Each Thursday throughout the regular season, The Pick List will feature six of the best match-ups across the state, and make our predictions on a handful of other games.
Feature Games of the Week:
6A No. 2 Derby (1-1) at 5A No. 4 Bishop Carroll (2-0)
After falling to Class 5A’s top-ranked Mill Valley in the opener, Derby rebounded with a 43-31 win over Newton.
The Panthers’ strength was on the ground against the Railers. After being held to 34 yards on 11 carries in the opener, sophomore Dylan Edwards rushed for 241 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Lem Wash, who was limited to 68 yards on 19 carries against Mill Valley, added 172 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Overall, the Panthers’ rushing attack gained 431 yards, good for 7.3 yards per carry.
Despite the success on the ground, Newton (0-2) hung with Derby, which has won the past two 6A state championships and was on a 26-game winning streak until the loss to Mill Valley. The Panthers held a 16-14 lead at halftime and led only 36-31 until Edwards scored on his third TD run in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Panthers struggled to stop the big play through the air. Newton quarterback Ben Schmidt passed for 256 yards, including TD passes of 50 and 75 yards.
Bishop Carroll will likely try to exploit Derby’s passing defense as well. Last week, senior quarterback Aiden Niedens completed 16 of 26 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles’ 31-28 win over Kapaun Mt. Carmel.
Running back Hunter Trail led Carroll’s rushing attack with 98 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yard TD run that gave the Eagles the lead for good with less than four minutes to play.
It was the second consecutive nail-biting win for the Eagles as they edged Junction City 29-28 in the opener after stopping a conversion pass in the final minutes.
Derby has posted wins over Bishop Carroll in each of the past four seasons.
Our Pick: Derby 34, Bishop Carroll 30 (Schremmer)
4A No. 1 Bishop Miege (0-0) at 5A No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
The Eastern Kansas League rivals matchup in the return to play for Bishop Miege, the six-time defending state champions. Aquinas won the 5A crown two years ago. Miege did not play the first two weeks because of COVID-19 concerns.
Aquinas opened last week with a solid 28-0 win versus St. James Academy, a top-5 team in 4A, and the third member of the EKL private school trio. Senior Tank Young, possibly the state’s best player with an Iowa State offer, has 26 carries for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Young has 477 carries for 4,368 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career.
Aquinas scored single touchdowns in the first and second quarter and 14 points in the third. Aquinas rushed for 379 yards and had 408 yards of total offense, while the Thunder had 229 yards of total offense, including just 96 on the ground.
Last year, Aquinas beat Miege, 45-32. In ’18, the Saints defeated Miege, 41-21. Before then, Miege had captured five straight in the series. As normal, the teams are loaded with Division I prospects. Miege quarterback Tim Dorsey has committed to FCS Illinois State, and receiving threat Mack Moeller has FCS offers. For Aquinas, lineman Danny Carroll has committed to FCS North Dakota, while defensive lineman Caden Reeves has committed to FCS Southern Illinois.
Much of the game likely comes down to Miege’s ability to slow Young. He has delivered seminal performances versus the Stags. Two years ago, Young rushed 44 carries for 312 yards and three scores. Last season, he had 52 carries for 303 yards and three TDs. Aquinas has the edge with already having played a game and with Young’s ability.
Our Pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Bishop Miege 28 (Nicholl)
4A No. 3 Tonganoxie (2-0) at 4A No. 2 Paola (2-0)
Third-ranked Tonganoxie will visit second-ranked Paola in a Frontier League showdown between a pair of teams that will be serious contenders in Class 4A.
The Chieftains and Panthers each completed unbeaten regular seasons in 2019, but didn’t play each other.
Tonganoxie graduated three all-state players from last year’s quarterfinal team in Cole Sample (OL/DL), Cooper Cunningham (RB), and Connor Searcy (LB). But the Chieftains returned plenty of offensive firepower and benefitted from a pair of impact transfers over the summer.
Tyler Bowden moved over from Lawrence Free State after earning 6A All-State honors in rushing for 1,859 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Firebirds last fall. All Bowden has done in two games at Tonganoxie is rush for 519 yards and seven touchdowns. Bowden debuted with a 317-yard, five-touchdown performance in Tongie’s 62-28 win over Basehor-Linwood, then went for 202 yards and two scores in last week’s 24-14 win over Louisburg.
While Tonganoxie has produced three-consecutive all-state running backs, the Chieftains also pose an efficient passing game. Senior quarterback Blake Poje completed 20 of 26 passes for 354 yards and three scores in the opener, but did not play in last week’s win over Louisburg. Instead, junior Gabe Bailey stepped in and passed for 52 yards and a score.
Whoever fills the quarterback role has the benefit of throwing to Dallas Bond, Heston Robbins, and Sam Kleidosty. Bond, who has received several offers at the next level, has six catches for 108 yards and a score, while Robbins has seven catches for 99 yards and a score and Kleidosty has a team-high ten receptions.
The Chieftain defense is led by Branden Martin’s 30 stops, including five for loss. Martin, who transferred from nearby KC Piper over the summer, is a two-time all-state selection at linebacker and is closing in on 500 career tackles.
Paola opened the season with a dominating 63-0 shutout of Bonner Springs before holding on to defeat Spring Hill, 41-38, last week.
In the Spring Hill win, the Panthers raced out to a 34-6 halftime lead holding off a late charge by the Broncos to win 41-38. Paola scored on its first six drives to lead 41-18 going into the fourth quarter.
Spring Hill then made it interesting by scoring three times in the fourth quarter with the help of recovering a pair of onside kicks and a Paola fumble. The Panthers jumped on the final onside kick and ran out the clock.
The Paola offense is led by senior quarterback Garrett Williams. Williams rushed for a pair of touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass to Brock Pitzer in the Spring Hill victory. In the opener, Williams rushed for three early touchdowns and again hit Pitzer on a touchdown pass.
The Panther backfield features a couple of good backs in senior Fletcher Aude and junior Jovanni Blackie. Blackie has rushed for 369 yards and four touchdowns in two games, while Aude has 244 yards and a score.
The duo paced the Paola offense in last week’s win over Spring Hill. Blackie rushed for 201 yards and two scores, while Aude added 198 yards and a touchdown.
These two teams are among the top challengers to Bishop Miege’s string of six consecutive Class 4A state titles. Paola is at home and may have the advantage if Poje remains sidelined for the Chieftains.
Our Pick: Paola 27, Tonganoxie 21 (Gilmore)
3A No. 2 Perry-Lecompton (2-0) at 3A No. 3 Holton (2-0)
The Big 7 rivals meet up for the third time since the start of last year – all at Holton. In ’19, Holton won at home versus Perry-Lecompton, 14-7. In the playoffs, Holton also played host to Perry-Lecompton, though the Kaws won, 35-21. Holton, a surprise district champion, went 7-3, and Perry-Lecompton was a surprise 3A state runner-up to Andale. Holton had zero offensive line starters back in ’19.
Two years ago, Perry-Lecompton beat Holton, 6-0. Before then, the teams had not matched up since ’15. This season, both teams have been ranked in the top-5.
Holton opened with a 15-13 road win versus Nemaha Central, and then dominated a quality Chapman team, 55-13. Nemaha Central is the defending 2A champion. Perry-Lecompton rolled over Jefferson West (54-6) and Hiawatha (47-7). Jefferson West was the No. 1 defense in 3A last fall.
Perry-Lecompton is extremely experienced including quarterback William Welch, running back Thad Metcalfe and three players with at least 100 tackles in ‘19, including Hayden Robb. A senior, Robb has a chance for a rare 500 career tackles. Welch has completed 15 of 20 passes for 399 yards with six touchdowns against zero interceptions.
Metcalfe has delivered 21 carries for 272 yards and six scores. Senior Cadon Quinlan, who showcased impressive speed in the summer, has five catches for 160 yards and two scores. Senior Ryley Besler has 19 tackles, while Robb ranks fourth with 12 tackles.
With its run-heavy offense, Holton has averaged 322 yards per game on the ground versus 33 passing yards. Holton has big numbers from its talented senior duo of senior Canon Karn and senior Konnor Tannahill. Karn has 21 carries for 224 yards and two TDs, and Tannahill has 27 rushes for 154 yards and two scores. Junior Jake Zeller has delivered 13 tackles.
This should be a very good game, though Perry-Lecompton’s experienced and dynamic offense gives the Kaws a slight edge.
Our Pick: Perry-Lecompton 30, Holton 20 (Nicholl)
Halstead (2-0) at 2A No. 3 Hoisington (2-0)
Two run-heavy Central Kansas League rivals match up at Elton Brown Field. Hoisington has posted back-to-back state semifinal showings and three in the last four seasons, which are the best showings in school history. This is the first matchup between the squads since a 44-8 victory by Halstead versus Hoisington in the 3A quarterfinals in ’15. The last time the teams met in the regular season was Week 3 in ’09, a 30-16 Halstead victory, according to the Kansas Football History database.
Hoisington’s last win in the series was a 35-6 victory in Week 4 of ’08. Halstead is 10-1 since the start of the ’19 season and has not dropped a regular season game (Weeks 1-8) since a 30-22 overtime loss to Chapman in Week 8 of ’18.
Hoisington is 13-1 since the start of last year with its last regular season loss versus Phillipsburg in Week 7 of ’18. The Cardinals graduated Wyatt Pedigo, a back-to-back 2,000-yard rusher and Top 11 all classes. However, Hoisington has a bevy of senior running backs with Holt Hanzlick, Cade Mason, Cade Steinert and Hunter Morris, along with senior quarterback Mason Haxton. A four-year player, Haxton has an offer from Bethel College.
Hanzlick was expected to have a breakout year after he missed last season with injury. In Week 1, Hanzlick delivered 12 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Morris accounted for three touchdowns – two rushing and one receiving. In Week 2, Josh Ball, also a talented defensive player, had 14 carries for 90 yards and two scores. Hoisington has won 13 straight home games since a 34-0 loss to Pratt in Week 1 of ‘18.
Halstead has posted shutouts against Smoky Valley (46-0) and Nickerson (36-0) with outstanding senior offensive lineman/linebacker Doug Grider. He easily leads the Dragons with 24 tackles. He is on course to lead Halstead in tackles for a third straight season. Grider, part of a highly experienced offensive line, opened holes for 317 rushing yards a game in ’19 and 336 this year.
Senior Lakin Farmer, a standout defensive back, moved from quarterback to running back. He has 38 carries for 400 yards and six touchdowns and a pick-six.
This should be a physical game between Halstead’s veer and Hoisington’s flexbone. Halstead has more experience up front, and Grider is likely the best player for either squad. However, Hoisington’s depth at running back and playing at home gives the Cardinals a slight edge.
Our Pick: Hoisington 24, Halstead 20 (Nicholl)
Lyndon (2-0) at 1A No. 1 Olpe (2-0)
Two of Class 1A’s high-powered offenses will meet at Olpe for a Week 3 matchup that should decide the 1A District 1 championship.
Olpe put the pedal to the metal in Week 1 shutting out Ellinwood 61-0 and holding the Eagles to 18 yards of rushing offense in the contest. Olpe followed up their dominance with a victory at Central Heights, 61-14. In that contest, The Eagles broke the 60-point barrier again and only allowing 69 rushing yards for the Vikings. Alongside their impressive defense against the run, the Eagles have forced six turnovers.
Olpe has a multitude of weapons both on the running game and the passing game. The Eagles have three threats in the rushing game with Kynden Robert, Chris Olsson, and Derek Hoelting, who have scored touchdowns in both contests this year. In the passing game, Damon Redeker has found Jordan Barnar, Gabriel Castillo, and Kynden Robert through the air for scores.
Lyndon was slow to get the offensive juices flowing, with a 22-15 victory over Osage City in Week 1 where the Tigers were held to 211 yards of offense, only 23 coming through the air.
The Tigers found their groove in Week 2, with a solid 78-0 thumping of Pleasanton. In that contest, Luke Detwiler scored four touchdowns and gained 107 yards all on six carries. Detwiler also scored on a fumble recovery caused by Dylan Buckalew and Toby Miller intercepted a pass.
Defensively, Lyndon has quality backers, with Trey Bazil recording 14 tackles on the young season and Miles Ketselman with two tackles for loss. Toby Miller and Edington Ethan both have interceptions on the season, and the Tigers have seven pass defenses between both games.
These two haven’t met since 2017 when Olpe won in a five-overtime thriller, 41-33, to close out the regular season. Lyndon fell to St. Mary’s Colgan in the first round of the playoffs the following week. Olpe went 9-3 that year, also falling to Pitt Colgan in the state semifinals. The last time Olpe lost to Lyndon was in 2013, when the Tigers were victorious, 27-25.
Olpe has a strong rushing defense, which will force Lyndon into the passing game, and Lyndon has only passed ten times on the season, for 99 yards and three scores.
Our Pick: Olpe 34, Lyndon 20 (Hammeke)
The Pick List:
Garden City (0-2) at Dodge City (1-1) – Garden City
Gardner-Edgerton (0-0) at Olathe South (0-1) – Gardner-Edgerton
6A No. 1 Lawrence (2-0) at Olathe West (1-0) – Lawrence
Manhattan (1-1) at 3A No. 4 Topeka Hayden (1-1) – Manhattan
6A No. 4 Olathe North (1-0) at Lawrence Free State (0-1) – Olathe North
Topeka Seaman (2-0) at 6A No. 5 Junction City (1-1) – Junction City
Ark City (1-1) at Goddard (2-0) – Goddard
Basehor-Linwood (1-1) at De Soto (1-1) – De Soto
5A No. 5 Maize South (2-0) at Hutchinson (2-0) – Maize South
4A No. 5 St. James Academy (0-1) at Eudora (1-1) – St. James
Cheney (2-0) at 2A No. 5 Garden Plain (2-0) – Cheney
Girard (1-1) at Columbus (2-0) – Columbus
Sabetha (1-1) at 2A No. 4 Nemaha Central (1-1) – Nemaha Central
2A No. 2 Silver Lake (0-0) at Riley County (2-0) – Riley County
1A No. 3 Centralia (1-1) at Jackson Heights (1-0) – Centralia
Oakley (2-0) at Ell-Saline (2-0) – Oakley
8M-I No. 1 Canton-Galva (2-0) at Washington County (2-0) – Canton-Galva
Triplains-Brewster (2-0) at Hoxie (1-1) – Hoxie
8M-II No. 4 Lebo (2-0) at Waverly (1-1) – Lebo
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