November 19, 2009

In the past three postseasons, Hutch has outscored 10 opponents by a combined score 449 to 127. No opponent has come within 21 points of Hutch.

But Carroll's got a shot, and not necessarily because of Blake Bell's 51 touchdowns this year. Carroll hasn't seen speed on defense like Hutch has; they're not going to score up and down the field as in past weeks.

They've got a shot because their defense gave up only 6 points last week to Emporia's power run game. No one has stopped Hutch this season; arguably, no one has stopped Hutch in three years. The Carroll defense has to get stops tonight, period.

Clearly, Class 5A is where Kansas' football strength resides this year. Just the same, Wichita Heights can remove the monkey from the City League's back tonight by continuing their unlikely season. Heights hasn't lost since standing at 2-4 going into district play. They have to be favored tonight at home against Derby; they've beaten them 60-14 in the past two meetings, including 27-0 three weeks ago. But, Heights has never been to a state title game and a city public school hasn't made one since 1997. There's a lot on the line.

The Jorden Oden Watch is over. The Buhler running back broke his collar bone against Rose Hill last week, ending his campaign for the hallowed 3,000-yard mark. Oden ended his senior season by nearly doubling the previous school record, rushing for 2,559 yards in 12 games. What a season for Oden.

That said, sophomore Tanner Fisher will step in at tailback. He came in for Oden late against Rose Hill in the state quarterfinal and rushed for 50 yards on 6 attempts. He broke for a 32-yard run and a touchdown. Fullback Roman Davidson has been pretty good, too; he scored four touchdowns last week. Buhler will be just fine at Hayden tonight.

The Collegiate football team let out a collective sigh when senior wide receiver Brett LeMaster was cleared to play in their sub-state match-up at 9-3 Norton. LeMaster and a core of the Collegiate senior class who play football and basketball have now won 38 consecutive games, dating back to last year's basketball season. The drive to Nebraska, I mean Norton, will be a challenge, but after last week the Spartans showed they're a tough football team.