East: No. 3 Topeka Hayden (7-4) at No. 4 Frontenac (8-3)
Topeka Hayden and Frontenac both struggled to start the season. The Wildcats were 2-4, and the Raiders were 1-2.
However, both teams rebounded and are one win away from the Class 4A Division II state championship game. The winner between Hayden and Frontenac will meet the winner of Scott City and Holcomb in next week’s state title game at Salina.
Hayden was only 2-4 in the Centennial League, but the Wildcats have won their past five games.
Last week, Hayden held on to beat Burlington 30-24 in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats led 30-8 after three quarters before pulling their starters after a few exited the game with injuries.
Quarterback Sampson Huston passed for more than 100 yards in the win. Huston also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass on a trick play from wide receiver DeShawn Hanika.
Hayden is coached by Bill Arnold, who holds a record of 157-53 during his 11 seasons.
Frontenac has won its past five games, including last week’s 55-21 victory over Holton. The Raiders trailed 13-6 at the end of the first quarter but followed by scoring the game’s next 49 points.
Frontenac’s Jake Wilbert ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Peyton Brown passed for 121 yards and three touchdowns, including two TD passes to senior Broc Ginavan.
The 55 points scored were the most allowed by Holton since a 56-35 loss to Perry-Lecompton in the 2008 4A state semifinal game.
The Raiders have been riding their defense which has give up just 11 points per game during their current five-game win streak.
Frontenac coach Mark Smith is 46-18 in his sixth year in charge of the Raiders program.
Hayden 30, Frontenac 22 (Schremmer)
West: No. 1 Scott City (11-0) at No. 2 Holcomb (10-1)
The two GWAC powerhouses and big rivals match up in the state semifinals. This marks the second straight season the squads have played each other twice. Last year, Holcomb won 32-13 in Week 2, and 34-20 in the first round of the playoffs. Holcomb lost twice to eventual state champion Pratt in districts and state semifinals in ’16. The Longhorns won the 4A-II crown in ’15.
This season, Scott City has been the classification’s lone remaining unbeaten for several weeks with an 11-0 record. Holcomb’s only loss is a 23-14 loss to Scott City in Week 2 when the Beavers rallied. Holcomb led 14-0 early off an odd play when Scott City junior Marshall Faurot hit Holcomb receiver Reece Morss after the catch. The ball bounced in the air to Longhorn senior Chance Rodriguez, who raced in for the score.
These are easily the two best scoring defenses in the classification. Scott City has permitted just 105 points, Holcomb 106. The Beavers have tallied 331 points, Holcomb 298. The Longhorns are the only other 4A-II squad with double-digit wins.
Holcomb has been very balanced with 170 yards passing and 169 rushing a contest. Senior Trey Gilbert has completed 127 of 218 passes for 1,867 yards with a 23/6 TD/INT ratio. Senior Kaden Tichenor leads with 132 carries for 753 yards and five scores. Rodriguez leads a deep receiving group with 42 catches for 615 yards and 10 TDs.
Holcomb has been impressive in the playoffs, including a 26-6 road win versus run-heavy Smoky Valley last week.
Scott City needed multiple comebacks and close wins, including 28-12 against Concordia in Week 9, 21-14 versus Kingman in the first round of the playoffs, and 21-13 at Clay Center last week. Scott City trailed Kingman, 14-7, at halftime before it led Clay Center, 21-0, last week.
Junior Wyatt Hayes leads with 1,082 rushing yards and 17 scores, and senior Jarret Jurgens has 954 yards and 12 TDs. Faurot has recorded 18 catches for 442 yards and eight TDs. Sophomore Parker Gooden has completed 57 of 114 passes for 972 yards and 11 scores. The Beavers have averaged 255 rushing yards a contest.
Scott City has dominated this rivalry with 13 wins in the last 16 contests dating back to ’07. This is historically a close, low-scoring game and should be that way again Friday. The Beavers, with a better running game, find a way to win.
Scott City 20, Holcomb 14 (Nicholl)
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