The final week of the regular season provides some big matchups, including three head-to-head games that will determine playoff seeding.
Manhattan (6-1) at Wichita Northwest (6-1) – 7:00 on Newsradio KMAN: The Indians are currently the #2 team in the 6A West standings behind Washburn Rural, Wichita Northwest is #4, with Lawrence-Free State sitting in between the pair ahead of their home game with Olathe North, who sits atop the East standings at 6-1. Derby is the fourth 6-1 team in the West and faces 5A Newton. Tonight’s game is the third meeting between Manhattan and Wichita Northwest in a year after not having played against each other since 2008. The Indians have won all three.
Minneapolis (4-3) at Riley County (3-4) – 7:00 on B104.7: The Falcons are trying to claw out a .500 record and finish the regular season on a win before playoffs send to either Silver Lake or Rossville next week. Both teams are 1-2 in districts.
Wamego (5-2) at Abilene (6-1): The Cowboys will be trying to clinch the top seed on the 4A West bracket as the only team with one loss, while Wamego is trying to play spoiler and give the standings a grouping of teams with two losses. Buhler lost to McPherson Thursday night, setting up Abilene’s opportunity to clinch outright at home tonight.
Concordia (2-5) at Rock Creek (4-3): The Mustangs are looking to rebound from last weekend’s loss to district leader and likely champion Clay Center, while Concordia is bidding to play spoiler. With a win, Rock Creek could clinch second in the district, as Clay Center visits Marysville tonight.
Emporia (0-7) at Junction City (4-3): The Bluejays put an end to a two-game slide with a shutout win over Topeka High last Friday and are currently in the #10 slot in the 6A West standings. Junction City standout and the state’s top ranked recruit, Michael Boganowski, announced Thursday he plans to continue his football career next year at Oklahoma. The linebacker picked the Sooners over K-State, Florida State and Kansas.
Frankfort (5-2) at Hanover (4-3): This is a showdown for playoff seeding as both are 3-1 in districts, trailing unbeaten Axtell.
Linn (2-5) at Blue Valley Randolph (3-4): The Rams are trying to close the regular season with back to back wins after nearly shutting out Doniphan West last Friday night.
