Five things to watch in Kansas football sectional playoffs

in Kansas football sectional playoffs1 Underdog Firebirds hope to spring another upset

A year ago, Lawrence Free State entered its sectional playoff game against Olathe North as a heavy underdog. The Firebirds had lost to the Eagles 35-7 five weeks earlier but surprised coach Pete Flood’s bunch with a 10-6 win on the way to a Kansas 6A runner-up finish. Free State, 8-2, again lost a week-six battle to Olathe North, falling 38-20 five weeks ago at home. Meeting in the 6A quarterfinal round for the second straight season, the Firebirds hope they have another upset for The Star’s top-ranked big-class squad, the 10-0 Eagles.

2 Blue Valley, BV Northwest meet again

Sure, when the teams met in the second week of the season, Blue Valley Northwest convincingly defeated Blue Valley 34-15. But that game was a long time ago. Blue Valley, 4-6, seems to have found its stride, with three straight lopsided wins — including a 42-18 upset of a one-loss Shawnee Mission West team last week. This should be an entertaining game, led by two prolific quarterbacks. BV Northwest’s Koby Chadick has passed for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns (with six interceptions) and rushed for 1,085 yards and 20 touchdowns for the 9-1 Huskies. Blue Valley’s Anthony Abenoja has passed for 2,095 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and rushed for 429 yards and nine touchdowns.

3 Miege-Louisburg a clash of opposing strengths

On one side is a 9-2 Bishop Miege team that has scored 100 points over its first two playoff games. On the other side, a 10-1 Louisburg team that has posted three straight shutouts and has allowed a total of 14 points over its last six games. The focal point for the Stags is senior playmaker Justin McCay, who has contributed 16 touchdowns this season (11 receiving, two on kickoff returns, one on a punt return, one rushing and even one passing). Running back Bobby Germinder (1,070 rushing yards) and quarterback Max Shortell (1,649 passing yards) also drive the offense. In the other local 4A quarterfinal, 9-2 Eudora is host to 8-3 Paola. Eudora won the teams’ Sept. 25 meeting, 35-27.

4 Starling approaches 1,000-yard barriers

Gardner Edgerton’s Bubba Starling, a junior quarterback, needs 51 yards rushing and 54 yards passing to reach 1,000 for the season. It would be the second straight year he reached both plateaus. Topeka Seaman, 6-4, is expected to pack the box to try to stop Starling, Brett Jensen (144 carries for 1,240 yards) and Ryan Weber (107-746) in the teams’ 5A quarterfinal game tonight. That should open up the play-action game down the field. Receivers Justice Berry, who leads 10-0 Gardner Edgerton with 27 catches for 555 yards, and Tyler Stubler, who has six touchdowns among his nine receptions, could be in for big nights.

5 Aquinas looking to stay on course in 5A

If there was initially some uncertainty, some doubt about how St. Thomas Aquinas would look this season after an unexpected coaching change and significant turnover in offensive personnel, there isn’t anymore. Coach Mike Thomas has the Saints marching toward another deep postseason run, one step away from another 5A semifinals appearance. Next up for 9-1 Aquinas is a home game tonight against 4-6 Shawnee Heights. Saints quarterback Richard Davila has passed for 1,565 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while the Aquinas defense has held opponents to 12.4 points per game.

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