The final week of the regular season is here for high school football and several area teams are vying to continue their season into the playoffs as they are challenging for playoff spots and District titles; for some other teams they are just playing for pride and trying to finish the season on a strong note.

Week Nine Games to be Broadcasted: (Games Thursday – unless noted)
103.9 KNZA – Holton at Santa Fe Trail (click here to listen) (also on Holton Channel) 
92.1 KMZA – Onaga at Valley Falls (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM – ACCHS at Maur Hill (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM – KC Piper at Atchison (click here to listen) – on Friday
Holton Channel - Holton at Santa Fe Trail (click here to watch) (also on 103.9 KNZA)
Sabetha Channel – Sabetha at Riverside (click here to watch)
KAIR Sports Channel – Jefferson County North at McLouth (click here to listen) – on Friday

Nemaha Central (8-0) at Hiawatha (4-4) 
Plenty to play for going into the final game of the season in the Big Seven showdown between Nemaha Central and Hiawatha as both teams have a shot at the playoffs. The Thunder with a win would win the District title and cap an unbeaten regular season for the second straight year as they continue to roll this season routing Riverside 53-0 last week. Nemaha Central’s defense has been suffocating with four shutouts and only giving up 10.3 points per game on the year, while offensively led by Ryan Hasenkamp the team is averaging 47.5 points per game and scored 50+ four times with under 40 points only once this season. 

Not only does Hiawatha need to win, but they must win by at least 18 points to have a chance at the post-season. Still, a 4-win season has been a huge step forward for first year Coach Ted Brown and the Redhawks following a 1-17 mark the previous two years. Hiawatha put up 333 yards on a tough Sabetha defense last week, but could not slow down the Jays in a 68-18 defeat.  Joseph Kunkel ran for 146 yards and threw for 113 more while accounting for 3 touchdowns. The senior QB has now accounted for more than 1,500 yards of offense. The key against the undefeated and state ranked Thunder will be slowing down their dual-threat quarterback, Ryan Hasenkamp and doing a better job tackling in space against the spread and speedy weapons of Nemaha Central.    

The Thunder has dominate the last two games versus Hiawatha winning 72-0 last year and outscoring the Red Hawks 114-0 the last two meetings, while owning a five-game winning
streak in the series. 

Sabetha (7-1) at Riverside (3-5) 
The Bluejays are back in control of their playoff destiny and with a win at Riverside Thursday will embark on their ninth consecutive playoff journey, which last year advanced to the elite eight of Class 3A. Trae Snyder had 201 yards rushing and Blake Plattner added 178 at Hiawatha last week as both seniors are now over 1,000 yards on the ground this season. The Bluejays are averaging 387 yards and 42 points per game while surrendering only 10 points an outing. Sabetha beat Riverside 37-18 a season ago and has never lost to the Cyclones.  

Riverside was down to their third-string quarterback last week as freshman, Bradley Libel completed a trio of passes and sophomore runningback, Dawson Dick ran for 84. Dick now has 885 yards on the season after All State senior, Gaige Olivero was injured in week three. The Cyclones could get center and nose guard, Cade Wendt back for their final game of the season and hope their senior-laden line can even the matchup in the trenches against a tough Bluejays squad. If not, it would be the first season with less than four wins in football for Riverside.     

ACCHS (0-8) at Maur Hill-Mount Academy (6-2) 
Heading into the final game of district play, Maur Hill-Mount Academy has already wrapped up the Class 3A District 2 title after wins over Pleasant Ridge and Immaculata. The win over the Raiders came last week by 64-22 final in which junior running back Ronald Faulk-Tindal rushed for 354 yards and four touchdowns on just 14 carries for a 25 yard per carry average. Freshman quarterback Jack Caudle enters this week as one of the top passers around the state of Kansas compiling 1,308 yards through eight games with 16 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. 

The Tigers are still in search of win No. 1 on the season after a 52-14 loss to Pleasant Ridge last week which officially eliminated ACCHS from the playoff hunt. Hunter Ostertag scored both touchdowns in the loss on runs of two and 74 yards and the senior has six total touchdowns in the past two weeks. On the season opponents are averaging 54 points per game, while the Tiger offense is putting up just 11 points per contest. 

The Ravens took last year’s meeting 56-12 jumping out to a 35-6 lead at halftime and rushing for 529 yards.  

Pleasant Ridge (2-6) at Immaculata (2-6) 
Despite 2-6 records, a playoff spot is on the line in Leavenworth Thursday night with the winner claiming the second playoff spot out of the Class 3A District 2. Pleasant Ridge snapped a six-week losing streak last week with a 54-8 win on the road at ACCHS after dropping a heartbreaker to Maur Hill-Mount Academy in the opening week of districts two weeks ago. The Rams rushed for 456 yards and six touchdowns in the win over ACCHS, with Nic Bridges and Tanner Morris each rushing for three scores. 

Immaculata saw their two-game win streak end in a 64-22 loss to MHMA last week giving up 354 yards to Raven running back Ronald Faulk-Tindal. The Raiders did have a pair of 100 yard rushers in the loss, as Micah Webb and Anthony Brigg combined to run for over 250 yards and each scored touchdowns. 

Silver Lake (8-0) at Royal Valley (3-5) 
The #1 ranked and undefeated Eagles got a scare from Big 7 foe Perry Lecompton last week. Silver Lake needed four takeaways to rally past the Kaws 21-19. Royal Valley will try to control the trenches and exploit the same Eagles defense this week, needing a win to make the post season. The Panthers are coming off their best offensive game of the season in a 51-7 win against Oskaloosa as Kyle Stithem ran for 130 yards, Garrett Rodewald added 86 and three scores and Noah Ensley chipped in 79 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Smith caught a touchdown and ran for 54 yards as well in the third win of the season. Coach Jake Lott noted his team has played much better and won games that they started fast and got out to an early lead, which they will attempt against the Eagles whom they haven’t faced in well over a decade.    

Perry Lecompton (3-5) at Oskaloosa (4-4) 
While the Bears have been eliminated from the playoff race, the Kaws are currently in a three-team race with Silver Lake and Royal Valley for the two playoff spots out of Class 3A District three. The Kaws just need a win by more than three points to guarantee themselves a playoff spot with the title to be sorted out between Silver Lake and Royal Valley. The Kaws are coming off a 21-19 loss to Silver Lake, who is currently the No. 2-ranked team in Class 3A. Jordan Spreer tossed two touchdown passes in the loss and also ran for 104 yards on just 12 carries as the Kaws enter this week averaging 235 yards rushing per game. 

The Bears were eliminated from postseason play last week with a 51-7 loss to Royal Valley in which the Panthers jumped out to a 22-0 lead at halftime. Jaxson Webb in the loss threw for 119 yards with an interception while Jared Miller picked up the lone touchdown on a three-yard run. Oskaloosa is averaging just 230 total yards per game on offense, while giving up nearly 40 points per contest. 

Marysville (6-2) at Riley County (5-3) 
For the second straight year the Marysville Bulldogs are headed to the 3A playoffs as they clinched a playoff berth after a 57-6 win over Minneapolis last week. This week with a win over Riley County the Bulldogs will be District champs and get a home playoff game. Marysville continues to be balanced on offense with a 100+ yard rusher and passer in seven of the eight games this season, with last week Hunter Warnick rushing for 166 yards on 24 carries with four touchdowns and Jack Blumer going 13-15 for 273 yards with three touchdowns, while Jayton Haggard added 219 yards on nine receptions with all three touchdown catches. The Bulldogs defense has been one of the best in the State giving up just 10.9 points per game and have held five or eight opponents to under 100 yards of total offense. Riley County assured a playoff spot already also after beating Beloit last week 48-14 enters the game with a run heavy offense led by Garrett Staten and Wes March who have combined for 1,406 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns. The three losses for Riley County to pretty tough opponents – Silver Lake, Rossville and Washington County. 

Marysville won this matchup last year 34-18 using a strong third quarter. Winning team will avoid having to go to Phillipsburg in the first round of the playoffs and would host either Norton or Thomas More Prep. 

Axtell (4-4) at Hanover (7-0) 
The fate has already been decided for both of these teams entering the final regular season contest as Hanover continues to dominate the competition and remains ranked #1 in the State in 8-Man DII and locked up the District title last week with a route of Wakefield (54-8), while Axtell has been eliminated from the playoff race but if they can surprise Hanover can finish with a winning record this year. Hanover has only given up 24 points all year and played only one full four quarter game that being back in week one as their offense is has spread the ball and is averaging 42 points per game, while holding all their opponents to under 100 yards of offense. Axtell coming off a 72-40 win over Blue Valley will look to continue the develop of their youth players for the future as freshman quarterback, Quinn Buessing has thrown for over 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns on the year and sophomore, Hunter Koch continues to fine tune his skills and has compiled plenty of yards including a seven catch game last week for 152 yards and five touchdowns from Buessing. 

Hanover won last year’s contest over Axtell 48-22 in a week one showdown. Wildcats are set to host St. John’s-Tipton or Rock Hills in the first round of the playoffs. 

Frankfort (4-4) at Blue Valley-Randolph (2-6) 
Both teams will be looking to finish their seasons strong with a win to wrap up the year and for Frankfort if they get the win they would finish with a winning record and post a 5-4 mark for the third straight year for Blue Valley it would be their third win. The Wildcats rolled Wetmore last week 61-16 getting just about everyone on the roster involved in the game giving some of the guys for the future some opportunities, as Frankfort is looking to send a core group seniors that includes key pieces to the team like Adam Kenworthy, Jedd Rose and others out with a win. While Blue Valley has now scored 90 points in the last two weeks but are still giving up 48.8 points per game this year, holding only one opponent to under 40 points this year. Trevor Schwerdt ran for 158 yards last week with three touchdowns and Bradley Young added 132 yards rushing with a TD reception. Frankfort won this matchup last year in dominating fashion routing Blue Valley 68-8. 

Wakefield (6-2) at Wetmore (0-8) 
Despite the rough outing and loss last week to Hanover the Wakefield Bombers are headed to the playoffs as the District runner-up by virtue of their wins over Frankfort and Axtell. The Bombers take on the Wetmore Cardinals in the game of the regular season and Wetmore in their first varsity year since 1987 are just looking to finish the season strong and challenge Wakefield to try and get a win. Cardinals fell to Frankfort 61-16 last week and have only been averaging 158 yards of total offense this season but have plenty of players gaining experience this year that are expected back next year like quarterback, Joel Hutfles and tight end, Kyler Vance while the team will loss four key seniors. Wakefield is gaining great experience this year and will taste the playoffs with a team that features only three seniors and pair of guys like Skyler Merritt (sophomore) and Justin Craver (junior) that have been strong offensive contributors. 

Linn (4-4) at Pike Valley (7-1) 
This matchup was all Pike Valley last year as they handed Linn a 44-0 and this year this contest has no meaning for Pike Valley as they have already won the District but for Linn a win would give the Bulldogs their first winning season since 2005 a loss would send them to 4-5 for the ninth time in last 11 seasons. Linn enters the game off a 34-6 win over Tescott another win over a sub .500 team but ran the ball well in the win. The duo of Evan Bott and Kalen Richardson have accounted for most of the offense yardage on the year for Linn as Bott has ran for 1,018 yards with eight touchdowns and Richardson has added 345 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns. Pike Valley locked up the District title last week beating St. John’s-Tipton 40-34 and their lone loss is to Osborne on the year. A trio of juniors leads Pike Valley as Davante Hammer has passed for 722 yards with 13 touchdowns and six rushing scores, while Lane Peters has ran for 1,141 yards with 21 touchdowns and Cole Strickler has 405 yards receiving with nine scores. 

Onaga (1-7) at Valley Falls (1-7) 
The adjustment to 8-Man football lead to plenty of rough patches all season for Onaga and Valley Falls and both teams having nearly the same schedule had to play some of the best teams in 8-Man DI in their District and now just look to close the season with a win. Onaga fell to Clifton-Clyde 70-22 last week but lead early in that game only to have five turnovers that hurt them on their way to the loss. Logan Marten has led the Buffaloes all year passing for 513 yards with four touchdowns and running for 740 yards with 14 touchdowns, while totaling 125 tackles on defense. Valley Falls has changed up plenty throughout the year and that has led to more learning curve on top of the adjustment to the 8-Man game, but quarterback Tyler Lockhart has thrown for 1,000+ yards on the season. Both teams give up over 50 points per game on the year, leading to the fact which team can get rolling early will be in a good spot to finish the year with a win. 

Wichita Home School (6-1) at Clifton-Clyde (7-1) 
All Clifton-Clyde can do is scoreboard watch in the final week of the regular season to find out if they are going to the postseason or not as they have wrapped up District play and take on Wichita Home School to wrap up the regular season. The Eagles enter the night with a couple of scenarios were they can make the playoffs the simple one if Burlingame beats Herington Clifton-Clyde is in, but if Herington wins things will come down to points. If it comes down to points the Eagles can still make it but need Herington to only win by seven points or less for that to happen. The Eagles are looking for another win and have ran the ball successfully all year with 297 yards per game rushing, led by Caleb Charbonneau who has ran for 1,359 yards with 22 touchdowns. Wichita Home School is balanced with 165 yards passing and 262 yards rushing per game as freshman, Luke Johnson has ran for 663 yards and nine touchdowns and TJ Masteron  (senior) has 756 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and eight rushing scores. If the Eagles get into the playoffs they would travel to Osborne in the first round. 

Holton (4-4) at Santa Fe Trail (7-1)
After four straight wins, Holton had four costly fumbles last week in a tough district loss against Topeka Hayden. Holton had a 26-14 lead at halftime with 288 yards rushing and really wasn’t stopped by Hayden but once all night. Now, the Wildcats face a must-win to qualify for their 20th straight post season. Miles McClintock-Stozier and Spencer Baum are both on the verge of 1,000 yards rushing to lead the Holton attack that is posting 415 yards of offense per game.  Dylan Aeschliman leads the Holton defense with 95 tackles. 

The Wildcats beat Santa Fe Trail four times (2010-2013) when they were Big Seven members, winning all contest by 49 points. That was before the Chargers turned the football corner and won playoff games posting a 21-9 record over the last couple years and a 7-1 mark this season.  Santa Fe Trail responded from their only loss of the year to Hayden (27-6) and beat Jeff West 34-14 a week ago. The Chargers are averaging 345 yards rushing per game with Peyton Newton now over 1,500 yards to lead the way. Santa Fe Trail averages 250 pounds across the offensive and defensive lines with a pair of 300-pound seniors paving the way.        

Jeff West (1-7) at Hayden (4-4) on Friday
This game has no playoff implications as Hayden has already won the district and Jeff West is playing for pride. The Wildcats look to get above the .500 mark and continue momentum from their win at Holton before hosting a playoff game. More than half of the Jeff West starters are now freshman after injuries have plagued the Tigers. After scoring a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns last week with a Quinn Neuenswander 18-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Gleason-Cruz and a Bryce Clements seven-yard touchdown run against Santa Fe Trail, the Tigers have now scored 64 points total this season.  Jeff West last played and lost to Hayden in 2004 and 2005.     

KC Piper (5-3) at Atchison (6-2) on Friday
A playoff spot is on the line at Amelia Earhart Stadium Friday night as the Redmen play host to the Pirates. The Redmen need a win by 15 points or more to clinch a spot in the 4A-I playoffs while the Pirates get in with a win. Atchison has dropped two straight after a 6-0 start with the latest setback coming in a 42-12 loss to Basehor-Linwood last week. After losing starting quarterback Adam Smith to a broken wrist in week one of districts, the Redmen are utilizing a two-quarterback system between Austin Bonnel and Cole Batemon to fill the void. This week Atchison is also without all-state defensive lineman Dai Coye Haley and junior Matthew Schrick who are both out with injuries. 

Piper is coming off a 28-0 win over Tonganoxie in which senior running back J.J. Letcher ran for 159 yards on 30 carries and scored two touchdowns. The Piper defense picked off the Chieftains three times and also forced a fumble in the win. The Pirates enter Friday night averaging 219 rushing yards per game, with Letcher accounting for 162 of those yards a contest. 

Piper ended Atchison’s undefeated season a year ago in the final game of the season with a 38-21 win which also in the process ended Atchison’s season despite the Redmen having a 2-1 district record. 

Jefferson County North (7-1) at McLouth (4-4) on Friday 
A playoff spot is on the line at McLouth Friday night in Class 2-1A District 1 with the Chargers needing just a win to get in, while McLouth needs to win by at least nine points to sneak in. The Chargers suffered their first loss of the season a week ago to Troy 38-12, giving the Trojans the district title. Boston Lane and Sam Larson each ran for 75 yards in the loss, while Lane connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass with Brayden Summers. JCN was without leading rusher Ridge Robertson who is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg, and also starting lineman Braden Schneider who had knee surgery two weeks ago, but may be able to return if the Chargers make the playoffs. 

McLouth suffered a heartbreaking 36-34 loss to Doniphan West last week rallying from a 36-12 deficit in the third quarter falling just short. Jeremy Carlton tossed touchdown passes of 10 and 56 yards to Dimitri Tullis and ran for a pair of scores, while Tullis also connected on a 70-yard touchdown pass with Brody Troupe. The Bulldogs have scored at least 30 points in their last two games, three times this season, and are averaging nearly 21 points per contest. 
The Chargers took the matchup last year in the opening game of the season 28-12 in a game where JCN scored three touchdowns through the air and used a 20-0 second quarter for the win. 

Horton (1-7) at Troy (8-0) on Friday 
This game has no playoff implications as Troy has locked up the District Title and Horton has been eliminated from possible post season. The Trojans remain unbeaten and #1 ranked in the state after winning the undefeated battle at JCN last week 38-12. Reid Greaser was 12-13 passing for another 194 yards and three touchdowns and has now tossed the pigskin for 1,995 yards and 28 scores this season. The Trojans, who host a playoff game next week, have won 15 straight home games and celebrate senior night for 13 football athletes that already have 36 wins, three District Titles, a Twin Valley League Championship this year and six playoffs wins, including a state runner-up finish last season.  

Horton lost to Jackson Heights 42-7 last week and has one-win on the season, but hasn’t scored more than one offensive touchdown in their seven losses. Matthew Lobdell (sophomore) ran for nearly 90 yards in his second start last week and had a second touchdown called back by penalty. Horton has won the last two games against Troy 36-6 and 30-12 in 2013 and 2012.           

Doniphan West (2-6) at Wabaunsee (3-5) on Friday
Doniphan West is playing for pride, but they have a little more of that and some momentum too after upsetting McLouth last week 36-34 for their second win of the season. The Mustangs lost their top runningbacks Carson Lackey and Clayton Ridout to injury in the game, but built a huge 36-12 lead behind quarterback Levi Watts who was 21-32 for 344 yards passing. Luke Blevins caught seven passes for 147 yards and had a late interception on defense to stop the furious Bulldog comeback attempt just in time.  

D-West finishes the season in a non-league and non-district matchup against Wabaunsee, who has played among the toughest schedules in the state through the Mid-East League and tough 2A District with losses to Valley Heights and last week had playoff aspiration float away with a 28-15 setback to Washington County. Kolby Droegemeir is now over 1,000 yards rushing this season for the Chargers.  

Jackson Heights (5-3) at Centralia (1-7) on Friday 
Things haven’t went as hoped or expected for both Jackson Heights and Centralia this season as the teams will duke it out just looking to finish the season with a win. Centralia gave Valley Heights a run for their money last week for the first half but the Mustangs rush attack as too much ultimate as the Panthers fell 51-36 but sophomore, Isaac Gore ran for 202 yards on the night with three touchdowns and freshman, Kamble Haverkamp continued to develop, also. The Panthers are playing plenty of young guys and gaining experience for the years to come, while still being able to run the ball for 235 yards per game, but have had turnover issues. The season marks the first losing record for Coach Larry Glatczak in his tenure and also snaps a 20-year run of making the playoffs. 

In a game for pride, Jackson Heights looks for a sixth win on the season on senior night. After a 4-0 start, followed by three tight and tough District losses, the Cobras won 42-7 last week against Horton to finish as undefeated champions of the Northeast Kansas League. They ran for 408 yards with Brady Holliday and Mason Hamilton each going for more than 120. Several under-classmen have burst on the scene this year, especially across the line of scrimmage and Cooper Williams has six interceptions in his freshman campaign to help the Cobras have a +15 turnover ratio.  

Centralia won the last matchup against the Cobras in 2013 winning 36-0 and Jackson Heights has not beaten the Panthers since 2003 being outscored by the Centralia 250-21 the last five meetings.  

Washington County (6-2) at Valley Heights (7-1) on Friday 
Both teams are headed to the playoffs but who will go on the road and who will play at home in the first round that is yet to be determined as Valley Heights and Washington County play for the District title. The Tigers beat Wabaunsee 28-15 last week using a 20-6 third quarter to take control and win ultimately win the game and earn a playoff spot and continue their strong year that has seen only losses to the #1 team in 3A and 2-1 in Hoisington and Troy. Washington County has fought hard for many wins having to have strong second halves to earn wins and have battled injuries all year but come into the contest with Valley Heights a bit healthier as Hunter Kier returned last week against Wabaunsee. Valley Heights used a strong second half last week also to beat Centralia 51-36 but were hurt by turnovers and penalties in the game but the rushing attack once again carried them to the win rushing for 373 yards in the contest. The Mustangs have given up points (24.7 ppg) this year but are scoring 40.6 yards per game behind 375 yards per game rushing. 

Washington County won the matchup last year 38-12 and have won six-straight against the Mustangs with the last Valley Heights win over the Tigers coming in 2009.