Class 6A - EAST
#16 Shawnee Mission South (0-8) at #1 Blue Valley – Blue Valley
Blue Valley is the only unbeaten team on the easthern half of Class 6A. Tiger quarterback Matt Dercher has thrown for more than 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Harrison Van Dyne is the Tigers’ leading receiver with 41 catches for 713 yards and eight touchdowns. Williams Evans paces the ground game with 879 yards and 12 touchdowns.
#9 Olathe South (3-5) at #8 Olathe East (3-5) – Olathe South
These two rivals will replay their Week 4 meeting won by South, 28-21. The Falcons have won two straight entering this contest including a 70-40 victory over SM North last week. Olathe East rolled past Leavenworth 59-26 last week.
#13 Blue Valley Northwest (2-6) at #4 Blue Valley North (5-3) – Blue Valley North
This is a rematch of the season-opener won by North, 28-14. After that victory, the Mustangs dropped three straight to Aquinas, Blue Valley, and Miege. Since, Blue Valley North has won four consecutive games.
#12 KC Wyandotte (2-5) at #5 Shawnee Mission West (5-3) – SM West
There may not be a team more eager to get back on the field than the Vikings. Shawnee Mission West will look to put last week’s 54-0 shutout against Shawnee Mission East behind them against Wyandotte.
#2 Shawnee Mission East 55, #15 Shawnee Mission Northwest 15 (Final-Thursday Night)
#10 Gardner-Edgerton (3-5) at #7 Olathe Northwest (3-5) – Olathe Northwest
Olathe Northwest has played several close games this season. The Ravens lost 27-26 in double overtime to Goddard to open the season, then 20-14 in overtime to Olathe East in Week 2. In all, the Ravens have played five game within five points or less. Northwest is 1-4 in those five games. Gardner-Edgerton enters this game having dropped back-to-back games to Blue Valley West and Mill Valley. Marvin Diener’s team has played its share of close games also; posting a 3-1 record in games decided by 10 points or less.
#14 Blue Valley West (2-6) at #3 Lawrence (5-3) -- Lawrence
Blue Valley West has struggled on offense in scoring just 11 points per game. The Jaguars have been held to less than 10 points in five games this season, including two shutouts. Lawrence is looking to rebound from consecutive losses to Shawnee Mission East and Free State. Lions’ QB Dante’ Jackson has been limited in both of those losses with an injury, but is expected to play this week. Trey Moore has had an outstanding season rushing the ball for Lawrence High.
#11 Olathe North (3-5) at #6 Shawnee Mission North (4-4) – Olathe North
Olathe North played against the No. 1 strength-of-schedule in Class 6A, while Shawnee Mission North had the No. 30 SOS. SM North QB Will Schneider has passed for 2,231 yards and 22 touchdowns this season to push his career numbers to 8,145 passing yards and 74 touchdowns. He remains 636 passing yards behind the state’s all-time record held by Kyle Kruger of Silver Lake with 8,781. Olathe North has won the last nine meetings in this series.
Class 6A – WEST
#16 Wichita North (0-8) at #1 Derby (8-0) -- Derby
Derby has cruised through the eight-game regular season and will be heavy favorites against winless North. Brody Kooser continues to get better and better for the Panther offense. The back rushed for 227 yards and three scores in last week’s 53-0 shutout of Campus.
#9 Topeka High (5-3) at #8 Wichita Northwest (5-3) – Wichita Northwest
Wichita Northwest is 12-3 at home since the beginning of the 2014 season. The Grizzlies’ explosive offense averages 557 yards per contest, which is on pace to break its own 11-man state record of 539 yards per game set last season. Northwest features senior running back Jahlyl Rounds who has rushed for 1,170 yards and 23 touchdowns. Austin Anderson has thrown for nearly 1,800 yards and 21 scores. Topeka High counters with freshman Ky Thomas who has rushed for 1,157 yards. Senior Corey Thomas has combined for 1,075 total yards despite missing two games this season. Topeka High beat Northwest 42-13 in the 2012 playoffs.
#13 Haysville Campus (3-5) at #4 Hutchinson (7-1) -- Hutchinson
These two teams met just two weeks ago with Hutch running away with a 49-14 win. Conor Craig rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns in that meeting, while Tracy Harris added 91 yards and two scores.
#12 Wichita West (3-5) at #5 Junction City (7-1) – Junction City
Junction City’s lone loss came 27-22 to Manhattan back in Week 6. Quarterback Ryan Henington has thrown for more than 1,200 yards this season. Speedy back Jovon Baldwin has been a threat out of the backfield and especially catching the ball.
#15 Wichita Southeast (1-7) at #2 Manhattan (8-0) -- Manhattan
Manhattan will be a heavy favorite at home against Wichita Southeast. The Indians are led by senior quarterback Ian Trapp who is dangerous in the running game. Trapp rushed for more than 280 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 45-21 win over Blue Valley Northwest.
#10 Dodge City (5-3) at #7 Washburn Rural (5-3) – Washburn Rural
Dodge City is led on offense by junior quarterback Dawson Williams. Williams finished among the rushing leaders in the WAC during the regular season. Washburn Rural’s three losses have come to Manhattan (8-0), Junction City (7-1), and Topeka Seaman (6-2). The Junior Blues are oddly 1-3 at home and 4-0 on the road this season.
#14 Wichita East (2-6) at #3 Garden City (8-0) – Garden City
Garden City will try and avoid an emotional letdown after winning the WAC title with a 21-14 overtime victory at Great Bend last week. Quarterback Jesse Nunez has accounted for more than 2,000 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns this season. Peyton Hill has averaged 165 yards rushing per game over the last three weeks since returning from injury.
#11 Wichita South (4-4) at #6 Lawrence Free State (6-2) – Free State
Free State has allowed 38 points in the last five games, and has excelled in stopping the run. Wichita South had just 27 rushing yards last week against Wichita Heights. Free State’ Zack Sanders committed to Missouri State this past week. The Firebirds use their top players on both sides of the ball. Standout Jay Dineen is expected to start at left guard and linebacker. Sanders will be at wide receiver and safety, while junior Nathan
Spain will man center and nose guard.
Class 5A – East
#16 Topeka Highland Park (0-8) at #1 KC Schlagle (7-1) – Schlagle
Cornelius Ruff is one of the state’s top running backs. The Schlagle senior has rushed for more than 1,700 yards this season in just eight games. The Stallions have never won a playoff game, and many have questioned their strength of schedule heading into this postseason.
#9 Shawnee Heights (3-5) at #8 St. James Academy – Shawnee Heights
St. James Academy QB Sammy Wheeler has completed just 42 percent of his passes for 853 yards and 11 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Shawnee Heights is led by senior quarterback Trey Brown. Brown is an exceptional athlete who has rushed for 606 yards and passed for 871 more yards. Christian Clark leads the T-Birds in rushing with 755 yards on the season. Shawnee Heights has three losses by less than four points.
#13 Blue Valley Southwest (1-7) at #4 Pittsburg (5-3) – Pittsburg
Pittsburg is unbeaten against Kansas schools with the Purple Dragons’ losses coming to Missouri powers Harrisonville, Webb City, and Carl Junction. On the other side, Blue Valley Southwest is the most under-seeded team in the state. The Timberwolves have one win, but have lost five games by less than a touchdown against the competitive Eastern Kansas League. The Dragons are the favorite, but don’t be surprised if Southwest pulls the “upset” here.
#12 KC Sumner Academy (2-5) at #5 Mil Valley (4-4) – Mill Valley
Defending -champion Mill Valley got back in the win column last week with a 28-21 victory over Gardner-Edgerton. The Jaguars had lost four straight games against the upper echelon of the Eastern Kansas League. Junior quarterback Brody Flaming has thrown for 2,032 yards and 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Sophomore Cameron Young has emerged to rush for 962 yards and nine scores.
#15 KC Harmon (0-7) at #2 Topeka Seaman (6-2) – Seaman
Former Scott City coach Glenn O’Neil has the Seaman Vikings in the postseason as a No. 2 seed. The Vikings broke into the rankings last week despite suffering a 20-13 loss to Junction City. Seaman’s losses have come to the Blue Jays and to Manhattan.
#10 KC Washington (3-5) at #7 KC Turner (4-4) – KC Turner
Turner has alternated wins and losses all season, and unfortunately for the Golden Bears, a loss is scheduled for this week’s result if the pattern holds. Turner defeated Washington 34-30 back in Week 2. Junior quarterback Jaelon Harley has passed for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns, but has been intercepted 14 times. In the first meeting Washington, Harley accounted for 329 yards of total offense and five touchdowns.
#14 Leavenworth (1-7) at #3 St. Thomas Aquinas (5-3) – Aquinas
The Saints and Pioneers last met in the second round of the 2014 playoffs when Aquinas won 27-7. Randy Dreling’s team will try and stop a two-game losing streak. The Saints fell 30-27 to Blue Valley Southwest two weeks ago before losing 45-34 to Blue Valley last week.
#11 Bonner Springs (3-5) at #6 Lansing (4-4) – Bonner Springs
Bonner Springs will travel to Lansing for a second consecutive week. Last week, the Braves beat the Lions 21-7 to snap a string of three consecutive losses to Basehor-Linwood, Paola, and Pittsburg. The Braves scored twice in the fourth quarter to beat Lansing. Charlie Gray rushed for 192 yards and two scores and passed for 143 yards and a touchdown. Lansing was led by Quinton McQuillan’s 81 rush yards and a touchdown.
Class 5A – West
#16 Salina Central (0-8) at #1 Wichita Heights (7-1) – Heights
Wichita Heights has been considered a contender in Class 5A since an early season win over Wichita Northwest. The Falcons blew past Wichita South 55-27 last week to clinch a share of the City League title.
#9 Emporia (3-5) at #8 Liberal (4-4) – Liberal
Emporia has received a lot of key contributions from underclassmen. Sophomores Hayden Baumwart and Jace Stewart have shared time at quarterback, while the Spartans’ top six ball carriers include five sophomores and a junior. That junior is Sawyer Slayden who leads the team with 434 yards and two scores. Liberal enters this game searching for consistency on defense after giving up 119 points in the past two games.
#13 Salina South (1-7) at #4 Goddard (7-1) – Goddard
This is a rematch of a game played back on September 30th in which Goddard won 42-7. Salina South picked up its only win of the season last week beating rival Salina Central, 28-13. Meanwhile, Goddard blasted Newton 62-20 to win the AVCTL-II title outright. Blake Sullivan rushed for 225 yards while Kody Gonzalez added 258 yards rushing in last week’s win.
#12 Kapaun Mt. Carmel (2-6) at #5 Bishop Carroll (6-2) – Bishop Carroll
Carroll and Kapaun will square off in the Holy War 2.0 for this season. Carroll defeated the Crusaders 25-3 last week. Quarterback Braden Howell has played well all season, but especially of late when the Eagles lost running back Adam Theis. Howell passed for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown against Kapaun last week.
#15 Topeka West (1-7) at #2 Great Bend (7-1) – Great Bend
The Panthers will look to rebound from their only loss of the season to Garden City last week. If Great Bend can remain healthy, the Panthers are a contender to make a deep run in the 5A playoffs.
#10 Goddard-Eisenhower (3-5) at #7 Andover (5-3) – Eisenhower
Eisenhower struggled to a 1-5 start, but has since won its last two games. The first of those wins was a 34-31 victory at home against Andover. Now the Tigers will travel to Andover and try and duplicate that outcome. Andover is trying to stop a two game losing streak. The Trojans have given up 91 points over the last two weeks.
#14 Newton (1-7) at #3 Valley Center (7-1) – Valley Center
Valley Center is enjoying one of its most successful seasons in some time. The Hornets won their first six games before a 49-7 home loss to Goddard. Valley Center rebounded with a 57-33 win over Andover last week. The Hornets beat Newton 21-0 earlier this season.
#11 Arkansas City (3-5) at #6 Maize (6-2) – Maize
Maize's defense still ranks as average at best but its offense has seen a big improvement. This year, Maize averages 33.6 points per game, up from 18.9 last season. However, the defense has allowed 31.3 points a game, compared to 35.4 last year. Since 2012, Maize is 5-4, 7-3, 4-5, 1-8 and 6-2 and permitted at least 27.2 points a game in each season. However, Ark City, averaged just 20 points a game and was one of the weaker 5A offenses on the west side. Maize defeated Ark City, 56-33, earlier this season.
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