Playoff Opening Games: 4A and 3A Previews

In a little more than 48 hours the 2024 playoffs will kick into overdrive as thousands of Kansas football players go to war on gridirons across the state.   The regular season is the warm-up to the real season, the playoffs - the season within a season - where the single-elimination pressure is on to run the gauntlet for the playoff's top prize.   There are a number of critical success factors that play into winning a state championship. Having the horsepower to impose your will on the field is a big part, obviously, as is staying healthy during the playoff run.   There is also the dreaded "bracket factor" that has impact even before the players take the field. Every year it seems like half of the bracket is disproportionately loaded with high-ranked squads or teams hitting their stride late in the season.   In this report we will take a look at a couple of brackets - 4A and 3A - which appear to fit that pattern. In the 3A west bracket, the upper part of the bracket half features #1 ranked Andale, #4 Collegiate, #5 and defending state-champion Cheney; in 4A it is similar in the west, as #2 Andover Central, #3 Wellington and #6 Kapaun make up a buzzsaw of a bracket half   All of those teams have been playing well enough during the regular season to have arguably been considered to be a top seed.   As it is, there are landmines scattered all over the next few games, and that is just surviving to take on the victors from the other half of the bracket.   So, without further adieu, let's jump into a high-level preview of these brutal 3A and 4A playoffs.   4A   The 4A bracket as a whole is brutal as along with the teams mentioned above, #1 seeded Wamego looms large as well as a couple of scrappy 6-2 teams, Mulvane and Buhler.   But, first things first. On the other side of the bracket half, there are three early games that will shape the course of these playoffs, as #2 Andover Central opens with #15 El Dorado, #3 Wellington vs Ulysses, and #6 Kapaun against #11 Rose Hill.   A potential match up of Wellington and Kapaun is an incredibly tough second-round game, and it doesn't get any easier after that.   But, before I get into the weeds on the matchups let's shift gears and take a quick look at some of star players hitting the field in the above-mentioned games:   [player_tooltip player_id='1322065' first='Logan' last='Taggart']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-taggart/"></a> , 6'3, 225, LB/TE, Andover Central, '25 wrapped up the regular season with 54 tackles, averaging nine tackles a game, and added nine tackles for loss so far. He can play all three LB spots and has been a headhunter this year for the AC defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1264072' first='Colton' last='Bannister']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/colton-bannister/"></a> , 5'11, 190, LB, Wellington, '26 is off and running on another big year after a breakout season a year ago as a ball busting sophomore linebacker. So far this year he has piled up 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack in helping lead a tough Crusader defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1362958' first='Levi' last='McLaughlin']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/levi-mclaughlin/"></a> , 6'3, 185, DB/WR, Rose Hill, '27 is a rising young-gun star who is coming into his own this year as a sophomore starter defensive back. He has prototype size and speed for a d-back and so far has accumulated 40 tackles, numerous pass breakup's and forced fumbles as he and the other Rockets gear up for the playoffs.   3A   On the other side of the bracket half in class 3A, the three key games kicking off the playoffs will be #1 Andale vs. #16 Concordia; #4 Collegiate vs. #13 Colby; and #5 Cheney vs. #12 Wichita Trinity.   This sets up a potentially intriguing rematch between Collegiate and Cheney. In the regular season the Spartans thumped the Cardinals 31-7 to give them their lone loss on the season.   And, as I did above, let's get to the important stuff - the unsung studs flying under the radar getting ready to go to war for the 3A crown.   [player_tooltip player_id='285710' first='Landon' last='Harp']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-harp/"></a> , 6'0, 205, RB/LB, Andale '25, is a tough, slashing running back and a top-end defensive back who has led the powerful Andale running attack this year. In their recent victory over unbeaten Hesston he scored four first-half TD's as the Indians clinched district with 60-14 thrashing.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115446' first='AJ' last='Quick'], 5'11, 240, C/OL, Cheney '25 is a returning all-state center and 3-year starter who has dominated all year as the anchor of a standout offensive line for the defending state champions. He plays a smart game, using leverage and technique to dominate in the trenches and will be a key factor in achieving the title repeat.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228459' first='Casen' last='Carroll']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/casen-carroll/"></a> , 6'2, 180, QB, Colby, '25 – has been a dual-threat playmaker so far this year, accumulating 2,000+ total yards, throwing for 1,879 yards and 14 passing touchdowns to go with 280 yards rushing and another touchdown. With his big, athletic receivers these guys are a dangerous draw.   In conclusion, these matchup's and the associated players are too good not to get out and see them play live in the playoffs. Time is running out if you want to see them in 2024. And, as always, if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar, feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

In a little more than 48 hours the 2024 playoffs will kick into overdrive as thousands of Kansas football players go to war on gridirons across the state.