What happens when an offense averaging more than 40 points faces a defense that has allowed only three touchdowns all season?

 

We’ll learn the answer Friday when the staunch Maize South defense travels to face the high-octane Wichita Collegiate offense in the Kpreps.com statewide game of the week as selected by the fans. It will be a battle of two strong Class 4A teams as Wichita Collegiate is ranked fifth and Maize South sits just outside of the rankings.

 

The Maize South Mavericks are enjoying the best season of the program’s four years of existence. They finished just 5-5 a year ago.

 

“Since we’ve started three years ago, we wanted to get our team in the possible positions for the last three (games),” Maize South coach Brent Pfeifer said. “Those are the ones that matter in Kansas. We want to give our team the best chance to win. That’s where we want to be.”

The Mavericks are 5-0 and have pitched three shutouts on the season. They’ve allowed 24 points on the season, beating Arkansas City 14-3 and Andover Central 33-21.

 

“We’re a little stronger and faster than we have been in the past”, Pfeifer said about his defense. “We have guys only going one way so that helps. Coaches are really able to work with kids individually.”

Wes Phillips is a playmaker for the Mavericks, rushing six times for 98 yards and a touchdown and catching three balls for 43 yards in the win over Andover Central. Phillips has been hampered by an ankle sprain, but is expected to play.

 

The Wichita Collegiate Spartans will be Maize South’s toughest test thus far. The Mavericks’ five opponents have a 9-16 combined record.

 

The Spartans are 4-1 and their only loss was 28-21 to a quality Buhler team.

 

Wichita Collegiate boasts a balanced offensive attack with an average of 227.4 yards on the ground and 159.6 yards through the air.

 

Spartans quarterback Landon Root has completed 49 of 75 passes for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns. Isaiah Franklin leads the team in rushing with 641 yards and seven TDs on 69 carries. Former quarterback Markus Phox has been the Spartans’ big-play threat as a runner and receiver with 20 catches for 410 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 221 yards and two TDs on 18 carries.

 

“They’ve got big play ability over there. We’ve got to stop that from happening”, Pfeifer said.

Linebacker Seth Carder leads the Spartans defense with 13.4 tackles per game. He also has two interceptions and a sack.

 

Collegiate defeated Maize South 44-14 last year.