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There were some tough games on the schedule for city teams in Week Seven, so if you were Helmet Sticker-worthy this week, you really earned it. With that in mind, let’s take note of the best performers this week:

–JANUS GILBERT, Topeka High – The senior made a major impact on both sides of the ball for the Trojans in their 27-0 win over Emporia. He forced both Spartan turnovers on the night, intercepting a pass and returning it down inside the Emporia 10 in a 7-0 game late in the first quarter and also punching loose a fumble that the Trojans recovered on Emporia’s last possession of the game. Gilbert also saw some time on offense and rushed for his first touchdown of the season, a six-yard run that occurred two plays after his long interception runback.

–THE THOMAS FAMILY, Topeka High – Ky Thomas makes a habit out of appearing in this space, and his 206 rushing yards were pivotal in the Trojan victory. But he did not end the night with the highest scoring total in the family, as he failed to reach the end zone. That honor fell to younger sister Tae, who hammered home a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

–D’ANGELO JORDAN/JORDAN KRATOCHVIL/TROY JAMES, Topeka High – The Trojans were stifling defensively in their shutout win, and their starting defensive line deserves a great deal of credit for repeatedly winning at the line of scrimmage against the excellent Emporia offensive line and making tackles.

–JAYLEN CARTER, Washburn Rural – Carter recorded a hat-trick of touchdowns in Rural’s 64-8 win over Highland Park. He rushed for scores of 42 and 37 yards and also caught a 10-yard TD pass. All told, Carter had 100 total yards on six touches.

–CORTEZ SANDERS, Washburn Rural – It’s a testament to how well the Junior Blues offense is coming together in the second half of the regular season that Sanders is the second different Rural receiver to earn a Helmet Sticker in as many weeks. The senior caught touchdown passes of 24 and 13 yards from Cooper Carlgren, and had three total receptions for 44 yards.

–JOHNNY HOLLOWAY, Hayden – Their victory bid came up half a yard short in overtime in a 21-20 upset loss to Perry-Lecompton, but that they were in OT at all was a testament to Holloway finding rhythm and guiding the Wildcats down the field for a game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. Holloway was 13-for-16 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown.