The Macksville High School football team has cruised through its first seven games to remain undefeated with two remaining.
The first of those two games is against Stafford County and Eight-Man Division-I District 5 rival St. John on Friday night.
The last time Macksville went undefeated in the regular season was in 2007, when the Mustangs won the state title.
“We’ve got some good players,” said Macksville head coach Jeff Kuckelman, who was an assistant coach for head coach Dan Grizzell that year. “I think the line was a little bigger and more dominant. I think we have more playmakers this year than we did back then.”
Led by quarterback Seth Filbert, the Mustangs (7-0 overall, 4-0 district) average 51.1 points per game.
Filbert has completed 75 of 110 passes for 1,257 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has rushed for 276 yards and six touchdowns.
Adam Oak is the leading rusher for Macksville with 401 yards and six TDs. He is also the leading receiver with 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“The passing yards are a little misleading because most of the long passes are five and 10 yards,” Kuckelman said. “Then the receivers make the big plays happen. Our passing game is really an extension of our running game. We use the passing game to get our players into open space.”
Tanner Tranbarger is Filbert’s No. 2 receiver with 21 receptions for 439 yards and six touchdowns.
St. John runs a balanced offense led by quarterback Kinser Crissman, who completed two scoring passes to wide receiver Zuriel Reyes last week against Pretty Prairie.
Reyes has emerged as an offensive threat for the Tigers over the last three games.
Reyes scored on a 79-yard catch-and-run against Fairfield in Week 5. In Week 6, Reyes caught three passes for 98 yards and a 23-yard touchdown.
In the loss against Pretty Prairie, Reyes scored on 30- and 48-yard receptions.
Tigers running back Patrick Prescott also poses a threat for Macksville.
Part of Pretty Prairies’ success was preticated on its defense of Prescott, who was held to 55 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries last week.
“We’re working on tackling in the open field,” Kuckelman said. “They have some runners who are good in open space.
“Prescott is a powerful runner, too, so we have to able to wrap up.”
 
Victoria (5-2)
at Central Plains (6-1, 5-0)
Central Plains will face non-district opponent Victoria, an Eight-Man D-II District 8 team.
Oilers running back Benn Kirmer joined the 1,000-yard rushing club in the shootout with district foe Lincoln last Friday.
Kirmer has rushed for a season-high 303 yards to hit 1,075 on the year. He has scored 22 rushing touchdowns.
Victoria is on a five-game winning streak.
The Knights average 42.28 points per game. They allow only 10.57 points per game.
 
Otis-Bison (6-1, 3-0)
at Stafford (2-4, 1-1)
Otis-Bison travels to Stafford for an Eight-Man D-II District 5 matchup.
The Cougars are led by running back Patrick Piper with 638 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Dylan Wissman has added 581 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Stafford is coming off of an open week.
The Trojans are led by Tristin Paulsen, who has rushed for 682 yards and 10 TDs.
Ethan Johnson has rushed for a team-leading 11 touchdowns and 427 yards.
 
Hoisington (5-2, 1-0)
at Sterling (5-2, 1-0)
Hoisington and Sterling are tied at the top of the Class 3A District 13 standings.
Both teams are plus-13 in points.
Cardinals running back Hagan Hanzlick has rushed for 1,205 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
Sterling is led by running back Chad Bennett, who has 908 rushing yards and 11 TDs.

Ulysses (6-1, 1-0)
at Larned (0-7, 0-1)
Larned is tied with Holcomb at the bottom of the 4A District 14 standings.
The Indians are led by quarterback Easton Palmer, who has completed 56 of 133 for 753 yards, 10 TDs and 10 interceptions.
Chad Wallace is Larned’s leading rusher with 556 yards and six scores.
Ulysses averages 38.29 points per game while allowing 13.71 points per game.
 
LaCrosse (7-0, 2-0)
at Ellinwood (1-6, 0-2)
Ellinwood’s 2A District 6 has two undefeated teams — Plainville and LaCrosse.
The Eagles meet the latter on Friday night.
The Leopards average 53 points per game behind quarterback Tayler Stull, who has completed 32 of 60 passes for 656 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Stull also leads LaCrosse with 811 rushing yards and 16 TDs.
The Eagles average 16 points per game while allowing 34 points.