Previewing Wichita’s semifinal matchups + the Varsity Kansas Game of the Week

No. 2 Maize at No. 1 Wichita Northwest

This has been brewing.

Northwest has proved to be the premier team out of the City League, and Maize has shown it is the one to beat in Class 5A out of the Wichita suburbs. Their paths were bound to cross, and they will Friday.

The Grizzlies come in with arguably the most electric offense in Kansas. Senior running backs Breece Hall and Roy Johnson are well-known and respected for putting up 2,968 yards so far this season. But they are not alone.

Junior quarterback Reagan Jones is a 1,000-yard rusher and has had a wealth of receivers to throw to on his way to a school record-setting season, including helping Northwest to 84 points in the Grizzlies’ quarterfinal win over rival Bishop Carroll.

But Maize’s defense is going to be the strongest Northwest has seen this season.

The Eagles went the first five weeks of the season without allowing a point, and since then, they are only giving up 15 points per game thanks to the likes of seniors Noah Stanton on the line, Carson Shively at linebacker and Tanner Ohnmeis in the secondary.

It’s fire on fire for the chance to go to state, and Northwest coach Steve Martin said he can’t wait for it.

“I feel like its one of those games where it’s going to be one of those great high school environments,” he said. “This was one of our goals to get back to a spot where we can play for a state championship. We have been fixated on taking our program to the next level.”

Prediction: Wichita Northwest 38, Maize 35

No. 3 Manhattan at No. 1 Derby

Based on history, this wasn’t expected to be the game.

Either Derby or Lawrence Free State have reached the Class 6A semifinals every year since 2011. That streak will continue, but only one half will be at Panther Stadium on Friday. But Derby coach Brandon Clark said he wasn’t shocked that Manhattan got through.

He said after watching the Indians’ regular-season game against Topeka, who the Panthers punched out 38-7 in the quarterfinals, he and his staff thought Manhattan had a good shot at beating Free State.

With that, the Panthers won’t be surprised with what they see Friday out of a run-heavy offense led by standout senior running back Kevontae McDonald.

“This is by far the best team collectively in all three phases that we’ve seen on film,” Clark said. “They’re very disciplined ... They have a lot of talent and a lot of size.”

If the Panthers come out with a win Friday, they will play the winner of Olathe North and Blue Valley North, the team that beat them in the state championship last season.

Prediction: Derby 35, Manhattan 14

No. 3 Goddard at No. 1 McPherson

McPherson is undefeated, but the Bullpups haven’t had a test close to the one they will see Friday.

Goddard has reached its third straight state semifinal somewhat surprisingly. During the Lions’ three-year run, they haven’t reached the sub-state round with two losses, but they have in 2018.

They struggled offensively midway through the season and had to reinvent themselves, coach Tom Beason said. Goddard is a smart football team that won’t blow anyone away on the scoreboard. They punt a lot and play for field position.

On the other side, McPherson is the opposite. The Pups have set countless school records in 2018. They score at will, and their starters haven’t played much late into games. Coach Jace Pavlovich said he is excited for that.

“In terms of high-scoring, low-scoring, I really don’t know what to expect,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those games where it’s coming down to the wire. It will come down to turnovers, and who can execute.”

Goddard is coming in with confidence. The Lions’ defense has proven to be one of the best in Class 4A, and junior linebacker Dhimani Butler said they are going to show that Friday on the road.

“They haven’t seen a defense like us,” he said.

Prediction: McPherson 24, Goddard 21

Andale at Pratt

Players will come out with bruises.

Andale and Pratt are two of the most run-heavy teams in Kansas, both running it about 90 percent of the time. They come downhill in a hurry, and Friday will be about whichever defense can stop the bleeding.

Andale comes in with the No. 1 scoring off and No. 1 scoring defense in a loaded Class 3A that included six undefeated teams in the state quarterfinals. But Pratt isn’t far behind.

The Greenbacks are second in both categories and boast one of the top players in Kansas, senior playmaker Travis Theis.

Theis comes in with 2,167 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns this season. He has been Pratt’s workhorse, and he hasn’t slowed. He is coming off his sixth 200-yard rushing game in the Greenbacks’ 46-0 route of undefeated Smoky Valley.

That has Andale coach Dylan Schmidt’s attention.

“I’ll say this, they’re darn good,” Schmidt said. “The Theis kid is phenomenal. I have confidence in our game plan. Our kids are excited about the challenge and getting to play against a player like him.”

Prediction: Andale 28, Pratt 21