Update: Now updated with state championship winners and final scores. Congratulations to all the 2023 state finalist on an excellent season!

Update: Now with our predictions. The weather is making these very tough, but check out our best guess with each classification's "Tale of the Tape" statistical information. Good luck to all the teams at state and safe travels to everyone today.

The culmination of the 2023 Kansas high school football season arrives Saturday in the form of nine state championship matchups across the state. Let’s take a look at the “Tale of the Tape” for each team with a complete rundown of each team’s statistical leaders.

Class 6A

Winner: Gardner-Edgerton - 22-19

Prediction: Gardner-Edgerton over Derby

This should be an excellent game, but the weather may give an edge to the Trailblazer offense and GE's size could also play a role in this game. This Derby team does not have the star power of past champion teams which leads us to believe the coaching job and effort of the Panther players this season is some of the best in the storied tenure under Brandon Clark, but on paper it looks like Jesse Owen's squad is more complete top-to-bottom, giving them the slight edge.

Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers (11-1)

Leading Passer: 

Bravin Powell, Jr.: 65-106, 1,297 yds., 13 TDs, 3 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Dylan Butash, Sr.: 122 car., 825 yds., 11 TDs

Bravin Powell, Jr.: 116 car., 754 yds., 17 TDs

Syre Padilla, So.: 90 car., 417 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Randy Singleton, Sr.: 26 rec, 501 yds., 8 TDs

Colton Hawkinson, Sr.: 16 rec, 387 yds., 3 TDs

Mason Shoemaker, Sr.: 6 rec, 139 yds.

Leading Tacklers:

Kaleb Dewey, Jr.: 81 tkls.

Thomas Savastan, Sr.: 75 tkls.

Spencer Easley, Sr.: 72 tkls.

Dawson Kindler, Sr.: 67 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Mark Debiak, Sr.: 11 sacks

Spencer Easley, Sr.: 7 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Chase Bojanaski, Jr.: 4 INTs

Eli Porter, Sr.: 3 INTs

Derby Panthers (11-1)

Leading Passers: 

Braxton Clark, Sr.: 80-110, 1,246 yds., 14 TDs, 2 INTs

Easton Splane, Jr.: 31-49, 784 yds., 9 TDs, 4 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Derek Hubbard, Sr.: 124 car., 917 yds., 13 TDs

Arieus Finley, Fr.: 57 car., 450 yds., 11 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Da’saahn Brame, Jr.: 39 rec., 807 yds., 12 TDs

Colton Ruedy, Sr.: 40 rec., 706 yds., 4 TDs

Leading Tacklers:

Britton Pascual, Sr.: 123 tkls.

James Middlebrook, Jr.: 90 tkls.

Gavin Pfannenstiel, Jr.: 85 tkls.

Kikoa Indalecio, Jr.: 84 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers:

Mason Hopper, Sr.: 15 sacks

Britton Pascual, Sr.: 8 sacks

Peyton Neptune, Sr.: 7 sacks

Leading Pass Defender:

James Middlebrook, Sr.: 2 INTs

Class 5A

Winner: Mill Valley - 62-37

Prediction: Kapaun over Mill Valley 

This is not the dominant Mill Valley team of the recent past and it seems the Jaguars spent quite a bit of the season molding their identity around a little less QB-centric offense. The defense is incredibly talented but has been porous at times. Again, the weather may give Kapaun a slight advantage with their run-heavy offense, but the Jaguars also have an explosive ground game organized around multiple backs. It's tough to pick against the four-time defending champions, but all streaks have to come to an end, and Kapaun's experience and depth are the difference.

Mill Valley Jaguars (10-2)

Leading Passer: 

Daniel Blaine, Sr.: 31-63, 688 yds., 7  TDs, 2 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Tristan Baker, Sr.: 196 car., 1,553 yds., 22 TDs 

Daniel Blaine, Sr.: 77 car., 792 yds., 12 TDs

Chris Bohon, Jr.: 73 car., 626 yds., 13 TDs

Jaden Scobee, Sr.: 70 car., 637 yds., 6 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Tristan Baker, Sr.: 7 rec., 207 yds., 2 TDs

Devin Harris, Sr.: 11 rec., 191 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Evan Seifert, Sr.: 74 tkls.

Garret Clark, Jr.: 63 tkls.

Jayden Woods, Jr.: 61 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Jayden Woods, Jr.: 7 sacks

Conner Clifton, Sr.: 2.5 sacks

Leading Pass Defender: 

Jackson Lawler, Sr.: 2 INTs

Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders (11-1)

Leading Passer: 

Dylan Hamilton, Sr.: 46-86, 1,004 yds., 15 TDs, 3 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Omari Elias, Sr.: 363 car., 2,820 yds., 37 TDs

Henry Chrisman, Sr.: 96 car., 679 yds., 6 TDs

Dylan Hamilton, Sr.: 47 car., 222 yds., 11 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Jackson Daniels, Jr.: 20 rec., 398 yds., 5 TDs

William Thengvall, Sr.: 17 rec., 390 yds., 5 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Hudson Cahill, Sr.: 94 tkls.

Austin Howard, Jr.: 75 tkls.

Kyle Keya, Jr.: 64 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Hudson Cahill, Sr.: 4 sacks

Jackson Daniels, Jr.: 4 sacks

Trevor Jex, Sr.: 3 sacks

Kyle Keya, Jr.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders:

Will Thengvall, Sr.: 3 INTs

Class 4A

Winner: St. Thomas Aquinas - 35-7

Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas over Andover Central 

The Saints are talented and deep and heavy-favorites. Andover Central coach Derek Tuttle has done an incredible job building the ACHS program, but the Saints are likely too much to handle.

St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (9-3)

Leading Passers: 

Aiden Skinner, Sr.: 35-74, 788 yds., 9 TDs, 4 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Gianni Rizzi, Sr.: 121 car., 842 yds., 9 TDs

Elzie Slaughter, Jr.: 63 car., 535 yds., 3 TDs

Cole Richardson, 75 car., 512 yds., 7 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Joe Loughman, Sr.: 17 rec., 436 yds., 6 TDs

Elzie Slaughter, Jr.: 4 rec., 125 yds., 1 TD

Talan Browne, Sr.: 5 rec., 100 yds., 1 TD

Leading Tacklers: 

Wyatt Potter, Sr.: 74 tkls.

Kian Payne, Sr.: 62 tkls.

K’lyn Curtis, So.: 56 tkls

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Kian Payne, Sr.: 7 sacks

Joey Goodenow, Jr.: 4 sacks

K’lyn Curtis, So.: 3 sacks

Wyatt Potter, Sr.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Luke Hancock, Sr.: 3 INTs

Blake O’Brien, Sr.: 2 INTs

Wyatt Lewis, Sr.: 2 INTs

Andover Central Jaguars (9-3)

Leading Passer: 

Jace Jefferson, Jr.: 159-276, 2,141 yds., 24 TDs, 11 INTs

Leading Rusher:

Maddox Archibald, Jr.: 263 car., 1,225 yds., 17 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Brandt Stupka, Jr.: 45 rec., 816 yds., 5 TDs

Jace Adler, Jr.: 58 rec., 799 yds., 13 TDs

Landon Kitterman, Sr.: 40 rec, 441 yds., 3 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Landon Preston, Jr.: 103 tkls

Jace Adler, Jr.: 87 tkls.

Kaden Seibel, Sr.: 75 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Landon Preston, Jr.: 3 sacks

Logan Taggart, Jr.: 3 sacks

Kyle Newsom, Sr.: 2.5 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Jace Adler, Jr.: 7 INTs

Brandt Stupka, Jr.: 5 INTs

Class 3A

Winner: Cheney - 34-7

Prediction: Hayden over Cheney 

Hate to pick against a Cheney team that beat Andale twice, but the Cardinals have had such an emotional playoff run while the Wildcats have rolled through the opposition, it just seems Bill Arnold's crew is likely heading into this contest with the fresher squad.

Topeka-Hayden (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Jett Wahlmeier, Jr.: 61-113, 1,086 yds., 11 TDs, 4 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 48 car., 821 yds., 14 TDs

Kade Mitchell, So.: 74 car., 769 yds., 11 TDs

Dom Ridley, Sr.: 69 car., 551 yds., 12 TDs

Broderick Desch, Jr.: 91 car., 473 yds., 10 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Jensen Schrickel, Jr.: 34 rec., 659 yds., 7 TDs

Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 11 rec., 203 yds., 3 TDs

Kade Mitchell, So.: 12 rec., 170 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers:

Jude Konrade, Sr.: 144 tkls.

Carter Chavrat, Sr.: 107 tkls.

Xander Blasing, So.: 49 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers

Carter Chavrat, Sr.: 8 sacks

Colt Ellerman, So.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders:

Xander Blasing, So.: 4 INTs

Jensen Schrickel, Jr.: 4 INTs

Logan Saenz, So.: 3 INTs

Finn Dunshee, Sr.: 3 INTs

Cheney Cardinals (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Josh Burdick, Sr.: 163-232, 2,398 yds., 33 TDs, 2 INT

Leading Rushers:

Jack Voth, Sr.: 32 car., 351 yds, 11 TD

Tre Black, Sr.: 71 car., 350 yds., 4 TDs

Josh Burdick, Sr.: 64 car., 234 yds., 6 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Jack Voth, Sr.: 68 rec., 954 yds., 11 TDs

Colter McDaniel, Sr.: 23 rec., 565 yds., 9 TDs

Gavin D Maass, Sr.: 20 rec., 376 yds, 6 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Drew Tolar, Sr.: 50 tkls.

Grady Ditgen, Jr.: 48 tkls.

Jack Voth, Sr.: 44 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Nolan Durr, So.: 4 sacks

Kason Messenger, Sr.: 3 sacks

Grady Ditgen, Jr.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Colter McDaniel, Sr.: 3 INTs

Class 2A

Winner: Nemaha Central - 28-14

Prediction: Nemaha Central over Hoisington 

Likely an incredible game and the weather really doesn't favor one squad over another. Two humoungous front lines will battle each other all day, but we're giving the edge to Nemaha Central with their title game experience.

Nemaha Central (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Carter Hajek, So.: 67-106, 933 yds., 10 TDs, 4 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Carter Hajek, So.: 303 car., 2,165 yds., 39 TDs

Caleb Strathman, So.: 22 car., 213 yds., 3 TDs

Jonah Deters, Jr.: 23 car., 143 yds., 3 TDs

Cooper Kramer, Sr.: 30 car., 149 yds, 3 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Caleb Strathman, So.: 25 rec., 347 yds., 4 TDs

Aidan Boxterman, Sr.: 14 rec., 193 yds, 2 TDs

Carter Rotinghaus, Sr.: 12 rec., 190 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Abram Keim, Jr.: 135 tkls.

Sam Nordhus, Jr.: 128 tkls.

Holden Bass, Sr.: 107 tkls.

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Carter Hajek, So.: 6 INTs

Carter Rottinghaus, Sr.: 5 INTs

Hoisington (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Tony Moore, Sr.: 66-113, 1,453 yds., 19 TDS, 2 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Teron Kraft, Jr.: 145 car., 1,171 yds., 13 TDs

Tony Moore, Sr.: 87 car., 838 yds., 8 TDs

Mason Alderdice, Sr.: 39 car, 572 yds., 11 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Mason Alderdice, Sr.: 14 rec., 399 yds., 3 TDs

Mason Martin, So.: 14 rec., 330 yds., 6 TDs

Jason Robinson, Jr.: 8 rec., 228 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Ian Smith, Sr.: 78 tkls.

Jason Robinson, Jr.: 58 tkls.

Teron Kraft, Jr.: 51 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers:

Teron Kraft, Jr.: 3 sacks

CJ Bryant, Jr: 2 sacks

Gage Britt, Sr.: 2 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Jason Robinson 8 INTs

Mason Alderdice 5 INTs

Carson Mason 2 INTs

Class 1A

Winner: Conway Springs - 35-6

Prediction: Conway Springs over Jeff County North 

Conway Springs run game and clock control gives them a slight edge over the Chargers.

Jefferson Co. North Chargers (11-1)

Leading Passer: 

Grady Noll, Sr.: 50-104, 1,072 yds., 11 TDs

Leading Rushers:

Grady Noll, Sr.: 174 car., 1,165 yds., 15 TDs

Ethan Noll, Sr.: 99 car., 867 yds., 17 TDs

Connor Keims, Sr.:  78 car., 830 yds., 14 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Ethan Noll, Sr.: 15 rec., 354 yds., 3 TDs

Cameron Seever, Sr.: 13 rec., 264 yds., 4 TDs

Connor Keirns, Sr.:10 rec., 221 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Ethan Noll, Sr.: 80 tkls.

Carson McAfee, Sr.: 75 tkls.

Cameron Seever, Sr.: 54 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

RB Tweed, Sr.: 7 sacks

Brayden Williams, Sr.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Connor Keirns, Sr.: 9 INTs

Grady Noll, Sr.: 3 INTs

Conway Springs Cardinals (10-2)

Leading Passer: 

Eli Binge, So.: 8-20, 172 yds., 1 TD, 2 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Brayden Kunz, Sr.: 262 car., 2,506 yds., 30 TDs

Isaac Winter, Jr.: 94 car., 789 yds., 13 TDs

Nathan Bernsten, Sr.: 107 car., 641 yds., 10 TDs

Leading Receiver:

Grant Fisher, Jr.: 4 rec., 173 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Brayden Kunz, Sr.: 99 tkls.

Cade Howell, Jr.: 65 tkls.

Isaac Winter, Jr.: 61 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Jacob Osner, Sr.: 2 sacks

Layne Whitney, Jr.: 2 sacks

Cooper Koster, Jr.: 2 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Taylor Wykes, Sr.: 4 INTs

Grant Fisher, Jr.: 2 INTs

Eli Howard, Jr.: 2 INTs

8-Man, Division I

Winner: Lyndon - 34-6

Prediction: Wichita County over Lyndon 

Tanner Heckel has been the truth for Lyndon coming over from Inman and the talent on the Tiger squad is elite, but coach Brant Douglas has done such an incredible job with Wichita County we think he'll find a way to will the Indians to a victory.

Lyndon Tigers (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 54-97, 1,040 yds., 19 TDs, 2 INTs

Leading Rushers:

Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 157 car., 2,062 yds., 46 TDs

Jalen Massey, Sr.: 131 car., 1,342 yds., 18 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Jalen Massey, Sr.: 30 rec., 435 yds., 8 TDs

Ethen Ramey, Sr.: 7 rec., 225 yds., 4 TD

Casten Wirth, Sr.: 15 rec., 213 yds., 3 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

James Marcotte, So.: 86 tkls.

Jalen Massey, Sr.: 86 tkls.

Casten Wirth, Sr.: 83 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Daxten Miller, Sr.: 7 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Tanner Heckel, Sr.: 7 INTs

Casten Wirth, Sr.: 3 INTs

Wichita County Indians (12-0)

Leading Passer: 

Wyatt Gardner, Sr.: 974 yds., 22 TDs, 1 INT

Leading Rushers:

Wyatt Gardner, Sr.: 153 car., 1,477 yds., 23 TDs

Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 127 car., 1,162 yds., 25 TDs

Cashton Young, So.: 83 car., 723 yds., 15 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Colton Harbin, Sr.: 18 rec, 347 yds., 9 TDs

Cashton Young, So.: 19 rec., 336 yds., 10 TDs

Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 8 rec., 124 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Max Whitham, Jr.: 65 tkls.

Cashton Young, So.: 52 tkls

Christopher Michel, Sr.: 40 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Christopher Michel, Sr.: 12 sacks

Max Whitham, Sr.: 5.5 sacks

Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 5 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Pablo Reyes, So.: 3 INTs

Khris Hermosillo, Jr.: 2 INTs

Dylan Luna, So.: 2 INTs

8-Man, Division II

Winner: Axtell - 50-0

Prediction: Axtell over South Central 

An incredible season for the Timberwolves and we continue to be wrong in picking against them, but this Axtell squad is a generationally talented team who it's just illogical to pick against.

Axtell Eagles (12-0)

Leading Passers: 

Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 85-102, 1,503 yds., 29 TDs

Leading Rushers:

Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 92 car., 675 yds., 14 TDs

Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 34 car., 602 yds., 13 TDs

Landon Schmitz, So.: 11 car., 166 yds., 3 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 32 rec., 518 yds., 10 TDs

Grady Buessing, Jr.: 24 rec., 469 yds., 8 TDs

Landon Schmitz, So.: 19 rec., 337 yds., 8 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Rilyn Buessing, Jr.: 58 tkls.

Eli Broxterman, Jr.: 40 tkls.

Grady Buessing, Sr.: 34 tkls.

Leading Pass Rusher: 

Sawyer Deters, Sr.: 3 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Brandon Schmelzle, Jr.: 8 INTs

Wyatt Detweiler, Fr.: 5 INTs

Landon Schmitz, So.: 3 INTs

South Central Timberwolves (9-3)

Leading Passer: 

JT Prusa, Jr.: 38-79, 561 yds., 11 TDs, 1 INT

Leading Rushers:

JT Prusa, Jr.: 177 car., 1,738 yds., 32 TDs

Isaiah Jellison, Sr.: 97 car., 814 yds., 16 TDs

Coda Lindsay, Fr.: 35 car., 293 yds., 4 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Jamie Sarminento, Jr.: 18 rec., 270 yds., 4 TDs

Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 11 rec., 182 yds., 6 TDs

Isaiah Jellison, Sr.: 9 rec., 106 yds., 1 TD

Leading Tacklers: 

Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 103 tkls.

Jack Herd, So.: 100 tkls.

Jase Rutherford, 88 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers: 

Jase Rutherford, Jr.: 16 sacks

Coda Lindsay, Fr.: 7 sacks

Creed Leeper, Sr.: 7 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Jamie Sarminento, Jr.: 9 INTs

Gavin Uhl, Sr.: 5 INTs

JT Prusa, Jr.: 3 INTs

6-Man

Winner: Cheylin - 57-8

Prediction: Cheylin over Cunningham 

Coach Lance McGuire has done an incredible job with the Wildcat program, but the senior leadership of the Cougars gives Cheylin the edge.

Cunningham Wildcats (10-1)

Leading Passers: 

Luke McGuire, Sr.: 34-55, 503 yds., 10 TDs, 1 INT

Will Wegerer, Jr.: 21-32, 333 yds., 10 TDs

Leading Rushers:

Layne Green, Fr.: 25 car., 172 yds., 9 TDs

Kollin Fischer, 19 car., 12 yds., 2 TDs

Jack Ruckle, Sr.: 9 car., 48 yds., 4 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Luke Albers, Jr.: 24 rec, 287 yds., 7 TDs

Skyler Thimesch, So.: 11 rec, 156 yds., 5 TDs

Luke McGuire, Sr.: 2 rec, 63 yds., 2 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Trent Schnittker, Jr.: 36 tkls.

Jack Ruckle, Sr.: 34 tkls.

Dylan Halderson, So.: 31 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers:

Trent Schnittker, Jr.: 1 sack 

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Luke Mcguire, Sr.: 5 INTs

Luke Albers, Jr.: 5 INTs

Dagim Reed, Jr.: 2 INTs

Cheylin Cougars (11-0)

Leading Passers: 

Logan McCarty, Sr.: 88-130, 1,923 yds., 37 TDs, 1 INT

Leading Rushers:

Logan McCarty, Sr.: 82 car., 930 yds., 17 TDs

Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 59 car., 605 yds., 16 TDs

Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 16 car., 138 yds., 5 TDs

Leading Receivers:

Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 32, rec., 852 yds., 18 TDs

Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 29 rec., 593 yds., 8 TDs

Harley McPherson, Jr.: 11 rec., 219 yds., 5 TDs

Leading Tacklers: 

Brady Ketzner, Sr.: 83 tkls.

Logan McCarty, Sr.: 74 tkls.

Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 65 tkls.

Leading Pass Rushers:

Pablo Bermudez, Sr.: 4 sacks 

Logan McCarty, Sr.: 3 sacks

John Paul Sabatka, Jr.: 2 sacks

Leading Pass Defenders: 

Logan McCarty, Sr.: 6 INTs

Harley McPherson, Jr.: 3 INTs