Top Matchups for Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wait is over! Week 1 of the 2022 season is finally here! Excitement is sure to be in the air this evening, as the first week of the season brings us a great slate of games. While there are a number of intriguing matchups, these are four games that folks should definitely pay attention to. These matchups are filled with talented prospects that are sure to put on a show in Week 1.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Little River vs. Canton-Galva</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are notable teams in the higher classification levels facing off, this game is without a doubt one of the marquee matchups of Week 1. If folks are familiar with 8-Man football in Kansas, then they know about the rivalry between Little River and Canton-Galva. The two programs have traded blows over the past few seasons, and if this year's matchup is anything like the previous ones, fans will be in a for a treat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two key prospects to keep an eye on will be seniors [player_tooltip player_id='237216' first='Garrett' last='Maltbie'] (CG), and [player_tooltip player_id='123016' first='Braxton' last='Lafferty'] (LR). The 2022 season will be Maltbie's third under center for the Eagles, and he is widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the 8-Man ranks. Lafferty will be a four-year starter for Little River this season, and he is one of the best two-way players in the 8-Man Division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Wichita Northwest vs. Bishop Carroll</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Little River and Canton-Galva, the matchup of Wichita NW and Bishop Carroll has become one of the most highly anticipated games in the state. Both programs consistently produce next level talent, which usually makes for a very competitive matchup. This year's game should be no different.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are quite a few prospects capable of making plays in this one, but three that are sure to stick out will be defensive end, [player_tooltip player_id='122585' first='Walt' last='Gray'] (BC), and the dynamic backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='166973' first='LJ' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='146115' first='Cencere' last='Thompson'] (WNW). The Golden Eagles will need a big night from Gray to help slow down the Grizzlies' explosive ground game. Meanwhile, if Northwest can get Phillips and Thompson going early, it could be a long night for Bishop Carroll's defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Manhattan vs. Derby</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 will be a little bit of unfamiliar territory for these two elite 6A programs. The Manhattan Indians and the Derby Panthers have faced each other before, but never during the regular season. This first ever regular season meeting has a lot of promise, as both teams once again look to be serious contenders in Class 6A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manhattan's defense is sure to have it's hands full with <em>Notre Dame</em> commit, [player_tooltip player_id='87649' first='Dylan' last='Edwards']. But two offensive prospects from Manhattan could play a huge role in upsetting Derby. The Indians will have experience under center as [player_tooltip player_id='254399' first='Keenan' last='Schartz'] heads into year two as the starting quarterback, and they return the athletic [player_tooltip player_id='316548' first='Jaxon' last='Bowles'] as well. However, two defenders from Derby that will make things difficult for Schartz and Bowles will be <em>Southern Illinois</em> commit, [player_tooltip player_id='87678' first='Miles' last='Wash'], and rising defensive line prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='395472' first='Leshaon' last='Davis']. These prospects will man the first two levels of Derby's defense, and are likely to make several plays throughout the night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Washburn Rural vs. Wichita East</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup has the potential to not only be one of the biggest games of Week 1, but it has the potential to be one of the biggest games of the year. Both Washburn Rural and Wichita East have several prospects inside our rankings system, and each team has a loaded junior class as well. With all the offensive firepower both teams possess, fans could be tuning in for a barnburner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup to watch in this game will definitely be the battle of the quarterbacks. [player_tooltip player_id='145519' first='Branton' last='DeWeese'] (WR) and [player_tooltip player_id='146114' first='DaeOnte' last='Mitchell'] (WE) are both phenomenal signal callers that head into year three as starters. After splitting snaps as a freshman in 2020, DeWeese shined as the full-time starter in 2021. His play was a big reason for Rural's turnaround, as he helped lead them to an 8-2 record as a sophomore. Mitchell made an immediate impact for East as soon as he stepped under the bright lights back in 2020. Expect to see multiple highlight plays from the top ranked junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->