Class 8-Man, Division I
8M-I EAST
Caldwell (5-3) at Cedar Vale-Dexter (7-1) – Caldwell
Cedar Vale-Dexter won District 1, has a two-win improvement over last year and features quarterback Clayton Henderson and running back Brogan Myers. Cedar Vale-Dexter has the best record since the schools formed a co-operative agreement for football in 2010. However, the Spartans’ reward is the only team that defeated them this season. Caldwell finished fourth in District 2 with a 5-3, 2-3 mark. The Bluejays, with quarterback Caleb Noyes, defeated the Spartans, 56-28, in Week 3. In the win, Caldwell outgained the Spartans, 455-312 and finished plus-4 in turnover margin. Caldwell limited Myers to nine carries for 69 yards. The Bluejays have four straight winning seasons.
Central Burden (2-6) at Medicine Lodge (4-4) – Medicine Lodge
After losses to Oxford, Argonia-Attica, and Udall to open the season, Central Burden was more competitive in district play where they eventually finished fourth at 2-3. The Raiders’ 36-20 win over Oswego proved to be their ticket to the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Last season, Central Burden upset Caldwell, 32-12, in the opening round before a 48-0 loss to South Central. Medicine Lodge’s four losses have come to playoff teams in Hodgeman County, South Central, South Gray, and Caldwell. The Indians are led by junior quarterback Josh Bowman who has thrown for 1,355 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 445 yards rushing with seven scores. Four players have more than 200 receiving yards for Medicine Lodge including freshman Cauy Scripsick who has a team-high 341 yards with four scores.
Solomon (4-4) at Madison (8-0) – Madison
Madison is 17-1 since the start of the 2018 season with its only loss a 30-26 defeat to Solomon in Week 10 last year. Solomon eventually finished 11-2 and earned Eight-Man, Division I runner-up, the best finish in school history. However, the Gorillas took significant graduation losses, and coach Steve Tiernan went back to Osborne. Madison has outscored teams 494-96 with an experienced group that includes senior running back Nasun Wasson and junior fullback/defensive end Hunter Engel. In addition, Colton Fife is capable of putting up big numbers as in his six total touchdowns (five rushing) in the Bulldogs’ 62-18 win over Chase County last week.
Maranatha Academy (6-2) at Bennington (6-2) – Maranatha Academy
Maranatha lost 68-56 in a back-and-forth game to Madison and then took an upset loss to Lebo to finish third in District 3. Maranatha features its large senior class and dynamic quarterback/receiver duo of Nate Burdette and Brock West. Burdette missed last week’s victory over Valley Falls with an injury and is not expected to play on Friday. Burdette has passed for 1,485 yards with a 27/6 TD/INT ratio, along with 592 rushing and nine TDs. West has 51 catches for 897 yards and 16 receiving TDs, but will likely move to quarterback for a second consecutive week. MCA has outscored teams, 418-160. The Eagles were 6-3 last fall and, with a win, would have its most victories since a 7-2 season in ’07. Bennington is at 324-195. The Bulldogs have posted three straight winning seasons in its first four years of eight-man football. A Bennington win gives the Bulldogs their most victories since a 7-3 mark in ’05, according to Kansas Football History. Bennington senior Javon Allen has 22 touchdowns (16 rushing). He has 51 career touchdowns, including 11 kick return TDs. He set an eight-man state record with seven kick return scores in ’18.
West Elk (4-4) at South Central (8-0) – South Central
South Central has posted a winning record every fall from 2013-19, and the senior class is 35-6 in their careers. South Central is ranked No. 3 in the classification with a key win versus 7-1 Hodgeman County. Senior quarterback Chayde Snyder, a key four-year player, has completed 42 of 67 passes for 864 yards with a 17/3 TD/INT ratio. He leads with 65 carries for 399 yards and eight TDs. Sophomore Owen Herd has enjoyed a big year with 60 tackles, 14.5 for loss. Senior Gage Girk has another big all-around year with five interceptions, three field goals and three non-offensive touchdowns. South Central has permitted just 34 points, second-best in the classification. West Elk has a three-win improvement after an injury-plagued 1-8 season. Nic Moreno, who missed several games last season due to injury, has returned to rush for more than 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns this fall. Devin Loudermilk’s addition at quarterback has produced 742 rush yards and 12 touchdowns.
Argonia-Attica (4-4) at Sedan (5-3) – Argonia-Attica
On paper, this is one of the closer eight-man contests. Sedan ranks as 1.9 points better according to Prep Power Index. The Blue Devils has a total margin of 324-148 with the No. 32 strength of schedule in the classification, according to PPI. Argonia-Attica has a 275-163 margin with the sixth-hardest SOS. Sedan has earned five straight winning seasons. Before this year, A&A had posted six straight winning records, including a pair of state runner-up showings. Senior Mason Miller leads with 94 carries for 685 yards and 13 scores. Sedan counters with veteran quarterback Tayte Halderman (24 TDs accounted for). In his career, Halderman has accounted for 65 scores, 230 tackles and intercepted 15 passes. These teams have matched up twice, in ’15 and ’18, with 56-12 and 28-8 victories for A&A. The latter one came in Week 9 last year. All four of the Titans’ losses have come by 22 points or fewer, including a six-point defeat. Sedan has lost two by a combined 12 points.
Chase County (4-4) at Canton-Galva (8-0) – Canton-Galva
Canton-Galva has been ranked No. 1 in the classification all year and has delivered a big defensive improvement. Last year, the Eagles finished 10-2, advanced to the sub-state championship game and returned everyone this year, including quarterback Landon Everett and wide receiver Tyson Struber. Canton-Galva has outscored teams, 466-31, and rank No. 1 in the classification in scoring defense. Last fall, the Eagles scored 584 points and permitted 266. Chase County has enjoyed a three-win improvement behind a big year from Cael Budke and junior back Trint Rogers.
Goessel (5-3) at Lebo (6-2) – Lebo
Lebo rebounded from a head-scratching loss to Valley Falls and a shutout loss to Madison with three consecutive wins over Chase County, Maranatha Academy, and Burlingame. The Wolves are led by junior quarterback Devan McEwen who has passed for 1,508 yards and 22 touchdowns against only five interceptions. McEwen has also added 464 rushing yards and 11 scores. Kyle Reese has 29 catches for 473 yards and six scores, while Jerome Ferguson has caught 19 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns. Goessel came up just short of earning a home playoff game. The Bluebirds fell 56-54 to Bennington in overtime last week despite quarterback Dylan Lindeman’s seven touchdown passes. For the season, Lindeman has passed for 811 yards and 13 scores and added 350 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Kale Funk has 573 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns for the Bluebirds, while Jacob Hagewood has 350 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and 14 combined touchdowns.
8M-I WEST
South Gray (5-3) at Little River (7-1) – Little River
Little River lost to No. 1 Canton-Galva by the 45-point margin in Week 1 and then has won seven straight contests. Kevin Ayers is in his first year with the Redskins after he won at least one state title in stops at Jetmore and Wallace County. Ayers is 165-40 in his career. Little River has run a two-quarterback combination with juniors Graham Stephens and Jayden Garrison, a former cross country runner and outstanding basketball player. They have combined for 616 passing yards with an 11/3 TD/INT ratio and 34 rushing TDs. South Gray is 2-7, 7-2, 3-6 and 5-3 in the last four years. Little River has a collective margin of 391-84, and South Gray stands at 264-156. Aaron Skidmore leads the Rebel offense with nearly 800 rush yards and ten touchdowns.
Macksville (4-4) at Ness City (7-1) – Ness City
Central Prairie League foes Ness City and Macksville will meet for a second time this season. Ness City won the first meeting, 46-0, back in Week 2. The Eagles will look to rebound from their first loss of the season – a 52-26 decision to Hodgeman County last week. Hector Rodriguez has led the Ness City offense with 1,153 rushing yards this season. Meanwhile, Macksville reached the post-season with a 68-22 win over defending-champion Central Plains last week. In addition to the Ness City loss earlier this season, the Mustangs have been shut out three total times including games against Victoria and Little River.
Hoxie (4-4) at Clifton-Clyde (8-0) – Clifton-Clyde
This is a rematch from the second round of the playoffs last fall, a 22-20 Hoxie victory. That is the only loss for the Eagles since the start of ’18, a stretch where Clifton-Clyde is 17-1. The Eagles went back to their single wing, and quarterback Aiden Rudolph has enjoyed a big year. Clifton-Clyde has outscored teams, 432-36, and ranks fourth in scoring offense and scoring defense. Hoxie has not had a losing season since a 2-7 mark in ’09, coach Lance Baar’s first year with the program, and the Indians’ final year in 11-man football. Sophomore Ashton Dowell has taken over at quarterback with more than 1,500 passing yards.
Victoria (6-2) at Leoti-Wichita Co. (7-1) – Victoria
This is a rematch of one of the best opening-round playoff games last year, which Victoria won 34-28. This year Wichita County gets to host after finishing as the District 8 runners-up. The Indians only loss came to undefeated St. Francis, who are ranked second in the classification. Victoria has only fallen to two schools this fall, undefeated Clifton-Clyde and Hill City, in a game played over the span of two days due to a weather delay. Wichita County quarterback Kayde Rietzke has passed for 1,176 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 977 rushing yards and 15 more scores.
Moundridge (4-4) at Hodgeman County (7-1) – Hodgeman County
Hodgeman County, which has only lost to No. 3 South Central, has received another big year from the Salmans brothers. Junior Isaac has completed 38 of 69 passes for 720 yards with a 10/1 TD/INT ratio. Senior Eli has 186 carries for 1,460 yards and 24 rushing TDs. Isaac leads the defense with 69 tackles, and junior Conner Ruff is second with 67 stops. Moundridge has an increase from a 3-6 season in ’18. Hodgeman County has won back-to-back district titles. The Longhorns were state runners-up in ’13 and ’17 and reached the quarterfinals last fall.
Spearville (4-4) at Pratt-Skyline (7-1) – Pratt-Skyline
In a big turnaround under third-year head coach Andrew Nation, Pratt-Skyline finished the regular season with a 7-1 record. The Thunderbirds’ only loss came to district champion Little River. Skyline has allowed 19 points per game this fall in seven contests, since St. John forfeited last week’s regular season finale. Spearville is in the midst of a three-game losing skid, although, two of those losses were to the district champion Hodgeman County and runner-up Ness City, respectively. Carson Rich leads the Royal Lancer offense with 812 rushing yards and 11 scores, while junior Trace Tasset has added 779 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns and sophomore Kolten Bennett has 551 yards and nine scores.
Washington County (4-4) at St. Francis (8-0) – St. Francis
St. Francis, ranked No. 2 in the classification, has permitted just 42points, among the top in the classification. The Indians, a sub-state runner-up in ’18, are 19-1 under second-year coach Nick Fawcett. Sainty features its talented line of Adam Krien, Colton Neitzel and Jesse Baxter. Senior Brady Dinkel is a returning all-state selection. He is a four-year starter at defensive back, three seasons at quarterback. Washington County has a one-win bump from ‘18. This is a 253-mile trip due west on US-36 for Washington County.
Hill City (5-3) at WaKeeney-Trego (5-3) – Hill City
This is a Mid-Continent League rematch between two teams that are located just 25 miles apart from each other on US-283. Hill City has played past Week 9 just twice in school history, in ’09 and an 11-2 mark and state runner-up showing in ’10. Hill City was 5-4 each of the last two years. The Ringnecks suffered early season losses to Osborne, Thunder Ridge and Clifton-Clyde, squads that each have just one loss. However, Hill City earned a quality 30-22 win versus Victoria to take the district runner-up. The teams have split the last 14 meetings, though Hill City is 6-1 in the last seven and has won four in a row, including a 33-18 victory on Sept. 13 this year. Hill City has heavily relied on Dalen Journigan, who has 143 carries for 1,196 yards and 22 rushing scores. He had just 22 carries in the first three games combined – and has 19, 28, 22, 38, and 14 rushes in each contest since. WaKeeney-Trego has improved its win total for three straight seasons. The Golden Eagles have not had a Week 10 game since ’06. Junior Kobi Shubert has thrown for 1,039 yards with a 12/3 TD/INT ratio. Senior Hunter Price has enjoyed a big year with 153 carries for 1,358 yards and 18 rushing TDs. Price leads the team with 108 tackles, six for loss.
Class 8-Man, Division II
8M-II EAST
Hartford (3-5) at St. Paul (8-0) – St. Paul
Hartford will travel to St. Paul to open the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The Indians won last year’s meeting, 62-14, on their way to a state quarterfinal appearance. Adam Albertini has followed up his all-state junior season with a big senior campaign. The Indians haven’t yet been seriously tested this season, only playing into the second half one time. Hartford enters this contest averaging 38 points per game despite having been shut out twice this season. The Jaguars put up 90 points in last week’s 30-point win over Rural Vista.
Marmaton Valley (2-6) at Waverly (5-3) – Waverly
Waverly has won three straight contests since a 46-0 loss to Centre-Lost Springs. The Bulldogs have averaged 52 points per game over the last three weeks. Marmaton Valley finished in third place in District 1 thanks to a 2-3 record and the most margin points between fellow district members Altoona-Midway and Southern Coffey County. Marmaton Valley defeated Southern Coffey County, but fell to Altoona-Midway in Week 7.
Pike Valley (3-5) at Hanover (7-1) – Hanover
These two teams have met up frequently in recent seasons, including Hanover victories versus Pike Valley in the sub-state championship games in ’16-17. Last season, Hanover won 46-0 in Week 1. The teams met up in the season opener this fall, and Hanover earned a 58-14 victory. Hanover’s 43-game winning streak, the best in eight-man history in the KSHSAA era, ended with a 28-26 home loss to Axtell in Week 6. However, Hanover still won the district on points after a 52-34 road win versus Frankfort last week. Hanover had just one returning starter, lineman Jonah Weber. Jacob Jueneman has stepped in at quarterback, Taegan Schwartz at running back and Colin Jueneman as an all-purpose threat, notably in the return game. Pike Valley has lost four in a row and then had a forfeit victory against Linn last week.
Frankfort (7-1) at Mankato-Rock Hills (6-2) – Frankfort
This is one of the better first-round matchups regardless of class. Both teams lost its shot at a district title last week. Rock Hills fell to Beloit St. John’s-Tipton in a winner-take-all matchup. Frankfort fell to Hanover and took third in District 3 based on the district points margin. Rock Hills, under new coach Colby Hamel, has posted six straight winning seasons. The game features several of the top eight-man backs with Rock Hills’ Rylee Whelchel, and Frankfort’s trio of Branden Bussmann, Garret Dalinghaus and Gavin Cornelison. Whelchel has 79 carries for 1,068 yards and 17 touchdowns. Rock Hills lost by the 45-point margin to Hanover, and Frankfort fell to Hanover by 18 points.
Altoona-Midway (2-6) at Centre-Lost Springs (6-2) – Centre
Centre-Lost Springs quietly captured District 2 after the Cougars lost several key players from a 7-3 team last fall. Lost Springs went 5-0 in district and has senior running back/linebacker Jensen Riffel. He has 72 carries for 820 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also leads with 69 tackles, seven for loss. Last fall, Altoona-Midway posted a 2-7 record that included the first playoff trip since 1992. This year new coach Chad Raida inherited a roster that returned six starters on both sides. Altoona-Midway defeated winless Chetopa, 48-0, and won at Marmaton Valley, 36-20, in Week 7.
Marais des Cygnes Valley (3-5) at Colony-Crest (5-3) – Crest
Marais des Cygnes Valley is back in the playoff bracket for the first time since 2015 thanks to some high-scoring victories in wins over Rural Vista, Hartford, and Wakefield. The Trojans scored 54, 52, and 82 points in consecutive weeks to post a 3-2 district mark and earn third place. Quarterback Cole Lacey has put up big numbers passing and running the football, while Ryan Baker and Koby Vanderpool are also big-play threats on offense. Colony-Crest has quietly won four straight games to improve to 5-3 on the season. Senior Zack Beckmon has rushed for 609 yards and seven touchdowns, while junior Jacquez Coleman has added 523 yards and five scores and classmate Stratton McGhee has 399 yards and five scores.
Onaga (5-3) at Beloit St. John’s-Tipton (6-2) – St. John’s-Tipton
Beloit St. John’s-Tipton won the district title with a 42-20 victory versus Mankato-Rock Hills. BSJT has eight straight winning seasons and won its first district title since 2013. The Blujays have only lost to Axtell and Frankfort, teams that are a combined 14-2. Junior Brayden Perez has 99 carries for 689 yards and 20 rushing scores and leads with 83 tackles. BSJT has a one-win improvement from last year. Onaga has enjoyed a two-victory jump with second-year Ben Kolterman. After losses to Frankfort and Axtell, Onaga ended with a 4-1 stretch, including a 42-36 triple overtime victory versus Doniphan West. The Buffaloes had won just six games in the last three seasons and have their first winning record since 2014. Senior Ethan Powell leads the ground game with 882 yards and 17 touchdowns, while freshman Zac Fisher has added 660 yards and 12 scores.
Lakeside-Downs (5-3) at Axtell (7-1) – Axtell
Axtell ended Hanover’s 43-game winning streak in one of the highlighted moments of 2019. The Eagles played most of the Hanover game and the following week’s loss to Frankfort without Quinn Buessing, a four-year starting quarterback and one of the best eight-man signal callers in state history. Freshman Isaac Detweiler stepped in and played admirably in both contests. Last week, Buessing has 290 passing yards and six total touchdowns. Lakeside opened 0-2 but is 5-1 in the last six contests. The Knights have their first winning season since 2011.
8M-II WEST
Sharon Springs-Wallace Co. (2-6) at Osborne (8-0) – Osborne
Osborne has moved to No. 1 in Eight-Man, Division II in the last two weeks under coach Steve Tiernan, in his second stint at the school. Osborne earned a 40-34 district title win versus Thunder Ridge last Friday. The Bulldogs have allowed just 11 points per contest after 20.6 points per game last year in a state runner-up season to Hanover. Osborne also won state titles in ’13 and ’16. The Bulldogs feature running back Darrien Holloway and quarterback Steele Wolters for a team that has averaged 50 points a game. They have combined for more than 1,400 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. Osborne has not permitted a passing touchdown – and offensively has not thrown an interception. Wallace County is 3-6, 3-6 and 2-7 after a highly successful nine-year run that featured a state title, state runner-up and semifinals showings from ’14-16. Brad Willems, a former assistant, took over for Kevin Ayers, now at Little River. One of the Wildcats’ wins was actually a 68-20 on-field loss to Greeley County, but Greeley County had previously forfeited all its district contests. Wallace County has tallied just 66 points this year.
Sylvan-Lucas Unified (5-3) at Triplains-Brewster (5-3) – Sylvan-Lucas
Sylvan-Lucas has four straight winning seasons. The Mustangs took a 14-12 upset home loss to Stockton (2-6) in Week 2, though nearly beat Thunder Ridge (7-1) in a 34-30 loss in Week 5. Last year, the Mustangs won the first playoff game in the 18-year coach Ben Labertew era. Triplains-Brewster has a one-win improvement over last season. Notably, Sylvan-Lucas beat Logan-Palco, 42-26, while Triplains-Brewster earned a 52-22 victory. This is a 169-mile trip for Sylvan, the majority on I-70. Slyvan-Lucas features running back/linebacker Beau Batchman, while Triplains-Brewster has averaged 235 yards a game. Senior Weston Schmidt has 118 carries for 1,114 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Bucklin (4-4) at South Barber (7-1) – South Barber
Bucklin reached the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Red Aces lost to Otis-Bison, Ingalls, and Minneola in district play, all by at least 26 points. South Barber earned a 48-0 win versus Otis-Bison. South Barber finished 9-2, 9-2 and 9-1-1 in the last three years. The Chieftains opened with a 44-8 road loss to Cherokee (Okla.) and have won seven straight. Senior quarterback Trevor Rooks has 830 rushing yards with a 17/1 TD/INT ratio. He has 72 rushes for 608 yards and 13 rushing scores. In his career, Rooks has 68 passing and 44 rushing touchdowns.
Norwich (5-3) at Otis-Bison (5-3) – Otis-Bison
Otis-Bison picked up a key 44-6 home win versus Ingalls last week and took second in the district to Minneola. Otis-Bison graduated its pair of all-state players in quarterback Anton Foust and lineman Luke Higgason. As well, Cougar multi-year starting lineman Hunter Mitchell has been hurt. Otis-Bison has five straight winning seasons (8-2, 6-3, 10-2, 8-2-1, 5-3) and coach Travis Starr has 95 victories in 15 years at the school. Sophomore Kaden Foust has completed 26 of 58 passes for 440 yards with seven touchdowns against seven interceptions. Sophomore Logan Thille has missed a game but has enjoyed a breakout year with 78 carries for 814 yards and 14 touchdowns. He rushed 16 times for 150 yards and two scores versus Ingalls. Norwich has enjoyed a three-win improvement and will have its first winning season since a 5-4 mark in ’16.
Northern Valley (2-6) at Wheatland-Grinnell (7-1) – Wheatland-Grinnell
This is Week 3 rematch that Wheatland-Grinnell won 28-18 in Almena. Wheatland-Grinnell has made one of the biggest jumps in Kansas after a 1-8 season in ’18. The Thunderhawks captured the district title and have already enjoyed the best record and first playoff appearance since the schools started a co-operative agreement in ‘04 and then eventually consolidated together. It marked the program’s first winning record since 2012. Freshman Jett Vincent leads Kansas with 11 interceptions, which is all of the team’s picks. Wheatland-Grinnell has forced 26 turnovers. Junior Trevor Zarybnicky leads with 73 tackles. Sophomore Trey Vincent has completed 53 of 97 passes for 806 yards with a 14/3 TD/INT ratio. Northern Valley will switch to six-man football after this year. Northern Valley administrator/former assistant coach Marvin Gebhard replaced Chuck Fessenden after he retired following 43 years with the Huskies.
Quinter (3-5) at Thunder Ridge (7-1) – Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge is expected to have senior running back Reece Struckhoff return after he missed the second half in last week’s 40-34 home loss to Osborne that was for the district title. He rushed 15 times for 180 yards and four touchdowns, nearly all of the production coming in the first quarter. Struckhoff has 98 rushes for 1,522 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns. He has 119 tackles, passed for 376 yards and has five non-offensive scores. With second-year coach Joel Struckhoff, Thunder Ridge has a two-win improvement and also features senior fullback Colton Davis. In a highly unusual season, Quinter has not played since Oct. 11. The Bulldogs have won back-to-back forfeit games versus Dighton and Tribune-Greeley County.
South Haven (3-5) at Minneola (7-1) – Minneola
Minneola has enjoyed a three-win improvement from 2018 and captured the District 8 championship behind running back Tuck Lang. The Wildcats have outscored teams, 394-120. Last year, Minneola had 352 points and permitted 400. Lang has thrown for 198 yards with five touchdowns against zero interceptions. He has rushed 194 times for 1,698 yards and 30 rushing scores. Senior Sebastian Colbert has a team-high 71 tackles. South Haven finished 4-5 last year. This season, the Cardinals opened 0-4 and then 3-1 in the last month. South Haven has scored 24 points a contest and allowed 36.9 points a game.
Ingalls (4-4) at Hutchinson Central Christian (7-1) – Central Christian
Hutchinson Central Christian has only lost to South Barber with a 34-20 loss in Week 3. The Cougars own a quality 40-34 victory against Argonia-Attica in Week 1. Since the loss, the Cougars have permitted just 14 points in five straight wins. Standout quarterback Caleb Lambert missed some time with injury but has returned for the last two games. Central Christian returned all of its skill players from a 7-3 team that led Division II in scoring offense per game last year. Central Christian has scored 367 points and allowed 68. Ingalls has scored 326 points and permitted 220. Last year, the Bulldogs scored 366 points and permitted 456.
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