Deck’s Top 5 Big Games: Small School Love

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Week Five in the Kansas Prep Season, and this week I want to show some love to small schools in Northeast Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I won't be at a game this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the majority of October, I will be on vacation. I will still have “Deck's Top 5 Big Games” each week this month, and then the rest of my reports will focus on defensive standouts statewide and players from Northeast Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now is a great time for athletes and coaches from programs that didn't receive a lot of attention during the first month of the season to reach out, especially if your program is not posting public stats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All it takes is a DM or an email to get on my radar. Feel free to contact me at @KSScoutDeck or <a href="mailto:deckscoutks@gmail.com">deckscoutks@gmail.com</a>. Please remember, I will not respond to negative messages or emails.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Osage City (4-0) @ Council Grove (4-0) – </strong>This is a key match-up in Class 2A District 3, with the winner becoming the front-runner to win the District Title. The Braves defeated an upset bid by Riley County 28-26. Osage City rolled up West Frankin last week 74-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113374' first='Kasen' last='Parsons'],</strong> QB/ATH, 6'1”, 195, Osage City, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parsons is ranked No. 68overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is the offensive leader behind center for the Indians. Through four games, he has completed 47-of-61 pass attempts for 893 yards. He has thrown for 12 touchdowns and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. Parsons has carried the ball 32 times for 313 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Creek (4-0) @ Clay Center (3-1) – </strong>The Mustangs are playing like thoroughbreds through four weeks. They bucked off the Abilene Cowboys with a 28-14 win in Week Three. Rock Creek has outscored opponents 168-27. The Tigers improved to 3-1 after a 44-8 victory over Chapman. The winner of this game will be the front-runner to win Class 3A's District 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1708194' first='Zion' last='Bell'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 196, Rock Creek, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell is having an outstanding season thus far for the Mustangs. He leads the team in rushing. He has toted the rock 92 times for 588 yards. He has found the end zone 10 times in four games. He also has recorded two receptions and one tackle for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atchison County (3-1)</strong> <strong>@ Sabetha (4-0) –</strong> Sabetha is playing like a playoff baseball team pitching shutouts in back-to-back games. The Bluejays knocked off Royal Valley 16-0 last week after a 15-0 win over Hiawatha. &nbsp;These two squads compete in Class 2A's District 4. The Tigers are coming off a 43-14 victory over the Oskaloosa Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515799' first='Max' last='Bottorff']</strong>, ATH, 6'0”, 180, Atchison County, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bottorff is ranked No. 435 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is a quick athlete who can line up in the backfield or as a receiver. He has rushed the ball 44 times for 323 yards and five touchdowns in four games. He has also caught eight balls for 119 yards and one touchdown. He also leads the team with 53 total tackles in four contests, including five tackles for lost yardage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jefferson West (4-0) @ Holton (3-1) – </strong>Holton has won three games in a row. The Wildcats defeated Perry-Lecompton 40-10 on the road last week. The Tigers were on the road after defeating Hiawatha 12-7 in Week Three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1528959' first='Andrew' last='Shupe'],</strong> ATH, 5'4”, 140, Holton, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shupe is an unranked athlete from Holton, whose college coaches may want to sneak a peek at. He is the team's leading rusher through four games. He has carried the ball 59 times for 478 yards. He has found the end zone on five occasions for the Wildcats. Holton has three ball carriers with more than 300 yards rushing and with five touchdowns each. Another back has 298 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Holton has rushed for 1,704 yards in four games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Heights (4-0) @ Pleasant Ridge (1-3) – </strong>The Cobra defense has been spitting some nasty venom. Jackson Heights has allowed just 14 total points in four contests, while scoring 199 in those same four games. The Cobras bit the McLouth Bulldogs 55-8 last week. The Rams lost last week to Jefferson County North 50-12. This is trap game for the Cobras, who will be looking to remain undefeated through five games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577007' first='Austin' last='Zeller'],</strong> TE/EDGE, 6'4”, 215, Jackson Heights, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zeller is a dangerous under-the-radar prospect for the Cobras. He is ranked No. 388 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He leads the Cobras in receptions and receiving yards. &nbsp;He has caught 13 balls for 211 yards and six touchdowns in four games. He is the top target for Jackson Heights' quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='780353' first='Drake' last='Mellies']. Mellies is the highest-ranked Cobra at No. 171 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He has thrown for 356 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for six touchdowns and 381 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->