2022 Pick Records

Brandon

Last week: 13-7
Overall: 62-17
Last season: 158-31

Justin

Last week: 13-7
Overall: 63-16
Last season: 157-32

Jared

Last week: 11-9
Overall:  56-23
Last season: n/a

Games to be Broadcast

Riverside at Onaga – KNZA 103.9 FM
Centralia at Jackson Heights – KMZA 92.1 FM
Maur Hill-Mount Academy at Troy – KAIR 93.7 FM
Sabetha at Riley County – Sabetha Channel
Holton at Royal Valley – Holton Channel
Hiawatha at Concordia – Hiawatha Channel
 

Week 5 Games (*Denotes District Record)

6-Man District 1

(2-2, 1-2*) Altoona Midway at (3-1, 2-0*) Wetmore

Wetmore quarterback Dierk Hanzlicek has 13 total touchdowns halfway through the season with 715 total yards. Kyler Wommack has 322 total yards and an additional six touchdowns. The Cardinals offense is averaging 45.8 points per game and 282.3 yards per game. Wetmore’s defense has complimented their offense well as they have given up an average of 186.5 yards per game and just 19.3 points per game. With last week’s win over Southern Coffey County, it’s the first time they have won three games in a season since 2017.

Altoona Midway has taken a step up in production in their first year at the 6-Man level. In the last two years combined, Altoona-Midway had just one win. This is their first two-win season since 2019. With a win, it would be the first three-win season since 2007.

Brandon’s Pick: Wetmore
Justin’s Pick: Wetmore
Jared’s Pick: Wetmore

8M-I District 5

(3-1, 0-1*) Washington County at (0-4, 0-1*) Bennington

Washington County is coming off their first loss of the season as they were beat by Clifton Clyde last week 22-6. The Tigers are known for good starts as this is the third time since 2019 that they have won three of their first four games of the season. Although the best finish from those three was 4-3 during the 2020 Covid shortened season.

The Bennington Bulldogs are 0-4 this season after going 6-3 last year. It’s been since 2011 since Bennington has started a season 0-4 and that year they finished without a win.

The Tigers and Bulldogs have played in each of the past two seasons with Bennington winning last year 34-28 and Washington County winning in 2020 36-16. Washington County is 4-2 against Bennington dating back to 2004.

Brandon’s Pick: Washington County
Justin’s Pick: Washington County
Jared’s Pick: Washington County

(3-1, 1-0*) Clifton Clyde at (1-3, 1-0*) Lincoln

Clifton Clyde got back on track last week with a 22-6 win over Washington County. They were coming off their lone loss so far as they were beat down by Axtell in week three. It extended a streak of seven years that the Eagles have won at least three of their first four games of the season.

The Eagles travel to Lincoln to face the Leopards who are coming off their first win of the season last week with a 28-20 win over Rock Hills. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak dating back to last season.

Clifton Clyde and Lincoln are playing for the first time since 2019 with Clifton Clyde dominating that matchup 70-0. The Eagles have outscored the Leopards 116-0 in the last two meetings and Clifton Clyde has won four of the last six dating back to 2008.

Brandon’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Justin’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Jared’s Pick: Clifton Clyde

8M-II District 3

(1-3, 0-2, 0-1*) Doniphan West at (1-3, 1-1, 1-0*) Hanover

Doniphan West is looking to bounce back after they got beat by Frankfort last week 54-6. The Mustangs defense gave up over 470 yards of offense to the Wildcats. The Mustangs have lost six of their last eight games dating back to last season.

Hanover was finally able to get their first win of the season last week as they won 52-6 at Blue Valley. They put up 44 points in the first half and ended the game in the third quarter due to the mercy rule.

Hanover and Doniphan West last played in 2018 and 2019. Hanover won both games and outscored the Mustangs 96-14.

Brandon’s Pick: Hanover
Justin’s Pick: Hanover
Jared’s Pick: Hanover

(1-3, 1-1, 1-0*) Frankfort at (1-3, 0-2, 0-1*) Linn

Last week saw Frankfort get their first win of the season, a 54-6 home win against Doniphan West. Freshman quarterback Wes Anderson showed his potential going 11-for-19 for 122 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Lane Loiseau had a couple of touchdowns on two pop passes from Anderson which were a part of his six catch, 60-yard game.

The Bulldogs were put away 56-0 at halftime by the #1 8M-DII Axtell Eagles. Linn was only able to put 47 yards of total offense on just 1.5 yards per play. They will look to rebound and even up their district play record for a shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Frankfort has won the last six meetings dating back to 2010. In the last four matchups, Frankfort has outscored the Bulldogs 230-30.

Brandon’s Pick: Frankfort
Justin’s Pick: Frankfort
Jared’s Pick: Frankfort

(4-0, 2-0, 1-0*) Axtell at (1-3, 0-2, 0-1*) Blue Valley

Going into more depth on the 56-0 Axtell victory over Linn, senior quarterback Isaac Detweiler once again made it look effortless with 149 passing yards and four touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes. Brandon Schmelzle and Eli Broxterman both had one rushing and receiving touchdown apiece. Evan and Grady Buessing both had receiving touchdowns. They did this all on just 5:11 of game time averaging 12.7 yards per play. Three of the four games have resulted in mercy rule wins. They are averaging 93.6 points per 48 minutes.

The Rams come off a 52-6 blowout loss at home vs. Hanover last Friday. Junior quarterback Landon Schreiber has been solid this season, averaging 192 yards per game with 9 passing touchdowns. Their defense has allowed 48.5 points per game in the first half of the season.

The Eagles have not beaten anyone more than Blue Valley in the last fifteen years. They have won 14 of the last 15 meetings with the lone Blue Valley win being in 2011. Last year, Axtell won 68-6.

Brandon’s Pick: Axtell
Justin’s Pick: Axtell
Jared’s Pick: Axtell

1A District 3

(0-4, 0-3, 0-1*) Oskaloosa at (2-2, 2-1, 0-1*) Jefferson County North

Oskaloosa was shutout for the second straight week with their 64-0 loss to St. Mary’s last Friday. It’s the first time they have been shutout in back-to-back games since last year at Rossville (62-0) and at home vs. Silver Lake (53-0). Head Coach Eddie Minor said that they are trying to get better on offense and execute their plays better. The Bears are looking to avoid their third winless season in the last five years.

Jefferson County North bounced back last and snapped a brief two-game skid with a 54-18 win at McLouth. Grady Noll led the way for the Chargers as he accounted for five touchdowns, three on the ground and two through the air. This is the first time since 2018 that JCN has had at least two losses in their first four games of the season.

JCN has owned Oskaloosa in recent years as they have won six straight in the series including last year 36-0. Overall, JCN has won eight of the last 11 since 2011.

Brandon’s Pick: Jefferson County North
Justin’s Pick: Jefferson County North
Jared’s Pick: Jefferson County North

(2-2, 1-0*) St. Mary’s at (1-3, 0-1*) Valley Falls

Last week was the first time the Bears got to unleash their offense on an inferior opponent, and they took advantage with a 64-0 win over Oskaloosa. It was the first game St. Mary’s had eclipsed 20 points after their 20-13 win vs. Rossville, 41-20 loss vs. Rock Creek, and 43-16 loss at Silver Lake. They finish their three-game road trip this week with two of their last three games at home.

After a bounce back week from injury in Week 3, senior quarterback Dylan Cervantez had his struggles last week with four interceptions in their 24-16 loss at Mission Valley. Sophomore Hayden Kearney came in and got some looks at QB as well and he went 3-for-4 with 59 yards and a touchdown with 14 carries and 70 rushing yards.

St. Mary’s and Valley Falls haven’t clashed since Nov. 7th, 2009. The Bears won that game 42-8.

Brandon’s Pick: St. Mary’s
Justin’s Pick: St. Mary’s
Jared’s Pick: St. Mary’s

(0-4, 0-1*) McLouth at (1-3, 1-0*) Mission Valley

McLouth is still in search of their first win since the end of the 2019 season. The Bulldogs losing streak reached 19 after a 54-18 loss at home to Jefferson County North. The 18 points scored was the most in a game this season as they scored a total of 14 points through their first three.

Mission Valley snapped a brief five game losing streak dating back to last season as they beat Valley Falls last week 24-16. The Vikings are just 3-10 since the start of last season.

Mission Valley has won the last two meetings in the last two seasons. They beat the Bulldogs 34-6 last season and they also won 38-0 in 2020.

Brandon’s Pick: Mission Valley
Justin’s Pick: Mission Valley
Jared’s Pick: Mission Valley

1A District 4

(2-2, 1-0*) Riverside at (1-3, 0-1*) Onaga – KNZA 103.9 FM  

The Cylcones went to Jackson Heights and upset the Cobras last week 26-12. They limited the JH offense to just 196 total yards. They were only able to complete three of their 13 pass attempts with only 34 yards. Riverside had 310 yards of offense with running back Percy Duncan leading the way with 16 carries for 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Beckam Griffin went 6-for-11 for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Onaga has had to do some improvising and adjusting to a new system with a new quarterback having to fill in and as a result, they haven’t been able to establish an identity. They scored just 7 points last week in a loss, granted a very good Guymon, OK team.

It’s been almost 10 years since the last time these two teams met in 2013. Riverside has won the only two meetings in the new millennia with the Cyclones winning 2013 meeting 62-13, and the 2012 game 38-35.

Brandon’s Pick: Riverside
Justin’s Pick: Riverside
Jared’s Pick: Riverside

(4-0, 2-0*) Centralia at (3-1, 0-1*) Jackson Heights – KMZA 92.1 FM

The Panthers won their 8th straight meeting against Troy in a 20-19 thriller last Friday. Quarterback Trenton Talley has thrown the ball 47 times this year with 28 completions with four touchdowns. Running back Drew Gibbs has seven touchdowns with 235 yards averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Centralia moves up to #3 in K-Preps 1A rankings, and they stay at #2 in the KSHSAA Covered rankings. The Panthers are just 1 of 4 undefeated teams in their classification. They finished a stretch of three straight games at home and now start a tough stretch of road games with their next three games all away.

Jackson Heights was riding high going into last week but was upended by Riverside 26-12 to suffer their first loss of the season. The Cobras had scored over 53 points per game through their first three but was held to just 12 against Riverside. It was only the second time since 2011 that Jackson Heights had played against Riverside.

Jackson Heights have had their struggles with Centralia. The Panthers have won five of the last six meetings since 2005 with the Cobras lone win in that stretch in 2006. Panthers have won four in a row including last season’s win 36-12.

Brandon’s Pick: Centralia
Justin’s Pick: Centralia
Jared’s Pick: Jackson Heights

1A District 5

(2-2, 1-0*) Valley Heights at (2-2, 0-0*) Sacred Heart   

Head coach Cody Trimble proved last Friday in their 22-16 OT win that his team is battle tested. Valley Heights established the run with sophomore back Jayden DeWalt again having himself an impressive day with 16 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Kaison Bigham had the same number of carries with just four fewer yards. Quarterback Mack Shanks threw the ball just five times, he had four completions for 51 yards and a touchdown.

The Knights also had a bounce-back win last week defeating Belle Plaine 30-0 after falling in Week 3 at Ellsworth 52-0. Sacred Heart’s offense has yet to break out this season with last week being their season high for points in a game. The Knights have also been shut out twice this season.

Brandon’s Pick: Valley Heights  
Justin’s Pick: Sacred Heart
Jared’s Pick: Valley Heights

2A District 3

(2-2, 2-2, 1-0*) Pleasant Ridge at (3-1, 3-0, 0-1*) ACCHS

Pleasant Ridge evened up their record at 2-2 last week with a thrilling 36-31 win over Maur Hill-Mount Academy. The Rams have gone loss, win, loss, win to start the season. The offense has scored 96 points in their two wins compared to just 36 points in their two losses.

ACCHS had a tough start to district play as they lost at Rossville 49-8. It was the Tigers first loss of the season. It was the second straight season that ACCHS won their first three games before dropping their first in week four.

ACCHS beat Pleasant Ridge last season 22-0 which snapped a P-Ridge eight game winning streak in the series dating back to 2012. Since 2004, Pleasant Ridge is 11-3 against ACCHS.

Brandon’s Pick: ACCHS
Justin’s Pick: ACCHS
Jared’s Pick: ACCHS

2A District 4

(1-3, 0-1*) Horton at (2-2, 0-1*) Minneapolis

Horton is coming off a 78-0 loss to 2A #2 Nemaha Central last week. The Chargers have been outscored 112-20 since their win in week two over McLouth.

The Minneapolis Lions have now lost back-to-back games since starting the season 2-0. They opened up district play last week with a 39-7 loss at Sabetha.

No recent history available between Horton and Minneapolis.  

Brandon’s Pick: Minneapolis
Justin’s Pick: Minneapolis
Jared’s Pick: Minneapolis

(3-1, 1-0*) Sabetha at (1-3, 0-0*) Riley County – Sabetha Channel  

The Sabetha Bluejays improved to 3-1 last week with a 39-7 win over Minneapolis. It was the first all-time meeting between Sabetha and Minneapolis. Since the loss in week two to Holton, Sabetha has outscored their last two opponents 96-7. It’s the first time since 2019 that Sabetha has started a season 3-1.

Riley County was able to pick up their first win of the season last week with a 39-14 win at Royal Valley in a non-district game. The Falcons’ three losses have been against Silver Lake, Rossville, and Rock Creek. It’s only the first time since 2014 that Riley County has started a season losing three of its first four games.

This will be the first meeting between Sabetha and Riley County since 2012. They played six times from 2006-2012 with Sabetha winning four of the six meetings.

Brandon’s Pick: Riley County
Justin’s Pick: Sabetha
Jared’s Pick: Riley County

3A District 4

(4-0, 1-0*) Hayden at (1-3, 0-1*) Perry Lecompton

The Hayden Wildcats is ranked #3 in Class 3A this week in K-Prep’s latest rankings. They beat down Jefferson West last week 52-14 to improve to 4-0. They led 23-0 after one quarter and 44-7 at halftime en route to the victory.

Perry Lecompton continues a very difficult part of their schedule this week with Hayden. They’ve lost back-to-back games at Nemaha Central and at Holton last week 49-18. The first five opponents on Perry’s schedule have a combined record of 16-4 going into week five games.

Hayden and Perry Lecompton have played six times since 2018. The Kaws have won three of the last five meetings, but Hayden won last year’s game 46-18.  

Brandon’s Pick: Hayden
Justin’s Pick: Hayden
Jared’s Pick: Hayden

(3-1, 3-1, 1-0*) Holton at (1-3, 1-2, 0-0*) Royal Valley – Holton Channel  

Holton recovered from another slow start and early 12-7 deficit against Perry Lecompton to post their third straight win 49-18 against Perry Lecompton.  The Wildcats had a trio of backs top the century mark in rushing as Garyson Booth, Jayden Fletcher and Matt Lierz all helped boost the Wildcats average rushing attempt to nearly 10 yards per carry this season. Holton's defense held the Kaws scoreless on their final seven drives of the game and now the Wildcats will play three of their next four games on the road.

Royal Valley followed their week three win over Riverside with a 39-14 loss last week at home to Riley County. The Panthers have now lost at least three of their first four games of the season every year since 2017.

Royal Valley has lost 19 games in a row to Holton dating back to 2004.

Brandon’s Pick: Holton
Justin’s Pick: Holton
Jared’s Pick: Holton

3A District 5

(2-2, 0-1*) Hiawatha at (1-3, 0-1*) Concordia – Hiawatha Channel

Hiawatha dropped their second consecutive game last week as they lost 61-0 at Clay Center. The Redhawks have dealt with numerous injuries this season and have had to play multiple bodies at quarterback. Hiawatha have been outscored 110-7 in the last two weeks since they started the season 2-0.

Concordia lost their third straight game last week at Marysville 30-6. The Panthers won their first game of the season against Chapman but have lost three straight since to Abilene, Wamego, and Marysville. It’s the first time since 2016 that Concordia has started a season with three losses in their first four games.

Brandon’s Pick: Concordia
Justin’s Pick: Concordia
Jared’s Pick: Hiawatha

(1-3, 1-0*) Marysville at (3-1, 0-0*) Rock Creek

Marysville was able to get their first win of the season last week with a 30-6 triumph over Concordia. The loss ended a brief five game losing streak that dated back to the end of last season.

Rock Creek has been dominant over their last three games. Since losing in week one to 2A #1 Southeast of Saline, the Mustangs have been St. Mary’s, Riley County, and Silver Lake last week 44-28. K-Prep’s has Rock Creek as the #5 ranked team in Class 3A this week.

Marysville is 3-6 against Rock Creek dating back to 2006. Rock Creek has won four straight in the series. Marysville’s last win over Rock Creek was 2010. Rock Creek won the last meeting in 2020 by a final score of 36-12.

Brandon’s Pick: Rock Creek
Justin’s Pick: Rock Creek
Jared’s Pick: Rock Creek

Non-District

(4-0, 3-0) Nemaha Central at (0-4, 0-3) Jefferson West

Nemaha Central Running back Cooper Hajek had four touchdowns for the fourth straight week and now has 16 touchdowns on the season. He has 67 carries for 762 yards which amounts to 11.4 yards per carry. The Thunder are averaging an impressive 57.5 points per game while giving up just 18.7 points per game. In their 78-0 win at Horton last week, Cooper Hajek’s little brother Carter came in the game at QB and had a rushing touchdown.

Jefferson West dropped to 0-4 with a 52-14 loss last week at 3A #3 Hayden. The Tigers are just 4-16 since the start of the 2020 season. Including Nemaha Central, the last three Jefferson West opponents have a combined record of 11-1.

This will be the first meeting between Nemaha Central and Jefferson West since 2017. From 2004-2017, Nemaha Central has won 11 of the 14 meetings including four in a row. The Tigers last win over the Thunder was 2013.

Brandon’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Justin’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Jared’s Pick: Nemaha Central

(2-2) Maur Hill-Mount Academy at (3-1) Troy

Maur Hill-Mount Academy came out of their unplanned week off looking a bit rusty on defense in their 36-31 loss at Pleasant Ridge last Friday. In Week 3, Maur Hill-Mount had a week off because of a forfeit by McLouth. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on the extra rest. The offense played well, though, with senior quarterback Mark Harris throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Thomas Rzhia ran for 103 yards and touchdown as well.

Troy is coming off their first loss of the season as they lost a heartbreaker at Centralia last week 2019. They trailed 14-7 at halftime and built a 19-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. They gave up the game winning touchdown to Centralia with just 30 seconds left in the game. K-Prep’s dropped the Trojan just one spot from #4 to #5 after the loss to the Panthers. Trojans quarterback Reagan Hartman threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.

Troy and MH-MA last played in 2012 and 2013. The Ravens won the game in 2012, 34-7 while the Trojans won the game in 2013, 44-7.

Brandon’s Pick: Troy
Justin’s Pick: Troy
Jared’s Pick: Troy

(4-0, 3-0) Atchison at (1-3, 1-1) KC Washington  

Atchison continues their strong start to the season as they improved to 4-0 last week with a 63-14 win over KC Schlagle. The Phoenix have outscored their opponents 213-58 so far and they have scored 63 and 72 points in their last two games.

The KC Washington Wildcats are off to a 1-3 start as they lost last week to Wamego 51-16. The lone win for Washington this season was in week two against Harmon where they won 80-0. They’ve been outscored 103-28 in their three losses.

Atchison has won six of the last seven meetings with Washington including last season’s win 21-20.

Brandon’s Pick: Atchison
Justin’s Pick: Atchison
Jared’s Pick: Atchison