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It’s already been fun as we figure out “How the West was Won” in the Class 4A High School Football playoff bracket. Friday’s third round (Sectionals) includes the first meeting on the gridiron between perennial powers Holton and McPherson. The #1 ranked Wildcats (11-0) host the contest, and remain the only unbeaten 4A team after knocking off #2 ranked Collegiate in Wichita 28-0 last Saturday. Now the #3 ranked Bullpups (10-1) bring their high-octane offense north after overcoming an early deficit to hold off Andale 42-36.
Both Holton and McPherson contrasting offenses are over 5,000 yards for the season and separated by only 16 total yards. Holton has 5,079 which includes 425 yards per game with a wishbone rushing attack. Drake Ewing paves the way with 1,213 and 16 scores followed closely by Cameron Karn with 973 and 13 touchdowns. Option quarterback Jaxon Wright has added 554 yards rushing while completing 21 of 36 passes for 333 and 9 more TDs. Chase Wilson and Trent Tanking are both over 400 yards rushing as well and Tanking leads the stingy defense with 127 tackles. Holton has pitched three impressive shutouts against Desoto, Hayden and Collegiate, whom they held under 200 yards last week less than half their season average. Holton has only trailed once this season (8-0, Santa Fe Trail), while averaging almost 50 points per game and surrendering only FOUR scores outside the fourth quarter all year.
McPherson, who lone loss came 58-28 in week two against Hays, is very balanced with 2,000 yard passer Kyler Kinnamon, who has also ran for 511 and accounted for 24 total touchdowns. The team has a mean of 209 yards rushing and 212 passing per game. Austin Obannon is the leading rusher with 1,115 and 18 TDs while Dalton Clark has 742 and 9 rushing trips to the end zone. Keaton Sorenson (6'4, receiver) has 42 receptions for 900 yards while Marcus Houghton is close behind with 36 for 678 and also played quarterback ad threw for for 364 yards in week five. The Bulldogs average 39 points per game but are allowing 24, which is more than double that of Holton. One other glaring difference is turnovers as McPherson has turned the ball over 27 times, including 8 in their two playoff wins. Holton has just 7 giveaways and is plus 21 while Mac is minus 8 in the turnover ratio.
Holton has won Championships in 2003 and 2005 and last played in the title game in 2010. The Wildcats continue their 15th straight year in the post-season and have reached at least the third round for the ninth time in the past 11 years. The Big 7 Champs have won 33 consecutive League contests and look to extend a current 13 game home winning streak on Friday.
Brooks Barta coached his 200th game at Holton (170-30) last week, but it was the father of the former Kansas State linebacker, Roger Barta, that made the biggest news this week. Roger announced his retirement after 35 years as the coach at Smith Center, departing with the fourth most wins (323-68) in Kansas. Those included 79 straight W’s that led to National Coach of the Year honors in 2007 while winning 8 of 11 championship games.
Coach Tom Young is leading McPherson for a ninth season (57-28) and trying to win a fourth title at four different schools, which would be the initial football trophy for Mac. In fact, after dropping down from Class 5A this season, a win would be the first time that Bullpup football won three playoff games in a season.
A year ago, McPherson and Holton met in the State 4A Volleyball tournament and then played for the State Basketball Championship earlier in 2012. Now, the football teams will showdown with a trip to the semifinals on the line and Buhler at #4 Mulvane awaiting the victory.
Live coverage on local radio KNZA 103.9 FM in Holton as well as online at www.mscsports.net by clicking the listen-live play-by-play tab. KNZA audio will also be used for a live video stream free on the internet from 810varsity in Kansas City. Watch/Listen Live Kickoff is at 7:00 PM with pregame coverage starting at 6:30.
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