The Class 3A District 6 Champion Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks will host the Osage City Indians in Tuesday’s Bi-District playoff match-up.
Jayhawk-Linn enters the contest with an 8-1 overall record, their only loss coming in a 22-20 defeat at the hands of Drexel, Mo. Osage City walks into Bi-Districts sporting a 7-2 overall record.
To this point, Jayhawk-Linn has defeated three teams that are in this season’s Class 3A playoffs. The ‘Hawks defeated Neodesha 28-26 in the first game of the year. Later, they dispatched Pleasant Ridge 38-22. Lastly, Jayhawk-Linn defeated the Humbodlt Cubs in a thrilling 34-30 victory during week eight.
Osage City’s two losses came against a tough Wellsville team who is 8-1 and Class 2A power house, Lyndon. The Indians defeated Class 2A Olpe, Council Grove, and Mission Valley all in a three week span. Olpe and Mission Valley both qualified for the playoffs, while Council Grove finished with a 6-3 overall record.
This marks the third consecutive year the ‘Hawks have qualified for the Class 3A playoffs. In the previous two seasons Jayhawk-Linn has been knocked out in Bi-District play, including last year’s contest with Osage City which saw the Indians win 20-14.
Jayhawk-Linn’s standout senior Brandon Gray was quoted saying “This is the biggest game of the season. Since week one our goals have been to win league, win our district, and win the first playoff game in school history.” To this point, the ‘Hawks can cross off two of their goals, as they won the Three Rivers League for the third straight season, as well as winning the district outright for the second consecutive season.
For Osage City this is the fourth time the Indians have qualified for the playoffs since 2009. As previously stated, the Indians knocked the Jayhawks out of last season’s playoffs, winning 20-14. The game came down to the wire, but ultimately Osage City denied Jayhawk-Linn of their first playoff victory in school history.
When asked if there is any revenge involved in this year’s contest, the ‘Hawks senior Brandon Gray stated “No doubt there is a lot of revenge coming into the game. They knocked us out last year and we want to return the favor.”
If Jayhawk-Linn is to come out on top, they will have to contain a high octane Indian’s offense that is averaging over 37 point per game. Osage City quarterback Tucker Kimball has completed 97 passes for 1682 yards and 15 touchdowns, while only throwing four interceptions. Kimball not only gets it done through the air, but also on the ground. Kimball leads the Indians rushing attack with 363 yards and 8 touchdowns. As a team, the Indians have rushed for over 1200 yards. Three Osage City receivers have over 300 yards receivng. Peyton Pearson leads the receivers with 409 yards and 7 touchdowns.
On defense, Osage City is led by Mycah Ritchie who has tallied 53 tackles on the season. The Indian’s defense has forced an outstanding 22 turnovers on the season as well.
The ‘Hawks are no slouch on offense though. Led by tight end Brandon Gray and running backs Harley Stone and Hayden Broyles, the Jayhawks are averaging 36 points per game on offense. The speed of Stone and Broyles have given defenses problems all season, while Gray has been a match-up nightmare for opposing linebackers and defensive backs. Gray towers over most defenders, standing at 6’4″. Two weeks ago against Humboldt, Gray finished with 118 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
Jayhawk-Linn’s defense has been stingy all season long, holding five teams to single digit points, while only surrendering 14 points per game.
With both teams sporting a prolific offense and a stout defense, something has to give.
Will Osage City knock the Jayhawks out of the playoffs for a second consecutive year? Or will the ‘Hawks avenge their 2016 loss and earn their first playoff victory in school history? Either way, Tuesday’s night contest looks to be another instant classic.
The Halloween kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on a ghostly night in Mound City.
