Deck’s Top Games: Three Rivalry Games On Schedule

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lineup in week six features a battle of undefeated teams, a team looking to bounce back from an upset loss, and three rivalry contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at my five top games of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wichita Northwest (5-0) @ Manhattan (5-0) – </strong>Two of the four remaining undefeated teams in Class 6A will meet this week in Manhattan. The Grizzlies are averaging 39.8 points per game with 30 points being their highwater mark for points allowed. Manhattan's defense has pitched back-to-back shutouts against Junction City and Emporia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115480' first='Quavon' last='Harris']</strong>, LB, 5'11”, 180, Wichita Northwest, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies have a lightning-fast defensive unit that is suffocating opposing offenses this season. Harris is the team's leading tackler, with 41 in five games. He is a playmaker who has recorded two pass breakups, forced two fumbles, and recovered one fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tonganoxie (3-2) @ Basehor-Linwood (5-0) – </strong>Rivals meet this week in the “Eight-Mile Showdown.” The Bobcats won the game last year against the Chieftains and are coming off a 59-6 drubbing of Topeka West. Tonganoxie dropped its first two games of the season and is now riding a three-game winning streak into this week's contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='733447' first='Garrett' last='Pierce']</strong>, LB, 5'9”, 175, Basehor-Linwood, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have not seen a Bobcat game this season, though, I have heard from multiple area coaches that the Basehor Defense is clicking on all cylinders. Pierce is at the heart of that defense with a team-leading 42 total tackles. He has spent a ton of time in the opposing backfields this season with 10 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Salina Central (3-2) @ Andover Central (4-1) – </strong>The Jaguars lost their first game of the season last week against Goddard. Andover Central will look to rebound against a tough Mustangs squad. Salina Central hung 57 points on Newton last week and has one of the largest offensive lines in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1322065' first='Logan' last='Taggart']</strong>, LB, 6'3” 210, Andover Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Jaguar defenders who will have to battle with Salina Central's massive offensive line is Taggart. He is tied for the team lead in tackles with 34. &nbsp;He has recorded 1.5 quarterback sacks and 6.5 tackles-for-loss. He is currently ranked No. 105 overall by Prep Redzone, and has an offer to play football from Bethany College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden (4-1) @ Holton (3-2) –</strong>&nbsp; Traditional rivals Hayden and Holton square off in a Class 3A District Four tilt. With a win the Wildcats can take a stranglehold on the District. &nbsp;Holton already has district wins over Jefferson West and Perry-Lecompton. Hayden had played just one district game shutting out Hiawatha 49-0 in week five. I plan on being in Holton to scout this game on October 11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113404' first='Kade' last='Mitchell'], </strong>RB, 5'9”, 170, Hayden, 26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden and Holton are both teams built on solid running games. Mitchell is currently ranked No. 109 overall and should get plenty of touches in the game. He has rushed for 408 yards and has 10 total touchdowns. He has returned an interception for a touchdown and returned two kicks for scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nemaha Central (4-1) @ Sabetha (4-1) – </strong>Another rivalry game will be taking place in Sabetha. The Thunder will travel to Sabetha owning a 4-1 record and a 1-0 record in district play. The Bluejays own an identical record overall but have two district wins over Atchison County and Royal Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek']</strong>, ATH, 6'0”, 210, Nemaha Central, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hajek is currently ranked No. 11 overall in the class of 2026. He has been taking snaps for the Thunder and is a dangerous dual-threat talent at quarterback. He has thrown for 412 yards and four touchdowns through five games. The junior offensive threat has rushed for 723 yards and 12 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->