Kpreps 2021 playoff coverage is presented by BTI – “Proud Supporter of Kansas High School Athletics”
Class 1A
VIEW: 1A Bracket
1A EAST
D2-#2 Jefferson Co. North (7-2) at D1-#1 Olpe (9-0) – Olpe
Jefferson County North will travel to top-ranked Olpe for a Sectional showdown with the Eagles. The Chargers and Eagles last met in this same quarterfinal round back in 2017 when Olpe prevailed 7-0.
As dominant as Olpe was in last seasons run to the 1A state championship, the Eagles have been even more so thus far in 2021. Olpe has surrendered only 12 total points – those coming in a 70-12 victory over another 1A quarterfinalist in Lyndon. The Eagles have posted eight shutouts through nine games.
On offense, senior quarterback Damon Redeker leads a talented unit. Redeker produced nearly 1,900 yards of total offense and 34 combined touchdowns in 2020, and is once again putting pressure on opposing defenses with his dual threat ability.
Last week, Redeker rushed for an early touchdown and hit Derek Hoelting on a long scoring pass as Olpe built a 21-0 lead by halftime. Redeker added a touchdown pass to Truman Bailey in the third quarter and scored on another rushing touchdown in the fourth period as the Eagles finished off Jackson Heights, 35-0.
Jefferson County North advanced to the sectional round with a 48-8 victory over Troy last week. It was the Chargers’ second victory over Troy this season with the first coming 22-12 in district play.
Caleb Worthington rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns in the victory over the Trojans. The game was 16-8 in favor of JCN at halftime, but the Chargers exploded for four scores in the third quarter to pull away. Worthington rushed for a scoer and quarterback Blake Fowler added two of his three rushing touchdowns in the quarter. Ethan Noll got the Charger defense on the board with a pick-six.
Worthington has rushed for 579 yards and five scores this season, while Fowler leads the team with 840 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Fowler has also passed for 553 yards and five scores.
For Jefferson County North to have success, they’re going to have to avoid turnovers and sustain drives against one of the best defenses in the state. If not, Olpe’s win streak would reach 22 consecutive games.
D1-#2 Lyndon (6-3) at D2-#1 Centralia (7-2) – Centralia
For the second consecutive year, Lyndon and Centralia will meet for a second time with the winner advancing to the state semifinals. The two teams split last year’s meetings with Centralia running away with a 48-17 win in the regular season, while Lyndon shocked the Panthers 26-14 in the state quarterfinals.
Lyndon has posted a 6-3 record this season after taking significant losses to graduation. The Tigers graduated standouts Luke Detwiler, Ethan Edington, Beau Baker, Miles Kitselman, and Dustin Tobler – all of which received all-state honors from Kpreps in 2020.
Centralia also was forced to replace all-state players in Devon Feldkamp, Tyler Heinen, Austin Holthaus, and Ian Haverkamp.
Both teams could build on experience behind center as Lyndon’s Darian Massey and Centralia’s Ethan McNally have returned with strong seasons. Massey has passed for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, while McNally has accounted for nearly 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns for Centralia. McNally is the Panthers’ primary rusher with more than 1,000 yards and 19 scores.
Jarod Blaha has added more than 600 yards and five touchdowns, while Presly Bowers continues to be one of McNally’s favorite receiving targets.
For Lyndon, Jalen Massey is closing in on 800 yards rushing for the season.
In the earlier meeting this season, Centralia shut out the Tigers 26-0 as McNally had a big game on the ground. The Panthers are focused and will look to avoid a playoff loss to the Tigers again this season.
1A WEST
D4-#2 Conway Springs (8-2) at D3-#1 Inman (9-0) – Inman
Inman features Class 1A’s top-scoring offense with 506 points and its second-best defense with just 34 points permitted. The Teutons have wins against Plainville (48-3) and Smith Center (38-15).
Inman, Sedgwick and Olpe are the only undefeated teams remaining in the classification. Inman beat Conway Springs, 46-6, in the state quarterfinals last season.
Last week, Conway Springs pulled away from Plainville in a 27-14 victory. Conway Springs and Plainville were scoreless after the first quarter before Conway Springs built a 27-0 lead.
Coming into the 2021 season, Conway had to find answers to replace heavy offensive production lost to graduation in Jonathan Wright and Heath Hilger. Those two players combined for nearly 2,500 yards of total offense in 2020 with Wright earning Central Plains League MVP honors.
However, Izic Billups has stepped up in his first year as a starter. Billups has thrown for 731 yards, rushed for 650 and delivered 23 offensive scores. Billups is fifth all-time in Conway Springs history for single season passing yards.
Inman has enjoyed a memorable season behind its highly experienced corps of quarterback Jace Doerksen, skill players Kendyn Blank, Kyler Konrade, Harrison and Eli Brunk and Tanner Heckel, and linemen who include Dawson Mannebach, Christian Winsky and Grant Thimmesch.
Harrison Brunk has delivered 467 receiving yards, currently top-5 in 1A. Doerksen is also top-five with 1,233 passing yards. Last week, Inman led Oakley, 38-0, after three quarters.
Inman won this matchup last year and has a significant edge in experience this season.
D4-#1 Sedgwick (9-0) at D3-#2 Smith Center (9-1) – Sedgwick
Sedgwick will travel to Smith Center in a sectional matchup featuring two teams ranked for much of the season. Sedgwick has never beaten Smith Center and never advanced further than the state quarterfinals. Sedgwick lost to the Redmen in the 2015, ’18 and ’19 playoffs, including a 21-10 game two years ago.
Smith Center has played all year without standout junior Jake Sasse, who rushed for more than 850 yards and recorded 100-plus tackles as a sophomore in 2020.
Smith Center’s margin is 360-96. The Redmen have averaged 291 rushing yards a game and 7.6 yards per carry and even delivered more than 200 rushing yards against Inman. Senior Jake Kirchhoff has 85 carries for 879 yards and eight TDs. Sophomore Luke Franklin has 12 rushing TDs and 560 yards. Franklin paces the defense with 11 TFLs.
Sedgwick, against a weaker schedule than Smith Center, has a total margin of 468-76. The Cardinals, known for offense and quick tempo, have looked to make a couple of adjustments this year, especially slowing down when it has a lead against a quality team. Cardinal kicker Connor Tillman is hovering around the Kansas all-time record for kick scoring points. Sedgwick quarterback Lance Hoffsommer is among the state’s best quarterbacks, and Ryan Stucky is a standout receiver. Sedgwick has also played without key lineman Sam Culp because of injury.
Sedgwick is 0-5 all-time in quarterfinals. Smith Center has won 10 state championships.
Smith Center will keep the game close and low scoring and should have some clock-chewing drives, but this likely comes down to how the Redmen perform in 1-on-1 pass coverage versus Sedgwick’s receivers. It’s likely the winning team will be under 24 points.
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.
