11-Man Sub-State Previews
By: Kpreps.com
Posted: November 20, 2009 - 1:43 AM

6A Sub-State

Olathe North (11-0) at Blue Valley – Stilwell (5-6)

Two of the state’s best players will battle in the 6A East Semi-Finals as James Franklin and Olathe North host Anthony Abenoja and Blue Valley – Stilwell. These two met to begin district play in Week 6 with the Eagles pulling away in the second half of a 49-35 shootout. In that game, Franklin rushed for 241 yards and two scores on 29 carries as North gained separation after leading just 21-14 at the half.

Tiger quarterback Abenoja threw for all five touchdowns in that game, including three to favorite target P. J. DeBey. Blue Valley had put up 42 points in each of its previous three games before winning a 17-14 battle over rival Blue Valley Northwest last week. The Tigers will likely have to put up a lot of points on Friday to advance as no team has shutdown North’s rushing attack yet this season.


Derby (8-3) at Wichita Heights (7-4)

Three weeks ago, Derby and Wichita Heights squared off to decide the 6A District 6 Championship. This time around, the stakes are much higher as the winner will earn a shot at the state title next weekend in Topeka. In that earlier meeting, the Falcons shutout the Panthers 27-0 by eliminating Derby’s rushing attack. Heights quarterback Matt Reed rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown in what was just his second start after replacing the injured John Moreland. The sophomore Reed will be making his fifth start, and will try to lead Heights to the school’s first state title appearance.

Derby will try to rely on quarterback Tyler Harrison who threw for 157 yards in the first meeting, but has had the hot hand since. In the Panthers’ first two playoff wins, Harrison has thrown for over 360 yards and a couple of scores. The Derby defense has given up just three scores in their first two playoff wins, and will need to continue that trend to avoid falling in the semi-finals for the second straight year.



5A Sub-State

Gardner-Edgerton (11-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (10-1)

The much anticipated rematch of what is becoming a really good rivalry on the eastern side of 5A will take place in Overland Park on Friday. 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.

Aquinas took a huge hit from graduation last year, and thus this was supposed to be the Trailblazers year. After all, the Saints had struggled against lesser teams this season – see a 21-6 win over Ottawa the week prior. But the Blazers had to rally from a 19-15 halftime deficit, and with the help of some second-half Saint turnovers, escaped with a 28-26 win. Blazer full back Brett Jensen's 51-yard TD run in the third quarter gave the Blazers the lead for good, and Bubba Starling capped the game with a 13 yard run.

Aquinas, however, will get the Blazers at home with a chance to return to the 5A title game in Emporia on the line. If the Saints can protect the ball, they have enough weapons on offense to stay with Gardner-Edgerton. In the last meeting, quarterback Richard Davila threw for 225 yards and 3 TDs. Shane Nachbar caught two of those scores as part of his 7 catch, 108 yard performance. Talented running back Dagan Reed added 101 yards on the ground for the Saints. Aquinas will also need an inspired effort from their defense as Jensen , Starling and company will try and control the game on the ground.


Bishop Carroll (11-0) at Hutchinson (11-0)

The other anticipated match-up in 5A comes out west where unbeatens Bishop Carroll and Hutchinson have been on a collision course for some time now. While the Salthawks are widely recognized as the Sunflower State’s best team, Carroll quarterback Blake Bell is considered its best player. The future Oklahoma Sooner has thrown for 2,501 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. But the Eagles have shown they can run it too as evidenced by nearly 250 yards of production last week against Emporia. In that game, Blake Rollins and Bell each eclipsed the 100 yard mark. Expect Bell to put the ball in the air quite a bit this week as the Eagles will likely struggle rushing against the Salthawk defense.

Hutchinson, on the other hand, is rolling towards their sixth straight state title after dominating their first two playoff opponents by a combined 97-31. The Salthawks will likely be tested through the air by Bell and wide receiver Brandon Weber, but will counter with a ball control offense that can keep talented quarterback off of the field. On that side of the ball, Hutch is averaging 52 points per game behind the rushing attack of Josh Smith and Deveon Dinwiddie. Something will have to give as Carroll’s defense is surrendering only 15 points per contest, but their five game of giving up a touchdown or less has been offset by four other games in which they’ve given up 28 points or more.



4A Sub-State

Bishop Miege (10-2) at Paola (9-3)

Bishop Miege visits Paola with the winner earning the right to represent the east in Salina for the 4A championship next weekend. Miege was impressive in last week’s 35-7 road win over an experienced and talented Louisburg team. The Stags are of course led by 6’4” wide receiver Justin McCay. The Oklahoma commitment rushed for touchdown runs of 34 and 66 yards in the win over Louisburg. Running back Bobby Germinder added three touchdowns for the Stags who earned their 10th win of the season.

The Panthers avenged an early season 35-27 loss to Eudora with a 33-14 win last week when it counts the most. It’s no secret that Paola will try and grind it out on the ground featuring talented junior back Skylar Hawkins and quarterback Seth Kern, but Miege was able to limit Louisburg’s multi-headed rushing attack to a long, early touchdown run. Hawkins and Kern each rushed for over 100 yards in the win over Eudora.


Buhler (11-1) at Topeka Hayden (8-4)

The Buhler Crusaders projected playoff rematch with Andale didn’t come to fruition as the Topeka Hayden Wildcats capitalized on several turnovers to knock off the top ranked Indians. Instead, the Crusaders will hit the road to take on an 8-4 Hayden team that was supposed to be rebuilding this season after taking a heavy hit to graduation from last year’s state title team. Despite their inexperience, Bill Arnold’s Wildcats have come together through their traditionally tough schedule, and seem to be peaking at just the right time.

For Hayden to advance, however, they’ll have to slow down a Buhler offense that has scored at least 63 points in each of its last five games. As difficult as that sounds, it may be possible as Buhler star tailback Jorden Oden will miss the remainder of his senior season after suffering a broken collarbone last week against Rose Hill. The injury ended a stellar season by Oden who rushed for 2,560 yards and 38 touchdowns. With his absence, quarterback Jake Reffner will have to pick up the slack and lead a Crusader offense that is averaging 55 points per game this season.



3A Sub-State

Galena (12-0) at Marysville (11-1)

Unbeaten Galena will make the long trip up north to take on Marysville in the 3A east semi-final on Saturday at 2pm. Marysville opened a lot of eyes with a 21-14 win at traditional state title participant Silver Lake. The Bulldogs win ended Silver Lake’s amazing run of seven straight state title game appearances. The win also served as revenge for Silver Lake’s 7-6 win in the state quarterfinals last season. Marysville is led by a balanced offense controlled by dual-threat quarterback Ben Malotte. Malotte is the team’s leading rusher with over 1,200 yards, and has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and 18 scores. The Bulldog defense may very well be their strength, however, as they have given up double digit points in just four games this season.

The other Bulldogs from Galena advanced to the state semi-finals for the first time in school history by racing out to a 26-0 lead before holding off a late Rossville charge to win 26-15. Galena also features a balanced offensive attack led by signal caller Jacoby Martin. Martin has thrown for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns. But while the Bulldogs can throw it, they will also be content in distributing the ball to Troy Albright and Cody Clark out of their Wing T set. Albright is the team’s heart-and-sole on both sides of the ball. The 6’2” 200lb senior has rushed for 1,120 yards and 13 scores, and is one of the better linebackers in the state. Clark has added nearly 900 yards on the ground this season, and gives Galena speed and pass catching ability out of the backfield.


Wichita Collegiate (12-0) at Norton (9-3)

Contrasting styles will meet in Norton on Saturday as the Wichita Collegiate Spartans will travel to take on the host Bluejays. While Norton would be content handing the ball off to big running back Terrell Lane, the Spartans will try and spread the ball all over the field using the arm of quarterback Blake Jablonski. The Collegiate senior has thrown for 3,338 yards and 43 touchdowns this season. His main target is Brett LeMaster who has 1,161 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Collegiate struggled at home with Scott City last week, needing a touchdown with less than two minutes to go to escape with a 19-17 win. Scott City beat Norton 14-6 for the District 15 Championship earlier this season.

While the Norton defense will be tested by Collegiate’s air attack, it is certainly nothing foreign to the Bluejays. Last week, Norton limited Hutch Trinity’s talented passing attack to 251 yards on just 12 of 27 completions. Norton was able to force timely turnovers to stop Trinity scoring opportunities, and the Celtics helped out with several penalties as the Bluejays won 17-7.



2-1A Sub-State

Centralia (11-1) at St. Marys (10-1)

Centralia finally got past the playoff hurdle that is Colgan to advance to this sub-state game at St. Marys. The Panthers had been eliminated six times by Colgan over the last 11 years. The Panthers used Philip Steinlage to get to the corner in the first half, and Tyler Gleason between the tackles in the second half to control the game. Steinlage finished with 91 yards and a touchdown, while Gleason added 99 yards and a score. Centralia will need more of the same as they take on a talented, but beat up Bears team.

St. Marys advanced by converting all three 2-point conversions while Olpe kicked three extra points and the Bears won 24-21. St. Marys won despite being shut down on the ground as the Eagle defense held the Bears to just 53 yards on 37 carries. St. Marys tailback Luke Olsen was held to just 10 carries for 10 yards before leaving with a knee injury. Olsen is not expected to play this week. The Bears will get a boost upfront from the return of Luke Eakes who has been out for several games with a broken hand.


Oakley (11-0) at Smith Center (11-0)

One of the most anticipated games of the year in the state, this match-up features two defenses that have yielded very little in the way of points. Smith Center has given up just 79 points all season (7ppg) while Oakley has even been better in surrendering only 40 points all year including six shutouts. Both teams showed they can escape close defensive struggles last week as the Redmen beat Meade 10-0, while Oakley edged Ellis 3-0.

For the Plainsmen to stop the nation’s longest winning streak at 78, they’ll need to get some production out of their offense including quarterback Lex Parsons (890 yards), and running backs Tad Parsons (1,116 yards), and Kraig Siruta (1,016 yards). While teams have been able to drive the ball a bit more on the Redmen this season, scoring points has not been easy. The Redmen defense always seems to stiffen with their backs against the wall. Oakley will need to convert each opportunity into points – touchdowns if they expect to win.

The Redmen have plenty of weapons out of the Barta Bone including Colt Rogers (1,529 yards) and Matt Atwood (971 yards). The return of quarterback Shawn Stansbury from injury should ensure that the belly series is running as smooth as ever.