Class 2A
2A EAST
Riley County (9-2) at Nemaha Central (9-2) – Riley County
Last week, Riley County beat Mid-East League rival Silver Lake, 14-7. It marked the second straight year the Falcons lost to Silver Lake in the regular season, and then beat the Eagles in the playoffs. Riley County is the defending 2A runner-up to Phillipsburg.
Riley County is balanced with 129 passing and 185 rushing yards a contest. Falcon senior quarterback Garrett Harmison has completed 83 of 152 pass attempts for 1,345 yards with a 15/9 TD/INT ratio. Senior Deon Barnes has 176 carries for 1,106 yards and 17 scores. Senior Avrey Brokenicky tallied both touchdowns last week. He has five rushing touchdowns with 43 attempts. Sophomore Trey Harmison has 41 carries for 691 yards and six scores. Brokenicky has 30 catches for 558 yards and nine scores. The top-five tackles are all non-seniors. Junior Bryan Hopper has a team-high 58 tackles.
Nemaha Central has a four-win improvement and is into the semifinals for the first time since 2016. Like Riley County, the Thunder have balance with 149 passing and 168 rushing yards a contest. The Nemaha Central defense has picked off 19 passes this season.
Dylan Schultejans has completed 58 percent of passes for 1,572 yards with a 21/9 TD/INT ratio. Senior Gavin Duryea has 152 carries for 727 yards and 10 scores. Four players have between 17 and 30 receptions, including 30 catches for 481 yards and nine TDs from senior Andrew Leonard.
This is expected to be a very close contest, but Riley County is slightly more battle-tested, and Barnes has stepped up in the backfield.
2A WEST
Hoisington (11-0) at Norton (8-3) – Hoisington
Hoisington is looking for the first state championship game appearance in school history. Norton is into the semifinals for the first time in 10 years. The Blujays have not made a final since '89.
Hoisington won at Norton, 38-7, in district play. This game is also at Travis Field. The first matchup was scoreless after the first quarter, and Hoisington 10-0 at halftime. Norton quarterback Kade Melvin threw for 203 yards, but had one score against two interceptions. The Bluejays rushed for 72 yards on 2.7 yards per carry.
Hoisington senior Wyatt Pedigo had his usual huge game with 20 carries for 290 yards and four scores. In that game, junior quarterback Mason Haxton completed 5 of 9 passes for 52 yards.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Pedigo has its second straight 2,000-yard rushing season. He has 2,252 rushing yards with 36 rushing touchdowns, along with 103 tackles, 10 for loss. Standout lineman Riley Philbern missed some time with a torn ACL earlier this season, though has returned and is playing on both sides. Haxton has greatly improved as a quarterback with 519 passing with a 14/3 TD/INT ratio, along with 543 rushing yards and four scores.
Melvin has passed for 1,645 yards with a 12/7 TD/INT ratio, along with 1,118 rushing yards. Senior Luke Wahlmeier has 1,019 rushing yards.
Much of the game comes down to Norton's ability to keep Pedigo from big plays. Norton will have a size advantage up front with Judson Wiltfong, Christien Hawks and Dante Smith. However, no one has been able to slow down Pedigo – and the improvement of Haxton gives the Cardinals another option.
Class 1A
1A EAST
Jackson Heights (9-2) at Centralia (10-1) – Centralia
Jackson Heights has enjoyed one of the top-four seasons in school history. The Cobras were state runners-up in '71 and '83 and reached the semifinals in '80.
Centralia is 3-3 all-time in state finals, along with three other state semifinal appearances. Centralia is in the final four for the first time since a '13 title. Centralia has won 10 in a row with its single wing and veteran head coach Larry Glatczak.
Centralia owns a 54-32 victory versus Riley County in Week 2. Riley County remains alive in the 2A playoffs. Centralia defeated Colgan, 30-0, and Valley Heights, 38-20. Jackson Heights defeated Valley Heights, 26-12. The Cobras then defeated Valley Heights, 6-0, in overtime two weeks ago. Last week, Jackson Heights defeated Colgan, 42-10.
Senior Carson Williams has been the difference maker on both sides for the Cobras. He has started since he was a freshman. Williams was a first team all-state lineman in 2018. Cooper Williams has cleared more than 1,330 rushing yards this year.
Centralia is again paced by quarterback Kamble Haverkamp. Last year, Olpe beat Centralia, 20-18, in the quarterfinals. This time, Centralia earned a 22-20 victory. Olpe led 14-6 at halftime after a wild touchdown pass from Colby Hoelting. However, Haverkamp tied the game with a 75-yard running score. He added a 25-yard rushing TD, and Centralia led 22-14. Olpe moved the ball in the final two minutes and used a hook and ladder. Olpe scored with just over a minute left to cut the deficit to two points. However, Centralia stopped the two-point conversion.
This should be a high-quality matchup, but the Panthers are more explosive with 462 points, while Jackson Heights has just 354.
1A WEST
Plainville (10-1) at Smith Center (11-0) – Smith Center
This is the fourth straight year the Mid-Continent League rivals matchup in the regular season and the sub-state title games. Plainville won both matchups in '16, and Smith Center has taken the last five. The Redmen have won back-to-back state titles.
This year, Smith Center won 40-14 at Hubbard Stadium in Week 4. However, Plainville standout running back/linebacker Jared Casey did not play in the contest. The game was scoreless after the first quarter, though Smith Center led 14-7 at halftime and 34-7 after the third quarter. Both teams moved the ball well. Plainville had a 54-48 edge in total plays, and 19-18 in first downs. However, Smith Center forced four turnovers, and Trenton Colby returned a fumble for a score.
There's a high number of likely all-state players on both sides with Casey, Cardinal quarterback Jordan Finnesy and linemen Payton Rathbun. Finnesy has passed for 1,047 yards with a 14/5 TD/INT ratio and rushed for 900 yards with 16 scores. Casey has cleared 1,200 rushing yards. Senior Cody Crawford has enjoyed a nice season at receiver with 19 catches for 332 yards and six TDs.
Smith Center counters with Colby, wide receiver Griffin Kugler and its stable of running backs. Brell Spiess, Joel Montgomery and Charlie Timmons lead the line. Colby has 684 yards passing with a 13/1 TD/INT ratio, and Jaden Atwood has 163 carries for 1,521 yards and 14 scores. Senior Colton Shoemaker has 94 carries for 830 yards and 12 scores.
This is going to be a close matchup that could go either way. However, Smith Center, on a 20-game winning streak, is at home, and likely has slight edges on the line, defensively and turns the ball over less.
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