The 2019 high school football season has reached crunch time. Only three games remain, and teams are hungry for wins in their push for a playoff spot. These are the matchups and picks for week 7:
Iola @ Girard
A perfect start didnt carry through in the Mustangs defeat at Burlington last Friday. Iola started off hot when Karson McGraw recovered a fumble deep into Mustang territory, and on the ensuing play Isaac Badders went 86 yards to hand Iola an early lead. It was only the second time all season the Mustangs had taken the lead to start the game. Penalties and mental mistakes doomed the Mustangs down the stretch as they were overpowered 20-6 by the Wildcats.
This week, Iola faces a tougher test in Girard. The Trojans are coming off a 41-27 loss to Prairie View that moved them to 2-4 on the season. Girard earned a Pioneer League win over Burlington at home, but lost at Anderson County. So, clearly the Trojans perform better at home, and the Mustangs have struggled on the road all season. If the Mustangs can play like they did on Homecoming, and come out tough, then a win could be in the cards. So far this season, Iola has been vulnerable in all three phases of the game displaying inconsistency throughout.
Winner: Girard
Northeast-Arma vs. Humboldt
The Cubs faced another scare last week against Riverton. After trailing 20-0 at halftime, the Rams stormed back in the second half to close the gap, but ran out of time, losing 20-14. The story this season for Humboldt has been the rushing attack led by senior quarterback Conor Haviland. Haviland currently ranks third in the state in rushing yards with 1,313.
Humboldt will face a lesser challenge this week against Northeast-Arma. The Vikings sit at 1-5 on the season, with their solo win coming against a struggling Yates Center in week 2. Last week, the Vikings were crushed by Jayhawk-Linn 38-12. Friday should be another big game for Haviland, and expect the Cubs to cruise to huge first-half lead.
Winner: Humboldt
Altoona-Midway vs. Marmaton Valley
The Wildcats faced their toughest task of the season last week against number-three ranked St. Paul, losing 62-16. Marmaton Valley sits at 1-5 on the season, with their only win coming against Southern Coffey County. Marmaton Valleys weakness has been getting itself on the scoreboard. Luckily for the Wildcats, this week presents an opportunity to get back on track.
Altoona-Midway is also 1-5 on the season, losing at home against Southern Coffey County last week 38-22. If the Wildcats can execute offensively, and control the clock like they did against the Titans on Homecoming, expect that one win to turn into two after the final whistle blows on Friday night.
Winner: Marmaton Valley
Southern Coffey County @ Crest
The Lancers have found their groove over the last two weeks, earning wins over Marmaton Valley and Chetopa by large margins. Crest sits at .500 (3-3) on the season, and has been boosted by the play of first-year player Zach Beckmon on both offense and defense. Quarterback Jacquez Coleman and Tyson Hermreck also have had a say in the Lancers two-game winning streak. If the Lancers intend to keep rolling, their stars will need to keep shining.
SCC is also in a rhythm as of late, earning consecutive wins over Chetopa and Altoona-Midway. Cooper Harred has led the attack offensively for the Titans. Two weeks ago against Chetopa, Harred displayed his ability in the air and on the ground, completing 10/ 16 for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns, and racking up 101 yards rushing on 9 carries. It should be a good game, but I believe Crests edge in roster size and talent will make it hard for SCC to earn the away win.
Winner: Crest
Yates Center @ Uniontown
Luckily for Yates Center, only three weeks remain in the season. So far, injuries to an already decimated roster have made it impossible for the Wildcats to compete in games down the stretch. For the majority of the season, only 12 players have been at the disposal for head coach Ryan Panko. That means the Wildcats are only a couple injuries away from having a game cut short due to insufficient players. Most recently, the Wildcats were crushed by Colgan 51-0 at home.
Uniontown sits at 2-4 on the season, earning a win over Pleasanton 20-14. The Eagles two wins this season came against Pleasanton and Northeast-Arma. The Wildcats faced Northeast-Arma earlier in the season, and were shutout 36-0. Yes, teams can fare from week to week, but all signs point to another long night on Friday for Yates Center.
Winner: Uniontown
