Below are Kansas playoff predictions, with editor Chad Rader, and Kansas contributor Jim McClintock making selections
Class 6A
Blue Valley North (6-2) vs Olathe North (8-1)
Rader: Olathe North sustained injuries in last week’s win over Blue Valley. Andy Sims has the talented Mustangs back to peaking at the right time – would be 3 trips to the 6A state final in 4 years if they win!
Winner: BV North
McClintock: Eagles are known for running and Mustangs are known for flying. The Love and Martin show will be a fun one.
Winner: BV North
Derby (7-2) vs Junction City (9-1)
Rader: Don’t be fooled by the two Derby losses. The Panthers will punch their ticket to sixth straight trip to the 6A championship.
Winner: Derby
McClintock: Panther defense has made strides since week 1, Derby advances to the ‘ship.
Winner: Derby
Class 5A
St. Thomas Aquinas (6-3) vs Mill Valley (7-2)
Rader: Going just gut instinct in that Aquinas kinda figuring things out, Tank is healthy. Mill Valley slightly overlooked De Soto in looking ahead. We’ve been waiting for this since last year’s semifinal OT win to MV.
Winner: St. Thomas Aquinas
McClintock: For a 6th consecutive season, the winner of this game will end the other's season. However, I've never seen a Tank roll through a Marsh. Jaguars win and look to repeat.
Winner: Mill Valley
Bishop Carroll (8-2) vs Wichita Northwest (9-0)
Rader: How tough is the Class 5A West? But these were the two figured to come out to this point. Gotta go with Trip #3 in a row for the Grizzlies.
Winner: Wichita Northwest
McClintock: Carroll has lost the last 4 games to Northwest. It'll be 5 after this game, Grizzlies make it to state for the 3rd straight year.
Winner: Wichita Northwest
Class 4A
Bishop Miege (5-4) at St. James Academy (6-4)
Rader: Don’t go against the streak. Title game #7 in a row for Jon Holmes and Miege.
Winner: Bishop Miege
McClintock: Miege has won 6 consecutive state championships, they're tied with Hutchinson (2004-2009) for the state record for consecutive state championships.
While Miege is probably the safe pick, it's tough to beat a team twice in a season and bulletin board material is always needed. Thunder roll and end the Stags streak.
Winner: St. James Academy
Arkansas City (5-6) vs McPherson (10-1)
Rader: McPherson vs Miege in a rematch, at Hutch next week. Just like we figured 8 months ago.
Winner: McPherson
McClintock: Bullpups or Bulldogs? Puppers all the way.
Winner: McPherson
Class 3A
Holton (9-1) vs Perry-Lecompton (10-1)
Rader: One word – Barta
Winner: Holton
McClintock: Tough to beat a team twice in a season: Kaws win and head to state
Winner: Perry-Lecompton
Andale (10-0) vs Wichita-Collegiate (10-1)
Rader: C’mon, its Andale.
Winner: Andale
McClintock: 1st meeting Andale won 43-14. Tough to beat a team twice in a season; tougher to beat Andale twice in a season. Andale heads back to state
Winner: McClintock
Class 2A
Rossville at Nemaha Central
McClintock: Last meeting, 2019 2nd round playoffs Nemaha won 29-21 in OT enroute to a state championship
Rossville has a Horak, Nemaha County does not. Bulldogs head to state.
Beloit vs Hoisington
McClintock: 1st meeting Hoisington won 26-20
Tough to beat a team twice in a season; Hoisington beats Beloit for the second time this season and heads to first state championship.
Class 1A
Olpe vs Lyndon
McClintock: 1st meeting Olpe won, 13-7
Tough to beat a team twice in a season; Eagles extend their win streak to 12 games.
Oakley Plainsmen 9-2 vs Inman Teutons 9-2
McClintock: 1st meeting Inman won 39-13
Tough to beat a team twice in a season, I know what a Teuton is because of Age of Empires 2, last I checked, Plainsmen don't have a video game. Inman beats Oakley twice this season.
Class 8M-I
Little River Redskins 9-2 @ Madison/Hamilton Bulldogs 11-0
McClintock: I had a college professor from Little River, so Little River in a route.
Leoti Indians 11-0 @ Hoxie Indians 9-1
McClintock: 1st meeting Leoti won 54-20
Tough to beat a team twice in a season and tougher to avenge that loss in an 8-man game. I was able to find Leoti on a map first so I'm taking them to advance to state.
Class 8M-II
Hanover Wildcats 9-0 @ Frankfort Wildcats 7-1
McClintock: 1st meeting this season COVID19 won
I went to college with a guy from Frankfort, I've never met anyone from Hanover, Frankfort rolls
Victoria Knights 11-0 vs St. Francis Indians 10-0
McClintock: Strictly predicting this on team mascot, Knights have better body armor. Victoria advances.