Kpreps.com takes you Around the Classes as we look at a handful of games in each classification from teams outside our top five rankings.
Class 6A:
Lawrence scored two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter in topping Olathe South, 31-21. Trailing 14-10 in the fourth quarter, Lawrence’s Tre Jackson returned an Olathe South interception 27 yards for a touchdown that put the Chesty Lions on top for good. Lawrence added a Devin Neal touchdown run, then Corbin Oberzan picked up a Falcon fumble and returned it 48 yards for a score to push the lead to 31-14. Olathe South put some unconventional points on the board as well, scoring on a pick-six by Tony Lunson and a 93-yard kickoff return by Blaize White.
Blue Valley West trailed 14-0 at Mill Valley entering the fourth quarter. Riley Cummings rushed for four touchdowns in the fourth quarter – including the game-winner with 18 seconds left – as the visiting Jaguars topped the host Jaguars, 28-21. Cummings finished with 168 yards on the ground to go along with his four scores.
The KC Harmon Hawks ended a 30-game losing streak with a 35-0 victory over KC Turner. The Hawks built a 21-0 lead at halftime and extended it in the second half. Harmon’s last win came October 2, 2015 with a 32-16 decision over KC Washington. The Hawks host Washington this week.
Junction City outscored Hays in a high-scoring affair for the second straight season. The Blue Jays won Friday’s season opener 48-30 after defeating the Indians 56-31 last season. Quarterback Andrew Khoury passed for more than 332 yards and threw three touchdown passes – two to Qua’vez Humphreys – in the victory. Humphreys had 135 receiving yards to go along with his two scores. Hays High opened with a 7-0 lead on a 44-yard run from Hayden Brown. However, JC responded with 20 unanswered points. HHS closed the gap to 20-14 with an 88-yard punt return for a score from Jaren Kanak. The Bluejays then delivered 22 consecutive points.
Wichita South picked up a 47-6 victory over Wichita North in the debut of new Titan head coach Russ Wells. Quarterback Jashun Grant threw a pair of touchdown passes and broke a pair of long touchdown runs as the Titans built a 33-6 lead at the half. South avenged a 29-22 loss to Wichita North in last season’s opener.
After trailing Shawnee Mission West 21-20 at halftime, Shawnee Mission Northwest outscored the Vikings 29-13 in the second half en route to a 49-33 victory. Quarterback Ty Black accounted for six touchdowns in the Cougar victory. Black threw four touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores. Black connected with Ty Lindenman 11 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns on the night.
Class 5A:
Lansing broke a 13-13 tie with Blue Valley Southwest by scoring a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter and then holding off a late scoring charge by the Timberwolves for a 34-27 win. The Lions were led by quarterback Luke Schneider who rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns and added 63 yards through the air. Senior Derrick Robinson added 149 yards on the ground for Lansing.
Michael Tujague rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns as St. James Academy ran past Blue Valley Northwest, 41-14. Quarterback Brady Feldman passed for 134 yards including a touchdown strike to J.J. Tylicki. Tujague is coming off a junior season in which he rushed for 565 yards and six scores.
Topeka Seaman scored 28 first-quarter points on their way to a 56-6 victory over Topeka Highland Park. Seaman quarterback Brayden Vawter passed for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Trenton Carlson-Penry rushed for a pair of scores and Casen Stallbaumer rushed for a touchdown and had a touchdown reception. The Vikings were led on the ground by sophomore Aiden Polter’s 94 yards. Highland Park has now lost 44 consecutive games.
Goddard-Eisenhower’s Chance Omli came up with a game-sealing interception in the end zone to turn away Salina Central in a 21-14 Tigers’ victory. The Tigers broke a 14-14 tie with a Parker Wenzel touchdown run late in the third quarter. Wenzel led Eisenhower with 89 yards on the ground. Quarterback Blake Coyne passed for 154 yards with touchdown passes to Mason Turney and Nick Hogan. Jackson Kavanaugh passed for 244 yards and two scores for Salina Central.
Class 4A:
Andover Central defeated Augusta 35-7 in the debut of Jaguar coach Derek Tuttle. Shomari Parnell threw three touchdowns passes and added another score on the ground to pace the Jaguars. Central led 14-7 heading into the fourth quarter until Parnell hit Xavier Bell on a pair of long touchdown passes to expand the lead.
Tonganoxie received a huge performance from Cooper Cunningham in a 49-28 victory over Basehor-Linwood on Friday night. Cunningham carried 30 times for 232 yards and three scores as the Chieftains beat the Bobcats. Tonganoxie led 28-14 at halftime and Cunningham added two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter as the Chieftains expanded their lead to 42-14.
Ottawa snapped a 16-game losing streak with a 26-14 win over Baldwin. Trailing by two at halftime, the Cyclones took the lead on a long touchdown pass from Caleb Kessinger to Jose Richards. Kessinger later added a touchdown run and the Cyclones shut out Baldwin in the second half to preserve the victory.
Expectations are high for Wamego and the Red Raiders delivered with a 41-12 season-opening win over Concordia. Manhattan transfer Isiah Childs rushed for 233 yards and scored three touchdowns in his Red Raider debut. Standout return may Tabor Vetter added another dazzling punt return touchdown to his highlight reel.
Chanute shut out Towanda-Circle 24-0 to open the 2019 season. The Blue Comets got the scoring started right away as Briley Peavy took the opening kickoff back for an 83-yard touchdown. Peavy later caught a 77-yard touchdown pass from Ty Bowman. That’s all Chanute would need as the Blue Comets held Circle to 86 yards of total offense.
Class 3A:
Jefferson West defeated Holton for the second straight year in a defensive slugfest in Big Seven play. Quinn Neuenswander threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Pene Saili with 14 seconds left for a 7-0 victory. Last year, Jeff West defeated Holton, 14-12. Holton had 195 yards of total offense, all on the ground. Neuenswander, a former all-state receiver, has moved to quarterback this year after Cade Ross moved to Florida. He rushed 18 times for 62 yards, and completed 11 of 15 passes for 89 yards.
Beloit defeated Fairbury (Neb.), 36-27. Beloit led 16-14 after the first quarter, and 30-20 at halftime. Fairbury scored a third-quarter touchdown for the only points, and Beloit outscored Fairbury, 6-0, in the fourth quarter. Beloit had a sizable edge in plays, 67-48, and a 27:27 to 20:33 edge in time of possession. Creighton Johnson had a pick-six off a tipped pass that bounced in the air off Trase McQueen.
Halstead steadily pulled away from Nickerson in a 38-0 victory. The Dragons scored eight points in the first, second and third quarters and 14 points in the fourth quarter. Halstead had 301 total yards, 298 rushing. Senior Scott Grider had 22 carries for 101 yards and two scores, and junior Lakin Farmer recorded 12 carries for 96 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Senior Kaden Krause had 10 carries for 91 yards.
Wellsville opened the Mike Berg era with a 34-23 victory over Anderson County. The Eagles found themselves trailing 23-20 entering the fourth quarter, but scored twice in the final stanza to claim the victory. Senior Anthony Signs rushed for 150 yards and a score, while Chase Farley added two touchdown runs. Luke Richards passed for 131 yards and a touchdown and added a touchdown run.
Perry-Lecompton rolled to a 68-0 victory over Royal Valley. The Kaws were led by quarterback William Welch’s 165-yard, 4-touchdown passing night. Junior Thad Metcalfe added 129 yards on the ground for the Kaws. Perry-Lecompton scored 27 points in the first quarter and added 28 more in the second quarter.
Class 2A:
In the annual Saline County rivalry, Southeast of Saline defeated Sacred Heart, 54-0. SES led 14-0 early second half before the Trojans scored on six straight possessions. Quarterback Jackson Gebhardt tallied three rushing touchdowns. Seth Eklund enjoyed a big game with a 41-yard punt return, and a 68-yard punt return touchdown. Bryant Banks finished with 12 carries for 154 yards.
In a NCAA contest, Ellsworth defeated Russell, 44-22. Russell committed 10 turnovers, and Ellsworth lost four fumbles. Ellsworth led 14-0 after a one-yard scoring run from Morgan Kelley, and an 11-yard touchdown run from Luke Sharp. Then, Russell came back with a pair of scores, a 66-yard run from Jesse Whitmer and a three-yard run from Rhett Pospichal. Kelley delivered two more touchdowns as Ellsworth was up 30-16 entering the fourth quarter. Russell closed the game to 30-22 with 8 minutes, 34 seconds remaining after a one-yard run from Jacob Sohm. Then, Kelley went 71 yards for his fourth score. Kash Travnichek returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Whitmer, a sophomore and expected to be a breakout player this year, finished with 10 carries for 137 yards. Kelley had 30 carries for 221 yards for his four scores.
Douglass defeated Wichita Independent, 56-6. After a scoreless first quarter, Douglass outscored Independent, 16-6, in the second quarter. Then, Douglass outscored the Panthers, 24-0, in the third quarter, and 16-0 in the fourth. Douglass had 40 carries for 348 yards and four scores. Freshman Wade Morgan had three rushes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Cole Martin delivered 19 carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
Southwestern Heights pushed across a fourth-quarter touchdown to defeat Syracuse, 14-6, in Hi-Plains League play. Junior quarterback Hever Mercado rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown and passed for 83 more yards and a score for the Mustangs. Mercado’s touchdown pass went to Sergio Puentes. Syracuse scored on an interception return for a touchdown by Kolbey Brummett. Syracuse was led on the ground by senior Jorge Luna’s 73 yards on 14 attempts. The Bulldogs managed just one pass completion for six yards.
Senior quarterback Jack Caudle passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns as Maur Hill-Mount Academy blanked McLouth, 42-0. Abe Siebenmorgen caught a pair of touchdown passes for the Junior Ravens, while Brody Mispagel and Drew Caudle were on the receiving end of the other two scoring plays. Jack Caudle (6-3, 195) has now passed for 5,377 yards and 67 touchdowns in his career.
Class 1A:
In perhaps the last 11-man matchup ever between two Central Prairie League schools, La Crosse defeated Ellinwood, 63-19, at home. The Leopards, in their final season of 11-man football, enjoyed a big offensive effort from several players.
Sophomore Colby Stull finished with seven carries for 137 yards and four touchdowns, along with 68 receiving yards and a score. Senior Hunter Morgan, a three-year starter, completed 12 of 19 passes for 329 yards and three scores, and added 62 rushing yards. Senior Kaden Depperschmidt had three catches for 165 yards and two scores.
Oakley defeated Sublette 31-6 with all its points scored in the first quarter. The Plainsmen scored seven points in the first quarter and 24 in the second. Sublette had its only score in the fourth.
Ell-Saline defeated Sterling, 41-0, and rushed for 401 yards. T.J. Morrical continued success in a long line of great Ell-Saline quarterbacks that has included Tate Omli, Louie Arceo and Nick Davenport in recent years. He rushed for 201 yards and two scores. He completed 4 of 11 passes for 41 yards and another touchdown. Luke Parks delivered 20 carries for 144 yards. Eli Hopkins recovered three fumbles.
Lyndon outscored Central Heights 27-0 after the first quarter in cruising to a 33-6 victory – the first for new Tiger coach Scott Jones. Senior Shawn Hinck led the Tigers with 103 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Tony Kirkland led Central Heights with 55 yards on the ground.
Class 8-man I
Spearville opened with a 68-18 road victory against Satanta in a game called at halftime. The Lancers led 46-6 after the first quarter. Senior Carson Rich enjoyed a big game with seven rushes for 198 yards and a score. Junior Trace Tasset had a big game, too, with three carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 90 yards and a pair of scores. Tasset’s long reception went for 65 yards, and long rush was 50 yards. Rich’s long rush was for 70 yards. Sophomore Kolten Bennett delivered three carries for 28 yards and two touchdowns. Satanta senior quarterback Houston Friend, a three-year returning starter, had a big game with 13 of 22 passing for 224 yards with two scores against no interceptions. He rushed 11 times for 65 yards and a score.
Oxford defeated Central Burden 22-12. The Wildcats had won just one contest last year, including a 52-6 loss to Central Burden. Oxford had the first touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Ty Carter to Colin Whitson. Kyan Morris had a seven-yard scoring run, and followed it up with a 20-yard touchdown.
Caldwell rolled to a 52-6 win versus South Haven. The Bluejays led 32-0 after the first quarter and 44-6 at halftime. Dru Volavka opened the second half with a 71-yard kickoff return. South Haven ran 39 plays, seven more than Caldwell, but the Bluejays held a 208-62 edge in total yards. Caleb Noyes opened with touchdown passes of 34 and 42 yards, and then ran for a 27-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, Noyes delivered a 21-yard scoring pass and returned a punt 41 yards for a score. Noyes finished 4 of 8 passing for 105 yards with three passing touchdowns. He had seven rushes for 33 yards and a score.
In Northwest Kansas League play, Oberlin-Decatur Community steadily pulled away from Quinter and won 42-0. Oberlin scored eight, six, six and 22 points in the quarters. Oberlin went 0 of 4 passing, though delivered 43 carries for 318 yards and six scores. Senior Bryson Metcalf finished with 13 carries for 140 yards and three scores. Senior Dawson Kempt had 17 carries for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
In a Central Prairie League rivalry game, Victoria scored the first 42 points and defeated Otis-Bison, 42-14. Jayvon Pruitt enjoyed a big game with 101 yards of total offense. He rushed for a three-yard score, and caught a 10-yard touchdown pass just before halftime. In the second half, he had a strip-sack that led to a scoop-and-score touchdown from Trenton Engel. Kirk Huser had a sack and a tackle for loss. Drayden Karlin had a running touchdown and passing score. Grant Schoenrock passed for two touchdowns and rushed for a score. Kaden Foust scored both touchdowns on the ground for Otis-Bison.
Class 8-man II
Logan-Palco defeated Triplains-Brewster, 52-22. Logan-Palco led 14-0 after the first quarter, Triplains-Brewster scored 14 points in the second quarter to tie the game. However, the Trojans had a 16-0 edge in the third quarter, and 22-8 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Dylan Van Laeys completed six of nine passes for 87 yards with two scores against one interception. Junior Micah Thompson rushed 12 times for 169 yards and two scores. Sophomore Josh Uhland had 17 carries for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Trojans had 36 carries for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Connor Knipp blocked a punt, and junior Colton Whitney returned a fumble for a score.
In the first game with new coach Colby Hamel, Mankato-Rock Hills defeated Blue Valley Randolph, 78-22 with a mammoth offensive effort. Rock Hills led 38-6 after the first quarter and then outscored the Rams, 40-22, in the second quarter in a game that ended at halftime. Senior Rylee Whelchel, one of the state’s top all-purpose players, had nine carries for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Mason Higer had 10 carries for 156 yards and two scores, and junior Jerrod Gillett had four rushes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Rock Hills had 25 carries for 599 yards and eight rushing scores. Whelchel also had a 70-yard kickoff return and a 55-yard punt return for 420 all-purpose yards. Both returns went for scores.
Wilson opened with a 50-0 victory against Southern Cloud. The Dragons scored six, 16 and 22 and six points in the quarters. Wilson’s defense limited the Warriors to 0 of 6 passing and just 25 rushes for 81 yards.
Thunder Ridge’s Reece Struckhoff, in his first game in two years after he transferred from Stockton, had 204 yards and four touchdowns, and passed for a score. The Longhorns defeated Lakeside-Downs, 50-0.
6-Man
Cheylin opened the season with a 76-12 victory over Fowler on Friday night. Junior quarterback Colton McCarty rushed for 348 yards and four touchdowns on only 11 carries. McCarty also completed 4 of 5 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, and returned a kickoff 79 yards for another score. McCarty is already in his third year starting for the Cougars. He has rushed for 2,739 yards and 43 touchdowns, and passed for 1,751 yards and 36 more scores in his career.
Pawnee Heights scored 34 points in the second quarter to pull away from Western Plains in a 54-6 victory. Junior Fabian Flores completed 4 of 5 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Sophomore Braden Colglazier rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pair of touchdown passes in the win.
KCAA / Other
Wichita Homeschool opened with a 60-6 victory over Veritas Christian. Warrior quarterback Will Day completed 10 of 12 passes for 196 yards and six touchdowns. Day is coming off a junior season in which he threw for 2,240 yards and 38 touchdowns.
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