SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS WEEK 5 PICK SIX
KAPAUN MT. CARMEL (4-0) AT WICHITA SOUTHEAST (3-1)
One of the best Greater Wichita Athletic League rivalries from yesteryear has recently tilted in favor of Kapaun, which has won the last 11 games in the series. But both teams are coming off a feel-good Friday that should add some pizzazz to this matchup.
Kapaun kept its No. 1 ranking in Class 4A after rallying from a 28-point, second-quarter deficit last week to edge 6A No. 2 Wichita Northwest 43-42 in overtime. Junior Ken Huff’s 10-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run gave the Crusaders their first victory over Northwest in four years. Kapaun’s defense also produced a fourth-quarter, goal-line stand that kept its comeback alive.
Meanwhile, Southeast continued its best start to a season since 2008 with a 35-14 victory over Wichita Heights. Junior Kedrick Harrison ran for 232 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Buffaloes defeated the Falcons for the first time in 24 years. Southeast has won five of its last seven games under second-year coach Corby Milleson.
Kapaun has dominated the last four meetings under coach Weston Schartz, averaging 70.5 points with two shutouts. To close the gap, Southeast will need continued production from Harrison, who has rushed for 598 yards this season.
HAVEN (4-0) AT GARDEN PLAIN (3-1)
Haven enters October in the same position it was a year ago, sitting at 4-0 and looking to take control of Class 2A District 5. That will require reversing a recent trend against Garden Plain.
The Owls have defeated Haven each of the last four seasons, including a 38-14 victory a year ago in which they built a 22-0 halftime lead. Haven rebounded to finish the season 8-2, and has moved forward successfully despite the graduation of key playmakers.
This season, sophomore Cole Brawner has emerged as a top running threat, compiling 635 yards and eight touchdowns in the Wildcats’ first four games. Junior quarterback Brogan Wray has taken over for his older brother, Nash, and passed for 464 yards and six touchdowns while running for four.
After ending Conway Springs’ 25-game winning streak, Garden Plain’s stay in the 2A rankings lasted just one week after it fell to Cheney 28-7. But the Owls bounced back last week with a 46-7 victory over Belle Plaine, as senior Eli Eck passed for two touchdowns and senior Emrick Hays ran 18 times for 170 yards. The Owls, who have defeated Haven by an average of 24.5 points since 2021, will try to deny the Wildcats their first 5-0 in 40 years.
HOISINGTON (3-0) AT CHENEY (3-1)
Even with a weather cancellation against Scott City, the 2025 season has started better than last season for Hoisington, which is ranked No. 4 in Class 2A after defeating Pratt, Hesston and Southwestern Heights. Now, a stern road test awaits against Cheney, which defeated Hoisington 47-18 a year ago to drop their Cardinal counterparts to 1-4.
Hoisington has been aided by a return to good health for senior Taylen Morales, who ran for 244 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-23 victory over Hesston. Last week, first-year starting quarterback Mason Martin passed for 222 yards and five touchdowns in a 72-0 victory over Southwestern Heights.
Cheney has been humming on both sides of the ball since a 15-13 season-opening loss at Holcomb. Senior quarterback Reece Tolar completed 14 of 24 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns last week in Cheney’s 41-6 victory over Clearwater. The Cardinals have yielded just 29 points all season with a Week 2 shutout against Kingman.
One area Hoisington will have to shore up to avenge last season’s loss to Cheney will be turnovers. Hoisington rolled up 335 yards in last year’s meeting, but committed seven turnovers.
INMAN (3-1) AT MARION (4-0)
After collecting convincing victories in their Class 1A District 6 openers last week, Inman and Marion will battle for the district lead.
Despite splitting its last two games, Inman rolled up 101 points during that stretch with junior quarterback Malachi Brunk leading the way. Brunk passed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and ran from 149 yards and two scores in the Teutons’ 54-0 victory over Remington last week. Inman’s shutout came on the heels of a 60-47 loss to Class 1A No. 3 Sterling in Week 3.
Marion’s performance on both sides of the ball has led to a 4-0 record and No. 5 ranking in 1A. The Warriors are coming off a 42-8 victory over Sedgwick – their first win over the Cardinals since 2017 – in which junior Jameson Looper ran for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Carson Krause added a pair of scores for Marion, which has yielded just 42 points so far.
The series has been highly competitive, with Marion owning a 7-4 edge since 2010. The Warriors won last year’s meeting 26-7 at Inman, as Looper scored two touchdowns and Krause added one.
PRATT-SKYLINE (4-0) AT OXFORD (3-0)
In an already formidable district with Eight-Player I’s top-ranked South Central, Skyline and Oxford made it through September unscathed and will try to add momentum for the homestretch.
Looking for its first 5-0 start since 2020, Skyline is coming off a 46-0 victory over Udall that ended at halftime. Junior Matthias Bair passed for 139 yards and three touchdowns – two to junior Aiden Becker – and has accounted for 15 touchdowns through the air and on the ground this season for the Thunderbirds.
Oxford, which defeated Skyline 54-8 last season, is 3-0 for the first time since 2012. Coach Kyle Westerman’s team is coming off an open date after outscoring South Central Border League foes Sedan, West Elk and Central-Burden by a combined 160-14. The Wildcats are averaging 260.3 rushing yards, spreading the bulk of the carries between senior quarterback Chase Douglas (278 yards, 5 TDs), senior Xzavier McClamy (261 yards, 5 TDs) and junior Logan Gaither (224 yards, 6 TDs.
Skyline has generated good balance in its first four games, running for 173.3 yards and passing for 135 per game while averaging 42.8 points. The Thunderbirds will be tested by an Oxford defense that has forced 10 turnovers and registered 31 tackles for loss in its three games.
LYNDON (3-0) AT FLINTHILLS (3-1)
Flinthills matched its 2024 victory total last week with a 58-14 victory over Northern Heights in its Eight-Player I District 2 opener. The Mustangs now draw one of the district’s two remaining unbeatens.
Junior Beau Hall delivered a huge performance for Flinthills last week, rushing 18 times for 241 yards and five touchdowns. He added a sixth score on a 26-yard interception return, one of two defensive touchdowns for the Mustangs. Hall leads Flinthills’ offense with 72 carries for 710 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Lyndon has no problem generating offense in its 3-0 start. The Tigers are averaging 409 yards of total offense and 58 points. Senior James Marcotte has rushed for 407 yards and nine touchdowns, leading a ground attack that has produced 966 yards and 19 rushing scores. Senior quarterback Lucas Griffin has passed for 234 yards and three scores while adding 393 yards and seven TDs on the ground.
Lyndon held Flinthills to 151 total yards last season in a 58-8 victory. Marcotte ran for 174 yards and three touchdowns, and caught three passes for 76 yards and two scores in that victory.