Kansas High School Football 5A Playoff Quarterfinal Update

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

It was an exciting night on Friday as the Kansas 5A playoffs kicked off all over the state. Mill Valley and Pittsburg both shutout their opponents to set up an exciting quarterfinal matchup. There was also an upset as Goddard-Eisenhower escaped past Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 20-14. Finally, St. James Academy and Goddard-Eisenhower won a playoff game for the first time in their school’s history.

Last week there were some great team and individual performances including Wichita Heights running backs Rodney Murphy who rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns and DeJaun Scott who added 164 rushing yards and two scores. Bishop Carroll backup quarterback Cannon Lynch had to replace starter Jake Allen in the second quarter and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 68-yard run in the second half as the Golden Eagles are defending their 5A title.

In the quarterfinals this Friday, along with the players that put up big performances last week, there are other players to watch including Mill Valley wide receiver Christian Jegen and quarterback Logan Koch, St. Thomas Aquinas offensive lineman Tom Killilea and defensive back Chris Schilling, Maize South offensive lineman Jeremy Luck and running back Rodney Murphy, Pittsburg linebacker Will Mengarelli and running back Sherrick Rogers.

Bishop Carroll beat Wichita Heights, 51-13, seven weeks ago in the regular season so it will be interesting to see if they can beat them again and advance into the semifinals. If Mill Valley and St. Thomas Aquinas win this weekend they will face off for the second time this year after Mill Valley won in a blowout in week one.

It will be an exciting four games this Friday as four teams will clinch a spot in the semifinals.

Quarterfinal Games and First Round Scores

Mill Valley @ Pittsburg

Mill Valley shutout Leavenworth, 49-0, and Pittsburg shutout Shawnee Heights, 49-0.

 

St. James Academy @ St. Thomas Aquinas

St. James Academy beat Lansing, 41-20, while St. Thomas Aquinas blew out Topeka Seaman, 55-21.

 

Bishop Carroll @ Wichita Heights

Bishop Carroll defeated Salina South, 31-14, while Wichita Heights got past Goddard, 41-27.

 

Goddard-Eisenhower @ Maize South

Maize South defeated Great Bend, 26-14, while Goddard-Eisenhower upset Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 20-14

Photo credit: kpreps.com; Mill Valley quarterback Logan Koch