Game Balls From Around the State: DB’s Week 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the attention completely shifts to the latest Class of ‘26 rankings update and Week 7 previews, there's still a few more game balls to be given out from Week 6. Wide receivers got the spotlight in the first part of Week 6's <em>Game Ball</em> report, and now for Part II we turn to the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considering the numbers wideouts put up in Week 6, defensive backs across the state had their work cut out for them. Some fell victim to the offensive explosions. But there were a handful that stood their ground and made plays. These five DB's in particular impressed during the sixth week of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘25</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lance Norris</strong> - Atchison, 5'10” 175, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Atchison Phoenix took care of business in their Week 6 win over Highland Park. <strong>Lance Norris'</strong> play at safety was instrumental in Atchison's blowout victory. The senior chipped in four total tackles and picked off the Scots twice, with one interception returned for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'] - Andover Central, 5'11”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1228443' first='Brandt' last='Stupka'] wasn't the only Jaguar that put together a <em>Game Ball</em> worthy performance in Andover Central's Week 6 victory. The Jaguars' defense held a solid Salina Central offense to just seven points, and [player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'] stood out during the process. He was involved in just about every play as he finished the contest with a season-high 20 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866489' first='Joseph' last='(JoJo) Arnold'] - Blue Valley NW, 6'1”, 175</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second ranked defensive back in this year's senior class gave it everything he had in a very competitive rivalry game during Week 6. Despite coming up short, Arnold still put together a <em>Game Ball </em>worthy performance. The senior racked up seven total tackles, two pass breakups, and nearly returned an interception for a touchdown. He now has two game balls on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422212' first='Makai' last='Baugh'] - Parsons, 6'1”, 170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final senior featured in this report finished Week 6 with an impressive stat line. Baugh of Parsons earns his first <em>Game Ball</em> of the season after posting four total tackles, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception. He even returned a kickoff for a touchdown in Parsons' 38-13 win over Neodesha.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of ‘27</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592178' first='Deontae' last='Fields']</strong> - Labette County, 5'10”, 160, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Labette County's Week 6 matchup with Field Kindley was a defensive battle. With points hard to come by the Grizzlies relied on Fields and their defense to secure their third win of the season. Fields contributed with three total tackles and one interception in the 13-6 victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->