Class 8-Man, Division I
8M-I EAST
D2-#4 Oxford (2-6) at D1-#1 Sedan (8-0) – Sedan
Sedan will be the heavy favorite in this South Central Border League matchup. Senior Eli Campbell leads the Blue Devils with 466 rushing yards and has scored eight touchdowns. Junior Isaiah Smilko has added 350 yards and five scores. Dameion Hatten is also a big-play threat with 14 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns.
D1-#3 Cedar Vale-Dexter (4-3) at D2-#2 Chase County (6-2) – Chase County
Chase County will be a tough out for any team on this side of the bracket. The Bulldogs’ two losses have come to state-ranked teams in Lebo and Madison. Outside of those two games, Chase County has given up eight total points and pitched five shutouts. Cedar Vale-Dexter has dropped two consecutive games after a 4-1 start. The Spartan defense has surrendered 134 points in the past two weeks in losses to Sedan and Oswego.
D4-#4 Bennington (2-6) at D3-#1 Clifton-Clyde (6-1) – Clifton-Clyde
One victory was enough to get Bennington into the playoffs as the 4-seed out of District 4. The Bulldogs defeated Solomon, 38-20, behind a 120-yard, three-touchdown effort from Jaden Racongo. Bennington, Solomon, and Herington all tied with the same 1-4 district record, but Bennington got the playoff nod based on average margin points. Their reward is fourth-ranked Clifton-Clyde which is coming off of an off week. The Eagles had three consecutive open dates or cancellations and replace two of them with strong contenders in Hanover and Argonia-Attica. Clifton-Clyde’s schedule also is boosted by a 42-36 overtime win over No. 5 Little River back in Week 2.
D3-#3 Washington County (4-2) at D4-#2 Little River (6-2) – Little River
Washington County will try and come off of two weeks of quarantine to take on fifth-ranked Little River. Washington County has alternated wins and losses since opening the season 2-0. Among those two early-season wins was their most quality victory – a 44-36 decision over Frankfort in the season-opener. Little River’s two losses have come to No. 4 Clifton-Clyde 42-36 in OT and top-ranked Canton-Galva, 56-38. Senior Jayden Garrison leads the Redskins with 755 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, while classmate Graham Stephens has added 503 yards rushing and 12 scores.
D1-#4 West Elk (4-3) at D2-#1 Madison (8-0) – Madison
Madison enters the playoff as the third-ranked team in the state The Bulldogs have rolled to eight straight victories. Senior Hunter Engle has rushed for 529 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 20.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Casey Helm has passed for 776 yards and 15 scores. West Elk qualified for the postseason by virtue of a 54-50 win over Yates Center last week. Sophomore Tayden Tindle leads the Patriots with 989 rushing yards and 13 scores, while Rocky Hanks has nine rushing score and has passed for five more touchdowns.
D2-#3 Central Burden (3-5) at D1-#2 Oswego (7-1) – Oswego
Oswego has put up its most points of the sason in the past two weeks. First the Indians beat West Elk, 68-22, then trounced Cedar Vale-Dexter, 74-28. The Indians are led by sophomore Jake Hutchinson’s 828 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Jace Landes also has nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 446 yards. Lance Teal has added 366 yards and five scores. Central Burden is led by senior Zarek Wilson who has rushed for 690 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns.
D3-#4 Valley Falls (3-4) at D4-#1 Canton-Galva (8-0) – Canton-Galva
Valley Falls will carry a three-game losing streak into its first-round matchup with top-ranked Canton-Galva. The Dragons get the unwelcome task of trying to slow down all of the Canton-Galva weapons. Senior Brayden Collins had a break out game for the defending champs last week in rushing for 205 yards and six touchdowns on just nine carries. Collins now has 867 rushing yards and 23 scores on the season. Quarterback Garrett Maltbie has passed for 977 yards and 17 touchdowns without throwing an interception. Tyson Struber has caught 31 passes for 674 yards and 12 touchdowns.
D4-#3 Lincoln (5-3) at D3-#2 Burlingame (6-2) – Burlingame
Burlingame will be led by seniors Evan Young and Wyatt Ledom. Young has passed for 935 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season. Ledom has added 817 rushing yards and 15 scores in seven games. Meanwhile, sophomore Colby Middleton has contributed 324 yards and seven scores. Tyler Good made the shift to running back for Lincoln and has produced 1,153 rushing yards and 18 scores. Freshman Logan Meier has taken over at quarterback and passed for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
8M-I WEST
D6-#4 Macksville (3-4) at D5-#1 Argonia-Attica (7-1) – Argonia-Attica
A&A has only lost to No. 4 ranked Clifton-Clyde in a game that was scheduled late because of COVID-19 cancellations. The Titans have passed for 129 yards and rushed for 206 yards a contest. Junior Xander Newberry has completed 63 of 95 passes for 1,003 yards with 17 scores against three interceptions. He leads with 72 carries for 533 yards and 11 scores. Macksville has allowed 39.1 points per game. Sophomore Ryan Kuckelman leads with more than 470 passing and 650 rushing yards.
D5-#3 Moundridge (4-4) at D6-#2 La Crosse (4-3) – La Crosse
La Crosse opened 0-2 against Victoria and Hoxie, teams a combined 14-1. The Leopards, in its first season of eight-man football, are 4-1 since and have reached more than 70 points on three occasions. Junior Colby Stull has produced another huge season with 114 carries for 1,100 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. La Crosse has all but three offensive yards from non-seniors. He has scored seven touchdowns – a school record – in a game three times. Junior Cooper Barriger leads with 59 tackles, and senior Lucas Webster paces with 10 TFLs.
D8-#4 Hill City (4-3) at D7-#1 Leoti-Wichita Co. (8-0) – Leoti-Wichita County
This is a Week 3 rematch of a 48-0 Wichita County home victory when Hill City was out several starters from injury. Hill City has battled injuries all season, though has allowed just 21.7 points per contest. Wichita County, though, has emerged as the strong West favorite to reach the state game behind its bevy of stars, including quarterback Kayde Rietzke, running back Jesse Gardner, lineman AC Hermosillo, wide receiver Sheldon Whalen and two-way player Manny Chavez.
D7-#3 Ness City (3-4) at D8-#2 Atwood-Rawlins Co. (3-3) – Ness City
Ness City has battled injuries and COVID-19 issues during the year and has a pair of losses by a combined five points. Ness City has quarterback Jose Guzman, running back Edwin Rodriguez and end Taylor Cable. Ness City did allow 348 rushing yards to Spearville last week. Atwood has averaged 234 rushing and 35 passing yards a game. However, the Buffs’ passing attack has completed just 38 percent of passes for a 1/5 TD/INT ratio. Senior Cyrus Green has quietly put together an impressive career with 97 carries for 635 and 10 touchdowns. He leads with 69 tackles. In his career, the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Green has 2,275 rushing yards, 337 tackles, 30 rushing scores and 12 forced fumbles.
D5-#4 Pretty Prairie (2-5) at D6-#1 Pratt-Skyline (7-1) – Pratt-Skyline
Skyline won its district with a comeback 44-34 victory versus La Crosse. Jesus Casas has paced the Thunderbird offense, including four rushing touchdowns against the Leopards. Braden Tyler, Brayden Berens and Aden Temanson have been key players, too. Temanson led with seven tackles in the La Crosse win. Skyline took an upset, 53-34 loss to Kiowa County but has averaged 54.8 points per game.
D6-#3 Kinsley (5-3) at D5-#2 Goessel (3-3) – Kinsley
Coach Corey Dunlap has delivered an impressive turnaround at Kinsley, which has already clinched its first winning season since ’19. Kinsley will have its highest win total in at least 24 years with another victory. Kinsley has averaged 47 points per game, including an overtime 50-44 win versus Macksville. Isaac Bowman has completed 52 percent of passes for 1,176 yards with a 17/6 TD/INT ratio. He has also rushed for eight scores. Cole Gleason, arguably the state’s best comeback story after a devasting injury in the ’18 finale cost him the ’19 season, has 16 catches for 418 yards and six TDs. He has helped on 63 tackles and picked off five passes. Dylan Haselhorst has scored 11 times on 87 offensive touches.
D7-#4 Spearville (5-3) at D8-#1 Hoxie (6-1) – Hoxie
A high-profile first round matchup. This marks the first time the teams have matched up since Hoxie won in the ’17 state semifinals en route to the state title. Hoxie also beat Spearville in the ’13 postseason. Hoxie is well-known for 6-foot-11 senior lineman Harlan Obioha, with Division I offers in football and basketball along with a team-high 16 tackles for loss. The Indians have a balanced offense with 174 passing and 156 rushing yards a game. Junior Ashton Dowell has passed for 1,218 yards with a 16/3 TD/INT ratio. Four rushers have at least three rushing scores and six Indians have a receiving TD. Senior Aidan Baalman leads with 17 catches for 439 yards and eight scores. Sophomore Derek Johnson and senior Caden White lead with 75 stops apiece. Spearville running back Trace Tasset has enjoyed a big year in the single wing. The Lancers have 240 rushing and 33 passing yards a game. Tasset is up to 135 carries for 1,227 yards and 21 scores. Junior Kolten Bennett has 822 rushing, 279 passing and eight offensive TDs accounted for.
D8-#3 Oberlin-Decatur Co. (3-3) at D7-#2 South Gray (7-1) – South Gray
South Gray will be favored behind its rebuilt offensive line, back Aaron Skidmore and excellent defense and special teams. The Rebels, with coaches Grant Salmans, Jeff Blattner and Ty Clark, are a victory away from the schools’ most wins since 2011, the team’s state runner-up season. Skidmore has rushed for 1,203 yards and 27 scores and passed for nine touchdowns. Oberlin senior Gavon Uehlin has put together a nice season with 310 passing and 851 rushing yards. He has accounted for 13 touchdowns. Against Hill City last week, Uehlin rushed 30 times for 324 yards and three scores and passed for 91 yards.
Class 8-Man, Division II
8M-II EAST
D2-#4 Wakefield (2-6) at D1-#1 Colony-Crest (8-0) – Crest
Wakefield has won two consecutive games since an 0-6 start that included losses to opponents that finished a combined 29-18. The Bombers’ victories have been convincing over Centre-Lost Springs and Rural Vista. Senior Alec Vann has passed for nearly 500 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Trevor Uken leads the ground game with 446 yards and five scores. Crest features senior quarterback Jacquez Coleman who has rushed for 746 yards and 14 touchdowns while passing for 320 more yards and eight scores. Sophomore Holden Barker and senior Stratton McGhee have added 470 and 430 rushing yards, respectively.
D1-#3 St. Paul (3-5) at D2-#2 Hartford (5-3) – Hartford
Hartford and St. Paul will open the playoffs against each other for the third consecutive season. St. Paul has won the meeting convincingly in each of the past two years, 62-14 in 2018 and 64-0 last year. This year, Hartford is the higher seed and has the homefield advantage. The Jaguars’ three losses have come to strong teams in Madison (No. 3 in 8M-I), Burlingame (6-2), and Lebo (No. 4 in 8M-II). Shayden Sull leads the Jaguar offense on the ground.
D4-#4 Osborne (4-4) at D3-#1 Hanover (6-0) – Hanover
Osborne and Hanover will meet for a second time this season. The Wildcats won the first meeting 54-6 back on October 2nd. Hanover has played just twice since and has a pair of open weeks this season. Jacob Jueneman and Colin Jueneman lead the Hanover offense and make as an explosive of a due as you’ll find in this classification. Osborne was in the driver’s seat to win the District 4 championship with a victory last week. Instead the Bulldogs dropped a 30-28 decision to Pike Valley and fell to fourth in the district. Junior Mason Schurr leads the Bulldog offense with 927 rushing yards and 14 scores, while sophomore Connor Schurr has added 546 yards and 10 scores.
D3-#3 Axtell (6-2) at D4-#2 Thunder Ridge (5-3) – Axtell
This may be one of the better first-round matchups in this classification. Axtell rebounded from consecutive losses to Hanover and Frankfort to win their next three games in blowout fashion. Sophomore quarterback Isaac Detweiler has passed for 1,551 yards and 29 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He’s added nearly 400 rushing yards and 13 scores. Mitchell Buessing is the Eagles’ leading receiver with 41 catches for 816 yards and 14 scores. Thunder Ridge’s sophomore quarterback Dylan Bice has been equally impressive. Bice has passed for 1,253 yards and 13 scores, though has been picked off 10 times. Bice has also rushed for 808 yards and 13 scores.
D1-#4 Chetopa (3-5) at D2-#1 Lebo (8-0) – Lebo
Lebo ranks second in Division II with 399 points, three behind Colony-Crest. Lebo quarterback Devan McEwen has enjoyed a big season with 72 percent completion with 1,008 yards and a 23/4 TD/INT ratio. McEwen has added 47 carries for 475 yards. Kyle Reese leads the Wolves with 489 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns along with 410 receiving yards and 12 scores. Lebo has its most victories since an 8-2 season in ’11. Chetopa has made good strides under second-year coach Rick Aldridge. The Green Hornets had won five total games in the previous four years.
D2-#3 Marais des Cygnes Valley (4-4) at D1-#2 Waverly (4-3) – Waverly
Waverly has delivered five straight winning seasons. Waverly defeated Marais des Cygnes Valley, 74-46, in the season opener as Mike Lehman rushed for 150 yards and five touchdowns. Damian Foster also added three rushing scores and 126 yards. The game was 46-32 at halftime before the Bulldogs pulled away with a 22-0 third quarter. Waverly has won four consecutive in the series dating back to 2015.
D3-#4 Onaga (2-5) at D4-#1 Beloit St. John’s-Tipton (6-2) – St. John’s-Tipton
Second consecutive year that Beloit St. John’s-Tipton and Onaga will face off in the first round. BSJT won 50-0 last season before falling to Axtell in the next round. BSJT emerged out of wild District 4 and went 5-1. The Blujays were the only district team to drop just one game – three teams went 4-2 in districts. BSJT has won six in a row after an 0-2 start. Onaga has one victory against a Kansas school. BSJT Senior Brayden Perez has 119 carries for 943 yards and 21 rushing scores. The Blujays have committed 17 turnovers and is plus-2 in turnover margin.
D4-#3 Lakeside-Downs (5-3) at D3-#2 Frankfort (4-1) – Frankfort
An intriguing first-round game. Lakeside quarterback Kylan Cunningham has enjoyed a huge year with 1,417 passing yards with 21 touchdowns against four interceptions. He has delivered 75 carries for 531 yards and 16 touchdowns. Frankfort, ranked fifth, has not played since Week 5 because of cancellations and features quarterback Gavin Cornelison.
8M-II WEST
D6-#4 Norwich (4-4) at D5-#1 Victoria (8-0) – Victoria
Victoria has posted its first perfect regular season since ’15. The Knights are 1-3 in the playoffs in the last four seasons, though 1-0 at home and 0-3 on the road. Victoria, which won titles in ’14-15, has not lost a home playoff game since ’11. The Knights are well-known for its three-man backfield of quarterback Grant Schoenrock, running back Jayvon Pruitt and running back Carson Werth. Victoria is top-four in the classification in scoring offense and defense. Norwich freshman Tray Schroeder has had a nice season.
D5-#3 Sylvan-Lucas Unified (6-2) at D6-#2 South Barber (5-3) – Sylvan-Lucas
South Barber junior quarterback Gatlin Jewell has passed for 669 yards with 10 scores against five interceptions. He has rushed 181 times for 1,190 yards and 18 scores. Senior Emilio Perez has delivered 111 carries for 988 yards and 14 TDs. South Barber averages 293 rushing yards a game. Sylvan-Lucas features standout lineman Tra Barrientes. South Barber has been over .500 in the last six seasons, while the Mustangs have had a winning record in five straight seasons.
D8-#4 Quinter (3-3) at D7-#1 South Central (6-2) – South Central
Quinter has dealt with quarantine issues and cancellations, and South Central has won six straight contests. South Central has advanced to the state quarterfinals in the last four years. Junior Colby Snyder has passed for 561 yards with 10 scores against four interceptions. Junior Owen Herd has 49 tackles, 12 for loss. Quinter, under new coach Jeff Savage, is solid in the backfield with Jaden Boone and Tucker Gillespie.
D7-#3 Minneola (4-4) at D8-#2 Wheatland-Grinnell (6-2) – Wheatland-Grinnell
Minneola is very non-senior heavy. Freshman Eli Lang has 474 passing yards with a 5/2 TD/INT ratio. Lang has 122 carries for 837 yards and 16 scores. All the rushing yards come from non-seniors. Wheatland-Grinnell is very experienced and 14-4 since the start of last year. Junior Trey Vincent has enjoyed a healthy year with 1,250 rushing yards with a 17/9 TD/INT ratio. Junior Isaac Mendez has 151 carries for 1,102 yards and 19 TDs. Senior Trevor Zarybnicky has 116 tackles, 10 for loss. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Zarybnicky has 358 tackles, 27.5 for loss in his career. Sophomore Jett Vincent has eight INTs and 21 in his career.
D5-#4 Wilson (4-4) at D6-#1 Caldwell (6-2) – Caldwell
This is arguably the best first-round Division II contest. Wilson senior Cooper Weinhold has delivered a huge year with 141 carries for 1,115 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has also caught 16 passes for 242 yards and five scores. Wilson took a narrow loss to No. 3 Victoria earlier in the season. Wilson had just three wins in the last two years. Caldwell won by forfeit against Chase last week after a key 42-14 win versus South Barber two weeks ago. Much of this hinges on Caldwell’s availability of key players. In the SB victory, Trey Strnad rushed 16 times for 132 yards and a score. He also caught a pair of passes, both for TDs. Jude Stow returned from missing time and had 17 carries for 68 yards with a TD. However, key Caldwell back Keondre Smith has missed the last several weeks. Caldwell has been over .500 every year in the last five falls under veteran coach Sean Blosser.
D6-#3 Peabody-Burns (5-3) at D5-#2 Central Plains (5-1) – Central Plains
Peabody-Burns has clinched its first winning season since a 5-4 mark in ’15. Central Plains, the state titlists in ’14 and ’18, went 3-6 last spring and encountered significant injuries. The Oilers missed two games with COVID, but have quietly posted a strong season and will be favored in this game. The Oilers’ only loss came to Victoria. Central Plains sophomore Michael Laymon has 65 carries for 451 yards and 15 scores. Peabody-Burns standout Noal Reynolds has rushed for 769 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
D7-#4 Ingalls (2-6) at D8-#1 Saint Francis (7-0) – Saint Francis
No. 1 Saint Francis is the heavy favorite. The Indians were able to play just six on-field games this fall because of cancellations. Star senior Shadryon Blanka picked up a Dodge City CC offer, his fourth overall, this week. The Indians are 11-1 and 12-1 in the last two years.
D8-#3 Triplains-Brewster (5-3) at D7-#2 Bucklin (5-3) – Triplains-Brewster
Both Triplains-Brewster coach Brett Gfeller and Bucklin coach Trever Powell are young coaches who have done a nice job this season. Gfeller is a former Titan standout, while Powell was a former first team all-state pick at Kiowa County. Powell, whose in-laws are from Bucklin, took over the Red Aces this fall. Bucklin has its first winning season since a 6-2 mark in ’07. Triplains-Brewster is 4-5, 5-4 and 5-3 the last three seasons after an 0-9 year. The Titans have not played past Week 9 since ’15, and Bucklin not since ’06. Triplains-Brewster has three backs with at least 550 yards, led by 136 carries for 883 yards and 21 scores. The Titans average 267 rushing yards a game and have only lost to Hoxie, Saint Francis and Wheatland-Grinnell, teams with a combined four defeats. Bucklin junior Scott Price has 148 carries for 756 yards and 12 scores.
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