Week one of the high school football season is in the books and area teams are ready to continue the high school football season with week two action. 

Week One Games to be Broadcasted:
103.9 KNZA & Holton Channel –
       Sabetha at Holton  (click here to listen & click here to listen & watch)
92.1 KMZA - Onaga at Wetmoer (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM - KC Sumner at Atchison (click here to listen)
KAIR 1470 AM - Troy at ACCHS  (listen on KAIR) 

Sabetha (1-0) at Holton (1-0)
It’s the Big 7 League opener for the Wildcats and Bluejays after both teams posted week one wins in their similar ball control style of ground and pound offense.  Sabetha topped Centralia 28-6 on the road with 274 yards rushing, while Holton ran away from Atchison 45-14 and posted 320 yards on the ground. 

The Jays had a balanced attack with Wyatt Beyer picking up 85 yards and two scores, Mason Engelken adding 78 yards rushing and Joseph Gruber running for 65 yards and two scores to go along with a pair of INT’s on defense.  Holton was led by Jayger Carson with 141 yards and Dylan Aeschliman who scored three times, but might be minus a couple top runningbacks this week because of injury. 

Last year, Sabetha beat Holton for the first time since 2007 by outscoring the Wildcats 17-0 in the second half and recovering a late fumble to set up Brandon Cox game-winning field goal in the final seconds of a 28-25 triumph.  The last three games between these rivals have all been decided by six points or less. 

Nemaha Central (1-0) at Royal Valley (1-0)
Nemaha Central Thunder sounded off in big fashion to open the 2017 season routing ACCHS 79-6 and now take on another Big Seven League foe in Royal Valley a team they beat 41-0 last year. Plenty of guys got opportunities in week one for the Thunder with the lopsided win but Coach Warren Seitz opens to work on a balance offensively getting quarterback Mitchell Henry some passing opportunities, while still establishing the run with multiple guys filling that spot as three different guys ran for 50+yards in week one. Defensively the Thunder with week one giving up just six points the team has only given up one score in eight of last 14 games (two scores or less in 11 of the 14 games).

Royal Valley is feeling good entering their home opener after showing a lot of fight and grit in a come from behind week one win at Hiawatha.  The Panthers ran for 378 yards and scored 28 straight points in the second half while grabbing four takeaways in the 35-28 victory.  Dillon Smith had 137 yards and two touchdowns while Chance Lyming, Brandon Rodewald and new sophomore quarterback Gavin Cumpton all scored and ran for more than 70 yards as well. 

Hiawatha (0-1) at Perry Lecompton (1-0)
The Redhawks are hoping to regroup with their young roster that has only two seniors.  They turned the ball over four times last week, including three straight drives in the third quarter and one fumble in the endzone after blowing a 22-7 lead and falling 35-28 against Royal Valley.  Sophomore quarterback Tyler Brockoff was 14-25 for 179 yards passing and four touchdowns, including a pair of Michael Moreno, who himself played some QB and racked up 153 yards of offense. 

Perry Lecompton debuted their own dual-threat signal caller last week in a 56-14 win at Riverside.  Dalton Kellum ran for 165 yards and four scores while also completing 6-10 passes for 71 yards and a TD.  Tyler Erickson added 133 yards rushing for an offense that only returned one starter. 

Perry Lecompton won the Big 7 League matchup last year 26-0 and 53-0 the prior campaign.  

Riverside (0-1) at Jeff West (1-0)
Riverside struggled to run the ball effectively behind a rebuilt offensive line last week and had a trio of turnovers in a 56-14 loss versus Perry Lecompton.  Fourth year starting quarterback Andrew Miller shined with 104 yards passing and a pair of scores to Bradley Libel and Beau Horn.  A year ago, this week two matchup was moved to Saturday because of weather and the Cyclones held on for a 21-14 win to start 2-0. 

This year, Jeff West is trying to start 2-0, which would surpass their win total from all of 2016.  The Tigers scored in the fourth quarter to eek out a 7-6 win at Chapman last week, overcoming six turnovers in the process.  Caleb Middendorf ran for 161 yards and added 49 yards receiving while the Tigers got a spark from freshman quarterback Kade Ross and completed 15 of 22 passes in the contest. 

Troy (0-1) at ACCHS (0-1)
The Trojans and Tigers are each coming off tough week one road defeats, as Troy fell to Valley Heights 59-26 while ACCHS dropped the opening game to Nemaha Central 79-6. After two one-point games in 2012 and 2013, the Trojans dominated last season’s meeting taking down the Tigers 68-12 in Troy getting out to a 30-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Trojans relied heavily on the pass last week, as Kipp Jasper went 18-29 for 379 yards and four touchdowns with Reid Jasper hauling in 11 passes for 218 yards and two scores. The big number for the Trojans came in the turnover department, as Troy was minus five. As to ACCHS the defense struggled stopping big plays, while the only came in the form of a 68-yard touchdown by Tucker Smith.

Valley Heights at Doniphan West (1-0)
This battle of Mustangs went to Valley Heights 36-6 last season.  In fact, Doniphan West didn’t get their first win of the year till week six in 2016.  This year, D-West is 1-0 after an impressive 39-6 TVL win at Washington County as Clayton Ridout ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns and fourth-year starting QB, Levi Watts balanced the offense by hitting on 14 of 22 passes for 218 yards and three more scores.  Luke Blevins had 109 yards receiving and Zeb Speer scored on two of his six receptions.  

Last year the win over Doniphan West was Valley Heights’ first win of the season this time they head into the game 1-0 after a 59-26 win over 2-1A defending champs, Troy. Valley Heights ran the ball effectively week one out of the Triple Option offense rushing for 361 yards with a freshman quarterback in Cameron Breadsley at the helm. Cole Coggins emerged as a strong playmaker rushing for 165 yards and three scores on just nine totes, while Jordan Yungeberg was steady with 88 yards on 17 carries with two scores. Coach Tony Trimble also thought the defense was solid as the Mustangs scored directly on two fumble recoveries in the week one win.

Centralia (0-1) at St. Marys (1-0)
Centralia Panthers while not getting the win in week one falling 28-6 to a tough Sabetha team did learn that there is plenty promise for the team looking forward. The Panthers were balanced in the contest with 142 yards on the ground and 125 through the air as Trenton Flentie hooked up with Kamble Haverkamp for a 66-yard touchdown pass for the teams score in week one. A few costly turnovers hurt the Panthers in week one but overall the team played strong and with the return of Isaac Gore expected soon things expect to go up for Centralia.

The matchup with St. Marys last year went the Bears way in a tight 26-18 battle. St. Marys enters this showdown coming off a 34-6 win over Olpe in week one a game in which they had solid balance rushing for 200+yards and passing for nearly 100 yards. Putting a hat on Taegan Schoenfeld will be key for the Panthers as he ran for 133 yards with two scores in week one.

Washington County (0-1) at Riley County (1-0)
Washington County Tigers have enjoyed plenty of success over the past years but entering this year knew they had some obstacles ahead with limited and with just really enough to field a team the Tigers were topped by Doniphan West 39-6 in week one. Finding a way to stay healthy and also a way to pace themselves during games will be key for the Tigers hit the field every Friday and challenge their opponents. Riley Moore found the endzone for Washington County for their lone score in the contest on a rushing touchdown.

Up next is Riley County a team the Tigers beat 28-16 last year. Falcons are coming off a week one 49-6 win over Wabaunsee; a game in which they ran for 400 yards with Ty Nelson and Mikey Waggoner leading the charge with 184 and 109 yards each, while the team scored six rushing touchdowns.

Onaga (0-1) at Wetmore (1-0)
Wetmore Coach Rick Schnacker said it was a long time coming when asked about the Cardinals first varsity football win in 30+ years as their own program. The Cardinals topped Valley Falls 60-18 in week one taking advantage of turnovers and converting them into points as multiple guys made plays and the team overcame their own turnovers and miscues. Kyler Vance had a strong performance rushing for 98 yards with three touchdowns, catching at touchdown pass and blocking a kick for another score, while quarterback, Joel Hutfles threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for another.

The Cardinals are flying high into their first home game of the season but take on a team that beat them 54-6 last year in Onaga. The Buffaloes lost a tough battle with Frankfort 58-42 in week one but did some solid things just made a few too many mistakes. Tanner Marten was a monster rushing for around 300 yards and five touchdowns in the contest to lead Onaga. Buffalo Coach Travis Callaway hopes to develop a passing game to partner with Marten in the backfield and other guys like Quinton Norris and Kameron Henneberg who has solid rushing games week one.

Clifton-Clyde (1-0) at Frankfort (1-0)
Last year Clifton-Clyde flew past Frankfort 53-8 but the previous two meetings before that in 2015 and 2014 Frankfort was victorious in a pair of games decided by eight points each. This showdown sets up to be more similar with the ’15 and ’14 contests as in being close and competitive as both teams enter the contest riding solid week one wins. Frankfort took down Onaga 58-42 in a battle in which they were missing two upperclassmen they expect to be key pieces. Sophomore, Brandon Bussman stepped in at quarterback and had a strong game with a touchdown pass, while rushing for 148 yards on 15 carries and three scores and also had a pick six. Sophomore, Garrett Dalinghaus added a strong night on both sides rushing for 129 yards on 14 carries with three scores, caught a touchdown pass and made 31 tackles on defense.

Clifton-Clyde dispatched Linn in week on 52-6 holding the Bulldogs to just 102 yards total offense. Several guys got into the mix for the Eagles as Aiden Rudolph was at quarterback going 8-12 for 92 yards with two touchdowns, while Drake Steinbrock had 126 total yards of offense with three scores and three other guys found the endzone for the Eagles.

Valley Falls (0-1) at Axtell (0-1)
Both Valley Falls and Axtell left something to be desired for their teams after week one action falling 60-18 to Wetmore and 60-12 to St. Marys Academy, respectively. The Dragons struggled to hold onto the ball with eight turnovers most stemming from bad snaps something Coach Nick Cummings hopes to have fixed with the move of a junior to the center spot. While the Dragons did struggle they were able to pass the ball for over 300 yards and get some turnovers off Wetmore, but Coach Cummings wants to make sure the team doesn’t become one dimensional and gets their run game going.

Just like Valley Falls, Axtell brings back a good group with experience and while St. Marys Academy is a tough opponent a team that has won 10 in a row and defending KCAA champs Coach Eric Detweiler wanted to see more effort from his team. The Eagles were hurt by turnovers early and never able to overcome them in the contest. Quinn Buessing did finish with 93 yards passing with a touchdown to Hunter Koch who snagged three passes for 88 yards. Eagles are hoping for a better performance week two.

Axtell won the showdown with Valley Falls last year 54-26.

Blue Valley-Randolph (0-1) at Linn (0-1)
Both Blue Valley and Linn had their struggles week one falling 70-34 to Colony-Crest and 52-6 to Clifton-Clyde, respectively. The Rams held an early advantage in their contest leading 28-14 but then lost quarterback, Dylan Krause to injury and were outscored 56-6 the rest of the way. Linn struggled to move the ball mustering only 102 yards of total offense with Dillon Cooper at quarterback and Evan Bott in the backfield. Linn captured this game last year in a lopsided game 48-0.

Hanover (1-0) at Udall (0-1) (at Kansas Wesleyan)
The State championship defense started off strong for the Hanover Wildcats who scored 40 of their 46 points in the first quarter and sailed to the 46-6 win over Lebo. It started on special teams as Thomas Atkins took the opening kick back 68-yards for a score, while Daiken Stallbaumer added three touchdowns on the ground and Carter Bruna had a pick-six for the Wildcats.

This game against Udall replaces the matchup against Southern Coffey County from last year for Hanover. Udall fell to Caldwell week on 50-20 but did run the ball for 240 yards as a team with Joshua Fielder leading the way with 108 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown.

Jackson Heights (1-0) at Pleasant Ridge (0-1)
The Cobras ran for more than 500 yards in a 68-0 thumping against Maranatha and six different players scored.  Brady Holliday had 162 yards and new sophomore quarterback Cooper Willliams ran for 124 as both guys scored twice.  With four underclassmen starting on the line, Jackson Heights had little problem opening holes in the wishbone offense and the defense allowed only 14 yards rushing led by Kolby Rethman with eight tackles.  Tonight will be the first time in Coach Caleb Wick’s eight years at Jackson Heights that the Cobras play a football game at Pleasant Ridge and topped the Rams 36-6 a year ago in their first meeting since 2009.

Pleasant Ridge is at home for the first time this year trying to get on the scoreboard after an 18-0 loss at Horton in week one.  The Rams got 68 yards rushing and 51 passing from Breydon Baragary but couldn’t put a sustained scoring drive together.  

Oskaloosa (1-0) at Horton (1-0)
After winning just one game in the last two years combined, Horton raised some eyebrows with an 18-0 shutout of Pleasant Ridge to kickoff 2017.  The Charger defense made 16 tackles for a loss in the shutout and Conner Dean ran for 106 yards while Marshall Randall and quarterback Matthew Lobdell also found the endzone.  In a suspended game a year ago, Horton was outscored 9-0 in the second half and fell to Oskaloosa 15-6 in the teams first meeting since 2011. 

Oskaloosa is feeling good after a 58-22 win against McLouth last week as Jerad Miller racked up 200 yards on 32 carries and scored six touchdowns.  Tristan Hopkins added 118 yards rushing as the team compiled a total of 466 yards rushing. The Bears who look to start the football season 2-0 for a fourth straight year.    

Jefferson County North (1-0) at Maranatha (0-1)
Jefferson County North was dominant in the 2017 season opener taking down Maur Hill-Mount Academy on the road last Friday, 50-7. The run game came up big for the Chargers in week one as JCN came away with two 150 yard rushers. Samuel Larson ran for 181 yards on just nine carries and three touchdowns, while Ridge Robertson added 156 yards on 11 carries and two scores. Boston Lane also added two more rushing touchdowns for the Chargers, who took last season’s meeting with then Immaculata 50-0.

The Eagles struggled in their first contest falling on the road to Jackson Heights last week 68-0, but did receive 129 passing yards from Nate Burdette. The key for Maranatha is getting the run game going, as the Eagles ran for just 14 total yards in week one.

Maur Hill-Mount Academy (0-1) at McLouth (0-1)
The Ravens and Bulldogs are both coming off tough week one defeats, as MH-MA fell to JCN 50-7 while McLouth fell on the road at Oskaloosa 58-22.  The Ravens took last season’s meeting with the Bulldogs 34-13, as McLouth was held to just 146 total yards of offense while MH-MA’s Jack Caudle collected three total touchdowns.

MH-MA struggled giving up the big play in week one, as JCN had three rushing touchdowns of over 40 yards. Sophomore quarterback Jack Caudle completed just 10 of 22 passes for 127 yard and a touchdown along with two interceptions. The Bulldogs had a tough time holding onto the football in the season opener, as they allowed Oskaloosa to capitalize on three fumbles. Jeremy Carlton did throw two touchdown passes to Caleb Richardson, while also rushing for a score as well.

Abilene (1-0) at Marysville (1-0)
Last year it was a tight battle between Abilene and Marysville with the Cowboys just edging the Bulldogs 14-12 ultimately giving them the North Central Kansas League title. This year this expects to ultimately be the game to decide the NCKL title again when all said and done. Marysville heads into this contest riding a huge high after a 52-13 thrashing of defending 3A State champs, Rossville in week one. The Bulldogs and a monstrous offense game with 463 yards of total offense as quarterback, Jack Blumer was 15-17 for 316 yards with six touchdowns and ran for another. His favorite target was Gabe Pieschl who caught 6 passes for 192 yards with four touchdowns.

Abilene opened the season with a close 32-27 win over Thomas More Prep-Marian getting the win despite giving up a Kansas State single game record for passing yards – 648 yards. Senior, Trevor Casteel takes the reins at quarterback this year for the Cowboys and threw a pair of touchdowns week one, while Trey Hoerner will carry a workload out of the backfield.

Sumner (1-0) at Atchison (0-1)
The Redmen struggled in week one on the road at 4A perennial power Holton falling to the Wildcats 45-14. Atchison had a tough time stopping the run, as the Wildcats ran for over 320 yards and six touchdowns. Sercy Duncan and Brayden Dame were the two bright spots for the Redmen, as the two connected on one touchdown while Dame threw for 110 yards in the second half. Sumner is coming off a 28-8 win over Harmon last week, so it’s going to be another tough matchup for the Redmen. Atchison cruised past Sumner last season 51-8, and went a perfect 5-0 in KCAL matchups last year.