6-Man Football Semifinal Breakdown and Predictions
#1 Stratton/Liberty vs #5 Peetz
Stratton/Liberty punched their ticket into the semifinals with a big win over Granada 66-22. Stratton/Liberty had a 30 to 8 lead at halftime then pushed 30 more across in the 3rd quarter to put the game away for the Knighted Eagles. Stratton/Liberty had a good day on offenses putting up 277 yards of total offense. Stratton/Liberty only attempted 4 passes for 23 yards and 1 TD. The rushing attack put up the bulk of the work rushing for 254 yards. Eltan Yarger had 109 yards rushing and Ethan Richmond had 59 yards rushing. The Knighted Eagles also did a good job of taking care of the football with just 1 turnover, but this week must take care of the ball. Defensively Stratton/Liberty had a big game forcing 4 turnovers two of which turned into defensive touchdowns. Stratton/Liberty also had 3 sacks on the game. Levi Shean had a big day defensively forcing 1 sack, causing a fumble, and racking up 12 tackles. The Knighted Eagles must come ready to play this week against a very good offensive attack.
Peetz moved into the semifinals outscoring Otis 84-78. Yes, you are reading that score correctly and no this is not a basketball game. Peetz and Otis set a state record with combined points in the playoffs. Peetz defensively struggled to stop Otis offense but did force 2 turnovers and their offense had 0 turnovers so that was a huge difference in the game. Defensively Peetz will have a few things to work on. Peetz was led on tackles by Bryson Long with 21 tackles. Cooper White forced the lone interception and had 11 tackles as well. Peetz this week will hope their defense can stop a very good rushing attack. Offensively Peetz had a bit of everything going racking up 394 yards of offense. Bryson Long had himself a day rushing for 146 yards and throwing for 40 yards and 5 total TD’s. Cooper White also had a big day with 88 yards rushing and 2 TD’s. Offensively Peetz has been nearly unstoppable all year but this week face a tough defense and a tough offense.
This is a rematch from last year’s State Championship and a rematch from the regular season. Last year Peetz won the state championship beating Stratton/Liberty. This year Stratton/Liberty beat Peetz 60 to 21. In that game Peetz offense really struggled to get anything going with just 199 yards of total offense. Stratton/Liberty offense had over 400 yards of total offense. This time I think defense will also play a factor in the game. I think Stratton/Liberty defense has to contain Bryson Long and if they can slow him down they will have success. Peetz defense needs to force Stratton/Liberty pass the ball but also cannot get caught sleeping on the pass. If this does turn into a shootout both teams can quickly put up points. I am going with Stratton/Liberty in this game. I think their defense will make a difference in this game.
#2 Kit Carson vs #3 Arickaree/Woodlin
Kit Carson has been unstoppable this year and have been just as dangerous in the post season. Kit Carson last week moved into the Semifinals beating Fleming 54-22. Kit Carson took a 20-0 lead into half time Kit Carson then outscored Fleming 26-16 in the third but with the cushion they gave themselves in the first half they locked up the game. Defensively Kit Carson did a good job slowing down Fleming rushing attack holding them to just 63 yards rushing. Fleming did have success passing the ball with 218 yards and just 1 INT. Kit Carson I am sure defensively worked a bit on their pas defense but looking at the remaining three teams most are run oriented offenses. Kit Carson defense also did a great job forcing 3 turnovers in the game and 1 sack. Cordell Farmer lead all Wildcats with 14 tackles and Joe Bryan and T.J Conaway were tied with 10 tackles. Kit Carson offensively had not problems racking up 404 yards of offense. T.J Conaway led the passing attack with 67 yards and 1 TD. The rushing attack racked up 330 yards of rushing and were led by Joe Bryan who had a career day rushing for 267 yards and 4 TD’s. Kit Carson offensively has really dominated this season and need just two more games for the state championship.
Arickaree/Woodlin moved into the semifinals beating a good Prairie team 36-16. Arickaree/Woodlin scored in every quarter and won every quarter besides the second quarter. Arickaree/Woodlin must feel good about their defense slowing down a good Prairie offense. Arickaree/Woodlin gave up 251 yards of offense but also forced 3 INT in the process. Arickaree/Woodlin on offense had 2 turnovers so their defense did a good job of keeping Prairie out of the end zone. Arickaree/Woodlin now knows what they are facing in Kit Carson and they are hoping they can step up to the plate and challenge the #2 seed.
This is also a rematch from the regular season that had Kit Carson win big 50-8. Arickaree/Woodlin will have to play better on both sides of the football to avoid the same fate as last time. Kit Carson will try and stick to the same strategy as before but except a few wrinkles from them. Kit Carson did play Arickaree/Woodlin on 9/7 so I am sure both teams have improved and I expect a much closer match up this time around. I am sticking with Kit Carson in this game. I think their speed and offense will be too much for Arickaree/Woodlin.
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