It’s the rematch that everyone has been hoping for from week six and a rematch from the sub-state round a year ago as Axtell travels to Hanover in another battle of the top-ranked teams in 8-man DII.

The Eagles handed the Wildcats their first loss in 43 games back in week six in a 28-26 road win and have a chance to dethrone the 3-time defending state champions with a win Friday night.

In that week six-win Axtell got it done without all-state quarterback Quinn Buessing who was knocked out of the game with a head injury, but freshman Isaac Detweiler had a breakout game throwing for three touchdowns including the game-winner to George Volle with 48 seconds left. Detwiler also sealed the game on the ensuing possession with an interception near the goal line.

The Eagles suffered a 24-20 loss to Frankfort the following week but since then have rolled pitching three shutouts before last week blowing by Lost Springs-Centre 70-26.

Axtell jumped out to 36-14 lead at halftime and went on to outscore Centre 40-12 in the second half.

Senior quarterback Quinn Buessing battled through a gimpy ankle which he hurt slipping on ice earlier in the week and helped the Eagles rack up 537 yards of total offense.

Buessing threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns with two going to Derek Buessing and one each to Isaac Detweiler and Mitchell Buessing while Quinn added a rushing score.

Detweiler tacked on two rushing touchdowns and 84 yards while J.J. Hart rushed for 95 yards on just two carries with both rushing attempts going for touchdowns.  

In just nine games Buessing is up to 2,031 yards passing which is first in the 8-man ranks and eighth throughout all classes.

Hanover meanwhile has won five straight since that loss to Axtell including a win over Frankfort who was ranked and a 62-30-win last week over St. Paul. In last week’s win Colin Jueneman returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then had two long receiving touchdowns as the Wildcats jumped out to a 38-22 lead at halftime before adding to it in the second half.

Hanover is led offensively by Jacob Jueneman who has thrown for over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns compared to just seven interceptions while he has also run for 343 yards and nine more scores. Taegan Schwartz leads the ground attack with 765 yards and 15 touchdowns while Colin Jueneman leads the team in receiving with 554 yards and nine scores.

Defensively the Cats have been just as great led by junior Jacob Klipp who has recorded 114 tackles on the year and 11 tackles for loss while senior Tanner Link leads the team with 12 tackles for loss along with Jonah Weber who is one of the best lineman in the state.

The Wildcats are looking to make it to their sixth straight state title game and keep the dream alive for a fourth consecutive state title while Axtell hasn’t reached the state title game since claiming their only football championship in 1993.

Kickoff is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. in Hanover with the winner getting either Osborne or Central Christian next Saturday in the state championship game in Newton.