Week 3 preview: This could be Wichita’s biggest high school football game of the year
There is little question which high school football game stands out in the Wichita area in Week 3.
Bishop Carroll and Derby started a non-league series in 2016. Since then, it has become one of the must-see games in Kansas.
Here is a preview of the Varsity Kansas Game of the Week along with predictions for some of the other top games in the Wichita area in Week 3.
Derby at Carroll
Records: Derby 1-1, Bishop Carroll 2-0
Week 2 Results: Derby 43-31 win at Newton, Bishop Carroll 31-28 win vs. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
Previous Meeting: Derby 21, Bishop Carroll 0 (Week 4, 2019)
Preview:
Bishop Carroll has never beaten Derby. The closest the Eagles have come in the four meetings was 2017 when they lost by 9. But there is reason to believe 2020 could see Carroll’s first win in the series.
Carroll is coming off of an emotional 31-28 win against Kapaun at home. The Eagles will play their third straight home game to open the season.
On the other sideline, the Panthers were hammered on the road against Mill Valley, the defending 5A champion, and left Newton with its closest victory against the Railers since 2010.
Points shouldn’t be an issue for either team. Derby senior quarterback Lem Wash and sophomore running back Dylan Edwards combined for six touchdowns in last week’s win. They are considered to be among the most dangerous duos in the Wichita area.
But Carroll has firepower as well. Senior quarterback Aiden Niedens has been at the helm for three seasons, and he is joined in the backfield by senior running back Hunter Trail, who has already scored two game-winning touchdowns.
This game will reveal a lot about both teams as they hit the meat of their schedules. Derby needs a statement after two shaky weeks. Carroll will need all the momentum it can carry as it still has Lawrence, Free State, Bishop Miege and St. Thomas Aquinas left to play.
Score Prediction: Bishop Carroll 35, Derby 34
Cheney at Garden Plain
Records: Cheney 2-0, Garden Plain 2-0
Week 2 Results: Cheney 54-7 win at Belle Plaine, Garden Plain 14-0 win at Sterling
Previous Meeting: Garden Plain 35, Cheney 19 (Week 1, 2019)
Preview:
History isn’t on Cheney’s side, but the Cardinals looked different in Week 2.
They haven’t beaten Garden Plain on the road since 2013 when Garden Plain Athletic Director Cory Brack was coach at Cheney. The Cardinals, who are coming off of their first state semifinal appearance in school history, have all the momentum though.
Cheney beat a solid Belle Plaine team 54-7 on the road in Week 2 as Garden Plain limped through a 14-0 road win against Sterling, who had a losing record last season.
With playmakers like quarterback Harrison Voth, receivers Luke Grace and Logan Bartlett, Cheney arguably has more talent. The Cardinals’ biggest opponent Friday night may be the history standing against them.
Since 1996, Cheney is 4-20 against its biggest rival.
Score Prediction: Cheney 21, Garden Plain 14
Eisenhower at Andover Central
Records: Eisenhower 1-1, Andover Central 1-0
Week 2 Results: Eisenhower 45-42 overtime win vs. Salina Central, Andover Central did not play
Previous Meeting: Andover Central 33, Eisenhower 2 (Week 2, 2019)
Preview:
Andover Central will be champing at the bit.
The Jaguars left Newton with a sour taste in their mouths despite a road win in Week 1. Following the 7-point victory, Andover Central had its Week 2 game canceled after a positive COVID-19 case hit the team.
Central hasn’t played since Sept. 4, and Friday, the Jags will christen their new stadium against Eisenhower. But the Tigers are hot following a 45-42 overtime home win against Salina Central.
This series has gone back-and-forth since it started in 2014. Each team has two wins, including Central’s 33-2 victory last season.
Score Prediction: Andover Central 24, Eisenhower 23
Maize South at Hutchinson
Records: Maize South 2-0, Hutchinson 2-0
Week 2 Results: Maize South 62-6 win at Salina South, Hutchinson 21-20 win at Garden City
Previous Meeting: Never
Preview:
Few pegged this Week 3 matchup to be between two undefeated teams, but Hutchinson is undefeated through two weeks for the first time since 2016.
That is unlikely to last though as Maize South seen its best start through two games in school history, outscoring opponents 118-6. Hutch hasn’t won a game by more than a touchdown and scraped out a 21-20 road win over Garden City in Week 2.
Maize South’s offense is high-flying under the command of senior quarterback Colin Shields. Receiver Jake Johnson has turned heads with multiple touchdowns in each game this season. And the Mavs’ defense has been nothing short of stifling as well.
Score Prediction: Maize South 56, Hutchinson 14
Newton at Maize
Records: Newton 0-2, Maize 2-0
Week 2 Results: Newton 43-31 loss vs. Derby, Maize 41-14 win at Campus
Previous Meeting: Maize 44, Newton 7 (Week 4, 2019)
Preview:
Newton is the best 0-2 team in the Wichita area.
The Railers have already played a defending state champion and returning state runner-up through the first two weeks and only lost by a combined 19 points. But both of those games were at home, and now they have to go on the road against a two-time state semifinalist.
Maize is 2-0 for the fifth straight season after punching Campus on the road, 41-14. The Eagles’ offense looked sluggish in its opener against Andover but came to life in Week 2.
Signs point toward a Maize victory as Newton seeks its first win over the Eagles since 2007 when Maize coach Gary Guzman was at Wichita Southeast.
Score Prediction: Maize 35, Newton 24
Heights at West
Records: Heights 0-0, West 0-1
Week 2 Results: Heights did not play, West 53-7 loss at Northwest
Previous Meeting: Heights 48, West 38 (Week 6, 2015)
Preview:
Because of the City League’s rotating schedule, this will be the first meeting since 2015.
Since then, both programs have changed coaching staffs and have entirely new players, which should leave plenty of unknowns. Heights, in particular, will be tough to scout; the Falcons still haven’t played a game in 2020 after Week 1 was canceled and Week 2 was open.
West is coming off of a brutal 53-7 loss to Northwest that left some scratching their heads as to what kind of Pioneer football team this will be following the departure of long-time coach Weston Schartz.
Score Prediction: Heights 28, West 14
Emporia at Kapaun
Records: Emporia 1-1, Kapaun 1-1
Week 2 Results: Emporia 32-21 win at Atchison, Kapaun 31-28 loss at Bishop Carroll
Previous Meeting: Kapaun 44, Emporia 23 (Week 9, 2017)
Preview:
They have the same record, but the results through two weeks show a different story.
Kapaun lost a thriller in Week 2 to Holy War rival Bishop Carroll on the road, 31-28. At the same time, Emporia limped to a win over Atchison, a team with three wins last season.
Kapaun has looked like a completely different team under legendary City League coach Weston Schartz. Last year, the Crusaders went 2-7. They are likely to match that total Thursday night.
The Crusaders haven’t lost to Emporia since the 2010 playoffs and have won each of the other four meetings.
Score Prediction: Kapaun 42, Emporia 7
Rose Hill at Collegiate
Records: Rose Hill 0-2, Collegiate 2-0
Week 2 Results: Rose Hill 42-20 loss at Clearwater, Collegiate 56-3 win vs. Wellington
Previous Meeting: Collegiate 34, Rose Hill 14 (Week 2, 2019)
Preview:
Collegiate hasn’t started this well since 2015 when the Spartans went 13-1.
They scored 112 points through their first two games and allowed three. Rose Hill is a different test from Mulvane, who hasn’t scored this season, and Wellington. The Rockets are 0-2 but have talent to compete.
Collegiate’s sophomore quarterback Wesley Fair has been on a tear this season. He has already scored 10 total touchdowns. He is likely to lead the Spartans to their ninth straight win over Rose Hill and 13th in 14 meetings.
Score Prediction: Collegiate 48, Rose Hill 14