When the Maize South Mavericks butt heads with the Hesston Swathers in the Kpreps.com statewide game of the week, it will truly be a matchup of great defense versus great offense.
Maize South (6-1, 1-0 Class 4A District 10) has allowed only 68 points (9.7 points per game) all season. Hesston (7-0, 1-0 district), meanwhile, leads Class 4A in points scored with 344 (49.1 points per game). The game at Hesston also will play a big in role in deciding the district champion.
“Their defense is extremely good,” Hesston coach Clint Rider said. “I think they are (one of the top teams) in 4A in total points allowed. They’ve played some 5A schools, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Hesston plays more of a small school schedule in the Central Kansas League but has put up impressive offensive numbers regardless of the opponent.
The Swathers run for 344.7 yards per game and pass for an average of 119.4 yards.
Senior running back Ryan Schadler (6-0, 175) leads the Swathers’ offensive attack. Shadler has rushed for 1,697 yards and 27 touchdowns on 110 carries for an amazing average of more than 15 yards per attempt. He also has 10 catches for 228 yards and six touchdowns. Schadler is a good combination of speed and strength as he squats 460 pounds, while bench pressing and hang cleaning more than 300 each. He also runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.
“He’s pretty special,” Maize South coach Brent Pfeiffer said of Hesston’s running back. “If he’s not the best back on this side of the state, I’d be curious to see who is. He’s pretty good. He’s fun to watch.”
Senior quarterback Wyatt McKinney has been extremely efficient for Hesston. He’s completed 55 of 99 passes for 822 yards with nine touchdowns and only three interceptions.
“Wyatt’s an exceptional leader,” Rider said. “He’s very smart and very poised. He doesn’t make mistakes. He’s got a great arm.”
The Mavericks have boasted strong defense all season, not allowing more than 17 points in a single game. Maize South’s only loss of the season came 3-0 to 5A’s Goddard-Eisenhower in Week 2.
“When we look at our personnel each year in the offseason, we focus a lot of our energy on the defense,” Pfeiffer said. “And I think that pays off for us. We’re going to put a ton of points on everybody, but we’re going to try and hold you.
“Every week the key for us is playing good defense. If we can play good defense and special teams, I believe we can play with anybody on Friday.”
Middle linebacker Josh Lewis and cornerback DeSean Washington are among the Mavericks’ defensive leaders. But Maize South also has lost several key defensive players to injury over the course of the season.
“We’ve had a lot of guys step in and filled those shoes nicely,” Pfeiffer said. “The kids have really believed in each other and bonded together. I’m really proud the kids have done that. When a guy has gone out, they have trusted a guy to step in and help them as much as they can. They’ve done a really good job becoming a true team.”
Rider, who is in his first year at Hesston after previously coaching at Southeast-Cherokee, said the Swathers will need another full team effort.
“We’re really excited,” Rider said. “This is a big game for us. The kids are excited for the opportunity. Our kids understand we haven’t played some of the teams they’ve played. So it’s going to be a great test for us. Our kids have done a great job all year. All of our kids have played outstanding, and our defense has come up very big in late-game situations.”
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