Class 8-man Quarterfinals State Playoff Breakdown
#1 Sedgwick County at #5 Holly on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
#1 Sedgwick County moved into the semifinals with a hard-fought win over #9 Fowler. Sedgwick County was leading 12 to 6 at half time and looked to be in a fight with Fowler. Sedgwick County then came out in the third quarter and scored 20 points and then 16 in the fourth to blow the game open. Sedgwick County most of the year has been in tight games at half but used a huge second half to blow the games open. Sedgwick County forced 2 turnovers in the game and limited a very good rushing attack to just 145 yards rushing. Sedgwick County defensively played well against Fowler. Sedgwick County has not posted any stats on the season and usually wait until the season is over. Sedgwick County has played great defense all year and need a huge outing against a balanced offensive attack from Holly.
#5 Holly started a bit slow against Caliche trailing 6-0 after the first quarter but a 20-point second quarter gave them the lead heading into halftime. Holly then scored 27 points in the second half to end up winning by 21. The final score of the game was 47-26 and what I can say about Caliche is watch out for this team next year. They are very young and will return a player of the year candidate in Adam Zink. Holly defensively gave up over 300 yards of offense to Caliche and that will be something Holly looks to improve on. Holly did force 1 INT but also had 5 sacks in the process. Holly had 4 players with over 10 tackles in the game. Erick Chaparro had 15 tackles and Alex Ramos had 14 tackles. Holly like Caliche is extremely young and all 4 of the players with double digit tackles were sophomore or juniors. Holly defensively must play outstanding this week against Sedgwick County. Offensively Holly had a very solid outing with 471 yards of total offense. QB of the Year Kobe Davis was very impressive posting 249 yards passing, 4 TDs, and just 1 INT. He will be a huge factor in the game against Sedgwick County. Holly as a team posted 222 yards rushing and were led by senior RB Robert Gutierrez 96 yards rushing. Holly offensively will also need a huge outing to keep pace with Sedgwick County. Holly has proven to be extremely tough this season and with home field advantage this week will look to pull a huge upset.
Holly will need to improve defensively this week. Holly also will need their offense to score points. Sedgwick County has not had a team stick with them point for point this year and for Holly to pull the upset they will need to go toe to toe with Sedgwick County in terms of scoring. Holly will need to have huge days from their key players. Sedgwick County offensively needs to keep scoring like they are. Sedgwick County has yet to be slowed this year and they will need a huge day again this week. Sedgwick County also must keep playing good defense. In the playoff they have only allowed 6 points in two games. Sedgwick County defensively will be tested they have not faced an offensive team like Holly this year. Sedgwick County is the favorite in this game. I am picking Sedgwick County due to their offensive fire power and improved defense. Holly will play them tough and I expect a close game. I am going Sedgwick County 35 Holly 24
#2 West Grand vs #14 Soroco on 11/18 @ 1:00pm
#2 West Grand escaped with a narrow 30 to 24 victories over Sargent in the quarterfinals. West Grand and Sargent traded blows through the game. West Grand weathered the final blow and made a stunning goal line stop. Sargent moved the game 64 yards with about a minute left and had 1 second left on the clock and the ball on the 4-yard line. West Grand rose to the occasion and stopped Sargent short of the touchdown and won the game. This game was one of the better games I have watched in some time and glad I got to watch this game. West Grand defensively gave up 297 yards rushing and 90 yards passing but the difference maker was they forced 4 turnovers compared to just 1 of their own. West Grand had a huge defensive game from Luis Dominguez 15 tackles, 2 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries, he was the biggest factor in this game on both sides of the ball. Also helping on defense was Josh O’Hotto 21 tackles. West Grand struggled stopping the run at times, but they played tough defense when it mattered. West Grand offensively was also very productive with 368 yards of total offense. The wind was a huge factor in this game and limited both teams passing attack. Senior QB Brady Gore did throw for 102 yards and 1 TD. West Grand rushing attack had plenty of success rushing for 266 yards. They were led by junior Luis Dominguez 159 yards rushing and 2 TDs. West Grand offensively is very tough to stop and have plenty of weapons on the field.
#14 Soroco played another great game and pulled their second consecutive upset. #14 Soroco beat #11 Mancos 40 to 0. Soroco defensively have really stepped up and is one of the main factors in pulling the upsets. Soroco forced 2 turnovers in the game and had 2 sacks as well. Soroco was led on defense by Jace Logan 20 tackles and Sky Carlson 14 tackles and 2 sacks. Jace Logan is the key for Soroco both offensively and defensively and must play his best game of the season. Offensively Soroco had an outstanding day with 477 yards of total offense. Offensively Soroco was led Jace Logan and he had one of the best days rushing in his career. Jace Logan had an astonishing 430 yards rushing (Yes 430). Jace Logan also had 6 TDs and was averaging 14.8 yards per carry and had 99 yards run in the game as well. Jace Logan has been super impressive this season with 3023 yards rushing and 41 TDs and he is averaging 13.2 yards per carry. Jace Logan must have a huge game this week. If Soroco plan on pulling the upset Jace Logan may need another 300-yard game.
Soroco has made an impressive run in the playoffs with back to back upsets and their defense has helped them along the way. Soroco will need their defense to step up this game and slow down West Grand offense. Soroco offensively must have another huge game from Jace Logan. In the playoffs alone Jace Logan has 728 yards rushing and will need a 300-yard game this week to pull the upset. West Grand must be ready to stop the run and they are the only team this year to hold Logan to under 100 yards rushing. West Grand will key on stopping Logan and must be productive on defense. West Grand offensively must control the line of scrimmage and have another big game from their offense. These two teams have played each other this year. West Grand snagged the 54 to 0 victory over Soroco. The main take away from the game was West Grand stopping the run and will need another big day. West Grand is the favorite in this game and I am picking them. I am going West Grande 35 Soroco 21.
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