EMPORIA, Kan. - In 8-man Division I, the play this season has been exciting and there are some great match-ups as we head into state play.
Week One Match-Ups
Madison (8-1) at Baileyville B&B (9-0)
Madison Coach Fred McClain said in today's Emporia Gazette that he relished the fact that for once the expectations weren't on his team. Madison has been the top seeded team for three straight season's, this year they get to go on the road and play a team that is expected to win. Henry Ott is back at Quarterback and looked last night like he may have gotten his stride back. If Ott has a good game Madison could surprise B&B here.
Prediction: Madison 48-45
Goessel (7-2) at Burden-Central (7-2)
This is another match-up of two evenly matched teams. This one could come down to the fact that Burden is coming off a big victory and Goessel is coming off a loss to Pretty Prairie.
Prediction: Burden-Central 56-35
Frankfort (7-2) at Lebo (9-0)
Lebo Coach Butch Jones said at the beginning of the season in the Emporia Gazette that he was worried his team might not be that good. They answered that question by winning nine in a row including an upset win of Madison still fresh in their minds. Cole Brockelman has had a great season for the Wolves and the cinderella story should continue.
Prediction: Lebo 62-44
Udall (6-3) at Pretty Prairie (9-0)
Pretty Prairie has been more known for Rodeo then football over the last several years. This season, however, finds them staring a perfect season and a state playoff run in the face.
Prediction: Pretty Prairie 58-14
Tribune (7-2) at Macksville (7-2)
The Macksville Mustangs have a recent state championship in basketball, and have been a playoff contender the last couple season's in football. Tribune's only losses came earlier in the season and they are ripe to pull off an upset. Macksville has outscored their last two opponents 100-0.
Prediction: Macksville 50-48
Rock Hills (7-2) at Quinter (8-1)
Quinter's only loss came to Sharon Springs early in the season, and they have rolled ever since. They are one of the top teams in a weak western half of the bracket.
Prediction: Quinter 45-17
Greensburg (5-4) at Minneola (9-0)
Greensburg has been the feel good story of the year, playing in a new stadium with shiney new jerseys. However they must go on the road and face one of the top teams in the state.
Prediction: Minneola 58-17
Hill City (7-2) at Clifton-Clyde (8-1)
Clifton-Clyde's only loss came in a two-point defeat at the hands of Hanover. Hill City lost a close one to Ashland and fell at the hands of Quinter.
Prediction: Clifton-Clyde 48-44
Late Round Match-Ups I Want To See
Lebo vs. Pretty Prairie
If Madison upsets Baileyville like I think they can, this becomes the match-up to watch. Lebo and Pretty Prairie are nowhere near each other geographically, but yet both teams find themselves in the East bracket. The winner of this match-up has a real shot of making the state championship.
Minneola vs. Quinter
This is the match-up to watch in the West bracket as the winner will likely face the winner of the above game in the state championship.
State Championship
Lebo vs. Minneola
It will be a battle of unbeatens, though Lebo must continue see their potent ground game excel to make it this far. Minneola has a real shot to make it out of the weak half of the bracket.
Prediction: Lebo 48-32
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