Playoff soccer is right here for the state of Kansas. Shawnee County groups will embark on an extended journey towards the state championship recreation. Week 9 marks the primary spherical of the playoffs, that are set to be performed on Friday, Oct. 31.
After going 9-1 in our picks last week, listed below are our predictions for Week 9 of highschool soccer motion in Shawnee County. We have now an total report of 60-10 coming into this week. All kickoffs are set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, until famous.
Washburn Rural hosts its first spherical matchup towards Wichita South. The Junior Blues have closed the season with back-to-back losses as accidents have decimated the roster. Washburn Rural’s dashing assault might want to succeed for the crew to come back away with a win. Wichita South has ended the 12 months with three wins out of its last 4 video games. The Titans have allowed no less than 180 dashing yards in 4 of its 5 losses. Working the ball with Jadyn Baum and TJ Minikwu shall be key and if they will get out into open area, Washburn Rural may have its means in Week 9. Washburn Rural 21, Wichita South 12
Topeka Excessive will go on the street because it appears to upset Derby in Week 9. The Trojans have misplaced 4 straight video games to finish the common season. The offense has scored 24 factors of their previous 4 video games as they give the impression of being to maintain the ball and transfer the chains, ending in factors on a number of drives on this one. However Derby has loved a stable season. The Panthers had been using three straight wins into Week 8 earlier than dropping 24-20 to Bishop Carroll. Derby has gained every recreation by no less than 29 factors as its protection has been stable this 12 months. Two of the crew’s three losses have come by 4 factors or much less. Derby 42, Topeka Excessive 13
Highland Park is using excessive off defeating Washington final week to assert the primary convention championship in class historical past. The Scots may have a take a look at after they host De Soto. This shall be Highland Park’s hardest recreation of the 12 months, with De Soto’s lone losses coming towards Basehor-Linwood and Leavenworth. The Wildcats have defeated Topeka West, Shawnee Heights and Seaman. Highland Park’s ability place gamers have been nice with working again G’Honi Montgomery and JoJo Kingcannon needing to make explosive performs. The Scots’ protection shall be examined all through the sport. De Soto’s dashing assault shall be key whether it is to go away the capital metropolis with a win. Anticipate a detailed recreation at Hummer Sports activities Park. Highland Park 35, De Soto 30
Class 5A East is a gauntlet and Shawnee Heights has been positioned in a troublesome opening spherical matchup towards St. James Academy. The Thunderbirds have closed the season with three straight wins over Seaman, Lansing and Turner. Shawnee Heights’ protection has performed its greatest within the last month of the 12 months and it will likely be examined towards a St. James crew that all the time has state title aspirations. St. James’ John Hornback has thrown for 1,206 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The Thunder have two completely different rushers with over 500 yards. Shawnee Heights’ offense with Aiden Scott and AJ Gallegos will carry the load, attempting to go possession for possession with St. James. The Thunder have massive wins over Bishop Miege, St. Pius X (Mo.) and Kapaun Mt. Carmel. The Thunder know easy methods to win shut video games, too. 4 of their wins have come by one possession. St. James Academy 41, Shawnee Heights 38
Topeka West heads on the street for its first spherical recreation towards Salina Central. The Chargers offense will search for extra consistency on this recreation. They’ve scored simply six factors in three of their final 4 video games. The crew’s lone win came to visit Turner in Week 6. Salina Central began the 12 months with six straight wins earlier than dropping to Andover at dwelling. Quarterback Griffin Corridor has been nice for Salina Central as he’s thrown for 1,284 yards, 17 touchdowns and only one interception. Senior working again Cooper Reves has been key for the offense along with his 1,608 yards and eight touchdowns. Salina Central 42, Topeka West 12
Seaman will take the over five-hour-long journey to Liberal for the primary spherical of the Class 5A playoffs. The Vikings have misplaced three straight video games with a detailed defeat to UKC champs Basehor-Linwood. Seaman quarterback Cale Ketter has thrown for over 2,000 yards, because the crew might want to possess the ball for lengthy durations towards an excellent Liberal crew.
After beginning undefeated, Liberal has misplaced two of its final three video games to Nice Bend and Hays. Liberal’s dashing assault has a number of choices, however the offense runs via sophomore quarterback Tevin Cotter. He’s thrown for 1,535 yards, 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Liberal’s losses have come after they have turned the ball over. Seaman’s protection must earn some takeaways to earn the upset win, however the lengthy journey day may make for some heavy legs. This ought to be a detailed recreation close to the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Liberal 28, Seaman 21
Hayden enters the state match because the No. 1 seed in Class 3A. The Wildcats secured the district title by dismantling Jefferson West final week. Hayden has been in a position to rating in all aspects of the sport and they need to do it towards a Columbus crew that’s permitting 35 factors per recreation in losses. Hayden 42, Columbus, 13
It’s all the time troublesome to beat a crew twice. Silver Lake is on a six-game successful streak and its Week 4 win over St. Marys helped begin this run. The Eagles defeated the Bears 21-6, which was highlighted by 135 dashing yards by Bryson Burgos. St. Marys has closed the season on a three-game dropping streak with defeats to Osage Metropolis, Council Grove and Sabetha. Quarterback Lane Smith is the important thing to the Bears’ offense. If he can keep away from turnovers, St. Marys may have an opportunity. Silver Lake’s protection has been spectacular because it has allowed eight factors or much less in 5 of its six wins. Silver Lake 27, St. Marys 8
Rossville enters the Class 1A State Match because the No. 4 seed. The Bulldawgs solely defeat got here towards Nemaha Central in Week 3. Rossville defeated Mission Valley 55-6 in Week 5 as quarterback Canann Mitchell threw for 125 yards on 7-for-8 passing and two touchdowns. The crew rushed for 333 yards, too. Rossville’s protection allowed simply 123 yards within the win. Rossville has momentum on its aspect because it might want to begin quick to get the win. Mission Valley defeated Maranatha Christian Academy in Week 8 to snap a three-game dropping streak to Rossville, Olpe and Wabaunsee. Rossville 42, Mission Valley 12
Liam Keating covers highschool sports activities and Washburn College for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Ship stats or info to him at Lkeating@gannett.com