Missouri Class 6 District 4 Finals 
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No. 3 Rockhurst vs. No. 1 Lee’s Summit North
Speed and skill vs. strength and size.
Newcomer vs. old school.
There are so many amazing storylines with this game. Rockhurst has faced high-flying offenses and shut them down before, so things won’t come as easy as they have all season for Jamar Mozee’s squad. So that means for the Broncos to win, they’re going to have to find a way to slow down Rockhurst’s running attack on the other side of the ball. Rockhurst’s ball-control offense grinds on opponents throughout the game and they’ve run over better defenses this season. If the Broncos do what they do on offense, don’t turn over the ball and get some stops on defense, they can win this game. But they’ll need to execute on every facet of the game.
 

Missouri Class 6 District 2 Finals 
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No. 3 Blue Springs vs. No. 1 Rock Bridge
It looks like Kelly Donohoe’s squad has figured things out. The Wildcats have won eight of their last nine games, with their only loss a 7-6 defeat at Lee’s Summit West, and have been more explosive on the offensive side of things. Rock Bridge is 10-2, has beaten Rockhurst but has lost to West. It’ll be a tough test for the Wildcats and Rock Bridge is favored to win, but don’t be surprised if Blue Springs finds a way to win this one.

Missouri Class 5 District 7 Finals 
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No. 4 Belton vs. No. 2 Fort Osage
You must to give credit where credit is due. Nobody outside of the locker room in Belton gave the Pirates a chance against No. 1 seed Raytown, especially after the Bluejays had beaten North Kansas City in the last game of the regular season.

But the Pirates dominated the game from start to finish and go into this game against Fort Osage with a ton of momentum. However, Fort O crushed Belton, 40-6, when the two teams back in Week 3. The Indians should be favored and are more talented.
 

Missouri Class 5 District 8 Finals 
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No. 2 North Kansas City vs. No. 1 Staley
NKC’s game against Raytown a few weeks back was big, but this surpasses that and could go down as the most important game for the Hornets in the last 50 years. Add in the rivalry that goes between the Falcons and Hornets and Staley’s recent domination in the series, then Leon Douglas’ squad will have no shortage of motivation.

On the field, the game matches up well for Staley. The Falcons have one of the best defenses in the city and have the talent to slow down NKC star running back C.J. Price. It’ll be important for NKC to keep plugging away and not give up on the running attack, even if it’s not working early on.

On the flip side, Staley has struggled since losing their starting quarterback with an injury, so others will need to step up, especially the offensive line. The smart prediction is on Staley, but don’t be surprised if the Hornets pull off the upset and continue their magical season.

Kansas Class 6A quarterfinals
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No. 1 Gardner Edgerton vs No. 5 Blue Valley North
Battle tested vs. hardly tested. That’s the storyline in this game. Gardner-Edgerton has faced only one winning team – Shawnee Mission East – and that came back in Week 1. However, The Trailblazers did beat East 28-23, and the Lancers are a quality team that has advance to the 6A quarterfinals. But Ryan Cornelson’s squad has done everything he could ask from them and has cruised through their schedule averaging 40.7 points a game.

On the flip side is Blue Valley North, the defending 6A champs that have three losses this season. But Andy Sims’ squad has essentially played two different seasons – the first three weeks the Mustangs faced a brutal schedule with Bishop Miege, Blue Valley and Pittsburg and saw star quarterback Graham Mertz get injured. They rebounded from both, Mertz got healthy and now Blue Valley North is playing like a defending champion. Their run through the EKL should have them battle tested, as they head to Gardner in what will that school’s biggest game since Bubba Starling was under center.

No. 3 Olathe North vs. No. 2 SM East
A rematch of one of the best games of the season from Week 6. East won that game 35-28 when quarterback Andy Maddox led his team on a 99-yard drive to win the game in the final minutes. North had their chances, though, including failing on a fourth-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line. Both teams have explosive offenses, so that means the team that can get a few stops on the defensive side of the ball will win this one.

Kansas Class 5A quarterfinals
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No. 4 Mill Valley vs. No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas
Our 810 Varsity game of the week should be a good one, as Mill Valley and STA have been the top teams on the East side of the bracket the past three years. Mill Valley won the 2015 and 2016 5A titles and Aquinas lost in the championship game last year. And each of those three years, the Jags and Saints have met in critical playoff games that catapulted them on their playoff run. This year shouldn’t be different. STA has crushed everybody they’ve played this season. Everybody, but Mill Valley. Back in Week 4 the Saints beat the Jags 24-13 in what was STA’s closest game of the season. The Saints are playing outstanding football and are more talented, so they are the favorites Friday.

No. 11 Olathe West vs. No. 2 DeSoto
Even at 8-2 and as a No. 2 seed, the Wildcats have flown under the radar because of Aquinas’ domination. But DeSoto is a very good team with their only losses coming to a good Pittsburgh squad and a Basehor-Linwood team that is in the 4A quarterfinals. West has made history with their two first playoff victories in school history, but those victories came against KCK squads that aren’t at the same level as DeSoto. This game could go either way, but DeSoto is tough to beat at home.

Kansas Class 4A quarterfinals
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No. 4 Bishop Miege vs. No. 1 Louisburg
Miege went on the road last week and did what it does to 4A competition – blow them out. It was supposed to be a test, as Pittsburgh had beaten several 5A and 6A teams, but the Stags had little trouble blowing past the Purple Dragons 49-20. On paper, this should be another test, as Louisburg is 10-0 and playing some of the best defensive football in Kansas. But these are games Miege has traditionally dominated. Look for more of the same, but don’t be surprised if this one is closer than expected.

No. 3 Paola vs. No. 2 Basehor-Linwood
This will be an outstanding high school game against two 9-1 teams that are great examples of everything that is awesome about small-school football in Kansas. Basehor is more explosive offensively and will have the home-field advantage, but Paola does have a very good defense. It should be an incredible atmosphere in Leavenworth County.