Kpreps 2023 playoff coverage
Class 3A
VIEW: 3A BRACKET
3A EAST
Highlighted Game: (Gilmore)
D4-#2 Holton (7-4) at D4-#1 Topeka Hayden (11-0) – Hayden
For the second consecutive season Holton and Hayden will meet in the substate semifinal with a trip to the Class 3A state title game on the line.
This is also a rematch from earlier this season when the two sets of Wildcats met in district play. Hayden won the first meeting, 24-7, in a game they controlled throughout despite being outgained by Holton.
Holton had the tall task of replacing nearly all of its offensive production from last year’s state runner-up finish. The Wildcats graduated many key parts of its deep backfield, but players have stepped up and Holton enters this contest at 7-4 and having won four straight. Early-season losses to 2A semifinalists Nemaha Central (31-6) and Sabetha (24-8) were followed by three straight wins. Then the Wildcats dropped a 21-0 decision to Rossville and had the district loss to Hayden.
Last week, Holton got by Frontenac, 35-22, behind nearly 470 yards on the ground. Abbott Hundley rushed for 240 yards and two scores and Eli Hallauer added 120 yards and reached the end zone twice. For the season, Hundley has rushed for 1,329 yards and 14 touchdowns. Junior Kyler Jackson and sophomore Cael Fraizer are Holton’s next two leading rushers.
Topeka Hayden has been hit hard with the injury bug this season, including quarterback Jett Wahlmeier and back Finn Dunshee. Dunshee returned to the field for the first time in several weeks in last Friday’s 64-19 win at Parsons and rushed for a score.
Sophomore Kade Mitchell rushed for more than 100 yards and provided a long kickoff return for a touchdowns in the win over Parsons. Mitchell has more than 750 yards rushing on the season, while Dom Ridley, Jensen Schrickel, and Dunshee provide plenty of offensive firepower.
The Hayden defense has been impressive in posting four shutouts and holding four other opponents to a single score. Holton was one of those opponents. Hayden will have to play well to maintain their perfect season, because Holton is playing its best football at the right time.
3A WEST
Highlighted Game: (Nicholl)
D7-#2 Andale (10-1) at D7-#1 Cheney (11-0) – Andale
Cheney has never advanced to a state championship game in school history. Andale has seven state titles, including in each of the last four seasons.
Famously, Cheney ended Andale’s 57-game winning streak with a 36-30 overtime victory in Week 7. Cheney came back from a 22-0 deficit in the game.
These two teams have been on a collision course for a semifinal rematch.
Both teams have significant star power. Cheney features quarterback Josh Burdick, all-purpose threat Jack Voth, running back/defensive back Colter McDaniel and defensive end Kason Messenger. Andale has its deep backfield, including Gage Prosser, Cooper Marx, Karson Butts, quarterback Sam Harp, and Owen Eck, an Oklahoma wrestling commit. Andale’s line features Henry Eck and Ian Aouad.
Indian head coach Dylan Schmidt is 84-3 at his alma mater.
Andale has enjoyed superb special teams and opened several contests, including the Cheney game, with a kickoff return for a score. In the first contest, Cheney outgained Andale, 402-269. Burdick completed 28 of 40 passes for 340 yards with four touchdowns against two interceptions. McDaniel caught nine passes for 142 yards and a score. Voth had 18 offensive touches for 150 yards and three scores, including the game-winning 10-yard run in overtime.
Cheney advanced to this round courtesy of a game-winning 32-yard field goal from Grady Keuhn on the final play to edge Clay Center, 23-21.
Andale has a great ability to start quickly under Schmidt. Cheney was able to make a comeback for the ages. If Andale again starts fast, could Cheney come back? Can Cheney’s stars again trump Andale’s depth?
These two teams could probably win other classifications and should have another classic Friday.
Class 2A
VIEW: 2A BRACKET
2A EAST
Highlighted Game: (Gilmore)
D4-#2 Sabetha (10-1) at D4-#1 Nemaha Central (11-0) – Nemaha Central
Like the eastern semifinal in Class 3A, this 2A substate semifinal is another rematch of a district contest earlier this season.
When Sabetha and Nemaha Central squared off in the final week of the regular season, it was the top-ranked and defending-champion Thunder taking on the No. 2 Bluejays. Nemaha Central won that contest, 28-0. The Thunder also won the last year’s state semifinal meeting between the two schools, 30-14, and enter this contest having won 24 straight games.
After winning the 2A state title over Kingman last year, the Thunder had to replace standout quarterback Cooper Hajek. Enter his younger brother Carter Hajek. The sophomore has had an incredible season in rushing for 1,936 yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. He has also passed for 858 yards and ten scores. The Thunder and Hajek benefit from an experienced, physical offensive line.
Sabetha also has a lot of size up front and the Bluejays are certainly capable of reaching their first state title game since 2017.
Last week, Sabetha found itself with a 14-12 lead at halftime against Humboldt. The Bluejays responded by outscoring the Cubs 35-6 in the second half for a 49-18 win. Quarterback Mitchell Kramer passed for 202 yards and threw touchdown passes to three different receivers. Nate Menold, Christian McAfee, and Tyler Menold each caught scoring passes. Colin Menold continued his outstanding season with 111 yards on the ground and two scores.
Nemaha Central has been incredible on defense this season. The Thunder had allowed six total points with eight consecutive shutouts until a playoff win over Riley County two weeks ago. Last week, Osage City had some success passing the football and only trailed Nemaha Central 32-27 in the third quarter. That’s when the Thunder defense took over with a pair of interception returns for touchdowns – part of five picks on the night.
In the first meeting in Week 8, Nemaha Central’s defense held Sabetha to 127 total yards in posting the shutout. Hajek rushed for 146 yards and two scores behind that offensive line. The Thunder will likely try and use a similar formula to get back to the title game for a second straight year.
2A WEST
Highlighted Game: (Nicholl)
D7-#1 Hoisington (11-0) at D8-#1 Norton (11-0) – Hoisington
This is the rematch of a famous Class 2A semifinal contest from 2019. That year, Hoisington beat Norton in the regular season. On a cold semifinal night with snow on the sideline, Norton won on a last-second field goal, 10-8, and advanced to the state championship game. That marked the first state championship game for Norton in 30 years.
In 2021, Hoisington broke through with its first state title game showing. Last year, the Cardinals lost to Southeast of Saline in the state quarterfinals. Last week, Hoisington bested Southeast of Saline, 49-42, at home in a wild game that featured 993 yards of total offense.
Hoisington has led 2A in scoring offense during the year with 47.4 points a contest, well ahead of the rest of the classification. Hoisington has its well-known offensive skill players, including quarterback Tony Moore, running backs Teron Kraft and Mason Alderdice. Plus, the Cardinals have enjoyed superb offensive line play, led by Caiden Hoffman, who has a Fort Hays state offer.
Last week, against a Southeast of Saline defense that has led Kansas in tackles for loss during the season, the offensive line helped Moore pass for 168 yards and a score. Kraft rushed 31 times for 161 yards and a pair of TDs. Moore had 13 carries for 132 yards and two scores. Moore is the most dynamic and best passing quarterback in the Zach Baird era, who is 98-18 at his alma mater.
Norton, under longtime coach Lucas Melvin, has been a surprise 11-0 squad. The Bluejays have permitted just 9.6 points per game, second-best in the classification. Norton has scored 29.9 points per game. Norton has won games by four, eight, 11, 12 and 14 points. The Bluejays have posted a five-win improvement from last fall.
Norton has collectively had improvement/health from 2022 at multiple positions. Junior Eli Jones has completed 60 percent of passes for 2,019 yards with 17 scores against six interceptions. Jones leads the ground game with 790 yards and 18 scores, while sophomore Tyler Backman has added 622 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior Tyce Melvin has 49 catches for 755 yards and five scores. Senior Roman Hauser, who has college offers and is an impressive 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, has 43 catches for 644 yards and five scores.
Norton is exceptional in two areas. The Bluejays rarely turn the ball over. Norton has just seven turnovers in 11 games after 10 in nine games last fall. Norton’s pass defense has allowed five TD passes (four in a big win against Cimarron) and picked off 11 passes. Melvin has a team-high five interceptions. Norton has permitted just 5.8 yards per pass. Junior Brennen Pfannenstiel leads the Norton defense with 82 stops. Hauser has 17 tackles for loss, including ten sacks. Corbin Puga is a stalwart up front.
In the 10-8 victory four years ago, Hoisington heavily relied on the run game and standout Wyatt Pedigo. Hoisington is more explosive than previous years under Baird. Its multi-faceted offense against Norton’s superb defense should be a great matchup to watch. Hoisington has a slight edge in what should be a close game.
Class 1A
VIEW: 1A BRACKET
1A EAST
Highlighted Game: (Nicholl)
D3-#2 Jefferson Co. North (10-1) at D1-#1 St. Mary’s Colgan (11-0) – Colgan
Both teams, especially Jefferson County North, have enjoyed strong seasons for the respective programs.
Jefferson County North has posted five straight winning seasons under Jeff Schneider. However, this is the Chargers best playoff advancement in school history. Jefferson County North has posted a four-win improvement from 2022. The Chargers have their first double-digit winning season in five falls.
Colgan has not won a state title since 2003 and last advanced to a championship game in 2017. The Panthers are 11-0 for the first time since 2011. Colgan has not won at least 12 contests in a year since ’03. SMC has been ranked No. 1 nearly all season and beat defending state champion St. Marys, 33-8, last week.
This is the first meeting since 2011 when Colgan won 49-0 in the first-round of the Class 2-1A playoffs.
Colgan has not had a game within 25 points since a 27-20 victory over rival Frontenac in the season opener. Seniors Tucker Harrell and Cooper Simmons have enjoyed huge years and are one of the state’s best 1-2 combinations, regardless of class.
Harrell has completed 84 of 126 passes for 1,309 yards with 16 scores against four interceptions. Simmons has 125 carries for 1,385 yards and 24 TDs. Harrell has 80 carries for 899 yards and 16 scores. Colgan has 10.2 yards per rush and has ran on 71 percent of snaps. Last year, SMC had 7.9 yards per carry and ran on 79 percent of snaps.
Last week, Jeff Co. North rolled over Olpe, 52-0. The Chargers forced seven turnovers via fumbles, interceptions and fourth down stops. Grady Noll picked off two passes. JCN had 363 yards of total offense, including 282 rushing. Senior Connor Kierns had eight carries for 167 yards and three scores. Grady Noll had 17 carries for 88 yards and three TDs.
Jeff Co. North has back-to-back shutouts and has held five opponents without points this fall. In a 16-0 win against Centralia, Ethan Noll had 17 carries for 120 yards and two scores. Quarterback Grady Noll recorded 22 carries for 107 yards and two scores.
The Chargers have enjoyed the best season in school annals and has shown a superb defense. This should be Colgan’s closest game since Week 1, though Harrell/Simmons gives Colgan a slight edge.
1A WEST
Highlighted Games: (Nicholl)
D7-#2 Medicine Lodge (9-2) at D7-#1 Conway Springs (9-2) – Conway Springs
These teams finished first and second in Class 1A, District 7. Conway Springs beat Medicine Lodge, 40-34, in Week 4.
Conway Springs lost its first two games this season and has won nine straight, scoring at least 28 points in every contest. Medicine Lodge is perhaps the state’s biggest surprise and has tripled last year’s win total. The Indians have their furthest postseason advancement since runner-up showings in 1984 and ’89, the best seasons in school history.
Conway Springs is one of Kansas’ longtime great programs and lost to Inman in the semifinals last fall. The Cardinals had defeated Inman in the regular season. Conway Springs has made nine state title games, and won seven, the last coming in 2011.
Both teams have found success in different ways. Conway Springs has averaged 38.5 points per game and has run the ball on 91.2 percent of plays. Senior Brayden Kunz, in contention for a Top 11 all-classes selection, has 223 carries for 2,227 yards and 18 scores. Junior Isaac Winter and senior Nathan Bernsten each have more than 600 rushing yards and have combined for 15 rushing scores. Conway Springs averaged 27 points a contest in ’22 when Kunz rushed for 2,266 yards. Winter and Bernsten have significantly improved their production from last year. The Cardinals have upped from 6.6 yards per rush in ’22 to 7.9 this fall.
Medicine Lodge has played in multiple close games with victories by 14, one, two, four and three points, and losses by 14 and six. Last week, the Indians pulled a slight road upset with an impressive 48-30 road victory at Valley Heights. Junior Ke’Veon Ruiz has passed for 1,933 yards with 19 scores against eight interceptions. Ruiz has 106 carries for 416 yards and seven scores.
Medicine Lodge has averaged 4.3 yards per carry, 8.4 yards per pass and has rushed 59 percent of plays. The top-four receivers all seniors, paced by 39 catches for 649 yards and eight scores for Derrek Randels. Junior Durham Nettler has 76 tackles, while junior Sawyer Stone has 12 tackles for loss to pace a much- improved defense that has permitted 13.9 points a contest. The Indians allowed 30.6 points a contest last season.
In the first contest, Conway Springs led 28-12 at halftime. The Cardinals had all their yards on the ground with 55 carries for 438 yards. Ruiz threw for 372 with three scores against two interceptions. Kunz rushed for 322 yards and 11.1 yards per carry. Medicine Lodge can certainly pull the upset, though Conway Springs has Kunz and that could be the difference.
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