Deck’s Top 5 Big Games: Week Nine Class 5A Edition
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The best games in Class 5A will be played in the western part of the state this weekend. Here is the second of multiple reports picking five key games from a different classification each day and featuring one prospect from…
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Continue ReadingThe best games in Class 5A will be played in the western part of the state this weekend.
Here is the second of multiple reports picking five key games from a different classification each day and featuring one prospect from each game from Week Nine contests.
Great Bend (5-3) at Salina Central (6-2) – This is the best match-up on paper this week in Class 5A. Both of these compete and both will be tough outs as the postseason advances. The winner of the eight and nine-seed battle, barring an upset will more than likely have a regional date with the western No. 1 Seed Kapaun Mt. Carmel (7-1).
Elijah Wilson Elijah Wilson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Salina Central | 2024 State KS , RB, 5’8”, 170, Salina Central, ‘24
Wilson is the Mustangs leading rusher with 1,197 yards on 161 carries. The workhorse back has also scored 15 touchdowns on the ground. Wilson is also a threat to catch balls out of the backfield. He has made 25 receptions for 200 yards.
Valley Center (5-3) @ Hays (6-2) – Hays is the No. 7 Seed in the west and has a significant win over Liberal on its resume. The tenth-seeded Hornets have a couple of solid wins against Newton and Goddard but will need to play a turnover-free game to upset the Indians.
Walker Vanderweide Walker Vanderweide 5'10" | 165 lbs | LB Valley Center | 2025 State KS , LB, 5’10”, 165, Valley Center, ‘25
Vanderweide is a quick-moving linebacker who can wrap up tacklers and provide pressure in the backfield. He has over 50 tackles for Valley Center and six-plus tackles for loss. Vanderweide will try to lead the Hornets to victory over Hays. Which would set up a likely rematch against No. 2 Seed Eisenhower.
Maize (3-5) @ Goddard (6-2) – No. 11 seeded Maize will have to play solid run defense in order to knock off the No. 6 seed Goddard. The winner will play the survivor of the Liberal (7-1) versus Newton (3-5) contest.
Micah Johnson Micah Johnson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Goddard | 2024 State KS , RB, 5’11”, 170, Goddard, ‘24
Johnson is the leading rusher for the Lions with 910 yards gained on 148 carries. The hard-to-tackle back also has scored 10 touchdowns on the ground. Tyson Wallace is also having a solid season on the ground as he has rushed for 780 and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Seaman (4-4) at KC-Washington (5-3) – You have to look really hard to find good match-ups on the eastern side of the bracket. There is not a single game that has two teams with winning records meeting. Seaman a .500 team will try to knock off Washington whose schedule did not help them prepare for the playoffs.
Max Huston Max Huston 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Seaman | 2025 State KS , QB, 6’1” 180, Seaman, ‘25
Seaman has a junior quarterback who has been posting solid numbers. Huston finished the regular season throwing for 2,267 yards and 28 touchdown passes. He is also a threat in the ground game rushing for 394 yards and five scores. The Viking defense needs to step up its play if the Vikings want to play spoilers in 5A.
KC-Sumner (4-4) @ Shawnee Heights (6-2) – The Thunderbirds are a disciplined team that is always a tough team to face during the Jason Swift era. A win against De Soto or Basehor-Linwood would have propelled Heights to at least a No. 2 seed. Yet, the No. 6 seed will look to fight off an upset by the Sabres.
Reyki Tuley, QB, 5’11”, 170, Shawnee Heights, ‘24
Tuley has quietly put together a heck of a season and is making a statement to potential college recruiters with his play on the field. He has thrown for 1,680 yards in eight games and has thrown for 16 touchdowns.