Top KC Area Matchups: Week 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an exciting week of cross-state and non-district action, a majority of teams from the Kansas City area are gearing up to face some familiar foes in Week 3. Gaining ground early against league rivals can be crucial in the long run for a shot at a league title. Several teams will have this opportunity, which should make for some entertaining matchups. If your schedule is free and you're looking to catch a game Friday evening, these three matchups headline Week 3's slate of games in the Kansas City area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Free State 6A (1-1) vs. Mill Valley 5A (1-1)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup between Lawrence Free State and Mill Valley looks to be one of the top games from the <em>Sunflower League</em> this season. Both rosters boast an abundance of next-level talent, and both teams will be hungry for a win after suffering a loss in Week 2. While there are a number of prospects to highlight from this matchup, the battle set to take place in the trenches is one of the biggest storylines heading into the game. This is where [player_tooltip player_id='1114737' first='Braden' last='Wilmes'] (FS) and [player_tooltip player_id='519316' first='Jayden' last='Woods'] (MV) will face off. Wilmes is a junior offensive tackle drawing serious <em>Power 5</em> interest, and Penn State-commit, [player_tooltip player_id='519316' first='Jayden' last='Woods'], is arguably the most feared pass rusher in the state. Something will have to give between these two big-time prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Clay Center 3A (1-1) vs. Louisburg 4A (2-0)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Week 3 matchup between Clay Center and Louisburg doesn't exactly relate to the intro, it still shapes up to be one of the marquee games from the Kansas City area and surrounding counties. The matchup folks should pay attention to in this one is between seniors [player_tooltip player_id='285538' first='Cole' last='Pladson'] (CC) and [player_tooltip player_id='570192' first='Ashton' last='Moore'] (LOU). Pladson has done it all for Clay Center through two games, and Moore is the defensive anchor for Louisburg. Will Pladson help lead Clay Center to their second win, or will Moore and Louisburg go 3-0 for a second year in a row? Find out Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">SMS 6A (1-1) vs. SME 6A (1-1)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawnee Mission South and Shawnee Mission East both earned their first victories against non-district opponents in Week 2. South and East struggled offensively in Week 1, but they each managed to rebound with the help of these two standout seniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453228' first='Carter' last='Cox']</strong> (South) and [player_tooltip player_id='352340' first='Nate' last='Phillips'] (East) dominated in Week 2, and they're players capable of making some big plays in this game. Cox was very efficient in South's victory over Pittsburg, as he completed 22 of 24 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. For Phillips, he reeled off 139 yards on 21 carries and found the end zone twice in East's win over Seaman. With both squads carrying some momentum into Week 3, it should make for an entertaining rivalry game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->