Ryan Wood’s weekly football report

Area Top Five

City player of week

School (Record) Previous Rank Last Week This Week
1. De Soto (1-0) 1 beat Osawatomie, 34-22 at Prairie View
Comment: Offense stepped up in opener.
2. Eudora (1-0) 2 beat Wellsville, 21-0 at Osawatomie
Comment: As expected, defense was smothering.
3. Ottawa (1-0) 4 beat Spring Hill, 30-13 vs. K.C. Turner
Comment: Cyclones’ high-scoring offense is back.
4. Baldwin (1-0) 5 beat Gardner, 34-7 at Paola
Comment: Bulldogs haven’t missed a beat, it seems.
5. Mill Valley (0-1) 3 lost to K.C. Turner, 28-21 vs. Lansing
Comment: Just like last year, late score crushes Jaguars.

Ryan Murphy, Free State

HT: 5-10

WT: 160

Class: Sophomore

Position: Cornerback/kick returner

The week: Murphy was the city’s biggest playmaker this week, contributing on offense, defense and special teams for the Firebirds, who lost to Shawnee Mission North, 35-13. The sophomore put FSHS on the board in the third quarter by returning a kickoff 97 yards for the score, then contributed to Free State’s other score by throwing a 60-yard touchdown pass to Nick Ayre on a razzle-dazzle play. He also intercepted a pass that would have been a North touchdown.

Area player of week

Kevin Stewart, McLouth

HT: 5-11

WT: 160

Class: Junior

Position: Running back

The week: Stewart’s offensive line made it possible, but the junior was impressive once he was given the necessary blocking. Stewart rushed for 268 yards Friday, leading McLouth to its first victory since 2001, a 20-8 win over Horton. Stewart made the move from quarterback to running back this season and propelled a rushing attack that totaled 336 yards on 38 carries.