3A Run For the Title: West Bracket Half

As expected, the 3A playoff bracket as a whole is daunting. Both halves feature multiple teams capable of claiming the state title.   In this report, we will zero in on the top-half of the West Bracket, where #1-seeded Andale (9-0) is hosting #8-seed Clay Center (5-4) on Thursday. In the same part of the bracket, #4-seed Collegiate will host #5-seed Cheney, with the winner advancing to a potential blockbuster game in round three if things play out as expected.   On the other side of the West Bracket, #2-seed Rock Creek (8-1) hosts #7 Holcomb (7-2), while #3-seed Scott City (8-1) hosts #6-seed Hesston (8-1). Four battle-tested teams with three sitting at eight wins and only a single loss. This bracket-half playoff action is going to be a brutal fistfight before it is all said and done.   But, back to the top half, the top-ranked Andale Indians are a team on a mission this year, after not winning the state title last year for the first time since 2018. A year ago, another team on a mission, the Cheney Cardinals, not only snapped the Indian's 57-game winning streak in the regular season, but turned around and beat them again in the playoffs on their way to the 3A State Championship.   Cheney is back in the playoffs to defend their title, with all-state QB, [player_tooltip player_id='570171' first='Josh' last='Burdick'], 6'0, 185, QB, '25 leading the way. After a breakout season a year ago when he was one of the top gunslingers in the state, he has had another apex season, piling up 2,200+ total yards and 28 TD's.   He has been protected all year by a strong offensive line led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1213987' first='Garren' last='Campbell'], 6'4, 280, OL, '25, a bulldozer in the run game, with good feet and hands in pass pro; and [player_tooltip player_id='1213985' first='Kolton' last='Rohloff'], 6'0, 265, OL, '25, a versatile, two-way mauler in the trenches who hits like a sledgehammer. Along with all-state center [player_tooltip player_id='1115446' first='AJ' last='Quick'], 5'10, 240, OL, '25, they form a strong nucleus that enables the Cardinal skill players to shine.   But, even with a roster full of standout players, Cheney has their work cut out for them as they are facing the only team that has defeated them in the last two years, the dangerous Collegiate Spartans. Earlier in the year, Collegiate manhandled the Cardinals 31-7. Ouch.   Since then the Spartans have continued to surge, winning their last two games, including the opening game of the post-season, 104-0. In their last four games they have won by a combined score of 170-7. These guys are peaking at the right time.   On offense, Collegiate is led by dual-threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1552946' first='Harrison' last='Simon'], 5'10, 175, QB/DB, '25, a multi-positional athlete who can beat you with his legs or his arm; and [player_tooltip player_id='1348451' first='Julian' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/julian-johnson-3/"></a> 5'9, 170, RB, '26, a slashing running back who is a threat to take it to the house on every play.   On the other side of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='716118' first='Tristan' last='Sprole'], 6'1, 240, DL '25, is a headhunter of a defender who slams the door shut on the opposing team's run game between the tackles and has helped the team shut out the opposition four times this year.   Circling back to the gorilla in the room, as strong as many of the contenders are, Andale appears to be the prohibitive favorite to ring the bell again this year. Led by two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='1115494' first='Cooper' last='Marx'], 6'1, 225, RB/LB, '25, who has dominated on both sides of the ball all season, these guys are locked in.   Also playing well down the stretch has been quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1236247' first='Sam' last='Harp'], 5'10, 180 '26, a dual-threat playmaker who runs the Indian offense to perfection; and his brother, senior [player_tooltip player_id='285710' first='Landon' last='Harp'], 5'11, 190, RB/LB '25, a bruising tailback on offense and a linebacker who will hit you in the mouth on defense.   The Indians haven't been challenged since the second game of the year when they knocked off 4A Wellington.   The next couple of weeks are going to provide some of the best football of the year in 3A. Stay tuned!   In conclusion, these teams and their respective players are too good not to get out and see perform. As such, don't give it another thought, just act. Grab your winter coat, gloves and a hat, snag a poncho and some galoshes just in case, pick up a bottle of water and a bag of M&M's for sustenance, toss the pile in your trunk and head out to the closest playoff game before it is too late. You can thank me later.   And, as always, if you run across any teams/players flying under the radar, give me a shout via DM on X.

As expected, the 3A playoff bracket as a whole is daunting. Both halves feature multiple teams capable of claiming the state title.