CLAFLIN — The toughest challenge for state-ranked eight-man football teams is finding a way to stay sharp despite playing until halftime in most games.
Central Plains (10-0) will meet Spearville (10-0) at 3 p.m. Saturday with the Oilers playing a 48-minute game just three times this season.
“We always think about whether we will be able to play a full game, but that’s we condition so hard during the week,” said Central Plains coach Chris Steiner. “We push hard every day in practice because we want to outlast people in games.”
Spearville’s Nate Stein has passed for 749 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 889 yards and 18 touchdowns. Luke Heskamp had rushed for 822 yards and 15 scores and Brandon Davis had 426 yards and eight scores.
“Spearville has good size and they run a single-wing spinner offense with three backs,” Steiner said. “Not many schools run that offense any more. We’ve got to play position sound because they’ll run misdirection.”
Central Plains defensive ends Michael Lamastch and Michael Ryan will be tested.  
“Spearville is a high qualify football team,” Steiner said.
Central Plains will counter with a perfectly balanced offense keyed by quarterback Braeden Crites, receivers Hunter Ingham, Layne Bieberle and Carson Kirmer. Crites, Jacob Warnken and Ingham lead the rushing game.  
Crites threw for four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth score to lead the Oilers past South Central 50-14 in the first round. Crites completed two touchdown passes to Bieberle and added scores to Ingham and Kirmer. Warnken gained 118 yards rushing.
It took a while for Steiner to be sold on a passing game.
“I’d rather grind it out, but when you’ve got a good passing quarterback in Braeden Crites and high quality receivers, it makes sense to throw the ball and spread the defense,” he said. “Eight-man gives you an advantage of isolating your athletes in space.”
Playing regularly on offense and defense for Central Plains are Braeden Crites, Layne Bieberle, Jacob Warnken, Michael Lamatsch, Michael Ryan and Trustin Kreft.
The Oilers are making their third appearance in four years. The Oilers lost to runner-up Hodgeman County 44-36 last year and lost to runner-up South Gray two years ago.
The consolidated school district has won six state football championships. Claflin won five state football titles and Quivira Heights won the 1983 championship.

CENTRAL PLAINS (10-0) — Victoria 42-24; Kinsley 62-0; Macksville 74-0; St. John 58-0; Canton-Galva 62-12; Little River 22-6; Ellinwood 50-0; Solomon 58-0; Goessel 60-6; South Central 50-14.
SPEARVILLE (10-0) —  South Central 54-8; Bucklin 64-18; Kiowa County 62-0; Ness City 50-38; Dighton-Healy 56-6; WaKeeney-Trego 62-12; Hodgeman County 50-28; South Gray 54-6; Atwood-Rawlins Co. 52-14