Deck’s Top 5 Big Games: May Week Four Be With You

FOUR!   Oh, wait, that's a golf term!   Anyhow, that's how excited I am about Week Four of the Kansas High School Football Season.   Here is my weekly preview of five of the top games scheduled to be played in Eastern Kansas.   Basehor Linwood (3-0) @ De Soto (3-0) – Two undefeated league rivals will meet in De Soto on Friday. The Wildcats are coming off a 34-15 win over Piper. The Bobcats extended their current three-game winning streak by defeating Shawnee Heights 35-22. De Soto owns an 11-10 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394779' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'], LB, 5'11”, 180, Basehor-Linwood, ‘26   Through three games, Sharp is the Bobcats' leading tackler with 38. I watched him and the Bobcats play last week, and their entire defense is fast. Sharp is a smart linebacker who is equally dangerous against the run and the pass. Last season, he recorded two quarterback sacks and recovered two fumbles. He is ranked No. 416 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.   Junction City (2-1) @ Manhattan (3-0) – Based on proximity alone, this game represents one of the best rivalries in Kansas. The Indians out-rode the Hays Indians last week, 10-6, to remain undefeated. Junction City lost its first game of the season to Wichita Northwest 31-21.   Liam Nider, LB, 6'1”, 190, Manhattan, ‘28   Nider leads the Indians in tackles as a sophomore. He has recorded 29 tackles in three games. Four of those tackles have resulted in lost yardage. He is a physical backer who can stop the run game. The Indians have allowed just 27 points in three games.   Council Grove (3-0) @ Riley County (1-2) – The Class 2A Braves have outscored opponents 106 to 14 in three games. Riley County has a solid quarterback and a huge defensive line. This could be a trap game and a quality test for Council Grove.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593305' first='Reid' last='Buttrey'], ATH, 6'0”, 200, Council Grove, ‘27   Buttrey is ranked No. 134 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. He leads the Braves in passing yards through three games. He has completed 29 of 50 pass attempts for 433 yards and six touchdowns. He carried the ball 27 times for 130 yards and one score. He has also recorded 13 total tackles in three contests.   Neodesha (2-1) @ Columbus (0-3) – The Blue Streaks will be looking to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season to Caney Valley. Neodesha has a balanced offense with three athletes rushing for more than 100 yards and three receivers with more than 100 yards. Columbus is 0-3 after falling to Colgan 55-13.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610777' first='Dejay' last='Schlegel'], DB/WR, 5'9”, 161, Neodesha, ‘27   Schlegel has racked up 29 tackles in three games for the Blue Streaks. Five of those tackles have come from behind the line of scrimmage. He has also recovered one fumble and has one pass breakup. He is ranked No. 226 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027.   Wamego (1-2) @ Hayden (3-0) – I am staying close to home during Week Four. Hayden has a perfect record and will look to defend that record and home field against a high-octane Red Raiders' offense. Wamego is coming off its first win of the season, defeating Marysville 34-8. The Wildcats have averaged 41 points per game in three contests. Hayden will look to remain unbeaten while Wamego will be looking to spoil the Wildcats' Homecoming Game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113129' first='Logan' last='Fulton'], QB, 6'0”, 200, Seaman, ‘27   Fulton is off to a quick start during his junior season. He was the full-time starter as a sophomore and appears poised to evolve his skills and gain a ton of playing experience. In the first three games, he has thrown for 709 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He has a quick release and understands how to read a defense. Fulton is currently ranked No. 16 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027 rankings.

FOUR!