Class 4A
4A East
#4 Bishop Miege (8-2) at #1 Tonganoxie (10-0) – Bishop Miege
Tonganoxie has enjoyed the best start in school history but now comes up against the five-time defending state champion Stags. The Chieftains have stood fourth in the 4A rankings most of the fall. Tonganoxie and 4A No. 3 ranked Paola are both 10-0 and shared the Frontier League title, though did not play each other. Junior Blake Poje has stepped up in his first season at quarterback with 102 of 175 passing for 1,681 yards with an 18/6 TD/INT ratio. Senior Cooper Cunningham is one of the state's top breakout players with 227 carries for 2,006 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. He has cleared 100 yards in every contest. Overall, the Chieftains have 291 rushing yards and 7.7 yards per carry. Tonganoxie junior Dallas Bond and senior Elijah Tyner has combined for 65 catches and 11 scores. Seniors Connor Searcy and Cole Sample lead the defense with 137 tackles, 26 for loss. The Chieftains get another home game on its new turf surface this year. Even with all of the Chieftains' success, Miege remains a significant favorite. Miege has a significant number of highly talented players, including quarterback Tim Dorsey, running back Brison Cobbins, wide receiver Daniel Jackson (Minnesota commit) and lineman Brian Burns (Harvard commit). Dorsey has cleared 1,770 passing yards, while Jackson is over 750 rushing yards. Phillippe Wesley also has multiple Division I FBS offers and has more than 530 receiving yards. Miege owns wins against Blue Valley North, Blue Valley West, Mill Valley, and Blue Valley, all teams that remain alive in higher classification playoffs. Last week, Miege rolled over Bonner Springs, 57-16. In Week 4, Tonganoxie defeated Bonner Springs, 40-21. The big key is the Chieftains' pass defense against Jackson/Wesley, who have shown a great ability to make big, game-turning plays.
#3 Chanute (9-1) at #2 Paola (10-0) – Paola
Chanute will travel to Paola in hopes of advancing past the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Blue Comets held off a scrappy Louisburg team, 30-21, last week to advance. Chanute led 14-8 at halftime after two touchdown passes by senior standout Ty Bowman. Bowman’s third touchdown extended the Comet lead to 20-8 in the third quarter. But Louisburg, which played without its top two quarterbacks, scored pull within 20-14 after three quarters. Chanute added a field goal, and Louisburg responded with a touchdown to pull within 23-21. But Chanute’s Briley Peavy scored from a couple of yards out with under four minutes remaining to push the lead to 30-21. Bowman can be a difference maker for the Comets, but Chanute will have to do what only one team has done this season – slow the efficient Paola offense. The Panthers are unbeaten and carry the top scoring offense in the classification at 46.6 points per game. Paola also has the best scoring defense in only allowing 8.1 points per contest. The Panthers have a multitude of weapons on offense including Garrett Williams behind center, and backs Connor Hasz, Evan Phillips, and Fletcher Aude. Only rival Louisburg was able to solve the Panther offense, but Paola prevailed, 16-8.
4A West
#12 Ark City (4-6) at #1 McPherson (10-0) – McPherson
This 4A West quarterfinal features the same scenario as last season. A double-digit seeded team in Ark City, pulling off two consecutive wins over higher-seeded teams to earn a shot at top-seed McPherson. Last year, McPherson prevailed, 62-28 to advance to the state semifinal where the Bullpups lost to Goddard, 15-14. McPherson eliminated Goddard last week, 14-8, in one of their only tests of the season. Cody Stufflebean hauled in two touchdown passes from Kaleb Hoppes as the Bullpups overcame four turnovers to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. Stufflebean finished with six catches on the night for 103 yards and two scores. Once again, McPherson will be the favorite against an Arkansas City team that won just two games during the regular season. Ark City entered this game as the 13-seed a year ago, but is a 12-seed this year. The Bulldogs advanced to this quarterfinal round by defeating rival Winfield 13-3. Winfield had beaten the Bulldogs 20-18 in the season opener. Braiden Mattocks rushed for 163 yards and both Ark City touchdowns on the night. In last year’s game, Ark City couldn’t stop McPherson’s Jace Kinnamon who rushed for five touchdowns. Ark City has a solid defense that has allowed 18 points per game, but the Bulldogs have scored less than 14 per contest. Freshman quarterback Gabe Welch may be called on to make key plays against a tough McPherson defense if the Mattocks and the Ark City run game can’t get established.
#3 Buhler (8-2) at #2 Andover Central (9-1) – Andover Central
Both of these squads were 5-5 last season. Buhler had zero returning starters in 2018. Andover Central lost leading tackler Jack Wiens to Wichita Northwest for 2019. However, Buhler has enjoyed a three-win improvement, while Andover Central is plus-four victories. Andover Central has plenty of well-known athletes on the offensive side. Senior Shomari Parnell has completed 113 of 207 passes for 1,896 yards with a 21/11 TD/INT ratio. Overall, the Jaguars average 204 passing yards a game with a 24/12 TD/INT ratio with a 100.4 rating. Senior Xavier Bell has 49 receptions for 709 yards and 10 scores. He is a Division I prospect in both basketball and football and recently picked up an PWO invitation from Oklahoma for football. Senior Matt Macy is right behind at 31 catches for 773 yards and nine scores. Senior Trey Degarmo has led with 120 tackles, 12 for loss. No other player has more than 66 stops for first-year coach Derek Tuttle. He served as an assistant all 17 years under previous coach Tom Audley. Andover Central is 1-3 all-time in quarterfinal games with a state runner-up in '15 as the school's top showing. The Jaguars have an average score of 32-12 with their only loss coming to undefeated Maize South. Last year, Andover Central tallied 15.7 points per contest and allowed 16.8. The Jaguar offense averaged 142 passing yards a game with an 11/7 TD/INT ratio. Buhler scored 23.1 points per game and allowed 20.7 last year. This season, the Crusaders have upped the offense to 28.7 points per contest and significantly lowered their defense to 10.4 points per game. Buhler won three in a row against Winfield, Wellington and Mulvane. Collectively, the Crusaders have held the three opponents to 6 of 39 on third down and 2 of 7 on fourth down. As well, the Crusaders have permitted just 91.3 passing yards and 61.3 rushing yards a contest in the three-game winning streak. Buhler has struggled with miscues in losses to Hays High and McPherson. Andover Central is the favorite, and a big key will be Buhler limiting the Jaguars’ explosive plays.
Class 3A
3A EAST
Frontenac (10-0) at Topeka Hayden (9-1) – Hayden
Frontenac will travel to Topeka to take on the Hayden Wildcats in an anticipated showdown on the east half of Class 4A. The Raiders and Wildcats last met in the 2017 state semifinals of Class 4A, Division II, when Frontenac won 37-21 before falling 40-20 to Holcomb in the state title game a week later. Last week, Frontenac and CNC-rival Galena were tied 6-6 at halftime before the Raiders scored twice to claim the regional title. Quarterback Jake Beckmann broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run to give the Raiders the lead, and later, tossed a long touchdown pass to Cale Bridwell to provide the final margin. Beckmann has been consistent in his second season starting behind center. Alex Johnson has been the Raiders primary weapon out of the backfield, while Bridwell has emerged as a capable receiving target. Frontenac’s strength to date has been a defense that has allowed 71 total points all season. Topeka Hayden also features a stout defense. The Wildcats have allowed only 73 points all season with 21 of those coming in a 1-point overtime loss to Perry-Lecompton – another 3A quarterfinalist. The Wildcats may be peaking at the right time after shutting out two-time defending champ Sabetha 35-0 two weeks ago, and then shutting down Jefferson West 14-6 last week. Against Jeff West, the Wildcats built a 14-0 lead on two touchdown passes by Johnny Holloway. Holloway threw touchdown passes to Desmond Purnell and Cade Pavlik to lead by two scores at halftime. Will DeVader and Jack Konrade are also key components of the Wildcats backfield. Hayden has been getting it done up front on both sides of the ball and will present a tough challenge for the Raiders this week. If Hayden can avoid turnovers and costly penalties, the Wildcats will have a chance to get to their first football title game since 2016.
Prairie View (10-0) at Perry-Lecompton (7-3) – Perry-Lecompton
Two teams have enjoyed historic success. Prairie View has its most wins and furthest advancement since the program's lone state title in 1970. Perry-Lecompton has posted its second straight 7-3 year. The Kaws have only made it this far four times in school history. Perry-Lecompton previously went to the quarterfinals in '80 and '86 and had a runner-up finish in '08. Perry has capably replaced dual-it-all offensive threat Dalton Kellum who graduated last year. The Kaws has delivered 189 passing and 146 rushing yards a game. Junior William Welch has 133 of 199 passing for 1,835 yards with 20 scores versus five interceptions. Junior Thad Metcalfe has thrown for a pair of scores, along with 197 carries for 1,146 rushing yards and 11 scores. Perry-Lecompton has averaged 146 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry. Last week, the Kaws defeated Holton, 35-21, after a 14-7 loss to the Wildcats in Week 2. Perry-Lecompton remains the only team to defeat Topeka Hayden with a 21-20 overtime victory in Week 7. Prairie View has averaged 290 rushing yards and 78 passing yards a game. Senior Justin Scott has cleared 660 passing yards. Senior Hunter Boone rushed for 1,114 yards as a junior and has cleared 1,300 rushing yards this year. Boone has 14 100-yard games in the last two seasons. Scott passed for 509 yards. Perry-Lecompton has an average score of 33-16, while Prairie View is at 37-7. However, the Kaws have played a significantly harder schedule, have more offensive depth and are at home. Perry-Lecompton is the favorite, but regardless of the outcome, both schools should remember the 2019 season for a long time.
3A WEST
Cheney (8-2) at Scott City (8-2) – Cheney
Cheney has a six-win improvement and has an average margin of 43-17. The Cardinals have enjoyed another huge season from Riley Petz. He delivered 1,340 rushing yards as a sophomore, and 917 offensive yards last year. This fall, Petz has rushed for 839 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has 922 receiving yards and 14 scores on 35 receptions. Cheney has only lost to Garden Plain and Andale, both undefeated squads. Cheney has tied the best finish in school history along with quarterfinal showings in '91 and '17. Scott City is one of the state's more tradition-laden programs. The Beavers have four state championships, two runner-up finishes, five semifinalists and seven other trips to the quarterfinals. Scott City lost rare back-to-back games, though has rebounded with three wins in a row. The Beavers have battled turnover issues throughout the year, but can rely on their typical airtight defense with just 8.4 points allowed a contest. Scott City has tallied 28 points a contest. Scott City has switched Parker Gooden back to quarterback after he played there the last two seasons and opened this fall at running back. Last week Scott City defeated Concordia, 28-0, and permitted just three first downs, according to Western Kansas News. Concordia was 0 of 9 on third down. Gooden finished six of 11 passing for 113 yards and a score.
Andale (10-0) at Beloit (7-3) – Andale
Andale was ranked No. 1 in 3A most of 2018 and has again held the top ranking the majority of this year. The Indians easily rank first in 3A in scoring offense with 51.4 points per game and also stands first with 68 points allowed. Last week, Andale delivered another blowout with a 49-0 win against Clearwater and standout quarterback Tanner Cash. It marked the second time in three weeks the Indians had a big victory versus Clearwater. Eli Rowland picked off four passes. Running back Mac Brand, Rowland and quarterback Easton Hunter again paced the offense. Andale led 35-0 at the half. Beloit has an average score of 31-15. Quarterback Hudson Gray has returned after he missed the majority of last year with injury. Last week, Beloit defeated Colby, 28-14, after a 21-20 road loss to Colby in Week 4. Gray has completed 77 of 133 passes for 1,106 yards with a 17/4 TD/INT ratio. Seniors Carson Cox, Gray and Grant Arasmith have tallied 996, 607 and 580 rushing yards, respectively, with 23 combined rushing scores. Andale is the favorite. In its one close game, a 29-22 victory versus Cheney, the Indians allowed the Cardinals to pass the ball effectively, but held the Cardinals to under 50 rushing yards. Beloit has to keep Andale from a big early lead and likely hit some passes.
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