Class 4A– Division II
4A-II East: No. 5 Santa Fe Trail (9-2) at No. 4 Columbus (10-1)
The Santa Fe Trail Chargers and the Columbus Titans are vying for a spot in the state’s first Class 4A Division II state championship. Both teams are coming off one-point victories in their quarterfinal games.
Santa Fe Trail is two wins away from a state championship after winning only two games over the six previous seasons.
The Chargers are coming off playoff wins over Jefferson West (24-12) and previously unbeaten Frontenac (14-13). Both of their losses this season have come to playoffs teams in Wellsville (12-6) and Ottawa (26-15).
Senior Darric Cashier has rushed for a team-best 1,273 yards, while boasting a team-leading 133 tackles from his linebacker position. Quarterback Weston Gloss has passed for almost 900 yards.
Seniors Chaz Wright (859 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Cody Vandevord (728 yards, 11 touchdowns) are also threats out of the backfield. The two are also the Chargers’ leading receivers on the season combining for 635 yards and seven scores.
Columbus scored in the final seconds to defeat then No. 2 Holton 22-21 last week. The Titans’ only loss came 22-13 to Frontenac on Oct. 24.
Junior running back Jace McDown has rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns. Nate Bole and Trey Robinson share time at quarterback for the Titans. Bole is more of a runner, while Robinson’s strength is as a passer.
Senior linebacker Taylor Watkins leads the Columbus defense with 118 tackles. Senior defensive end Garrett Brittain has 89 tackles and nine sacks.
Columbus 22, Santa Fe Trail 16 (Schremmer)
4A-II East: No. 3 Holcomb (10-1) at No. 1 Andale (11-0)
The two top teams all season on the western half of Class 4A, Division II, will square off with a berth in the inaugural title game on the line.
Top-ranked Andale advanced to the semifinals with a 47-14 road win at Concordia.
The Indians piled up more than 400 yards on the ground against the Panthers. Hunter Knoblauch rushed 25 times for 210 yards and five touchdowns for Andale.
The Indians have dominated opponents this season by an average score of 47-16. Andale has impressive wins over Buhler (41-20) and Wichita Collegiate (34-28), which have each made deep playoff runs.
The Indians backfield trio is virtually unmatched. Knoblauch, the senior, has the speed to go the distance on any play, while Hank Eck and Anthony Capul are offensive weapons as well.
On the other hand, the Holcomb Longhorns are a team that we haven’t spent enough time talking about this season. They’ve won seven straight games since their only loss at 3A’s No. 2 Scott City.
To advance to the semifinals, Holcomb rolled to a 49-14 win at Clearwater in a game they led 28-0 at halftime. Andale defeated Clearwater 21-0 in district play.
Holcomb quarterback Trey Teeter has passed for 1,910 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.
The Longhorns spread the ball around to multiple receivers, including sophomore Brandon Stegman and junior Christian Merz. Stegman has 36 receptions for 559 yards and five touchdowns, while Merz has caught 32 balls for 558 yards and six scores.
Stegman is also the Longhorn’s leading rusher with 587 yards and seven scores. Senior Blake Richmeier isn’t far behind with 496 rushing yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns. Sophomore Dillon Williams is also an option with 406 yards on the ground and five touchdowns.
In last week’s win over Clearwater, Holcomb was able to produce a 55/45 percent pass/run balance. For the season, the Longhorns have shown great balance in gaining 51 percent of their total yards on the ground. They’ll need to keep Andale guessing to advance.
Andale 34, Holcomb 21 (Gilmore)
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.
