Deck’s Five Big Games: Fighting For Playoff Seeding

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am a day earlier and a dollar short.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wait, that's not how that saying goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet, I have always lived by the motto that if you are not early, then you are late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Week Six in the Kansas Prep Season. Teams are fighting for District Titles and playing for playoff seeding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am taking a much-needed break starting tomorrow, so without further adieu, here is Deck's Week Six preview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sabetha (5-0) @ Nemaha Central (5-0) – </strong>Two undefeated teams will meet in Seneca this week. Sabetha is coming off a 46-7 win over Atchison County. The Bluejays have outscored opponents 140-20 in their five victories. The Thunder defeated Oskaloosa 55-6 last week. The winner of this game takes a firm grip on the Class 2A District 4 title,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229114' first='Caleb' last='Strathman'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 160, Nemaha Central, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strathman is ranked No. 199 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He is playing a key role for the Thunder on both sides of the ball. He has registered 25 tackles, one interception, and recovered one fumble for the defense. He has also made 13 receptions for 259 yards and five touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Basehor-Linwood (5-0) @ Tonganoxie (4-1) – </strong>The “8-Mile Showdown” takes place in Tonganoxie this season. The host Chieftains are 4-1 after shutting out Bonner Springs 42-0 last week. The Bobcats come in undefeated after a 28-0 win over Topeka West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114743' first='Roman' last='Miller'],</strong> TE, 6'4”, 210, Basehor-Linwood, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is a dangerous offensive threat in the middle of the field and in the red zone. He has made 16 receptions through five games for 196 yards and two touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay Center (3-2) @ Concordia (3-2) –</strong> These two Class 3A District 5 teams will be battling for playoff seeding. Both teams trail Rock Creek (5-0) in the district standings. The two rivals don't like each other much, so a lot is on the line in the contest.  The Panthers are coming off a 40-20 win over Chapman. The Tigers will look to rebound from a 45-7 loss to the Rock Creek Mustangs. Claws will be out and sharpened in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ayden Krier</strong>, RB/LB, 5'11”, 165, Concordia, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Krier is an unranked sophomore having a solid season for the Panthers. In five games, he has caught 15 balls for three touchdowns and 250 yards. He has also recorded 28 tackles on defense, grabbing one interception, and recovering one fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Perry-Lecompton (1-4) @ Jefferson West (5-0) – </strong>Jefferson West will look to remain undefeated after a 27-17 win over Holton on October 3. The Kaws will be looking to win back-to-back games after winning their first game of the season 27-24 over the Royal Valley Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326578' first='Brody' last='Schwinn'],</strong> DB/WR, 6'3”, 165, Jefferson West, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schwinn is having one of the top seasons for a receiver in the Sunflower State. He has made 22 catches for 380 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has eight tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shawnee Heights (1-4) @ Seaman (3-2) – </strong>Two Topeka area teams and league rivals meet in Week Six in a game that will impact the postseason seeding in Class 5A. Both teams are coming off lopsided wins. The Vikings dominated Lansing 48-8, while Heights shut out Topeka West 28-0. Neither team wants to finish the regular season in the bottom eight in their respective regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dayton Vanderpool,</strong> LB, 6'0”, 185, Shawnee Heights, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vanderpool is one of two linebackers racking up big tackle totals for the T-Birds. He is tied for the team lead in tackles with 48 through five games. Both of these teams can create explosive plays on offense. Pressure will be on both defenses to wrap up ball carriers and limit the number of yards gained after catches. The team that wins the turnover battle in this game will come away with the win. That's not a prediction, it's a spoiler!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->