Class 8-Man, Division II
8M-II East: No. 1 Chetopa (10-0) at Axtell (8-2)
Top-ranked Chetopa has dominated its first 10 games. The Green Hornets have scored no fewer than 54 points in a game and have posted five shutouts. Chetopa’s first four-quarter game of the season came Tuesday during a 76-54 win over Caldwell.
Chetopa quarterback Phillip Moses has passed for more than 1,400 yards, and running back Derrick Cassell has rushed for more than 1,400 yards. Sherrick Rogers has 45 catches for 979 yards.
Axtell enters on a six-game winning streak. The Eagles’ only two losses came to 8-Man Division I’s top-ranked Hanover and St. Joseph Christian in Missouri.
Junior quarterback Colton Buessing has passed for 1,500 yards, while leading Axtell in rushing with about 480 yards.
Shane Talbot and Adam Kuckelman each have more than 450 yards receiving.
Chetopa 50, Axtell 46 (Schremmer)
8M-II West: No. 2 Victoria (9-1) at Minneola (9-1)
The Knights fell down 12-0 early against an inspired Hoxie team and standout tailback Connor Katt, but outscored Hoxie 34-8 in the final two and a half quarters, including a long touchdown drive that put the game effectively out of reach.
Victoria, which has won nine straight, has incredible depth which has led to strong play in all three phases. Against Hoxie, junior Eric McAlonan, also the team’s center and punter, completed 2 of 2 passing for first downs off fake punts.
Grant Weber and Taylor Corley, not Victoria’s top receivers, hauled in big catches. Lineman Wheaton Hockersmith had a key sack and the all-around effort pushed Victoria into the second round for the second straight year.
Junior quarterback Brady Dinkel has more than 740 yards passing and rushing and continues to perform at an all-state level.
Minneola (9-1) has outscored opponents 471-156 against the No. 25 strength of schedule (Victoria stands at No. 4) and has enjoyed a seven-win improvement from last year.
Minneola had lost in the first round of the playoffs seven straight times dating back to 1980, but ended the streak with a 44-32 victory against Satanta.
This marks the Wildcats’ fifth trip to the postseason since ’06 and Victoria has reached the postseason 13 consecutive years.
Senior Joey Harrington – just like Matt McClaren for Minneola two years ago – had the ball in his hands virtually every play. McClaren exceeded 2,000 rushing yards; Harrington has 220 carries for 1,929 yards and 37 rushing scores and has thrown for 456 yards with an 8 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio.
Minneola has been a big surprise, but Victoria was my pick to win the state title entering the playoffs. The Knights come focused and pick up a victory.
Victoria 50, Minneola 28 (Nicholl)
The rest of our 8-Man II quarterfinal picks:
No. 4 Argonia-Attica (10-0) at Pike Valley (5-5)
Ingalls (10-0) at Sharon Springs-Wallace County (10-0)
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
