Our marquee matchup for Saturday is looking like the PSU-Washburn tilt in Topeka, which FYI is going to be televised on Cox Channel 22 starting at 1 p.m. Although, I’m not sure if anything is bigger this weekend than the Washburn-ESU volleyball tilt … I’m not kidding, that’s the place to be.
And there’s this … Hutchinson C.C. running back Romero Cotton — presumably the only prep athlete in Kansas history to win four state titles in wrestling and football — was sentenced to 38 months in prison yesterday.
Here’s a look:
MIAA
Pittsburg State (4-3 overall, 2-3 MIAA) at No. 20 Washburn (5-2, 3-2), 1 p.m. — This is a make-or-break game for both teams. If Pittsburg State wins, the Gorillas have a legitimate shot at finishing 8-3 and salvaging the season. Lose, and 6-5 is a real possibility. Washburn can’t afford to lose here and then go on the road with its playoff hopes riding on an upset of No. 5 Northwest Missouri next week.
No. 5 Northwest Missouri (6-1, 5-0) at Emporia State (1-6, 0-5), 1 p.m. — This one will get ugly. The Hornets get Truman next week in the only chance either team has to win an MIAA game this season. Sad state of affairs up the turnpike.
Nebraska-Omaha (5-2, 4-1) at Fort Hays State (4-3, 2-3), 2 p.m. – Here it is. Fort Hays gets another chance to win a meaningful MIAA game. That they get it at home is a huge plus. They lose this one and it’s back to pretender status.
KCAC
No. 16 McPherson (4-1, 3-1) at Kansas Wesleyan (4-1, 3-1), 1:30 p.m. — McPherson can’t lose again if it wants to stay in contention for both the KCAC title and an NAIA Tournament bid, and this will be a true test. Kansas Wesleyan has similar goals, but must still play Friends and Ottawa. If the Bulldogs can find a way to win, they should cruise to 7-1 with their next two games against the league’s winless teams.
No. 14 Friends (4-1, 4-1) at Haskell, 1:30 p.m. – I got to spend some time with Monty Lewis on Wednesday after KCAC hoops media day, and of course I grilled him about his running game, which has fallen off the map this year. The Falcons won the last three league titles by running the rock better than almost anybody in the country, but this year they’re having to rely on passing. But does he still have an ace up his sleeve? Maybe, but I’m not saying quite yet. It would ruin the fun.
Saint Mary (1-4, 1-3) at Bethel (1-4, 1-3), 1:30 p.m. – Bethel wins its second straight here. If you haven’t seen defensive lineman James McCartney play yet, you might wanna catch the Threshers this season. He’s something else.
Bethany (4-1, 3-1) at Southwestern (05, 0-4), 1:30 p.m. — The Swedes couldn’t have a better opponent on their schedule after last week’s deflating loss to Bethel on Homecoming. Remember, Bethany led 16-3 with 10 minutes to play and turned it over 3 times in its own red zone. Ouch. But The Jinx doesn’t apply to football anymore, and the Moundbuilders play slumpbuster better than anybody.
Tabor (0-5, 0-4) at Sterling (2-3, 1-3), 1:30 p.m. – Time to catch some Zs.
JAYHAWK
Independence (2-4 overall, 2-2 Jayhawk) at No. 4 Butler (5-1, 4-0), 1:30 p.m. — It’s still two weeks from the Halloween showdown between the Grizzlies and No. 3 Fort Scott, and with winless Highland up next week, this should be Butler’s last real test before facing the Greyhounds. The Grizzlies have the top-ranked defense in the league, and cornerback Darron Edwards is tied for the league lead with three interceptions.
Highland (0-6, 0-4) at No. 3 Fort Scott (6-0, 5-0), 1 p.m. – Fort Scott rolls here, beats Air Force Prep next Friday and takes 8-0 into the Butler game. But here’s the thing … they play again two weeks later in the Region VI title game, right? I think if either team wants a shot at the national title, it’ll need to win both games.
Garden City (3-4, 2-3) at Dodge City (0-6, 0-4), 1:30 p.m. & Air Force Prep at No. 20 Hutchinson (3-3, 2-3), 7 p.m. – I did a double-up on this one because it is shaping up, in my opinion, that the Garden City-Hutch and Coffeyville-Independence games on Oct. 31 will be for the third and fourth playoff spots in Region VI. Let me know if my math is off.
I’ll be posting updates on scores tomorrow, so come on back now, ya’ hear?
-TA