Most of the games in the area can be pretty clear cut on paper, then there are games/scenarios where if one domino falls just right, chaos will ensue.
Here are the games of importance for SEK-Sports.com coverage area teams for Week 8.
Perhaps it’s a battle for a district title, maybe it’s the difference between being on the road, at home, or week 9 being the guaranteed final game of the season; whatever the case may be these are the games we’re watching closely this Friday night.
Follow along with all the scores Friday night in our scores post along with the Football District page on our site.
CLASS 3A DISTRICT 1
Columbus (4-0, 7-0) @ Frontenac (4-0, 7-0)
The Titans without a doubt are the “Comeback Team” of our coverage area this year and it’s fair to say throughout the state. They’ve staked their claim. They’ve defeated who they were supposed to, but as the late, great comedian Rodney Dangerfield said, “I don’t get no respect.” In a recent interview with KOAM-TV’s Jacob Lenard, Titans quarterback Patrick Cassidy said “We don’t get as much credit as they do. We’ve had the same record as them the whole time. We just weren’t getting the same recognition.” That chip-on-the-shoulder attitude is what has launched the Titans since their week 1 win over Colgan. Columbus’s offense is averaging 35 points per game while giving up an average of 11.5 points per game, including 2 shutouts. The Raiders offense, by comparison, is averaging 36 points per game and giving up just 9 points per game. Their opponent’s record in district play is a combined 10-18. For Columbus in non-district play, Columbus’s opponents are a combined 9-12 while Frontenac’s opponents, which includes 2 out of state opponents, are 14-8. Perhaps a better comparison for this matchup is that compared to same opponents Columbus outscored the same 5 opponents 151-81 while Frontenac outscored those opponents 199-51. No matter which way you want to compare, contrast, or split this one, it should be a fun, competitive game to attend in Southeast Kansas.
CLASS 3A DISTRICT 2
Burlington (2-2, 4-3) @ Anderson County (3-1, 4-3)
Anderson County boasts one of the more high powered offensive threats in the Pioneer League. They can hurt defenses through the air or on the ground thanks to Bo Dilliner, who is one of the top rushing leaders in the state of Kansas with 947 yards on the ground. Burlington has been up-and-down this season, starting the season 2-1 before losing two straight, but correcting things by getting back-to-back wins over Iola and Osawatomie. If Anderson County wins, they host a playoff game and depending on the margin of victory, Burlington could land the number 3 spot or find themselves out of the playoffs depending on what happens between Girard and Osawatomie.
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 1
Humboldt (4-0, 7-0) @ Southeast-Cherokee (3-1, 6-1)
For our coverage area teams, this game was going to be a close 2nd for games to attend. However, the blowout loss from Southeast makes this game lose a bit of its luster. That’s not to say that there isn’t intrigue. Due to Humboldt’s 6 point win over Riverton two weeks ago, this district’s top 3 standings remain undetermined. A win by Humboldt secures the Cubs back-to-back district titles and hosting next week while Southeast will be on the road. A win by Southeast, and depending on the results of Riverton’s match-up with Jayhawk-Linn, who is locked in at the 4th spot, things can get VERY interesting in this district. Humboldt’s Conor Haviland is 3rd in the state currently with 1,482 yards rushing, including a pair of games where he averaged or close to averaging 30 yards per carry. For the Lancers, Zaden Hendricks has 961 yards on the ground. Needless to say, both the Cubs and Lancers defense will need to find a way to stop the run.
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 5
Neodesha (1-3, 1-6) @ Fredonia (1-3, 3-4)
Things haven’t quite gone the way Fredonia has hoped. Instead of vying for a potential district title, the Yellowjackets find themselves fighting for a playoff spot. Despite having a rough season, the young Neodesha Bluestreaks find themselves still very much alive for a playoff spot as well. Neodesha will need a lot to go their way even with a win to secure the 4th spot. However, not only a league rivalry, but a true cross-county rivalry is enough to toss records, trends, and the like out. These 2 communities always come out for these 2 team’s match-ups and will be a fun atmosphere. Layne Mayeske for Fredonia is one of the receiving leaders with 418 yards in 6 games as well as 5 interceptions while on the defensive side Matt Weilert for the Yellowjackets has recorded 5 sacks.