It's the most wonderful time of the year! That is correct, it is time for to officially begin as the Kansas State playoffs for classes 4A and smaller get underway tonight. Five area teams are competing in the smaller classes while Salina South gets in on the action Friday night. There is the potential for some great games in the area as 8-1 Hope battles 9-0 Beloit-St. John's and one loss Southeast of Saline travels to undefeated Hutchinson Trinity. Overall regular season record, 19-11. Our coverage begins tonight at 6:05 with a special edition of Inside High School Football on Sports Radio 1150 - KSAL.

Ell-Saline vs. Bennington

Sports Radio 1150 - KSAL

Pregame 6:50/Kickoff 7:00

The Ell-Saline Cardinals are on a missions to get past the second round playoffs and best last year's post-season run. The Cardinals also have the motivation of a potential rematch against Ellis in the second round, the team that knocked Ell-Saline out of the playoffs one year ago. Bennington enters tonight game looking for some offense after being shut out at Minneapolis Thursday night in mud bowl conditions. These teams are also familiar, with Ell-Saline winning a week three match-up 58 to 13.

Prediction - Bennington is a much better team than they were in week three, however Ell-Saline seems focused and is starting to get healthy again and I don't see much reason things should turnout much differently than the first contest. Ell-Saline 40 Bennington 21.

Hope @ St. John's-Beloit

Oldies Radio 98.5

Pregame 6:50/Kickoff 7:00

The Hope Lions are no strangers to post-season play, however they face a stiff test in the opening round of the playoffs as they must travel to Beloit and take on undefeated St. John's. Hope has bucked the some common 8-man trends en route to an 8-1 start, relying on their defense and running game and eating clock up, rather than relying on the quick score. St. John's also features a power running attack, however they are filled with big play potential, both on offense and special teams, and Hope can not afford to make mistakes or give up the big play.

Prediction - Hope's tradition will only go so far, and if they were playing a young opponent, then that might be enough to make the difference, but that is not the case with St. John's as they are a Senior led team that will not fold late in the game. Hope just does not have the offense weapons to close this one out, St. John's 35 Hope 21.

Minneapolis vs. Sterling

Classic Hits 104.9

Pregame 6:50/Kickoff 7:00

Minneapolis has reeled off four straight wins while surrendering a paltry 19 points over that span. Sterling enters tonight's game having won two out of three against lesser competition, while also suffering a sound beating at the hands of Ell-Saline. Sterling features a wishbone option attack, however Minneapolis has been good at stifling one dimensional teams. The one thing in favor of Sterling is that teams from the MCAA have played very well against the NCAA this year...see Southeast of Saline vs. Hillsboro and Marion, and Hillsboro vs. Sacred Heart...going 2-1.

Prediction - Minneapolis should have too much offense for Sterling to handle, Minneapolis 28 Sterling 7.

Southeast of Saline vs. Hutchinson Trinity

Hutchinson

Kickoff 7:00

8-1 Southeast of Saline and 9-0 Hutch Trinity should be one of the best match-ups of the night as it is unfortunate that Kansas' playoff system pits these teams against each other in the first round. Class 3A is stacked with great competition as Conway Springs and Garden Plain are also good as they always are, so Southeast is going to have to knock off some good competition sooner or later anyway. The Trojans have been focused since losing to Hillsboro in week one of district play, and one common argument against Hutch Trinity is that they are overrated because they play in the Heart of America League which consists mainly of 2A teams.

Prediction - Hutch Trinity is good, there is not doubt about that regardless of their schedule, but Southeast is a good team too. Honestly this game is as close as a coin flip, so I'll take the local kids in the upset. Southeast of Saline 31 Hutch Trinity 28.