Kpreps 2026 Playoff coverage
Class 3A
VIEW: 3A Bracket
CLASS 3A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#5 Baldwin (7-2) at #4 Topeka Hayden (5-4) – Hayden
Baldwin and Hayden will meet in a rematch of a district meeting played back in Week 5. In that game, Hayden held on for a 31-21 victory to earn their first win of the season. It started a streak of five consecutive wins as the Wildcats gained experience after significant losses to graduation a year ago. In that contest, Mason Becker rushed for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also kicked a field goal for the Wildcats. Hayden led 10-7 at half and 17-7 after the first of two rushing scores from Jake Wolff. Baldwin kept answering with quarterback Bryis Alford who finished with 174 yards rushing and a touchdown. Alford also threw a pair of touchdown passes in the game. For the season, Alford has rushed for 683 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 912 yards through air with 12 more scores. Senior Kreyton Frost has added more than 400 yards rushing with five touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Baldwin’s lone losses have come to Hayden and Ottawa (27-21). Baldwin has defeated Anderson County 57-6 and 56-0 in each of the past two weeks.
Other first-round games:
#8 Columbus (6-3) at #1 Frontenac (9-0) – Frontenac
#7 Nemaha Central (6-3) at #2 Wellsville (9-0) – Nemaha Central
#6 Burlington (7-2) at #3 Jefferson West (7-2) – Jeff West
CLASS 3A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Cheney (7-2) at #1 Andale (9-0) -- Andale
Another big matchup between No. 4-ranked Cheney and No. 1-ranked Andale. In Week 6, Andale won at Cheney, 34-25, which is by far the closest game for the Indians this year. Andale had a forfeit victory versus Larned last week. The Indians have won 35 straight games. In 2023, Cheney twice defeated Andale, the first one ending the Indians’ 57-game winning streak. Those are the only losses in the last 94 contests versus the Indians. Earlier this season, Cheney scored as time expired with a Hail Mary from Holden Ferralez to Quaid Thomas. However, Ferralez is out with an injury, and Sam Johnson took over a couple weeks ago. Andale also had a fourth down goal line stand in the third quarter. Andale has its normal elite depth, including quarterback Cruz Kaiser, along with the Dansel brothers: senior Jrayton Dansel and sophomore Jayven Dansel.
Other first-round games:
#5 Chapman (7-2) at #4 Hoisington (7-2) – Hoisington
#7 Wichita Collegiate (5-4) at #2 Holcomb (8-1) – Holcomb
#6 Hugoton (5-4) at #3 Hesston (8-1) – Hesston
Class 2A
VIEW: 2A Bracket
CLASS 2A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#5 Riverside (8-1) at #4 Neodesha (8-1) – Riverside
The Riverside Cyclones make the long trip to Neodesha to take on the Bluestreaks. Riverside has put together an impressive 8-1 season with their lone loss coming 28=21 to top-ranked Sabetha in Week 5. Freshman back Charles Hewins has burst onto the scene with 1,997 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns. Riverside quarterback Kobe Koehler helps provide the balance having thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 19 scores, while Keagan Hughes has more than 500 yards receiving and ten touchdowns. Neodesha has put together a similar season with their lone loss coming to undefeated Caney Valley (38-14) also in Week 5. Quarterback Tayte Leck has passed for 1,479 yards and 21 touchdowns with three receivers - Lauklon Roebuck, J’Vonte White, and Camryn White – all having more than 300 receiving yards. Camryn White also leads the ground game with 772 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Other first-round games:
#8 Humboldt (6-3) at #1 Silver Lake (9-0) – Silver Lake
#10 Royal Valley (5-4) at #2 Caney Valley (9-0) – Caney Valley
#6 Osage City (7-2) at #3 Sabetha (9-0) – Sabetha
CLASS 2A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#9 Council Grove (8-1) at #1 Chaparral (9-0) – Chaparral
Another big game and ranked team for Council Grove. Chaparral is ranked No. 4 in 2A and has been one of the state’s biggest turnarounds. Council Grove is ranked fifth in 2A. Justin Burke, in the first season of his second stint with Chaparral, has significantly improved the offense. Senior Daniel Schmidt has thrown for 1,836 yards on 67 percent completion with 23 scores against five interceptions. Schmidt has 111 rushes for 887 yards and 19 scores. Senior Carter Hostetler has 46 catches for 817 yards with 10 TDs. The Roadrunners have a remarkable 18 interceptions on defense, including five by Schmidt. Council Grove carries a plus-seven turnover margin and has allowed 17.6 points per game. Council Grove has 43 points a contest behind its balanced offense. Senior Luke Stewart has thrown for 2,285 yards with 24 scores against six interceptions. Senior Mason Samuels is also a great receiver with 43 catches for 827 yards and 12 TDs. Both teams have elite passing attacks, though Council Grove has faced a slightly stiffer strength of schedule.
Other first-round games:
#12 Cimarron (4-5) at #4 Garden Plain (7-2) – Garden Plain
#7 Riley County (7-2) at #2 Beloit (8-1) – Beloit
#6 Kingman (8-1) at #3 Marysville (7-2) – Marysville
Class 1A
VIEW: Class 1A Bracket
CLASS 1A EAST
Highlighted Games:
#8 St. Marys (3-6) at #1 Jefferson Co. North (8-1) – St. Marys
After opening the season with five consecutive losses in the difficult Big East League, the St. Marys have now won three of four games ahead of Friday’s Regional matchup with top-seed Jefferson Co. North. The Bears’ six losses coming to opponents that are a combined 42-12. Quarterback Parker Heim leads a balanced Bear rushing attack with 579 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also passed for 646 yards and eight more scores. Mason Mayhew (520 yards), Jace Hurla (424 yards) and Isaac Aubert (205 yards) are also primary ball carriers for the Bears. Jeff Co. North has posted eight consecutive wins since a 41-28 defeat to Riverside in the season-opener. The Chargers handled Mission Valley, 58-20, last week thanks to a big night on the ground. Merrick Noll rushed for 243 yards and five touchdowns and Knox Heston added 140 yards and two scores on the ground. The Chargers lost quarterback Brody Van Dyke early in that game with an injury, but freshman Evan Noll stepped in and contributed 128 yards and a score.
Other first-round games:
#5 McLouth (8-1) at #4 Centralia (6-3) – Centralia
#7 St. Mary’s Colgan (5-4) at #2 Rossville (7-2) – Rossville
#11 Wabaunsee (4-5) at #3 Olpe (7-2) – Olpe
CLASS 1A WEST
Highlighted Games:
#5 Smith Center (7-2) at #4 Conway Springs (5-4) – Smith Center
Two longtime powerhouses and run-heavy teams match up for the first time since the 2010 playoffs. Conway Springs won 1A state titles in 2023 and 2024 before a rare dip to a 3-6 season last fall. Conway Springs has run the ball on 87 percent of plays. Junior Gabriel Tarrant has 158 carries for 791 yards and 15 scores. Senior Joseph Howard has 109 carries for 754 yards and four TDs. Junior Ethan Partika has eight tackles for loss. Smith Center has run the ball on 94 percent of snaps with three players – senior Riley Griffin Powers, junior Carson McKelvey and junior Gunner Nichols – all have between 733 and 919 rushing yards.
Other first-round games:
#9 Moundridge (5-4) at #1 Sterling (9-0) – Sterling
#10 Plainville (4-5) at #2 Thomas More Prep-Marian (9-0) – TMP
#6 Hillsboro (6-3) at #3 Inman (7-2) – Inman
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