Week 3 has a finale feel to it of sorts.
For everyone in the area not Class 4A or 1A football, this will be the last week to “tune-up” before the start of districts and playoff seeding.
When looking at these games I choose the ones involving the teams, that I feel, really need to make the most of their match-up this week before the real season begins.
As a reminder, if you’re attending these games or any other varsity sports this season, please text in your score updates and results to 620-325-9531.
Also, tweet us or message us your video or picture nominations for our “Top 5 Plays of the Week”. We will release the top 5 plays every Sunday.
CNC League
St. Mary’s Colgan (0-2) @ Baxter Springs (0-2)
Not exactly sure how long it’s been since both Colgan and Baxter Springs started the season 0-2, but here we are. Colgan lost a close battle with a much improved Columbus team and then blown out by a physical Frontenac squad. The good news for Colgan is that their district won’t begin until week 7 against a struggling Yates Center team. They have plenty of time to work on their offense, which has only scored twice in each of their games. Baxter Springs was outmatched by Girard in week 1 and narrowly lost to an improved Riverton team. Unlike the Panthers, the Lions district will open up next week against a talented and speedy Parsons team. In fact Baxter Springs looks to be in one of the most loaded districts in the area with Columbus, Galena, Frontenac, and Caney Valley in addition to Parsons. Truthfully, the Lions could not have asked for a better week 3 match-up because Colgan is a program that will exploit your flaws. Something that should the Lions come up short in could benefit them in preparing for their district.
Lyon County League
Madison (2-0) @ Hartford (1-1)
Lyon County League insider Michael Dieker had this to say about this match-up, “Madison out to a blistering start to their season. Hartford had a good bounce-back last week with Southern Coffey County. Freshman quarterback for Hartford Ali Smith then Sophomore Shayden Sull provide a bright future and took great strides last week but Madison (should be) just too much. Last year it was 70-0. Unsure if Hartford will be able to score again and (the) outcome may be similar”.
Pioneer League & SEK League
Iola (0-2) @ Chanute (1-1)
30+ years. That’s how long it’s been since the Iola Mustangs have defeated the Chanute Blue Comets in varsity high school football. However, this is one of the better teams, in quite some time. Coach David Daugharthy has excitement for Iola football is at heights that haven’t been seen in a while. Despite being winless on the season, Iola has played in some close games, including being on the losing end of a thrilling 5 overtime game against Parsons. With a district that features Anderson County, with a new head coach, a young Osawatomie team, as well as Girard and Burlington, snapping a 30-year losing streak to Chanute may be the boost of confidence Iola needs to get back to the playoffs. The Blue Comets are coming off a hard-fought battle against a physical Pittsburg Purple Dragons team. Each week is like a district game for Chanute who competes in Class 4A to Iola’s Class 3A. Chanute has outscored Iola in their last 8 meetings 346-78. Chanute has one of the most well-rounded teams in the region in Class 4A with seniors Ty Bowman and Briley Peavy. They went toe-to-toe with one of the best in the state last week. The health of the Blue Comets will be critical along with the pressure of continuing “the streak”.
South Central Border League &
Three Rivers League 8-Man
West Elk (2-0) @ St. Paul (2-0)
One of the reasons we decided to expand to cover the SCBL this year is because of the recent St. Paul v. West Elk/Sedan games and the back and forth match-ups. Saint Paul is 5-4 against SCBL opponents in the last 4 seasons, including a 52-14 win over Sedan in week 1. After a 1-8 finish last year, West Elk is 2-0 to start 2019. Saint Paul, behind the legs of Adam Albertini, has started 2-0 for the third time in the last four years. In that span, the Indians and Patriots are 2-2. Albertini comes in with 512 yards on the ground, 3rd best in all classes in the state of Kansas. Nick Moreno of West Elk is also showing impressive numbers early on in the season with 271 yards rushing. This will be an excellent match-up between the two teams in what should be a competitive finish to the non-district schedule.
Three Rivers League 11-Man
Pleasanton (1-1) @ Jayhawk-Linn (2-0)
The BluJays lost to Southeast-Cherokee last week in a close one 28-12. Pleasanton lost their stud receiver Kason McKee in the 1st half could never rebound after that. There hasn’t been much out of Pleasanton on his status and while there’s never a good time for a team’s top-player to go missing from the starting line-up, this may be a good tune-up game for Pleasanton to try to find some balance and momentum before the start of districts in a few weeks. Jayhawk-Linn has taken care of their business so far this season going 2-0 with decisive wins over Yates Center and Uniontown. Much like last season the Eagles started 2-0 before losing to the BluJays in Pleasanton. This year the game is at Uniontown and unlike the BluJays, this will be the Eagles last chance before the start of districts to prove the first 2 weeks isn’t a fluke, but instead the constant for them rolling into battling for a home playoff spot.
Tri-Valley League
Humboldt (2-0) @ Eureka (1-1)
This for me is THE game of the week. I’ve been fortunate to follow Eureka the last few years and I like what coach Nichols is building there. The Tornadoes, unfortunately, have been plagued by injuries in the last few years. They’ve had the talent, but haven’t been able to stay healthy enough to really make a splash or run late. Despite the 1-1 start to the season, losing last week a physical Caney Valley team, they look to be on track to finally make the splash they’ve been capable of the past few years. What better time than against one of the top ranked teams in the state of Kansas in Class 2A. Depending on which rankings source you look at, the Cubs are ranked as high as the 5th spot in Class 2A. However, and coach Wyrick will be the first to tell you, the Cubs defense has been a bit suspect the first 2 weeks of the season. In fact, the Cubs for the first time since 2016 gave up 2 or more scores in back-to-back games during the regular season. With Humboldt still trying to find a solid foundation on defense, this may be the game Eureka has been waiting for to grab the attention of not just the Tri-Valley League, but Eastern region as well.