2023 Pick Records

Brandon

Last week: 17-2
Overall: 119-19
2022 Record: 172-29

Justin

Last week: 18-1
Overall: 123-15
2022 Record: 174-27

Jared

Last week: 17-2
Overall: 117-21
2022 Record: 154-47

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

KNZA 103.9 & Sabetha Channel – Nemaha Central at Sabetha  
KMZA 92.1 – Smith Center at Valley Heights  
KAIR 93.7 – Jefferson County North at Mission Valley  
Holton Channel – Jefferson West at Holton
Hiawatha Channel – Hiawatha at Hayden  
Cobra Channel – Jackson Heights at Onaga  

Week 8 Games

8M-I DISTRICT 5

(5-2) Clifton-Clyde at (3-4) Bennington

Clifton-Clyde got their fourth win by 40 or more points with a 58-6 home win against Rock Hills last week. The Eagles can still win the district if they have the marginal point edge on Ell-Saline after Friday night. They will need to win by at least 15 points and hope the Cardinals fall to Lincoln by 16 or more points.

Bennington has won two of their last three win a loss last week at Lincoln 66-34. They currently sit in fourth place at 2-2 in district play, but they can get third if Lincoln beats Ell-Saline

Clifton-Clyde and Bennington have played four times all-time with all of them coming in head coach Russ Steinbrock’s 23-year head coaching tenure. The longtime coach is 3-1 against the Bulldogs with last year’s meeting being a 60-14 victory.

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

(2-5) Washington County at (2-5) Rock Hills

The Tigers have scored less than 10 points in their last four games, which have all resulted in defeats. The losing streak will keep Washington County out of the playoffs this season. It’s the first time they’ve lost four in a row since 2021. They will hope to avoid their first five-game losing streak for the first time since 2017 when the Tigers went 0-9. Last week it was Ell-Saline handing them a 56-0 defeat at home.

The Grizzlies have also lost four in a row after losing 56-8 at Clifton-Clyde. Three touchdowns on offense will be the magic number on offense. When getting more than two scores, they are 2-0. In games with two or fewer, they are 0-5. The winner of this game will avoid the basement of the district this year.

Last season was the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Tigers had no issue putting away the Grizzlies with a final score of 64-22.

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

8M-II DISTRICT 3 – TVL GAMES

(5-2) Frankfort at (4-3) Hanover

No one was really expecting Frankfort to get shutout at home 46-0 against Axtell. Wes Anderson was held to nine completions for 61 passing yards and two interceptions, granted, the wind had a pretty big factor in limiting the Wildcats’ passing game. Their ground game was held to nine carries for one rushing yard. However, after the third quarter mercy rule defeat, they hope to shake that off and rebound to secure a home playoff game in the district round of the playoffs next week.

Hanover did last week what Frankfort hopes to do this week and that’s bounce back from a marginal loss to Axtell. The Wildcats defeated Linn 60-12 to clinch a playoff berth with a chance to host a playoff game next week with a win.

Hanover has won 12 of the last 13 meetings dating back to 2012 with the lone Frankfort win in that stretch being in 2021. The winner will take on the winner of St. John’s-Tipton/Wakefield next week in the district round of the playoffs. The loser will play at Lakeside-Downs.

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

(0-7) Doniphan West at (7-0) Axtell

Doniphan West dropped to 0-7 with a 54-6 loss against Blue Valley-Randolph last week. It’s been a tough season for the Mustangs as they have been outscored 400-48 this season. The Mustangs will miss the playoffs this season. Doniphan West has lost 12 of their last 13 games dating back to last season.

The top-ranked Eagles surprised themselves with their 46-0 win at Frankfort last week. Brandon Schmelzle went 15-for-17 with 176 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 123 yards and a rushing touchdown. Eli Broxterman had four total touchdowns in the win as well with three over the air. Last week’s win clinched the district and league title for the Eagles.

They will hope to continue their now longest active winning streak in the state of Kansas which currently sits at 33 games. Next week, they will play the loser of St. John’s-Tipton/Wakefield in the opening round of the playoffs on Thursday. The Mustangs and Eagles have played three times since 2018 and Axtell has won all three games. 68-0 last season, 50-0 in 2019, and 74-28 in 2018.

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

(2-5) Linn at (3-4) Blue Valley-Randolph

After a record-setting 84-point effort in Week 6, Linn’s offense fell flat last week in their 60-12 loss to Hanover. The Bulldogs will hope to get their defense right which has given up an average of 47.4 points in their last five contests. Linn is hoping to make it in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2000 and 2001.

The Rams snapped a three-game losing streak with a 54-6 win at Doniphan West. This is a win and you’re in the playoffs for both teams. Both teams are 1-3 in district play with -42 points. The winner of this game will play at Osborne next Thursday.

Linn has won five of the last six meetings dating back to 2014 with the lone Blue Valley win coming in 2021. The past two games have been high-scoring classics with last year’s result being a 68-58 Linn victory, and the 2021 win for the Rams being a 52-50 final.

Brandon’s Pick: Blue Valley-Randolph
Justin’s Pick: Linn
Jared’s Pick: Blue Valley-Randolph

1A DISTRICT 3

(6-1) Jefferson County North at (3-4) Mission Valley – KAIR 93.7 FM

The Chargers bounced back after their lone loss of the season to the defending 1A champs in St. Marys with a 72-6 win last week against Valley Falls. Grady Noll threw for a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown. Ethan Noll and Nicholas Cahill each added two rushing touchdowns while Connor Keirns and Cameron Seever each found the endzone. JCN and Jackson Heights shared the NEKL title this season.

Mission Valley lost last week to St. Marys 45-6 as they have dropped two of their last three games. Mission Valley’s wins this season have come against West Franklin, Valley Falls, and Oskaloosa. More than likely it will be St. Marys, JCN, and Mission Valley as the top three teams coming out of this district heading into the playoffs.

Jefferson County North won the matchup last season against Mission Valley 38-14.

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

(4-3) St. Marys at (5-2) McLouth

The defending state champs in St. Marys have dominated the last month of play since starting the season with three state losses. They won at home over Mission Valley last week 45-6 and will clinch an undefeated district title with a win over McLouth. The three losses at the beginning of the season for the Bears were against Rossville, Rock Creek, and Silver Lake.

McLouth had a little bit of a setback last week as they dropped their second game of the season at Oskaloosa 22-6. The loss has the Bulldogs sitting in the fourth place spot in the district going into this week. A win could go a long way for the Bulldogs but more than likely they are looking at a tough road matchup in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bears have controlled the last two meetings against the Bulldogs winning 58-6 last season and 44-16 in 2020.

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

(2-5) Oskaloosa at (1-6) Valley Falls – NEKL

It felt like the Bears’ playoff chances had dropped to nearly zero after losing in Week 6. However, after a 22-6 upset victory over McLouth, Oskaloosa has new life and has a chance to sneak into the playoffs through the back door. They will need to win by a large margin this week and hope that McLouth loses to St. Mary’s by a wide margin.

As for the Dragons, they were eliminated from postseason contention when they lost last week 72-6 at Jefferson County North. They have now dropped four straight and failing to reach 10 points in each of those contests. In their loss, they were unable to give Zac Evans a single carry or reception. He will need to touch the ball a lot if Valley Falls wants to get their second victory of the season on Friday night.

Last year, the rivalry was rekindled after a six-year hiatus in which the Bears got a 40-22 win. Prior to the hiatus, Oskaloosa and Valley Falls played each other every year from 1963 to 2015.

Brandon’s Pick: Oskaloosa  
Justin’s Pick: Oskaloosa
Jared’s Pick: Oskaloosa

1A DISTRICT 4

(3-4) Troy at (2-5) Riverside

The Trojans got back on the winning track with a 48-13 win at home against Onaga last week. They scored 42 of their 48 points in the first half. Troy threw for nearly 270 yards and did not turn the ball over. The four losses for Troy this season have come against Wabaunsee, Valley Heights, Centralia, and Jackson Heights who have a combined record of 22-6.

The Cyclones are coming off a tough two-game road stretch with losses at Sabetha and at Centralia. Now, they return home for senior night with a chance to secure third place in the district. They will likely face either Valley Heights or Smith Center on the road with a slim chance at hosting a game if Jackson Heights loses to Onaga.

The winner between the Trojans and Cyclones appears to be lined up to earn the #3-seed in the district and will have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs. Troy beat Riverside last season 65-0.

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

(6-1) Jackson Heights at (0-6) Onaga – Cobra Channel

Jackson Heights earned a share of the NEKL title this season with JCN as they defeated ACCHS last week 46-26. It ended the two-year run for the Tigers as ACCHS had won the last two league titles. This is the most wins in a season for the Cobras since they went 9-3 back in 2019.

The Buffaloes were eliminated from postseason play after they lost at Troy 48-13 last week. Since their one-score loss in Week 1 to McLouth, they have been outscored 208-41 with an average of just 8.2 points per game. Onaga is hoping to avoid their first winless season since 1977.

Jackson Heights won the matchup last season against the Buffaloes 27-0. Onaga had won five straight games against Jackson Heights from 2008-2014.

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

1A DISTRICT 5

(6-1) Smith Center at (6-1) Valley Heights – KMZA 92.1 FM

The winner of this one wins the district with both teams 3-0 in district play. The Redmen haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 20 points all season. Smith Center has won five games in a row with only 5.2 points per game allowed in that stretch including back-to-back shutouts. Their offense doesn’t score a lot of points because they are all about controlling the time of possession. They went their first five games without scoring more than 30 points.

The Mustangs have now won six in a row with Carson Spoonts and Jayden DeWalt leading the way. Last week they combined for almost 400 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in their 64-26 win at Wabaunsee. A win would give them a tie for their longest winning streak in school history. Valley Heights has dominated their in-district opponents, outscoring them 154-41 to this point.

Last year was the first ever meeting between these two teams with Smith Center winning the matchup 56-12.

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

2A DISTRICT 3

(4-3) ACCHS at (6-1) Silver Lake

The Tigers had their two-year run of being the NEKL champs come to an end this season. They lost last week to Jackson Heights 46-26. The Tigers rushed for 248 yards against the Cobras and have been run heavy this season. The Tigers have had three games this season rushing for over 300 yards in a game, and they average over five yards per carry.

Silver Lake has posted an impressive season to date, and it continued last week with a 60-0 win over Maur Hill-Mount Academy. The Eagles have won five games in a row since their lone loss of the season to 3A #3 Topeka Hayden. They have also won games against Riley County, St. Marys, Rock Creek, and Rossville.

Silver Lake is in prime position to lock up a district title and can still be district champs with a loss to ACCHS. The Tigers could end up as the two-seed depending on some outcomes but will finish no lower than third place. Silver Lake is 4-0 against ACCHS dating back to 2012 including last season’s win of 41-30.

Brandon’s Pick: Silver Lake
Justin’s Pick: Silver Lake
Jared’s Pick: Silver Lake

(0-7) Maur Hill-Mount Academy at (4-3) Rossville

The Ravens were held to just 50 yards of offense in their 60-6 loss to Silver Lake last week. Their pass game was 0-for-12 as well. It’s been a tough season for the Ravens’ defense as well with the team allowing more than 40 points in their last six consecutive games. MHMA has been eliminated from playoff contention and are hoping to avoid their first winless season since 2009.

After a 1-2 start, the Bulldogs have now won 3 of their last 4 games including a 64-14 win at Pleasant Ridge last week. Rossville can still win the district. At 2-1 with a loss to Silver Lake, they will need to win by 15 or more and hope that the Eagles lose by 15 or more to ACCHS.

Brandon’s Pick: Rossville
Justin’s Pick: Rossville
Jared’s Pick: Rossville

2A DISTRICT 4 – Big 7

(7-0) Nemaha Central at (7-0) Sabetha – KNZA 103.9 FM & Sabetha Channel

In a winner-take-all league and district championship game, Nemaha Central is coming off their sixth consecutive shutout with a 30-0 win over Riley County at home last week. Despite the poor weather, Carter Hajek was able to complete 70% of his passes. He also ran for 107 yards and four touchdowns on 30 attempts. He didn’t have that breakout run that we are accustomed to seeing each week, but he was still rock solid.

Sabetha has quietly been one of the more dominant teams in Class 2A along with Nemaha Central as they improved to 7-0 with a 55-6 win over Horton last week. The Bluejays continue to have a dominant rushing attack and stout defense. They have not allowed more than six points in each of their last four games and are allowing just 6.1 points per game.

The winner of this game will earn both the district and Big 7 league titles. It was the same scenario last season with Nemaha Central winning the matchup in the regular season 24-7. The Thunder would go on to defeat Sabetha 30-14 in the Sub-State round on their way to the state championship.

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

3A DISTRICT 4 – Big 7

(2-5) Perry-Lecompton at (2-5) Royal Valley

The Kaws lost a non-district game last week to undefeated Atchison 42-0. The Kaws five losses have come against teams that have a combined record of 31-4. They’ve lost to Atchison, Sabetha, Nemaha Central, and Hayden who all enter the final week of the regular season with 7-0 records.

Royal Valley picked up their second win of the season last week defeating Jefferson West 24-14. The Panthers scored 18 of their 24 points in the first half and the defense held the Tigers scoreless in the second half. Jaxson Stevens led the Royal Valley rushing attack, finding the endzone three times.

The winner of this game will be lined up for the #3-seed coming out of the district and will have a more favorable road matchup in the first round of the playoffs. The Kaws are 9-2 against Royal Valley dating back to 2010 and have won five straight including last season 46-8.

Brandon’s Pick: Royal Valley
Justin’s Pick: Perry-Lecompton
Jared’s Pick: Perry-Lecompton

(1-6) Jefferson West at (3-4) Holton – Holton Channel

The Tigers lost their fifth game in a row last week at home against Royal Valley 24-14. The Tigers are in danger of missing the playoffs. They need an upset win at Holton this week and a little bit of help from some other teams in the district to sneak their way into the postseason.

Despite losing 24-7 at Hayden last week, Holton played one of their better games of the season. Yet, couldn't overcome a couple costly mistakes when they failed to score twice inside the 10-yard-line and had 12 penalties for more than 80 yards. Holton outgained Hayden 311 yards to 242 with Abbott Hundley rushing for 152 yard and Kyler Jackson adding 112.

Holton has already secured a home playoff game next week as district runner-up but will try to get back on track and even their record while saluting senior night against Jeff West. The Wildcats only have nine seniors this year and six of them have missed time while battling injuries with quarterback Eli Hallauer expected to miss week eight and Bodie Dillon take over signal calling duties. 

Holton is 16-2 against Jefferson West dating back to 2004. The Tigers lone two wins over the Wildcats in that stretch was 2018 and 2019. Holton won last year’s meeting 53-7 and 54-0 in 2021.

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

3A DISTRICT 5 – NCKL

(6-1) Clay Center at (3-4) Marysville

Clay Center is ranked 4th in Class 3A according to K-Preps heading into the regular season finale. They won their game last week over Rock Creek 26-12. It was the third time this season that the Tigers have scored 26 points or fewer and won. The defense allows just under 10 points per game.

Marysville bounced back after back-to-back losses with a win last week over Hiawatha 28-0. They had lost two straight games to Rock Creek and Valley Heights prior to the Hiawatha win.

Clay Center is 5-14 against Marysville dating back to 2004. The Tigers won the matchup last season 24-14 which snapped a skid of seven straight losses to the Bulldogs.

Brandon’s Pick: Clay Center
Justin’s Pick: Clay Center
Jared’s Pick: Clay Center

NON-DISTRICT

(1-6) KC Wyandotte at (7-0) Atchison – Meadowlark Conference

The Bulldogs have lost back-to-back games since their lone win of the season against KC Harmon. Last week’s loss was 50-0 at home against Blue Valley Southwest. They haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2019 when they went 4-5.

Atchison’s dominant season continued with a 42-0 shutout win over Perry-Lecompton last week. The Phoenix scored 20 points in the first quarter and never looked back. Atchison rushed for over 320 yards in the win with Xiomar Hernandez leading the way with 105 yards and two touchdowns. Jaden Carter added two rushing touchdowns while Trey Carter was able to find the endzone.

Atchison has won 14 straight games against Wyandotte dating back to 2008. The Phoenix won the matchup last season 59-18.

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

(6-1) Centralia at (2-5) Pleasant Ridge

The Panthers wrapped up their district last week with a 46-8 win at home against Riverside last week. Maveryk Becker had four touchdowns in the win and close to 150 yards on just 19 carries. Jacob Flentie played almost every snap on defense and even played a handful of snaps on offense and had a rushing touchdown despite a significant leg injury a couple weeks ago. Head coach Roger Holthaus said that he will start at quarterback this week after freshman Quentin Aldefer filled in the past two weeks.

Pleasant Ridge is solidified as the fourth-place team in District 3 after losing 64-14 at home against Rossville. Their schedule has been brutal in the second half with losses at home against ACCHS, at Silver Lake, at home versus Rossville, and now at home against district-winner Centralia on senior night. They will play on the road next week against the winner of Nemaha Central and Sabetha game.

Last year was the first ever meeting between these two teams with the Panthers winning handily 59-16 in Centralia.

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

(1-6) Hiawatha at (7-0) Hayden – Hiawatha Channel

Hiawatha will miss the playoffs this season as they lost their sixth game in a row last week to Marysville 28-0. The Redhawks lone win was in the opener against Royal Valley but once again have been hit with the injury bug this season. Hiawatha has lost 13 of their last 14 games dating back to last season.

3A #3 Hayden was able to grind out a 24-7 win last week over Holton to secure a district championship and that was playing without their best player in Finn Dunshee. Holton outgained Hayden in that game but Hayden capitalized in the redzone and did not turn the ball over. Hayden has won 11 of their last 12 games dating back to last season. The Wildcats won the matchup last season at Hiawatha 56-0.

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

(4-3) Wabaunsee at (0-7) Horton

Wabaunsee finished 2-2 in district play and will have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs next week. They lost last week at home against Valley Heights 64-26 and the defense allowed the Mustangs to rush for more than 470 yards in the game.

Horton will miss the playoffs this season and they dropped to 0-7 with a 55-6 loss last week at home against 2A #2 Sabetha. The Chargers have lost 14 straight games dating back to last season. Wabaunsee beat Horton last season 56-14.

Brandon’s Pick: Wabaunsee
Justin’s Pick: Wabaunsee
Jared’s Pick: Wabaunsee