Week Nine Top Games: Class 6A Edition

Scout Jeremy Deckard previews five top games in Kansas.

Jeremy Deckard October 22, 2023 @ 09:12 PM

I would be lying if I told anyone I was excited about this week's schedule.   The majority of the games this weekend will be absolute blowouts. (A sign that maybe too many teams are playing in Week Nine, postseason or not, depending on what side of the fence you sit on).   However, if you look closely there are a handful of games that die-hard football fans and college coaches will want to watch.   Here is the first of multiple reports this week picking five key games from a different classification each day and featuring one prospect from each game.   Let me start with Class 6A.   Wichita Heights (5-3) at Junction City (5-3) – This is the best match-up on paper this week in Class 6A and could be the best game in the entire state. These two teams are talented and play hard. It's a shame they have to face each other in the first round as both have the potential to make deep postseason runs. The winner of this game will more than likely face the Western No. 1 Seed Washburn Rural.   [player_tooltip player_id='81142' first='Cale' last='Milleson'], LB, 5'11”, 190, Heights, ‘24   Both the Bluejays and the Falcons have quality defenses. Milleson, the second-leading tackler for Heights will need to have a productive night along with linebacking partner [player_tooltip player_id='1103644' first='Nate' last='Campbell']. Milleson enters the game with 58 total tackles and 17 tackles for loss.   Garden City (5-3) @ Lawrence Free State (6-2) – This is the only other game in Class 6A that features two teams with winning records. Free State is the No. 7 seed out west while Garden City is the No. 10 seed. The winner of this game gets a potential sectional game against the defending state champion Manhattan Indians.   [player_tooltip player_id='352469' first='Mario' last='Ruiz'],  LB, 5'8”, 189, Garden City, ‘25   Ruiz is one of the top defenders for Garden City. The quick and physical linebacker will need to rack up tackles and possibly create a turnover if the Buffaloes want to shock Free State.   Campus (2-6) @ Wichita Northwest (6-2) – Northwest will want to get off to a quick start and keep everyone healthy during the first-round match-up against Campus. The winner of this game will face the winner between two familiar programs Wichita East (6-2) and Wichita South (2-6).   [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], QB, 6'2”, 180, Northwest,  ‘26   Northwest is loaded with talent, but it's a sophomore quarterback who is guiding the offense. Mason has thrown for 1,112 yards and 15 touchdowns through eight games.   Olathe West (2-6) @ Blue Valley (4-4) – Heights would really like to host a first-round playoff game and a loss to Mt Carmel would put them in a precarious position. The winner of this game will most likely face the No. 3 seed in the east Olathe East (6-2).   [player_tooltip player_id='693877' first='Cameron' last='Kruse'], QB,  6'2”, 175, Olathe West, ‘27   Kruse is running the Owls' offense as a freshman and is posting solid numbers for a team with a losing record. He has thrown for 885 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. He will need a big game if Olathe West hopes to upset the No. 6 seed in the east.   Blue Valley North (0-8) at Gardner-Edgerton (7-1) – Fine tuning and staying healthy will also be the key for the No. 1 seeded Trailblazers in the east. Winless Blue Valley North has nothing to lose and will be hunting an upset.   [player_tooltip player_id='733500' first='Bravin' last='Powell'], QB, 6'2” 175, Gardner-Edgerton, ‘25   Powell is a solid dual-threat quarterback. In eight games the junior playcaller has thrown for 1,052 yards and rushed for 501. He has found the end zone 12 times on the ground and has completed 11 touchdown passes.

I would be lying if I told anyone I was excited about this week's schedule.