Top Matchups From the KC Metro: Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth Friday night of the 2025 season is under 24 hours away in the <em>Sunflower State</em>. For folks still looking to attend a game around the Kansas City metro and surrounding counties, I've got you covered.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week's top games all share a similar storyline. Each of them are league rivalry games. However, the programs that are victorious in Week 4 can gain some serious momentum heading into the second half of the regular season. Here's a preview of the matchups and a look at some of the prospects competing against each other.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">SMS 6A (1-2) @ SMW 6A (1-2)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This cross-town rivalry has been split over the past decade, but in recent years Shawnee Mission South has had the edge over Shawnee Mission West. The two Shawnee programs head into this year's matchup in a similar spot. Neither team has been able to get into a rhythm, and they've both been on the wrong side of some lopsided scores. They'll both look to change that in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two prospects will be difference makers during the contest. <strong>Marquan Washington </strong>of SMS has been on our radar for some time now, and he's on the right track to cracking the rankings. Through three games the senior is averaging over six yards per carry, as he's rushed for 273 yards on 41 carries. For SMW, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1908895' first='Vincent' last='Allen'] </strong>has been putting together a breakout season. His dynamic play has produced nearly 500 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Gardner-Edgerton 6A (2-1) @ Olathe North 6A (2-1)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When folks think about the <em>Sunflower League</em>, the Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers and  the Olathe North Eagles typically come to mind. They each have had their share of success over the years, and they're determined to add to that success this season. The Trailblazers and the Eagles head into this Week 4 bout coming off a win the week prior, and each team's one loss came at the hand of quality competition. A win will be the start of a streak and could help create a spark for either team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A key to victory for both squads will be getting their rushing attacks going early. Which means folks get to look forward to seeing two exciting seniors toting the rock. Gardner-Edgerton's backfield is led by <em>Pitt State-commit</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1598862' first='Syre' last='Padilla']. He was one of the top rushers in the state last year, and he's off to a hot start this season. For Olathe North, [player_tooltip player_id='780477' first='Blaise' last='Adger'] is the center piece of the Eagles' offense. He's eclipsed 400 yards on the ground and has found the end zone seven times.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ottawa 4A (3-0) @ Eudora 4A (2-1)</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My final game preview for Week 4 is between two squads looking to stay hot. The Ottawa Cyclones and the Eudora Cardinals are both riding a two-game winning streak heading into this matchup. When these rivals faced off last year it ended up being an entertaining one score contest. Tomorrow night looks to be another thrilling battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Ottawa's star player out for the season they'll be looking for someone to step up. That player could be [player_tooltip player_id='1611948' first='Armoni' last='Velez']. He's a rising junior and has looked impressive through the Cyclone's three first games. Eudora has multiple playmakers on their roster, but one that could standout in this contest is junior <strong>Grayson Moody</strong>. The junior has rushed for at least 150 yards in multiple games now and he's found the end zone multiple times.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->