Week 5 Games of the Week - Wichita Area & Western KS

Another Friday night with standout games across the Sunflower state. As we close in on the mid-point of the season, many teams are already hitting their stride. Others are fighting for their football lives as early losses and injuries have blindsided their efforts.   One team that continues to gather momentum is #1-ranked, and undefeated Derby (4-0), who travels to (3-1) Hutchinson for what could be an interesting mid-season clash. Earlier in the week I wrote a report on this game that provided a deep dive into both teams.   The other four games in my week 5 "Games of the Week" are listed below. In this report we will take a high-level look at four intriguing games that feature some of the top players in the state.   So, enough chatter on the preliminaries, let's jump right into the best games of week 5 :   Maize South, 4-0, 5A #7 @ Ark City, 1-3, N/R   Slowly but surely Maize South is moving up in the 5A rankings and with a potentially huge match-up with 6A #1-ranked Derby in two weeks, the last thing they want to do is overlook a 1-3 Ark City team on the road. So far this year, other than a close game with Valley Center, Maize South has pummeled everyone else they have played, averaging 50+ points per game in those wins. Last week they routed Wichita North 61-7, while Ark City was absorbing a 35-7 beat-down at the hands of Andover. Maize South has some serious star power, which includes senior all-state QB [player_tooltip player_id='282258' first='Tate' last='McNew'], 6'1, 185 '25, who is one of the best in the state and has been sizzling-hot this year completing 30 of 41 passes for 1,040 yards and has piled up 16 total touchdowns; and wideout [player_tooltip player_id='282256' first='Landen' last='Gatto'], 6'5, 205 '25, who in one two-game stretch this year hauled in 20 passes for 318 yards and three scores. These two are one of the most dangerous connections in the state. On defense they are led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='585905' first='Hunter' last='Higgins'], 6'5, 240, Edge/TE '26, who is already generating significant D1-attention and leads the team with five sacks in four games. For Ark City, junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1113458' first='Jordey' last='Pierce'], 6'4, 200 '26, has shown glimpses of his huge potential. The dual-threat southpaw is averaging 300+ all-purpose yards per game and has passed for six touchdowns.   Great Bend, 4-0, 5A #4 @ Dodge City, 3-1, 6A Others   Another team who is steadily climbing in the rankings, undefeated Great Bend (4-0) is up to the #4 spot and will get a big test on the road when they travel to Dodge City (3-1) who has moved up to one of the 6A "Others" in the rankings. After a hard-fought victory over 4A #4 Buhler 43-26 in week three, they cruised last week, dismantling Wichita North 61-7. Dodge City started 1-1 after absorbing a week-two loss to Olathe East 21-7, they rebounded to win the last two, including last week's big win over then-undefeated Liberal, 33-14. Great Bend features some big-time ballers, most notably, wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], 6'6, 210 '26, the top-ranked player in the 2026 rankings. Throwing him the ball is dual-threat playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/daxton-minton/"></a> , 6'0, 180 '26. The two combined for five TD's in the key win against ranked Buhler in week three and are becoming one of the most lethal connections in the state. On the other side of the ball, Great Bend trots out one of the best middle linebackers in the state in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trenton-kern/"></a> , 6'1, 225 '26, who is averaging 10+ tackles a game and has three sacks off the blitz. Dodge counters with their own standout passing-attack tandem of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1224113' first='Alan' last='Flores'], 6'1, 195 '25, to [player_tooltip player_id='1171024' first='Jayden' last='Amaro'], 6'2, 205 '25, wide receiver. Since Amaro has returned from an early-season injury, the two have connected on 11 passes for 226 yards and two TD's in the last two games. On defense they have a significant hole to plug with standout linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1115473' first='Dylan' last='Sonday'], 6'1, 225 '25, who injured his knee last week against Liberal and hopes to return by season end. He had already piled up 31 tackles and five tackles for loss, so his loss will be felt.   Wamego, 3-1, 4A #6 @ Buhler, 3-1, 4A #   Wamego rolls into Buhler for an interesting match-up between two teams looking to take their game to the next level. Wamego is battle-tested at 3-1, having lost a heartbreaker to a ranked Marysville squad 22-20, before regrouping and knocking off 3A #3-ranked Hayden 31-28. Buhler, on the other hand, lost a slugfest to a surging Great Bend team 43-26 in week three, before bouncing back to throttle Circle 55-14 last week. Both teams intend to use this game as a mid-season launch pad toward starting to peak at the right time for the playoffs, so expect a rock-fight of contest. Players to watch for include sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1113129' first='Logan' last='Fulton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-fulton/"></a> , 6'0”, 185, ‘27, who has been impressing scouts and coaches with his early command of the game and standout arm; and star wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1329854' first='Jackson' last='Tupps']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jackson-tupps/"></a> , WR, 5'10”, 165, ‘25, who has hauled in passes for just under 300 yards this year and provides Fulton a great redzone target. Buhler, returns junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1113399' first='Ben' last='Clouse'], who scored 17 touchdowns a year ago. On the other side of the ball DB Brady Gotti, 6'1, 195 who runs a 4.4 forty and is starting to get serious interest from recruiters.   Circle, 1-3, NR @ Winfield, 3-1, 4A Others   Winfield is coming off a disappointing loss to a ranked McPherson team last week, 29-23 in overtime and will be looking to get back on track in week five. The Vikings host Circle, who was thumped last week 55-14 by a ranked Buhler team. The Vikings got off to a 3-0 start under legendary coach Monty Lewis, before getting edged last week in McPherson. Winfield is led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='1578932' first='Kellen' last='Gibson'], 6'0, 180 '26, a dual-threat playmaker who Lewis is developing into a promising signal caller. On defense, the Vikings line up [player_tooltip player_id='1228512' first='Devan' last='Caley'], DT 6'0 320, a powerful brawler in the trenches, and DB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1115495' first='Jackson' last='Davis'], 5'10, 185, a swarming defender with great instincts who is a sledgehammer of a hitter. For Circle, junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1466493' first='Mason' last='Stobart'], 6'1, 185 '26, has emerged as a solid signal-caller for the Thunderbirds, having thrown for just under 800 yards and seven touchdowns so far in 2024. Both teams see this as a pivotal game as Winfield continues to push toward the playoffs, while Circle wants to get back in the win column.     In conclusion, these teams are too good not to go see them live. Get out and see them if you can tonight, you will not be disappointed. Additionally, the usual reminder that if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar so far this season, feel free to contact CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

Another Friday night with standout games across the Sunflower state. As we close in on the mid-point of the season, many teams are already hitting their stride. Others are fighting for their football lives as early losses and injuries have blindsided their efforts.