3A West Sectional Preview: Holcomb Rolls into Scott City

This week we will be three games deep in the 2024 Playoffs and with each step taken the games get more intriguing. Particularly in the brutal 3A West bracket-half, which was overloaded from the start.   And, in that bracket-half, most of the attention will be on the top part, with defending state champion Cheney, fresh off a revenge victory over Collegiate, 14-6, the only team to beat them in the last 24 games, rolling into #1-ranked Andale to face an undefeated Indian team that has categorically destroyed the competition all year regardless of classification.   Andale will be looking for a little revenge of their own, as last year Cheney snapped Andale's 57-game winning streak in the regular season and then put an exclamation point on it by knocking off the Indians again later that year in the playoffs on their way to the 3A Title.   However, there is another game in this half of the bracket that may be just as intriguing but since it is out in western Kansas, may not be getting the exposure it deserves.   In this report, we will take a closer look at the referenced big game out west, when (8-2) Holcomb travels to (9-1) Scott City, with the winner playing whoever survives the Andale-Cheney street fight.   So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at these two balling 3A playoff teams:   (7-2) Holcomb   The Longhorns have been flying under the radar most of the season even though they have played some light's-out ball. After absorbing an opening-game loss to Cheney, they would only lose one other game the rest of the regular season. That loss was in early October and it was against the guys they play tonight, the Scott City Beavers, 9-0, in a slugfest.   Since then they have reeled off four straight wins, including last week's 21-14 victory over an 8-1 Rock Creek team.   The Longhorns have been led this year by the one-two punch of running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1398429' first='Korbin' last='Johnson'], 5'11, 190, RB, '25, who has piled up 1,100 yards rushing on 162 carries and 14 touchdowns. He also added another 376 receiving yards on 24 receptions and six TD's to give him 1,476 total yards and 20 touchdowns to date; and QB [player_tooltip player_id='1398426' first='Keegan' last='Johnson'], 5'9, 175, '25, who has been a dual-threat ace all year, completing 99 of 177 passes for eight touchdowns, and added 285 yards rushing and seven TD's for just under 1,800 total yards and 15 touchdowns .   Also coming up big on offense has been receiver Jareh Herrel, 6'3, 170, '25, a long, lanky wide out with a large catch radius who hauled in 24 passes for 354 yards and a score; and freshman star-in-the-making [player_tooltip player_id='1433319' first='Cooper' last='Cranston']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-cranston/"></a> , 6'0, 180, ATH '28, who is ranked #16 overall in the '28 class. A versatile playmaker already, he has done a little of everything in his first year, completing six of nine passes for 47 yards, added 143 yards rushing on 16 carries, and caught 15 passes for 353 yards for 545 total yards and seven TD's. He also had 66 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions on defense.   On defense, besides Cranston, the Longhorns are anchored by future D1-mauler [player_tooltip player_id='716775' first='Drayton' last='Knoll']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drayton-knoll/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drayton-knoll/"></a> , 6'5, 305, OL/DL, '25, who is getting significant attention from Utah State, K-State and others. The powerful trench warrior has dominated with his size and athleticism on both sides of the ball all year. He trained with legendary Coach James Tabor with @PIAthletes getting ready for his senior season and it has reaped dividends.   Holcomb is going to need all of the above horsepower to avenge their earlier loss and earn the right to move deeper into the 2024 post-season.     (9-1) Scott City   The Scott City Beavers have been a team on a mission this year and after an early-season loss to Colorado power, Wray HS, who is currently 10-0 and highly ranked in Colorado, have been a dominant squad. So far this year they are undefeated in the state of Kansas and are battled tested after a number of hard-fought games. Last week the Beavers won a fist-fight with Hesston, 9-7, to move on and earn a rematch with Holcomb.   The Scott City team has some serious star power in four-sport stud [player_tooltip player_id='1115096' first='Jackson' last='Rumford']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jackson-rumford/"></a> , 6'6, 245, ATH, '25, a Kansas State-commit and a DE/TE, multi-positional player who appears to be able to do anything he puts his mind to. He is not only an all-state football player, but a versatile standout in hoops, a scratch golfer and missile-slinging javelin thrower in his spare time.   Also, grabbing a share of the spot light is dual-threat senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1115099' first='Camden' last='Vulgamore']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/camden-vulgamore/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/camden-vulgamore/"></a> , 6'1, 180, '25 who is a talented playmaker in his own right and also a Kansas State-commit. Not only is he one of the best quarterbacks in western Kansas, he is also one of the state's fastest in the 400 meters, with a scorching 48-flat and also pole vaulted just under 15 feet.   Additionally, stepping up on offense this year has been running back Kelton Cook, 5'9,165, RB, '25 who earlier in the season showed his potential with a seven-carry game totaling 173 yards and a pair of TD's, including an electrifying 80-yard TD-run to bust open the second half and help lock down his team's win.   With all this talent on the field and both teams seemingly peaking at the right time, this one is going to provide plenty of fireworks to light up the western-Kansas sky tonight. If you are in the neighborhood swing on by and catch this one, you won't be disappointed.   And, as always, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar, give me a shout via DM on X.

This week we will be three games deep in the 2024 Playoffs and with each step taken the games get more intriguing. Particularly in the brutal 3A West bracket-half, which was overloaded from the start.