Week #2 Preview: Wichita-Area Top Games

The 2024 season is off and running and as we roll into week two there are already some serious rivalry games and early-season tests for numerous teams coming this Friday.   In this report, I am taking a high-level look at five games in the Wichita and surrounding area that are going to be generating fireworks in week two. Almost all of the teams below are ranked in the top 10 of their respective classifications and all are rivalries at some level. These games are going to be prime-time entertainment this Friday.   So, without further adieu, let's dive into the "Games of the Week".   Andale @ Wellington - ranked as high #1 in 3A, the Indians from Andale go on the road to play at 4A Wellington. Andale got off to a good start last week, trampling El Dorado 68-7. Wellington, on the other hand, lost a close one to powerful Collegiate 22-19, and will be looking to bounce back this week. Last year Wellington got taken to the wood shed, loosing 75-28. With a ton of returning starters back the Crusaders will be looking for redemption Friday. Unfortunately, that will be a tall order as Andale rolls into town loaded and looking to stay undefeated. There will be quite a few stars on the field for both teams but keep your eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1236247' first='Sam' last='Harp'], the junior dual-threat QB for the Indians. Last week he barely broke a sweat passing for 115 yards and running for 100 more and scored a touchdown. He averaged almost 17 yards a carry as the Andale running attack is already in mid-season form.   Goddard Eisenhower vs. Goddard - ranked as high as #5 in 5A, Eisenhower got off to a good start in a driving rain storm last Thursday when they knocked off Valley Center 28-17. Goddard won as well, sliding past Maize 7-3 in a low-scoring season opener. Last season Eisenhower was rolling along on a hot streak with one of the best teams they have fielded in a while when they lost a heartbreaker to Goddard 22-14 in the last regular-season game of the year. This year Eisenhower returns a stout defense and one of the more dangerous passing attacks in the state. This week they will be looking to get the run established to balance out the offense, so look for junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'] to have a good game. Last season he was all over the field playing as many as five different positions, but this year will focus on being an elite running back. This is an early-season rivalry game that should be a good one.   Wichita Collegiate @ Rose Hill - ranked as high as #4 in 3A, Collegiate travels to Rose Hill looking to keep the momentum going. Last week, Collegiate ran into a buzzsaw with a talented Wellington team and barely secured the win 22-19. Rose Hill, on the other hand, stumbled out of the gate, losing to Clearwater 35-12. Last year when the two teams met, Collegiate gunned down the Rockets 35-0. Rose Hill has some standout young players who are just starting to come into their own, so look for them to get stronger every game. One young gun in particular to look for is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1362958' first='Levi' last='McLaughlin']. The 6'3 multi-positional athlete does a little bit of everything for Rose Hill. Last week he started in the secondary, shutting down the run game on his side and was a key part of all the special teams. Look for him to get more time on offense this week as well as the Rockets look to surprise the powerful Spartans.   Conway Springs @ Garden Plain - ranked as high as #1 in numerous rankings, defending 1A Champion Conway Springs goes on the road to play a strong 2A Garden Plain squad. Last season Garden Plain picked up a big win, 20-14, in the opening game of the season, giving Conway one of only two losses on their state champion season, so look for this to be a rock fight of a game. Last week Garden Plain rolled over Trinity 49-14, while Conway blanked Nickerson 42-0. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1224115' first='Isaac' last='Winter'] led the ground attack with 175 yards on 20 carries, averaging just under nine yards per carry. He also scored on a 57-yard TD run. Conway has been a juggernaut in the run game, averaging just under 200 yards rushing in their last 14 games. This should be another "pound-the-rock" game so look for Winter to post big rushing numbers this week as well.   Wichita East vs. Wichita Northwest - with both squads loaded and ranked in the top ten, look for this city-league clash to be one of the more interesting games in the state this week. East got started on the right foot last week, blowing out Wichita Heights 48-0. Northwest rolled as well, hammering Bishop Carroll 34-13. Last year the two teams squared off twice, with East winning both games. In the first contest, an early regular-season game, East prevailed in a close one 34-28. The two would meet again deep in the playoffs with East once again the victor, this time 48-28. Adding to the intrigue of this game, star RB [player_tooltip player_id='585903' first='Aaron' last='Bohannon Jr.'], who piled up 1,248 yards rushing on 111 carries for a jaw-dropping 11.2 yards per carry last year for Northwest, will suit up this year for East.   In conclusion, these are important, early-in-the-season games that could impact the entire season so get out and see them while the weather is nice! And, as always, if you know of teams or players flying under the radar feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

The 2024 season is off and running and as we roll into week two there are already some serious rivalry games and early-season tests for numerous teams coming this Friday.