One games separates the Marysville Bulldogs from a trip to the 3A State title game as the resurgence continues for the program and they gear up for a date with Phillipsburg in the Class 3A Sub-State playoffs on Friday night. 

Just a few years ago the Marysville Bulldogs were headed into the 2015 football season off their third straight winless season and riding a 32-game losing streak but now the Bulldogs have put together three seasons in a row with playoff appearances and are in the final four of Class 3A this season under Head Coach Dustin Heuer. 

Marysville is back in the Sub-State round of the 3A playoffs for the first time since 2009 when they finish State runner-up that season. The Bulldogs routed Norton 62-21 in the first round, beat Larned 36-28 in Regionals and in Sectionals topped Cheney 42-25. The offense has been strong all year averaging 330 yards per game and 43.8 points per game with Jack Blumer at the helm having tossed for over 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns. Gabe Pieshcl has been his favorite target on the season with over 1,000 yard receiving on the season, while Atreyau Hornbeak has emerged out of the backfield has he’s rushed for 772 yards on the season with 100+ yard games in all three playoff wins. On defense the Bulldogs are only giving up 19.3 points per game on the season. Marysville is just a touchdown away from being unbeaten on the season sitting at 11-1 with lone loss coming to Concordia and are riding a nine game winning streak going into Sub-State.

Standing in front of Marysville in Sub-State is one of the best teams in Class 3A this season in the Phillipsburg Panthers who have been ranked most of the season and sit at 12-0. The Panthers are one step further in the 3A playoffs this year after falling in the Sectionals last year and are just two years removed from winning the Class 2-1A State title in 2015. Phillipsburg is in the Sub-State round of the playoffs after beating Riley County 48-13 in the first round, cruising past Hoisington 35-6 in Regionals and downing Hesston 47-7 in Sectionals. Panther offense has put up eye popping numbers with 52.1 points per game and average around 330 yards rushing per game. The tandem of Kirk Coomes and Treylan Gross led the charge in the backfield has both guys have surpassed 1,000 yards rushing on the season, with a big offensive line leading the way. Not only do the Panthers have the top scoring offense in Class 3A but they have the best scoring defense giving up just 8.8 points per game and have surrendered just 105 points on the season.

The game is set for Friday, November 17th with a 7:00pm kickoff in Phillipsburg the winner moves on to Hutchinson on Saturday, November 25th into the 3A State Championship game against the winner of the Sabetha at Silver Lake contest.