Each week throughout the regular season, The Pick List will feature a few of the best match-ups across the state, and make our predictions on a handful of other games.
Feature Games of the Week:
3A No. 1 Andale (4-0) at 3A No. 2 Cheney (4-0)
It doesn’t get any better than this: No. 1 Andale at No. 2 Cheney.
Andale enters this contest having won 30 consecutive games and back-to-back 3A state championships. The Indians’ last loss came at Cheney, 28-24, in the 3A sub-state semifinal in 2023. Cheney went on to defeat Topeka Hayden 34-7 in the snow to win the 3A state championship a week later.
Remember, the Cardinals also defeated Andale 36-30 in overtime during the 2023 regular season to snap the Indians’ 57-game win streak. At the time that streak was the longest active win streak in the nation. If not for that overtime win by Cheney, we may be talking about Andale entering Friday night having won 94 straight games and seven consecutive state championships.
Since returning to Andale in 2017, coach Dylan Schmidt is 114-4 with six state championships. His four losses at Andale include the two losses to Cheney in 2023, a 21-19 loss to Pratt in the 2018 semifinals, and a 47-7 loss to Bishop Miege in the 2017 4A state championship game.
Friday’s matchup will likely decide the 3A, District 6 championship and establish the favorite in Class 3A.
Andale had to replace the bulk of the starters off of last year’s state title team. The Indians returned all-state players in Brody Winter up front and linebacker Jrayton Dansel along with Parker Lies.
Jrayton Dansel, and his brother Jayven, have starred in the Indian backfield over the past few weeks. Jrayton opened the season with 186 yards and two touchdowns against Rose Hill. Jayven contributed two rushing scores with Jrayton getting one in the win over El Dorado. Against Wellington it was Jayven’s turn as the sophomore carried ten times for 192 yards and three scores, while quarterback Cruz Kaiser rushed for three touchdowns.
In last week’s 49-6 win over Wichita Collegiate, Kaiser threw three touchdown passes and added rushing score. Two of his passing touchdowns went to Jayven with one going to Afton Allaire. Jrayton, Kaiser, and Noah Stanley each added rushing touchdowns.
Cheney opened this season at No. 4 in the pre-season poll. The Cardinals opened the season with a 28-27 victory over 2A-ranked Garden Plain. Cheney stopped a late two-point conversion attempt to preserve the win over the Owls.
The Cardinals then shut out Conway Springs (37-0), Hoisington (27-0), and defeated Clearwater (38-7) in a game that was shortened by weather.
Sedgwick transfer Holden Ferralez has been a key piece for the Cheney offense. Through four games, Ferralez has passed for 859 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for more than 100 yards and three scores.
Ferralez has plenty of weapons to spread the ball around with Sam Johnson, Grayson Randell, and Quaid Thomas leading a deep receiver group. Colton Young has been effective in the backfield. The Cardinals will have to establish some success on the ground against the Andale defense.
Cheney’s success on both sides of the ball may depend on their ability to challenge Andale up front. Ayden Koehn (6-4, 235), Callan Murray (6-4, 255), Isaac Dietz (6-4, 224), and Rylan Leis (6-2, 260) will give the Cardinals an opportunity to have success.
Our Pick: Andale 36, Cheney 20 (Gilmore)
Frontenac (4-0) at Girard (4-0)
Another battle of 3A unbeaten teams will take place in Girard where the host Trojans will take on the visiting Frontenac Raiders. The CNC League title will be on the line when the league’s two largest schools meet, although both teams still have a date with a talented Columbus team in the coming weeks.
Both the Raiders and Trojans look to be factors in the 3A playoffs, especially on an eastern half of the state that looks to be as wide open as it has been in recent years. Both teams reached the second round of the 3A playoffs last fall. Frontenac reached the state quarterfinals in 2023, while Girard’s last quarterfinal appearance was in 2022.
Frontenac has a talented roster and is off to an impressive 4-0 start under first-year coach Garrett Wilson. Wilson took over the Raider program late in the summer replacing Leon Miller who went 17-3 in two seasons in his return to the program.
The Raiders started the season by grinding out a 15-13 win at Baxter Springs – a game that they led 15-0. Luke Sneed and Rylan Relph rushed for touchdowns, but the decisive points came on a safety when Baxter snapped punt through the end zone.
Frontenac put together a complete effort in Week 2. The Raiders went to Labette County and mauled the Grizzlies 33-7. That was a Labette County team with some key pieces returning from a 4A state semifinal appearance a season ago. Frontenac’s offensive and defensive lines controlled the trenches and might have established an early season identify for this Raider squad.
Frontenac then dominated rival St. Mary’s Colgan (28-7) before a 35-0 shutout of Iola in the district opener last week.
The offensive line has been really playing well and will get a boost from the return of perhaps its best piece in senior Ethan Merrick. Frontenac has plenty of skill kids in a loaded backfield that includes quarterback Brogan Smith, backs Luke Sneed, Jake Murphy, Kane Mjelde, and Relph. Kaden Merando has become a go-to receiving target for Smith, while Brock Wiemers, Baron Kunshek, and tight end Gunner Horyna are also targets.
The Raider defense has been stout in only allowing 27 points in four games. Frontenac intercepted Iola quarterback Reed Clift three times last week.
Girard also returned an experienced roster from last year’s 6-4 team. The Trojans opened with a 35-14 win over Colgan before a tough 42-28 win at Baxter Springs. Girard then returned home in blowing out Galena (48-6) in a game where the Trojan defense came up with five interceptions.
Last week, Girard handed Riverton its first loss of the season, 48-7. After the Rams scored first, Girard took a 16-7 lead into halftime before exploding for 26 points in the third quarter.
Offensively, quarterback Ben Cullen has started for the last three seasons. He has several options in the backfield including Korvin Bowin, Boston Mlekus, and Zeb Poland. Gavin Huber and Easton Clark are key athletes to spread the ball around to on offense. Bowin is explosive and has the speed to provide a big impact on special teams in the return game.
Up front, the Trojans are anchored by Blake Brokob, Nathan Pope, Lucas Kmied, and Liam Leadstrom.
Brokob (6-0, 210) is one of the top defensive players in Class 3A. He leads the Trojan defense from his middle linebacker position.
Whichever team can control the trenches and win the turnover battle is likely to come out on top. Frontenac won last year’s meeting 35-7 and has won four straight in the series. Girard’s last victory came 36-0 in the 2022 playoffs. The Trojans also defeated Frontenac 35-0 during the regular season that year.
Our Pick: Girard 28, Frontenac 26 (Gilmore)
Marysville (3-1) at 2A No. 3 Council Grove (4-0)
This is a huge game in Class 2A, District 5. The top-four teams in the district (Marysville, Council Grove, Riley County and Southeast of Saline) went a combined 11-2 in non-district contest.
Marysville has enjoyed a nice turnaround after a big down season last fall. The Bulldogs lost eight straight games to open 2025 and finished 1-8. This year, Marysville has quickly improved to 3-1 and looks on course for its sixth winning season in the last 11 years.
Marysville and Council Grove match up for the first time since 2021 and the third time in at least 25 years. Marysville won 28-0 in 2020, and 57-14 the next year.
This season, Marysville lost 44-24 at Chapman in Week 1, and then won three straight contests, at Clay Center (28-21), versus Concordia (42-15) and the breakthrough win, 28-14, at home versus Southeast of Saline. The victory ended SE Saline’s 51-game regular season winning streak. The Trojans had not lost a regular season game since Week 7 of the 2019 season against Riley County. Marysville forced three turnovers for Southeast of Saline.
Marysville quarterback Grady Schroedl had the first touchdown for an 8-0 lead. He scored on the first drive of the second half on a 27-yard run. JT Becker also broke a long 53-yard run. Marysville has been a heavy run team this year, including 288 of its 313 total yards.
Every week, it seems like Council Grove sets more history and records for a program in the best run of school history. Derron Reddick has done a terrific job at his alma mater, first as a defensive coordinator and now as head coach.
Council Grove has three wins by at least 56 points and a key 22-14 road win versus Osage City in Week 2. Senior Luke Stewart has completed 45 of 61 passes for 768 yards with 12 touchdowns against no interceptions. Junior Cooper Andres has 15 carries for 229 yards and four scores. Senior Mason Samuels has 15 catches for 280 yards and four TDs. The Braves posted 489 yards in a 69-6 win versus Minneapolis last week and Stewart posted a perfect passer rating. Council Grove has posted 7.9 yards per carry and has not allowed a sack. Council Grove has never won more than eight games in a season since 1950, and could do accomplish that this year.
An impressive turnaround for Marysville under coach Tony Trimble (a longtime coach at several other places), though Council Grove has been highly explosive on offense and might have the advantage with weapons on both sides of the ball.
Our Pick: Council Grove 26, Marysville 18 (Nicholl)
Caney Valley (4-0) at Neodesha (4-0)
Caney Valley will travel to Neodesha to decide the Tri-Valley League title and establish a contender on the eastern half of Class 2A. Caney is the favorite in District 1, while Neody is in District 2.
Caney Valley is one of the state’s most consistent programs under longtime coach Criss Davis. Caney has posted 10 straight winning seasons and has not had a losing record since 2003. Neodesha has enjoyed its best start in 21 years.
The winning has consistently included victories over Neodesha. Caney Valley is 18-1 against Neodesha since 2004. That includes 15 straight victories dating to a 14-6 loss Oct. 25, 2007.
Caney Valley is historically known for its running game. This year, the Bullpups have outscored opponents by a collective margin of 221-26. The Bulldogs did not allow a point until Week 4 with a 64-26 road win versus Baxter Springs. That game was 29-19 at halftime before the Bullpups exploded for 35 points in the second half.
The Bullpup offense is an experienced group led by quarterback Layne Denny and the two-headed backfield of Traxcyn Garton and Jace Buckley. Garton has the ability to impact the game in so many ways whether on the ground, catching the ball out of the backfield, or in the return game. Buckley is equally impressive. Buckley rushed for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win at Baxter Springs.
Caney’s ability to throw the ball may be what sets this year’s offense apart. Denny has already thrown for more than 400 yards and 10 touchdowns through four weeks. Blake Roberds had mor than 100 receiving yards and three scores in last week’s win. Konner Paulie, Huck Seger, and Jacob McVey are all capable receiving targets, and all have caught touchdown passes this season.
Neodesha also features an explosive offense.
Neodesha junior quarterback Tayte Leck has completed 31 of 44 passes for 605 yards with eight touchdowns against two interceptions. Senior Camryn White has 52 carries for 525 yards and 10 scores. Neodesha has posted 261 rushing yards and 7.6 yards per carry. J’Vonte White, Jayedin Huckabey, and Lauklon Roebuck all have more than 100 receiving yards this season. The Blue Streaks have dominated their schedule with all wins by at least 27 points.
Last year, Neodesha went 5-4 and opened 4-1 with a 22-6 road loss to Caney Valley. Nearly all the skill players returned for Neodesha. Leck threw for 1,098 passing yards with 10 scores and 10 interceptions. White led Neodesha with 420 yards.
Neodesha has the veterans to possibly end its long losing streak against Caney Valley.
Our Pick: Caney Valley 28, Neodesha 19 (Nicholl)
The Pick List:
6A No. 5 Blue Valley Northwest (3-1) at Blue Valley North (1-3) – BV Northwest
Garden City (2-2) at Liberal (3-1) – Garden City
6A No. 4 Gardner-Edgerton (3-1) at Shawnee Mission East (2-2) – Gardner-Edgerton
4A No. 3 Great Bend (4-0) at Dodge City (2-2) – Great Bend
6A No. 3 Manhattan (2-2) at Junction City (1-3) – Manhattan
6A No. 1 Mill Valley (4-0) at Lawrence Free State (2-2) – Mill Valley
Olathe North (2-2) at Olathe Northwest (2-2) – Olathe Northwest
Goddard-Eisenhower (3-1) at Andover (4-0) – Andover
KC Piper (3-1) at Basehor-Linwood (2-2) – Basehor-Linwood
4A No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (2-2) at Blue Valley (3-1) – Aquinas
Wellington (3-1) at Mulvane (3-1) – Mulvane
Santa Fe Trail (4-0) at 3A No. 5 Wellsville (4-0) – Wellsville
Smoky Valley (3-1) at 3A No. 3 Hesston (4-0) – Hesston
Hoisington (2-2) at Pratt (2-2) – Hoisington
2A No. 4 Garden Plain (3-1) at Douglass (3-1) – Garden Plain
Riverside (4-0) at 2A No. 1 Sabetha (4-0) – Sabetha
1A No. 4 Rossville (2-2) at Royal Valley (3-1) – Rossville
Hillsboro (2-2) at 1A No. 2 Inman (3-1) – Inman
Sacred Heart (3-1) at 1A No. 3 Smith Center (3-1) – Smith Center
Valley Heights (3-1) at Centralia (2-2) – Centralia
Clifton-Clyde (3-1) at Chase County (3-1) – Chase County
Kiowa County (2-2) at 8M-I No. 4 Central Plains (4-0) – Central Plains
8M-I No. 3 Leoti-Wichita Co. (4-0) at Elkhart (4-0) – Wichita County
Yates Center (2-2) at Lebo (4-0) – Lebo
Frankfort (3-1) at 8M-II No. 1 Hanover (4-0) – Hanover
8M-II No. 3 Little River (4-0) at Stafford (3-1) – Little River
Marmaton Valley (3-1) at Flinthills (3-1) – Flinthills
Pratt-Skyline (3-1) at 8M-II No. 5 Hodgeman County (4-0) – Hodgeman County
Troy (4-0) at 8M-II No. 2 Axtell (4-0) – Axtell
Ashland (3-1) at 6M No. 4 South Barber (3-1) – South Barber
6M No. 1 Weskan (4-0) at Cheylin (4-0) -- Weskan
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