Game Balls From Around the State: Week 5

Photo: Ana Sofia Jordan Prep Network

Santino Bernal October 8, 2024 @ 09:51 AM

The start to the second half of the 2024 regular season did not disappoint. Scoreboard operators were getting their money's worth during Week 5, as several matchups across the state produced high scoring affairs. Generally wideouts thrive in matchups like that, and defensive backs get tested quite often.   One thing's for sure, some of those matchups manufactured Game Ball worthy performances that need to be recognized. This group in particular stood out the most amongst their peers. Take a look at the numbers they put up during the fifth week of the 2024 season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Receiving Performances</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1573511' first='AJ' last='Gallegos'] - Shawnee Heights, 5'10”, 170, Class of ‘26, Unranked   One of the most entertaining games of Week 5 was the matchup between Shawnee Heights and De Soto. A few prospects posted video game-like numbers in this one, and one of those players was [player_tooltip player_id='1573511' first='AJ' last='Gallegos']. The junior hauled in 11 receptions for 223 yards and three scores. All three of those statistics were season-highs for Gallegos.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552992' first='Asher' last='Deutschendorf'] - Hesston, 5'11”, 200, Class of ‘25, Unranked   [player_tooltip player_id='1552992' first='Asher' last='Deutschendorf'] picks up his first Game Ball of the season after he helped Hesston cruise to victory over Smoky Valley. Deutschendorf did more with less in this contest, as the senior turned just three catches into 124 yards and three touchdowns. For those wondering, his average on the night was 41.3 yards per catch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1334221' first='Cooper' last='Garrison'] - Trinity, 6'5”, 230, Class of ‘25   Another week down and another Game Ball given out to a Trinity Academy pass catcher. The state's top passing offense lit up the scoreboard once again, and [player_tooltip player_id='1334221' first='Cooper' last='Garrison'] was the star of the show this time for the Knights. Garrison logged six receptions for 200 yards and found the end zone four times. The 6-foot-5 tight end now has nine touchdowns on the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Defensive Back Performances</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1429042' first='Dayton' last='Stephen'] - Hill City, 6'0”, 180, Class of ‘25   [player_tooltip player_id='1429042' first='Dayton' last='Stephen'] of Hill City earned his second Game Ball of the season after an outstanding performance during Week 5. His first Game Ball was awarded earlier this season for a great receiving performance, but this time he's getting some recognition for his play in the secondary. In Hill City's big win over St. Francis, Stephen racked up 16 total tackles and came away with four interceptions. One of those four interceptions was returned for a touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115464' first='Jace' last='Midgett'] - Columbus, 6'2”, 170, Class of ‘25   It's almost as if [player_tooltip player_id='1429042' first='Dayton' last='Stephen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1115464' first='Jace' last='Midgett'] are in sync. They were both featured in Week 1's Game Ball report for their efforts at receiver, and now they both earn their first defensive Game Ball in the same week. Much like Stephen, Midgett also put together a multi-interception game during Week 5. Midgett picked off Baxter Springs three times in Columbus' victory, and returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown.

The start to the second half of the 2024 regular season did not disappoint. Scoreboard operators were getting their money's worth during Week 5, as several matchups across the state produced high scoring affairs. Generally wideouts thrive in matchups like that, and defensive backs get tested quite often.