Two weeks of the regular season remain in the high school football season and District play continues with potential playoff spots to be earned this week for certain teams, while others look to remain alive for a playoff spot and a few others eliminated from playoff contention look to try and finish the season strong. Eight area teams enter week eight in at least one set of rankings, while only four area teams remain unbeaten on the seasons coming into this week’s matchup.

Week Eight Games to be Broadcasted:
103.9 KNZA – Hayden at Holton (click here to listen)
92.1 KMZA – Valley Heights at Centralia (click here to listen)
KAIR 93.7 FM – Basehor-Linwood at Atchison (click here to listen)
Holton Channel – Hayden at Holton (click here to watch) (also on 103.9 KNZA)
Sabetha Channel – Sabetha at Hiawatha (click here to watch)
KAIR Sports Channel – Troy at Jefferson County North (click here to listen)

Hayden (3-4) at Holton (4-3) 
The rivalry between Wildcat powerhouses is renewed in a District Title matchup that features two teams peaking at the right time after slow starts. Holton has won four blowouts in a row after losing their first three games of the year by a total of 14 points to teams that are now 19-2 combined on the season. Holton opened District play with a 47-6 thumping of Jeff West to get above .500. Hayden knocked off previously unbeaten Santa Fe Trail 27-6 last week for their second straight win and the Capital City Cats have won three of four after also starting the year 0-3 with losses to 5A and 6A schools that have all won at least three games this season. 

Both Wildcat teams are predicated on a strong run game and stout defenses this year. Hayden is led by Thomas Stringer who has 599 yards rushing and added a trio of touchdowns last week. Miles McClintock-Stozier has 889 yards to pace Holton while Spencer Baum is right behind with 753 and the duo has each scored 13 touchdowns this year. Holton has won the last two meetings between these teams, with the latest a 31-14 victory in 2013. 

Santa Fe Trail (6-1) at Jeff West (1-6) 
Both teams face a must-win to keep playoff hopes alive as Trail tries to bounce back from their first loss of the season and Jeff West looks to find enough healthy and eligible bodies to put on the varsity field.  After Braxton Unruh went down with a scary injury and Hunter Dean existed last week’s game at Holton as well, the Tigers were down to just a couple seniors on the field and ended up playing 12 freshman in the district opening defeat.  

Jeff West has scored a total of just 50 points in their first seven games and could struggle against the Chargers, who are allowing less than 12 points per contest. In their final home game, Jeff West looks to avenge season-ending playoff losses to Santa Fe Trail the last two years by 12 and 13 points. Santa Fe Trail won the Pioneer League with a 6-0 record this year and is averaging 343 rushing yards per game, led by Peyton Newton with 1,348 yards and 16 scores.  
   
Basehor-Linwood (7-0) at Atchison (6-1) 
The Redmen are coming off their first loss of the season last week falling to Tonganoxie on the road in overtime 22-16. Atchison had two field goal opportunities late which would have won the game, but both kicks missed. After the Chieftains scored on their first possession in overtime, the Redmen were stopped near the goal line to end the game. The injury bug has hit the Redmen to this point in the season as starting quarterback Adam Smith, starting offensive lineman Dai Coye Haley, and receiver Matt Schrick are all out this week after suffering injuries in the past few weeks.

Basehor-Linwood is off a 48-34 win over Piper and are off to a 7-0 start outscoring opponents 373-83, averaging 53 points per game. The Bobcats are posting 380 yards per game as senior quarterback, Justin Phillips has thrown for 1,015 yards with 12 touchdowns (3 INTs), Chas Rollo leads the way on the ground with 837 yards 13 touchdowns averaging 8.5 yards per carry and three guys have 230+ yards receiving and at least two touchdowns this year.

The Redmen took last year’s meeting 25-20, scoring a touchdown with just over two minutes left for the win.

Riverside (3-4) at Nemaha Central (7-0)
Both teams last year made the 3A playoffs and played twice in the season with Nemaha Central winning both beating Riverside 39-6 in the regular season and 56-12 in the first round of the playoffs. This year both teams have and different types of seasons. The Nemaha Central continue to ride a wave of success beating rival Sabetha 20-14 last week to remain unbeaten, picking up the win in the final minute of the contest. The Thunder have been strong all around this season especially defensively giving up just 11.7 points per game, while being balanced on offense with 134 yards per game passing and 215 yards per game rushing. Ryan Hasenkamp led the charge against Sabetha with 114 yards rushing in the contest and on the year has ran for 400+yards with nine touchdowns, while passing for 880+yards with seven touchdowns, but the Thunder offense has seen three different guys toss a touchdown pass, eight different guys run for a score and five different guys catch a touchdown as they have spread the wealth. 

Riverside has been reeling a bit while decimated with injuries and now have lost four of their last five games.  The Cyclones, who allowed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter last week may be down to a freshman, third-string quarterback this week after a 27-14 loss to Hiawatha. Riverside has completed just two passes and thrown four interceptions the last two games while continuing to ride sophomore Dawson Dick, who ran for 148 yards and both scores and now has 801 yards rushing this season.  

Sabetha (6-1) at Hiawatha (4-3) 
The Bluejays played an even matchup in their Big 7 League Title and possible District championship tilt with rival Nemaha Central last week. Yet, failing to convert and capitalize on some short-yardage situations, the Jays fell for the first time this season 20-14. Now, they try to bounce back from their first defeat in a must-win at Hiawatha.  Blake Plattner ran for 164 yards and two scores against the Thunder and now has a team high 867 yards while Trae Snyder is right behind with 800 yards rushing this season.  

Hiawatha got their fourth win of the season at Riverside last Friday after a couple tough losses. Senior QB, Joseph Kunkel ran a season high 30 times for 237 yards while Colin Sample added 84 yards on the ground for the Hawks, who now get their final two games at home this season. Hiawatha has been outscored by Sabetha in the last two years game’s by a total of 126-0.  

Pleasant Ridge (1-6) at ACCHS (0-7) 
The Rams and Tigers have each had disappointing seasons both coming off of tough losses a week ago. Last week Pleasant Ridge fell to Maur Hill-Mount Academy 28-24 in the final moments and have now lost six straight since a season opening win over Horton. Breydon Baragary led the Rams on the ground last week rushing for 179 yards on 35 carries scoring two touchdowns, while Colton Comer also added a TD run as well. ACCHS fell to Immaculata 60-44 in a shootout last week being outscored 32-8 in the fourth quarter. The Tigers total over 400 yards of offense with Hunter Ostertag compiling 504 all-purpose yards with four touchdowns while Levi Navinskey and Chance Liggett each had rushing scores as well. 

The Rams took down the Tigers 52-22 in the final game of the regular season last year outscoring ACCHS 44-6 in the first half.

Immaculata (2-5) at Maur Hill-Mount Academy (5-2)
The Raiders and Ravens are each coming off wild wins last week as Immaculata took down ACCHS 60-44 in a shootout, while MHMA scored with 18 seconds left to take down Pleasant
Ridge. 

Immaculata amassed over 648 yards of total offense in the win over ACCHS as Nate Burdette finished 11-for-18 passing for 231 yards and four touchdowns with all four coming to Brock West who caught nine passes for 225 yards. Micah Webb also had a big game rushing for 339 yards on 23 carries with four touchdowns of his own. 

Maur Hill-Mount Academy received a big game from Cameron Taft last week as Taft caught the game-winning touchdown from Jack Caudle with 18 seconds left while also returning a fumble 75 yards for a score. Ronald Faulk-Tindal also ran for 117 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns, while Jack Caudle finished of 8 of 16 passing for 79 yards and the touchdown to Taft.

Perry Lecompton (3-4) at Silver Lake (7-0) 
Both teams are 1-0 in District play after wins last week.  Class 3A’s #1 ranked Eagles shutout Oskaloosa 49-0 while Perry Lecompton was impressive in a 44-8 victory against Royal Valley. The Kaws, who had lost three straight all too undefeated teams, ran for 351 yards with Cole Kellum getting 186 yards and Michael Kellum adding 64. The cousins have now combined for 1,323 yards rushing which is better than 75 percent of the team total. Perry battled Silver Lake the last two years in the regular season and fell both times, but it was 39-38 a year ago.  

Silver Lake has not had a game closer than 13 points this year in reclaiming the Mid-East League title from rival Rossville. Following their second shutout, the Eagles are surrendering a mere 12 points per game and a balanced on offense with 200 yards passing and 210 rushing per game on average, led by senior QB Dalton Dultmeier and his 1,600 total yards.     
Oskaloosa (4-3) at Royal Valley (2-5) 
After going 4-2 in the Northeast Kansas League, including wins by eight, nine and 22 points, the Bears were blanked by Silver Lake last week.  Besides a 60-point explosion over Immaculata, Oskie has scored less than 12 points per game. Royal Valley knows all about offensive struggles as they have been shut-out three times and scored just once in two other losses.  

Oskaloosa Sophomore, Jaxon Webb is still throwing for nearly 100 yards per outing with Hunter Reed hauling in 452 receiving yards. Hunter Evans and Jared Miller each have about 350 yards rushing to pace the Bears. Royal Valley is a rush offense that has had turnover problems despite some steady production from quarterback Kyle Stithem and backs Noah Ensley and Garrett Rodewald. The Panthers hope the level of competition from the Big 7 League has them better prepared for this week eight battle.  These teams have not played each other in more than 12 years.     

Marysville (5-2) at Minneapolis (1-6) 
After a playoff berth last year and the taste of winning the Bulldogs are putting together one their best seasons in recent history as they are riding a five-game winning streak after a 42-16 win against Beloit to open Districts last week. The Bulldogs used a strong run/pass balance in the win over the Trojans and have done so all season as Hunter Warnick leads the way on the ground with 982 yards on 200 carries with eight touchdowns and Jack Blumer at quarterback has 891 yards passing with 12 TDs. The Bulldog defense has been stout, too giving up just 10.1 points per game, while holding four of their seven opponents to under 100 yards of total offense. 

Minneapolis has struggled this year replacing just about all offensive yardage contributors from last year and the Lions have had trouble scoring and stopping teams as Riley County routed them 66-0 last week and teams have outscored them 269-76 on the year. The Lions have given up 27+ points in all six of their losses this season. 

Marysville ran wild against Minneapolis last year rushing for 412 yards as a team with Warnick going for 246 and three scores in a 45-28 Bulldog win. 

Troy (7-0) at Jefferson County North (7-0) 
A district title is on the line in Winchester Friday night as the Trojans and Chargers each enter the contest undefeated and champions of their respective leagues. 

Troy wrapped up the TVL last week with a 20-6 win over Washington County using a 14-0 fourth quarter to move to 7-0. Reid Greaser finished the game 17-for-26 passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score. Cuttar Huss caught 10 passes for 125 yards with two touchdowns while also recording two interceptions on defense. Greaser enter this week third in the state in all classes in passing yards with 1809, while Huss is ninth in the state in receiving yardage with 713. The Trojans enter Friday night averaging 45 points per game on offense. 

Jefferson County North took the crown in the Northeast Kansas League this year and is coming off a 22-7 win over Doniphan West last week. The Chargers led 8-0 after the first quarter and outscored the Mustangs 14-7 in the second for the win. In the process of the win last week the Chargers also lost their leading rusher on the season in Ridge Robertson who suffered a broken bone in his leg. On the season Robertson has accounted for 15 touchdowns while rushing for over 700 yards. The Chargers will also be without starting offensive and defensive lineman Braden Schneider who had surgery last week on his knee. JCN is averaging 41 points per game scoring over 50 points three times this season. 
The Trojans took last year’s meeting 51-16, as Huss accounted for four total scores in the win. 

McLouth (4-3) at Doniphan West (1-6) 
Both team look to keep slim playoff hopes alive in a must-win contest.  The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games after pummeling Horton 37-6 last week. Jeremy Carlton ran for 125 yards and a score while throwing for three more touchdowns as McLouth pulled away from a 13-0 halftime advantage. McLouth has held five of their seven opponents to a pair of scores or less.  

Doniphan West could not capitalize on five trips inside the 30-yard-line last week as they fell to JCN 22-7. Clayton Ridout had 132 yards and Carson Lackey added 65, but neither team found the end zone in the second half as the Mustangs dropped to 1-6 this season. McLouth won 28-6 the last time these teams met in 2013.  

Jackson Heights (4-3) at Horton (1-6) 
It’s been a brutal district for Jackson Heights as they have lost three games by 8, 14 and last week a 4 point setback at Valley Heights. Wyatt Olberding was able to return to quarterback last week and threw for 100 yards, 80 of which went to Braden Dohl, and Brady Holiday returning to the backfield with 85 yards rushing. The Cobras were forced to play four underclassmen on the line of scrimmage though due to injuries. Jackson Heights is still averaging 34 points per game this season and has a non-district game against Horton this week as they try to complete an undefeated Northeast Kansas League Championship.
Heights beat Horton 40-0 in week one a season ago.  

The Chargers have now lost 16 of their last 17 games and the offense has not scored more than one touchdown in their six defeats this season. Horton has been depleted by injuries but was encouraged last week by a sophomore taking over at quarterback as Mathew Lobdell ran for 201 yards on 27 carries.      

Valley Heights (6-1) at Centralia (1-6) 
Ground and pound that’s the theme when Valley Heights and Centralia meet up as both teams are built upon the run. Valley Heights gallops into the week eight showdown on a six-game winning streak with their triple option rushing attack leading the way averaging 375.4 yards per game rushing. Hunter Stevenson leads the charge in the backfield with 1,206 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Jordan Yungeberg as emerged as a strong option also in the backfield for Valley Heights with 630 yards and touchdown, while Logan Woodyard has ran for 278 yards and 14 touchdowns and thrown six touchdowns. The Mustangs are 2-0 in District play with close wins over Wabaunsee and Jackson Heights and sit in a good spot with a strong finish to make the playoffs.  

Centralia has continued to run the ball this season with 223.4 yards per game as a team but turnover issues and injuries have led to plenty of struggles for the Panthers. They head into this week with five different starters on both sides of the ball than when the season started as key guys like Trenton Flentie and Bryson Johnson are hurt. Freshman, Kamble Haverkamp and sophomore, Isaac Gore have shouldered the workload as of late rushing for 556 yards and five touchdowns combined on the year. 

Both teams have given up some points this year as Panthers give up 32.7 points per game and Valley Heights is giving up 23 points per game. Centralia won last year 35-20, the closest game between the two teams since 2008 and the Panthers have dominated the series as the last Valley Heights win over the Panthers was in 1988. 

Wabaunsee (3-4) at Washington County (5-2)
Both teams enter week eight in a spot to control their own destiny for a potential playoff spot and while the loser of the contest could still make the playoffs puts themselves in a bad spot potentially entering the final week of the season. Washington County gets back into District play this week after falling 20-6 to Troy last week being wrangle in, in the second half against the Trojans as the game was a 6-6 contest at halftime. No Hunter Kier (nearly 800 yards rushing with 8 TDs) has proved to be tough to overcome for the Tigers somewhat, but Jae Eaton will continue to see his workload increase as he has ran for 611 yards with 10 touchdowns this season and Jerrod Hoover will look to bring the pass game into the equation for the Tigers. 

Wabaunsee took a step closer to the playoffs with a 36-16 win over Centralia last week rushing for 230 yards in the game and now have won two-straight. The Chargers record doesn’t indicate the type of the team they are as their four losses have come to teams with a combined 23-5 record. Kolby Droegemeir leads the Chargers  offense with 909 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. 

Wetmore (0-7) at Frankfort (3-4) 
Frankfort enters week eight in the same spot as the past couple of years with just a slim chance of making the playoffs after a pair of tough losses falling to Hanover 54-8 last week and the four-point loss to Wakefield two weeks ago still stinging. While the Wetmore Cardinals for the second time this season let a potential win slip through their fingers in the final minute of the game falling 50-44 to Blue Valley last week. The Wildcats up until last week against Hanover even in the loss to Wakefield have been putting up strong offensive numbers with Adam Kenworthy and Garrett Dalinghaus leading the charge, but now are just looking to finish the season out with a pair of wins. 

Wetmore despite the loss to Blue Valley had their best offensive showing of the season as Joel Hutfles passed for 116 yards with three touchdowns, with Kyler Vance catching four passes for 101 yards and three scores and Garrett Evans added 108 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. The Cardinals come into week eight still with two big facets of the game hurting them the big play and finishing; Wetmore looks to continue to build and try and snag that elusive win. 

Hanover (6-0) at Wakefield (6-1) 
The winner looks to be the District champion and assure themselves a playoff spot in District 3 of 8-Man Division II play. The Wildcats of Hanover have been on cruise control basically all year giving up just 16 points on the season and holding all six of their opponents to under 100 yards of total offense, while averaging 40.3 points per game. Will Bruna leads the Wildcats offense with 820 yards passing and 11 touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns, as the Hanover offense has been quite efficient all year and spread the scoring around as four or more guys have scored at least one touchdown in five of the six games this year. 

Wakefield topped Axtell last week 54-6 and have won six in a row since a 14-point week one loss to Goessel. The Bombers offense has been solid with 43 points per game, 314 yards per game total offense and the trio of Skyler Merritt, Justin Carver and Andrew Rothfuss leading the way. Merritt has passed for 633 yards with 15 touchdowns and ran for 459 yards with 10 touchdowns, while Carver has 808 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns and Rothfuss has caught 21 passes for 447 yards with 11 touchdowns. 

Hanover crushed Wakefield last year winning 48-0 with Bruna going for 242 yards passing and four touchdowns. 

Blue Valley (2-5) at Axtell (3-4) 
Both teams are coming off of drastically different games and both teams entered the season with different types of rosters with numbers and experience. The Axtell Eagles despite lower numbers and plenty of inexperience are 3-4, while Blue Valley who has increased numbers this year and solid experience back are only 2-5 on the season. The Eagles last week struggled to move the ball amassing only 100 yards of offense and one score in the loss to Wakefield turning the ball over four times and look to this week start the game off strong something that has been tough to do the last four weeks for Axtell as they have lost three of the last four games with all three losses ending before the fourth quarter. Quinn Buessing looks to continue to take strides at quarterback totaling nearly 800 yards passing with 10 touchdowns. 

Blue Valley earned the late win over Wetmore 50-44 last week and picked up their second win of the season as Cole Montgomery tossed three touchdown pass, Trevor Schwerdt scored three different ways on a reception, run and kickoff return and Bradley Young found the endzone three times. The Rams two wins are against winless teams and outside of their two wins they have only scored 44 points on the year. 

Axtell won handily last year when the two teams meet up beating the Rams 60-12. 
Tescott (1-6) at Linn (3-4) 

Tescott (1-6) at Linn (3-4)
Last time these teams meet up was 2011 and Linn crushed Tescott 52-0. The Bulldogs this year have cruised in their three wins on the season but those wins came against teams with combined record of 2-19, while in the four losses this year the Bulldogs have been routed and all those losses coming to teams with one or zero losses. Evan Bott leads the team with 770 yards on 106 carries with seventh touchdowns as the Bulldogs look to try for a winning season if they can win their final two games. 

Tescott has just one win on the season which came against Twin Valley League team, Blue Valley in week three, but since that win have lost four in a row being outscored 218-48 during that stretch. On the year Tescott has struggled stopping teams giving up 50+ points in every loss and giving up a total of 342 points. 

Clifton-Clyde (6-1) at Onaga (1-6) 
After a 51-20 win last week over Centre the Clifton-Clyde Eagles set themselves up with a win against Onaga to be in a good spot for a playoff spot. The Eagles had five different guys score a touchdown last week in the win over Centre and even kicked a field goal in the contest. On the year the rushing attack as been strong for Clifton-Clyde with Caleb Charbonneau leading the way with 1,177 yards with 20 touchdowns, while Drake Steinbrock has added 484 yards with nine scores. 

Onaga has struggled to stay with teams falling 62-40 last week to Waverly, being outscored 20-8 in the second half after the game was tied 32-32 at halftime. Luck just hasn’t been on the Buffaloes side this year with injuries and a -15 turnover margin hurting them throughout the season. Logan Marten leads the team on the season with 456 yards passing with four touchdowns and 628 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns. 

Onaga won the last matchup between the two teams back in 2003 which was an 11-man contest. 

Valley Falls (1-6) at Centre (2-4) 
The Dragons have struggled in their first season in 8-man losing their last six games and giving up an average of 50 points per game on the season. Their latest setback came to the No. 3-ranked team in 8-man Burlingame falling 54-0 in a game that was stopped at halftime. Tyler Lockhart completed 14 of 27 passes for 127 yards with Chris Yates hauling in eight of Lockhart’s completions. The Dragons enter this week averaging just 11 points per game, but are facing a Centre defense that gives up 39 points per game. Centre has been able to score 24.3 points with quarterback, Cole Methvin, halfback, Max Svoboda and wideout, Dylan Dienes leading the way.