Carroll-Northwest headlines games to watch on Week 1 high school football schedule

With the start of the 2022 Kansas high school football season slated for Friday, Varsity Kansas is highlighting 10 of the must-see games in the Wichita area.

Below is also a complete schedule of games for Wichita-area teams for Friday, Sept. 2.

10 games to watch on Friday

Wichita Northwest at Bishop Carroll

The annual Week 1 rivalry game between West-side rivals typically produces high-scoring and thrilling affairs, not to mention giving the winner an early boost in the City League title race. Northwest has won five of the last eight meets, although Carroll handed the Grizzlies a 37-27 loss in last season’s opener.

After three straight seasons playing for the Class 5A championship, Northwest are back in Class 6A for the 2022 season. The Grizzlies should have another high-tempo, explosive offense with one of the best backfields in the state, headlined by senior L.J. Phillips (1,982 rushing yards, 26 touchdowns) and junior Cencere Thompson (1,180 yards, 12 touchdowns).

Carroll figures to be a contender in a loaded Class 5A West, thanks to 17 returning starters from last season, including the entire offensive line and big-play threats at receiver in Tate Blasi and Luke Holthusen. The front seven of the defense should be formidable with Walt Gray, Broc Eastman and Sam Duling all back.

The winner of this game has scored at least 30 points in six of the last eight meetings and that could very well be the case on Friday. Whichever defense wins the turnover battle could be the difference in what should be a matchup between two of the best teams in the state.

Manhattan at Derby

Derby is once again the favorite to represent Class 6A West in the state championship game. Manhattan has consistently advanced in the state playoffs and while the bulk of its offense is gone from last season, it should be a tougher-than-normal opponent for Derby’s season-opener.

The Panthers should once again have a dynamic offense with the return of Notre Dame commit Dylan Edwards (2,603 rushing yards, 38 touchdowns). Senior quarterback Brock Zerger’s throwing ability could make Derby’s offense more balanced this year, but expect the Panthers to do the bulk of their damage on the ground with Edwards and junior Derek Hubbard.

Derby’s defense has a chance to be special with six starters back in the front seven, including Iowa State commit Samuel Same, Mason Hopper and Leshaon Davis on the line and Southern Illinois commit Miles Wash, Kade Sheldon and Roman Boden all back at linebacker.

After a stunning blowout loss to Blue Valley Northwest in last season’s state championship game, Derby’s seniors are even more motivated to return and win the title this season. A win on Friday could show why many have the Panthers pegged No. 1 in Class 6A.

Washburn Rural at Wichita East

The Blue Aces have an opportunity to make a statement on their home field to start the 2022 season. Washburn Rural returns 13 starters from an 8-win team last season, including all-class linebacker Ty Weber and a handful of its top offensive weapons.

East has been trending in the right direction under coach Ene Akpan and he believes this year’s team could be his best yet. The Blue Aces have a talented junior class, which features star quarterback DaeOnte Mitchell, a host of receiving options in L.T. Robinson, M.J. White and Ashton White, running back RayRay Leaks and linebacker Dayontay Standifer.

This could be a potential matchup in the Class 6A West playoffs, so defeating a team of Washburn Rural’s caliber would be a strong start to the season for the Blue Aces.

Andover at Maize South

Both sides featured two of the best running games in Class 5A last season, but both programs must replace their bellcow running backs in Evan Cantu (Maize South) and Max Middleton (Andover).

The Trojans do return three-year starter Brady Strauz at quarterback, as well as the majority of their offensive line, spearheaded by all-leaguer Jordan Hartman, and a talented defensive line featuring Christian Snipes, B.J. Redic and Matthew Hyde.

Cantu generated almost all of Maize South’s offense last season, but the Mavericks will look to retool around sophomore quarterback Taton McNew and returning receiver Sammy Dresie. Senior linebacker Connor Neill will captain the defense.

Both programs are used to winning seasons and Friday’s winner will be on track for another one.

Rose Hill at Wichita Collegiate

The Spartans have all of the makings to be one of the top teams in Class 3A once again this season, led by K-State commit and two-way star Wesley Fair, who threw for 985 yards and rushed for 950 yards with 26 touchdowns last season.

Fair will have no shortage of weapons on Collegiate’s offense this season with eight starters returning, including Jaden Mitchell, a state track sprinting champion, running back Carson Phelps and tight end Hayden Malaise.

Rose Hill hasn’t knocked off Collegiate since 2011, but the Rockets seem to be a good choice as a sleeper team for the 2022 season. Rose Hill returns 14 starters, led by receiver-safety Luke McLaughlin, who has been a popular recruit this offseason, and adds an instant-impact transfer in defensive lineman Bronx Wood, an all-league performer at Andover Central last season.

Other games to watch

Andover Central at Buhler

Garden Plain at Conway Springs

Kingman at Cheney

Hutchinson Trinity at Sedgwick

Little River at Canton-Galva

Kansas high school football Week 1 schedule (September 2)

City League

Kapaun Mt. Carmel at Wichita South*

Washburn Rural at Wichita East

Wichita Heights at Garden City

Wichita North at Wichita Southeast*

Wichita Northwest at Bishop Carroll*

Wichita West at Dodge City

AV-CTL Div. 1

Andover at Maize South

Campus at Goddard

Goddard Eisenhower at Hutchinson

Maize at Topeka

Manhattan at Derby

Valley Center at Newton

AV-CTL Div. 2

Andover at Maize South

Andover Central at Buhler

Arkansas City at Winfield

Campus at Goddard

Goddard Eisenhower at Hutchinson

Valley Center at Newton

AV-CTL Div. 3

Andover Central at Buhler

Arkansas City at Winfield

Chanute at Augusta

El Dorado at Clearwater

Great Bend at McPherson

Labette County at Circle

AV-CTL Div. 4

Andale at Wellington*

El Dorado at Clearwater

Mulvane at Coffeyville

Rose Hill at Wichita Collegiate*

Central Plains League

Belle Plaine at Douglass*

Chaparral at Medicine Lodge*

Garden Plain at Conway Springs*

Kingman at Cheney*

Wichita Trinity at Salina Sacred Heart

Central Kansas League

Halstead at Smoky Valley*

Hillsboro at Haven*

Hoisington at Hesston*

Larned at Pratt*

Nickerson at Lyons*

Heart of America

Hutchinson Trinity at Sedgwick*

Marion at Inman*

Remington at Sterling*

Other area games

Bluestem at Neodesha

8-man games

Argonia-Attica at Norwich

Bennington at Goessel

Burden-Central at Sedan

Ell-Saline at Moundridge

Hutchinson Central Christian at Pretty Prairie

Little River at Canton-Galva

Oxford at Flinthills

South Barber at Pratt Skyline

South Sumner County at Cedar Vale-Dexter

Sunrise Christian at Wichita Independent

West Elk at Udall

6-man games

Centre at Burrton

Cunningham at Ashland