810 Varsity predicts the winners of the Kansas playoffs in 6A, 5A, and 4A

Kansas Class 4A
Only in Kansas can a No. 5 seed be the obvious favorite in a playoff field. But that's the case as long as Bishop Miege remains in Class 4A - always about the Stags, Stags, Stags.

So the question is, can Miege lose, even playing a likely three road games to wrap up the bracket? Likely no. But the best chance lies in the second round, as Pittsburg beat Blue Valley North at home this year, and also a win at Class 6A Olathe East. Though probably won't be enough to beat Miege, a road trip to Pittsburg is likely the only spot Miege can trip up.

Otherwise, for what should be old school Class 4A playoffs, Basehor-Linwood vs Paola sets up to be a great quarterfinal game, with Louisburg also emerging out to the quarters.

Prediction:
Bishop Miege over Louisburg; Basehor-Linwood over Paola.
Bishop Miege over Basehor-Linwood in the semifinal, and over McPherson in the state final.

Kansas Class 5A
Another division that appears wrapped before it kicks off. St. Thomas Aquinas has stormed to an undefeated mark with no one in distance - including Miege - aside from a tussle with Mill Valley. Which happens to be playing better and a likely quarterfinal matchup for the 5A East winner.

The Jags are playing much better in the past few weeks, and should coast past Topeka West and the Lansing / St. James winner.

On the bottom, about anyone can emerge. De Soto remains the favorite having beat Shawnee Heights earlier. Olathe West should match its season win total after playing in the 6A Sunflower League, and run out to the quarterfinals.

Prediction:
St. Thomas Aquinas over Mill Valley; De Soto over Olathe West.
St. Thomas Aquinas over De Soto in the semifinal.
Aquinas takes the title over Wichita Northwest

Kansas Class 6A
Any one of about eight teams can reach the semis, and 5-6 teams can advance to Emporia. Gardner-Edgerton, undefeated and the No. 1 seed, gets to draw sleeper in No. 5 Blue Valley North - who only is the defending state champ with one of the nation's top 3 quarterbacks in Graham Mertz.

Perennial powers in SM East, Blue Valley and Olathe North lie in the bottom half. Injuries have besieged Blue Valley, but still pose a dangerous threat now out of the EKL gauntlet. The Lancers seemingly improve weekly, while Olathe North's ground game is one of the tops in Kansas.

Prediction:
Blue Valley North over Gardner-Edgerton; SM East over Olathe North.
SM East over BV North in the semifinal

Kansas 6A West
A two-horse race with Free State and Derby facing off. Free State should get past Topeka in the quarters, while Derby handles Manhattan. The Firebirds are loaded and revenge on the mind, staying healthy this time around to beat the Panthers.
Prediction: Free State over Derby

Final: Free State over SM East

Class 6A football playoff brackets

Class 5A football playoff brackets

Class 4A football playoff brackets