The round of eight in the high school football playoffs includes Manhattan, Wamego and Frankfort all still alive with Friday night tilts.
Derby (9-1) at Manhattan (9-1) – 6:30 pre-game on Newsradio KMAN – This game marks the fourth meeting between the two teams in two seasons, as they have opened the year against each other in both 2022 and 2023 plus will have met in the playoffs. Manhattan has won the previous three meetings including a 33-19 decision to kick off defense of their 6A title of a last year. Derby quarterback Braxton Clark missed five weeks with a liver injury but returned last week to lead the Panthers past Lawrence, 48-6. Clark threw for more than 200 yards in the win. Manhattan ran past Free State, 21-7, as Carter Aslin carried the ball for 168 yards and two scores. The Tribe ran for 288 as a team while their defense kept pressure on the Firebirds all night, racking up five tackles for loss.
Wellington (8-2) at Wamego (8-2) – 6:30 pre-game on B104.7, presented by Carpet One of Manhattan – This game pits Wellington’s strong offense against Wamego’s stout defense. The Crusaders have won seven straight after a 1-2 start that included losses to 3A powers Andale and Wichita Collegiate. They are led by junior quarterback Dusty Bannister, who threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Coffeyville-Field Kindley last Friday. The effort was backed up by a 119 yard rushing night from junior Nick Geifer. Wamego moved into the quarterfinals by dominating against Rose Hill, 42-14. The Red Raiders have not allowed more than 14 points to any foe since week one, when they fell at Clay Center 19-7. Thomas McIntyre led Wamego with another 100-plus yard rushing effort and Pruitt Nowlin threw five touchdowns as Wamego is in the quarterfinals in 4A for a fourth straight season.
Frankfort (8-2) at Hanover (6-4) – The Wildcats went on the road for a dominating performance last Friday and will be trying to match their win over Hanover earlier in the season to move into the 8-Man II semifinals. Scoring five touchdowns on offense and adding nine tackles on defense was senior Brock Armstrong, who earned our K-State Credit Union / Sports Medicine Center / KMAN Student-Athlete of the Week recognition. Hanover has played both of its previous playoff games on the road, thus earning the right to host this matchup. Frankfort won the first meeting 62-14, part of a string of three straight wins they’ve reeled off since losing to rival and defending state champ Axtell.
Scoreboard Saturday, presented by WTC Communications, airs Saturday morning at 8:00 this week.
