Class 8-Man, Division II
East: No. 3 Argonia-Attica (10-0) at Pike Valley (8-2)
The Argonia-Attica Titan’s quest to get back to the state championship game in Newton began with a 48-0 shutout of Hartford. It was the Titan’s third consecutive shutout and their fifth in ten games this season.
The improved defense is one key reason that many believe the Titans can challenge for the Division II state title in a few weeks. Last season, Argonia-Attica gave up 364 points, or 28 points per game. This season, the Titans have given up a total of 50 points, or five points per game.
The offense is just as explosive led by quarterback Alec McDaniel. McDaniel hasn’t put up the gaudy statistical numbers he did a season ago, but he hasn’t had to. The senior has passed for 506 yards and seven touchdowns, and added 663 rushing yards and 22 scores.
Devon Newberry leads the Titans with 788 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Newberry is also one of A&A’s leading receivers and has three touchdown receptions.
Argonia-Attica has benefitted from the addition of Jacob Norris, a transfer from Norwich who amassed 3,500 total yards and 50 touchdowns in just 15 total games for the Eagles. Norris has contributed six rushing touchdowns, two receiving scores, and returned three punts for touchdowns for the Titans this fall.
Norris has 55 tackles this season; second on the team to McDaniel’s 89 stops.
Pike Valley is looking to get past the titans after falling 56-32 to A&A in the state quarterfinals last season.
The Panthers are still relatively young at the skill positions led by sophomores Lane Peters and DeVante Hammer. Peters has rushed for 1,572 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, while Hammer has passed for 559 yards and eight scores.
Senior Jacob Field is Pike Valley’s leading receiver with 310 yards and five touchdowns.
On defense, seniors Blaze Payeur and Dawson Carlgren lead the team with 73 and 69 tackles, respectively. Mason Runft has tallied six sacks, while Calgren Cole Strickler have three interceptions each.
On Tuesday, Pike Valley held off Chase 26-24, while McDaniel rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another as the Titans rolled to a 48-0 first-half win over Hartford.
Argonia-Attica 56, Pike Valley 18 (Gilmore)
West: No. 2 Sharon Springs-Wallace Co. (10-0) at Ingalls (9-1)
Wallace County has decided to play Saturday’s contest after star senior running back/linebacker Luke Schemm collapsed Tuesday against Otis-Bison and then passed away Wednesday morning. Wallace County and Kansas has grieved throughout the week. Ingalls wore all blue – Wallace County’s colors are blue and white – in support of Schemm.
This is a rematch from 2014, a 52-6 victory for the Wildcats. Ingalls ranks No. 1 in offense with 589 points, Wallace County stands fourth in defense with 92.
Schemm, a four-year starter, was anchor on both sides with a team-best 878 rushing yards and 15 rushing TDs. Schemm was third on the team with 67 stops.
Offensively, senior quarterback Eric Gfeller and senior wide receiver Spencer Medina have enjoyed big improvements. Gfeller has completed 75 of 124 passes for 1,115 yards with 20 scores against three interceptions. He has also rushed for 867 yards and 20 touchdowns. Medina has 32 catches for 637 yards with 13 scores.
Ingalls lost 56-42 to Ashland in Week 4 and then defeated the Bluejays, 74-28, in the first round of the postseason Tuesday. In Week 6, Ingalls also won at Satanta, 80-56, a game when it tallied 682 offensive yards. Ingalls averages 419 yards a contest.
Senior all-purpose standout Josh Irsik returned after he missed a month and helped Ingalls’ offense put up eye-popping numbers Tuesday: 40 snaps, 599 yards, 10 scores. Irsik had 13 offensive touches for 263 yards and five touchdowns. Ingalls averages 419 yards a contest and 12.7 yards per play. Wallace County is at 345 and 8.1 yards per play.
Ingalls has had some trouble in passing defense, while Wallace County has been terrific in run support. Most importantly, Wallace County is playing for Schemm. On an emotional day, Wallace County wins.
Wallace County 38, Ingalls 24 (Nicholl)
The rest of our 8-Man II first-round picks:
No. 4 Axtell (9-1) at Caldwell (5-5) – Axtell
Minneola (7-2) at No. 1 Victoria (9-0) -- Victoria
Sharon Springs-Wallace County (10-0) at Ingalls – Wallace County
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