The Pick List -- Week 8
By: Kpreps.com & KansasPregame.com
Posted: October 21, 2009 - 11:15 PM

Four of our six feature games on this week’s Pick include district showdowns between 7-0 teams. In 5A, Aquinas and Gardner-Edgerton square off the supremacy in the East, while the upstart Hays Indians will face the ultimate measuring stick in the Salthawks. The 8 Man docket includes two match-ups that will decide both respective district and league titles as the Lyon County and Central Prairie Leagues will each crown a champion.

Feature Games of the Week:

5A #5 St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0) at 5A #2 Gardner-Edgerton (7-0)

Do you think revenge is on the mind of the Trailblazers? Gardner-Edgerton lost just two games in 2008; both coming to Aquinas. The Saints won the district match-up 12-6, and followed it up with a 17-12 win in the state semifinals before falling to Hutchinson in the title game. Many across the state consider Marvin Diener’s latest masterpiece to be worthy of a title match with Hutchinson, but first the Blazers must show they can get by the Saints.

Gardner-Edgerton is led by a healthy Bubba Starling. The 6’5” junior quarterback has thrown for 722 yards and 12 scores in just five games, but he can do just as much damage with this legs. Starling rushed for over 500 yards in his first three games before a shoulder separation sidelined him in weeks four and five. During Starling’s absence, the emergence of Brett Jensen was key as his 207 yards rushing and four scores helped the Blazers past 4A ranked Louisburg, 40-0. Jensen has followed up that performance with three straight games of 150 plus yards and has accumulated 911 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.

Aquinas, on the other hand, has struggled at times as one would expect after graduating 43 seniors last season. The Saints have especially struggled on offense in averaging just 21 points per game; almost four touchdowns less than their counterparts on Friday night. Aquinas has been tested in winning four of their games by 10 points or less. That’s a testament to these kids and new head coach Mike Thomas who stepped in when Kevin Kopecky resigned late in the summer. The Saints are led by Quarterback Richard Davila who has put together some big games, but has been susceptible to the turnover. The Saints will have to take care of the ball, limit the Blazer’s possessions, and keep the game relatively low scoring if they are to pull off the road win.

Our Pick: Gardner-Edgerton 35 Aquinas 13


Hays (7-0) at 5A#1 Hutchinson (7-0)

For seven straight weeks the Hays High Indians have wowed fans with victory after improbable victory. Improbable because the Indians are known for average seasons and the WAC is a traditionally strong conference, but first-year coach Ryan Cornelsen has had an undeniable immediate impact and the Indians are winning with solid defense and a workmanlike offense that features no superstars. The Indians' reward for this magical streak, a trip to one of the most intimidating places to play in Kansas against one of the best teams to ever put on the pads in the Sunflower State.

Hutchinson ran all over number two ranked McPherson last week in a 55-20 beating that was close for two-and-a-half quarters. The Bullpups had outscored its first six opponents 308-41 and hung with the Salthawks, before the defense finally shutdown the Bullpup attack to compliment Josh Smith and Deveon Dinwiddie's touchdown fest. The Salthawks, while easily the best team in Kansas, are also ranked in several national polls including an appearance at number 36 in the Rivals 100.

Our Pick: Hutchinson 55 Hays 12


Caney Valley (7-0) at Riverton (5-2)

Unbeaten Caney Valley travels to Riverton in another key game in perhaps the best 3A district in the state. This district has been an all important measuring stick for the Tri Valley League which boasts a couple of solid teams each year, but always seem to fall short against those from the CNC. This year, the TVL features two undefeated teams in Caney Valley and Cherryvale. Sadly, the two were forced to share the league title this year as they were shipped to different districts and did not play. The Bullpups may have gotten the short-end of that stick being placed in District 1 with Galena and Riverton. The Bullpup defense had given up just six total points over the first four games, but has since given up 17 points per game as the competition has stiffened. Last season, Caney Valley came into district play at 5-1, before being beaten by Riverton (48-7) and Galena (42-16).

Our Pick: Riverton 33 Caney Valley 14


Hutchinson Trinity (7-0) at Sedgwick (6-1)

Two of the Heart of America League’s best collide this week when undefeated Hutchinson Trinity travels to Sedgwick to take on the 6-1 Cardinals. This contest is likely to decide the two playoff spots that come out of 3A District 10. Last season, Trinity beat the Cardinals 24-17 in winning the District 10 title. This year, the Celtics have dominated opponents in giving up just 19 total points all year and pitching five shutouts. Trinity Quarterback Derek Racette has quietly put up one of the best passing resumes in the state. Racette has completed 65 percent of his passes (53 of 82) for 1,352 yards and 25 touchdowns against only one interception. The Celtics also boast a solid ground game led by Racette (462 yards) and Tanner Engweiler (441 yards). Engweiler is also the leading receiver, catching 25 balls for 561 yards and eight scores, while Michael Mesh has added 19 receptions for 505 yards and 12 scores.

Sedgwick will counter with the dynamic ground duo of Wade Hansen and Trent Stucky. Hansen has rushed for 1,103 yards and 21 touchdowns this season while Study has added 783 yards and eight scores. Through the air, Stucky has connected on 62 percent of his passes for 595 yards and ten scores. The Cardinal offense has averaged 47 points per game this season, but with Trinity’s defense something has to give.

Our Pick: Trinity 28 Sedgwick 13


8 Man-I #2 Madison (7-0) at Lebo (7-0)

For the second consecutive week, Madison will go on the road to take on an undefeated opponent. This week the second ranked Bulldogs travel to Lebo to take on the undefeated Wolves in a game which will decide the Lyon County League title and likely the district title. Madison escaped their trip to undefeated Crest last week by scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter to best the Lancers 31-8 in a game that was 3-0 at halftime. Madison has been led all season by a defense that allows less than a touchdown per game. Last week was no different as the Bulldogs came up with three Crest turnovers when the Lancers driving deep into Bulldog territory. Madison receiver Zach Fox caught five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns to revive the Bulldog offense that had been held in check by the Lancers through three quarters.

Lebo has quietly rolled to a 7-0 start behind the legs of Cole Brockelman and Devon Johnston. Brockelman rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s victory over Hartford. When the Wolves take to the air, Quarterback Trevor White typically looks for Alex Linsey who is the team’s leading receiver. Defense has also been a strength for the Wolves who are giving up just nine points per contest setting up a potential slugfest on Friday night.

Our Pick: Madison 22 Lebo 16


8 Man-II #3 Otis-Bison (7-0) at 8 Man-II #1 Victoria (7-0)

In one of the biggest turnarounds in recent history, the Otis-Bison Cougars have rebounded from posting only a 3-15 record in the last two seasons to roll to a 7-0 record so far in 2009. Victoria has been the anti-Otis-Bison performing consistently since joining 8-Man in 2000 including winning titles in 2004 and 2006 and making a title game appearance last season where they were upended by Hanover.

A district championship will be on the line as these two state-ranked teams meet in Victoria Friday night. The game will be a match-up of high-powered offenses as Victoria has scored at least 56 points a game since a week one low of 30 in a win over Macksville (30-6) while Otis-Bison has scored no fewer than 44 points in any of their seven wins with that low also coming in a win over Macksville (44-38). In other match-ups with notable common opponents the teams both hung 60 on Pawnee Heights (64-14 for Victoria; 60-6 for Otis-Bison) and blasted St. John (74-14 for Otis-Bison; 56-22 for the Knights).

Our Pick: Victoria 44 Otis-Bison 36


The Pick List:

6A #3 Manhattan (7-0) at Washburn Rural (5-2) – Manhattan 35-20

Salina Central (5-2) at Emporia (5-2) – Emporia 35-28

Abilene (6-1) at Topeka Hayden (4-3) – Hayden 33-21

Bishop Ward (5-2) at Basehor-Linwood (6-1) – Basehor-Linwood 27-20

Hiawatha (5-2) at Holton (7-0) – Holton 46-14

Osawatomie (6-1) at 4A #4 Louisburg (6-1) – Louisburg 42-7

Ulysses (4-3) at Pratt (4-3) – Ulysses 22-14

KC Piper (5-2) at Tonganoxie (5-2) – Piper 25-23

Marion (5-2) at SE of Saline (6-1) – SE of Saline 20-14

Norton (5-2) at 3A #4 Scott City (7-0) – Scott City 30-14

2-1A #3 Oakley (6-0) at Oberlin-Decatur Co. (5-2) – Oakley 33-6

8 Man-I #1 Baileyville B&B (7-0) at Frankfort (6-1) – B&B 48-16

Hill City (6-1) at 8 Man-I #5 Quinter (6-1) – Quinter 48-44

Beloit St. John’s-Tipton (7-0) at Sylvan Unified (6-1) – St. John’s 38-30

8 Man-II #5 Caldwell (7-0) at South Haven (6-1) – Caldwell 45-32

Axtell (4-3) at Hope (6-1) – Axtell 38-20