Where will you be this week (11-17)?
Nov. 17, 2008 @ 11:09 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
Here’s the weekly version of where will you be — I know where I’ll be this week. Firmly planted in my seat writing basketball previews. And football stories. Should be fun.
But I want to know where you will be.
Not a whole lot of football games to choose from this week, but the ones in the area are definitely some good ones.
Let’s start off with Class 6A this week.
Junction City at Derby: Derby definitely took it to Northwest last week, putting up big numbers offensively — scoring 41 unanswered! — and forcing Northwest to throw and play catchup. Quarterback Jake Snodgrass was the leading rusher and he threw for 145 yards, too.
(I had a caller who thinks I’m a jinx, though — said that we’ve written about Bryce Brown and Demarcus Robinson, and Derby shut them both down. I don’t know about shut down, although Robinson did get hurt after rushing for nearly 100 yards by the second quarter. Anyway, this caller said we are a jinx, so stay away from Derby and Aaron Wilson. He didn’t leave a number, otherwise I would have told him that we did a Getting to Know feature on Wilson — and Derby lost to Heights. Really, folks, that’s coincidence!)
Back to the game. Junction City is really big, and I think Derby will have some problems on the lines with those big, athletic players. The Blue Jays also have some speedy backs, including Jimmie King (we were trying to figure out if he was named after the Fab Five Jimmy King — he probably was born about the time as the Fab Five). Quarterback Ty Zimmerman has been having an outstanding season, but he didn’t even have to do much throwing against Heights. I think he is dangerous.
It should be a good game, though. I’m not making a pick yet. OK, I’ll take Derby.
Onto 5A, with Hutchinson at McPherson. It’s a rematch game, and I’m taking Hutchinson again. McPherson had a great win last week against Bishop Carroll, I’m sure taking many of us (myself included) by surprise. The Pups are playing well, but no one stops Hutchinson the rest of the way. Hutchinson beats Mac and wins the 5A title.
And in 4A, there’s a rematch of the quarterfinals in 2007 with Topeka Hayden at Andale. I’m loving the idea of this game — I’ll be there. Andale has been playing awfully well, and seems to have all aspects of its game working perfectly. Stopping Hayden will be tough, though. TJ McGreevy is the real deal at quarterback, and Hayden’s only loss this season is to Junction City (11-0). (Andale lost once, to Winfield). I’ll take Hayden in this game, but I do think it’s a toss-up, especially considering the fact that Andale is at home and Andale is the two-time defending champ.
In 3A, we’ve got Garden Plain at Conway Springs, another rematch game. Garden Plain is coming off a tough, come-from-behind victory at Scott City. What a great win for the Owls, and that may have given Garden Plain something even more important that a victory — I think that kind of win can really give so much confidence and momentum, that it can carry it through any difficulties. Conway Springs has been on fire since the playoffs have begun, though, and I don’t think it stops. It’s tough to beat a team twice in a season — especially a close rival — but I’m still taking Garden Plain.
In the rest of the state — and actually not too far from here — there’s plenty of good games going on, too.
8-Man I and 8-Man II championships are this weekend. In 8-Man I, Baileyville (12-0) will play Clifton-Clyde (11-1), while in 8-Man II, Hanover (11-1) will play Victoria (12-0).
In 6A, the other semifinal is Lawrence Free State at Blue Valley. In 5A, it’s St. Thomas Aquinas and Gardner-Edgerton (STA won this game early in the year at home). In 4A it’s Holton at Perry-Lecompton; in 3A it’s RIverton at Silver Lake. In 2-1A, Olpe will host Pittsburg Colgan, while Smith Center is at Meade.
It’s a good week with some big games, so which ones are you interested in? And where will you be?
November 17th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hayden at Andale. Although JC at Derby is closer and will be a good one too.
Predictions? I thought you’d never ask…
6A: Blue Valley and Junction City advance. JC wins title.
5A: Aquinas and Hutch advance. Hutch wins title.
4A: Hayden and Holton advance. Hayden wins title.
3A: Garden Plain and Silver Lake advance. GP wins title.
2-1A: Smith Center and Colgan advance. Smith Center wins title.
8-Man D1: Baileyville over Clifton.
8-Man D2: Hanover over Victoria.
Mark it down.
Maybe.
Unless it doesn’t happen.
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I know you hate XC and everything, but why no mention of Mackenzie Maki taking 16th at NXN Heartland Regionals in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday. She qualified individually for Nationals in Portland, Oregon. Congratulations, Mackenzie! And good luck in Portland!
All the Kansas girls ran well, especially since this was probably their first 5K ever and we’re 2 weeks removed from the season. The Kansas State Meet needs to be changed to a 5K for the girls and at least a 6K for the guys.
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
G — I had intended on doing a separate post on it (I was sent the info this morning), but since you took care of it for me, now I don’t have to. Thanks!
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
No problem, didn’t figure it was coming anytime soon anyways.
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
All righty then.
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’m trying to decide whether to go to mac and watch the hutch game, or go to andale. As for predictions:
6a: blue valley and junction advance, with junction winning the title
5a: hutch and gardner advance, hutch wins it all
4a: andale and horton advance, andale wins it all
3a: conway and silver lake advance, conway wins it all
2a: smith center and colgan advance, smith center wins it all
8man I: Baileyville wins the title even though clifton has a very strong running team
8man II: victoria wins big…they’ve played in quite a few big games already
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November 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
The tension is awkward between the lone cross country fan and everyone else. Someone break the ice.
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November 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Who is Mackenzie Maki and where does she go to school? Who were the other Kansas girls there?
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November 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Joanna:
Thank goodness you picked Derby so we don’t have to hear them talk about how you disrespect them by picking against them week after week. Their I took the heat off of everybody about the X country stuff, now Derby fans can say how much I hate derby. Now we can have our weekly back and forth. I sure am going to miss football season when it is over.
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November 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Clarifying the statement: how everyone hates derby. Now we can have our weekly back and forth between the derby supporters and derby opponents.
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November 17th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
CHSfan- Mackenzie Maki is a sophomore at KMC, transferred from somewhere in Montana? And she’s the 5A individual state champion. Joanna wrote a nice “Getting to Know” article on her earlier in the year. Other Kansas girls there were Shelby Smithhisler, Taylor Scott, and Ivy Wellman from Belle Plaine. Derby girls ran as a team with Emily Hornbeck, Amber Green, Laura Burke, Tori Lewis, Samantha Bartlett, Valerie Nielson, and Claire Cox.
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November 17th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Actually wildcat98, Joanna hasn’t picked against Derby in awhile. I’ve been reading most of the comments on the blog and really haven’t read much about Derby fans saying how Joanna dispected Derby by not picking them. You know I went through the 0-9 season and 1-8 season at Derby and now that were finally coming around it seems like everyone just dogs us and hates us and I’m quite frankly tired of it. I don’t know why people hate Derby so much. No one has any idea how hard they have worked to get where they are. I believe Derby is one of the hardest working teams in the state. There shouldn’t be any reason for people to “hate” Derby. They haven’t done anything to deserve that. I’m not saying you have to like them, but I feel as though you should respect them and give them credit for what they’ve done this season and not put them done or disrespect them in comments.
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November 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
V, Wow, someone with a good memory. I haven’t picked against Derby since the Hutchinson game.
I don’t know what it is with the haters toward Derby. But we had the same problem here with the Bryce Brown haters last year. I’m glad they went away.
I do think that a couple commenters have latched onto a couple Derby fans who might or might not be trash-talking. I almost put trash-talking in quotes because I haven’t really seen it.
But I think that there’s always going to be haters when you’re good. Sad, but true. Instead of being happy for the successful ones, people dislike them.
The only team I do that with is Duke. And I’m not even sure why anymore. I think it dates back to the 1970s, though, and my brothers pounding it into my head. Of course, I do the same with my boys and the Cowboys and Packers. Go figure. Then again, I’m not on any blogs hating the Packer and Cowboy fans.
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November 17th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Lol well I’m just tired of my boys not getting the respect that they have finally deserved. I played for Derby for 4 years, went through 3 coaches (Aslin, Bliss, and now Clark), and I know the hard work that I have put into Derby football and I know how hard they have worked. I’m not gonna say that I like Hutch or Goddard, but I’m not gonna come on a blog and start talking trash. You know they always say, do the talking on the field. I just hate seeing that and just had to say something about it.
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November 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
hmm.. doesnt look like many people are lovin derby this week. well ill be in the drumline section at home again this week in derby rootin on my panthers. i feel we are very capable of winning this game. not saying its a shutout or a sure thing, but we were on fire last week. keep that rolling, and we could see a state title. a great game for sure, im callin it the game of the night easily. i feel there will be a little need for vengeance for derby, they were kicked out in the first round by JC last year. if you’re team isnt in the playoffs anymore and you want to sit out in the cold and see a good game of football come out to derby, you wont regret it
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November 17th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Their are a lot of those “vengeance” type games this week. Mac-Hutch, Conway Springs-Garden Plain, Derby-JC, etc. If ESPN were running the show they would call it “Great Plains, Great Time For Payback” or something kooky like that.
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November 17th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I remember that night when we lost to JC, very sad night. But come Friday, those Blue Jays better be ready for the Panthers to come out and play.
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November 17th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
V says i hope Derby wins and takes state i am a hutch fan but it would be fun if 6-A and 5-A were won by derby and hutch would make avctl-1 look good! We can dislike each other during season but we should be for each other now!
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November 17th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I’m not sure who all was at South Dakota for the XC meet, but Maki ran awesome! She was in the top 3 for the first mile to mile in a half along with Katie Flood (8th Place at Footlocker Nationals last year and one of the top 5 returning runners in the nation) and Ashlie Decker (Beat Flood in the Iowa State meet running a sub 14 min. 4k) I can’t wait to see how she does in Portland. Good luck Mackenzie!
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November 17th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Not sure about the Derby hating. I don’t see it so much. So there might be a few out there, but who cares. V sounds like those guys that complain about their team getting no respect, but they do, and they just don’t recognize it. “No one has any idea how hard they have worked to get where they are.” Yes, I think most people do. It’s not something that is exclusive to Derby players. They all work hard. Congrats to Derby for a good season so far, and may it continue.
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November 18th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Wildcat98 - I too will hate to see the FB season end. I could watch HS FB all year. I have been checking teams to get an idea of their starting line up next year.
My Fav. team Mulvane second Derby. With all the seniors gone it will be hard to say. Hope Mulvane does better next year they are loosing 14 seniors. May be worse.
And I hope Derby wins it all.
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November 18th, 2008 at 9:58 am
i will be at the Junction City at derby game friday night….Lusious Lou can we sit together???
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November 18th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Anyone know where the TE for JC from last year went to school? He absolutely destroyed Derby last year. Every time JC needed yards, they’d run a seam to the TE (who was like 6′9″ and 250+). Heck of a HS football player. Just curious to see how he’s doing in college.
Should be a good game Friday. The test will be whether Derby’s d-line and linebackers can control the front seven. JC’s line is big and explosive. It will be fun to watch.
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November 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I’ve been trying to find out the same thing INULIN ARMY. That kid was impressive!!! Along with a few other 6′6″ -6′8″ kids.
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November 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Well derby no I’m not one of those guys who complains about their team getting no respect. This is my first time actually ever saying anything about this but I don’t like seeing people say how much everyone hates Derby thats all. I guess you don’t understand or hold that same pride that I do. And Inulin Army I don’t know where he went to college at but his name is Colby Kamm. Btw he was only 6′4, at least thats what Rivals has his listed as and it doesn’t say any college choices or anything like that so who knows.
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November 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
From trying to figure out where Colby Kamm went to school at I discovered that he was also a standout in basketball and baseball.
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November 18th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Colby Kamm went to Northwest Missouri State for college. I am pretty sure he is there playing tight end. I know that I am going to be in Derby this weekend and am looking forward to seeing some quality, disciplined high school football. Unlike what I saw from Wichita Heights and Wichita North against my Junction City Blue Jays this Friday. GO JAYS!!
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November 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Junction City Fan, come with an appetite! The Panther Pack serves up pretty good pork chops, hamburgers, and hot dogs with all the trimmings. Should be a good game!
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November 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Mmmm, I love the Panther Pack.
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November 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
who does’nt haha
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November 18th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Best food in the avctl-1 and maybe the state! YUM!
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Junction city fan
did you go to the derby jc game last year? does jc have very many starters back?
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November 19th, 2008 at 12:03 am
i thnk they have most of them…hopefully not that huge tight end that absolutely killed us last year
its gonna be a good game either way though
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November 19th, 2008 at 12:28 am
No that TE graduated last year. They still have the same QB from last year and their O Line is still big and good. But other than that I don’t know who else from last year is still starting or if they graduated.
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