Class 6A
6A East
#16 Shawnee Mission North (0-8) at #1 Gardner-Edgerton (7-1) – Gardner-Edgerton
Gardner-Edgerton is 17-2 since the start of 2018 behind second-year coach Ryan Cornelsen. The Trailblazers only have a 35-34 loss to Lawrence in Week 3. The Blazers have rushed for 384 yards a game and passed for 33. Senior Teven McKelvey has rushed 79 times for 792 yards and 19 scores. Senior Tayezhan Crough, a first-year transfer from Hutchinson and state hurdle champion, has 58 carries for 749 yards and six scores. Gardner-Edgerton defeated SM North, 54-14, in Week 6.
#8 Blue Valley North 40, #9 Shawnee Mission South 0 – The 8-seed Mustangs opened their run towards a third consecutive Class 6A championship game appearance with a 40-0 shutout of 9-seed Shawnee Mission South on Thursday night. Blue Valley North led 7-0 after the first quarter and expanded their lead to 26-0 by halftime. The Mustangs advance to take on the winner of top-seed Gardner-Edgerton and 16-seed Shawnee Mission North. Bleu Valley North upset Gardner-Edgerton 49-28 in the state quarterfinals last season.
#13 Olathe South (2-6) at #4 Olathe East (6-2) – Olathe East
This is a rematch from last week when Olathe East defeated Olathe South, 32-21. Olathe East has quietly put together a strong season and is the only team to defeat Lawrence Free State with a 26-17 victory in Week 2. The Hawks have a two-win improvement from ’18. Olathe South was 5-5 last year. In ’18, Olathe East defeated Olathe South, 40-26. East linebacker Nate Matlack has committed to Kansas State and has helped the Hawks to its first winning record since ’13.
#12 Shawnee Mission East (2-6) at #5 Blue Valley (5-2) – Blue Valley
Blue Valley has enjoyed a one-win improvement from last season. SM East has taken a rare down year after an 8-3 mark in ’18 and 9-2 in ’17. Blue Valley has 162 passing yards, and rushed for 155 yards. Junior Jake Wolff has completed 95 of 188 passes for 1,307 yards with a 10/6 TD/INT ratio. Junior Chase Jans has 101 carries for 833 yards and seven scores. These two squads have not matched up in at least 14 seasons.
#15 Olathe Northwest (1-7) at #2 Olathe North (6-2) – Olathe North
This is one of several rematches from last week’s action. Olathe North beat Northwest 52-7 a week ago behind another big game from Arland Bruce, IV. Bruce rushed for 214 yards and six touchdowns to push his season total to 1,588 yards and 28 scores. Bruce has moved back to quarterback recently with the injury to Caleb Nelson.
#10 KC Harmon (2-6) at #7 KC Wyandotte (3-4) – Wyandotte
Wyandotte and Harmon will also meet for a second consecutive week. Wyandotte won last week, 35-0. The Bulldogs are 3-4 on the season and had dropped three straight games before last week’s victory over the Hawks. Wyandotte’s lone playoff win in school history came in 1987 when the Bulldogs topped Schlagle, 14-6 in the first round of the 6A playoffs. Harmon has never won a playoff game in five attempts. The Hawks enter Friday having dropped five straight games.
#14 Blue Valley Northwest (2-6) at #3 Shawnee Mission Northwest (6-2) – SM Northwest
Shawnee Mission Northwest features one of the top offenses in the state. Quarterback Ty Black has passed for 2,110 yards while receiver Ty Lindenman has a state-best 1,176 receiving yards. Blue Valley Northwest is much improved and has a young, talented quarterback in sophomore Mikey Pauley. The Husky quarterback has thrown for 1,338 yards and 11 touchdowns, but has been intercepted 15 times. Evan Ranallo has 32 receptions for 590 yards and four scores. Northwest picked up a signature win over Blue Valley North, 33-28, in Week 7.
#11 Shawnee Mission West (2-6) at #6 Blue Valley West (5-3) – Blue Valley West
Shawnee Mission West snapped a 20-game losing streak back in Week 2 with a victory over Shawnee Mission South. Since then, the Vikings have managed one other win over Shawnee Mission North in Week 7. Blue Valley West is a dangerous team with close losses to St. Thomas Aquinas and Blue Valley. The Jaguars feature quarterback Greg Riddle, running back Riley Cummings, and receiver David Brown on an offense that scores nearly 24 points per game.
Class 6A – WEST
#16 Wichita North (0-8) at #1 Derby (8-0) – Derby
Derby has now won 21-straight games after last week’s 55-7 blowout of 5A ranked Maize. The Panthers have played without quarterback Grant Adler for a few weeks due to injury. Lem Wash has stepped in and played well, and the Panthers have overcome this type of adversity before. Adler has been lost to season-ending injuries in each of the past two seasons.
#9 Wichita East (5-3) at #8 Wichita West (5-3) – Wichita West
This one is a rematch of last week’s 28-14 victory by Wichita West. The Pioneers have now won three consecutive games since a three-game losing streak against Bishop Carroll, Wichita Northwest, and Dodge City. Wichita East had won five straight until last week’s loss to the Pioneers.
#13 Hutchinson (2-6) at #4 Manhattan (7-1) – Manhattan
Manhattan will host Hutchinson in a first-round game on the western side of Class 6A. Manhattan’s lone loss came to Topeka High earlier this year. The Indians have since won six in a row behind junior quarterback Dayne Aschenbrenner. Aschenbrenner has passed for 588 yards and four touchdowns, but has rushed for 742 yards and 14 scores. B.J. Young joins Aschenbrenner in the backfield and has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 1,022 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
#12 Wichita South (3-5) at #5 Lawrence Free State (7-1) – Free State
Free State is the heavy favorite in this contest. Free State has turned a corner after a Week 2 to Olathe East and moved Malik Berry, a Division I prospect, back to quarterback. Jett Dineen started at quarterback against Lawrence last week. The Firebirds feature lineman Turner Corcoran, a Nebraska commit and the No. 1 recruit in Kansas. Free State won 31-30 at Lawrence last week. Former quarterback Colter Maldonado, who battled a neck injury, has switched to safety, a position he had played before he transferred to Free State this year.
#15 Haysville-Campus (1-7) at #2 Dodge City (8-0) – Dodge City
Campus, under the direction of former Pratt head coach Jamie Cruse, defeated Hutchinson last week to avoid a winless regular season, with the Colts defeating the Salthawks 38-21. The Colts took big losses to graduation, with five of last year’s seniors going to to play collegiately, most notably South Dakota State’s Quintin Hicks. Dodge City has been unstoppable so far this fall, going undefeated. The Red Demon defense has allowed only 14pts/game. These teams met in the regular season, with a Dodge City victory of 34-12.
#10 Wichita Southeast (3-5) at #7 Junction City (6-2) – Junction City
Andrew Khoury has thrown for 1,619 yards, seventh-best in Kansas, and has helped the Blue Jays bounce back from a 4-5 mark, a rare losing season for 26th year coach Randall Zimmerman. Junction City is the only team to beat Topeka with a 48-41 last-second win at Hummer Park in Week 4. However, the Blue Jays lost 31-28 at rival Manhattan in Week 6, and fell 14-13 at Emporia in Week 8.
#14 Garden City (2-6) at #3 Topeka High (7-1) – Topeka High
Featuring the explosive QB-RB duo of D’Vonshai Harden and Ky Thomas, Topeka is on a roll. The Trojans have averages 50.5 points/game and Thomas can keep adding yards to the Centennial League career rushing leader, a title Thomas took in week 6. Garden City has been plagued by injuries this season, as the Buffaloes were on third string QB Caleb Wiese near the end of the season. Topeka will have to counter the running attack of Garden City’s Josh Janas, who averages 120.4 yards/contest.
#11 Washburn Rural (3-5) at #6 Lawrence (7-1) – Lawrence
It’s been an incredible turnaround at Lawrence under Steve Rampy. In Coach Rampy’s second season, the Lions have gone from 1-7 last fall to 7-1 and atop the Sunflower League standings. Lawrence’s loss to rival Free State last week dropped the Lions all the way down to the sixth seed, but this remains a very dangerous team. Lawrence has proven it can play with anyone and Devin Neal has burst onto the scene as one of the state’s top offensive players. Washburn Rural has won three out of their last four with victories over Topeka West, Highland Park, and Seaman.
Class 5A
Class 5A – East
#16 KC Turner (0-8) at #1 De Soto (8-0) – De Soto
These two United Kansas Conference (UKC) members will meet for the second time this season. De Soto is the heavy favorite after a 71-0 road victory versus KC Turner in Week 3. The Wildcats captured the United Kansas Conference with a 5-0 mark. Last year, De Soto defeated K.C. Turner, 56-0, in Week 3, and 49-7 in Week 9. Turner has lost 16 straight games.
#9 Lansing (4-4) at #8 Shawnee Heights (4-4) – Lansing
This is a rematch from Week 8, a 35-17 Shawnee Heights victory. Lansing won this matchup, 27-19, last year. A win gives Lansing its second straight winning record. Shawnee Heights was 7-3 and 5-5 the last two years.
#13 Topeka West (1-7) at #4 Mill Valley (5-3) – Mill Valley
No. 4 Mill Valley has three-one score losses to Blue Valley West, Aquinas (No. 1 in 5A), and Miege (No. 1 in 4A). MV has captured four straight victories. Junior Cooper Marsh has completed 81 of 160 passes for 1,429 yards with an 18/10 TD/INT ratio. Juniors Cole Knappen and Ethan Kremer each lead with 9.5 tackles for loss. Mill Valley defeated Topeka West, 49-10, in Week 9 last season. West is 2-15 in the last two years with the only victories versus Highland Park.
#5 Olathe West 49, #12 Topeka Seaman 28 – Olathe West scored all 49 points in the first half in rolling past Topeka Seaman, 49-28. Sophomore Anthony Favrow rushed for four touchdowns, including three in the first quarter as the Owls built a 28-0 lead. Favrow entered this week’s action with 1,077 rushing yards and 12 scores. Alex Birge also threw three touchdown passes in the first half, including two in the final minute as Olathe West built a 49-7 lead. Birge’s touchdown passes went to Luke Bishop, Connor Delong, and Jackson Novacek.
#15Topeka Highland Park (0-8) at #2 St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0) – Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas has won 19 straight contests and is defending Class 5A state champion. Aquinas features running back Tank Young with more than 3,000 career rushing yards. For the second straight year, Aquinas had a Week 8 bye.
#10 Leavenworth (3-5) at #7 St. James Academy (4-4) – St. James Academy
St. James Academy won 28-27 at Bishop Miege in Week 4 in a marquee victory. Since then, the Thunder have alternated wins and losses. Three of the Thunder’s four losses have come by a combined 13 points. St. James has doubled last year’s win total despite an injury to quarterback Jack Moellers. Leavenworth has three losses by a combined 16 points. The Pioneers also have a two-win improvement from ’18. St. James senior Cade Lautt has back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.
#14 Blue Valley Southwest (1-7) at #3 KC Washington (6-2) – Washington
KC Washington has enjoyed a two-win improvement from 2018 with new coach Camron Smith, an alum. Washington is 6-1 against Kansas teams, including a 5-0 record in the Kansas City-Atchison League. Washington has its first winning season since 2014 and its most victories since ’04. Senior Tywan Muturi has picked off nine passes, including four pick-sixes. He also has a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Blue Valley Southwest features one of the state’s top specialists with Dominik Stadlman. He has a PWO offer from Nebraska. He has averaged 36.5 yards per punt, and has seven touchbacks. Stadlman has made 13 of 15 extra points. This game is features the passing attack of Southwest against the pass defense of Washington. Incredibly, Southwest as a team has rushed for only 76 total yards in eight games.
#11 KC Sumner Academy (3-5) at #6 KC Schlagle (4-2) – Schlagle
Sumner and Schlagle will meet for a second time this season. Schlagle captured the earlier meeting in the Kansas City-Atchison League, 44-20. That turns out to be the last time the Stallions have been victorious. Schlagle has since dropped games to KC Washington and Basehor-Linwood.
Class 5A – West
#16 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (2-6) at #1 Wichita Northwest (8-0) – Wichita Northwest
Kapaun Mt. Carmel has wins over Wichita Southeast and Wichita Heights to bookend six straight losses. The Crusaders average 191 all-purpose yards per contest. Wichita Northwest has been an absolute monster on the defensive side of the ball. The Grizzlies have only allowed 41 points this season, and have four shutouts in the season. Northwest also has an explosive offense that averages 52 points per game.
#9 Wichita Heights (3-5) at #8 Great Bend (4-4) – Great Bend
Wichita Heights’ Joshua Sanders and Great Bend’s Dalton Miller highlight this contest. Sanders averages 156 rushing yards per game meanwhile Miller averages 127 rushing yards per game. Both schools were shut out by Wichita Northwest, the second ranked team in class 5A. Both schools also lost to Bishop Carroll and narrowly fell to Dodge City. Miller is a four-year starter at safety.
#13 Valley Center (2-6) at #4 Bishop Carroll (6-2) – Bishop Carroll
Bishop Carroll has remained in the 5A top five rankings despite a pair of losses. Those losses, have come 21-0 to 6A No. 1 Derby, and 21-17 to 5A No. 2 Wichita Northwest. The Golden Eagles are well-tested and should be prepared to challenge Northwest on the western side of the bracket. Valley Center enters this game having lost two in a row after their 31-14 win over Goddard. The Hornets other win this season came 38-26 over Garden City back in Week 2.
#12 Andover (2-6) at #5 Salina Central (5-3) – Salina Central
Salina Central has bounced back after a 0-2 start with a 5-1 finish. SC went 7-3 last season. Andover has permitted just 111 points, one of top 5A scoring defenses. The Trojans have lost games by three, seven, six, three and four points. This is the first matchup since 2017. Salina Central won 48-12 in ’13, and Andover earned a 48-20 win in ’16 and 26-14 in ’17.
#15 Salina South (2-6) at #2 Maize South (8-0) – Maize South
Maize South has steadily won each week with defense and just enough offense. The Mavericks are unbeaten at 8-0 with five victories coming by 10 points or less. The Mavericks get a dangerous 15-seed in Salina South. The Cougars have struggled to a 2-6 record, but have also played some of the AVCTL’s best. Salina South is coming off a 47-24 win over Newton last week.
#10 Hays (3-5) at #7 Goddard-Eisenhower (5-3) – Eisenhower
Hays High is on the verge of its fifth straight losing season. HHS is 3-6 in each of the past two years. The teams have never matched up. Eisenhower opened 4-1 before a pair of losses (10-0, 15-13) and a 28-6 home win versus Valley Center. Eisenhower has a two-win improvement under first-year coach Darrin Fisher. HHS finished 1-3 in Western Athletic Conference play. Hays High has averaged 305 yards a game and permitted 326, according to conference statistician/Indian broadcaster Dustin Armbruster. Gavin Meyers leads the league with 100 tackles. Hayden Brown has 649 rushing, 225 rushing and nine offensive scores.
#14 Liberal (2-6) at #3 Maize (7-1) – Maize
Maize took a big loss to Derby in Week 8 and dropped out of the Class 5A rankings. Liberal posted a 0-4 mark in WAC play. Overall, the Redskins have averaged 325 yards a game but permitted 334 yards a contest. Syris Dunlap has led the WAC with 1,206 rushing yards. He has accounted for 18 touchdowns. Maize’s Caden Cox has 146 carries for 976 yards and 15 touchdowns. Avery Johnson played in place of Camden Jurgensen in the loss versus Derby last week. Jurgensen has completed 90 of 139 passes for 1,012 yards with a 13/3 TD/INT ratio.
#11 Newton (3-5) at #6 Emporia (5-3) – Emporia
Emporia’s recent two-week stretch was like a roller-coaster ride. Emporia blasted Topeka Highland Park 98-16 in Week 6 and were criticized by many around the state that believe the Spartans didn’t do enough to stop themselves from scoring. Emporia was shut out by Topeka High 27-0 the following week. This is a really quality team and Coach Milleson has done a well in building this program in to a contender. Losses to Topeka High, Manhattan, and Legend (Colorado) will prove to test them and make them dangerous this time of year. Meanwhile, Newton is also much improved under Chris Jaax. The Railers have wins over Campus, Hutchinson, and Eisenhower.
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