Friday Football Preview: State-Ranked Foes Clash in Hutch

Mike Hammett - Fri 06:36 AM 09/28/2012

Salina Central Mustangs (1-3) at Maize Eagles (2-2)

SportsRadio 1150 KSAL

Play-by-play: Todd Pittenger. Analyst: Daran Neuschafer.

6:05 Inside High School Football, 6:45 pregame, 7:00 kickoff

The Salina Central Mustangs took a few steps forward on offense last week, but Derby’s Kellen Sims torched the Mustang defense for six total touchdowns, rushing for three, throwing for two and catching one. The Mustangs had Malik Veal in the backfield for the entire game for the first time this season, and he responded, rushing for 105 yards and two total touchdowns, running for one and catching another. Salina Central hopes to bring some confidence from its final two drives of the game into tonight. The Mustangs went for a score on a 16-play, 95-yard drive in the fourth quarter, and then were marching the ball down field before time expired.

Maize presents a different type of spread attack than what the Mustangs are used to. Salina Central has had to defend the zone-read attack the last three weeks, but Maize likes to put the ball in the air more than Newton, St. Thomas Aquinas or Derby does. Sophomore Connor Lungwitz has completed more than 60 percent of his passes on the season and has thrown for just shy of 1,000 yards. However, two of Lungwitz’s top targets are missing, as Kavan Jobe and Dane Byfield were injured. Defense has been Maize’s weak point, giving up an average of 32 points per game.

Salina Central has won six straight in the series, but five of those six games have been decided by 10 points or less.

Class 5A No. 4 Salina South (3-1) at Class 6A No. 1 Hutchinson (3-1)

Y 93.7

Play-by-play: Mike Hammett. Analyst: Barry Cairns. Sideline Reporter: Justin Dean.

6:50 pregame, 7:00 kickoff

The Salina South Cougars avoided the trap last week, rolling to a 49-7 win against the visiting Campus Colts at Salina Stadium. The two-headed rushing attack of Cody Busby and Mike Jones continued to roll along, racking up over 300 yards and five touchdowns between the two backs. The Cougar defense continues to be a strong point, giving up just over 100 yards rushing to the last three opponents combined. After giving up 27 points to Derby in the season opener, the Cougars have surrendered just 28 points since.

Hutchinson still reigns as the top team in Kansas despite a 35-31 loss to Rockhurst of Kansas City, Mo., in week three. Injuries have devastated the Salthawks, but Hutchinson continues to show its depth by managing to fill the holes nicely. The Salthawk defense has been a bit shaky in the last two games, giving up 35 points to Rockhurst and 29 to Newton.

The Cougars haven’t played within a score of Hutchinson since a 14-7 loss in 2004.

Sacred Heart Knights (3-1) at Minneapolis Lions (3-1)

Classic Hits 104.9

Play-by-play: Clarke Sanders. Analyst: Pat Martin.

6:50pm pregame, 7pm kickoff

The Sacred Heart Knights are trying to rebound from their first loss of the season, as Beloit ran roughshod over the Knights in a 70-20 Trojan win last week. Beloit ran for 438 yards in the game on 32 carries, and ran just 37 plays to rack up 70 points and 468 yards. Beloit sprinted out to a 32-0 lead in the first quarter, and led 38-0 before the Knights got on the board. Nick Wuthnow threw for 166 yards on 6 completions in the game.

Minneapolis rebounded from a week three loss to LaCrosse by knocking off Southeast of Saline last week. Luke Eckert had the big night for Minneapolis, picking up a 51-yard touchdown run and sealed the win with a 21-yard interception return. The Lion defense has been solid in the three victories, posting two shutouts and giving up just seven points to Southeast of Saline.

Southeast of Saline Trojans (2-2) at Russell Broncos (1-3)

7pm kickoff

Southeast of Saline has alternated wins and losses this season, and the Trojans are coming off a 27-7 loss to Minneapolis last week. Turnovers were a problem for the Trojans, as they set up the Lions’ scoring drives. Southeast turned the ball over five times on four interceptions and a fumble. Southeast had a chance to get back in the game, cutting the Minneapolis lead to 7 in the third quarter, but Minneapolis pulled away in the fourth, scoring back-to-back touchdowns on a run and an interception return.

Russell picked up its first win of the year on Friday, knocking off Republic County 42-14. The Broncos pulled away in the second quarter, and coasted to the win. Dylan Walker ran for 211 yards, while freshman Chase Prester added 100 yards for the Broncos. Russell has four players over 100 yards rushing on the season.

Plainville Cardinals (2-2) at Ell-Saline Cardinals (3-1)

7pm kickoff

Ell-Saline opens district play tonight, but also continues the toughest portion of its schedule. After jumping out to a 12-0 lead against Sedgwick, Ell-Saline couldn’t hold on as Sedgwick rallied for the 19-12 win. Ell-Saline had to go to the air a little more, as Garrett Walker threw for 198 yards, and Toby Omli led the ground attack with 68 yards on just five carries.

Tonight, Plainville visits Brookville, fresh off a loss to LaCrosse. The Plainville Cardinals struggled to stop the Leopard rushing attack last week, giving up nearly 500 yards on the ground, including 356 yards to LaCrosse’s Levi Morss. Plainville lost their opener to Phillipsburg, but rebounded to pick up wins over Ellis and Norton.

Plainville knocked off Ell-Saline 32-13 last year, but Ell-Saline won 36-28 in 2010.

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