Kpreps takes you Around the Brackets to recap the Regional round playoff action from Friday night.
Class 6A
6A – EAST
1-Olathe North 28, 5-Blue Valley 21 – Olathe North built a 21-0 halftime lead and held off Blue Valley, 28-21. Aquantez Love rushed for a pair of first-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles grabbed a 14-0 lead. Noah Palmer’s 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter gave Olathe North a 21-0 advantage. But Blue Valley would respond as Dorian Stephens hauled in a third-quarter touchdown pass to pull within 21-7. Palmer would answer for North with a touchdown pass to Jacob Parrish to make it 28-7. Gresyon Holbert added a pair of short touchdown runs for the Tigers in the fourth quarter. Love rushed for a game-high 103 yards and two scores on 21 attempts. The Olathe North defense held Blue Valley to 47 rush yards on 23 attempts.
6-Blue Valley North 30, 2-Shawnee Mission Northwest 6 – After Shawnee Mission Northwest led 6-0 after the first quarter, Blue Valley North score 30 unanswered points in advancing to the semifinals. Quarterback Henry Martin gave the Mustangs the lead by tossing a touchdown pass to Mekhi Miller later in the second quarter. Northwest then fumbled and Blue Valley North converted that turnover into a late field goal for a 10-6 halftime lead. Martin hit Miller again late in the third quarter to extend the Mustang lead to 17-6. Martin then threw fourth-quarter touchdowns to Cole Stratton and Lucas Bullock.
6A – WEST
4-Derby 40, 1-Lawrence 20 – Derby stumbled out of the gate with an early fumble that lead to a Devin Neal touchdown run. After that, the Panthers dominated during a 40-20 win at top-ranked Lawrence. After that early Lawrence fumble, Dylan Edwards returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a score to tie the game at 6. Lem Wash then gave the Panthers the lead for good on a short touchdown pass to Drake Thatcher. Wash also added a touchdown run as Derby took control with an 19-6 opening quarter. Wash and Edwards each added touchdowns in the second quarter for a 33-6 halftime lead. Edwards also broke a 62-yard score in the third quarter. Edwards rushed for 153 yards, while Wash added 54 yads on the ground. Devin Neal led Lawrence with 177 yards and three touchdowns on 30 attempts.
2-Junction City 49, 3-Wichita East 42 – Junction City’s D.J. Giddens scored on an 8-yard touchdown run with 1:40 remaining to propel the Blue Jays to a 49-42 win over Wichita East. The Blue Aces nearly matched the Blue Jays score for score in an entertaining game that went back-and-forth. Junction City led 28-22 at halftime, and 42-34 after three quarters. Giddens was the star for Junction City rushing for 136 yards and scoring five touchdowns on the night. Andrew Khoury passed for 252 yards and a score to Russell Wilkey. Wilkey caught six passes for 134 yards. Wichita East was led by Daylan Jones who passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns, but was intercepted three times.
Class 5A
VIEW: 5A BRACKET
5A – East
4-St. Thomas Aquinas 32, 9-Blue Valley Southwest 7 – St. Thomas Aquinas advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals for the seventh consecutive season with a 32-7 win over Blue Valley Southwest. The Saints rushed for 476 yards in the game led by Tank Young’s 220 yards and three touchdowns. Sean Carroll added 188 yards and a score on the ground. Aquinas did not complete a pass. Meanwhile, Blue Valley Southwest rushed for only 16 yards on 26 attempts, but threw 51 passes. Tanner Currey threw for 207 yards and a score, while Tristen Everard caught nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.
3-Mill Valley 16, 2-De Soto 13 – After throttling De Soto 70-21 back in Week 2, Mill Valley found itself in a low-scoring physical game that the Jaguars eventually grided out, 16-13. Mill Valley now advances to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season and for the fifth time in the past six years. On Friday, Mill Valley overcame five turnovers – including a late fumble that gave De Soto life in the final minute. Mill Valley lead 16-13 with more than a minute to go and recovered a De Soto fumble that knocked Wildcat quarterback Jackson Miller from the game. The Jaguars were trying to run out the clock, but fumbled to De Soto. The Wildcats then quickly drove to the Mill Valley 27-yard line, but a final pass to the end zone was knocked down by the Jaguar secondary.
5A – West
1-Wichita Northwest 26, 4-Kapaun Mt. Carmel 14 – No. 1 Wichita Northwest beat City League foe Kapaun, 26-14. KMC was ranked No. 4 in 5A and finished 8-2, which quadrupled its win total from last year. Northwest is the back-to-back state runner-up. Kapaun held down the high-octane Northwest offense. Both defenses played well, and KMC scored first on a touchdown pass from Andrew Gimino to Ethan Stuhlsatz. Northwest’s Geremiah Moore returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but Kapaun again led after a pick-six from George Traglia. However, Northwest took advantage of Kapaun miscues and kicked a field goal just before halftime.
7-Bishop Carroll 49, 3-Maize 35 – Bishop Carroll outscored Maize 21-7 in the second half en route to a 49-35 win and a trip to the Class 5A state semifinals. Carroll quarterback Aiden Niedens threw three touchdown passes to Oscar Gallardo and Niedens also rushed for two scores in the victory. Carroll led 35-28 late in the third quarter when Cade Gatschet stepped in front of an Avery Johnson pass to end a Maize scoring attempt. That turnover led to a Niedens touchdown and a 42-28 lead. Carroll would get another pick on the next possession and a Hunter Trail touchdown extended the Golden Eagle lead to 49-28.
Class 4A
VIEW: 4A Bracket
4A East
9-St. James Academy 56, 4-Basehor-Linwood 35 – St. James Academy won on the road for a third consecutive week and will advance to the Class 4A state semifinals. The Thunder won a shootout, 56-35 over Basehor-Linwood on Friday night. Quarterback Dakota Burritt threw four touchdown passes and La’James White added three rushing scores to put St. James in the semifinals against rival Bishop Miege. Miege defeated the Thunder 38-28 back in Week 4. This will be the first trip to the state semifinals in football for St. James Academy.
10-Bishop Miege 30, 3-Tonganoxie 7 – Bishop Miege shut out Tonganoxie in the second half en route to a 30-7 victory. Quarterback Timothy Dorsey passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns, but it was his 35-yard touchdown run early int eh third quarter that seemed to deflate the Chieftains. Miege led 14-7 at halftime and after a quick Tonganoxie three-and-out in the third quarter, Dorsey cut back for a 35-yard score and a 21-7 lead. The Stags added another score on their next possession as Dorsey hit Mack Moeller on a short touchdown for a 27-7 lead. The Stag defense slowed Tonganoxie running back Tyler Bowden to the tune of 104 rushing yards on 25 attempts. Sam Kleidosty scored Tonganoxie’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run on 4th-&-goal in the second quarter.
4A West
1-McPherson 28, 5-Buhler 21 – McPherson advanced to the state semifinals for the fourth consecutive season with a 28-21 win over Buhler. The Bullpups turned the game with a touchdown after Jayden Dukes intercepted a Buhler pass in the fourth quarter. McPherson’s Dylan Rinker threw touchdown passes to Aaron Powell and Jaytin Gumm and Brycen Labertew added a rushing score for the Bullpups. Sam Elliott scored all three touchdowns on the ground for the Crusaders. The Bullpups will look to advance to its first state football title game when they host Ark City next week.
10-Arkansas City 21, 6-Wamego 20 – Wamego scored with :15 seconds remaining in the game on a Hayden Oviatt touchdown run. Coach Weston Moody and the Red Raiders decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win, but Ark City stopped Wamego short of the goal line.
Class 3A
VIEW: 3A Bracket
3A EAST
Perry-Lecompton 49, Prairie View 14 – Perry-Lecompton scored in each quarter in running past Prairie View, 49-14. Thad Metcalfe rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Kaws. Metcalfe also threw for 139 yards including touchdowns to Hunter Hess and Dawson Williams. The Kaws lead was 16-6 in the first quarter after a Prairie View touchdown, but Reichen Rush returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and a 22-6 lead. Rush also added 112 yards on the ground.
Holton 42, Frontenac 6 – Holton traveled to Frontenac and control the line of scrimmage and the game as part of a 42-6 win. The Wildcats use a long early pass to set up their first score from Kale Purcell. Holton’s Konnor Tannahill added a touchdown for a 14-0 lead early. After a Raider fumble, the Wildcats scored again and eventually led 28-0 at the break. Canon Karn rushed for three touchdowns in the game, including two in the second half as the Wildcats cruised to the 36-point win.
3A WEST
Andale 42, Riley County 0 – Andale rushed for 430 yards on Friday as part of their 42-0 shutout of Riley County. The Indians built a 28-0 halftime lead and held the Falcon offense in check all night. Meanwhile, Eli Rowland rushed for 215 yards and two scores, while Noah Meyer added 176 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Indian offense. Riley County’s Nic Allen was held to 65 yards on the ground on 18 carries.
Wichita Collegiate 27, Southeast of Saline 22 -- No. 5 Wichita Collegiate beat No. 4 Southeast of Saline, 27-22. SES finished 9-1 and entered with easily 3A’s best scoring defense with just 46 points permitted. Collegiate quarterback Wesley Fair had the game-winning score from seven yards out with under a minute left. The Spartans led 15-8 at halftime and bumped the lead to 21-8. SES closed to 21-14 after a run from SES quarterback Jaxson Gebhardt.
The Trojans took a 22-21 lead when Tyler Breeding made a great TD catch off a Gebhardt pass. Then, Collegiate embarked on an 84-yard drive that led to Fair’s game-winning run. Collegiate improved to 10-1 and has a plus-four win improvement over last fall and is into the semifinals for the first time a runner-up showing in ’15. SES allowed just 73 points all season and had its most victories since ’06.
Class 2A
VIEW: 2A Bracket
2A EAST
Rossville 56, St. Mary’s Colgan 7 – Top-ranked Rossville rolled to a dominating win at St. Mary’s Colgan, 56-7. The Bulldawgs took the opening kickoff and drove for an early touchdown. After a Colgan three-and-out, Rossville score again to take control. Four different Rossville players scored their first four touchdowns of the game. Rossville continued the onslaught in the second quarter in building a 56-0 lead at halftime. The Bulldawgs will travel to take on defending-champion Nemaha Central in next week’s semifinal.
Nemaha Central 7, Osage City 0 – Defending champion Nemaha Central won a defensive battle at Osage City, 7-0. The Thunder scored the only points of the game on a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zac Kramer in the first quarter. The score was set up by a long run by Gage Palic. Osage City’s best opportunity came after Brody Littrell returned an interception to the Thunder 15-yard line. Osage City reached the Nemaha Central 3-yard line facing 4th-&-goal, but Landon Boss’s fourth-down pass was knocked down by Nemaha Central.
2A WEST
Beloit 32, Haven 26 (2-OT) – After entering the postseason with a 2-6 record, Beloit has now advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 2013. The Trojans found a way to escape Haven with a 32-26 win in double overtime. Haven and Beloit finished regulation in an 18-18 tie. In the first overtime, Beloit scored on a 10-yard run by Anthony Henke and took a 26-18 lead when he added the two-point conversion. Haven’s Darby Roper answered with a 10-yard touchdown for Haven and the two-point conversion sent the game to a second OT at 26-26. Beloit stuffed Haven’s possession in the second overtime on 4th-down at the 1-yard line. Hanke then converted a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line to deliver the Beloit victory. Haven outgained Beloit 425 to 222 as the Wildcats rushed for 349 yards. Roper led Haven with 234 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while Nathan Schmidt added 115 yards on the ground. Henke had 65 yards on the ground and those two overtime scores, while Benson Berndt rushed for a team-high 131 yards and two scores.
Hoisington 28, Garden Plain 14 – Hoisington only allowed 26 yards of offense in the second half against Garden Plain to advance to their third straight sub-state game. The Cardinals started off forcing a Garden Plain fumble on their second play of the game, and converted that turnover into points in the form of a Holt Hanzlick touchdown. Cade Mason would tack on a rushing score for the Cardinals, giving Hoisington a 14-0 lead after one quarter. But Garden Plain would get cooking in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from Reed Adelhardt and a passing score on a trick play to tie the game at 14 going into the locker room. The Hoisington defense would clamp down and not allow the Owls to score again. Hoisington got touchdowns from Cole Steinert and Hanzlick in the second half. Garden Plain threatened in the fourth quarter, but an interception on fourth down with six minutes left would seal the game for the Cardinals. Hanzlick ran for 194 yards in the contest and two scores, while Adelhardt was held to 23 yards on the night. Hoisington will move on with a rematch against Beloit with a trip to Salina on the line. Hoisington defeated Beloit 26-20 in the Cardinal’s closest contest this season.
Class 1A
VIEW: 1A Bracket
1A EAST
Olpe 1, Uniontown 0 – Olpe advanced to the semifinals via forfeit given the COVID-19 situation at Uniontown.
Lyndon 26, Centralia 14 – Lyndon reversed a 48-17 regular-season loss to Centralia by defeating the Panthers, 26-14. The Tigers led 6-0 in the second quarter when Ethan Edington intercepted a Centralia pass and returned it for a touchdown. The Tigers led 12-0 at halftime. Ian Haverkamp pulled Centralia within 12-8 in the third quarter, but Lyndon would answer with a touchdown to lead 20-8 after three quarters. Centralia pulled to within 20-14 in the fourth, but a long run by Edington set up a touchdown by Dustin Tobler for a two-score lead.
1A WEST
Oakley 20, Smith Center 0 – Oakley traveled to Smith Center and shut out the Redmen, 20-0. Ethan Abell rushed for more than 200 yards in the victory. His short touchdown run late in the third quarter extended the Plainsmen lead to three score and effectively sealed Oakley’s first trip to the state semifinals since 2009. Smith Center had at least reached the state semifinals in each of the last five seasons. The Redmen defeated Oakley 42-14 back in Week 5 of the regular season.
Inman 46, Conway Springs 6 – Inman advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1991 with a dominating 46-6 win at Conway Springs. The Teutons rushed for 328 yards on the night and built a commanding 26-6 lead by halftime. Tanner Heckel and Kendyn Blank each rushed for two scores in the first half. Blank finished with 159 yards rushing, while Heckel added 91 yards on the ground. The Inman defense forced four Conway Springs turnovers, including three in the first half which the Teutons converted into touchdowns. Inman’s 1991 semifinal team was at the eight-man level.
Class 8-Man, Division I
VIEW: 8M-I Bracket
8M-I EAST
Little River 70, Chase County 26 – Little River led 16-12 after the first quarter and 40-20 at halftime. Little River, a quarterfinalist last fall in the first season under coach Kevin Ayers, is into at least the semifinals for the first time since a state runner-up showing in ’01. Chase County enjoyed its best season in 30 years. Mitch Budke enjoyed a nice game for the Bulldogs with 209 passing and 110 rushing yards. No. 4-ranked Little River rushed for 343 yards and moved to 9-2. However, Chase County committed three turnovers, and Little River was plus-two in turnover margin.
Madison 34, Canton-Galva 24 – Madison went on the road to Canton-Galva and defeated the defending champion Eagles, 34-24. The Bulldogs opened the game with a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Bryson Turner and later added a pick-six from Drew Stutesman. Madison trailed 24-20 at halftime despite having only 45 yards of total offense. The Bulldog defense continued to bother the typically pristine Canton-Galva offense. Madison forced six turnovers in the game, including intercepting Eagle quarterback Garrett Maltbie four times – his only four interceptions of the season. Turner’s 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Madison the lead for good, 26-24. Hunter Engle’s 1-yard plunge with 6:30 left and Ryan Wolgram’s ensuing two-point conversion gave the Bulldogs a two-score lead. Engle, Turner, and quarterback Casey Helm each rushed for touchdowns in the game. Maltbie passed for 151 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted four times. Tyson Struber had 98 receiving yards and two scores.
8M-I WEST
Leoti-Wichita County 52, Argonia-Attica 0 – No. 2-ranked Leoti-Wichita County dominated another opponent with its second straight shutout in a 52-0 win versus Argonia-Attica. Wichita County improved to 11-0 and is into the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. Before ’19, the Indians had not made a semifinals since ’90. Wichita County has won 10 straight games by the 45-point margin. The Indians will face Hoxie for the second time this fall. Wichita County beat Hoxie, 54-20, in the season opener for its closest game.
Hoxie 58, Goessel 12 – Hoxie scored the game’s final 50 points in posting a 58-12 road win at Goessel. Luke Wiens rushed for a touchdown and tossed a touchdown pass to Jake Wiens early on to give the Bluebirds a 12-8 lead. They would not score again. Hoxie’s Ashton Dowell rushed for a pair of touchdowns to put the Indians up 20-12, and Cade Gourley’s score gave Hoxie a 28-12 halftime lead. Ryan Shaw rushed for three touchdowns in the second half and Dowell threw a touchdown pass to Gourley as Hoxie ended the game by the 45-point margin late in the fourth quarter. Gourley rushed for 122 yards, while Dowell added 117 yards rushing and three scores.
Class 8-Man, Division II
VIEW: 8M-II Bracket
8M-II EAST
Hanover 48, Colony-Crest 0 – Hanover scored 42 points in the first quarter in rolling to a 48-0 win over previously-unbeaten Colony-Crest. The Wildcats struck early after a Lancer fumble as Colin Jueneman scored on a short touchdown run. Jacob Klipp’s touchdown run put Hanover up 16-0 and another Crest fumble led to a touchdown pass from Jacob Jueneman to Colin Jueneman and a 24-0 lead. Tyler Bosner added a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and the Wildcat defense forced a safety.
Frankfort 46, Lebo 40 – Aiden Gerstner caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Cornelison with 5:36 remaining to propel Frankfort to a wild 46-40 victory over Lebo. The Wildcats and Wolves battled all night in a game that featured nine lead changes. Frankfort led 18-14 at halftime, but the two schools alternated touchdowns in the third quarter until Frankfort score twice to lead 40-28. Lebo returned the favor on a pair of Devan McEwen touchdown runs to tie the game at 40 with 7:16 remaining. That’s when Gerstner slipped behind the Lebo defense for what would prove to be the game-winning score. Cornelison passed for 134 yards and two scores – both to Gerstner who had 125 receiving yards. Ethan Armstrong rushed for 158 yards and two scores and Cornelison added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Lebo was led by McEwen’s 182 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
8M-II WEST
Victoria 44, Wheatland-Grinnell 26 – Victoria won at Wheatland-Grinnell, 44-26. The No. 3-ranked Knights improved to 11-0, and Wheatland-Grinnell ended the best season in school history at 8-3. Victoria led 8-0 after the first quarter and 24-6 at halftime. Wheatland-Grinnell stayed close in an entertaining contest and nearly had a chance to pull within one score in early fourth quarter but a long scoring pass was called back because of offensive pass interference. Stars on both sides had quality games. Victoria senior running back Jayvon Pruitt rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Grant Schoenrock rushed for 110 yards and accounted for four touchdowns. He also picked off a pass on defense. Victoria blocked well up front, and sophomore Carson Werth caught a receiving TD. The Thunderhawks recovered three fumbles, including a scoop-and-score from Isaac Mendez. Thunderhawk junior quarterback Trey Vincent passed for 135 yards, and Mendez rushed for 138 yards. Thunderhawk senior Trevor Zarybnicky finished with a big performance as the blocking fullback and linebacker. Victoria has double-digit victories for the first time since state titles in ’14-15.
Caldwell (8-2) at Saint Francis (9-0) – SATURDAY
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
