Previewing the last games of the regular season + the Varsity Kansas Game of the Week

No. 1 Derby at No. 3 Maize

The highly anticipated matchup for the AVCTL I championship is Friday at Maize, and it will likely be better than most expected. Both teams enter undefeated with two of the best defenses in Kansas, and both are atop their respective class’ district standings with 91 points.

Last year, the league title came down to Maize and Derby, but the title game came in Week 3. This year, it comes in the final week of the regular season.

Derby lost starting quarterback Grant Adler to a broken arm in Week 4, but the Panthers haven’t seemed to miss a beat. Maize went more than a month without giving up a point, but the Eagles haven’t faced a team like Derby yet. And the Panthers haven’t seen a defense in 2018 like the one they will face Friday.

Prediction: Derby 21, Maize 17

No. 23 Andover at No. 15 Goddard

They will play on turf, but this has potential to be the messiest game of the week.

A Goddard win would clinch the AVCTL II championship for the Lions. But an Andover win would force a three-way tie atop the league standings among Goddard, Andover and Maize South.

The Trojans would have wins over both Goddard and Maize South, but the league bylaws call for a shared title rather than a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Andover sophomore quarterback Eli Fahnestock was pulled out of the Backyard Brawl last week in the Trojans’ loss to Andover Central, and junior running back Peyton Henry was hurt, too.

If Goddard can figure out the Trojan defense, which it has struggled to do against some of area’s best this year, the Lions will have a good shot.

Prediction: Goddard 21, Andover 14

Belle Plaine at Douglass

Douglass is chasing back-to-back district championships, but the most dramatic team in the Wichita area is next ... and Belle Plaine is the only team that can hold the Bulldogs back.

Belle Plaine has had one of the more memorable seasons in school history, at least in recent years. The Dragons have won four games for the first time since 2011, and five of their games have been decided by five points or fewer.

Douglass’ offense has been steady all season behind senior running back Zachary Dressler, but Belle Plaine has a habit of forcing theatrics.

Prediction: Douglass 35, Belle Plaine 34

Inman at No. 24 Sedgwick

Few would have believed.

Last year, Inman didn’t win a game. The Teutons were outscored 406-77. This year, they have five wins and will play for a Class 1A district championship.

Inman has its most wins since 2013, but they will face one of the top offenses in Kansas on Friday. Sedgwick comes in with a spread offense that has given all but one team fits this season, led by senior quarterback Hooper Schroeder.

If the Teutons win Friday, it will be because of their defense.

Prediction: Sedgwick 56, Inman 28

No. 12 Chaparral at No. 19 Hutchinson-Trinity

They’re in, but that won’t matter Friday.

Chaparral and Hutch-Trinity have clinched spots in the Class 2A playoffs. They are locked in to the No. 2 and 3 spots in District 6 behind Conway Springs and ahead of Garden Plain.

That doesn’t mean they aren’t going for it Friday. The Roadrunners and Celtics come in as two of the top teams in 2A.

Hutch-Trinity has allowed the second fewest points in the class behind undefeated Humboldt at 5.9 per game. Chaparral has the No. 6 offense in the class at 43.3 points every Friday.

Prediction: Chaparral 28, Hutchinson-Trinity 21

No. 25 Garden Plain at No. 8 Conway Springs

Much like the game above, the seeds are all but set, but the game still means something.

Conway Springs has clinched the Class 2A, District 6 title after its 53-23 win over Chaparral in Week 7. A win over the Owls in the regular-season finale would mean back-to-back undefeated seasons for the Cardinals.

Conway Springs will be looking beyond a win Friday ahead of its return to the state playoffs, where the Cardinals lost 45-42 to Hesston in the second round in 2017. But coach Matt Biehler won’t let that take away from Friday.

Prediction: Conway Springs 35, Garden Plain 14

No. 18 Wichita Heights at No. 10 Kapaun

Kapaun and Heights sit at No. 6 and 7 in Class 5A west heading into Friday, and their game could change that dramatically.

The Crusaders have a chance to rise as high as No. 3 with a win. With a loss, they would flip with the Falcons. Kapaun would need a lot of help to rise as high as it can, but it is possible.

Senior quarterback K’Vonte Baker is questionable for Friday with a sprained ankle he suffered in an overtime win over Wichita South. He did not play in the Falcons’ loss to Wichita Northwest in Week 7. And Kapaun is coming off a 25-0 win at St. James Academy.

Prediction: Kapaun 31, Wichita Heights 21

No. 21 Mulvane at No. 11 Wellington

Wellington is after more history.

The Crusaders have already put together their best regular season since 2008. A win Friday over AVCTL IV rival Mulvane would give Wellington its best record through eight games since 2004.

Mulvane is hot coming into Friday. The Wildcats have won four straight, but the Crusaders haven’t lost since Sept. 7.

Even with a loss, both teams are guaranteed to finish in the top four of Class 4A west.

Prediction: Wellington 35, Mulvane 21

Clearwater at No. 22 Collegiate

Collegiate can’t catch Andale, though its playoff road could get much tougher.

The Spartans and Indians will be watching the Chapman-at-Halstead game, which will decide who they face in the first round of the 3A playoffs. The winner will face the loser and vice-versa.

Clearwater has put together its best regular season since 2013, and a win over Collegiate would be the Indians’ first since 2011.

Prediction: Collegiate 35, Clearwater 21