SHAWNEE MISSION — When Shawnee Mission Northwest quarterback Trai Woodruff took the field Friday night, there was no doubt he had another big game in him. After shredding Lawrence for over 300 rushing yards and six touchdowns a week earlier, the Cougar senior followed it up with another memorable playoff performance.
Woodruff rushed for 325 yards and five touchdowns, including a 73-yard scoring run to open the second half, as Northwest rallied past Lawrence Free State, 38-31, to capture the Class 6A regional championship at Shawnee Mission District Stadium.
The Cougars trailed 17-10 at halftime, but Woodruff’s explosive second half turned the game around. The senior quarterback accounted for four of his five touchdowns after the break, carrying Northwest’s offense on his back and keeping the Cougars' postseason hopes alive.
“That was a big win for our program,” Northwest head coach Kurt Webster said. “Free State is a well-coached, physical team, and we knew coming in that we were going to have to play four full quarters to get it done. What I'm most proud of is the resiliency of our young men. When adversity hit, they didn't flinch. They dug deep, they trusted the scheme, and they played for each other. A win like this, against a quality opponent, is a true testament to the work they've put in since January.”
Free State, behind quarterback Finn Moore, traded blows with the Cougars in a back-and-forth second half. Moore tied the game at 24-all with a rushing touchdown, part of a strong night where he finished with over 300 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. But when Firebird running back Maddon Brittingham left the game with an injury in the second half, the offense lost a key weapon.
That’s when Woodruff and the Cougars seized control. With his offensive line paving lanes, the senior found daylight repeatedly, breaking tackles and pulling away from defenders. His 73-yard burst early in the third quarter set the tone for a relentless half that saw Northwest outscore Free State 28-14.
“Trai is a special player, and he’s playing his best football when it matters most,” Webster said. “He understands what time of year it is. In the second half, he really turned it on. He has a rare ability to elevate his performance in crucial moments. His leadership and his sheer will to win are infectious. He's playing with a fire right now that’s motivating everyone around him, and it's not just about the stats—it’s about the confidence he gives the entire huddle. We needed him to step up, and he answered the bell in a big way.”
With the victory, the Cougars (now 8-2) advance to the sectional round, where they’ll face defending state champion Gardner-Edgerton on the road Friday night.
“We are very excited for this opportunity,” Webster said. “We know what's at stake. We know what a great program, players, and coaches they have over there. The team understands the magnitude of the moment, but we’re not going to let the excitement turn into distraction. It’s all about a great week of practice, maintaining our intensity, and preparing to play our game. We're hungry, we're focused, and we're ready to embrace the toughest challenge yet.”
REGIONAL STANDOUTS
CLASS 6A
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Olathe West continued its memorable run Friday as the Owls earned a regional championship in a 55-44 win over Olathe South. Quarterback Brody Hale led the Owls’ offense with 251 yards passing to go along with seven total touchdowns, including five through the air. Receiver Sam Krzykowski racked up 242 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, which included five catches for 151 yards and 91 yards rushing. Running back Josh Foland led the Owls rushing attack with 144 yards.
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Olathe Northwest kept its season alive with a 38-14 victory over Blue Valley West to earn a spot in the sectional round. Bryce Randall led the Ravens with 115 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Randall also had an interception for a touchdown late in the game to seal the win. Quarterback Brody Comfort threw for 126 yards and touchdown. The Ravens' defense also forced five interceptions, including two each by Michael Hefley and Brayden Stubenrauch.
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Gardner-Edgerton's rushing attack, led by Syre Padilla, keyed the Blazers to a 63-35 victory over Olathe North in the regional championship game. Olathe North had no answer for Padilla as he carried the ball 24 times for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Briggs Cunningham also had a big night with 176 yards rushing and three scores.
CLASS 5A
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In a rematch of a memorable contest earlier this season that helped decide the United Kansas Conference title, Basehor-Linwood got the best of De Soto once again in a 35-28 victory for the regional championship. Running back Gavin Mitchell had a big night with 166 yards rushing on 20 carries and two touchdowns. Quarterback Carson Dixon also had a pair of touchdowns.
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Leavenworth continued its historic season with a 35-21 victory over Blue Valley North to improve its record to 9-1, which is the most wins in program history. Quarterback Brayden Bridger had a big night with 259 yards passing with three touchdowns and completed passes to six different receivers, including Will Dales who led the Pioneers with 67 yards receiving and a touchdown. Defensively, the Pioneers forced three turnovers, including an interception return for a touchdown by Julian Simon.
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Despite getting off to a slow start, St. James Academy pushed through to earn a 26-14 victory over Spring Hill. The Thunder trailed early in the first quarter as Spring Hill struck for two quick scores, but rallied behind a 108-yard, two touchdown performance from running back Jake House. Quarterback John Hornback also had 119 yards passing and a touchdown. Defensively, Billy Burns had two interceptions to lead St. James.
CLASS 4A
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Eudora, the No. 1 seed in the 4A East bracket, continued its impressive season as the Cardinals cruised to a regional championship in a 49-14 victory over Paola. The rushing duo of Grayson Moody and Keelyn Duncan proved to be too much for the Panthers. Moody had 181 yards on the ground with a touchdown, while Duncan had 100 yards rushing and three scores. The Cardinals’ defense also came up big with five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns by Sy Thomas and Gavin Etter.
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Ottawa will play another week, with big thanks to its kicker. Gavin Seaton kicked the game-winning field goal as the Cyclones edged Piper for a 24-22 victory in the regional championship. Ottawa wide receiver Aiden McCullough also came up big for the Cyclones as he had 10 catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the come-from-behind win.
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Just a couple weeks after Labette County rolled Chanute for the SEK title, the two met in the regional round of the playoffs in what was a different type of game. In what was a scoreless game at halftime, Labette County came away with a 15-7 win over Chanute. Labette County quarterback Aaron Wyrick opened the scoring with a 41-yard run in the third quarter, but Chanute tied it up on a touchdown by Asher Love. Deontae Fields had the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
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Bishop Miege improved its record to 5-5 on the season with a 30-6 victory over Tonganoxie to win a regional title. Quarterback Landon Cole had a big night for the Stags as he had 227 yards passing and two touchdowns in the victory, while Michael Blount led the way with five catches for 61 yards and a score. Stags had a 16-6 lead at halftime, but two third quarter touchdowns sealed the win.
CLASS 1A