Deck’s Top 5 Games: Showdown Between Cats Highlights Week Four

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season keeps trucking along and the number of undefeated teams is trimmed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several interesting games on the schedule this week and here are five games I feel should be featured.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue Valley Northwest (3-0) @ Washburn Rural (1-2) – </strong>Blue Valley Northwest won a tough road game at St. James Academy and heads to Topeka to face the Junior Blues. Rural fell to an out-of-state opponent for the second week in a row. Northwest can solidify an early lead for a top-four seed in Class 6A, while Rural has its back against the wall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866489' first='Joseph' last='(JoJo) Arnold']</strong>, DB, 6'1”, 170, Blue Valley Southwest, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold is a defensive stalwart for the Huskies' defense. He has an interception, eight tackles, and two forced fumbles in three games. He has multiple Division I offers but is still uncommitted. He is a back offensive coordinator don't want to throw against if looking for explosive plays. Arnold is currently ranked No. 24 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas and is the No. 3 ranked defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manhattan (3-0) @ Junction City (1-2) – </strong>The situation in Junction City is similar to the one that will take place at Bowen-Glaze Stadium for Rural. The Bluejays battled Wichita Northwest, but fell to the Grizzlies. The Indians are undefeated after a 3-point win over Hays. There are only four undefeated teams left in the western half of Class 6A, so a road win for Manhattan would be huge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904447' first='James' last='Dunnigan Jr']</strong>, ATH, 6'3”, 190, Manhattan, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JJ Dunnigan is dynamite in a tight-wound quick-footed package. He is currently ranked No. 16 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. In three games for the Indians, he has 12 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns. The Division I prospect has also collected 13 total tackles and three pass breakups. He has made official game-day visits to Nebraska and Missouri this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De Soto (3-0) @ Basehor-Linwood (3-0) –</strong>  The Wildcats have yet to be challenged but will face their toughest opponent through four weeks in the Bobcats. De Soto has outscored its first three opponents 159-26. Basehor is coming off a 42-point night in a shootout win over Shawnee Heights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Doering, </strong>RB, 6'1”, 188, Basehor-Linwood, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doering is a first-year starter for the Bobcats at running back. He has rushed for 378 yards and seven touchdowns in three games for Basehor. He has nice hands and catches balls out of the backfield. He has two receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown. He scored three total touchdowns last week in Basehor's 42-35 win over Shawnee Heights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nemaha Central (2-1) @ Chanute (3-0) – </strong>This is an interesting matchup as the Class 2A Thunder head to Chanute to take on an undefeated Class 4A squad. The Blue Comets knocked off McPherson 27-14 in week three and that was their lowest scoring output. Nemaha Central is coming off a 31-28 win over Rossville which was the highest number of points they have allowed this season. This will be a big test for the smaller program on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115716' first='Abram' last='Keim']</strong>, LB, 5'11”, 195, Nemaha Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keim is crushing ball carriers like I crush a can of BBQ Pringles. In three games he has racked up 46 total tackles for the Thunder defense. He will be challenged to slow down a Chanute offense averaging 32 points per game. Keim is currently ranked No. 77 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Topeka Hayden (3-0) @ Wamego (2-1) – </strong>Hayden has outscored its first three opponents 139-27. They will look to extend their undefeated streak with a difficult road game in Boomtown. Wamego suffered a two-point loss to Marysville in week three. The Red Raiders could be starting a possible bottom-eight seed out west in Class 3A with a loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716114' first='Jett' last='Wahlmeier']</strong>, QB, 5'10” 185, Hayden, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wahlmeier is posting impressive numbers while captaining the Wildcat offense. He has completed 72 percent of his pass attempts for 450 yards and five touchdowns. He has a quick release and has helped the Hayden offense score 46.3 points per game. &nbsp;Hayden has a quick offense and Wamego has a speedy defense so fans at this game better not blink.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->