By John Mesh
Three Reno County high school football teams survived and advanced in the Kansas state playoffs. Hutchinson in Class 5A, Buhler in Class 4A and Hutchinson Central Christian in Eight-Man II will compete in the state quarterfinals.
• In Class 5A, the Hutchinson Salthawks (8-2) will host the Hays High School Indians (6-4). Hays upset the No. 1 seeded Great Bend Panthers 19-14 Friday night at GBHS Memorial Field. Hays ended the Panthers’ season at 9-1.
Two of the state’s best running backs will display their talents at Gowans Stadium next Friday.
Kade Smith rushed for 245 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown in Hutchinson’s 33-13 playoff win over Salina South. He now has 1,808 yards rushing this season.
Hays’ Ethan Lind rushed for 185 yards on 38 carries against Great Bend.
Hays also got 123 yards rushing from Ian McGuire, including an 81-yard TD run. Senior quarterback Carter Graham completed 4-of-7 passes for 45 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.
Great Bend defeated Hays 21-0 during the regular season. The two teams had met 87 times during regular season games. Friday night was the first-ever postseason game between the Western Athletic Conference rivals.
In other 5A playoff games, Goddard Eisenhower defeated Maize South 37-26 and Topeka Seaman defeated Valley Center 43-25.
The Hutchinson-Hays winner will play the Goddard Eisenhower-Topeka Seaman winner in the Class 5A semifinals.
Class 5A playoff bracket — https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/ScoreCenter/Brackets/Football/5A.cfm?Activity=1
• In Class 4A, Buhler dominated Mulvane 62-21 and will play Wamego in the next round of the playoffs. Wamego defeated McPherson 20-13 in the second round of the playoffs Friday at Wamego.
In other 4A West bracket games, Andover Central defeated Winfield 35-7 and Wellington defeated Kapaun-Mount Carmel 20-19.
Class 4A playoff bracket — https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/ScoreCenter/Brackets/Football/4A.cfm?Activity=1
• In Eight-Man II, Hutchinson Central Christian (9-1) blew out Logan-Palco 48-6 and will play Victoria in the quarterfinals. Victoria (10-0) defeated Wallace County 54-0 Saturday afternoon at Victoria.
Eight-Man II playoff bracket — https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/ScoreCenter/Brackets/Football/8P%20DII.cfm?Activity=1
Thank you so much for the local sports coverage. I love it!!
Smith is the best RB in the state!