Western Kansas Warpath: Colby travels to Hugoton

With all the great games in the Sunflower state in week 4, it would be easy to overlook a key 3A match-up way out west. We're talking way west, almost to the Colorado border. But you're going to want to stay on top of this grudge match between two standout teams .   It is also a battle of the unbeaten Eagles - the Hugoton Eagles hosting the Colby Eagles.   The battle for Eagle superiority gets going in less than 12 hours as 3-0 Colby rolls into 3-0 Hugoton. Both are listed in the "Others" in the 3A rankings, with the winner of this game all but counting on being slotted somewhere in the top 5 when rankings get updated.   Hugoton is favored in most of the previews I have seen, but it is far from a guarantee. Colby rolls into town with one of the most dangerous passing attacks in Western Kansas and have been gaining momentum with every game. The formidable Hugoton defense will get tested tonight.   Last week was the first time Hugoton was even scored on as they prevailed over a scrappy Lakin team 32-22. In their first two games of the season, they won both games by a combined score of 83-0 in wins over Southwestern Heights and Ulysses.   Colby, on the other hand shut out Cimarron last week 22-0 after winning a close game with Holyoke, CO in game two, 27-21. In their season opener they rolled over Ulysses 39-6. Ulysses is the only common opponent both teams have played so far this year and the scores were very comparable.   Last year Hugoton picked up the win 27-6.   So without further adieu, let's dive into some of the key players in this critical 3A clash:   [player_tooltip player_id='1228459' first='Casen' last='Carroll'], QB, Colby '25, is a 6'2 dual-threat gunslinger who is off and running on another stellar season leading his team to an unblemished record three games into the season. Last week he shredded the Cimarron defense, completing 20 out of 32 passes for 267 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the season he has piled up 864 yards passing, completing 65% of his passes and rifling nine TD's. If Colby is going to walk away with a win this year, it will be on the strength Carroll's accurate arm.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115462' first='Guy' last='Tubbs'], ATH, Colby '25, is a versatile, multi-positional player who is primed for a big-time year. At 6'3, 215 he is a formidable target at WR and is getting ready to go scorched earth on the competition after taking one of Carroll's passes 67-yards for the score last week at Cimarron. The three-sport star is getting significant interest from D1, D2 and Juco schools and will be counted on to amp things up tonight.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228445' first='Kasey' last='Giesenhagen'], WR, Colby '25, is another physical, athletic 6'3 receiver who broke out a couple of games ago in the team's win over Holyoke, CO with a TD reception and a number of clutch catches. He is a diamond in the rough, coming off a junior season when he posted almost 600 all-purpose yards, who is generating quite a bit of interest as scouts and coaches realizes what he brings to the table.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115463' first='Brayden' last='Foss'], WR, Colby '25 - is flying under the radar somewhat lining up alongside two potential D1 receivers, but he has proven that if he is overlooked he will burn teams in a hurry. Case in point, earlier in the year he hauled in three touchdown passes and helped Colby dominate the air waves over Ulysses. Also an excellent defensive back and multi-sport athlete, Foss gives the Eagles a talented third option in their vaunted passing game   [player_tooltip player_id='1274607' first='Robert' last='Williams'], LB, Hugoton '25, is a powerful headhunter of a linebacker who essentially shuts down the run game between the tackles. He is a powerful 6'1, 225 pound defender who can play any of the linebacker positions or storm the gates coming off the edge. One of the team's key defensive leaders, he had a strong off-season pumping iron and was one of the top power lifters in the state in the 220 pound class. Williams has his work cut out for him this evening but he is ready and waiting for the challenge.     In conclusion, if you happen to be in Western Kansas get out and see these guys in action. You will not be disappointed as there will be future college-football talent on both sides of the ball. And, as always, if you run across a team or player flying under the radar feel free to get with me via DM on X.

With all the great games in the Sunflower state in week 4, it would be easy to overlook a key 3A match-up way out west. We're talking way west, almost to the Colorado border. But you're going to want to stay on top of this grudge match between two standout teams .