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Class 6A
VIEW: 6A Bracket
6A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Shawnee Mission Northwest (3-5) at #8 Blue Valley West (3-5) – BV West
Two of the KC-metro areas top running backs will square off when Shawnee Mission Northwest takes on Blue Valley West in a key first-round match-up. Both the Cougars and Jaguars enter the contest with identical 3-5 records and both have lost close games. Northwest’s last three losses have all come by single digits: 53-49 to Olathe West, 25-18 to Olathe South, and 34-33 to Olathe East. Blue Valley West has single-digit losses to Staley, Mo. (34-33), St. James Academy (35-28), and Blue Valley (25-22). Northwest features Malik O’Atis, an explosive back that has rushed for 1,843 yards and 20 touchdowns. O’Atis is capable of breaking free on any play and is also a threat catching the ball out of the backfield. Blue Valley West will counter with junior Sage Huffman. Huffman has rushed for 1,194 yards and nine touchdowns after a 1,400-yard season last fall.
#10 Shawnee Mission North (2-6) at #7 Blue Valley (4-4) – Blue Valley
Blue Valley will host Shawnee Mission North in a 7-10 matchup that will determine who will face 2-seed Olathe West in the next round. Shawnee Mission North enters having dropped six consecutive games since a 2-0 start that includes a win over current No. 5 Olathe South. The Bison have been competitive with a pair of overtime losses to Shawnee Mission East and Lawrence Free State. Traditional power Blue Valley has posted a 4-4 mark this season, but enters having won two of its last three after a three-game losing streak in the middle of the season. That three-game skid included losses to defending champion Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Springs (Mo.) and Bishop Miege. The Tigers feature John Price as running back who has rushed for nearly 800 yards and ten scores. Trevor Bush has passed for nearly 1,300 yards and nine scores, with Kansas State-commit Andre Davis leading the team with 537 yards and five scores.
Other first-round games:
#13 Shawnee Mission East (2-6) at #4 Gardner-Edgerton (5-3) – Gardner-Edgerton
#14 Blue Valley North (1-7) at #3 Olathe South (6-2) – Olathe South
#11 KC Wyandotte (2-6) at #6 Olathe Northwest (5-3) – Olathe Northwest
Thursday night games:
#1 Olathe North 56, #16 Shawnee Mission West 0
#5 Blue Valley Northwest 42, #12 Olathe East 21
#2 Olathe West 55, #15 Shawnee Mission South 35
6A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Lawrence Free State (5-3) at #8 Wichita East (5-3) – Wichita East
Free State has played multiple close games, including wins by seven, six in overtime, two and 12 points. The Firebirds have struggled some with high-powered offenses with a 33-6 loss to Olathe West and a 31-28 defeat to Shawnee Mission Northwest. Free State has allowed 24 points a game. Olathe West has averaged 38.4 points a game, and SMNW has scored 31 points a contest. Wichita East is known for its offensive attack and has a seven-point loss to Washburn Rural and a four-point loss to Bishop Carroll. East quarterback DaeOnte Mitchell has a great cast of receivers and has set multiple school passing records. East was a quarterfinalist and Round of 16 the last two seasons. This should be a really close game, but East’s ability to score (43.8 points a contest) gives them a slight edge. Free State has offensive lineman Calvin Clements, who has committed to Baylor. Rayvelle Leak has cleared 1,000 rushing yards for East.
#10 Wichita Heights (4-4) at #7 Lawrence (5-3) – Lawrence
Wichita Heights is a highly experienced team with its well-known backfield of quarterback DJ Dingle and running back John Randle, a Division I recruit. Dingle has completed 61 of 122 passes for 870 yards with 12 scores against 10 interceptions. Randle has played in seven games with 103 carries for 1,097 yards with 13 scores. In his career, Randle has 3,909 yards, 10.1 yards per carry and 47 rushing scores. Heights, though, has allowed 36, 52, 28 and 56 points in its four losses and has mainly struggled with turnovers and/or run defense. Lawrence has been statistically significantly better on defense against a harder schedule. The Lions have permitted 36, 35 and 28 points in its losses. That includes a 28-21 win against Olathe West, a team that has scored 40.6 points a game when not playing Lawrence. Senior Tyrell Reed is an explosive playmaker with more than 900 all-purpose yards. Cole Watson is a standout tight end, and senior Kenton Simmons is a key defensive leader.
Other first-round games:
#16 Wichita North (0-8) at #1 Manhattan (8-0) – Manhattan
#13 Wichita Southeast (1-7) at #4 Wichita Northwest (6-2) – Wichita Northwest
#12 Wichita South (3-5) at #5 Junction City (6-2) – Junction City
#15 Topeka High (1-7) at #2 Derby (6-2) – Derby
#14 Haysville Campus (1-7) at #3 Garden City (6-2) – Garden City
#11 Dodge City (4-4) at #6 Washburn Rural (6-2) – Washburn Rural
Class 5A
VIEW: 5A Bracket
5A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Lansing (3-5) at #8 Shawnee Heights (4-4) – Shawnee Heights
Lansing will visit Shawnee Heights in a rematch of a regular-season match played back in Week 2. In the first meeting, Shawnee Heights doubled-up the Lions, 46-23, behind a big night from Allen Baughman. Baughman, the junior, carried 22 times for 222 yards and five touchdowns in the first meeting. For the season, Baughman has rushed for 1,285 yards and 17 touchdowns and averages more than 7.0 yards per carry. After a 3-1 start, the T-Birds have dropped three of their last four games. Lansing’s three wins have come against Leavenworth, Topeka West, and KC Turner. The Lions allow nearly 31 points per game, but that number was inflated by a 65-0 loss to 6A No. 1 Manhattan in Week 7.
#10 Leavenworth (3-5) at #7 Spring Hill (4-4) – Spring Hill
Another intriguing first-round game has Leavenworth from the United Kansas Conference traveling to Spring Hill from the Frontier League. Leavenworth snapped a five-game losing streak with last week’s 24-19 win over Shawnee Heights. The Pioneers feature standout athlete Eddie McLaughlin at quarterback. McLaughlin, who is receiving interest from multiple MIAA schools, accounted for 340 yards of total offense and three scores in the win over Shawnee Heights last week. Spring Hill nearly pulled off an upset win at Louisburg last week. The Broncos score late to take the lead, but allowed a late Wildcat touchdown in the 20-17 loss. For the season, Colton McKanna has rushed for 1,037 yards and 22 touchdowns. McKanna has scored four touchdowns in four different games this season. Noah Anderton leads the Spring Hill defense with 74 tackles, seven for loss, and five sacks.
Other first-round games:
#16 KC Harmon (0-7) at #1 Mill Valley (7-1) – Mill Valley
#13 Topeka West (1-7) at #4 KC Sumner Academy (6-2) – KC Sumner Academy
#12 KC Washington (3-5) at #5 Pittsburg (5-3) – Pittsburg
#15 KC Turner (0-8) at #2 De Soto (7-1) – De Soto
#14 Emporia (1-7) at #3 Topeka Highland Park (6-2) – Emporia
#11 Blue Valley Southwest (3-5) at #6 Topeka Seaman (4-3) – Blue Valley Southwest
5A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (4-4) at #8 Goddard (5-3) – Kapaun Mt. Carmel
Kapaun was a preseason top-4 team in Class 5A. KMC has its well-known trio of QB Dylan Hamilton, RB Omari Elias and WR Will Anciaux, a Kansas State commit. Elias was the state’s second-best rusher last fall with more than 2,000 yards. He is second in Kansas with 1,776 rushing yards. KMC has taken three close losses: 30-20 against Wichita East, 26-21 versus more than 8,000 fans at Riverfront Stadium against Bishop Carroll, and a 31-29 last-second loss to St. James Academy. However, all of Kapaun’s wins are by at least 29 points. The Crusaders have averaged 40.5 points a game. Goddard was winless last season, switched to the single wing and bumped to 5-3 this year. The Lions have averaged 32 points a contest. Junior Micah Johnson has 780 rushing yards, and senior Devin Mathes has 736 yards.
#10 Maize South (4-4) at #7 Valley Center (6-2) – Maize South
Sophomore Tate McNew has 2,145 passing yards for Maize South, fourth-best in Kansas. Dai Mont Mucker paces Valley Center with 1,500 rushing yards, which ranks in the top-10 among 11-man running backs. Maize South’s Sammy Dresie has 1,042 receiving yards, third-most in Kansas. Jeron Askren has 462 receiving yards. Maize South has posted a winning season every year from ’12-21 and needs at least two wins to continue the streak. The Mavericks were briefly in the top-five earlier this year. Maize South has allowed at least 33 points in all four losses. Valley Center has put together a surprising year with a plus-four win improvement and permitted just 57 total points in its three losses. The Hornets have won games by four, one, seven, seven in overtime and 10 points. Valley Center tied for the AVCTL II title with three 4-2 teams: Salina Central, Valley Center and Andover Central. McNew gives the Mavs a slight edge.
Other first-round games:
#16 Salina South (0-8) at #1 Maize (8-0) – Maize
#13 Liberal (3-5) at #4 Hutchinson (6-2) – Hutchinson
#12 Newton (3-5) at #5 Bishop Carroll (6-2) – Bishop Carroll
#15 Wichita West (2-6) at #2 Hays (7-1) – Hays
#14 Andover (3-5) at #3 Salina Central (6-2) – Salina Central
#11 Goddard-Eisenhower (3-5) at #6 Great Bend (6-2) – Eisenhower
Class 4A
VIEW: 4A Bracket
4A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Tonganoxie (4-4) at #8 KC Piper (5-3) – KC Piper
Former Frontier League rivals will meet when Tonganoxie makes the short trip to Piper to take on the Pirates. Tonganoxie has shown good balance on offense this season. The Chieftains are led by junior Colton Brusven who has rushed for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sophomore Talon Langford has passed for 911 yards and six touchdowns, while Isaiah Holthaus has a team high 24 catches for 593 yards and seven scores. Piper has won four of their last five games after losses to Basehor-Linwood (17-16), Washburn Rural (37-10), and De Soto (24-0). Those three opponents are a combined 19-5 this season. Quarterback Logan Ladish has passed for 974 yards and 11 scores and added 461 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
#10 St. James Academy (4-4) at #7 Basehor-Linwood (6-2) – St. James Academy
For a third consecutive season, St. James Academy and Basehor-Linwood will square off in the playoffs. St. James has won to two previous meetings on its way to two consecutive 4A state championships. The Thunder defeated Basehor-Linwood 56-35 in the 2020 quarterfinals and 35-7 in the second round last fall. Much like those two seasons, the Thunder got off to a slow start this season losing their first three games. St. James then won four consecutive games before last week’s 25-20 loss to winless Blue Valley North. The Thunder are led by Blake Boydston who has passed for 1,671 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 417 yards rushing and three scores. The Thunder receiving group includes John Niesen (661 yards, 8 TD), Finn Burritt (615 yards, 6 TD), and Callahan Huston (443 yards, 6 TD). Basehor-Linwood quarterback Brady VanDonge has had a good year in passing for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. Brant Wilson is VanDonge’s leading target with 573 yards and five scores. Jekai Harris leads the team with 624 rushing yards and seven scores.
Other first-round games:
#16 KC Schlagle (1-7) at #1 Chanute (8-0) – Chanute
#13 Labette County (2-6) at #4 Eudora (7-1) – Eudora
#12 Ottawa (2-6) at #5 Bishop Miege (6-2) – Bishop Miege
#15 Fort Scott (2-6) at #2 Atchison (8-0) – Atchison
#14 Bonner Springs (2-6) at #3 Louisburg (7-1) – Louisburg
#11 Paola (3-5) at #6 St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) – St. Thomas Aquinas
4A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Rose Hill (3-5) at #8 Abilene (4-4) – Rose Hill
Rose Hill won, 16-12, at Abilene back in Week 5. After a 0-3 start, Rose Hill is 3-2 since. Abilene has enjoyed a nice turnaround after three straight winless seasons. Before this year, Abilene had not won a game since a 26-21 win against Ulysses on Oct. 19, 2018. Rose Hill’s senior receiver/defensive back Luke McLaughlin has received Division II interest. Abilene junior Stocton Timbrook has ranked among the state’s top statistical passers. In the first meeting, Colton Roberts threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to McLaughlin. Connor Jackson is also a key receiver for Rose Hill. Abilene was going in for a score, and had a key fumble. Plus, the Cowboys threw an interception in its own territory. Rose Hill rolled up 371 yards and was 6 of 13 on third down conversions. Rose Hill, with McLaughlin, is likely a little more explosive on offense.
#13 Winfield (1-7) at #4 Wellington (5-3) – Wellington
This will likely be a low-scoring game. Winfield’s only victory was a 35-12 road win against El Dorado in Week 7. Winfield has taken losses by five, 10, 10, seven and one point. The Vikings have averaged 14.5 points a contest. Wellington has enjoyed a nine season under Jeremiah Meeks, a first-year coach formerly at Moundridge. Wellington’s three losses have come against teams that have been ranked at some point this year and are a combined 22-2. Wellington is 4-1 in the last five with just a 34-32 loss to McPherson. Wellington has put up big offensive numbers with 35 points a game behind its two quarterbacks of sophomore Dusty Bannister and junior Kenny Redford. They have combined for 78 of 140 passing for 1,196 yards with 16 scores against seven interceptions. Winfield keeps the score low, but Wellington is the favorite.
Other first-round games:
#16 Ulysses (1-7) at #1 Wamego (8-0) – Wamego
#12 Augusta (2-6) at #5 Andover Central (5-3) – Andover Central
#15 Mulvane (1-7) at #2 McPherson (7-1) – McPherson
#10 Arkansas City (2-6) at #7 Buhler (4-4) – Ark City
#14 Independence (1-7) at #3 Towanda-Circle (6-2) – Circle
#11 El Dorado (2-6) at #6 Coffeyville (5-3) – Coffeyville
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