Top KC Area Matchups: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a bit of a theme across the Prep Redzone Kansas community for Week 2's slate of games. It's not very often that programs from opposite sides of the state clash this early in the season, but it's created some compelling matchups that folks should definitely look into. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our staff has already previewed a few of the top cross-state matchups for Week 2, but in this report, we'll be focusing on the ones taking place in the Kansas City area. In addition to the exciting cross-state matchups, there's a big-time battle taking place between two of the state's top private schools as well. Here's a preview of three must-see games during Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Dodge City Vs. Olathe East</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1-0 Dodge City Demons will be traveling over 300 miles in Week 2 to face off against the 1-0 Olathe East Hawks. This looks to be a very physical game, as both squads boast tough defenses. Two key defenders to watch in this one will be [player_tooltip player_id='1115473' first='Dylan' last='Sonday'] <em>(Class of ‘25)</em> of Dodge City and [player_tooltip player_id='1114816' first='Josiah' last='Young'] <em>(Class of ‘25)</em> of Olathe East. Sonday is the heart and soul of Dodge City's defense, and he has the ability to wreck an offense's game plan. Young is a relentless pass rusher that could give the Demons trouble coming off the edge. Points might be hard to come by in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Washburn Rural Vs. Blue Valley</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Washburn Rural and Blue Valley are capable of making a run in their respective classifications, as they each have rosters filled with talent. Some players to watch in this one will be [player_tooltip player_id='585907' first='John' last='Hoytal'] <em>(Class of ‘26)</em> of Rural and [player_tooltip player_id='570191' first='Lincoln' last='Stueve'] <em>(Class of ‘25)</em> of Blue Valley. It'll be interesting to see how first-year starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='585907' first='John' last='Hoytal'] handles his first big road test against a star-studded defense. Stueve is one of the stars on the Tigers' defense, and he shined bright during Week 1. Both teams have a great opportunity to make a statement on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">St. James Academy Vs. St. Thomas Aquinas</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third Kansas City area game that will be well worth the price of admission is between St. James Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas. The St. James Thunder head into this matchup coming off a massive win on the road against<em> EKL</em> rival Bishop Miege. On the other side, reigning 4A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas also started the season 1-0, but they'll have their sights set on a different title this season as a new member of Class 5A. Two offensive playmakers that are sure to make this game interesting are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202586' first='Tyson' last='Beashore']</strong> <em>(Class of ‘25)</em> of SJA and [player_tooltip player_id='267076' first='Calin' last='Arndt']<em> (Class of ‘26)</em> of STA. Both put up big numbers during their Week 1 victories, and are sure to play a major role once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->