BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
The playoff format has shifted in Kansas high school football, giving week 4 a new perspective.
Most teams will play five district games with the top four teams qualifying for postseason play.
CENTRAL PLAINS (3-0) at LITTLE RIVER (3-0)
In 8-Man 1, District 5, No. 2 state-ranked Central Plains plays a rugged Central Prairie League schedule, which has the Oilers well prepared for a crucial road test. The Oilers beat Little River 52-12 last year.
Oiler QB Myle Menges has thrown for 288 yards and six touchdowns. RB Alex Hickel has gained 213 with five scores. Menges (136, 2 TDs), RB Lawson Oeser (136, 2 TDs) help the Oilers average 222 yards per game WR Jerred Bieberle has 94 yards and three scores. Mason Doll and Grant Heldstab each average 41/2 tackles per game. Menges has three interceptions and the Oilers have 11 takeaways.
Little River QB Graham Stephens has gained 271 yards with five scores and RB Hunter Thomas has gained 223 yards with six scores.
LARNED (0-3) at PRATT (3-0)
Larned is a prohibitive underdog in 3A, District 7. QB Mason Perez, RB Brock Skelton and WR Chance Sanger have sparked the Indians.
All-state Pratt QB Travis Theis has rushed for 546 yards and nine scores with a 15-yard average. RB Kadence Riner scored five touchdowns last week and has gained 235 yards. Pratt averages 375 yards rushing. Pratt’s defense has six takeaways.
ELLINWOOD (2-1) at LAKIN (3-0)
In 2A District 7, Ellinwood has enjoyed a pleasant start to 11-man football. RB Kody Koetter has rushed for 282 yards and WB Ryan Niles has 135 yards rushing. QB Kyler Doll has thrown for 263 yards. WR David Hammeke has 100 yards receiving and Niles has 61 yards.
Lakin’s RB Kayden Christiansen has gained 396 with seven scores. QB Juan Banuelos has rushed for 104 yards with two TDs. Lakin averages 191 yards per game.
HOISINGTON (2-1) at HAYS-TMP (1-2)
In 2A District 8, Hoisington RB-LB Wyatt Pedigo has played at all-state level with 469 yards, eight TDs and an 11-yard average. Braxton Donovan (131) and Xavier Robinson (108) help the Cardinals average 340 yards rushing. Pedigo averages 12 tackles per game. Kameron Schneweis and Robinso average five tackles per game.
ST. JOHN (0-3) at MACKSVILLE (1-2)
In 8-Man 1, District 5, Macksville QB Kody Mead has thrown for 623 yards, 14 TDs and 208 yards per game. RB Skylar Evans has gained 163 yards. WR Karson Waters has 24 catches, nine TDs and 338 yards. WR Darien Miller (133) and WR Tyler Bissell (128) are good targets.
OTIS-BISON (2-1) at SATANTA (2-1)
In 8-Man 2, District 8, Cougar QB Anton Foust has 156 yards passing, five TDs and 279 yards rushing and four TDs. FB Bevan Gradig has gaine 200 yards and averages eight tackles per game. Seth Hoopingarner averages five tackles per game with two TDs receiving.
Satanta QB Houston Friend has passed for 274 yards and rushed for 235 yards. RB Gabriel Salas has rushed for 239 yards and four TDS.
STAFFORD (2-1, 2-1) AT CHASE (0-3, 0-2)
In 8-Man 2, District 8, Stafford QB Justice Manning has passed for 171 yards and five scores and rushed for 207 yards and sevem TDs. WR Nick Gift and Ethan Hildenrand each have two TDs.
PAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-0) at ASHLAND (2-0)
In 6-Man South, Pawnee Heights all-state back Kade Scott has rushed for 550 yards and nine touchdowns to spark the Tigers. QB Trac e Baker has thrown for 105 yards.
Ashland QB Cody Lohrding has gained 121 yards with three scores. RB Gage Branson has 98 yards and two scores. Ashland averages 157 yards rushing and 68 yards passing per game.
3A DISTRICT 7A
Pratt 3-0
Holcomb 1-2
Kingman 1-2
Hugoton 0-3
Larned 0-3
Nickerson 0-3
FRIDAY—*Larned at Pratt;*Holcomb at Nickerson; *Hugoton at Kingman
2A DISTRICT 7
Lakin 3-0
Ellinwood 2-1
Cimarron 1-1
Lyons 0-3
Sterling 0-3
SW Heights 0-3
FRIDAY—*Ellinwood at Lakin; *Lyons at Sterling; *SW Heights at Cimarron
2A DISTRICT 8
Phillipsburg 3-0
Hoisington 2-1
Minneapolis 2-1
Ellsworth 1-2
Hays-TMP 1-2
Norton 1-2
FRIDAY—*Phillipsburg at Norton; Hoisington at Hays-TMP; *Minneapolis at Ellsworth
8-MAN 1 DISTRICT 5
Central Plains 3-0
Little River 3-0
Macksville 1-2
Moundridge 1-2
Pratt-Skyline 1-2
St. John 0-3
FRIDAY—*Central Plains at Little River; *St. John at Macksville; *Moundridge at Skyline
8-MAN 2 DISTRICT 8
Otis-Bison 2-0 2-1
Satanta 1-0 2-1
Ingalls 1-0 1-2
Stafford 1-1 2-1
Bucklin 1-1 1-2
Chase 0-2 0-3
Minneola 0-2 0-3
FRIDAY—*Stafford at Chase; *Otis-Bison at Satanta; Norwich at Minneola; Bucklin at Ingalls
