Week 3 football rankings

Week 3 helped to clear up the rankings picture a little bit with a couple notable surprises and otherwise as anticipated performances. Here’s a look at our best guess at the Top 5 in each class after three weeks.

Class 6A

1. Gardner-Edgerton (3-0)

2. Wichita Northwest (3-0)

3. Manhattan (3-0)

4. Olathe North (3-0)

5. Blue Valley Northwest (2-1)

This looks like a deep classification with a number of teams not in our Top 5 that could be a factor come playoff time. We think Gardner-Edgerton, Wichita Northwest, and Manhattan are an eyelash better than the rest of the classification right now, but time will tell. …The Trailblazers are getting great play out of a variety of offensive weapons and it’s noteworthy that they are using last year’s rushing workhorse Dawson Kindler in a little different role offensively this year with even more reps on defense. That D has allowed just seven points so far this season which is impressive considering they were one of the more inexperienced units among ranked teams this season. A brutal three-week stretch against Mill Valley, Olathe North, and Lawrence will likely let us know if GEHS is deserving of the #1 ranking. …Wichita Northwest showed a little vulnerability against a good Kapaun team but did what it took to win a tough game and honestly did it behind the strength of their offensive line and running game. …Manhattan got another impressive win in dismantling Hays High Friday night and now a test at Washburn Rural will let us know just how much of a margin there is between the Indians and the rest of the Centennial League contenders. …Olathe North continues to show a mix of offensive firepower and defensive question marks. …After surviving a test against Blue Valley this week, the Huskies of BVNW get an even tougher test against Missouri power Lee’s Summit North this week. …Derby looked impressive in their biggest win over Bishop Carroll since 2016 improving to 2-1. The Panthers got three rushing touchdowns from newly minted star freshman running back Arieus Finely. Senior Derek Hubbard also scored three touchdowns and the dynamic passing connection of Braxton Clark to Da’Saahn Brame hooked up for a pair of scores. Mason Hopper leads a defense that really showed improvement against the Golden Eagles. …Washburn Rural plays host to Manhattan and if the Junior Blues are able to pull off the upset in a game the Indians won by just three points a season ago then WaRural will make the move into the Top 5. …Lawrence and Free State are both 3-0 but against schedules that are not quite on par with the rest of the top ranked teams. Blue Valley West, Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission Northwest, and Wichita East each have a pair of losses against tough opponents but are all equipped to make some noise come playoff time.

Class 5A

1. Mill Valley (3-0)

2. Kapaun (2-1)

3. Blue Valley Southwest (2-1)

4. De Soto (2-1)

5. Eisenhower (3-0)

Mill Valley survived a scare from a well coached Shawnee Mission Northwest squad and they’ll get a similar challenge from Gardner-Edgerton this week. The defense continues to play well for the Jags in spite of the loss of Truman Griffith to injury in Week 1. …Kapaun lost a close one to Wichita Northwest and should not be punished for a shootout loss to one of the most explosive offenses in 6A. The Crusader rushing game and defense is going to win a lot of games this season. …Blue Valley Southwest got a good win over a quality league foe in Blue Valley West. …De Soto blasted Topeka West 59-0 and will have a tougher matchup with Leavenworth this week before a Week 5 test against a quality Shawnee Heights squad. …Eisenhower continued their breakout season with a 21-7 victory over Valley Center that featured a great defensive performance in slowing down VC standout running back Dai’Mont Mucker. Eisenhower gets another chance to prove they’re among the best in 5A this week as they host 4A power Andover Central. …Hutchinson got a quality win over Maize South and the teams are basically six and seven in the rankings now that they both stand at 2-1. Salina Central and Hays continue to be teams to watch in the classification while Spring Hill and Shawnee Heights picked up close wins over quality opponents to each improve to 3-0. Bishop Carroll could have just a couple more wins on the regular season schedule, but we remain convinced they’ll be a difficult team to knock off come playoff time. Liberal improved to 3-0 and have one of the best LHS teams in years, but the next four weeks will prove just how good Bryan Luetters’ squad is as it gets into the thick of WAC play.

Class 4A

1. Bishop Miege (3-0)

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3-0)

3. Andover Central (3-0)

4. Buhler (2-1)

5. St. James Academy (0-3)

Bishop Miege dispatched St. James Academy with authority last week and it appears this Stag squad could be historically good. While Aquinas is likely to hand the St. James Academy Thunder their fourth straight loss to open the season the game we all want to see is Miege at Aquinas on October 6th. While it looks like Miege might be favored in the matchup, and the Stags could very well be the best team in all classes, the pair both plays Rockhurst over the next two weeks which should give us more information. …Derek Tuttle has done an excellent job in his five seasons leading Andover Central. His 4A team consistently plays one of the state’s toughest schedules, filled mostly with league foes in the AVCTL that are in 5A. He has replaced talent at key positions year after year and while he has a couple of notable blowout playoff losses as black marks on an otherwise shining résumé his squad has either challenged, or knocked off, some of the state’s highest regarded programs. His program is not flashy but implements a game plan that gets the job done. Sometimes by scoring 40-plus points, other times by holding opponents down with hard-nosed defensive play. This year’s team appears to be that down-and-dirty defensive squad that will make you work for everything you get. Kansas high school football fans, and coach Tuttle, are likely to find out for sure just what type of squad the Jags have over the next three weeks against Eisenhower, Goddard, and Salina Central. …It’s a similar story for Buhler and long-time coach Steve Warner. It won’t always be pretty, but his Crusader squads find a way to put a few more points on the scoreboard than their opponents and only six points separates them from third-ranked Andover Central after a 20-14 Jaguar win in Week 1. What isn’t the same is the strength of schedule going forward. Over the next four weeks the Crusaders play three teams with a combined two wins through the first three weeks of the season. The fourth team, Mulvane, who BHS plays in two weeks, is 3-0, but all three wins are by seven points or less. Buhler is likely to be their toughest test to that point in the season. …We know not a lot of people are going to like that we still have an 0-3 St. James team in at number five, but this is still one of the most athletic programs in the classification with quarterback Ben Wheeler and defensive standout Spencer Dohm leading the way. While the Thunder fell hard to the Stags, their other two losses are by nine and 14 points to EKL 6A powers Blue Valley Northwest and Blue Valley. The EKL squads cannibalize each other in the regular season, but come playoff time, depending on the Thunder’s draw, they could still make a deep run. …Louisburg and QB Declan Battle have enjoyed a stellar season thus far but we won’t know just how good the Wildcats are until games with Eudora, Tonganoxie, and Spring Hill in three of the final four weeks of the season. …Wamego has come on especially strong after the close loss to 3A contender Clay Center in Week 1. The Red Raiders have scored at least 40 points in each of the last two weeks and allowed just one touchdown. Most people thought the Red Raiders would take a step back this season thanks to the graduation of Hayden Oviatt and a number of talented wide receivers, but Weston Moody appears to have built a team that reloads rather than rebuilds and the Red Raiders look the part of a contender again this year. ...Abilene went toe-to-toe with Clay Center for a half before an injury to Stocton Timbrook took the Cowboys' star QB off the field for the second half. Even then the Cowboy defense held the 3A power to 13 points in the second half and if Timbrook returns Brad Nicks' squad could make some noise in the 4A playoffs. ...Eudora and Chanute took dings with losses last week, but both are still part of the playoff conversation, especially if Chanute can get healthy again. Tongie delivered Chanute that loss and also has weapons. McPherson has a loss to 5A Great Bend and 6A Junction City, but should have a more manageable schedule the next four weeks.

Class 3A

1. Andale (3-0)

2. Cheney (3-0)

3. Topeka Hayden (3-0)

4. Clay Center (3-0)

5. Wichita Collegiate (3-0)

The Andale juggernaut rolls on and while the Indians have shown a bit more vulnerability on defense this season – allowing almost 230 yards per game, according to stats compiled by Butler County Times-Gazette sports editor Charles Chaney – but the winners of 54 straight games have more than compensated on offense rolling up nearly 71 points per game, a whopping 20 points per game more than Hugoton, Collegiate, and Hayden, and specifically with regards to Collegiate, against the same three teams, though the Spartan defense allowed just 27 total points against those three squads. A very inexperienced Andale team was bound to show at least some small chink in their armor to start the season, but the defense has lowered the points allowed in each of the first three weeks. It’s possible we won’t learn a lot from the next two weeks from games against struggling Smoky Valley and Nickerson squads, but games with Wichita Collegiate and Cheney in Weeks 6 and 7 are sure to be some of the most anticipated in the state. Andale is likely to continue the longest active win-streak in the country, currently tied with John Milledge Academy in Georgia, now 4-0 after entering the season on a 50-game streak. …Cheney is likely to get its toughest test of the season this week against a 2-1 Pratt team that suffered a 42-38 loss to an improved Halstead squad last week. The Cheney defense will need to shut down Pratt’s Max Younie who has compiled over 1,000 combined rush and pass yards with 17 combined TDs just three weeks into the season. Cheney’s Jackson Voth has 403 total yards and six touchdowns on just 24 offensive touches. …Topeka Hayden has been dominate in three victories over quality opponents from the smaller classifications and outside of Holton in Week 7 the remainder of the schedule likely doesn’t get much tougher. Hayden is loaded with playmakers and leads the classification in total yards per game at nearly 440. The Wildcats are getting significant production out of speedy home run hitting running back Finn Dunshee while Jude Konrade continues to pile up tackles for the Hayden D. If the Wildcats can stay healthy it looks like Bill Arnold’s squad could have what it takes to make a push for the top of 3A this season. …Clay Center had its hands full with NCKL rival Abilene in the first half, taking a 13-13 tie into the locker room at the break, but the Tigers showed resiliency and Abilene took a hit when QB Stocton Timbrook went down to injury. Clay Center enters this week against Hiawatha as a heavy favorite and is likely to be without the services of senior receiver, defensive back, and kicker, Jackson Henry as a highly anticipated game with Southeast of Saline looms in Week 5. …Hudson Ferralez has certainly filled the need at QB for Collegiate enjoying an incredibly efficient 19 of 25 performance for 336 yards and five touchdowns while adding a rushing score. The Spartan offense has employed a number of weapons including a pair of super sophomores in wide receiver Sebastian Hines-Turner and running back Jaden Parker. While Troy Black’s team will travel to face an improved Clearwater squad this week the game on everyone’s must-see list is the one at Andale in two weeks. …The leading contenders outside of the Top 5 are Wellsville and senior quarterback Willie Dorsey and his stable of receivers led by Dezmond Winton; Hugoton, who hopes to get back senior QB Isaac Martin in two weeks against Scott City, but got great play from senior running back Griffin Heger in his absence when he rushed for nearly 250 yards on 30-plus carries against Guymon, Okla., last week; Scott City, Holcomb, and Parsons could also make some noise in the postseason, though the latter of the three has found it more difficult to score against common opponents.

Class 2A

1. Sabetha (3-0)

2. Nemaha Central (3-0)

3. Southeast of Saline (3-0)

4. Hoisington (3-0)

5. Kingman (2-1)

In our estimation this classification is either Sabetha and Nemaha Central above all others, or it’s deep, very deep! Beyond the Top 5 above teams like Ellsworth, Norton, Humboldt, Council Grove, and Osage City may all have what it takes to shake the 2A tree. Certainly the next few weeks will help reveal the answer. Sabetha has a two-headed monster in the backfield of seniors Chase Frey and Colin Menold working behind a big offensive line. For the Nemaha Central Thunder, sophomore Carter Hajek has taken over for his brother Cooper as the offensive bell cow, and he does his work behind a similarly big offensive line. The rivals looked well-equipped to arrive at Week 8 with identical undefeated records and a district championship on the line. The Thunder handled the Bluejays twice last season on their way to an unbeaten 2A title. The Bluejays hope to reverse those results this season. …Southeast of Saline and Hoisington continue to impress with seemingly more complete victories each week. The Trojans get tough tests against Halstead and Clay Center the next two weeks with a Week 8 trip to Ellsworth also a game to watch. Hoisington’s Week 2 win over Halstead looks more impressive thanks to the Blue Dragons win over Pratt last Friday. ...Kingman still has the look and feel of a contender in spite of the graduation of Nolan Freund and Avrey Albright. New QB Ben Bradshaw is starting to hit his stride and Carter Helm and Tristen Davidson are versatile weapons on both offense and defense. …TMP gets a big-time test at Scott City this week while Norton faces rival Phillipsburg. …Humboldt’s explosive offense could get tested by Council Grove’s ever-improving squad led by program-builder Butch Hayes.

Class 1A

1. St. Mary’s Colgan (3-0)

2. Smith Center (2-1)

3. St. Marys (0-3)

4. Marion (3-0)

5. Centralia (3-0)

This classification delivered the most surprising result of the week as Sterling knocked off previously unbeaten Sedgwick. Not so much because we didn’t think Sterling was capable – their big, experienced offensive line and sophomore standout running back Zane Farney should keep them in any game – but, the weather conditions not withstanding, it was the dominant 41-6 fashion in which the Black Bears dismantled our previously second ranked team in 1A. The game likely doesn’t represent fully where Sedgwick is on the season, and coach Werner and his squad are surely chomping at the bit to prove the score disparity was a bit of a fluke. Given the loss we’re left thinking there are three possible conditions in this classification: 1. St. Mary’s Colgan is by far the best team in the class; 2. The east is much deeper than the west; or 3. (the one we’re hoping for) this classification is very deep, with 10 teams or more well-equipped to make the playoffs a battle. …Speaking of Colgan, they’ve come through the toughest part of their schedule unscathed and are unlikely to get a major challenge in district play with the toughest game remaining a non-district road trip to 3A Columbus in Week 6. A healthy Colgan team will be very scary come playoff time. …Smith Center rebounded from a close loss to a good Norton team with a second half explosion against another quality 2A opponent downing Russell 30-6 and setting up a highly anticipated rematch with Wabaunsee this week. The Chargers fell in a close loss to Jeff Co. North last week and have to make the long road trip to north central Kansas hoping to recreate the magic of a season ago that saw them erase a big deficit in the second half against the Redmen to pull off a signature win for the program. Points will be crucial in this key district matchup that will feature Smith Center’s physicality against Wabaunsee’s athleticism. Valley Heights could have something to say about this district as well and don’t sleep on a much improved Sacred Heart team that is 0-3 but against a tough schedule featuring teams from larger classifications. …Much like 4A and St. James Academy, people won’t love St. Marys’ position in the 1A rankings after an 0-3 start, but not all schedules are created equal and close losses to Rossville and Silver Lake show us Kyle Schenk’s squad is still among the best in class. …Marion’s win over Sterling looks even more impressive now and as long as they stay healthy they are unlikely to be challenged in district play until that Week 8 matchup with Sedgwick, though a game with Council Grove in Week 6 is likely to be a battle. Last week’s 28-21 win over Hutch-Trinity was a battle and include a 99-yard drive from Marion that ate up about six minutes of the first quarter and part of the second. The Warriors led 28-14 at the half and rode their defense in the second half. …Centralia slipped by an improved Valley Heights team to open the season and erupted on offense the past two weeks. The next three contests are likely to get a bit tougher each week with next week’s matchup against Jackson Heights the likely district championship and a non-district matchup with Garden Plain in two weeks another good test for the Panthers. …If this classification is deep, then there are quite a few teams that can make some noise. Jeff Co. North got a big win over Wabaunsee and is likely to battle St. Marys for the district title in spite of the best start in ages for this week’s opponent, McLouth. Olpe is 1-2 against a much stronger schedule than the rest of their district and in spite of the unblemished records of Jayhawk Linn and this week’s opponent, Pleasanton, the Eagles are still the district favorite. Wabaunsee’s matchup with Smith Center this week is critical. Sedgwick, Conway Springs, Sterling, Hutch-Trinity, and even a graduation depleted Inman team all seem equipped to still make some noise. Finally, in spite of their 0-3 start against 2A league foes, the Plainville Cardinals are heavy-favorites in District 8 and is likely to again be a factor come November, this year under new coach Alex McMillian.

8-Man I

1. Wichita County (3-0)

2. Lyndon (3-0)

3. Moundridge (3-0)

4. Quinter (3-0)

5. Cair Paravel (2-1)

As Division I starts to take shape Wichita County is putting some distance between itself and the rest of the west and with a healthy Christoper Michel back on the field the Indians are likely to make another deep playoff run. District 6 is the deepest on the west side of the bracket and Atwood, Quinter, Hill City and Hoxie are likely to have some battles in the weeks to come. Meade has a quality team with good wins over South Central and Hodgeman County, but they just don’t have the depth and all-around playmakers of Wichita County. …The east has quite a few more question marks. Lyndon dispatched a good 8-Man II Frankfort team this week to solidify their second spot in the poll, but West Elk falls out with their loss to Central-Burden. Moundridge, under new coach Tyler O’Connor, and with the addition of the Kanitz brothers, appears well-equipped to replace Little River as the district favorite in District 4. The brutal District 2 will play itself out over the next few weeks starting with a key matchup between Lyndon and Cair Paravel, whose close loss to Axtell to open the season looks even better three weeks in. Burlingame and Madison will both try to make think things interesting in District 2 as well, and don’t count out Chase County, though a Week 1 loss to Frankfort gives us reason to believe the Bulldogs may find it difficult to challenge the top four teams in the district this season.

8-Man II

1. Axtell (3-0)

2. Kinsley (3-0)

3. Sylvan-Lucas Unified (3-0)

4. Victoria (2-1)

5. Sharon Springs-Wallace Co. (1-2)

Running short on time here so going to be brief, who is going to challenge Axtell? It’s very likely the Eagles are the path to a third straight dominant 8-Man II title. …We think Kinsley and Sylvan-Lucas are pretty good, but frankly it’s hard to figure out the rest of the rankings in this classification. Central Plains is playing good football, as is Minneola, with both teams 3-0. Hodgeman County’s loss to Meade should not be a mark against them. Sharon Springs now has a pair of overtime losses to quality 8-Man I opponents. Canton-Galva’s two-point loss to Little River is likely going to be the only blemish in the regular season for the Eagles. Osborne took a surprising loss to Hanover last week, which in a typical year wouldn’t be a huge surprise, but with it being Hanover’s first win of the year and Osborne with Doak Guttery back for the first game this season most people expected a different result. Sounds like a key injury to Hunter Howell and a couple of turnovers by Osborne gave Hanover the edge after the Wildcats trailed the Bulldogs 26-8 and came back to pull off the upset. South Barber and Kinsley play a key game this week, as do Bucklin and Minneola. Hodgeman County faces a tough Dighton squad that is battle-tested after back-to-back losses to good 8-Man I teams.

6-Man

1. Cheylin (3-0)

2. Ashland (2-1)

3. Cunningham (2-1)

4. Northern Valley (3-0)

5. Waverly (3-0)

Cheylin got a huge win over Ashland and moves into the top spot in this classification with Ashland and Cunningham not far behind. Northern Valley survived Ingalls, 30-25, and this week they get a chance to prove they are among the elites in a game at Cheylin. All the while Waverly lies in wait and Chetopa and Deerfield continue surprising unbeaten seasons.