Week 2 preview: Predictions for the top high school football games in the Wichita area
A few more horses have joined the race.
The Wichita Public Schools were forced to take a week off by Board of Education decision, but teams like Northwest, East and West are back. There can only be one Varsity Kansas Game of the Week though.
Here is a preview and a few predictions for Week 2 of the Wichita-area high school football season:
2019 Records: Kapaun 2-7, Carroll 8-3
2020 Records: Kapaun 1-0, Carroll 1-0
Previous Meeting: Carroll 23, Kapaun 13 (Week 6, 2019)
Preview:
It might only be Week 2, but no Holy War has featured undefeated Kapaun and Carroll football teams since 2013.
The Crusaders went 10-2 that season, and the Eagles finished 10-1. There is a lot of football yet to be played, but Friday’s rendition of perhaps the biggest rivalry in the Wichita area should be good.
Last year, Carroll figured to take Kapaun to church. Kapaun entered the game 1-4 and hadn’t scored a point since three weeks earlier. The game ended 23-13.
Kapaun hasn’t beaten Carroll since 1999 when now-Maize coach Gary Guzman was in charge of the Crusaders. Kapaun won’t be favored, but keep an eye on it.
Score Prediction: Carroll 31, Kapaun 21
2019 Records: West 6-4, Northwest 12-1
2020 Records: West 0-0, Northwest 0-0
Previous Meeting: Northwest 63, West 14 (Week 4, 2019)
Preview:
Watch for a lot of pent-up energy.
Northwest football was the loudest voice behind the movement to allow activities again in USD 259. The Grizzlies are coming off of back-to-back title-game appearances, and they wanted that chance again in 2020.
But West has a bit of renewed energy as well. The Pioneers, too, had their season temporarily canceled, and under first-year coach Adam Rosenstiel, they will be eager to hit the field.
Score Prediction: Northwest 49, West 14
2019 Records: Cheney 9-3, Belle Plaine 8-2
2020 Records: Cheney 1-0, Belle Plaine 1-0
Previous Meeting: Cheney 74, Belle Plaine 28 (Week 2, 2017)
Preview:
Belle Plaine hasn’t allowed a point in its past two regular season games, but it faces a state semifinalist in Week 2.
Cheney shocked all of Kansas last season after going 2-7 the year before. In the same way, Belle Plaine football has undergone a revival. The Dragons had their best season in decades in 2019.
Cheney has the pedigree, but Belle Plaine has the fight, especially at home, where the Dragons haven’t lost a regular season game since Oct. 13, 2017.
Score Prediction: Cheney 28, Belle Plaine 21
2019 Records: Maize 10-2, Campus 1-8
2020 Records: Maize 1-0, Campus 1-0
Previous Meeting: Maize 49, Campus 12 (Week 3, 2019)
Preview:
Few pegged this Week 2 matchup to be between two undefeated teams.
Maize, yes. Campus, no. But the Colts went on the road and beat Salina Central 37-32 in their season opener. Junior quarterback Braelyn Jay accounted for six touchdowns.
The Eagles have only lost to Campus twice all-time. With senior running back Josh Sanders coming off of a three touchdown performance, few will pick Campus to win again, but Week 2 may shed some light on the situation.
Score Prediction: Maize 35, Campus 14
2019 Records: Andover Central 11-2, Buhler 8-3
2020 Records: Andover Central 1-0, Buhler 0-1
Previous Meeting: Andover Central 31, Buhler 14 (Regional round, 2019)
Preview:
Both teams need a rebound.
Andover Central won last week, but a seven-point win against a Newton team that won three games last year wasn’t convincing. The Jaguars went to the Class 4A title game last year and will be looking to recapture that form in Week 2.
But Buhler won’t be a cupcake win either. The Crusaders haven’t had a losing season since 2005, which is also the last time they started a season 0-2. That is on the line Friday after a Week 1 loss at Goddard.
Score Prediction: Andover Central 28, Buhler 24
2019 Records: Arkansas City 4-7, Andover 3-7
2020 Records: Arkansas City 1-0, Andover 0-1
Previous Meeting: Arkansas City 9, Andover 6 (Week 6, 2019)
Preview:
Points may be at a premium.
Last year, Ark City and Andover combined for 15 points. In fac since 2011, the losing team of this matchup hasn’t scored more than 14 points.
Ark City is coming off of a 33-0 rivalry win over Winfield, and Andover is still seeking its first win under coach Ken Dusenbury after a 20-6 road loss to Maize.
Ark City hasn’t had more than four wins in a season since 2012, so Andover has a real shot Friday, and it will reveal the level of fight in a promising program following a tough loss.
Score Prediction: Andover 13, Arkansas City 7
2019 Records: Derby 13-0, Newton 3-6
2020 Records: Derby 0-1, Newton 0-1
Previous Meeting: Derby 63, Newton 7 (Week 3, 2019)
Preview:
Few outside of Newton will be predicting a Derby loss in Week 2, but that was also said about Mill Valley in the season-opener.
Derby lost to the defending Class 5A champions 45-14 in Week 1. It was the program’s worst loss since 2010. You’d have to go back to 1989 for the most recent Newton victory over Derby, but there is at least a small reason to be hopeful: Newton is coming off of a seven-point loss to the defending Class 4A runner-up Andover Central.
That said, Derby hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2011.
Score Prediction: Derby 45, Newton 14
2019 Records: Rose Hill, Clearwater 7-3
2020 Records: Rose Hill 0-1, Clearwater 1-0
Previous Meeting: Clearwater 22, Rose Hill 15 (Week 1, 2019)
Preview:
Two programs in the ascendancy meet Friday.
Rose Hill took a whack from defending 3A champion Andale in Week 1 as expected, but the Rockets are hopeful for their first winning season since 2011 when they won the state title.
On the other side, Clearwater escaped Wellington with an overtime win. The Indians are riding the tail of last year’s 7-3 season, their best since 2011.
Score Prediction: Clearwater 24, Rose Hill 21