2022 Pick Records

Brandon

Last week: 21-1
Overall: 142-24
Last season: 158-31

Justin

Last week: 20-2
Overall: 143-23
Last season: 157-32

Jared

Last week: 21-1
Overall: 126-40
Last season: n/a

Games to be Broadcast

Fort Scott at Atchison – KAIR 93.7
Jackson Heights at St. Mary’s – Cobra Channel
ACCHS at Sabetha – Sabetha Channel
Santa Fe Trail at Holton – Holton Channel
Hiawatha at Wichita Trinity – Hiawatha Channel

Week 9 Games (First Round of Playoffs)  

THURSDAY

(5-3) Washington County at (7-1) Hill City (8M-I State Playoffs)

Washington County finished the regular season in positive fashion with a 64-22 win at home against Rock Hills to secure their spot in the playoffs. The Tigers finished fourth place in their district behind Clifton Clyde, Ell Saline, and Lincoln. This is the most wins for the Tigers in a season since 2016 when they finished 8-3 and made the third round of the playoffs.

Hill City may have the best team name in the state as they’re known as the Ringnecks. The only loss for Hill City was at Hoxie a few weeks ago and that was a 20-14 final. They also beat Osborne and Thunder Ridge in the first three weeks of the season. Both Osborne and Thunder Ridge are 7-1 entering the playoffs.

Washington County and Hill City are squaring off for the first time since 2019. Hill City won that matchup 62-12. They also beat the Tigers 46-20 in 2018.

Brandon’s Pick: Hill City
Justin’s Pick: Hill City
Jared’s Pick: Hill City

(5-3) Lakeside-Downs at (4-4) Hanover (8M-II State Playoffs)

The Knights of Lakeside-Downs enter the playoffs with a record of 5-3. They’ve won back-to-back games after beating Pike Valley last week 44-14. They finished third in their district with their three losses coming against Osborne, Thunder Ridge, and St. John’s-Tipton who have a combined record of 20-4. The Knights have won at least five games for the fourth consecutive season.

Hanover is playing much better ball since they started the season 0-3. They closed out the season last week with a 36-33 win at Frankfort. The Wildcats have won four of their last five games entering the playoffs and finished second in the district behind Axtell. This is only the third time since 2011 that Hanover has lost four games in a season.

This will be the first meeting between Lakeside-Downs and Hanover since 2015. Hanover won that game 68-22. They also beat the Knights 68-8 in 2014.

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

(3-5) Frankfort at (6-2) St. John’s-Tipton (8M-II State Playoffs)

It’s been a year of streaks for Frankfort this season. They started losing their first three games followed by three wins and then back-to-back losses to finish the season. Last week was a heart-breaking 36-33 loss at home to Hanover. The loss gave Frankfort the #3 seed in the district and a road playoff game. They had a 27-6 lead at halftime, but Hanover proceeded to score 30 unanswered points. Quarterback Wes Anderson went 8-for-14 with 219 yards and three touchdowns. Lane Loiseau had 91 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The Blujays hope to make a deep playoff run after last year getting up-ended by Axtell in the second round. These two teams collided in the playoffs in 2018 with Frankfort winning 30-8. The Wildcats have won the last four meetings with the most recent being in 2020.

Brandon’s Pick: St. John’s-Tipton
Justin’s Pick: St. John’s-Tipton
Jared’s Pick: St. John’s-Tipton

(2-6) Valley Heights at (4-4) Sedgwick (1A State Playoffs)

The Mustangs lost 56-12 lost week to Smith Center, but they still were able to sneak into the playoffs. Fullback Kaison Bigham ran for 94 yards on just 14 carries. Jayden DeWalt also found the endzone once again for the Mustangs. Quarterback Mack Shanks threw a touchdown in this game as he found Cayden Dummermuth for a 20-yard score. Valley Heights now enters the playoffs having not lost an opening playoff round game since 2019.

The Cardinals started the season slow with a 1-4 record but won their last three games to clinch a home playoff game. Their magic number is 30 points as they are 4-0 in games when they reach that number and 0-4 when they don’t score at least 30. Sedgwick made it to the sectional round last year before falling to runner-up Inman 26-21.

Brandon’s Pick: Sedgwick
Justin’s Pick: Sedgwick
Jared’s Pick: Sedgwick

(3-5) Riverside at (5-3) Jefferson County North (1A State Playoffs)

Riverside’s season ended on a rough note with a three-game losing streak, but they were all against ranked teams. They lost at #5 Troy 65-0 last week, at home vs. #1 Centralia 26-20 in Week 7 and at home vs. 2A #4 Sabetha 56-0 in Week 6. Riverside is hoping to get their first playoff win since 2015.

Jefferson County North put together a strong regular season as they finished runner-up in district 3 behind St. Mary’s. JCN beat Mission Valley last week 38-14 and they’ve won four of their last five games entering the playoffs. The consistency continues for the Chargers as they’ve won at least five games for four consecutive seasons.

JCN and Riverside are playing for the first time since 2011 with Riverside winning that matchup 20-18.

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

(2-6) Pleasant Ridge at (8-0) Nemaha Central (2A State Playoffs)

After a promising start to the season with a 2-2 record, the Rams lost their last four games. They will now have to play their third consecutive road game against a very good opponent. They are following a 59-16 loss at Centralia and a 56-0 loss at Rossville. The Rams are hoping for their first playoff win since 2017.

The Thunder clinched their first perfect season since 2017 last week with a 24-7 home win over then #4 Sabetha. They also clinched an outright Big 7 league title and district title. Now, they will look to get their second state title in the last four years. First, though, they will hope to take care of business in Week 9. They haven’t lost an opening round playoff game since 2018. Nemaha Central has won the last six meetings in each of the last six seasons with an average margin of victory of 31.5.

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

(1-7) Oskaloosa at (1-7) Onaga (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

The Bears were able to avoid a winless season with a 40-20 road win against Valley Falls last week. The Dragons led 14-7 at the half, but Oskaloosa outscored Valley Falls 26-6 in the third quarter. Quarterback Coy Perry had three touchdowns in that quarter and finished his day with 234 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown. Oskaloosa had a season-high 429 yards of total offense last Friday while holding Valley Falls to just four yards on the ground. They have a chance to get back-to-back wins for the first time since Weeks 6 & 7 in 2019.

The Buffaloes were shutout for the second time in the last three weeks in their 27-0 loss at Jackson Heights last week in a win-and-in scenario. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from postseason play after the loss, but they have another chance to snap their now seven-game losing streak. Onaga was held to just 68 yards of offense with just 2.2 yards per carry. The Buffaloes are looking for some positives in their first year in 11-Man since 2015.

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

(1-7) Valley Falls at (2-5) Ellinwood (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

The Dragons lost last week 40-20 at Oskaloosa to go winless in district play in 2022. They also suffered a couple of injuries in the game as junior defensive lineman Solomon Drinkard and sophomore quarterback/wide receiver Hayden Kearney both left the game. With Kearney out, they will mainly have senior Dylan Cervantez play at QB.

The Eagles started the season strong but had a some very good opponents to finish the season. As a result, they began the year 2-1, but finished with a five-game losing streak to end up 2-6. The Eagles have been shut out four times this season. Ellinwood is looking for their first three-win season since 2018.

Brandon’s Pick: Ellinwood
Justin’s Pick: Ellinwood
Jared’s Pick: Ellinwood

FRIDAY

(3-5) Quinter at (7-1) Clifton Clyde (8M-I State Playoffs)

The Quinter Bulldogs enter the playoffs following a 58-0 win at Stockton last week to snap a three-game losing streak. They finished fourth in their district. Quinter finished 8-2 last season and made the regional round of the playoffs.

Clifton Clyde won the district championship and did it in dominant fashion. The Eagles were a perfect 5-0 in district play and outscored those opponents 234-26 and scored 50+ points in three of those games including 60 last week in their win over Bennington. Since 2016, the Eagles are 54-11 but they’ve been bounced out of the playoffs in the regional round in each of the past two seasons.

Clifton Clyde and Quinter are facing off for the first time since 2009 where Quinter beat Clifton Clyde 28-20 in the Sub-State round of the playoffs. Quinter would beat Baileyville B&B the following week to win the state championship.  

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

(3-5) Linn at (7-1) Osborne (8M-II State Playoffs)

Linn was able to sneak into the playoffs as they finished fourth in district 3 after beating Blue Valley last week 68-58. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games since starting the season 1-4. This is the first time since 2017 that Linn has won at least three games in a season.

Osborne won the district 4 title with their lone loss of the season back in week one against Hill City. Osborne beat Fairfield last week 72-6 as they enter the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak. Osborne’s offense is averaging nearly 50 points per game, and they’ve scored 50 or more in all but two games this season.

Linn and Osborne have played twice in the 2000’s. Osborne beat Linn 74-24 in 2013 and 62-12 in 2012.

Brandon’s Pick: Osborne
Justin’s Pick: Osborne
Jared’s Pick: Osborne

(3-5) Pike Valley at (8-0) Axtell (8M-II State Playoffs)

The Panthers ended their season on a three-game losing streak which includes their 44-14 road loss to Lakeside-Downs with an opportunity to have a home playoff game, but they were unable to get the win. They need to pull off the upset and win next week to get their first winning season since 2017 when they made the Sub-State round.

Axtell finished their second consecutive perfect regular season with a 68-0 win at Doniphan West last week. The Eagles had just 182 total yards but averaged an absurd 4.5 points per play. They got their 21st consecutive win with every game this season scoring at least 54 points and only allowing more than 14 points once. Axtell has won nine of the last ten meetings dating back to 2006 with the last meeting being a 58-10 Axtell win. The lone win for Pike Valley was in 2017 by a final score of 62-16.

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

(4-4) Jackson Heights at (6-2) St. Mary’s (1A State Playoffs) – Cobra Channel

Jackson Heights was able to snap their four-game losing streak last week with a 27-0 win against Onaga to give them a playoff berth. The Cobras started the season 3-0 but lost but lost four straight to Riverside, Centralia, Troy, and ACCHS.

St. Mary’s won the district 3 championship going a perfect 5-0. They took care of McLouth last week 58-6 and enter the playoffs on a five-game winning streak. The only losses for the Bears this season were against Rock Creek in week two and Silver Lake in week three. During their five-game winning streak, the Bears have outscored their opponents 288-20. The Bears are ranked #3 in K-Preps latest rankings.

This will be the first time since 2011 that Jackson Heights and St. Mary’s have met on the gridiron. From 2006-2011, St. Mary’s went 5-0 against the Cobras and outscored them 248-28.

Brandon’s Pick: St. Mary’s
Justin’s Pick: St. Mary’s
Jared’s Pick: St. Mary’s

(3-5) Mission Valley at (7-1) Troy (1A State Playoffs)

Mission Valley limps into the playoffs after losing 38-14 last week against Jefferson County North. They were beat the week prior 56-0 against St. Mary’s. The Vikings three wins this season were against teams with a combined record of 4-20.

Troy is ready for a deep playoff run after they closed out the regular season with a 65-0 win over Riverside. The Trojans finished runner-up in the district behind Centralia as their only loss this season is against the Panthers. Troy’s offense is one of the best in the classification and they’re led by senior quarterback Reagan Hartman who’s top-10 in the state in passing yards.

This is the best season that Troy has put together since they went a perfect 13-0 and won the state championship in 2016.

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

(2-6) McLouth at (8-0) Centralia (1A State Playoffs)

The Bulldogs clinched their first trip to the playoffs since 2018 after winning two of their last three games. Unfortunately, the loss during that stretch was last week at #3 St. Mary’s. With them taking on the #1 team in Class 1A, their two most recent games are their only games against ranked opponents this season.

The Panthers secured their first perfect regular season since 2013. They finished off their year with a 59-16 win vs. Pleasant Ridge. Their 59 points was a welcoming sight for them. It was a season-high, and they also hadn’t scored 30+ points since Week 3. Last season, they made the state semifinals before losing to Olpe 28-6. They are on a collision course to clash in the quarterfinals in two weeks.

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

(6-2) ACCHS at (6-2) Sabetha (2A State Playoffs) – Sabetha Channel

ACCHS put together another fantastic season as they won the NEKL title for the second straight season. It was the first time since the early 70’s that the Tigers had won back-to-back league titles. Despite a 6-2 regular season, they find themselves on the road in the first round of the playoffs as they finished third in district 3 behind Silver Lake and Rossville. They hung tough with Silver Lake last week but lost 41-30.

Sabetha had opportunities last week at Nemaha Central to spring the upset but in the end, the Thunder ground attack was too much as the Bluejays lost 24-7 to finish runner-up in the district. They led 7-0 at halftime but gave up three touchdowns on the first three NC drives of the second half. Sabetha still ranked #4 in K-Preps latest rankings and #5 in the KSHSAA covered rankings.

This is the only matchup in the first round where both teams have at least six wins. This will be the first meeting between the Tigers and Bluejays since 2017. Sabetha has won seven of the last 10 against ACCHS including four straight wins from 2014-2017.

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

(2-6) Santa Fe Trail at (7-1) Holton (3A State Playoffs) – Holton Channel

Holton rolls into their 25th consecutive playoff season fresh off a seventh straight win. The Wildcats jumped to a 28-0 first quarter and 45-0 halftime advantage at Jeff West before polishing off a 53-7 victory. Matt Lierz was 4-6 passing for 167 yards and hit three different receivers for a touchdown before backups finished out the final two periods.

The Wildcats are highly motivated after a perfect 11-0 season ended last year one game short of a state championship appearance for the first time since 2015. This 2022 run with an experienced senior-led team is getting healthier and will start the post season hosting Santa Fe Trail, a team that have beaten by a combined 120-43 score the past two years in week nine. In fact, this is the fourth straight year and 10th time in the past 13 years the Chargers have faced to the, a team they have not beaten during that stretch. 

Holton is averaging 43 points and 393 rushing yards per game with a mean of 9 yards per carry. Santa Fe Trail is sitting on two wins for the third straight year beating Osawatomie in week five and last week topping Iola 32-14.

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

(2-6) Royal Valley at (8-0) Wellsville (3A State Playoffs)

Royal Valley is back in the playoffs for the first time since the mid 2000’s as they were able to finish fourth in district 4. They will enter the playoffs off a 46-8 loss to Perry Lecompton last week. Three of their six losses this season are to teams that are currently ranked heading into the playoffs.

Wellsville is one of three unbeaten teams in 3A heading into the playoffs but they’re the only one of the three that aren’t ranked. The other two are Andale and Girard and both are ranked. Wellsville went 10-1 last season and lost to Silver Lake in the playoffs. Dating back to last season, the Eagles have won 18 of their last 19 games.

Royal Valley and Wellsville matched up in 2018 and 2019. Wellsville won both 36-26 in 2019 and 54-12 in 2018.

Brandon’s Pick: Wellsville
Justin’s Pick: Wellsville
Jared’s Pick: Wellsville

(3-5) Perry Lecompton at (6-2) Bishop Ward (3A State Playoffs)

Perry Lecompton finished third in district 4 as they finished 2-2 in district play and 3-5 overall. The Kaws closed out the regular season last week with a 46-8 win over Royal Valley. Perry Lecompton hasn’t finished a season below .500 since 2016. Four of PL’s losses this season are against teams that are currently ranked. The other loss was against Atchison, who’s one of three unbeatens in Class 4A entering the playoffs.

The Bishop Ward Cyclones finished runner-up in district 3 behind Wellsville after they finished the regular season with a 6-2 record. The Cyclones beat Osawatomie last week 41-8 and have won three straight entering the playoffs. Their two losses are against Wellsville who’s 8-0 and they also lost to Frontenac who won five games in the regular season and made the State Championship game last season.

Perry Lecompton is 8-2 against Bishop Ward dating back to 2004. The Kaws have won four straight in the series including last season 42-35. The last two wins for Bishop Ward against Perry Lecompton was 2009 and 2004.  

Brandon’s Pick: Bishop Ward
Justin’s Pick: Perry Lecompton
Jared’s Pick: Perry Lecompton

(3-5) Marysville at (5-3) Hesston (3A State Playoffs)

Marysville is in the playoffs after finishing third in district 5 despite losing last week to Clay Center 24-14. The Bulldogs played much better in the second half of the season winning three of their last five after starting the year 0-3. They won games against Concordia, Valley Heights, and Hiawatha while two of their five losses were against two of the best in the state with Wamego and Rock Creek.

Hesston also provides one of the better team names in the state as they’re know as the Swathers. Hesston finished runner-up in district 6 behind Wichita Collegiate. They nearly upset Collegiate last week but ultimately lost 28-21. Hesston’s three losses this season are against teams with a combined record of 21-3.

Brandon’s Pick: Hesston
Justin’s Pick: Hesston
Jared’s Pick: Hesston

(2-6) Fort Scott at (8-0) Atchison (4A State Playoffs) – KAIR 93.7

Fort Scott has had a tough season going 2-6 but they enter the playoffs on a positive note as they beat Coffeyville 50-44 in double overtime last week. The Tigers had only scored a total of 57 points all season before the game last week against Coffeyville.

Atchison posted a perfect regular season and won the outright Meadowlark Conference title for the second straight season after they beat KC Wyandotte last week 59-18. Jesse Greenly has led the Phoenix offense all season as he’s top-10 in the state in rushing yards. Atchison has scored at least 31 points in every game this season as they’re averaging nearly 54 points per game. Atchison is one three remaining unbeaten teams in 4A with Chanute and Wamego.

Atchison beat Fort Scott in the first round of the playoffs last season 14-6. They lost to Fort Scott 40-12 in the first round of the playoffs in 2018.

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

(0-8) Osawatomie at (0-8) Jefferson West (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

The Osawatomie Trojans finished the regular season 0-8 after a 41-8 loss to Bishop Ward last week. The Trojans have won just four games since the start of the 2018 season.

Jefferson West had a tough go in 2022 as they finished winless in the regular season after a 53-7 loss last week to Holton. The Tigers had early injuries and were playing a lot of underclassmen at key positions. This will be the first time since 2016 that Jeff West will finish with less than two wins.

These two teams played last year in week 9 in the same scenario with Jeff West winning that game 8-6.

Brandon’s Pick: Jefferson West
Justin’s Pick: Jefferson West
Jared’s Pick: Jefferson West

(2-6) Hiawatha at (1-7) Wichita Trinity (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

Hiawatha dealt with numerous injuries early in the season that turned a great start into a not-so-great finish. The Redhawks started the season 2-0 with wins over Royal Valley and Jefferson West but lost six in a row including last week against Hayden 56-0.

Wichita Trinity finished the regular season 1-7 overall. They lost their first seven but snapped that losing streak with a 41-36 win over Baxter Springs last week. The Knights have not won more than two games in a season since 2017.

Brandon’s Pick: Wichita Trinity
Justin’s Pick: Wichita Trinity
Jared’s Pick: Wichita Trinity

(2-6) Maur Hill-Mount Academy at (1-7) Horton (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

The Ravens had two victories in 2022 with one of them coming via forfeit and the other one coming in Week 1. Quarterback Mark Harris had 250 total yards including 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in their 50-6 loss to Rossville. Maur Hill-Mount’s schedule was tough at the end. Their opponents combined for a record of 23-9. This is their first losing season since 2013.

Horton closed the regular season last week with a 56-14 loss to Wabaunsee to finish 1-7. There were plenty of positives throughout the season for the Chargers as they were more competitive in some games and won their first game since 2017 against McLouth which ended a very lengthy losing streak.

MH-MA is 9-4 against Horton dating back to the mid 2000’s. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2019 with the Ravens winning that game 61-0. The Ravens have won five straight against Horton. The Chargers last win over MH-MA was 2014.

Brandon’s Pick: MH-MA
Justin’s Pick: MH-MA
Jared’s Pick: MH-MA

(2-6) Blue Valley at (1-7) Wakefield (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

Blue Valley had a chance to sneak into the playoffs but a 68-58 loss last week to Linn kept them out of the playoffs. Blue Valley’s two wins this season were against Wakefield and Doniphan West. They beat Wakefield in week three 46-28.

The Wakefield Bombers went 1-7 this season and closed it out last week with a 42-8 loss to St. John’s-Tipton. Wakefield’s lone win of the season was in week one against Herington. Wakefield has not won more than two games in a season since 2018.

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

(0-8) Marais des Cygnes Valley at (1-7) Doniphan West (NON-PLAYOFF GAME)

The Trojans of Marais des Cygnes Valley closed out the 0-8 regular season with a 50-0 loss last week against Hartford. They scored a total of 20 points all season and were shutout in six of their eight games. This is following a 5-4 season last year.

Doniphan West closed out the regular season with a 68-0 loss to 8M-II #1 Axtell. The Mustangs enter this game on a five-game losing streak with the lone win this season against Maranatha Academy in week three.

Brandon’s Pick: Doniphan West
Justin’s Pick: Doniphan West
Jared’s Pick: Doniphan West