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Week seven brings District play for all classes as Class 4A-DI & DII along with 3A join 2-1A and 8-Man DI & DII in District action as the race for the playoffs heats up. Six area teams remain unbeaten on the season, while only two are still in search of their first win of the season. The week not only brings big District matchups but big League matchups and some of the top matchups in the State between area teams.
Week Seven Games to be Broadcasted:
103.9 KNZA – Washington County at Troy (click here to listen)
92.1 KMZA – Nemaha Central at Sabetha (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM – Maur Hill-Mount Academy at Pleasant Ridge (click here to listen)
Holton Channel – Jeff West at Holton (click here to watch)
Sabetha Channel – Nemaha Central at Sabetha (click here to watch) (also on 92.1 KMZA)
KAIR Sports Channel – Burlingame at Valley Falls (click here to listen)
Frankfort (3-3) at Hanover (5-0)
The battle of Wildcats in the Twin Valley League as strong meaning for both teams as a win for Hanover would put them in a strong spot for a potential District title and playoff berth, while Frankfort needs a win to stay in playoff contention. Hanover continues to dominate opponents but gave up their first points of the season in a 58-8 win over Blue Valley last week, but have only played one full four quarter game this season. Wildcats have scored points in just about every way imaginable with 10 different guys with a touchdown this season and are riding a 24-game regular season win streak, along with a 12-game TVL win streak.
Frankfort had one slip through their fingers last week falling to Wakefield 44-40 with the Bombers scoring the game winning points with 48 seconds remaining in the game. Wildcats were able to spread the ball around as Adam Kenworthy passed for 172 yards with a touchdown and ran for nearly 100 yards and three scores, while the freshman, Garrett Dalinghaus for the third-straight week had 100+ yards rushing and a touchdown. Rylen Bailey and Austin Hardwick have started to get more involved in the offense the last two weeks also for Frankfort.
Hanover won last year’s contest 62-30 but both teams moved the ball effectively and Frankfort even led 8-0 early. Frankfort is the last team in the TVL still in the League to beat Hanover with that win coming back in 2011 (44-30).
Axtell (3-3) at Wakefield (5-1)
The Axtell Eagles jumped back in the win column last week with a 30-16 win on homecoming against Wetmore but it didn’t come easy down 8-0 early and used a 16-0 second quarter plus the passing attack to earn the win. Freshman, Quinn Buessing played most of the game at quarterback throwing for 212 yards with two touchdowns and another on the ground, while Michael Swanson caught six passes for 108 yards with a score. The Eagles have had plenty of moving pieces all year giving the team some versatility and they will look to use that to finish the season, as Buessing leads the way with nearly 700 yards passing and nine touchdowns, while Swanson has 560+yards of total offense with seven touchdowns.
Wakefield took a big step to a potential playoff spot with a four-point win over Frankfort last week to move to 2-0 in District play. The Bombers proved in that win over the Wildcats they can run and pass as quarterback, Skyler Merritt was 9-9 for 212 yards with four touchdowns and another on the ground, while Justin Craver ran for 202 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns in the win. On the season Wakefield is averaging 330 yards rushing per game but has turned the ball over 11 times including losing nine of 15 fumbles.
Blue Valley-Randolph (1-5) at Wetmore (0-6)
Both Wetmore and Blue Valley have had their fair share of struggles on the season but also have shown improvement despite the wins not coming. Wetmore fell to Axtell 30-16 last week have controlled the first quarter and made the game interesting down to the final minutes but are the Cardinals are still searching for that game where they put a full four quarters together. Garrett Evans and Kyler Vance are leading the charge for Wetmore as Evans had 284 yards rushing with two touchdowns and Vance has 181 yards receiving with three scores, while both have recorded 60+tackles on defense.
Blue Valley outside of their 72-point outburst in their lone win over Southern Cloud have struggled to score but did accomplish something no one else has to this point that was score points against Hanover, although it came in a 58-8 loss. Trevor Schwerdt and Bradley Young are still the duo that the Rams look to rely upon.
Linn (3-3) at Rock Hills (5-1)
It’s been a tale of almost two different seasons for the Linn Bulldogs as they have outscored teams 158-6 in their three wins but they came against teams with a combined record of 1-17, while Linn has been outscored 122-8 in their three losses to teams with a combined record of 15-2. The Bulldogs enter the contest with Rock Hills averaging 184 yards rushing per game with Evan Bott leading the way with 689 yards on 76 carries with seven touchdowns, while two other guys have 120+yards rushing.
Rock Hills was rolling until last week when they suffered their first loss of the season falling to Pike Valley, having given up just 38 points until last week when Pike Valley scored 58. The Grizzles are a balanced team on offense with 122 yards passing and 186 yards rushing per game, with quarterback, Luke Broeckelman leading the way with 673 yards passing with 12 touchdowns to one interception and six rushing touchdowns. Zane Colson and Drew Beam have been key pieces to the Rock Hills offense also.
Waverly (3-3) at Onaga (1-5)
The struggles continued for Onaga falling to Centre 50-36 and getting quite banged up in the process. The Buffaloes were able to move the ball and make the game interesting despite getting down by a sizeable margin early but it wasn’t the run game as usual that moved the offense it was the passing game. Logan Marten was 12-24 for 185 yards with a touchdown to Ben Kufahl who set a school record with nine receptions for 145 yards. But five turnovers were too much for Onaga to overcome, as they continue to struggle to force turnovers having only forced two all year.
Waverly enters the non-district contest with Onaga still in search of some things having to replace workhorse Garrett Myers this year and quarterback, Peyton Mitchell is leading the way to do so. The Bulldogs have two of their three losses by single digits on the season and are averaging 34 points per game, but give up 24 per game.
Centre (2-3) at Clifton-Clyde (5-1)
After a 5-0 start to the season Clifton-Clyde Eagles had their wings clipped last week in a 66-20 loss to Burlingame. The Eagles struggled to hold onto the ball with six turnovers but did continue to run the ball with 210 yards rushing with both Caleb Charbonneau and Drake Steinbrock going over 100 yards rushing each. Charbonneau leads the team with 1,046 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, but for the third-straight week Steinbrock has complimented him with 18+carries in each game and 90+yards and at least one touchdown.
Centre snagged their second win of the season last week beating Onaga 50-36, but on the season are still being outscored by their opponents by 46 points. The trio of quarterback, Cole Methvin, halfback, Max Svoboda and receiver, Dylan Deines are key what Centre wants to accomplish in looking for a win.
Burlingame (6-0) at Valley Falls (1-5)
The Dragons have dropped five straight since a season opening 24-14 win over Wetmore with the latest setback coming in the form of a 56-6 loss to Herington last week in a game that was called at halftime. Valley Falls gave up 328 total yards of offense to the Railroaders and have now been outscored by opponents this year 290-74.
Burlingame took down Clifton-Clyde last week 66-20 and has outscored its opponents by a margin of 340-54 this season. The Bearcats forced six total turnovers in the win over Clifton-Clyde and held the Eagles to zero passing yards. Dalton Sporing continues to lead the way for the Bearcats as he accounted for five scores last week and has 32 total touchdowns on the year.
Jefferson County North (6-0) at Doniphan West (1-5)
Doniphan West got their first win of the season last week 38-14 at Horton. Despite trailing twice in the district contest, the Mustangs took advantage of six Horton turnovers and got four offensive touchdowns from Clayton Ridout plus a pick-six on defense. Levi Watts balanced the offense with 162 yards passing, including 134 yards on six receptions and a score for Luke Blevins. Now, D-West must win their next two district games against a couple other NEKL foes to make the playoffs.
JCN has now won 10 straight regular season games with their closest contest in 2016 a 16 point-win. The Chargers have outscored their opponents this season 268-44 (45-7 avg.). Jeff County North beat Christ Prep 66-12 in their highest offensive output of the season as Boston Lane accounted for four TD’s including three in the air for 120 yards passing.
Last year, in a week nine game that also determined a playoff spot, JCN topped D-West 36-21.
McLouth (3-3) at Horton (1-5)
Both teams remain winless in District play as McLouth had a three-game win streak stopped by Troy 51-6 and Horton fell to Doniphan West 38-14 a week ago.
The Bulldogs avoided their first shutout of this season with a Jeremy Carlton 49 yard TD pass to Dimitri Tullis in the closing seconds against Troy. The Chargers committed six more turnovers, including a couple muffed punts inside their own 10-yard-line and had leading rusher, Conner Dean hampered with an ankle injury.
McLouth won this week two game last year 37-18 as the Bulldogs scored three times on special teams and once on defense to get the win.
Washington County (5-1) at Troy (6-0)
It’s about the only non-district area game tonight, but this one is a battle of state ranked 2-1A teams that could likely decide the Twin Valley League champion. The Tigers are the reigning TVL champs after ending Centralia’s 16-year-run last season and need this road win to repeat, as well as a looming district and league battle against Valley Heights. For Troy, this is their final TVL game and would clinch an outright title, their initial in the Twin Valley and first since winning the Delaware Valley League crown in 2008. Washington County beat Troy 36-18 last year in the season opener.
Reid Greaser has thrown for 1,579 yards in directing the Trojan offense to 50 points per game. Cuttar Huss and Brody Winder are nearing 600 yards receiving each and the Troy defense is coming off their best game of the season at McLouth, led by Wil Smith, who has 62 tackles and eight sacks this season.
Washington County won their seventh straight TVL game 28-21 against Centralia last Friday but needed a late interception to seal the win and have one their last two games by a single score, despite star runningback Hunter Kier (783 yards) continuing to miss time with an injury. Joe Eaton (576 yards) has also found great success behind a physical and experienced Tiger line.
Jackson Heights (4-2) at Valley Heights (5-1)
Last year the Cobras earned the 24-6 win over Valley Heights helping the Jackson Heights win the District title. This time around the Cobras need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, while Valley Heights win would keep them towards the top of the District.
After starting the season 4-0, Jackson Heights has dropped a pair of tough District games by 8 and 14 points. With Brady Holiday taking over at quarterback, Wyatt Olberding led the Cobra rushing attack last week with 150 yards and a score in the 28-14 home loss to Wabaunsee. Jackson Heights needs a couple district wins, and some help now to make the playoffs as they travel to face a Valley Heights team that has won five consecutive games.
Mustangs riding their current five-game win streak continue to run the ball well for easily over 300 yards per game and for the second straight week had two or more 100+ yard rusher as they beat Oswego 55-0 holding their opponent to just five yards of total offense. Hunter Stevenson leads the triple option offense with over 1,000 yards rushing, but Jordan Yungeberg the last two weeks has surpassed 100 yards in both games.
Centralia (1-5) at Wabaunsee (2-4)
Centralia Panthers dominated the last meeting between them and Wabaunsee winning 46-7 in 2011 but both teams are drastically different this time around. The Panthers have had some struggles this year with plenty of young players in action, along with inexperience playing a factor but they have continually improvement despite plenty of injuries and inexperience falling just 28-21 to Washington County last week. Centralia continues to run the ball effectively but head into the contest with Wabaunsee not 100%. To add to the tough times for the Panthers they have played one hell of a tough schedule as their five losses are to a teams with a combined 26-4 on the year.
Wabaunsee earned a big win 28-14 over Jackson Heights last week to stay in the race for a playoff spot in the completely stacked District. The Chargers are averaging 210 yards rushing per game led by Kolby Droegemeier who has 755 yards on 146 carries with six touchdowns, while quarterback Kameron Wurtz has been solid also with nearly 400 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Nemaha Central (6-0) at Sabetha (6-0)
League ramifications, District showdown, rivalry matchup and both teams unbeaten makes for one of the biggest matchups in the State on Friday night. Nemaha has been victorious in the series against Sabetha eight of the last nine games including last year’s 31-8 win.
The Thunder have rolled to a 6-0 start giving up just 11.3 points per game and most recently beating Perry Lecompton 48-7 last week. The defense has been stout all year and the offense features a plethora of playmakers lead by quarterback, Ryan Hasenkamp who has 825 yards passing with seven touchdowns and has ran for 290 yards with seven scores. Jacob Koelzer leads the Nemaha Central backfield with 581 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns. Four guys have 140+yards rushing and a touchdown rushing for the Thunder and the same can be said for the receiving category.
Sabetha Bluejays flew past ACCHS last week 79-0 to move to 6-0 on the season with 12 different guys getting a carry and seven scoring a touchdown in the game. The Bluejays are heavy run with 362 yards per game rushing and have only attempted 16 passes on the year. Sabetha has six guys with 110+yards rushing on the season with Trae Snyder and Blake Plattner leading the way. Snyder has 719 yards on 82 carries with nine touchdowns, while Platter has 688 yards with 72 carries with 14 scores. While the offense has been great the defense has been a spectacular giving up just 7.7 points per game and only 46 points on the season which is the lowest amount of all 64 Class 3A teams. Actually only three teams in the State of Kansas across all classifications have allowed fewer points than Sabetha on the year.
Hiawatha (3-3) at Riverside (3-3)
It’s the District opener for these teams that find themselves at .500 after an up and down season. The Cyclones have been plagued by major injuries, and are still without their center, quarterback and all-league runningback on offense. Riverside, now starting many sophomores, had a trio of turnovers is a 41-28 loss against MH-MA last week. Dawson Dick continued to shine with another 200 yard game (215, 4 TDs) rushing in the only non-league game for Riverside this season.
Hiawatha lost their homecoming game to Holton 66-26 as they couldn’t keep the Wildcats out of the endzone on their first eight possessions of the game. The Hawks did score a couple first half touchdowns themselves with Colin Sample running for 128 yards and Manuel Flores (frosh) adding 94. But, Hiawatha had a few costly turnovers.
Riverside won this district game last year 55-0, but the game is even more critical to post season hopes this season with undefeated Big Seven teams Sabetha and Nemaha Central still looming on the schedule.
Maur Hill (4-2) at Pleasant Ridge (1-5)
The Ravens have taken down back-to-back non-league opponents with the latest victory coming against Big Seven foe Riverside 41-28. Freshman quarterback Jack Caudle continued his strong season throwing for 236 yard and two touchdowns in the win, while Ronald Faulk-Tindal added 109 yards on nine carries and two scores. On the season Caudle has thrown 1,070 yards completing 61% of his passes and has compiled 14 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
The losing streak has reached five games for the Rams after a season opening 36-0 win over Horton. Last week Pleasant Ridge fell to Oskaloosa 28-6 in a game in which the Rams committed 14 penalties for 100 yards and turned the football over four times. Hunter Wagner continues to lead the Rams on the ground leading the team with 216 yards rushing this season while seven guys have eclipsed the 100 yard mark on the year.
The Rams took last year’s meeting 32-27 after holding off a furious comeback by the Ravens who scored 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Immaculata (1-5) at ACCHS (0-6)
The Raiders and Tigers have had disappointing seasons combining for just one win to this point. Immaculata did pick up their first win of the season last week taking down Uniontown 40-30 as Micah Webb ran for two touchdowns of 50 plus yards. The Tigers are coming off a 79-0 loss to undefeated Sabetha giving up 357 yards on the ground and throwing four interceptions. Neither team has been able to get things going offensively this year as the Tigers are averaging under a touchdown a game while Immaculata is averaging under 12 points per contest.
Royal Valley (2-4) at Perry Lecompton (2-4)
New to the Class 3A ranks this season, this game could very likely determine a playoff spot as the Panthers and Kaws both enter at 2-4. Number one ranked Silver Lake and Oskaloosa are looming in this district.
Royal Valley beat Perry Lecompton 35-21 a year ago in the 4A District opener by scoring twice on special teams. It snapped a four-game losing streak to Perry. The Panthers are coming off a 24-8 victory against Jeff West as Kyle Stithem ran for 81 yards and Noah Ensley added 67 and both scored. The Panther defense had four players intercept a pass, but this game will likely be won in the trenches with both teams wanting to line up and run smash-mouth-football.
Perry has lost their last three games all too undefeated (6-0) teams in Troy, Sabetha and Nemaha Central. Michael Kellum had 58 yards and the lone Kaw score last week against the Thunder. He has 489 yards on the ground this season while cousin Cole Kellum has 584 and the duo has accounted for 12 of Perry’s 15 touchdowns this season.
Silver Lake (6-0) at Oskaloosa (4-2)
The Bears have had a strong start to the season with their only two losses coming to the top two teams in the NEKL. Oskaloosa took down Pleasant Ridge last week 28-6 in a game where sophomore quarterback Jaxson Webb threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for another. On the season Webb has completed 57% of his passes for 663 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. Silver Lake on the other hand enters this week as the No. 2-ranked team in Class 3A averaging over 200 yards both on the ground and through the air on the season.
The Eagles dominated last year’s meeting 48-0 outgaining the Bears 339-32 in total yardage in the contest.
Beloit (5-1) at Marysville (4-2)
Marysville rolls into District play on a four-game winning streak after losing the first two games of the season by a combined nine points. The Bulldogs defense has been stout all year and last week held Chapman down to just 45 yards of total offense and scoreless and has given up 14 points or less in all but one game with opponents only averaging 10.8 points per game. While the offense has been balanced all year with a 100+yard rusher and passer in five of the six games just missing out on all six by a few yards. Hunter Warnick leads the way on the ground for Marysville with 748 yards rushing with five touchdowns and one receiving, while Jack Blumer has thrown for 780 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Beloit suffered their first loss of the season last week falling to Southeast of Saline 48-26, but on the year are averaging 46 points per game and 325 yards rushing per contest. Leading the way for the Trojans has been Hunter Budke who has amassed 1,058 yards on 145 carries with 19 touchdowns, while two other guys have 470+yards rushing on the year. The Trojans despite starting 5-1 have given up points as opponents are scoring 30.7 points per game against them.
Jeff West (1-5) at Holton (3-3)
Holton has won three straight games to get back to .500 entering District play. The Cats ran for 452 yards in a route at Hiawatha and is now averaging 415 rushing yards per game, on a whopping 8.5 yards per carry. Miles McClintock-Stozier has 810 yards (14.5/carry) while Spencer Baum has 708 (9.3/carry) and AJ Haussler has added 253 (9.4/carry).
Jeff West continues to have a surplus of injuries and is starting several freshman. The Tigers have yet to score more than two touchdowns in a game this season, averaging a mere seven points per game.
Holton squeezed by Jeff West 21-7 last season in a non-district game. This year, both teams will also contend with Topeka Hayden and unbeaten Santa Fe Trail in district tilts the next couple weeks.
Atchison (6-0) at Tonganoxie (4-2)
For the second straight year the Redmen enter the opening round of district play undefeated after a 55-27 win over Harmon last week. Atchison also wrapped up the Kansas City-Atchison league title with last week’s win and in the process head coach Jim Smith recorded his 100th career victory. Adam Smith continued his impressive senior season at quarterback accounting for six total touchdowns in the game and enters this week with 26 total touchdowns on the year. The Redmen have outscored opponents 280-79 and have forced 11 turnovers on defense.
Tonganoxie is coming off a 28-24 loss to Turner with both losses on the season coming by a combined 13 points. The Chieftains are averaging 35 points per game and have allowed more than 24 points just once this season.
Atchison took last year’s meeting between the two teams 30-14 which snapped Tonganoxie’s four-game win streak over the Redmen.
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