Top Matchups for Week 5

The second half of the '22 campaign is shaping up to be an exciting few weeks. Teams will be fighting for playoff seeding, as we are now just weeks away from the postseason. Week 5's slate of games features some exciting battles, but these three matchups headline the fifth week of the 2022 season. Each of these matchups have major significance, and they are the top games from their respective classification levels for this week.   Field Kindley 4A (4-0) vs. Wamego 4A (4-0)   This Class 4A matchup poses a very intriguing meeting between two unbeaten teams. The Wamego Red Raiders have lived up to the preseason hype thus far, and the Golden Tornados of Field Kindley have been one of the biggest surprises of the '22 campaign. Three out of the four wins Field Kindley has picked up have come from teams they lost to last year. But they'll face their biggest test of the season so far, as Wamego has out scored opponents 176-29. Both squads come into the contest with something to prove, which should make for an entertaining game.   Some players that will be key for both teams are [player_tooltip player_id='262719' first='Kainen' last='White'] and Jeremy Colbert of Field Kindley, and [player_tooltip player_id='394722' first='Colin' last='Donahue'] and [player_tooltip player_id='394720' first='Dawson' last='Tajchman'] of Wamego. The Golden Tornados like to pound the rock, so look for junior Jeremy Colbert to get the ball early and often. He's dominated since taking over as the feature back, as he's rushed for nearly 450 yards over the past two games. On the other side of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='262719' first='Kainen' last='White'] will be tasked with slowing down Wamego's explosive offense. White has been one of the best defenders for Field Kindley, and he leads the team in tackles for loss with 12 on the season. Another player that has performed well while filling in for an injured starter is [player_tooltip player_id='394722' first='Colin' last='Donahue']. Wamego's offense hasn't skipped a beat with him under center, as they are averaging 44 points per game. Defensively for Wamego, they will need to utilize [player_tooltip player_id='394720' first='Dawson' last='Tajchman']'s physicality to limit the Golden Tornados' run game. He primarily lines up at safety, but don't be surprised to see him playing closer to the line this week.   Wellsville 3A (4-0) vs. Bishop Ward 3A (3-1)   The meeting between undefeated Wellsville and one-loss Bishop Ward is one of the marquee matchups in Class 3A for Week 5. Wellsville has continued their success from last year, as they make it back-to-back seasons with 4-0 starts. But the Cyclones are looking like a tough team this year, with their one loss coming against Frontenac. This could be a statement game for both squads, as one team is looking to stay perfect, while the other is looking to put the rest of Class 3A on notice.   The biggest matchup in this game will be the battle between Wellsville's explosive offense, and Bishop Ward's stout defense. Wellsville features an offense that averages 36 points per game, and they are led by senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='122461' first='Nash' last='Money']. Money had a special junior campaign in 2021, and he's gotten off to a strong start as a senior. Through four games, Money has rushed for over 600 yards on 82 carries with eight scores. Meanwhile, sophomore <a href="https://twitter.com/keylan_overton6?s=21&t=QQ7usi-SkqaiYM1FWFYjwQ" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/keylan_overton6?s=21&t=QQ7usi-SkqaiYM1FWFYjwQ">Keylan Overton</a> has been one of the main leaders to a defense that has only surrendered 39 points through four games. Containing Money won't be easy, but Overton's play could be the difference maker for the Cyclones. Look for the sophomore to be one of the top tacklers in this one, as he leads Bishop Ward with 37 total.   Rossville 2A (2-2) vs. Silver Lake 2A (2-2)   2022's version of the ‘War On 24' will be a bit different from the previous meetings. While this year's game might not feature notable players like Torrey Horak or Daigan Kruger, it is still another chapter in one of the state's most storied rivalries. The Rossville Bulldogs and the Silver Lake Eagles both enter Week 5 at 2-2, and they're both determined to start the second half of the regular season with a win. This is a game with a lot of meaning for the long-time rivals, and it could give the winner some momentum before postseason play.   Two prospects that are sure to be X-Factors in this huge rivalry matchup will be junior <a href="https://twitter.com/camdenhorak?s=21&t=HC_0GJJlXO5XQXhIjO5FbQ" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/camdenhorak?s=21&t=HC_0GJJlXO5XQXhIjO5FbQ">Camden Horak</a> of Rossville, and senior <a href="https://twitter.com/kadenw54?s=21&t=C0j2yN61Krn3C9cmrMo0LQ" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/kadenw54?s=21&t=C0j2yN61Krn3C9cmrMo0LQ">Kaden Walker</a> of Silver Lake. Camden had big shoes to fill this season after the Bulldogs graduated Torrey Horak, but the junior has filled in well under center. Rossville is averaging 33 points per game, and he's accounted for 965 yards of total offense and nine total touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Walker is a defender that could give Horak and the Bulldogs' offense some trouble. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior is one of Silver Lake's top defensive linemen. If Rossville's offensive line can't keep him out of the backfield, then it could be a long night for Horak.

The second half of the '22 campaign is shaping up to be an exciting few weeks. Teams will be fighting for playoff seeding, as we are now just weeks away from the postseason. Week 5's slate of games features some exciting battles, but these three matchups headline the fifth week of the 2022 season. Each of these matchups have major significance, and they are the top games from their respective classification levels for this week.