Last season the Axtell and Hanover football teams played twice with the second meeting deciding who would play for the 8-man DII state championship.

After Friday night the situation is the same as the Eagles and Wildcats each picked up commanding wins setting up an all-Twin Valley League showdown for the right to go to Newton and play for a state title.

Axtell (10-1) continued to roll Friday night with a 70-26 win over Lost Springs-Centre which was the Eagles fourth straight win by at least 45 points and their ninth win by that margin on the season.

The Eagles 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.  

The win sets up the big showdown in the sub-state round with Hanover who dominated a very good St. Paul team Friday night 62-30.

The Wildcats wasted no time jumping all over St. Paul getting up 16-0 on a kickoff return from Colin Jueneman on the first play and then a Jacob Jueneman to Colin Jueneman long touchdown pass.

St. Paul hung around in the first half with a couple of long touchdowns, but Hanover still led 38-22 at halftime and dominated the second half 22-8.

The Wildcats (10-1) are still alive for a fourth straight state championship as they are in the state semifinals for the eighth consecutive season and the 12th time in the last 13 seasons.

Hanover will host Axtell for the second time this season coming up Friday night after the Eagles ended the Wildcats their only loss of the season 28-26 back in October.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Hanover will live coverage likely on MSC Sports Radio Network.