Class 6A
6A East: Shawnee Mission West (7-3) at #4 Olathe East (8-2)
Shawnee Mission West will try an extend the school’s deepest playoff run in five years by knocking off fourth-ranked Olathe East on Friday.
The Vikings broke a streak of three consecutive first-round playoff losses with a 52-7 win against an overmatched Leavenworth squad last week. Prior to this season, the last time Shawnee Mission West had advanced this far in the playoffs since 2006 when the Vikings finished as state runners-up to Hutchinson.
Quarterback Armani Williams directs Tim Callaghan’s offense. The senior has thrown for more than 1,000 yards on the season. Brett Sterbach is the Vikings leading rusher with more than 800 yards on the season.
Olathe East is looking to advance to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Hawks won two playoff games by a combined 11 points before falling 13-6 to Olathe North in the state semifinals.
The Hawks used a 21-point second quarter to eliminate Olathe Northwest, 40-23 in the first round. Olathe East used two touchdown runs each from Kendall Kelly and John Kelsh in the win over the Ravens.
Kelly and Kelsh finished among the Sunflower League leaders in rushing. Kelsh has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Kelly has added more than 900 yards and 19 scores.
Olathe East defeated Shawnee Mission West 28-21 in Week 5 as Kelly rushed for three touchdowns. The Hawks built a 28-7 lead in that meeting before holding off a late Viking rally.
Olathe East 31, Shawnee Mission West 17 (Gilmore)
Fan vote: Olathe East (74%)
6A East: #3 Olathe South (9-1) at Shawnee Mission East (6-4)
Olathe South will try and reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2006 with a win over Shawnee Mission East on Friday.
The Falcons believe they have the talent this season to win the school’s first state football title. To do so, they must first get past Chip Sherman’s Shawnee Mission East Lancers.
Olathe South has posted a 9-1 season behind a balanced offense and a solid defense.
Jordan Ward leads the Falcon rushing attack with more than 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Teddy Colbert and Fritz Wilbur have shown the ability to make big plays.
Quarterback Frankie Seurer Jr. has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 11 scores. Seurer was exceptional in a 37-14 first-round win over Lawrence in completing 7 of 8 passes for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Shawnee Mission East continues to take steps each season in building a football power under Sherman. Last season, the Lancers win eight games for the first time in school history, and this season SM East already has a playoff win after losing in the first round five out of the last seven seaons.
For the Lancers to advance, they’ll need to use their spread offense to create match-up problems for an Olathe South team that gave up 49 points against a similar offense in Blue Valley Northwest.
The Lancers will try and spread the ball around to Elliot Faerber and Connor Rellihan who are both among the Sunflower League leaders in receiving yards.
In Week 4, the Falcons edged the Lancers 29-21. Look for a similar outcome from Friday’s action.
Olathe South 32, Shawnee Mission East 21 (Gilmore)
Fan vote: Olathe South (73%)
6A West: Garden City (7-2) at #1 Wichita Heights (10-0)
Wichita Heights has developed into the model football program in the state of Kansas. Rick Wheeler’s Falcons are the defending state champions and are riding a 23-game winning streak. They are looking to make it three consecutive trips to the 6A title game and defend their crown.
Wichita Heights can credit much of its success to a high-powered offense with three 1,000-yard rushers, but the Falcons also help explain why the phrase, “defense wins championships” is so popular.
The Falcons have pitched five shutouts this year and have kept opponents to 14 points or less eight times. Last week’s 49-0 playoff win came against a Washburn Rural team that had scored 30 points or more six times.
One of Heights’ strengths is putting pressure on the quarterback. Sophomore defensive lineman Aderio Ammons (6-2, 260) has 11.5 sacks, while senior defensive lineman Preston Banks (6-2, 195) has brought quarterbacks down for a loss 10 times this season.
Senior linebacker Chris Turner (5-8, 185) is posting almost 10 tackles a game, including eight solos and four assists in the win against Rural. Junior safety Justis Moreland (6-2, 190) leads the team in interceptions with four, including two picks against the Junior Blues.
The Garden City Buffaloes started the season with a tough 30-3 loss to Class 3A Scott City. However as the season has marched on, we see that game may have said more about how good Scott City is rather than a reflection of Garden City’s struggles.
Since that loss, the Buffaloes have posted quality wins against the likes of Hays, Dodge City and Wichita South. Garden City brings a balanced offensive attack with quarterback Jake Curran (6-4, 175) and running backs Zach Lamb (5-7, 160) and Tanner Tempel (5-10, 175) leading the way.
Wichita Heights, 42, Garden City 7 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Wichita Heights (81%)
6A West: #2 Manhattan (10-0) at #5 Derby (7-3)
The Derby Panthers are somewhat difficult to gage.
They started the season 0-2 after losses to Salina South and Hutchinson. They won their next six regular season games, but none of those teams finished with winning records.
However, Derby has played really strong football the past two weeks. The Panthers gave powerhouse Wichita Heights its best game of the season, losing 49-35 two weeks ago. Then last week, they beat a good Wichita Northwest team 21-14 to advance in the playoffs.
Another big question for Derby will be their health of their quarterbacks.
Starting quarterback Todd Freeman and backup Kellen Sims were both forced to leave the game against Wichita Northwest because of injuries. Sophomore Jeremy Dunham took over under center and helped rally the Panthers to victory.
Manhattan’s season has been more straightforward.
The Indians are undefeated and have won numerous close games against good opponents, including Washburn Rural, Junction City, Topeka High and Topeka Hayden.
A big part of Manhattan’s offensive success throughout the season has been senior running back Ty Suggs. In Manhattan’s 55-0 playoff win last week against Dodge City, Suggs rushed for 164 yards and six touchdowns on 23 carries.
Manhattan hopes to get over the hump this season after being eliminated in the quarterfinals the past two years.
Manhattan 28, Derby 14 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Manhattan (84%)
Class 5A
5A East: Shawnee Heights (5-5) at #5 Gardner-Edgerton (7-3)
Do you think that Shawnee Heights might be expecting to see a fair share of Gardner-Edgerton running back Traevohn Wrench this week?
The sophomore ball carrier, who seems to be picking up steam with each game, rushed for 456 yards and seven touchdowns on 23 carries during Gardner-Edgerton’s 76-40 win against Bonner Springs last week.
Wrench is a big part of a Trailblazers offense that is gradually finding itself after being centered around All-State quarterback and now-Kansas City Royals minor leaguer Bubba Starling in recent years.
Gardner-Edgerton quarterback Jared Hobby threw two touchdown passes in the win.
The Shawnee Heights T-Birds enter with some momentum, winning their past four games after starting the season with a 1-5 record in the competitive Centennial League.
Shawnee Heights quarterback Cole Foster has been huge in the T-Birds’ offense. In last week’s 15-7 victory against Mill Valley, Foster rushed for 100 yards, while passing for 158. Foster has compiled more than 2,000 yards of total offense on the season with 577 yards rushing and 1,650 yards passing.
Gardner-Edgerton 35, Shawnee Heights 7 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Gardner-Edgerton (81%)
5A East: #1 Blue Valley – Stilwell (9-1) at #2 Bishop Miege (9-1)
The top two ranked teams in Class 5A are set to butt heads in the second round of the playoffs.
It will be the two teams’ second matchup of the season as the No. 1-ranked Blue Valley Tigers beat the No. 2-ranked Bishop Miege Stags 24-21 in Week 4.
What was the difference for the defending state champion Tigers in the first game?
A big part can be attributed to running back Justin Fulks. The senior put the team on his back for
261 yards on 31 carries in the first meeting. Bishop Miege’s passing game kept the Stags in the game as junior quarterback Montel Cozart hit tight end Adam Novak and running back Quanzee Johnson with long TD passes in the fourth quarter.
In last week’s 59-0 stomping of the Highland Park Scots, Cozart completed 10-of-19 passes for 144 yards. Tre Parmalee, the son of Kansas City Chiefs tight end coach and former NFL running back Bernie Parmalee, caught seven of those balls for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Blue Valley handled Lansing 56-7 last week. Fulks, who has interest from several Big 12 schools, rushed for 111 yards in the win. Quarterback Kyle Zimmerman, who also is grabbing some Division I attention, rushed for 97 yards.
The game will no doubt be a battle, and it seems it’s coming a least a week early.
Blue Valley has a difficult task of trying to win on Miege’s home turf. However, the Tigers have the confidence of knowing they’ve already done it once this season.
Blue Valley 28, Bishop Miege 21 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Blue Valley (52%)
5A West: Emporia (7-3) at #3 Bishop Carroll (9-1)
Since their week one 45-14 loss to 6A's top ranked Wichita Heights, Bishop Carroll has ripped off nine straight wins and played impressive defense. The Eagles have allowed more than 13 points in a game only once - a week nine 32-24 win over Hutch - including five games of allowing one score or less.
Emporia opened the season with high expectations but a 2-3 start left the Spartans with a number of questions on defense where they allowed 52, 31 and 20 points in losses to Washburn Rural, Manhattan and Shawnee Heights.
A week six 28-21 win over Junction City gave the Spartans confidence entering district play resulting in a five-game winning streak that has included cardiac wins over Newton (40-35) and McPherson (66-63). In knocking off a once highly ranked McPherson team, the Spartans stopped the Bullpups on the one-yard line as time expired to secure the win.
The defense remains an area concern for former Hutch High assistant and second-year Emporia coach Dustin Delaney. The Spartans outscored Andover Central 29-0 in the first half of last week's 56-20 opening round playoff win, but they still allowed 223 rushing yards to talented running back Alex Bontz.
For Carroll and veteran coach Alan Schuckman, a return trip to the 5A title game will be spearheaded by the Eagle defense which allowed less than 180 total yards - including only 8 yards passing on 5 attempts - to Salina South in the playoff opener.
Carroll quarterback Zeke Palmer was back on his passing game against the Cougars; completing 17 of 25 attempts for 190 yards after leading the Carroll ground game in their Week 9 win over Hutch.
Carroll 35, Emporia 14 (Baetz)
Fan vote: Bishop Carroll (73%)
5A West: Kapaun Mt. Carmel (8-2) at #4 Hutchinson (8-2)
The Crusaders have looked impressive since a week one 28-6 loss to Wichita Northwest. Since Week 1, Kapuan has won eight of nine games with only a narrow 20-13 loss to Bishop Carroll dampening their spirits just prior to district play. Since then Kapaun has dominated in going 3-0 to win their district, and last week rallied from a 30-18 deficit to beat McPherson 32-31 - recovering two onside kicks in the process.
The Salthawks survived a Hays High team last week that was making its first playoff appearance since 1995. Now, Hutch appears to be evenly matched with a Kapaun team that played once point closer against defending 5A runner-up Carroll, a team that posted their second consecutive win over Hutch, 32-24, in week nine.
Salthawk running back Ja'Mon Cotton seems to be hitting his stride rushing for 234 yards on 36 carries in the win over Hays High. Junior quarterback Trevor Turner added 106 yards on 14 attempts.
Crusader quarterback Nathan Degenhardt provides a dual-threat for Kapaun, rushing for 135 yards and passing for 177 yards in the incredible comeback victory over McPherson.
Hutch 28, Kapaun 20 (Baetz)
Fan vote: Hutchinson (91%)
Class 4A
4A East: Blue Valley Southwest (6-5) at #4 Paola (10-1)
After an 0-5 start to the season, veteran coach Bill Lowe has Blue Valley Southwest in the state quarterfinals in just the school’s second season.
The Timberwolves dropped those first five games against opponents that were a combined 33-15 this season. All five losses came against fellow Eastern Kansas League members, and three of those opponents – Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, and Gardner-Edgerton – are among the remaining 5A quarterfinalists.
Blue Valley Southwest is led by junior quarterback Aaron Ramesy (6-3; 205) and junior running backs Scott Anderson and Dylan O’Dell.
Ramsey rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the first-round win over Baldwin, and O’Dell rushed for two scores in the win over Piper.
The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by an average of 39-14 during their six game winning streak.
Meanwhile, Mike Dumpert has an experienced team at Paola.
The Panthers are led by a strong backfield that features quarterback Seth Kern, and running backs Tanner Staats and Tyler Henness.
In Saturday’s 48-15 win over Columbus, the Panther offense scored touchdowns on its first six possessions. Staats rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns, while Henness added 177 yards and three more scores.
Since an 18-10 loss to Eudora in Week 5, the Panthers have averaged 49 points a game in winning six straight.
Paola has been to the state semifinals in each of the past two seasons. Expect the Panthers to take the next step towards a third straight trip to the final four on Friday night.
Paola 34, Blue Valley Southwest 22 (Gilmore)
Fan vote: Paola (63%)
4A East: #5 Eudora (10-1) at Chanute (8-3)
The Eudora Cardinals are no strangers to close games this season. Eudora has had eight games that have been decided by 14 points or fewer, and the Cardinals have won seven of those games.
It’s good experience as the Cardinals are likely in for another tight game against Chanute.
The Blue Comets are coming a big 21-0 win against last year’s state champion Louisburg. Like Louisburg, Eudora likes to play power football. Chanute hopes to be able to attack that with quickness and a strong passing game led by quarterback Brock Gilmore, who threw for two TD passes against Louisburg.
Chanute also was able to slow down the Wildcats’ vaunted rushing attack led by senior Garrett Griffin. Chanute limited Griffin, who had rushed for almost 300 yards against Fort Scott, to 65 yards on the ground. The Blue Comets kept Louisburg to 180 yards of total offense.
However, they will have their hands full to do so again.
Eudora is rushing for 317.7 yards per game and boasts two 1,000-yard rushers in running back Chris Pyle (1,624 yards) and quarterback Derek Webb (1,012 yards).
The Cardinal defense is led by senior Matthew Gadberry, who is posting almost 10 tackles a game with 104 on the season.
Eudora 21, Chanute 14 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Eudora (52%)
4A West: #1 Topeka Hayden (10-1) at #2 Buhler (11-0)
A year ago, the Topeka Hayden Wildcats lost a close game in its season opener to 6A powerhouse Manhattan.
A year ago, Topeka Hayden cruised through the rest of the regular season and was ranked No. 1 in 4A most of the year.
A year ago, Topeka Hayden was upset by Buhler 21-0 in the state quarterfinals.
Fast forward a year, and the Wildcats appear to be following the same script. They lost another nail-biter in their opener against Manhattan. They’ve been unbeaten since then and atop the rankings most of the year.
And here they are, ready to face Buhler in the quarterfinals again.
However, this is where Hayden hopes the plot takes a turn.
Led by senior quarterback Grant Arnold and running backs Zack Weekley and Jason Tetuan, the Wildcats have scored 35 points or more in seven games this season. Defensively, Hayden has kept all but two opponents from scoring 14 points or less.
Keeping Buhler to that total will be difficult. The Crusaders have scored 40 points or more in nine of their 11 games.
Like last year, the Buhler offense is led by running back Tanner Fisher. The senior missed Buhler’s first-round playoff game with an injury, but returned last week in spectacular fashion by rushing for 323 yards and five TDs in a 49-6 win against Abilene. Fisher has rushed for 2,144 yards and 31 TDs on the season. He has rushed for more than 12 yards per carry.
Hayden 21, Buhler 14 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Buhler (52%)
4A West: #3 Rose Hill (10-1) at Ulysses (10-1)
Rose Hill will make the long trip west to Ulysses to take on the Tigers in a 4A semifinal match-up.
The Rose Hill Rockets have won ten consecutive games since an 18-10 loss to second-ranked Buhler in Week 1. Rose Hill has outscored opponents by an average of 42 to 8 this season.
Quarterback Derrick Decker is a big, versatile athlete at quarterback for the Rockets. At 6-5, 215-pounds, Decker is tough to bring down as evidenced by his 1,088 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns this season. He is also a threat with his arm as the senior has thrown for 918 yards and eight more scores.
Junior running back Jonny Pearson has emerged with the graduation of LaQua Mayes. Pearson has rushed for 1,481 yards and 25 touchdowns this season.
Ulysses’ lone loss was also to a team that reached the state quarterfinals. The Tigers fell to 3A’s top-ranked Scott City Beavers in Week 6, 27-13.
The Tigers are led by senior back Josh Jarnigan who led Ulysses to a quarterfinal appearance last year as well. In 2010, Jarnagin rushed for 1,450 yards and 24 scores. He has put up big numbers again this fall, but was hampered by an ankle injury in last week’s win over Hesston. Despite the soreness, Jarnigan rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-19 win over the Swathers.
Ulysses quarterback Braden Langston has the experience to lead the Tigers as they seek to go a step further than their quarterfinal loss to Holton one year ago.
Rose Hill 35, Ulysses 27 (Gilmore)
Fan vote: Ulysses (57%)
Class 3A
3A East: #5 Caney Valley (11-0) at Rock Creek (8-3)
The Caney Valley Bullpups marched into the state quarterfinals last year, but were edged 18-16 by Rossville.
This time, Caney Valley returns to the quarterfinals with an unbeaten record and a good chance of emerging as the team out of the east bracket.
The Bullpups haven’t really even been tested this season as a 28-8 win against fellow 3A quarterfinalist Galena is their closest game of the year. Besides that game, Caney Valley has scored no fewer than 35 points this season. Opponents have scored 14 points or fewer in all but one game.
In last week’s 44-0 playoff win against Erie, Caney’s Dustin Mullinax rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns. The Bullpup defense held Erie to only 13 yards of total offense.
The Rock Creek Mustangs definitely have a tall task on their hands, but the positive is that they do play a more competitive schedule in the Mid-East League.
Plus, Rock Creek enters with some momentum after beating Rossville 13-12 last week. Rossville had defeated the Mustangs 20-7 earlier in the season.
Caney Valley 22, Rock Creek 14 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Caney Valley (68%)
3A East: #3 Silver Lake (10-1) at Galena (8-3)
Losing almost all of their starters from last year’s state championship team, the Silver Lake Eagles appeared unlikely to be able to return to the state title game. However, Silver Lake is 10-1 and just two wins away from making it back to the state championship.
Led by legendary coach C.J. Hamilton, the Eagles continue to improve on a weekly basis. Sophomore quarterback Dailin Kruger is showing improved accuracy each week. After throwing four interceptions against McLouth, Kruger has completed more than 50 percent of his passes and thrown for two TD passes with no picks in each of his past two outings.
Kruger has some reliable receiving targets in senior Justin Malloy with 29 catches for 634 yards and four TDs and senior Tyler Warren with 24 catches for 351 yards and two TDs.
Galena also has appeared to make strides since losing to Caney Valley in Week 8.
The Bulldogs are led by senior running back Tylor Albright, who despite rushing for only 742 yards on the season, is averaging more than 9 yards per carry.
Silver Lake 30, Galena 14 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Silver Lake (71%)
3A West: Beloit (9-2) at #4 Garden Plain (10-1)
Since a district opening loss to Smith Center in which the Trojans were outscored 33-8, Beloit has tallied at least 48 points in four straight wins.
Garden Plain has rebounded from a week eight loss to Sedgwick with three straight wins over teams that are a combined 22-8. The Owls edged Wichita Collegiate 18-15 last week.
Garden Plain's Joey Capul rushed for 139 yards and grabbed a crucial interception in last week's win over Wichita Collegiate, while GP's Lucas Jennings rushed for a TD and threw the game-clinching 31-yard score to Josh Becker.
In the absence of Jadon Adams, who is still recovering from a Week 6 injury that has him at Madonna Rehab Hospital in Lincoln, Neb., Beloit's Alex Niemcyzk has been the top rushing threat behind an enormous offensive line.
If the Trojans are to make a trip to the semi-finals, sophomore quarterback Payton Vetter will have to effectively throw the ball out of Greg Koenig's run-heavy double wing offense.
Garden Plain 18, Beloit 12 (Baetz)
Fan vote: Garden Plain (67%)
3A West: #1 Scott City (11-0) at #2 Conway Springs (10-1)
In this #1 vs. #2 match-up Scott City travels to Conway Springs for a Saturday afternoon game.
Conway Springs is considered by many to be the best program in 3A over the last 11 seasons with 11 consecutive playoff trips and five state titles in that span.
The Cardinals welcomed back 21 lettermen from last year's runner up team that dropped a 27-21 contest to Silver Lake in the title game. Foremost among those returners were Brian Doffing and Cory Misak, both over 1,000 yards rushing out of the Cardinals' single wing this season.
For Scott City, a perennial power in all sports, a 3A football title has been elusive with each of the last few seasons ending with heartbreaking playoff losses.
This year the Beavers feature multiple rushing threats out of their Wing T offense and boast a ferocious defense that has allowed only 73 points all season.
The Cardinals appear to be peaking at the right time outscoring their last five opponents 295-42 including last week's 55-13 thumping of previously unbeaten Sedgwick. The Cardinals led 48-0 at half over the emerging Sedgwick team and Cory Misak tallied 202 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the win.
Scott City avenged their 42-35 loss at Smith Center in last year's playoffs with a 39-20 home win over the visiting Redmen last week.
The Beavers feature a three headed rushing attack with Dalton Smith, Dalton Buehler and Colborn Couchman all over 500 yards rushing on the season, while junior quarterback Brett O'Neil has thrown for over 1,000 yards with 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Scott City 21, Conway Springs 18 (Baetz)
Fan vote: Scott City (69%)
Class 2-1A
2-1A East: #2 St. Mary’s Colgan (10-0) at Doniphan West (9-1)
St. Mary’s Colgan will make a long trip north to take on Doniphan West in a battle of two team that advanced by winning very different games.
Freshman quarterback Tristan Speer threw a 45-yard Hail Mary pass to Marc Ellis on the game’s final play to lift Doniphan West into the second round with a 32-26 win over St. Marys.
Speer completed 19 of 32 attempts for 299 yards and four touchdowns against the Bears. He has thrown for 1,484 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season.
Ellis, his main target, has more than 700 yards receiving and 11 touchdown receptions.
The Mustangs put the ball in the air against a Bear defense that was committed to stopping the run. Doniphan West rushed for 144 yards against St. Marys, led by Jordan Sellers’ 63 yards on the ground. Sellers is the Mustangs leading rusher with 1,005 yards and nine scores.
Colgan rolled by Jefferson County North 35-0 before the younger players added a couple of second-half scores.
Christian Smith was extremely efficient taking his four carries for 178 yards and three touchdowns. His twin-brother Zach added 131 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
For the season Christian has rushed for 1,174 yards and 22 touchdowns on just 82 carries – an average of 14.3 yards per carry. Zach has averaged 11.7 yards per attempt, carrying 77 times for 903 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Defense has been the story of the year for Colgan as the Panthers have allowed a total of 33 points this season.
Depth could also be a major factor favoring the Panthers. While Doniphan West has only 19 players out for football this season, the Panthers will match that same number in seniors alone on their sidelines on Friday night.
Colgan 38, Doniphan West 14 (Gilmore)
Fan vote: Colgan (88%)
2-1A East: Riverside (9-1) at Centralia (7-3)
It was a rough start to season for the Centralia Panthers as they opened with a 1-3 record. Since then, Centralia has been one of the most dominant teams in 2-1A. The Panthers have won their past six games by an average score of 52.3-11.5.
The Panthers look to keep their success going and get into the semifinals after falling in the quarterfinals to Olpe last year.
Riverside has quietly made its way into the quarterfinals. The Cyclones have won most of their games, but a lackluster schedule kept them out of the discussion for top state contenders.
However, last week’s 26-21 win against Lyndon forces other teams to take notice.
Senior running back Timmy Miller leads the Cyclones with 1,280 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the season. He also is a threat on kickoff and punt returns.
Centralia 35, Riverside 17 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Centralia (83%)
2-1A West: #4 Plainville (9-1) at #5 Stanton County (9-1)
The final four teams in the west are about as competitive as it gets. The Plainville Cardinals and Stanton County Trojans enter with only one loss apiece. On the other half of the west bracket, sits undefeated LaCrosse and undefeated Meade. LaCrosse handed Plainville its only loss, and Meade accounts for Stanton County’s lone defeat.
Plainville’s season has been a feel-good story all year as they were 3-6 just a year ago and were 4-15 in coach Joe Simon’s first two years combined.
To keep the success going, the Cardinals will look to their running game which has produced 342.8 yards per game.
Trevor Axelson is Plainville’s leading rusher with 1,273 yards and 11 TDs on the season.
Stanton County is trying to make the state championship this year after falling in the semifinals in 2010. The Trojans have only three losses over the past two seasons, and all three have been to Meade.
Junior Marques Logan rushed for 122 yards and quarterback Quinn Kendrick accounted for four touchdowns as the Trojans rallied to beat Ellis 35-34 last week.
Plainville 26, Stanton County 18 (Schremmer)
Fan vote: Plainville (74%)
2-1A West: #3 LaCrosse (10-0) at #1 Meade (10-0)
La Crosse versus Meade has annually become one of the state's top matchups. The two elite powers have matched up for years in Class 2-1A, including a second-round playoff matchup last year in La Crosse. Meade had some long drives and took advantage of some early turnovers, won the game 44-12, and went on to collect the state championship.
This year, both teams have plenty of elite talent on each side of the ball. Both teams rank in the top-3 in Class 2-1A for scoring offense and scoring defense. Meade has won 22 straight contests.
Meade has several linemen returning, including Randy Friesen, Dylan Bolton, Manny Castillo and Weston Kroth, from last year's group that earned Class 2-1A KPreps.com Player of the Year honors. Meade is a little faster than previous seasons and has added a spin series to its traditional single wing offense to take advantage of its quickness.
Junior running back Trevin Wiens has rushed for 1,439 yards and 26 scores. That includes 356 rushing yards against Oakley last Friday, the most rushing yards a player has ever produced in Scott Moshier's 20 years as head coach at various high schools.
La Crosse's defensive backs have picked off 28 passes, four of the state record set by Olathe North in 2000. Austin Webs has a team-high eight interceptions.
Senior quarterback Tayler Stull has passed for 880 yards, rushed for 950 yards and accounted for 32 scores. Running back Levi Morss has 1,107 yards and 16 touchdowns.
This contest will be tightly contested; even the computers aren't unanimous in a selection. Kenneth Massey, one of the computers used in college football's Bowl Championship Series, also ranks high school teams. He ranks La Crosse No. 2 in Class 2-1A with the second-ranked offense, third-ranked defense and 10th-ranked schedule.
Meade stands fifth with the No. 2 offense, No. 5 defense and No. 15 schedule. However, preppowerindex.com ranks Meade second and La Crosse third in 2-1A. Meade has plenty of experience up front, but is young at the skill positions. La Crosse is a more balanced team one through 11 than the 2008 squad that had Marshall Musil — and has more talent and experience across the board than Meade. La Crosse wins in a close one.
La Crosse 31, Meade 30 (Nicholl)
Fan vote: Meade (70%)
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