2025 Season Finale: 6A and 2A State Title Previews

Santino Bernal November 27, 2025 @ 10:44 AM

It all comes down to this ladies and gentlemen. After months of preparation, all the blood, sweat and tears have led to this moment. The right to be called ‘State Champion' is on the line for 18 teams across nine classification levels in the Sunflower State.   There are going to be some absolute battles happening this weekend. But in this report, I wanted to highlight championship matchups from Class 6A and Class 2A. One of these contests is a rematch from last year's state title game. Meanwhile the other matchup features a program looking to make history, and another on a path to redemption.    Here's a preview of these two big-time matchups, and a look at some players that could make an impact.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A: Olathe Northwest (9-3) vs. Manhattan (10-2) </h2>   The Class 6A state championship game has produced some thrilling finishes in recent years. This game's three previous contests have come down to the wire, as they each were decided by one score. The next edition of the 6A title game is a matchup between the Olathe Northwest Ravens and the Manhattan Indians.   Manhattan has appeared in two of the past three title games, but for ONW, this stage of the postseason is uncharted territory. The Ravens head into Saturday's matchup battle tested though. On this postseason run, the Ravens have taken down top-seeded teams such as Olathe West and reigning 6A champion Gardner-Edgerton. It's looking like they're the team of destiny this season, but they'll have to take down a powerhouse program to claim their first state championship. This year's Manhattan squad has been driven by redemption. Since winning the championship in 2022, the Indians have come up short in back to back seasons. These storylines make for an intriguing matchup.    These two squads have some notable players on their rosters. But the play of Jackson Connell (Jr.) and Finn Watson (Sr.) could be the difference maker in this one. Connell is a standout two-way prospect for Northwest, and he's a key leader for the Ravens' defense. The junior has made some big plays during Northwest's postseason run. For Manhattan, Watson is the signal caller to an offense that is averaging just over 46 points per game this postseason. The senior quarterback will need to take care of the football against Northwest. During the playoffs the Ravens have limited opposing teams to under 16 points per game.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A: Southeast of Saline (12-0) vs. Nemaha Central (12-0)</h2>   There could be a case made that the top matchup of the weekend is taking place in Class 2A. It doesn't get much better than two dominant programs facing off. Over the past four seasons SE of Saline and Nemaha Central have been two of the premier programs in the 2A ranks. The Saline Trojans and the Thunder of NC have combined for 95 wins and three state titles during that stretch.   They've essentially been on a collision course since the final whistle of the 2024 Class 2A championship game. In that game the Trojans spoiled the Thunder's attempt at a three-peat as they won 36-28. Now the two meet yet again and both are determined to stay unbeaten.    It's no secret that seniors [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'] (NC) and [player_tooltip player_id='1229095' first='Grady' last='Gebhardt'] (SES) headline this title game. The two put on a show in 2024 and this year's matchup should be more of the same. Hajek heads into Saturday as one of the most decorated players in the state, and he's rushed for over 2,000 yards for a third straight year. Gebhardt has been just as impressive this fall. In his final high school season he's accumulated over 2,500 all-purpose yards and 43 total touchdowns.

It all comes down to this ladies and gentlemen. After months of preparation, all the blood, sweat and tears have led to this moment. The right to be called ‘State Champion' is on the line for 18 teams across nine classification levels in the Sunflower State.