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Just two weeks remain in the high school football regular season with area teams battling for seeding heading into the new week nine playoff format around the state of Kansas. Class 1A opened up district play last week while 4A, 3A and 8-man has been in district play for the last several weeks, meaning each game from here on out means so much more. Below you can find a complete preview of each matchup along with predictions from Jonny Kane and Justin Fluke.
Jonny’s Pick Record
Last week: 19-1
Overall record: 101-19 (84%)
Justin’s Pick Record
Last week: 19-1
Overall record: 102-18 (85%)
Games to be Broadcast
Riverside at Horton - 103.9 KNZA
Holton at Marysville – Holton Channel
Sabetha at Wamego - Sabetha Channel
Frankfort at Axtell – 92.1 KMZA
Atchison at Basehor-Linwood – KAIR 93.7 FM
Hayden (6-0) at Perry Lecompton (3-3) Class 3A District 3
Hayden has one more hurdle in claiming another District title as they take an undefeated record to Perry Lecompton tonight. The Wildcats are coming off a 57-6 win against Bishop Ward and have held all six of their opponents to a single touchdown while winning every game by at least 30 points, minus the 13-6 win at Jeff West two weeks ago.
Perry Lecompton lost a defensive slugfest at Jeff West 8-3 last week despite the defense pitching a shutout in the Big 7 rivalry showdown. Perry took advantage of one of four Tiger turnovers and kicked an early field goal to take the lead, but on their next possession thru a pick-six for the only TD of the night. The Kaws had the football inside the 15-yard-line of JW on the final plays of the game and couldn't complete a pass to steal the win. Thad Metcalfe was held under 140 total yards of offense for the first time this season with just 86 total yards against the Tigers; however, he did register 13 tackles. Hayden Robb had 14 stops as leads the Kaws with 68 tackles this season. Perry remains balanced with 164 yards rushing per game and Billy Welch has averaged 155 yards per game passing.
These teams hadn't met since the 2008 State Championship 4A football game until last year when Hayden led 6-0 in the fourth quarter before two late scores produced a 20-0 final.
Jonny’s Pick: Hayden
Justin’s Pick: Hayden
Jeff West (5-1) at Wellsville (3-3) Class 3A District 3
Jeff West survived, but just barely last week with the 8-3 win against Perry that gave the Tigers a share of their first-ever Big 7 League football title. Joe Anderson had a pick-six for the only touchdown of the game and the Tiger defense continued to be dominate, now allowing just 16 total points in six games this fall. Jeff West had only two total turnovers in their first five games of the season but committed four turnovers last week. Despite a 5-1 record, the Tiger offense has now been held to games of scoring just 7, 6 and 8 points. And Jeff West has three lopsided wins against teams that are currently all 0-6.
Wellsville is 3-3 after a 25-19 setback against Santa Fe Trail last week, their second loss by a single score under new Coach Mike Berg. The Eagles are a rushing team led by senior Anthony Signs with 551 yards on the ground this season. Last year, Quinn Neuenswander made his first varsity start at quarterback against Wellsville and delivered five total touchdowns in a 41-6 win.
Jonny’s Pick: Jeff West
Justin’s Pick: Jeff West
Holton (4-2) at Marysville (6-0) Class 3A District 4 on Holton Channel
Holton's four-game win streak was halted on homecoming last week with a 35-13 loss to Sabetha. The Wildcats had two fumbles in the first half and missed a field goal while also botching a punt. Coach Brooks Barta knows limiting mistakes against another great team is key this week but feels confident his Cats can score on the Bulldogs who are surrendering 24 points per game, despite staying undefeated.
Marysville is scoring 40 points per game with a mean fo 235 yards rushing and 142 with Brandon Schroedl passing. Schroedl has added 392 yards rushing, second on the team to Atreyau Hornbeak with 718 and Owen Nietfeld has 356 yards receiving. Marysville is coming off a 60-28 win against Royal Valley, which was just their second win by more than two scores this season.
Holton is averaging just under 280 yards rushing per game and got second half touchdowns from juniors Canon Karn and Kale Purcell last week and classmate Konnor Tannahill led the Wildcats with 88 yards on the ground. Holton lost to Marysville 6-0 a year ago at home in the school’s first meeting in 10 years as Hornbeak broke a TD run in the third quarter.
Jonny’s Pick: Marysville
Justin’s Pick: Marysville
Sabetha (5-1) at Wamego (5-1) Class 3A District 4 on Sabetha Channel
Both teams are 5-1 with a lone district loss to Marysville and need a win to be in line for a home playoff game in week nine. Sabetha lost 40-32 to the Bulldogs while Wamego fell 20-17 versus Marysville. Last year the Bluejays scored on offense, defense and special teams in a 56-0 route against the Red Raiders. The two teams traded wins by 3 and 6 points in 2008 and 2009 prior to last year's matchup.
Wamego led 35-0 in the first quarter and got two more punt returns for touchdowns from Taybor Vetter last week in a 49-6 win at Hiawatha. Wamego averages 35 points per game and is led by Isaiah Childs with 830 yards rushing, which is second most in the loaded Class 3A.
Gabe Garber was brilliant again last week with unbelievable throwing accuracy completing 20-22 passes for 271 yards while adding 93 rushing yards and accounting in part for all five touchdowns at Holton. Garber now has 818 yards passing and 494 on the ground, accounting for 219 yards of the Bluejays 382 total yards offense per outing and 22 touchdowns. The Bluejays won't beat themselves and only have two total turnovers all season.
Jonny’s Pick: Sabetha
Justin’s Pick: Sabetha
Hiawatha (0-6) at Royal Valley (0-6) Class 3A District 4
Both teams are winless and desperate for a Big 7 League victory. The District schedule has been brutal for both these teams who have yet to face a team that has a losing record. The Panthers have lost every game by at least 25 points and the same for the Redhawks since a season opening 14-13 setback against Riverside.
Hiawatha did find the endzone for the first time in 18 quarters of play last week against Wamego while the Panthers scored a season high with 20 of their 28 points at Marysville coming in the second half. Both teams have struggled with turnovers but the difference here is Royal Valley is playing with a senior-laden and experienced varsity roster while Hiawatha has been relying on a lot of starting freshman and sophomore's on Friday nights.
Royal Valley has won two straight and four of the last five meetings against Hiawatha, including 28-12 last year.
Jonny’s Pick: Royal Valley
Justin’s Pick: Royal Valley
McLouth (0-6) at Central Heights (0-6) Class 2A District 2
Both teams are winless and desperate to get any type of positive momentum heading towards the final week of the regular season. McLouth had their best scoring output of the season last week but it came in a 38-14 loss to Oskaloosa. The Bulldogs got down 22-0 at halftime and got two late touchdowns in the second half which was just their fourth and fifth touchdowns of the season.
They will have another chance to pick up their first win of the season this week against a Central Heights team that is coming off a 21-6 loss to Osage City last week. The Vikings do have a five-overtime loss to Oskaloosa where they scored 42 points, but other than that they haven’t scored more than six points in any game.
McLouth blew out Central Heights 54-14 a year ago which was the first meeting between the two schools.
Jonny’s Pick: Central Heights
Justin’s Pick: Central Heights
West Franklin (1-5) at Oskaloosa (2-4) Class 2A District 2
Oskaloosa has started to find a good stride in the last several weeks picking up their second win in the last three games last week in a 38-14 win over McLouth. Oskaloosa built a 22-0 lead at the half and ran for 258 yards in the win led by Eli King who ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Nick Henry ran for 93 yards and Chord Perry had one score on the ground and through the air as well for the Bears. Henry and King have each ran for over 260 yards on the year while Perry has thrown for 300 yards and six touchdowns in 2019.
West Franklin meanwhile has a similar season with their only win coming two weeks ago in a 28-6 win over McLouth. The Falcons were blown out last week by Silver Lake 62-0 and haven’t scored over 10 points in any game except for week five.
This will be the first time these two teams have met up after last season’s meeting was an Oskaloosa forfeit due to low numbers.
Jonny’s Pick: Oskaloosa
Justin’s Pick: Oskaloosa
ACCHS (1-5) at Nemaha Central (4-2) Class 2A District 3
It’s been two completely last few weeks for these two teams as the Tigers find themselves searching for answers after being shutout on the road at Maur Hill-Mount Academy last week 49-0 in a game that was stopped in the third quarter. ACCHS turned the ball over eight times in the contest and despite the tough season to this point the Tigers are still averaging near 20 points per game.
ACCHS will have another tough task this week as they face Nemaha Central who’s one of the hottest teams around the area after a big-time win over Riverside last week 34-21 which was the third straight win for the Thunder. In the win over the Cyclones Nemaha Central jumped out to a 12-0 lead after the first quarter and led 32-14 at the half and forced two interceptions to take control. Dylan Schultejans threw for 181 yards and one touchdown while Gavin Duryea ran for 101 yards and two scores.
The Thunder can take firm control of the district with a win and last season beat ACCHS easily 50-0 scoring three times through the air.
Jonny’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Justin’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Maur Hill-Mount Academy (5-1) at Pleasant Ridge (3-3) Class 2A District 3
Maur Hill-Mount is still alive for a district title after Nemaha Central beat Riverside last week meaning the Ravens just need two wins in their final two games to have a chance at the title. The Ravens can wrap up a Northeast Kansas League title this week with a win and are coming off a dominant shutout win for the second consecutive game which came in a 49-0 beat down of ACCHS last week in a game that was ended in the third quarter. MH-MA forced eight turnovers in the win and senior quarterback Jack Caudle threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns while Andrew Schwinn ran for just under 100 yards and a score.
The Ravens will have what is always a tough road game traveling to Pleasant Ridge who got back to .500 last week with a 41-8 win over Horton. Pleasant Ridge jumped out to a 35-0 lead at halftime and never looked back as Keaton Comer scored five touchdowns to lead the Rams. Jake Heckman leads Pleasant Ridge on the ground with 424 yards while Conner Gibson has thrown for 534 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Maur Hill-Mount Academy came back from a halftime deficit to beat Pleasant Ridge last season 38-22 which was the third straight win for the Ravens over the Rams since 2015.
Jonny’s Pick: MH-MA
Justin’s Pick: MH-MA
Riverside (4-2) at Horton (0-6) Class 2A District 3 on 103.9 KNZA
Horton can't catch a break and this week is likely to be without four starters because of injuries and ineligible players. The Chargers have lost 17 straight games all by at least 30 points including a 41-8 defeat at Pleasant Ridge a week ago. Xander Monson (FR), one of several underclassmen starting for Horton, had a rushing touchdown in week six.
Riverside is in the midst of a turn-around season, despite falling in a 34-21 District matchup against Nemaha Central last Friday. The Cyclones fell 20-0 and couldn't come back despite having more plays, first downs and total yardage. Thirteen penalties were a season high for the 'Clones in week six.
Kobe Davis (SO) has thrown for 1,154 yards but six receivers have at double digit catches with more than 100 yards, led by Isaac Webb with 404, who also paces the Cyclones in tackles this season. Riverside has 18 takeaways. Riverside is 5-1 against Horton all time, including a 36-0 win last year.
Jonny’s Pick: Riverside
Justin’s Pick: Riverside
Jackson Heights (4-2) at Jeff County North (4-2) Class 1A District 3
The Cobras seem to be back on track after a couple tough losses to MH-MA (5-1) and Olpe (6-0). Jackson Heights handed Valley Heights their first loss two weeks ago and last week ran roughshed over Troy 54-24 to open 1A District competition. Cooper Williams ran 24 times for 227 yards and had three touchdowns while Dylan Thompson added a pair of TDs in the Cobras highest scoring game of 2019.
After starting the season 4-0, JCN has suffered back to back losses, including a heartbreaker for the second year in a row against Lyndon last week. The Chargers had the lead but failed to score in the second half and had three turnovers in the contest before falling 22-12. Logan Budy ran for a score while Boyd Tweed threw a touchdown to Ryan Feldkamp for the Chargers two scores.
Jackson Heights beat JCN 38-8 last year and has now won four of the last five meetings against their NEKL foe.
Jonny’s Pick: Jackson Heights
Justin’s Pick: Jackson Heights
Lyndon (6-0) at Troy (2-4) Class 1A District 3
Troy has played a tough schedule that includes only one opponent without a winning record. Yet, the Trojans have dropped three straight games and are now 0-1 in District play after falling 54-24 against Jackson Heights last week. Thanks to a defensive score by Cale Hamilton, Troy held an 8-6 lead after one period last Friday, but the offense scored just once in each of the final three quarters.
Despite not having a game closer than 28 points all season, Troy expects closer margins with a chance to compete for a home playoff game the next two weeks. Kipp Jasper has been the leader, both in rushing and passing the football, and Troy could get leading tackler Dillon Wells back this week.
Lyndon is 6-0 on the season under new Head Coach Scott Jones but have yet to beat a team with better than a 4-2 record. The Tigers have won their last two games each by 10 points after claiming the Flint Hills League title. In last week’s 22-12 win against JCN, Ethan Edington had 101 yards on just three carries and fellow senior Shawn Hinck delivered 76 yards. Hinck has 559 yards rushing to lead four Lyndon players with more than 150 yards on the ground this season and Luke Detweiler has 325 yards receiving.
Troy will have to stop the run to come anywhere close to a 35-0 score they beat the Tigers by a year ago. The Trojans have won four straight over Lyndon.
Jonny’s Pick: Lyndon
Justin’s Pick: Lyndon
Centralia (5-1) at Wabaunsee (1-5) Class 1A District 4
Centralia continued to roll last week winning their fifth straight game in a 58-19 drubbing of Northern Heights and have outscored opponents 236-95 this season. The Panthers ran for 387 yards last week led by Kamble Haverkamp’s 181 yards and three touchdowns while Devon Feldkamp added 133 and two scores along with one receiving touchdown as well. Haverkamp has now ran for over 1,250 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while Feldkamp is approaching 700 yards on the season with six scores.
The Panthers will have another favorable matchup this week again a Wabaunsee team that has just a 31-6 win over Central Heights to their credit this season. The Chargers were blown out by Valley Heights last week 64-20 and gave up eight touchdowns on the ground. Wabaunsee has been shutout three times this season and are averaging less than 15 points per game while giving up more than 40 points per contest.
Centralia dominated this matchup a year ago 52-14 getting up 46-0 at halftime rushing for 473 yards in the contest.
Jonny’s Pick: Centralia
Justin’s Pick: Centralia
Valley Heights (5-1) at Northern Heights (4-2) Class 1A District 4
After suffering their first loss of the season to Jackson Heights the Mustangs bounced back in a big way last week easily getting by Wabaunsee 64-20. Valley Heights scored 22 points in the first quarter and led 38-14 at the half before adding 26 points in the second half. Cole Coggins ran for five touchdowns while Jake Yungeberg added two in the win while as a team the Mustangs ran for eight total touchdowns.
It will be a tough test this week for the Mustangs who have lost two straight to tough opponents after starting the season 4-0 with all four wins in dominant fashion. Following a 34-24 loss to Lyndon in week five the Wildcats were blown out a week ago by Centralia losing 58-19. Northern Heights is led on the ground by Cameron Heiman who is over 670 yards on the ground this season with 12 touchdowns while Heiman is nearing 900 yards through the air with eight more scores.
Valley Heights blanked the Wildcats a year ago 38-0 scoring three times through the air in week seven.
Jonny’s Pick: Valley Heights
Justin’s Pick: Valley Heights
Chase County (3-3) at Valley Falls (1-5) 8-man DI District 3
Valley Falls had Cade Norris return a kickoff for a touchdown for the second straight week but allowed a couple kickoff returns for scores themselves and lost to undefeated Madison 74-12. Four Dragon senior will play their final home game tonight, including Drew Pickerell, who has had a great season at quarterback and tossed another TD last week to Diego Cervantez. Valley Falls has a record of 3-30 since transitioning to 8-man football in 2016.
Chase County is 3-3 this year but has lost back-to-back games to Maranatha (58-48) and Lebo (28-26), a team the Dragons beat this year 52-42. Cael Budke and Trint Rogers have led the Bulldogs with some big offensive numbers this season.
Jonny’s Pick: Chase County
Justin’s Pick: Chase County
Clifton-Clyde (6-0) at Washington County (4-2) 8-man DI District 7
The dominant season continued last week for Clifton-Clyde as the Eagles remained perfect on the year with another dominant win in a 50-0 shutout of Stockton which was the fourth shutout of the year. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 314-36 this season and rank third in 8-man DI in scoring defense. Since the start of the 2018 season Clifton-Clyde has gone 15-1 and have the fast track in capturing the district seven championship with two more wins.
The Eagles will face Washington County this week who has been a pleasant surprise this season posting a 4-2 record to this point but suffered a setback last week falling to Victoria 54-8. The Tigers had won three straight before last week’s loss with their only other defeat coming in a 54-0 loss to Thunder Ridge in week two.
Clifton-Clyde was dominant in the two school’s first 8-man meeting a year ago winning 52-6 which moved the Eagles to 7-0, the same opportunity they have this season.
Jonny’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Justin’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Frankfort (6-0) at Axtell (6-0) 8-man DII District 3 on 92.1 KMZA
A week ago, Axtell pulled off a program changing victory ending Hanover’s 43-game record setting win steak with a 28-26 come-from-behind victory. The Eagles faced adversity throughout getting down 14-0 early and lost all-state quarterback Quinn Buessing to a concussion, but freshman Isaac Detweiler, who is coach Detwiler’s son, stepped up and proved to be the hero throwing for three touchdowns in relief including the game-winner to George Volle with 48 seconds left. Not only did Detweiler throw the game-winner, he also intercepted the potential game-tying score from Hanover at the goal line with under 30 second left to ice the game. Axtell forced three total interceptions in the win and took advantage of several uncharacteristic penalties from Hanover. The Eagles feature three guys with over 100 yards rushing on the year in Detweiler, Mitchell and Quinn Buessing who had thrown for over 1,200 yards and 25 touchdowns before last week’s injury.
It will be another tough task for Axtell this week as they will face a hungry Frankfort team that is undefeated and feeling confident after an impressive 54-20 win over a good St. John/Tipton lead last week. Frankfort held St. John to just 6 points in the final three quarters as Branden Bussman scored six times with four coming on the ground with 125 yards. Garret Dalinghaus added 199 yards on the ground with a score as the Wildcats racked up 431 total yards of offense. The Wildcats feature a three-headed monster in the backfield led by Dalinghaus who has ran for 646 yards and 14 touchdowns while Branden Bussman has added 465 yards and 10 scores. Gavin Cornelison has also run for 562 yards and nine touchdowns while he has added 490 yards and nine touchdowns through the air.
In a similar matchup a year ago Axtell handed Frankfort their first loss of the year winning 76-28 with Buessing recording seven total touchdowns.
Jonny’s Pick:Frankfort
Justin’s Pick: Axtell
Doniphan West (2-4) at Blue Valley (1-5) 8-man DII District 3
Coming off a forfeit win, Doniphan West won on the field 54-7 last week against visiting Wetmore, despite being banged up. The Mustangs scored touchdowns on all eight on their offensive possessions with Trent Spiker running and passing for a pair of scores.
Blue Valley Randolph also has their own win of the year against Wetmore by a 70-24 score in week three. The Rams fell to Onaga last week 54-8 turning the ball over three times and allowing seven rushing touchowns to the Buffaloes. Blue Valley is pretty beat up but did prevail over D-West a year ago 36-12.
Jonny’s Pick: Doniphan West
Justin’s Pick: Doniphan West
Hanover (5-1) at Wetmore (1-5) 8-man DII District 3
For the first time in 43 games the Hanover Wildcats are in unfamiliar territory looking to bounce back after a loss as last week Axtell pulled out a thrilling 28-26 win in a matchup of top two teams in the state. Hanover jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Eagles, but Axtell forced three interceptions and took advantage of every Wildcat mistake including intercepting a pass at the goal line with under 30 seconds to play that could have been the eventual game-winner.
Hanover will have a chance to bounce back this week against Wetmore who is coming off a tough blowout loss to Doniphan West last week 54-7 at Highland Community College. The Mustangs got up on the Cardinals 34-0 at halftime forcing two turnovers early to jump out to a 12-0 lead before Wetmore even ran three offensive plays. The Cardinals lone win came over Southern Cloud in week three, but besides that they are allowing over 55 points per game and fell 52-6 to Hanover a year ago.
Jonny’s Pick: Hanover
Justin’s Pick: Hanover
Southern Cloud (0-6) at Linn (0-6) 8-man DII District 4
Linn has forfeited all district games.
Jonny’s Pick: No Pick
Justin’s Pick: No Pick
Onaga (3-3) at Tescott (1-5) Non-District
After a 1-2 start to the year the Buffaloes have turned things around and got back to .500 last week with a 54-8 over Blue Valley. Onaga built a 22-0 lead by halftime and put the game away with 24 points in the third quarter. Ethan Powell had a big day rushing for 89 yards and five touchdowns while Zac Fisher added 61 yards and two scores. Powell continues to lead the Onaga offense with 661 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns while Fisher has added 422 yards on the year with seven scores.
The Buffaloes have another favorable matchup this week against Tescott who picked up their first win via forfeit last week against Linn who actually won the contest 66-16. The Trojans have allowed over 50 points in every game this season and had scored just six points all season long going into last week and losing big to Onaga a year ago 48-0.
Jonny’s Pick: Onaga
Justin’s Pick: Onaga
Atchison (2-4) at Basehor-Linwood (3-3) Class 4A East Division on KAIR 93.7 FM
After picking up two straight wins the Redmen took a step back last week falling to a very good Louisburg team at home 41-12. The Wildcats rushed for six touchdowns in the win as they jumped out to a 21-6 lead at halftime. Atchison did get a 50-yard rushing touchdown from Elijah Haley in the loss while Dominique Herrig-Brittian caught a touchdown for the other score.
It won’t get any easier for the Redmen this week as they will face Basehor-Linwood who is 3-3 on the year after a 28-16 loss to De Soto last week. The Bobcats also have losses to Tonganoxie and Leavenworth on the season, but they are averaging around 35 points per game.
It was all Basehor-Linwood a year ago as the Bobcats won 34-7 including the last three meetings by a combined score of 110-19.
Jonny’s Pick: Basehor-Linwood
Justin’s Pick: Basehor Linwood
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