards with three scores against Westminster High School (Co.).    [player_tooltip player_id='265194' first='Brayden' last='Kunz'] – Conway Springs, 6'2”, 200, RB, Class of '24   [player_tooltip player_id='265194' first='Brayden' last='Kunz'] is the third running back in this Game Ball piece that rushed for over 300 yards during Week 4. Kunz's outstanding performance couldn't have come at a better time either. The junior's big night on the ground helped the Cardinals secure their first win of the '22 campaign. The Cardinals fed Kunz the ball 34 times against Medicine Lodge, which led to the junior rushing for 331 yards and six touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='246085' first='Dalton' last='Whitworth'] – Rock Creek, 5'11”, 170, QB, Class of '23   Whitworth has followed up his breakout junior year nicely. The Mustangs are looking like one of the best teams in Class 3A, and he is once again amongst the state's leaders in passing yards. Week 4 was arguably his best performance so far this season, as the senior completed 21-of-34 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns, and added 78 yards on the ground on just eight carries.    Defense:   [player_tooltip player_id='316533' first='Ethan' last='Burton'] – Council Grove, 6'1”, 185, ATH, Class of '23   The Council Grove Braves continue their impressive start to the '22 campaign. This is the third week in a row that they've had a player earn a Game Ball. [player_tooltip player_id='316533' first='Ethan' last='Burton']'s play on defense was the difference maker in the Braves' narrow victory over Humboldt. The Arkansas Tech commit racked up a team-high 23 total tackles, and also came up with two interceptions to help hold the Cubs to just 14 points.    [player_tooltip player_id='246086' first='Maddox' last='Ibarra'] – Rock Creek, 5'10”, 160, DB, Class of '23   While [player_tooltip player_id='246085' first='Dalton' last='Whitworth'] was busy carving up Silver Lake's defense, [player_tooltip player_id='246086' first='Maddox' last='Ibarra'] was busy making things difficult for the Eagles' offense. Ibarra piled up 14 total tackles on the night, and picked off two passes in the Mustangs' 44-28 victory.   Special Teams:   [player_tooltip player_id='263326' first='Sam' last='Parks'] – Maize South, 5'9”, 150, K, Class of '24   The top-ranked kicker in the Class of '24 becomes the second special teams player to take home a Game Ball this season. Parks went 2-of-3 on field goal tries with one being a 50-yarder, which is now a Maize South record. He was also perfect on PAT's as he went 4-of-4.

The half-way point in the regular season brought us some exciting games. Multiple teams in the higher classification levels faced off against out-of-state competition, and there were a few ranked matchups that went down to the wire. Things are going to start getting interesting now as teams prepare for the second half of the regular season. Here's a look at the prospects that shined during all the Week 4 action.