The Pick List -- Week 7
By: Kpreps.com & KansasPregame.com
Posted: October 15, 2009 - 12:36 AM

District play begins with three huge showdowns featuring top ranked teams in 5A, 4A, and 3A. In addition, the 8-man classes enter the midway point of district play, highlighted by an undefeated match-up between Crest and Madison. Finally, we take a trip down Route 66 in Cherokee County as rivals Riverton and Galena meet to decide the CNC title.

Feature Games of the Week:

5A #1 Hutchinson (6-0) at 5A #2 McPherson (6-0)

In a week featuring several premier match-ups Hutch will travel to McPherson in what may be the match-up of match-ups. The two teams are ranked one and two respectively in 5A and the game will most likely be the district championship for a district 6 opening play with the four teams posting a combined 22-2 record thus far this season.

Hutch is riding its high-powered flexbone ground attack to an average of 52 points per game - scored mostly in the first three quarters of each contest - while McPherson has allowed only 10 points in the last four games including back-to-back shutouts. McPherson coach Tom Young posted the 300th win of his career earlier this season, but an upset of nationally ranked Hutchinson would certainly challenge for one of the top wins in his almost 40 years as a head coach.

Our Pick: Hutch 48 McPherson 27


4A #2 Buhler (6-0) at 4A#1 Andale (6-0)

The game of the year in 4A may take place Friday night in Andale as the #1 ranked Indians host #2 Buhler. The game features one of the state’s best backs in Jorden Oden, against an Andale defense that is surrendering less than nine points per game and that has three shutouts. Last fall, Andale had their 27-game win streak and bid for a third consecutive 4A state title both end. To get back to the top of 4A, the Indians have relied on a solid group upfront in leading the way for James Tipton, Jake Hattabaugh, and quarterback Jake Weninger. Weninger has supplemented the Indian ground attack with 473 yards and a couple of scores through the air this season.

Buhler is led by its ground attack which features Oden’s 1,546 yards and 21 touchdowns. Oden is averaging 12.3 yards per carry, and has only rushed for less than 200 yards in one game this season, a 10 carry 195 yard performance against El Dorado. While the Crusaders rely mostly on the run, Oden isn’t their only weapon. Quarterback Jake Reffner has rushed for 576 yards and 10 touchdowns. Reffner actually averages more yards per carry than Oden, but he can beat you with his arm as well. Jake has completed 56 percent of his passes for 385 yards and eight scores thus far. When Buhler does go to the air, they typically look for Brad Wimer who has caught 11 balls for 244 yards and six touchdowns.

Our Pick: Buhler 28 Andale 20


3A #1 Garden Plain (6-0) at 3A #3 Conway Springs (6-0)

The most anticipated game in 3A on an annual basis is this Central Plains League showdown between the Garden Plain and Conway Springs. In the last five years, the two teams have met eight times with Garden Plain winning five of them. In fact, the Cardinals 45-25 substate win last November broke a streak of five straight in the series by the Owls. Conway Springs made the victory count by going out the following week and beating Silver Lake for their sixth state title in the last 11 years. This year’s game at Conway Springs will mark the last time in at least the next two years that the match up will have playoff implications as the two will be in separate districts beginning next season.

Both teams feature big game players in Seth Klausmeyer (Garden Plain) and Caleb Brill (Conway Springs). Klausmeyer has rushed for 563 yards and has caught 13 balls for 180 receiving yards from QB Thomas Bugner. Bugner has thrown for 807 yards on just 33 completions as the Owls have utilized big plays through the air to complement a ground game that is averaging nearly 300 yard per game.

Conway Spring is led by Quarterback Caleb Brill. Brill has rushed for 910 yards and 15 touchdowns thus far this season while throwing for an additional 182 yards and three scores. The Cardinals have kept the ball on the ground this year averaging 342 yards per game, and have only attempted 22 passes as a team in six games. Both teams feature defense that allow under 10 points per game.

Our Pick: Garden Plain 20 Conway Springs 13


Riverton (5-1) at Galena (6-0)

The Galena Bulldogs are quietly putting together a great season out of the CNC. With class 3A loaded with traditional powers such as Silver Lake, Garden Plain, Wichita Collegiate and Conway Springs, the Bulldogs have received little attention in statewide rankings outside of their last second win at Colgan in week two. Galena is very talented with the likes of QB Jacoby Martin who has completed 70 percent of his passes for 811 yards and 11 touchdowns against only one interception. Martin’s primary receiver is the athletic Colton Leet who has caught 16 balls for 371 yards and four scores. On the ground, the Bulldogs have a good combination of a bruising runner in Troy Albright (550 yards, 5TDs) and speed in Cody Clark (479 yards, 5TDs). Albright leads a physical Galena defense that allows only 11 points per game.

The Rams are avearaing nearly 320 yards per game on the ground led by Matt Tyree. Tyeree is a quick, shifty runner that seems almost impossible to bring down at times. He has rushed for 819 yards and 15 touchdowns this season including a 213-yard, four-touchdown performance against Girard last week. While the ground game has been a constant, consistent quarterback play will be important if Riverton looks to knock off the Bulldogs. Preston Combs was banged up and didn’t play well in the Colgan game, and backup Greyson Spriggs is a freshman that is still largely untested. Logan North has played some at quarterback this season, but his skills are best used elsewhere. Riverton will need to control the line of scrimmage in order to keep the ball away from the multi-talented Bulldog offense.

A Galena win would mean an outright CNC title for the Bulldogs. A Riverton win would create a likely three-way tie for the Championship along with Colgan. Colgan dominated Riverton in a 33-6 win in week 4, while Galena scored with one second left to beat the Panthers 36-34. Last season, Riverton roughed up the Bulldogs 45-6 on their way to the outright CNC title.

Our Pick: Galena 26 Riverton 18


8 Man-I #2 Madison (6-0) at Colony-Crest (6-0)

A pair of 6-0 teams highlights the 8-man schedule as district play enters its third week. Madison, ranked second in our 8M-I poll, goes on the road to battle the unbeaten Colony-Crest Lancers. Madison is led by a dominant ground game which features Henry Ott, Kale Schankie, Reece Childers, and Zach Nowell. The Bulldogs also feature a stout defense that has given up only 38 total points this season.

Crest is also run-dominant, averaging 347 yards per game on the ground. Bryan Newton and Dakota Ramsey have each rushed for over 500 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. QB Kyle Hammond has added 384 yards on the ground and 13 scores for the Lancer offense which is averaging 55 points per game. Crest has wrapped up the Three Rivers League 8-Man championship, and Madison and Lebo will decide the Lyon County League title next week.

Our Pick: Madison 32 Crest 20


Thunder Ridge (4-2) at Hill City (5-1)

Thunder Ridge travels to Hill City for a must-win district game against a Ringneck opponent that has played inspired football since an opening season four-point loss to 8-Man II #4 ranked Ashland. In the five games since Hill City has scored at least 48 points a contest and given up only two, count 'em, two touchdowns including three shutouts.

Thunder Ridge has rebounded nicely since their week one pounding at the hands of Hanover scoring at least 46 points in four wins and losing the district opener to 8 Man I #5 ranked Quinter, 42-28. The Longhorn defense has been formidable, allowing only 19 points total in the team's four wins.

Our Pick: Hill City 36 Thunder Ridge 32


The Pick List:

Olathe East (4-2) at Blue Valley Northwest (5-1) – BVNW 26-20

6A #1 Olathe North (6-0) at Blue Valley – Stilwell(1-5) – Olathe North 35-17

Washburn Rural (5-1) at 6A #2 Junction City (6-0) – Junction City 35-20

KC Turner (5-1) at KC Sumner (4-2) – Turner 38-21

Salina South (3-3) at Salina Central (5-1) – Salina Central 27-21

Hays (6-0) at Great Bend (4-2) – Hays 21-17

Hugoton (6-0) at Pratt (4-2) – Hugoton 28-24

Chanute (5-1) at Anderson Co. (5-1) – Chanute 41-26

Osawatomie (6-0) at Paola (4-2) – Paola 28-17

Baldwin (0-6) at Santa Fe Trail (0-6) – Baldwin 24-6

Tonganoxie (5-1) at Basehor-Linwood (5-1) – Basehor 35-20

Ness City - Dighton (5-1) at Norton (4-2) – Norton 34-12

Whitewater Remington (5-1) at Hutch Trinity (6-0) – Trinity 56-20

Sedgwick (5-1) at Halstead (4-2) – Sedgwick 20-13

Marysville (5-1) at Seneca-Nemaha Valley (4-2) – Marysville 34-13

Pleasant Ridge (6-0) at Oskaloosa (5-1) -- Pleasant Ridge 36-14

Rossville (4-2) at Mission Valley (6-0) – Rossville 37-14

Solomon (0-6) at Wabaunsee (0-6) – Wabaunsee 20-6

Tribune-Greeley Co. (5-1) at Minneola (6-0) – Minneola 48-22

Haviland (5-1) at 8 Man-II #4 Ashland (6-0) – Ashland 46-14

Pawnee Heights (4-2) at 8 Man-II #3 Otis-Bison (6-0) – Otis-Bison 56-12