2022 Pick Records

Brandon

Last week: 19-4
Overall: 101-23
Last season: 158-31

Justin

Last week: 19-4
Overall: 104-20
Last season: 157-32

Jared

Last week: 15-8
Overall: 89-35
Last season: n/a

Games to be Broadcast

Hayden at Holton – 103.9 KNZA & Holton Channel
Nemaha Central at Riley County – 92.1 KMZA
Atchison at Perry Lecompton – KAIR 93.7
Horton at Sabetha – Sabetha Channel
Hiawatha at Marysville – Hiawatha Channel   
Jackson Heights at ACCHS - Cobra Channel 

Week 7 Games (*Denotes District Record)

6-Man District 1

(3-3, 3-1*) Centre-Lost Springs at (4-2, 3-1*) Wetmore

The Cougars snapped a brief two-game skid with a 55-7 win last week vs. Chetopa. Centre-Lost Springs’ defense has allowed 57 points a game in their three losses including 79 points in their 79-71 loss to Burrton in Week 1.

Wetmore’s three-game winning streak was snapped after their 38-32 loss at Waverly last Friday. Kyler Wommack went 16-for-18 with 241 passing yards in the loss. Wide receiver Jacob Carls had another multi-touchdown day with ten catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns. What did the Cardinals in were penalties and Waverly’s impressive passing offense. A win would insure a winning record for Wetmore this season.

Brandon’s Pick: Wetmore
Justin’s Pick: Wetmore
Jared’s Pick: Wetmore

8M-I District 5

(4-3, 1-3*) Washington County 12 at (5-2, 3-1*) Ell Saline 46 **THURSDAY**

Brandon’s Pick: Ell Saline
Justin’s Pick: Ell Saline
Jared’s Pick: Washington County

(5-1, 3-0*) Clifton Clyde at (2-4, 1-2*) Rock Hills

Clifton Clyde continues their strong season as they improved to 5-1 with a 50-0 win last week over Ell Saline. The Eagles are being considered for a top five ranking in both the latest KSHSAA Covered and K-Preps rankings this week.

The Rock Hills Grizzlies snapped a brief two-game losing streak and picked up their second win of the season last week with 40-30 victory over Bennington. 2019 was the last time Rock Hills has won more than three games in a season.

Clifton Clyde and Rock Hills haven’t played since 2015. The two teams played eight times from 2008-2015 with Clifton Clyde going 5-3 but Rock Hills won the last two games in 2014 and 2015.

Brandon’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Justin’s Pick: Clifton Clyde
Jared’s Pick: Clifton Clyde

8M-II District 3

(2-4, 1-3, 1-2*) Linn at (2-4, 2-2, 2-1*) Hanover

Linn was able to get back on track last week with a 52-24 win at Doniphan West to get their second win of the season. The Bulldogs had lost three straight to Washington County, Axtell, and Frankfort and was outscored 153-6 in those games. Linn hasn’t won more than two games in the regular season since 2017 and they have a chance to surpass that in the final two weeks this year.

Hanover had their brief two-game winning streak snapped last week 62-14 loss at 8M-II #1 Axtell. The Wildcats got down 24-6 in the first quarter and the Eagles were able to end it in the third quarter.  

Hanover has dominated the recent series over Linn winning 12 of the last 13 games dating back to 2004. Hanover has won 11 straight including last year 58-12. Linn’s last win over Hanover was 2005.

Brandon’s Pick: Hanover
Justin’s Pick: Hanover
Jared’s Pick: Hanover

(3-3, 3-1, 3-0*) Frankfort at (6-0, 4-0, 3-0*) Axtell

Freshman quarterback Wes Anderson had a career-high five passing touchdowns last week in their 58-12 win over Blue Valley last week. Anderson completed 12 passes on 20 attempts with 157 passing yards. Wide receiver Lane Loiseau had four total touchdowns with three rushing and one receiving with his 172 total yards. The Wildcats have scored 50+ points during their three-game winning streak.

Axtell quarterback Isaac Detweiler now has back-to-back six touchdown games after their 62-14 over Hanover. He had three touchdowns over the air and three on the ground with 255 total yards. Sophomore running back Brandon Schmelzle had three touchdowns on the day as well.

The series between these two teams has been relatively close over the past few seasons. Axtell won last year’s meeting 54-8, but the Wildcats have won two of the last three.

Brandon’s Pick: Axtell
Justin’s Pick: Axtell
Jared’s Pick: Axtell

(1-5, 0-4, 0-3*) Doniphan West at (1-5, 0-4, 0-3*) Blue Valley

Doniphan West added another loss last week as they lost to Linn at home 52-24. The 24 points scored was the most for the Mustangs since their lone win in week three against Maranatha. Doniphan West have won just two of their last nine games dating back to last season.

Blue Valley lost their third in a row last week as they struggled in a 58-12 loss at Frankfort. Since their week three win over Wakefield, the Rams have been outscored 172-18 to Hanover, Axtell, and Frankfort.

Doniphan West has won two of the last three meetings against Blue Valley. The Mustangs beat the Rams last year 54-8 and 54-6 in 2019. Blue Valley beat Doniphan West 36-12 in 2018.

Brandon’s Pick: Blue Valley
Justin’s Pick: Blue Valley
Jared’s Pick: Blue Valley

1A District 3

(0-6, 0-4, 0-3*) Oskaloosa at (1-5, 1-3, 1-2*) McLouth  

Oskaloosa lost last week 42-7 to Mission Valley, but they only trailed 6-0 at the half. However, the Bears’ defense surrendered 24 points in the third quarter as the Vikings were able to pull away. Running back Coy Perry got the lone touchdown for Oskaloosa in the fourth quarter from ten yards out, but it was too little too late. The Bears are looking for a win to avoid their second winless season in the last three years.

The Bulldogs got their first win since Nov. 1st, 2019, last week after defeating Valley Falls 34-28. It was also their first home win since October 12th, 2018. Now they try to respond with another win to get back-to-back wins for the first time since 2018.

Brandon’s Pick: McLouth
Justin’s Pick: McLouth
Jared’s Pick: Oskaloosa

(3-3, 3-1, 2-1*) Jefferson County North at (1-5, 1-2, 0-3*) Valley Falls

Jefferson County North couldn’t get much going last week in a 45-0 loss at St. Mary’s. Prior to the game against the Bears, the Chargers had won back-to-back games against McLouth and Oskaloosa. The game at Valley Falls will end a four-game stretch where three of those games were played on the road.

The Dragons will try to rebound after their heartbreaking 34-28 loss to McLouth. Dylan Cervantez went 2-for-4 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Zac Evans had three receptions for three touchdowns with 195 yards. Hayden Kearney went 4-for-4 with 160 yards and a touchdown. However, the offense didn’t really get to showcase their stuff a whole lot as the offense ran just 16 plays.

This will be the first meeting between JCN and Valley Falls since 2015. Between 2004-2015, both teams won six games in the series. JCN has won three of the last five including the most recent meeting in 2015, 44-14.

Brandon’s Pick: Jefferson County North
Justin’s Pick: Jefferson County North
Jared’s Pick: Jefferson County North

1A District 4

(5-1, 1-1, 1-1*) Troy at (1-5, 0-2, 0-2*) Onaga

Troy continued its strong season as they took care of Jackson Heights last week at home 32-0. Reagan Hartman threw four touchdowns including three in the second quarter. He now has 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions this season. Hartman is also 10th in the State with 1,373 passing yards. Jerrit Norris and Boden Benitz have combined for 946 receiving yards. Troy is ranked #5 in 1A in K-Prep’s latest rankings while they’re #4 in the KSHSAA Covered ranks this week.

Onaga lost to Christ Prep on the road last week on Saturday by a final score of 42-0. They now must play against the #5 team in the state on short rest. The Buffaloes have lost five games in a row which is their first such streak since the last two games of 2020 to the first three games of 2021. It’s also their first five-game losing streak in the same season since 2018.

Troy has won four of the last five games against Onaga including the most recent meeting in 2015, 34-12. The Buffaloes last win over the Trojans was 2009 which was a 14-12 final.

Brandon’s Pick: Troy
Justin’s Pick: Troy
Jared’s Pick: Troy

(6-0, 3-0*) Centralia at (3-3, 2-0*) Riverside

The Panthers got an impressive 28-13 win at Garden Plain who had received votes in last week’s K-Preps poll. Despite a roughly four-hour drive, the defense was impressing once again. They held the Owls’ passing game to under 60 yards and their leading rusher had just 60 yards. They are allowing just 9.7 points per game, and they haven’t let any opponent score 20 points on them yet. Centralia is ranked #2 in the KSHSAA Covered poll and third in K-Preps’ poll. The Panthers are one of just three unbeatens left in 1A (#1 Inman, Jayhawk-Linn).

Despite their three losses, Riverside was among others considered in K-Preps poll. They come off a 56-0 loss at home vs. 2A #4 Sabetha. It was a rough day at the office for quarterback Beckam Griffin who threw four interceptions and lost a fumble as well. It’s very likely that their last three games will all be against teams that are ranked with Centralia in the polls and going on the road to Troy next week who are ranked #5 in the 1A K-Preps poll.

Brandon’s Pick: Centralia
Justin’s Pick: Centralia
Jared’s Pick: Centralia

1A District 5

(5-1, 3-0*) Wabaunsee at (2-4, 1-1*) Valley Heights

The Chargers come into this game receiving votes in the K-Preps poll after their fifth straight win. Last week, they beat Sacred Heart at home 42-7. Despite their dominant record, it was just their second win of the season with a win margin over 25 points.

Sophomore running back Jayden DeWalt once again found the endzone for Valley Heights and has done so every game so far, but he was held under 100 yards for the second straight week. The Mustangs lost to Marysville on the road 51-16 last week for their second loss in a row. Valley Heights has won their last two games on senior night.

Brandon’s Pick: Wabaunsee
Justin’s Pick: Wabaunsee
Jared’s Pick: Wabaunsee

2A District 3

(2-4, 1-2*) Pleasant Ridge at (2-4, 1-1*) Rossville

Pleasant Ridge couldn’t get much going last week in a 41-6 loss against Silver Lake at home. The Rams are in a difficult stretch to close out the season as their final four games of the season are ACCHS (L), Silver Lake (L), Rossville, and Centralia.

Rossville is 2-4 and lost 48-17 against Holton last week. You could certainly argue that the Bulldogs have had the toughest schedule of any team in 2A through six weeks. St. Mary’s, Riley County, Hayden, ACCHS, Silver Lake, and Holton. The two-time defending State Champs are still being considered for top-five consideration in the latest rankings from K-Preps.

Rossville and Pleasant Ridge have played eight times since 2010. Rossville is 8-0 while the Rams have scored just 26 points in those eight games. Rossville’s win last year over Pleasant Ridge was 56-6.

Brandon’s Pick: Rossville
Justin’s Pick: Rossville
Jared’s Pick: Rossville

(2-4, 0-2*) Maur Hill-Mount Academy at (4-2, 2-0*) Silver Lake

The Ravens’ brutal second half of the schedule continues after last week’s 54-10 loss vs. Atchison County. Including today’s game, it’s the third week in a row that MH-MA has played a team that is either ranked or has receiving votes. The streak could continue next week as they play Rossville who currently is receiving votes despite being 2-4. MH-MA is looking for their first non-forfeited win since Week 1.

The Eagles are starting to get into a rhythm after a couple of tough losses earlier this season to Hayden and Rock Creek. Silver Lake is starting to play in midseason form as they look to gear up for another deep postseason run. Last week they handily won at Pleasant Ridge 41-6. Quarterback Tanner Martin is fifth in the entire state in passing yards among all classifications with 1,545 which is 257.5 yards per game.

Brandon’s Pick: Silver Lake
Justin’s Pick: Silver Lake
Jared’s Pick: Silver Lake

2A District 4

(6-0, 2-0*) Nemaha Central at (2-4, 1-1*) Riley County – KMZA 92.1 FM

Running back Cooper Hajek surpassed the 1,000-yard mark last week with 87 yards and four touchdowns in NC’s 56-0 blowout win over Minneapolis. He now has 1,006 rushing yards which ranks 11th in the state among all classifications. Quarterback Brayden Uphaus played most of the game after missing last week’s game with an injury. In his return, he went 9-for-11 for 149 passing yards. He also had two carries which both resulted in touchdowns. The Thunder are one of four unbeaten teams left in 2A.

The Falcons come off a 44-3 road win against Horton last week. Sophomore quarterback Eli Harmison went 8-for-11 with 163 yards and three touchdowns with a rushing touchdown as well. This is an offense that is split between rushing and passing with the Falcons averaging 155.3 yards per game over the air and 149.8 yards per game on the ground. Their rushing attack led by senior running back Samson Waggoner scored a pair of touchdowns last week.

These two teams haven’t played since 2019. Nemaha Central has won the last two meetings (‘19, ‘13), but Riley County won the previous seven meetings.

Brandon’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Justin’s Pick: Nemaha Central
Jared’s Pick: Nemaha Central

(1-5, 0-3*) Horton at (5-1, 2-0*) Sabetha – Sabetha Channel  

Horton has now lost four straight since their lone win of the season back in week two. Last week they struggled against Riley County losing 44-3. They were able to get some points on the board for the first time since week three as they were shutout in back-to-back weeks against Nemaha Central and Minneapolis.

Sabetha won their fourth game in a row as they won at Riverside last week 56-0. The Bluejays defense has been the story of the season as they’ve shutout three of their last four opponents and have given up a total of 56 points in six games (9.3 points per game). Sabetha is ranked 4th in K-Prep’s latest rankings in 2A while KSHSAA Covered has them ranked for the first time this season at #5. Josh Herrmann has led the Sabetha rushing attack with 676 yards this season.

Sabetha and Horton haven’t played since 2015. The Bluejays won eight straight against the Chargers from 2008-2015 and averaged over 38 points per game.

Brandon’s Pick: Sabetha
Justin’s Pick: Sabetha
Jared’s Pick: Sabetha

3A District 4

(6-0, 3-0*) Hayden at (5-1, 2-0*) Holton – KNZA 103.9 FM & Holton Channel

It's a classic battle of Wildcats and two of the top three teams in the state in Class 3A as Holton host undefeated Hayden in the first matchup between rival teams since 2018. Hayden Catholic has won four straight against Holton with the last Holton win coming in 2013. 

This season, Holton has won five straight in dominating fashion since a one-score setback in week one against Nemaha Central. The Cats average more than 400 yards rushing per game and nearly 10 yards per carry this season led by Garyson Booth with 157 yards per game and a mean of 16.7 yards per rush. Holton is scoring 42 points per game and may have a leg up with senior kicker Matt Lierz still perfect making all 33 PAT's this fall. 

Hayden Catholic has won all their games by at least 14 points against opponents with a combined record of 13-23. Hayden has averaged 258 rushing yards in the wing-t but also 157 yards passing per contest with sophomore QB Jett Wahlmeier completing 55 of 72 attempts for 752 yards with 10 TD and only one turnover.  Dunshee has 540 yards to lead Hayden on the ground averaging 15 yards per tote while JC Cummings has added 377 yards rushing.

Brandon’s Pick: Holton
Justin’s Pick: Holton
Jared’s Pick: Hayden

(0-6, 0-5, 0-2*) Jefferson West at (1-5, 1-3, 0-2*) Royal Valley

Jefferson West dropped to 0-6 on the season last week with a 56-7 loss against Perry Lecompton. The Tigers are 2-13 since the start of last season. Tigers head coach David Bowen noted this week that the team has had a great attitude throughout the course of the season and come ready to play each week.

Royal Valley hung tough last week at now 3A #2 Hayden 38-0. The Panthers were able to tally 225 yards of offense. The Wildcats had scored at least 43 points in every game since week two.

Since 2004, Jefferson West is 8-7 against Royal Valley and have won three straight in the series including last year 30-12.

Brandon’s Pick: Royal Valley
Justin’s Pick: Royal Valley
Jared’s Pick: Royal Valley

3A District 5

(2-4, 0-3*) Hiawatha at (2-4, 1-1*) Marysville – Hiawatha Channel

Hiawatha lost 70-20 last week against Rock Creek. The Mustangs led 24-0 in the first quarter and was able to roll. Mustangs quarterback Dalton Whitworth, who is the second leading passer in the state, threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Hiawatha continues to battle injuries this season and have lost four straight since starting the season 2-0.

Marysville started 2022 0-3 but have won two of their last three games including last week 51-16 over Valley Heights. Rook Williams led Marysville with 13 carries and 260 yards and four touchdowns. Peyton Smith also added two rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Hiawatha is 1-5 against Marysville in the last six meetings. Marysville has won four straight including the last meeting in 2019, 68-20. Hiawatha’s last win over Marysville was 2005.

Brandon’s Pick: Marysville
Justin’s Pick: Marysville  
Jared’s Pick: Hiawatha

Non-District

(3-3, 3-0) Jackson Heights at (5-1, 5-0) ACCHS - Cobra Channel 

After a 3-0 start to the season, Jackson Heights lost their third in a row last week against Troy 32-0. The Cobras defense intercepted Troy in the redzone on their first drive but fumbled at the goal line on their opening possession and couldn’t get much going on offense after that. The Cobras are averaging just six points per game in their last three games.

ACCHS won the big rivalry game last week at Maur Hill-Mount Academy 54-10. The Tigers have now won back-to-back games against MH-MA after the Ravens had won seven straight in the series from 2014-2020. The Tigers are being considered for top-five consideration in the latest rankings by KSHSAA Covered.  

Jackson Heights and ACCHS are playing for the NEKL Title as both teams enter this game undefeated in league play. The Tigers are looking to repeat as the NEKL Champs.

Brandon’s Pick: ACCHS
Justin’s Pick: ACCHS
Jared’s Pick: ACCHS

(6-0) Atchison at (2-4) Perry Lecompton – KAIR 93.7 FM  

Atchison’s Jesse Greenly put together one of the most dominant performances you’ll see anywhere last week. Jesse rushed for 330 yards and nine touchdowns in the Phoenix 70-56 win over Highland Park and is number five in the state in rushing yards entering week seven with over 1,100 yards. The win improves Atchison to 6-0 and they’ve guaranteed at least a share of the Meadowlark Conference Title in 2022 as they’ll look for the outright repeat League Championship next week in the regular season finale against KC Wyandotte.

Perry Lecompton snapped their three-game losing streak last week with a 56-7 win over Jefferson West. The three straight losses were to Nemaha Central, Holton and Hayden who have a combined record of 17-1 entering this week. The Kaws have been led by quarterback Gunnar Ball who has thrown for over 1,300 yards this season which is 12th most in the state.

This will be the first meeting between Atchison and Perry Lecompton since 2009. The two teams played five times between 2006-2009 with the Kaws winning three of the five meetings.

Brandon’s Pick: Atchison
Justin’s Pick: Perry Lecompton
Jared’s Pick: Atchison