Prospect Matchup: KC Area Sectional Preview

<p>As each week passes by in the postseason the stakes are becoming higher and higher. Especially with <em>Championship Saturday</em> now just two weeks aways. With a shot at advancing to <em>Sub-State</em>, folks can expect to see some thrilling games this evening.</p>   <p>That is sure to be the case in the Kansas City area and surrounding counties. In this <em>Sectional Round</em> edition of <em>Prospect Matchup</em> we'll be previewing five games taking place around the area ranging from Class 6A to Class 4A. These five games each have a compelling storyline to go along with the matchup. It will be interesting to see who will come out on top and punch their ticket to <em>Sub-State</em>. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 6A Sectionals</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Blue Valley NW (7-3) @ Gardner-Edgerton (9-1)</em></h2>   <p>This first preview is a rematch of last year's Class 6A <em>Sectional Round</em> game. The Blue Valley Northwest Huskies are looking to even the score this year, but the reigning 6A champions have their sights set on their third straight <em>Sub-State</em> appearance. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2>   <p>Both defenses have been stifling through their first two playoff games, and they'll likely be relied on heavily in this matchup. So two key defenders to watch will be seniors <strong>Luke Wolverton</strong> (BVNW) and [player_tooltip player_id='1398050' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] (GE). The Huskies will need their leading tackler to be disciplined against a very dynamic Trailblazer offense. Wolverton has 13 total tackles and one forced fumble through Northwest's first two playoff games. Gardner-Edgerton will look to make a statement in the trenches with Williams. He's a 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive lineman that excels at clogging running lanes.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Shawnee Mission NW (8-2) @ Blue Valley West (9-1)</em></h2>   <p>These two squads have faced each other in the postseason twice since the ‘21 campaign, with one of those matchups being a thrilling shootout that went down to the wire. However, BVW won both of those meetings leaving SMNW with a bitter taste in their mouths. That should give the Cougars extra motivation heading into this game, but the Jaguars are hopeful to continue their second best season in program history.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2>   <p>Two key players that will greatly impact this game are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1213993' first='Harper' last='Engel'] (SMNW) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618190' first='Wayne' last='Carter']</strong> (BVW). Engel's presence off the edge will be huge for the Cougars. He has a team-leading 19 tackles for loss, so look for him to be disruptive in BVW's backfield. Speaking of the Jaguars' backfield, look for BVW to try and get Carter going early. Carter rushed for 186 yards and one score during Regionals.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 5A Sectionals</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Mill Valley (9-1) @ St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0)</em></h2>   <p>This is the game folks around the metro hoped to see when Aquinas announced their move back to Class 5A earlier this year. These two programs have had several battles in the postseason over the past decade, and typically the winner has advanced to the state championship. This year's <em>Sectional Round </em>matchup between Mill Valley and Aquinas could be more of the same. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2>   <p>One thing folks in attendance can count on is for both squads to pound the rock. Their running styles may be different, but they're both equally effective. For Aquinas they'll be relying on their backfield tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='267076' first='Calin' last='Arndt'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632544' first='Elzie' last='Slaughter']</strong>. Mill Valley on the other hand will utilize the quarterback-running back duo of [player_tooltip player_id='442620' first='Connor' last='Bohon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1310981' first='Reggie' last='Reece'].</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Blue Valley North (3-7) @ St. James Academy (5-5)</em></h2>   <p>This game is being overlooked a bit by the one above, but it's another intriguing matchup from the East side of the 5A bracket. For the most part the rivalry between <em>EKL</em> foes Blue Valley North and St. James Academy has been fairly entertaining. St. James has however gotten the better of North lately. But it is always difficult to beat a rival twice in one season. With both teams riding high into this one things could get interesting.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2>   <p>In a rivalry game playmakers are expected to step up, and two that are sure to make an impact are [player_tooltip player_id='1513280' first='Frankie' last='Tryban'] (BVN) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618287' first='Aidan' last='Dreiling']</strong> (SJA). Tryban is North's top offensive weapon, and he's rushed for 288 yards through the first two weeks of the postseason. Dreiling is one of St. James' top defenders, and he'll be tasked with helping slow Tryban down. He heads into the game with over 50 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss on the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 4A Sectionals</span></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Lansing (6-4) @ Tonganoxie (7-3)</em></h2>   <p>A <em>Sectional Round</em> game that isn't receiving enough buzz is the matchup of former league rivals Lansing and Tonganoxie. These programs used to trade blows back in their <em>Kaw Valley League</em> days, and this matchup will be their first meeting since the 2020 season. Both squads are sure to be eager to get reacquainted.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2>   <p>Prospects folks will want to keep an eye on in this one will be <strong>Jaxon Pollard</strong> (Lansing) and [player_tooltip player_id='442667' first='Talon' last='Langford'] (Tongie). Pollard has come on strong for Lansing over the past month. The sophomore has been fed the ball 128 times over Lansing's last four games. It's safe to say he will see plenty of touches. For Tongie, Langford's dual-threat ability will be key. In Tongie's <em>Regional Round</em> win over Fort Scott, Langford accounted for 271 yards of total offense and three passing touchdowns.</p>

As each week passes by in the postseason the stakes are becoming higher and higher. Especially with Championship Saturday now just two weeks aways. With a shot at advancing to Sub-State, folks can expect to see some thrilling games this evening.