4A-II East: Osawatomie (6-3) at No. 2 Holton (8-1)
The Osawatomie Trojans have a big challenge in facing the tradition-rich and second-ranked Holton Wildcats.
Osawatomie had a five-game winning streak snapped when it fell 69-36 to Santa Fe Trail in the final week of district competition.
Trojans quarterback Brody Russell has passed for more than 800 yards. Junior running back Riley England leads Osawatomie with more than 1,700 yards rushing. England rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore last season.
Sophomore Chaseton Wiley has 20 catches for 418 yards and eight touchdowns. Seniors Sheldon Booe and Morgan Soucie have three interceptions each.
Holton is on an eight-game winning streak after opening the season with an 18-7 loss to Silver Lake.
The Wildcats rush for about 375 yards per game. Senior Indie Allen leads the way with almost 1,100 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
Quarterback Trey Tanking has passed for more than 300 yards, while rushing for about 300.
Jordan Booth leads the Wildcat defense with 77 tackles.
Holton 40, Osawatomie 12 (Schremmer)
4A-II East: No. 4 Columbus (8-1) at Girard (4-5)
The Titans and Trojans will meet in a rematch of a Week 4 game that Columbus won 41-16.
Girard opened the season with a 1-5 record. However, the Trojans rallied to rattle off three consecutive wins against Anderson County, Burlington and Iola to win their district championship.
Three of Girard’s losses were by 12 points or fewer.
No. 4 Columbus’ only loss came to third-ranked Frontenac during district competition.
Jace McDown leads the Titans with more than 1,100 yards rushing.
Linebacker Taylor Watkins leads the Columbus defense with 87 tackles. Defensive lineman Garrett Brittain has 71 tackles and nine sacks.
Columbus 36, Girard 12 (Schremmer)
4A-II West: Pratt (5-4) at Concordia (7-2)
Pratt will make the long trip to Concordia in a match-up of two similar programs in terms of consistency.
The Greenbacks and Panthers each entered the 2014 season coming off of 2-7 records. Entering this season, both school had an identical 48-50 overall record the past ten seasons and each had qualified for the playoffs six of those years.
Concordia posted a solid 7-2 regular season with single-digit losses to Abilene (14-7) and Wamego (20-14).
The Panthers posted consecutive shutouts to open the season including a 26-0 win over defending 3A runner-up Beloit in Week 1. The Concordia defense is surrendering less than nin points per game.
On offense the Panthers are paced by senior running back Drake Hake who has rushed for 1,650 yards and 21 touchdowns. Hake is averaging 183 yards per game and nearly 8.5 yards per carry.
Pratt, on the other hand, is more balanced in their rushing attack. As many as four different players have shared significant carries for the Greenbacks.
Junior Sean Noel leads Pratt with 797 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Hunter Kaufman adds 409 yards rushing and five scores, while seniors Brandon Ruckle and Derek Barnard add 307 and 295 yards, respectively.
Ruckle and Barnard are one and two on the team in rushing touchdowns with seven and six.
Pratt has struggled throwing the ball as three quarterbacks have combined to complete only 22 percent of their attempts.
If Hake can get going, the Panthers have a good shot to advance.
Concordia 26, Pratt 20 (Gilmore)
4A-II West: Clearwater (3-6) at Wamego (8-1)
After missing out on the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, finally Wamego was able end their drought and reach the postseason for the first time since 2007.
The Red Raiders have had some competitive teams in that timeframe. Wamego has won 20 of its last 27 games and missed the playoffs at 7-2 a season ago with district losses to Holton and Topeka Hayden.
Quarterback Kyler Alderson ensured the Red Raiders would play an extra game this season. The senior signal caller has passed for 1,720 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season, but has been intercepted 12 times.
Alderson is also the Raiders’ leading rusher with 428 yards and eight scores. Senior Trey Cohorst is second on the team with 320 rushing yards and three scores.
Alderson’s targets at receiver include senior Wyatt Totten who has 46 receptions for 611 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior Anthony Gamino has made his 17 catches count for 429 yards and seven scores.
Clearwater began the season 0-5 before posting consecutive wins over Towanda-Circle (0-9) and Haven (2-7).
The Indians then held No. 1 Andale to its lowest points output of the season, but fell 21-0. Clearwater drove deep into Andale territory a couple of times, but came up empty due to an interception and a turnover on downs.
That set up a Week 9 playoff game against Wichita Trinity in which the Indians won 24-21.
Despite their 3-6 record, Clearwater has talent.
Hunter Hall is an imposing quarterback at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. Hall rushed for 117 yards in the win over Trinity, while Collin Ellis added 104 yards on the ground.
Clearwater is battle tested and don’t be surprised if the Indians pull off the upset.
Clearwater 21, Wamego 20 (Gilmore)
The rest of our 4A-II first-round picks:
Jefferson West (3-5) at Santa Fe Trail (7-2)
Burlington (5-4) at No. 3 Frontenac (9-0)
Smoky Valley (5-4) at No. 1 Andale (9-0)
Colby (3-6) at No. 5 Holcomb (8-1)
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