For the third straight year the Hanover Wildcats will be on the prowl in Newton, Kansas looking to pounce on a 8-Man State title that the past couple years has eluded them in Division I play but this time the Wildcats will be going for the Division II title.

Hanover earned their spot in the State title contest after cruising past Pike Valley 48-0 in the Sub-State round of the playoffs. The Wildcats of course started the playoffs winning 38-12 over St. John’s-Tipton and then took down Hutchinson-Central Christian 62-6 in Sectionals and with the win over Pike Valley improved to 11-0 on the season. In the win over Pike Valley Hanover outgained them 481 to 193 total yards and held them scoreless for the Wildcats fifth shutout of the season. The offense was led by Will Bruna who ran for 121 yards on 12 carries with a pair of touchdowns and added 151 yards on 5-7 passing with a touchdown but did leave the game in the first half with an injury. Daiken Stallbaumer took over at quarterback and finished the game 6-6 for 106 yards with two touchdowns, while Adam Zarybicky caught four passes in the game for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Wildcat offense has been strong this year averaging 44.8 points per game it’s been the defense that has been perhaps the strongest aspect of the team on the year.  Hanover has given up just 50 points all year which translates to 4.5 points per game and have only played two full four quarter games all year.

Standing in the way for Hanover for their first State title since 2009, when they won the 8-Man DII title for the second straight year is the 12-0 Dighton Hornets. Dighton cruised past Lakeside 62-8 in the first round of the playoffs, then beat Chase 51-6 in the Sectionals and in Sub-State took down Wallace County 40-32. The Hornets offense has score plenty throughout the year with 53 points per game with a balanced run and pass attack. Tyler Lingg has thrown for over 2,000 yards with 43 touchdowns, while the team has five guys with over 210 yards rushing each and Dylan Foos has racked up 1,230 yards receiving with 27 touchdowns. Dighton defensively has been strong also giving up just 12.3 points per game on the year with four shutouts.

Hanover looks to change their fortune in the State title game after falling to Central Plains last year nad Spearville two years ago in the 8-Man DI title games. Wildcats have a shot again at capping a season undefeated with a State title as they take on Dighton Saturday in Newton at Fischer Field at 11:00am for the 8-Man DII crown.