After losing their football opener, the Hoisington Cardinals are rolling.
The Cardinals (7-1, 2-0) can put the finishing touches on a Class 3A District 15 playoff berth with a home victory over Lyons (1-7, 1-1) Thursday night.
Class 3A and eight-man teams play Thursday night on the final week of the regular season because the playoffs begin Tuesday.
A Hoisington victory over Lyons would secure a home playoff game Tuesday against Cimarron (6-2) or Scott City (8-0). A victory would also clinch a share of the Central Kansas League West Division with Pratt or Larned.
The Cardinals’ offensive and defensive lines have dominated the line of scrimmage since an opening loss to Larned.
Hoisington clinched a Class 3A playoff berth by beating Sterling 42-0. K.C. Stephens scored two touchdowns and Hunter Hanzlick rushed for 127 yards and a TD. Hanzlick has gained 1,090 yards. Quarterback Taylor Specht has gradually improved all season. Hoisington averages 30 points per game and yields 7 points per game.
Lyons lost 20-13 last week to Ellsworth after leading 13-7. Tyler Edwards scored a touchdown and Jordan Cedeno booted two field goals. Eddie Landeros and Drake Link intercepted passes and Ricky Pray recovered a fumble. But Ellsworth’s Takota Anderson returned a kickoff for a TD and Nick Flynn caught a TD pass.
Quarterback Tyler Edwards has thrown for 710 yards and Grady Kirkhart has 22 catches for 388 yards.

Central Plains (8-0, 4-0) at Goessel (1-7, 0-4)
Central Plains beat Solomon 58-0 last week. Central Plains has clinched a home playoff game Tuesday in Eight-Man Division-I, where the Oilers are likely to face South Central High School. The Oilers have outscored opponents by an average score of 53-5.
Quarterback Braeden Crites and halfback Layne Bieberle have led the Oilers’ offense.

Pratt-Skyline (7-1, 4-0) at. John Hudson (1-7, 1-3)
Kiowa County downed St. John 48-24 last week. District champion Skyline will tune up for a home playoff game Tuesday. St. John has been led by quarterback Zeke Blake.

Minneola (7-1, 4-0)  at Stafford (8-0, 4-0)
Eight-Man D-II District 5 will come down to a showdown between Minneola and Stafford. The winner will play at home Tuesday against Satanta. The loser will travel to Ingalls, which handed Minneola its only loss of the season.
Stafford beat Bucklin 50-0 last week. Ethan Johnson rushed for 161 yards and scored five touchdowns. Halfback Jesus Herrera and quarterback Derek McClure
The Trojans have outscored opponents by an average score of 49-13. Minneola holds a 46-15 scoring advantage.

Canton-Galva (4-4, 2-3) at Ellinwood (3-5, 1-3)
Little River defeated Ellinwood 44-28 last week. The battle between the Canton-Galva Eagles and Ellinwood Eagles appears to be evenly matched on paper. Ellinwood has been outscored by an average of 36-27. Quarterback Tyson martinez and hflaback Jordan Duvall have sparked Ellinwood.
 
Kiowa County (4-4, 2-2) at Macksville (0-8, 0-4)
South Central blanked Macksville 60-0 last week. The Mustangs have been shut out six times and have scored two touchdowns this season.
 
Otis-Bison (4-4, 1-3)at Victoria (7-1, 4-0)
Northern Valley beat the Cougars 76-26 in one of the state’s toughest football districts. Otis-Bison has been competitive all season, outscoring teams by an average score of 43-42.
Victoria has clinched an Eight-Man II District 7 championship. Victoria is tuning for a Tuesday home playoff game against Hoxie.