Two major upsets headlined Week 8 as the top-ranked teams fell in Class 5A and Class 3A.
Perhaps the surprise of the season occurred in Class 5A where defending champion Blue Valley – Stillwell fell at home to Pittsburg 45-35. The Tigers fell behind the Purple Dragons 14-0 early, and trailed 21-7 at halftime. Pittsburg would cling to a 24-14 lead after three quarters before the teams would explode for a combined 42-point fourth quarter that featured two kickoff returns for touchdowns. In the end, the Purple Dragons were on top, and Blue Valley is left needing a win over Gardner-Edgerton to make the 5A playoffs.
Despite the loss, the Tigers fell just one spot to #2 in our 5A Top 5; right in front of third-ranked Bishop Miege who they defeated 24-21 earlier this season.
The Blue Valley loss means that the Hutchinson Salthawks take over a familiar spot; atop the Class 5A rankings.
Class 3A has a shuffle at the top.
After surviving a 21-14 scare at Hutchinson Trinity last week, Garden Plain couldn’t escape a second straight unbeaten opponent. Sedgwick improved to 8-0 with a 28-21 win at Garden Plain. The Cardinals, led by dynamic senior quarterback Trent Stucky, built a two-score lead on the Owls and held on for the win. Sedgwick enters the Class 3A Top 5 at #5, while Garden Plain falls out of the rankings.
Scott City is the new team at the top of 3A as the Beavers routed Lakin 53-7 behind a huge performance from Colborn Couchman. Conway Springs holds steady at #2, while Silver Lake and Smith Center are each up one spot to #3 and #4, respectively.
If not for the upsets to Blue Valley and Garden Plain, two top 5 match-ups would have stolen the headlines from Week 8.
In Class 4A, top-ranked Topeka Hayden edged #2 Holton 20-14 thanks to a late touchdown. Hayden fullback Zack Weekley scored on a short touchdown run with 15 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats the win. Holton had tied the game just minutes earlier on an 84-yard halfback pass for a touchdown.
The two sets of Wildcats remain at #1 and #2 in our 4A Top 5 this week.
A Class 6A showdown between #2 Manhattan and then fourth-ranked Washburn Rural also went down to the wire. Manhattan kicker Keaton Barrager kicked a game-winning 35-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Indians to a 24-21 win over the Juinor Blues.
Manhattan remains at #2 in this week’s 6A poll, while Washburn Rural falls one spot to #5.
Another big game awaits in 6A this week as #3 Olathe East will take on #4 Olathe South.
No changes occurred to the Class 2-1A poll this week. Second-ranked St. Mary’s Colgan received a stiff test from then-unbeaten Lyndon, but the Panthers prevailed 38-13 thanks to more than 475 yards of total offense. The win delivered Colgan coach Chuck Smith his 300th career victory.
This week in 2-1A, #3 Plainville travels to take on #5 LaCrosse in a game that will decide the champion and runner-up in District 6.
In 8-Man Division I, South Gray enters the rankings at #4 after a 72-40 romp over previously unbeaten Ness City. The Rebels received a huge performance from Wyatt Slaven who rushed for 294 yards and seven touchdowns in the win.
Finally, the 8-Man Division II poll remained unchanged as only #5 South Haven was truly challenged. The Cardinals scored 22 fourth-quarter points to pull away for a 46-12 win over Caldwell.
Check out the Kpreps Rankings page for a complete list of the Top 5 in each classification.
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