Today is the day most district schedules begin. These are the games that decide which teams will play for a state championship in November. Essentially, the playoffs begin today.
Hutchinson looks to stay on track after going 2-2 over its last four games. It lost a heart-breaker to Rockhurst (Mo.), beat Newton in the final quarter, lost to Salina South in a blowout and squeaked by No. 3 Derby.
This time, the Salthawks have Dodge City, a team that is on a two-game losing skid that includes losses to Great Bend and Hays. The Panthers and Indians are not only two of the best teams in the west, but in the state. Dodge City and Hutch are both teams that can put points on the scoreboard, so this one may be a shootout.
Danilynn Welniak will have complete coverage of this game.
Hays and Great Bend meet tonight to open district play in what could be a preview to a state playoff match. These two teams boast a combined two losses and they do not like each other. Hays opened the season with a loss to Junction City, a team that is consistently solid and Great Bend lost to Garden City the third week of the season.
Hays doesn't allow too many points, and lights up a scoreboard more than often. Great Bend is much the same way. Its allowed three or more touchdowns in three games this year, but its other three games its opponents were held to 7, 6 and 0. Heather Williams will be at this western Kansas showdown.
After last year's 44-41 loss to Salina South on a last-second field goal, Salina Central wants some serious revenge. The battle of Salina is one fo teh best rivalries in the state, and this year looks to be no different. South comes in at 5-1 and ranked as the second-best team in 5A. Central has a had a rough go of it, as the Mustangs currently sit at 2-4.
However, all that can be thrown out the window because this one will come down to who executes and wants it more. Samantha Anderson will be covering this game from Salina District Stadium.
Buhler and Andale are two teams that were ranked earlier in the year and look to get back to state prominence. A few key losses for these teams have knocked them out of the top five in the state.
Both teams run the ball, and everyone knows that. Buhler's Riley Allen finished in the top five in the 100-meter dash at the state track meet last season, so if Buhler can manage to get him in open space, he is likely to be gone.
Andale has depended on its offense quite a bit this year, as it has scored at least 60 points its last three games. Buhler is a team that has always been able to put up points, so this could be a shootout. Grant Meech will be in Andale for this showdown between two great rushing teams.
U Pick 'Em will once again be the game to play this season. Everyone is invited to sign up and compete against the Eyewitness Sports team. Anyone who beats KWCH Sports Director Bruce Haertl in a given week will be eligible to win a prize, plus you can compete against your friends to see who is the king or queen of high school football.
A new addition to the line-up this season is the Catch It Kansas Tailgate Party. The Crew from KSCW and Bruce Haertl will be at a different game each week, and will be live in newscasts at 4:00, 5:00 & 6:00. If you're going to be at the game in Garden Plain this week, be sure to come early for the chance to win prizes and eat a brat to support the Salthawk booster club.
Click here for the weekly CatchItKansas.com Football Rankings
CatchItKansas.com and KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports will be across the state on Friday, bringing the most complete coverage of high school football in the state of Kansas. Below are all the game you can expect coverage from on KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports, and the Catch It Kansas Show on KSCW 33, Cable 5 at 11:00 pm on Friday night.
Danilynn Welniak
#1 Hutchinson @ Dodge City
Heather Williams
#4 Hays @ Great Bend
Samantha Anderson
#2 Salina South vs. Salina Central
Look for coverage from these other games:
Sedgwick @ Wichita Independent
Heights vs. East @ Capenter Stadium at South
Augusta @ Rose Hill - CatchItKansas Tailgate Party
Liberal @ Goddard
