Game Balls From Around the State: Week 7

A lot was at stake during the seventh week of the '22 campaign, as there were multiple league rivals fighting to move up In the standings before the final week of the regular season. A few leagues have already been decided, but Week 8 sets up for some exciting finishes. League champions will be crowned, and the playoff brackets for each classification level will be officially set. Folks better get ready for an interesting week.   But before we look ahead to Week 8, it's a must that we highlight the Game Ball winners from Week 7's slate of games. Five out of the eight prospects featured picked up their second Game Ball of the season, and three of them earned their first. Here's a look at some of the top performances that took place around the state during Week 7.   Offense:   <a href="https://twitter.com/wdorsey112?s=21&t=SbhPPeRQSVuy0dZGpUdYfw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/wdorsey112?s=21&t=SbhPPeRQSVuy0dZGpUdYfw">William Dorsey</a> – Wellsville, 6'2”, 165, QB, Class of '24   Normally [player_tooltip player_id='122461' first='Nash' last='Money'] headlines Wellsville's offense, but junior quarterback <a href="https://twitter.com/wdorsey112?s=21&t=SbhPPeRQSVuy0dZGpUdYfw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/wdorsey112?s=21&t=SbhPPeRQSVuy0dZGpUdYfw">William Dorsey</a> stole the show during Week 7. Dorsey was extremely efficient in the Eagles' win over Santa Fe Trail, as he completed 85% of his passes and had zero turnovers. He'd end the contest throwing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. The junior has quietly put together a strong first-year under center, and is a big reason why Wellsville is now 7-0.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115508' first='Trace' last='Kopper'] – Cimarron, 5'7”, 140, ATH, Class of '25   This sophomore had a big night in Cimarron's victory over Southwestern Heights. [player_tooltip player_id='1115508' first='Trace' last='Kopper'] averaged nearly 14 yards per carry, as he went on to rush for 292 yards on just 21 attempts with four scores. The dominant performance helped the Blue Jays pick up their second win of the season.    [player_tooltip player_id='246085' first='Dalton' last='Whitworth'] – Rock Creek, 5'11”, 170, QB, Class of '23   [player_tooltip player_id='246085' first='Dalton' last='Whitworth'] and the Rock Creek Mustangs continue to stay hot, as they extended their winning streak to six games. They took down a tough Clay Center squad behind Whitworth's monster game through the air. Whitworth finished the contest completing 26-of-33 passes for 416 yards and five touchdowns. The senior has been great all season, and his play gives the Mustangs a good shot at a deep playoff run.   [player_tooltip player_id='237214' first='Malik' last='O'Atis'] – Shawnee Mission NW, 5'10”, 170, RB, Class of '23   Putting up video game numbers has become the norm for star running back, [player_tooltip player_id='237214' first='Malik' last='O'Atis']. His performance during Week 7 was the second time the senior has eclipsed 400 yards in a game this season. O'Atis was fed the ball 39 times and rushed for 406 yards with three touchdowns in Northwest's win over Shawnee Mission East. The senior is easily a front-runner for 6A Offensive Player of the Year with the season he's had.   All-Around:   [player_tooltip player_id='265194' first='Brayden' last='Kunz'] – Conway Springs, 6'2”, 200, ATH, Class of '24   [player_tooltip player_id='265194' first='Brayden' last='Kunz']'s second Game Ball of the season comes after an unbelievable all-around performance against the top-ranked team in Class 1A. Conway Springs was able to knock off undefeated Inman behind Kunz's 282 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. In addition to his impressive rushing numbers, Kunz also came up with a pick-six that helped the Cardinals seal the deal.   [player_tooltip player_id='243299' first='Cooper' last='Hajek'] – Nemaha Central, 6'2”, 230, ATH, Class of '23   The stock of [player_tooltip player_id='243299' first='Cooper' last='Hajek'] continues to soar as the '22 campaign moves along. His breakout year on the ground continued during Week 7, as the senior rushed for 332 yards on 38 carries with four scores in the Thunder's 34-12 win over Riley County. Hajek came up big on defense as well with nine total tackles on the night. He is sure to see several offers come his way by the end of his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='316533' first='Ethan' last='Burton'] – Council Grove, 6'1”, 185, ATH, Class of '23   The first time [player_tooltip player_id='316533' first='Ethan' last='Burton'] earned a Game Ball was for his outstanding play on defense during Week 4. But the performance he put together this past week was arguably his best of the season. Burton accumulated 276 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns, and racked up an additional 48 yards from an interception return. The senior's big night almost broke a school record for most all-purpose yards in a single game, and helped Council Grove improve to 6-1.   Defense:   <a href="https://twitter.com/aydren_drew?s=21&t=AxKLvbjRVxdrdsXkhYOJ2g" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/aydren_drew?s=21&t=AxKLvbjRVxdrdsXkhYOJ2g">Aydren Drew-Gregory</a> – Highland Park, 5'11”, 150, DB, Class of '23   The Highland Park Scots got back in the win column during Week 7, and they did so in shutout fashion. <a href="https://twitter.com/aydren_drew?s=21&t=AxKLvbjRVxdrdsXkhYOJ2g" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/aydren_drew?s=21&t=AxKLvbjRVxdrdsXkhYOJ2g">Aydren Drew-Gregory</a> played a significant role in the Scots' victory, as the senior shined in the secondary with a three interception performance. Not only is having three picks in one game ridiculous, but he also returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns.

A lot was at stake during the seventh week of the '22 campaign, as there were multiple league rivals fighting to move up In the standings before the final week of the regular season. A few leagues have already been decided, but Week 8 sets up for some exciting finishes. League champions will be crowned, and the playoff brackets for each classification level will be officially set. Folks better get ready for an interesting week.