Area football teams have different motivations heading into the final week of regular season play.
While some teams are playing for a bit higher seeding in the opening playoffs, others are hoping to finish the season on a high note before playing in the bracket games next Friday.
Iola Mustangs (3-4) vs.
Girard Trojans (5-2)
The Mustangs host district foe Girard Trojans, hoping to pick up their first victory over a quality opponent this season. Their previous wins came against teams with a combined record of 4-17. Their latest came during last week’s 59-0 Homecoming blowout of Osawatomie (2-5).
The Girard Trojans were winless in district play prior to Friday’s 42-20 blowout of the Parsons Vikings (1-6) with losses to Frontenac (7-0) and Columbus (5-2). With both teams already qualifying for the playoffs with wins over Parsons, the winner of Friday’s contest will determine which team faces a district champion and which team faces a district runner-up next Friday.
Humboldt (4-3) vs. Jayhawk-Linn (3-4)
The Humboldt Cubs will secure second place in the district standings, and potentially host a playoff game, with a win over the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks Friday. The Cubs hope to return from a 34-14 drubbing suffered at the hands of Tri-Valley League rival Cherryvale when they host the Jayhawks for senior night Friday.
The Jayhawks already secured a playoff spot with a win over Fredonia earlier this month. A win for the Jayhawks could shift their playoff opener from a district champion to a district runner-up, but their hopes for hosting a playoff game are long gone. They enter Friday’s contest on a two-game losing streak after falling to Neodesha 58-20 last week, which was an improvement following a 35-0 shutout by Central Heights the week prior.
Marmaton Valley (4-3) vs. Crest (1-6)
The Marmaton Valley Wildcats hope to generate some momentum for the postseason with a win over Three Rivers league rival Crest Friday. The Wildcats are winners of four of their last five games, including last week’s 50-14 beatdown of the Sedan Devils. A win Friday would secure a home playoff game for the Wildcats.
As for Crest, the Lancers are playing for pride and to be a potential senior night spoiler for the Wildcats. Last week’s 76-30 loss mathematically eliminated them from postseason contention. Don’t let the Lancers’ record mislead. They’ve had a few close calls this year, including a 28-20 overtime loss to district champion Madison-Hamilton, who defeated Marmaton Valley in a 74-72 shootout a few weeks ago.
Yates Center (4-3) at Southeast (4-3)
After outscoring their previous opponents 118-12, the Yates Center Wildcats seem unstoppable as they look to play senior night spoiler for the Southeast Lancers. The Wildcats already secured a spot in the postseason with wins over their previous two opponents in Erie (3-4) and West Elk (1-6).
The Lancers secured a playoff spot with a win over West Elk last month and hope to bounce back from a 54-6 loss last Friday to undefeated Oswego (7-0) last Friday, who locked down the district title with last week’s win.
Southern Coffey County (1-6) vs. Marais des Cygnes Valley (4-3)
The regular season ends against the same opponent it began with for the Southern Coffey County Titans as they host the Marais des Cygnes Valley Trojans Friday. The Trojans cruised to victory while hosting the Titans in the season opener 53-6 and coming into Friday’s contest still hot from a 45-20 victory over Elyria Christian (3-4) on the road last week.
