Bonner Springs only KVL team still competing in state playoffs
Although Tonganoxie was knocked out of the high school football playoffs in heartbreaking fashion Nov. 5, eight teams are still alive in the hunt for a Class 4A state title.
The Chieftains finished the season 5-5 after they couldn’t hold onto a 14-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. Atchison, meanwhile, didn’t fare as well Saturday. The Redmen ended their season 7-4 after Hayden throttled them 34-14 on Saturday in Topeka.
Now 10-1, the Wildcats will play undefeated Fort Scott (11-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in Fort Scott.
Eudora (10-1), which defeated District 7 champion and Kaw Valley League member Piper 20-6 on Saturday, plays at 7 p.m. Friday in Paola against the Panthers (7-4).
In other 4A regional games, Marysville (11-0) plays at Holton (10-1), while Scott City (10-1) heads to Wellington (9-2) to take on the defending 4A champions.
Bonner Springs is the lone Kaw Valley League team still in the playoffs. The Braves (6-4) defeated Turner 17-7 in regionals last Friday and will play host to 8-2 Topeka West at 7 p.m. this Friday.
Fellow KVL member Mill Valley finished its season at 8-2 after losing to Hayden 35-14 in bi-districts Nov. 5 in Topeka.
In the nearby Delaware Valley League, however, half of its playoff advancers are still competing.
Pleasant Ridge ended its season with a 61-7 bi-district loss to Rock Creek on Nov. 5, but Jackson Heights (11-0) and Jefferson County North (9-2) have advanced to sectionals.
Jackson Heights will play Pittsburg-Colgan on Saturday in Pittsburg. The game will be a rematch of sorts as Colgan (11-0) knocked the Cobras out of the state basketball tournament last March. JHHS defeated Washington, 40-8, and Lebo, 40-22, to advance in the playoffs.
JCN, meanwhile, heads to sectionals with shutout wins against Lyndon (39-0) and Frankfort (27-0). The Chargers will play Sedan (10-1) on Saturday in Winchester.
The only other DVL team not still in the playoffs is Troy. The Trojans finished their season 7-3 with a 41-12 loss to Lebo in bi-districts Nov. 5.