Class 8-Man Quarterfinals Breakdown
#1 Sedgwick County 10-0 at #8 Hoehne 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
The first round was completed exactly how I thought it would go. The only upset was #10 Dove Creek over #7 West Grand but I thought Dove Creek was the favorite anyway. The other odd thing about this round is the top 4 seeds are on the road this week which makes this round a lot more interesting.
Sedgwick County started their playoff run with an impressive first round win blasting Wiley 50 to 6. Sedgwick County got back to their high scoring ways after only scoring 22 the week before. Their defense once again was a huge key only giving up 6 points and that is their 8th game this year allowing 8 points or less.
Hoehne had a very tough first round game against Merino and were able to hold them off winning 19 to 8. That win was their fifth straight win and their lowest point output in a win. Their defense came to play and came up huge shutting Merino down and only needing 19 points to win. They now have some momentum and will need it against Sedgwick County.
These teams have one common opponent and that is Merino and both teams won but Sedgwick County won 52 to 8. Hoehne has proven this year that they can score points against teams but the difference is they are playing against one of the best defenses in 8-man and an offense that can consistently put up over 40 points. I am not sure if there is a defense that can slow down Sedgwick County offense but if you can keep pace with them you can possibly pull the upset. Sedgwick County needs to keep up their amazing defensive pressure and should be able to control the game with their offense. I have Sedgwick County as the favorite and have them by 31 points.
#4 Sargent 9-1 at #5 Springfield 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
Sargent escaped the first round this year something they couldn’t do a year ago. They were leading Haxtun 26 to 12 at halftime and ended up with the blowout victory winning 64 to 20. Sargent demolished Haxtun on the ground rushing for 616 yards on 44 carries that is 14 yards per carry. They didn’t need to throw the ball and only threw 3 times. On defense Sargent forced 3 INTs and 1 fumble against a tough plains league team.
Springfield got a good start to the playoffs by blasting Vail Christian 52 to 6. They were very successful on the ground rushing for 484 yards on 38 carries and only throwing the ball 4 times. On defense they forced 2 INTS and 2 fumbles. That is their fifth straight win and they have been on fire in those five games scoring over 48 point in four of them.
These two teams have played each other before. Sargent beat Springfield in zero week 40 to 28 and both teams have improved since that game. They also have two common opponents both teams beat Wiley and Del Norte. Springfield beat Del Norte 46-0 and Wiley 16-8 and Sargent beat Del Norte 60-6 and Wiley 50-6. Springfield is a tough team to figure out. They have impressive victories over Granada and Hoehne but have a loss to Holly by one and a close game against Wiley. If the Springfield team that played against Granada shows up against they could give Sargent a run for their money. Both teams are going to be stacking the box to stop each other rushing attack. When they played each other earlier in the year Sargent was able to run for 327 and Springfield ran for 267 so stopping the run is simply the key for both teams. I have Sargent as the favorite in this game and have them winning by 14 points.
#3 Akron 8-2 at #6 Dayspring Christian 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
I have a tough decision on hand this week. Is the Sargent vs Springfield game the game of the week or is the Akron vs Dayspring Christian game the game of week. Well it does not matter because both of the games are going to be good games.
Akron got started on the right foot by blasting Kiowa 51 to 12. Their offense racked up 406 yards of total offense. They were effective passing the ball going 5 of 8 for 105 yards and rushing for 301 yards on 38 carries. Their defense cause 2 INTS and 2 fumbles as well and their defense got back on track this week. That is their 6 game giving up 12 points or less. They are looking to advance past the second round something they couldn’t do a year ago.
Dayspring Christian was in a dog fight early on in the game. They were losing 16 to 14 after the first quarter then pulled ahead and never looked back winning 57 to 28 against Granada. DCA threw the ball at will against Granada going 15 of 25 for 293 yards they also ran the ball effective as well rushing for 201 yards on 31 carries. Their defense forced 2 INTS and now DCA has won 2 straight games and looking to move into the semifinals.
These two teams have played each other once before Akron took that contest 30 to 7. During that game Akron controlled the line of scrimmage rushing for 214 yards and only surrendering 11 yards rushing. Dayspring Christian was able to throw the ball going 11 of 23 for 117 yards. For DCA to pull the upset they will need to slow down the three headed attack of Akron power rushing attack. Also DCA must be able to run the ball they cannot be limited to under 150 yards and expect to be in this game. For Akron to win they must limit DCA offense by keeping their offense on the field and eliminate the turnovers that haunted them against Sedgwick County. I have Akron as the favorite and have them by 21.
#2 Norwood 10-0 at #10 Dove Creek 8-2 (Sat 1:00pm)
Once against Norwood enter the 8-Man bracket as the #2 seed and are looking for that elusive state title. They are also looking to avoid losing in the Quarterfinals like they did a year ago to #10 Simla. This year Norwood will be facing a familiar team and a rival team. Norwood got their playoff run started by blasting Mancos 53 to 6 and posted their fourth straight game giving up 6 points or less.
Dove Creek started their playoff run by getting by West Grand 48 to 6. Their offense was very effective. They threw for 146 yards on 11 for 12 passing and ran the ball great rushing for 299 yards on 44 carries. Their defense has also limited 4 teams to 6 points or less. They are looking to avenge a loss from early in the year to Norwood.
These two teams have played each other this year and it was not a close one with Norwood winning 41 to 12. I believe that because that game was so early in the year that this game will be closer. When they faced each other early in the year Norwood limited Dove Creek to 77 yards rushing but gave up 255 yards passing. Norwood didn’t need much offense only rushing for 156 yards and passing for 169 yards. The key was turnovers. Dove Creek threw 2 INTS and that is what cost them the game. For Dove Creek to win this game they will need to limit turnovers and be able to run the ball. They need to keep Norwood off the field if they want to pull the upset. Norwood just needs to run the ball like they have all year and rely on their defense and special teams to set the pace for the game. I have Norwood as the favorite but this game will be closer that the first time I have Norwood by 24.
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