Two weeks of the high school football regular season are in the books and some teams have started the season strong, while others are still in search of their first win.

Below you can find previews for each week three matchups along with predictions from Jonny Kane and Justin Fluke of each contest.

Jonny’s Pick Record: 29-8

Justin’s Pick Record: 29-8

Week Three Games to Be Broadcast

Sabetha at Perry Lecompton - 103.9 KNZA and Sabetha Channel
Holton at Nemaha Central – 92.1 KMZA and Holton Channel
Maur Hill-Mount Academy at Jackson Heights – KAIR 93.7 FM

Frankfort (2-0) at Doniphan West (0-2)

Not only did D-West play the entire game at Hanover last week, but don't be fooled by the final score either. The Mustangs led 8-6 before a hail-marry pass as time expired in the first half gave the Wildcats a 14-8 advantage. Then, playing to win the game in the second half, D-West went for a couple fourth downs and did not convert inside their own 25-yard-line, setting up short fields as Hanover padded their lead.  Doniphan West however does not have a takeaway on defense this year and is looking to create some more breaks as they face another tough TVL opponent is hopes of avoiding an 0-2 start to district play. 

The Mustangs will match up against a Frankfort team that has been one of the most impressive in not only the TVL but around the state through the first two weeks. The Wildcats had little problems a week ago getting up 34-0 after the first quarter before going on to cruise to an easy 54-6 win over Onaga. Gavin Cornelison and Branden Bussman each ran for over 100 yards while Cornelison added four touchdowns and Garret Dalinghaus added three on the ground in his first game of the year.

Frankfort dominated last season’s meeting 54-6 with Dalinghaus recording a monster game with two touchdowns on offense along with 11 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a sack on defense.

Jonny’s Pick: Frankfort
Justin’s Pick: Frankfort

Axtell (2-0) at Onaga (1-1)

Axtell continued to roll a week ago scoring 28 points in the first quarter in a 58-6 win over Blue Valley which ended after just two quarters. Quinn Buessing continued his torrid start to 2019 with five more touchdown passes including three to Mitchell Buessing. With the win Axtell has now won 12-straight games against non-Hanover teams and are 16-1 when facing teams other than Hanover dating back to week five of the 2017 season.

Onaga will look to bounce back and do a better job of holding onto the football after being turned over three times a week ago in a 54-6 loss to Frankfort which lasted until early in the third quarter. The Buffaloes finished with just over 200 yards of total offense and got their only score on a 40-yard by Ethan Powell who finished with 72 yards on the ground.

Axtell rolled to a 48-0 win in the first meeting between the two schools a year ago with Buessing tossing five touchdowns in two quarters of action.

Jonny’s Pick: Axtell
Justin’s Pick: Axtell

Wetmore (1-1) at Blue Valley (0-2)

The Cardinals are coming off a big-time win a week ago after trailing 22-8 at halftime before scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to beat Southern Cloud 28-22. Wetmore overcame three turnovers and five penalties by forcing three Southern Cloud turnovers and capitalizing on big plays in the second half. Kael McQueen ran for 138 yards and a touchdown while he caught one as well as Eric Bloom recording a rushing score.

The Cardinals will look to pick up a second straight win against a Blue Valley team that is searching for answers after a 58-6 loss to Axtell a week ago. The Rams are looking to pick up their first win of the season but for success Blue Valley must find a way to stop the Cardinals on defense after struggling through the first two games giving up an average of 68 points.

Jonny’s Pick: Blue Valley
Justin’s Pick: Blue Valley

Royal Valley (0-2) at Riverside (1-1)

Two teams hungry for a win after Royal Valley eeked out a 28-27 victory versus Riverside last season and has won four straight against the Cyclones. Last week the Panthers were tied 0-0 entering the second quarter against Jeff West before the Tigers pounced for 20 quick points and never looked back.  This year, Royal Valley has still not scored a point.  Thanks in large part to committing 12 turnovers in the first two games combined. The Panther defense  has allowed 108 points and must improve facing their third straight opponent that uses a spread attack and likes to throw the football.

Riverside sophomore QB Kobe Davis threw for 256 yards completing 22 of 42 pass attempts but struggled on defense allowing nearly 500 yards in a 50-7 loss at Sabetha. Six different Cyclones caught at least two passes in week two with Yegor Dittemore and Braden Chalfant each hauling in six receptions. Tonight is homecoming night for Riverside. 

Jonny’s Pick: Riverside
Justin’s Pick: Riverside

Sabetha (2-0) at Perry Lecompton (1-1) on 103.9 KNZA and Sabetha Channel

Sabetha has now won 22 games in a row.  Four of those games have been wins against Perry Lecompton and all four of them have been in Sabetha.  Tonight the Bluejays travel to Perry to face the team they eliminated from the playoffs the last two years. The Jays ran for 382 yards and passed for another 102 in a 50-7 thumping of Riverside last Friday. Andrew Frazee and Michael Gugelman have developed as strong runningbacks alongside dual-threat QB Gabe Garber. Drew Schmelzle has been the top target in the passing game with Sabetha showing a few more spread looks while Schmelzle and Garber also pace the defense in tackles. 

Perry is coming off a tough 14-7 loss at Holton in which they squandered three red-zone opportunities. Thad Metcalfe has led the Kawks on offense with 226 yards rushing and three touchdowns while adding 89 yards and two more scores receiving. Junior quarterback, Billy Welch has completed 27 of 28 passes this season for 377 yards with Parker Stone and Dawson Williams combining for 16 catches and 226 yards. Welch was dinged up last week and may not be 100 percent tonight, meaning Stone could see snaps at QB.  Last year Perry fell 35-33 at Sabetha in the regular season before a 28-6 playoff loss.

Jonny’s Pick: Sabetha
Justin’s Pick: Sabetha

Holton (1-1) at Nemaha Central (1-1) on 92.1 KMZA and Holton Channel

Holton evened their record with a big 14-7 win against Perry in their home opener last week.  The quick and aggressive Wildcat defense surrendered just seven points each to Jeff West and Perry and faces another spread aerial attack tonight in Seneca.  The Holton offense got their first TD of the year and a spark last week as their initial play from scrimmage was a 63 yard halfback pass from Taygen Fletcher to Ian Watkins. Canon Karn, Trey Wright and Konnor Tannahill have all contributed in an equal backfield behind quarterback Kale Purcel but look to finish drives and put up more points this week. 

Nemaha Central had a much tougher game than many expected last week trailing at halftime to Hiawatha before outscoring the Redhawks 26-0 in the second half to win going away 52-27. Dylan Schultejans threw for 228 yards and five touchdowns with all five going to Andrew Leonard.

Nemaha Central had beaten Holton three straight times until the Wildcats won a 37-32 thriller last year, which was a single possession game for the second time in three years.  

Jonny’s Pick: Holton
Justin’s Pick: Holton

Hiawatha (0-2) at Jeff West (2-0)

Hiawatha put together a great first half last week with 20-7 lead against Nemaha Central. However, the 28-27 halftime advantage dissapeared early in the third quarter and the Redhawks couldn't muster a scoring drive to stay in the game and posted just 59 yards after intermission.  Tyler Brockoff hit Michael Moreno on back-to-back offensive snaps for a 13-0 lead and went on to post a huge night with Moreno catching nine passes for 163 yards and three of the four TD's from Brockoff who went 21-33 for 246 passing with another score tossed to Kade Tollefson. Because of illness and missed practices for several athletes leading up to last Friday, Hiawatha had to start a freshman at runningback, but is healthier this week. 

Jeff West won 25-7 last year and has won five of six and prevailed in 11 of the last 13 meetings against Hiawatha. The Tigers are fresh off a 40-0 victory at Royal Valley where Quinn Neuenswander scored three rushing touchdowns and passed for two more to Joe Anderson. The Tigers defense behind a huge and stout line, has still not allowed a point this season, but will be test early and often in the secondary for the first time this year.   

Jonny’s Pick: Jeff West
Justin’s Pick: Jeff West

Pleasant Ridge (0-2) at McLouth (0-2)

Someone will get their first win of the 2019 season Friday night as both Pleasant Ridge and McLouth have had rough starts to the season. The Rams were blanked last week in a 31-0 loss to Troy and on the season haven’t been able to get anything going offensively averaging just 160 yards of total offense per game. Pleasant Ridge has yet to have a rusher eclipse 100 yards on the season and have scored just two total touchdowns through two games.

They will have a chance to get right facing a Bulldog team that has had a similar start to the year losing 50-6 to Jeff County North a week ago. McLouth has scored just one touchdown this season and have allowed over 40 points in each of the first two games. Matt Kuglin has the only touchdown for the Bulldogs which came last week on a 9-yard run.

Pleasant Ridge captured a 34-12 win in last season’s week three contest and have won three of the last four meetings.

Jonny’s Pick: Pleasant Ridge
Justin’s Pick: Pleasant Ridge

Maur Hill-Mount Academy (2-0) at Jackson Heights (2-0) on KAIR 93.7  FM

This game has been fairly close and decided the Northeast Kansas League Title the past few years with Jackson Heights prevailing 14-0 a season ago.  The Cobras have won the League title the last three years with a current 16-game NEKL win streak, that also included a 16-14 home win against MH-MA two years ago.  Jackson Heights is ranked #3 in Class 1A after lopsidded wins against Horton (46-8) at ACCHS (41-8) last week. In the Cobras second game they ran for 386 yards with QB Cable Wareham having three rushing scores and Jason Bosley making two trips to the endzone while Dylan Thompson led the team with 121 yards on the ground and Cooper Williams also adding 97 yards rushing in the balanced wishbone attack.

The Cobras will go up against a Maur Hill-Mount Academy offense that has scored 96 points through the first two weeks and a defense that has yet to allow a single point. The Ravens cruised to a victory a week ago over Oskaloosa 54-0 outscoring the Bears 42-0 in the first half. Jack Caudle threw for 269 yards and five touchdowns with three going to Grant Kocour and two to his brother Drew Caudle. Andrew Schwinn also recorded two rushing TDs for the Ravens who are looking to prove they belong with the best of the best.

Jonny’s Pick: Jackson Heights
Justin’s Pick: Jackson Heights

Jeff County North (2-0) at Oskaloosa (0-2)

The Chargers have been one of the biggest surprises to start 2019 off to a 2-0 start after a solid week one win over Pleasant Ridge and a 50-6 blowout of McLouth a week ago. JCN scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters during last week’s win led by Logan Budy who ran for four scores while Boyd Tweed threw two touchdowns to Landon Gutchenritter. The Chargers have scored 88 points through the first two weeks and last season won handily over the Bears 44-6.

Oskaloosa will look get on the right side of things after a rough start to the year which continued last week in a 54-0 loss to Maur Hill-Mount Academy. The Bears trailed 42-0 at halftime and have given up over 50 points in each of the first two weeks. Oskaloosa enters week three averaging just 142 total yards per game and are led by sophomore Nick Henry who has rushed for 124 yards on the season.

Jonny’s Pick: JCN
Justin’s Pick: JCN

Valley Heights (2-0) at ACCHS (1-1)

Valley Heights has looked like one of the best teams in the state through the first two weeks of the season and after a 54-0 beat down of Horton last week the Mustangs are ranked fifth in the latest state rankings. The Mustangs put up 24 points in each of the first two quarters last week and got three rushing touchdowns from Cole Coggins while Jackson O’Toole added two more. Valley Heights will be without standout athlete Trey Martin who will be out due to an injury.

They will face a hungry ACCHS team that is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 41-8 loss to Jackson Heights last week. The Tigers had plenty of chances to make it a game last week fumbling inside of the 10-yard line right before halftime which could’ve made the game 21-8 at halftime but instead the Cobras took control from there. The Tigers only score came on an 8-yard pass from Tucker Smith to Trystin Myers to kick off the second half.

The Mustangs ran for 606 yards a season ago in a 66-26 win over the Tigers with Cole Coggins rushing for 285 yards and three touchdowns.

Jonny’s Pick: Valley Heights
Justin’s Pick: Valley Heights

Horton (0-2) at Troy (1-1)

Despite Troy posting a 25-5 record at home the last five years, this game is being played at Highland Community College. Troy is coming off a 31-0 shutout against Pleasant Ridge at home with Kipp Jasper and Jacob Moore each rushing for more than 145 yards and while Moore scored twice rushing, Jasper added 100 yards and two touchdown passes.  The Trojans also had zero turnovers after six the first week of the season.

The Trojans have won the last three meetings with Horton by an average score of 47-7.

Horton has lost 13 straight games, all by 30 points or more and is rebuilding the program with a bunch of freshman and sophmores making up two-thirds of their starting spots including most of the skill positions. Granted, the Chargers have also played two ranked 1A teams to start the year falling to Jackson Heights (46-8) and last week Valley Heights (54-0). 

Jonny’s Pick: Troy
Justin’s Pick: Troy

Valley Falls (0-2) at Washington County (1-1)

After squeaking out a week one win over Doniphan West the Washington County Tigers took a step back last week being blanked by Thunder Ridge 54-0. The Tigers allowed 247 rushing yards to the Longhorns and were sacked seven times while turning the football over twice. Washington County also had 12 plays go for negative yardage a week ago and gave up a special teams touchdown as well.

The Dragons lost 50-0 last week, which was their first time being shutout in a couple years. Valley Falls hasn't scored in six quarters now while missing a couple starters with injury including running back Cade Norris. Last year Valley lost to Washington County 52-6 and look to take a step forward on offense.  The Dragons are just 2-27 since switching to 8-man football in 2016.  

Jonny’s Pick: Washington County
Justin’s Pick: Washington County

Wilson (1-1) at Clifton-Clyde (2-0)

After posting a 9-1 record last season Clifton-Clyde has picked up right where they left off a season ago and last week it continued in a 50-0 beat down of Valley Falls. The Eagles have yet to allow a point this season and have posted over 50 points in each of the first two games. Clifton-Clyde has featured a balanced attack through the first two weeks with eight different players finding the end zone.

The Eagles will face a Wilson team that is coming off a 58-12 loss to Lincoln where they were outscored 28-0 between the second and third quarters. The Dragons rush for 269 yards per game and will try avenge a 66-12 loss to the Eagles a season ago.

Jonny’s Pick: Clifton-Clyde
Justin’s Pick: Clifton-Clyde

Hanover (2-0) at Rock Hills (2-0)

It may be the game of the week around the state of Kansas with storylines across the board between these two unbeaten teams. Hanover is just one win away from tying the eight-man record for consecutive wins which currently stands at 41 straight games after a 44-8 win over Doniphan West last week. It was a much closer game than the score indicated for the 3-time defending state champs who led just 14-8 at halftime and trailed 8-6 just before the half when the Wildcats connected on a hail-marry.  

It won’t be any easier this week as the Wildcats will face a Rock Hills team that has put up over 60 points in each of their first two blowout victories of the year. The Grizzlies average 591 rushing yards per game led by Rylee Whelchel and Mason Higer who have already combined for nearly 1,000 yards on the ground through two games.

Hanover cruised to a 68-0 win over Rock Hills a year ago which gave the Grizzlies their first loss of the season.

Jonny’s Pick: Rock Hills
Justin’s Pick: Hanover

Linn (0-2) at Lakeside (0-2)

Someone is going to pick up their first win of the season Friday night with the Bulldogs looking to bounce back after a 66-42 loss to St. John/Tipton last week. Linn compiled 426 yards of total offense in the loss led by Jace Schaeffer who threw for 192 yards and four touchdowns with three of them going to Kevin Alvarado.

They will face a Lakeside team that has given up over 50 points in each of the first two games of the season. Lakeside won on the road in last year’s week three meeting 56-38 which was also the first ever meeting between the two schools.

Jonny’s Pick: Lakeside
Justin’s Pick: Lakeside

St. Mary’s (0-2) at Centralia (1-1)

The Panthers are coming off a statement victory in week two upsetting Riley County 54-32 who was ranked fifth in Class 2A. The Panthers struggled early but tied the game at 20 at halftime before outscoring the Falcons 34-12 in the second half. Kamble Haverkamp ran 36 times for 217 yards and six touchdowns in the win while Devon Feldkamp returned a kick for a score and Corbin Becker added a pick-six.

Centralia will look to keep it rolling against a struggling St. Mary’s team that has had a tough start to the season with losses to Silver Lake and Rock Creek. The Panthers dominated last season’s meeting 56-14 with Kamble Haverkamp combining for five touchdowns.

Jonny’s Pick: Centralia
Justin’s Pick: Centralia

Marysville (2-0) at Concordia (1-1)

Marysville is off to a 2-0 start to the year after another solid win last week taking down Clay Center 54-31 behind a 16-0 third quarter. Atreyau Hornbeak was a monster in last week’s win rushing for 176 yards and seven touchdowns while Brandon Schroedl threw for 209 yards on 11 completions. Hornbeak has rushed for 332 yards and nine touchdowns while Schroedl has thrown for 372 yards and one score.

Concordia picked up their first win of the year last week in a 13-7 win over Abilene scoring once in the first quarter and one in the fourth. The Bulldogs have rushed for 187 yards per game this season led by Hunter Schroeder who’s averaging over 100 yards per game.

Marysville blew out Concordia last season 42-0 rushing for 246 yards with Hornbeak racking up 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Jonny’s Pick: Marysville
Justin’s Pick: Marysville

Atchison (0-2) at KC Piper (2-0)

Atchison enters week three searching for answers on how to hold onto the football after fumbling seven times in a 33-24 loss to Schlagle last week. The Redmen led 24-18 in the fourth quarter, but Schlagle’s KU commit Jaylin Richardson ran in two fumbles in the fourth quarter to move Atchison to 0-2. Xavier Cushinberry, Patrick Denton and Garyeon Simpson each got into the end zone for the Redmen who have been in position to win each of their first two games.

Piper has been strong through two weeks of the season with wins over Eudora and Baldwin allowing just 13 total points combined. The Pirates are rushing for over 200 yards per game led by La’James White who leads the team with 299 yards and three scores on the season.

Piper claimed last season’s week three meating 56-28 and has won the last eight meetings dating back to 2011.

Jonny’s Pick: Piper
Justin’s Pick: Piper