Game Balls From Around the State: Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've officially passed the half way point in the 2024 regular season. Several squads across the state have positioned themselves well in the standings through their first four games, but with October now here, things are about to get interesting. These next four regular season games will determine league champions and will also decided playoff seeding. Buckle up folks because this second half of the 2024 season is about to be a wild ride. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we get into our Week 5 previews, we must first recognize some <em>Game Ball</em> performances from Week 4. Here's a look at four of the top receiving performances and three of the top defensive back performances from the fourth week of the 2024 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Receiving Performances</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1223957' first='Bryer' last='Finley'] - Seaman, 6'5”, 190, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1223957' first='Bryer' last='Finley'] of Seaman has been on an absolute tear the past two weeks. His performance during Week 4 made it back-to-back weeks with over 140 yards receiving and at least three touchdowns. In Seaman's matchup against Turner High School, Finley caught five passes for 148 yards and three scores. It'll be interesting to see if the 6-foot-5 wideout can carry his hot streak into the second half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Walker Middleton</strong> - Russell, 5'6”, 150, Class of ‘26, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next <em>Game Ball</em> goes to a junior that put together a breakout performance in Week 4. <strong>Walker Middleton</strong> of Russell set season-high marks for yardage and touchdowns in the Broncos' victory over Larned. Middleton collected six receptions for 152 yards and hit pay dirt twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1403628' first='Yamnoel' last='Oyola Bernier'] - Trinity Academy, 5'8”, 150, Class of ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Academy has been one of the top passing offenses in the state this season, and [player_tooltip player_id='1403628' first='Yamnoel' last='Oyola Bernier'] has played a key part in the Knights' offensive success. During Week 4, Oyola Bernier helped the Knights pick up their first win of the season in a 55-44 shootout against Smoky Valley. The junior ended the contest with seven catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='716601' first='Austin' last='Adair'] - Basehor-Linwood, 6'1”, 175, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth top receiving performance of Week 4 came from [player_tooltip player_id='716601' first='Austin' last='Adair'] of Basehor-Linwood. His performance was huge in Basehor's big win against <em>UKC</em> rival De Soto. Adair only had four receptions on the night, but he managed to turn those catches into 103 yards and two touchdowns. Both of which were season-highs for Adair. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Defensive Back Performances</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1430405' first='Landon' last='Simpson'] - Ellinwood, 6'0”, 155, Class of ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1430405' first='Landon' last='Simpson'] of Ellinwood earned his second <em>Game Ball</em> of the season during Week 4. Despite a narrow defeat, Simpson shined in the back end of Ellinwood's defense. Simpson tied his season-high for total tackles with eight, and he came away with an interception. He now has four interceptions on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'] - Nemaha Central, 5'11”, 210, Class of ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'] normally receives a lot of praise for his dominating play on offense. But this <em>Game Ball </em>is highlighting his stand out play on defense. Nemaha Central's Week 4 matchup against Chanute was a defensive battle, and Hajek rose to the occasion to help Nemaha Central secure their third win of the season. The junior racked up six total tackles and had one interception. He also came up with a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515789' first='Ethan' last='Curry']</strong> - Lawrence, 5'10”, 170, Class of ‘27, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like a few of the other Week 4 <em>Game Ball</em> recipients, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515789' first='Ethan' last='Curry']</strong> of Lawrence also set season-high marks. What's impressive about the sophomore's performance is that he did it against the reigning 6A state champions. Ultimately Lawrence would lose, but Curry broke out with 12 total tackles on the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->