Old Dogs & New Faces: Class 1A Week Nine Big Games

Old Dogs &amp; New Faces: Class 1A Week Nine Big Games

Four Wamego Prospects to watch closely.

Jeremy Deckard October 25, 2023 @ 08:17 PM

I have not seen any Class 1A teams in person this season. My other job left me watching mostly 5A and 4A schools. I have watched film on some of these teams and players.   The first round features some familiar successful programs like Colgan, Sedgwick, Centralia, and Smith Center. There are also some winning teams who have been flying under the radar like Jackson Heights, Marion, and Jayhawk-Linn.   Here is a look at five key games in Week Nine and one player from each 1A game to keep an eye on.   Wabaunsee (5-3) at Marion (7-1) – This could be a high-scoring barn-burner of a game. Two winning teams meet in this match and Marion slowly moved their way up the polls in 1A over the course of the season. The winner of this match will face the winner of Smith Center (7-1) and Belle Plains (2-6), a game that will be played on Thursday.   [player_tooltip player_id='544723' first='Wyatt' last='Wurtz'], QB, 5'11”, 160, Wabaunsee, ‘24   Wurtz is a nice-looking dual-threat quarterback. He has rushed for 757 yards and thrown for 656. He has accounted for 18 total touchdowns, 10 on the ground and eight in the air.   Pleasanton (5-3) @ Colgan (8-0) – Colgan is always a favorite to go deep into the playoffs, but they will meet Pleasanton with a 5-3 record in one of the few first-round games matching up winning teams. The winner of this game will face the winner of Jayhawk-Linn (7-1) and Uniontown (2-6) in the regional round. The Blu-jays and Panthers game will be played on Thursday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113371' first='Kam' last='Staton'], QB, 6'0”, 160, Pleasanton, ‘26   Statistically, Staton is one of the top quarterbacks in Class 1A. The sophomore QB has thrown for 1,508 in eight games and recorded an eye-popping 21 touchdowns in the air. He has also scored two touchdowns on the ground.   Sacred Heart (2-6) @ Sedgwick (7-1) – The Cardinals are loaded for bear and will be looking to start the playoffs on a high note. This game will be played on Thursday and played at Valley Center High School. The winner of this game will play the winner of Valley Heights (6-2) and Remington (2-6).   [player_tooltip player_id='1112380' first='Corey' last='Crumrine'],  QB, 5'9”, 155, Sedgwick, ‘25   The Cardinals have been producing elite quarterbacks the past few years and Crumrine is next in line. The junior signal-caller has thrown for 2,309 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has reached the 2,000-yard passing mark two seasons in a row and is less than 200 yards away from throwing for 5,000 yards in his career.   Oakley (2-6) at Medicine Lodge (6-2) – This is an interesting game because if Medicine Lodge takes care of business the Indians could make a deep postseason run. I like them to make a run to at least the Sectional round and set up a possible match-up with Sedgwick.   [player_tooltip player_id='868977' first='Keveon' last='Ruiz'], QB, 6'1” 175, Medicine Lodge, ‘25   Ruiz has a nice arm and can throw a deep ball. He has thrown for 1,281 yards in eight games and has found Indian receivers for 14 touchdowns.   Mission Valley (3-5) @ Jackson Heights (7-1) – The Cobras will be on upset alert and look to stave off the Mission Valley Vikings. The winner of this game will face the winner of St. Mary's (5-3) and Riverside (2-6).   [player_tooltip player_id='780353' first='Drake' last='Mellies'], ATH,  5'9”, 150, Jackson Heights, ‘26   Mellies is a versatile athlete. He has thrown for 545 yards and three touchdowns but is a run-first quarterback lugging the ball 122 times for 1,016 yards. The sophomore has scored 19 times on the ground.

I have not seen any Class 1A teams in person this season. My other job left me watching mostly 5A and 4A schools. I have watched film on some of these teams and players.