Two weeks in the books already of the high school football season and the action continues to heat up in Northeast Kansas with plenty of intriguing week three matchups. A full preview of all the week three matchups involving area teams is below to get you ready for another week of football. 

Week Three Games to be Broadcasted:
103.9 KNZA & Holton Channel - Holton at Sabetha (click here to listen & to watch)
92.1 KMZA - Troy at Centralia (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM - KC Schlagle at Atchison (click here to listen)
Sabetha Channel - Sabetha at Jeff West (click here to watch)
KAIR Sports Channel - Jefferson County North at Pleasant Ridge (click here to listen)

Linn (1-1) at Wetmore (0-2)
Each team had drastically different outcomes in week two and look to learn from those headed into a Twin Valley League showdown. For the Linn Bulldogs after struggling offensively in the first game of the season Linn turned it around with a dominating 48-0 win over Blue Valley-Randolph and established the run behind Evan Bott who ran for 107 yards on 14 carries with three touchdowns. It was a different story for Wetmore as the Cardinals who were competitive in week one loss to Valley Falls but had turnover issues, struggled out of the gate against Onaga and made mistakes pile up creating too much of hill to climb falling 54-6. The Cardinals have given up an average of 230 yards rushing in the first two game the Bulldogs have multiple capable backs that Wetmore will have to deal with, while Wetmore will continue to look to find a level of consistency on offense. 

St. Paul (2-0) at Frankfort (1-1) 
It’s a different opponent for the Frankfort Wildcats after a pair of TVL showdowns in the first two weeks and a tale of two different games. After 400-plus yards of offense behind the rushing attack in a week one win over Onaga the Wildcats were out muscled week two by Clifton-Clyde in a 53-8 loss mustering only 143 yards of total offense. Coach Nick Anderson said the physicality for the team has picked up in practice this week and now the Wildcats have to translate it to the field against a 2-0 St. Paul Indians team. St. Paul has routed their first two opponents this season Pleasanton and Chetopa outscoring them 94-0, but the Indians have to travel four hours to Frankfort and just played on Monday. 

Rural Vista (2-0) at Onaga (1-1)
Onaga Buffaloes were off and running in week two and found the win column for the first time as an 8-Man program beating Wetmore 54-6 last week. The Buffaloes two weeks in have ran for over 200 yards as a team in both games and have balance with ball carries with a trio of guys around 20 carries so far this season with Logan Marten, Brendan Melvin and Ben Kufahl. Finding a balance on offense and being stout on defense will be key in week three for Onaga as they open District play at home against 8-man Division I fourth ranked, Rural Vista. Six starters are back on each side of the ball for Rural Vista who have outscored their opponents 100-8 in the first two games and are led by the winningest Rule 10 coach in Kansas history in Jeff Hostetter (218-72). 

Valley Falls (1-1) at Clifton-Clyde (2-0) 
Perhaps are a pair of surprises happened in week two involving both the Valley Falls Dragons and Clifton-Clyde Eagles and both were different. For the Dragons coming off a week one win they got hit with big plays from Axtell and fell 54-26 despite outgaining them in the game. Clifton-Clyde on the other hand dominated their game with physical play controlling Frankfort for a 53-8 victory. Valley Falls enters the game looking to redraw somethings up and use their size to their advantage; Jachin Drinkard through two weeks has proved to be a playmaker for the Dragons with two rushing touchdown and a kickoff return score. Clifton-Clyde led by Caleb Charbonneau who has 356 yards on 50 carries with six touchdowns, while the team has ran for 640 yards in two games with 10 rushing touchdowns and multiple contributors. Except physical play between both of these teams as they open District play against each other. 

Tescott (0-2) at Blue Valley-Randolph (0-2)
A win last year just slipped through the fingers of Blue Valley against Tescott as it was a 32-30 final. The Rams ran the ball for 250 yards in the loss and Trevor Schwerdt had 123 yards with a touchdown, but 75 yards in penalties hurt them in the contest. This year both teams enter the showdown looking for their first win of the season and are coming off lopsided week two losses. The Rams have been outscored 88-16 this season and are still seeing sophomore quarterback, Cole Montgomery adjust to his role, while Trevor Schwerdt and Bradley Young look to help shoulder the load. Tescott has given up 110 points on the season, while scoring 36 in the first two years and are coming a five win season last year but have been drastically been outscored by their opponents overall the last two years. Which team comes up with the equation to stop the other could snag their first win of the season in what could be a high scoring affair. 

Southern Coffey County (1-1) at Hanover (1-0)
Hanover Wildcats haven’t lost much the last few years and started this year 1-0 with a 22-0 win over Lebo but that was back in week one as the Wildcats were idle in week two. That being said the Wildcats have had plenty of time to prepare for Southern Coffey County who is coming off a 30-28 win over Waverly last week a team they were 1-8 against in the last nine meetings before last week and their loss came to a ranked Burlingame squad. The Wildcats defense was stout week one against Lebo forcing five turnovers and holding them to 97 total yards and will look to wrangle the spread offense of Southern Coffey County led by junior quarterback, Nick Spencer. Hanover offense looks to continue to sling it around with quarterback Will Bruna leading the charge as he passed for 224 yards in week one. 

Troy (2-0) at Centralia (0-2)
This was the game last year that saw Centralia’s long TVL win streak come to an end as Troy held on for a 37-34 win. The Trojans jumped on Centralia to lead 30-6 at halftime but the Panthers scored 34 unanswered to make it interesting; the Panthers ran for 322 yards in the game, while Troy quarterback Reid Greaser was 11-15 for 188 yards with three touchdowns. This year both teams are off to drastically different starts Troy looks like they haven’t missed a beat from last year cruising past Valley Heights and ACCHS scoring 58 and 68 points and posting over 900 yards of total offense. As Reid Greaser accounted for seven touchdowns including four on the ground while also completing 9 of 14 passes for 198 yards and three scores against ACCHS, while the Trojan defense pitched a shutout and surrendered less than 100 total yards, although they allowed two scores on special teams in the 68-12 victory.  Now they play their first road game of the season and expect to play their starters for all four quarters at Centralia.   

While Centralia has taken a pair of losses but took strides forward last week in a 26-18 loss to St. Mary’s running for 356 yards as a team in the loss, as Trenton Flentie, Bryson Johnson and Nathan Rempe all had almost 100 yards last week. The Panthers have had turnover issues in the first two weeks with seven turnovers, while Troy did give up 400-plus yards offense week one but held ACCHS in check last week. 

LaCrosse (0-2) at Washington County (2-0)
For second straight year the Washington County Tigers have started the year strong but need a strong second half for the second straight year against Riley County to snag the win last week 28-16. Quarterback, Jerrod Hoover continues to lead a Tiger offense with playmakers like Hunter Keir and Jae Eaton making big impacts along with a strong senior class. A strong 2-1A team in the past in LaCrosse stands in the way of the Tigers this week but LaCrosse has gotten off to a rough start this year with a close week one loss to Elkhart and a 55-26 lost to Colby last week. The Leopards have been a run-pass balanced team through the first two weeks but have struggled to hold onto the ball with five turnovers. 

Valley Heights (1-1) at Christ Prep (1-1) on Saturday 
For the second straight week the Valley Heights triple option attack produced 400-plus yards of offense but unlike week one, week two brought a 36-6 win over Doniphan West with the defense stepping up. Hunter Stevenson has been leading the way in the backfield for Valley Heights with 310 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while the Mustangs have sprinkled in the past to perfection to keep defense’s honest as quarterback, Logan Woodyard is 8-10 for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Week three represents a bit of an unknown for Valley Heights with their opponent in Christ Prep who has a 28-14 win over University Charter and a one-point overtime week one loss to Northeast (Kansas City, MO). Christ prep likes to spread it out on offense like Valley Heights week one opponent in Troy and have a senior at quarterback in TJ Craver to led them but don’t appear to be as fast or have the plethora of weapons that the likes of Troy has. 

Hiawatha (1-1) at Doniphan West (0-2) 
Hiawatha could not ride the momentum of a huge week one upset shutout at Royal Valley as the Redhawks were blanked at home against Perry Lecompton 26-0 last week.  The Redhawks had a couple drives that stalled inside the 30 yard-line and managed only 145 total yards of offense in the loss.  It’s a first-ever meeting against the Doniphan West Mustangs who hope that homecoming will ignite a fire in their season.  D-West has been outscored 86-6 in their first couple games and continue to be plagued by turnovers and mistakes with a young and inexperienced squad.  While Carson Lackey got the running game going last week and scored a TD, Levi Watts hopes to elevate the passing attack this week.  But the new Mustang line, must make some huge strides to matchup with the Redhawks.  

Perry Lecompton (1-1) at ACCHS (0-2)
After a tough 19-14 loss to Riverside in week one, the Kaws responded in a big way taking down Hiawatha last week 26-0. The difference between weeks one and two came in the turnover department as the Kaws turned the football over three times against Riverside, while not losing the ball last week and recording an interception return for a touchdown by Cole Kellum. While Kellum made the big play on defense, it was his offense that shined as he rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns. 

The Tigers have had a tough start to the 2016 season dropping their first two contest by a combined 122 points. While the Tigers struggled in weeks one and two they were also playing two of the best teams in the state of Kansas in their respective classes in Class 2A No. 1 Troy and Nemaha Central who is just outside of the top five in 3A. Coach Fuemmeler is being forced to throw underclassman into the fire, which has proved to be difficult against much more experienced teams in the first two weeks.

Riverside (2-0) at Royal Valley (0-2) 
Two teams that have surprised with their early results as the Cyclones are 2-0 and the Panthers are 0-2.  Riverside has built a lead in the first half of their first couple games and held on for five and seven point victories.   Last week, they played Saturday against Jeff West and had Gaige Olivero run for 146 yards and a couple scores to earn MSC Sports “Athlete of the Week” honors.  He has also battled leg cramps in each of the first couple games, but carried the load in the new jet sweep Cyclone offense.  

Royal Valley has yet to score this season and hopes that homecoming will provide some spark in week three.  The Panthers played better against a tougher opponent in falling to Nemaha Central 41-0 last week.  Royal Valley beat Riverside 27-12 last year, but is still trying to find new skill positions leaders to replace guys like Derrick Barger, who ran for 258 yards against the Cyclones last season.     

Sabetha (2-0) at Jeff West (0-2) 
These two teams are heading in opposite directions as well as the Bluejays are flying high following their first win against Holton (25-22) since 2007.  Sabetha has confidence, especially on defense after not allowing Holton a single first down in the second half of their comeback win last week.  The Jays won the second half 17-0 with seniors, Blake Plattner and Trae Snyder each accounting for more than 125 yards rushing, and now hit the first for the first time this season, trying to avoid a let-down.  

The Tigers have lost their first two games by a combined nine points and had success in the second half of both games with freshman quarterback, Quinn Newenswander at the helm.  Hunter Dean had 116 yards rushing last week in the Saturday loss at Riverside, but played the slot and now might be more of a runningback because the Tigers have some injuries to overcome. 

Sabetha won 21-20 last season as they rallied from a 14-0 deficit to overcome three rushing touchdowns by Hunter Dean.     

Nemaha Central (2-0) at Holton (0-2) 
The Nemaha Central Thunder were able to take down Holton off the top of the Big Seven mountain last year picking up a 27-13 win at Holton over the Wildcats, snapping Holton’s 48-game winning streak in Big Seven League play. This year both teams enter with drastically different starts to the season as the Thunder have rolled past their opponents and the Wildcats have lost a pair of tough contest against high caliber opponents. Nemaha Central has been strong with two shutout wins, while scoring 107 points in two games; the Thunder defense has been stout on third down and forced negative plays, while on offense four guys have 90-plus yards rushing and six different guys have a rushing touchdown. 

Holton is certainly not panicking after having leads against tough Atchison and Sabetha teams.  The Wildcats have been outscored 34-8 in the second half of their first two contests and lost by a total of 13 points.  Two turnovers proved costly last week including a fumble with :10 left that led the Sabetha’s game-winning field goal, 25-22.  The backfield duo of Spencer Baum and Miles McClintock Stozier have combined for 453 yards of offense and 4 touchdowns in two games.  

MH/MA (1-1) at Horton (0-2)
After a tough week one loss at JCN, the Ravens got back on track last week with a 31-13 thumping of McLouth.  Freshman signal caller, Jack Caudle was 10-12 passing for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also rushing for a TD.  Arthur Rocca scored his second TD of the season and hit a field goal to show he is one of the best senior kickers in the state.  The Ravens defense held McLouth to less than 150 total yards of offense and now take on a Horton team that has scored only 6 points all season while committing 10 total turnovers.  

The Chargers, who lost at Oskaloosa 15-6 in a delayed game on Saturday, also lost a couple lineman, including Michael Gabbard (325, senior).  Horton lost at MH-MA 44-0 a year ago.      

Oskaloosa (2-0) at Jackson Heights (2-0) 
It’s one of the only battles of 2-0 teams in Northeast Kansas tonight and the top spot, along with JCN, is on the line a top of NEKL standings.  While the Bears have won both their games by single digits in the fourth quarter, the Jaxson Webb to Hunter Reed, sophomore hook-up has accounted for a couple huge touchdowns via the pass.  The Bears beat the Cobras 22-20 two years ago at home, but blew a two-touchdown lead and fell 40-24 at Jackson Heights last season.  

The Cobras were super impressive in routing the reigning NEK League Champs from Pleasant Ridge 36-6 last week, including a 28-0 halftime advantage.  In the balanced wishbone attack it was Mason Thomas and Mason Hamilton surpassing 100 yards rushing last week and the Cobras are now plus 8 in the takeaway department.  If not for a Rams TD as time expired in the game against the Jackson Heights JV, the Cobras would have pitched their second straight shutout to start the year 2-0.  It’s homecoming for Jackson Heights, who has a young and solid line coming together, just in time for some huge looming road battles in the next few weeks ahead.   

JCN (2-0) at Pleasant Ridge (1-1)
The Chargers are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2012 under second year head coach Jeff Schneider, winning their first two contests by a combined 70 points. Ridge Robertson is off to one of the best starts in the state at the running back spot rushing for seven total touchdowns in the first two games. The defense has been spectacular as well holding opponents scoreless in three of four halves and giving up a total of just 14 points for the season. 

Pleasant Ridge is coming off their first loss of the season falling to Jackson Heights last week 36-6. The Rams got down early trailing 16-0 after the first quarter and 28-0 at halftime with the Cobras cashing in on a Ram fumble taking it back for a score. Colton Comer scored the lone touchdown for Pleasant Ridge and enters Friday night second on the team in rushing with 81 yards while Hunter Wagner leads the way with 91 yards on 23 carries. 
The Rams dominated last year’s meeting between the two teams 52-26 rushing for five touchdowns in the contest. 

McLouth (0-2) at Immaculata (0-2)
After falling just short in a 14-6 week one loss to Oskaloosa, the Bulldogs fell to 0-2 on the season with a 31-13 loss to Maur Hill-Mount Academy Friday night. While the McLouth defense has played fairly well, the offense has struggled with holding onto the football and finishing off drives in their opponents territory. Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Carlton is off to a good start throwing the football tossing a touchdown pass in each of the first two games. Immaculata is still looking for their first points on the season and continue to deal with young and inexperienced players being forced into action. It’s the first matchup between the two teams since 2014, which the Bulldogs won 42-0. 

KC Schlagle (2-0) at Atchison (2-0)
Atchison opened up the season with a 24-14 win over 4A perennial power Holton, before moving to 2-0 on the season with a 51-8 victory over Sumner last Friday night. Senior quarterback Adam Smith has been fantastic in weeks one and two taking over for last season’s KCAL Player of the Year Wykeen Gill Jr. throwing for 266 yards and three touchdowns in the first two weeks. Bryce Enzbrenner has emerged as one of the top receivers around the area catching eight passes for 222 yards and all three of Smith’s scores through the air, while Dylon LeBlue leads the team in rushing with 205 yards and three TD’s. The Redmen have won two straight against the Stallions, including a 39-19 win last season. 

Marysville (0-2) at Wamego (1-1) 
Nine points separate Marysville from a 2-0 start instead of an 0-2 start as the Bulldogs fell week one by seven to Rossville and 14-12 last week to Abilene. The Bulldogs didn’t win the game but outgained Abilene 268-120 total yards and forced four turnovers. This week Marysville continues NCKL play traveling to Wamego who lost 21-0 to Ottawa week after an 18-6 win over Rock Creek in week one. The Red Raiders of Wamego return nine starters on offense and eight on defense this year. Senior quarterback, Dillon Blain and Alex Vontz led Wamego on offense, while Marysville has been led by Hunter Warnick with 237 yards rushing this year. The Bulldogs took a rough loss to Wamego last year 28-0 but enter this year’s matchup just looking to finish out a game winning on the scoreboard after two close calls.