Eight-Man Gems: Sectional Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sixteen Kansas Eight-Man programs are still playing football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a preview of four games from the Eight-Man Division I and Division II playoff brackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Plains (8-2) @ Little River (8-2) – </strong>Little River advanced to the sectional round with a win over West Elk. Central Plains reached this round by knocking off Chase County 58-52.  The winner will advance to play the winner of the Clifton-Clyde (8-2) and Madison (7-3) in the next round of Eight-Man Division I play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyler Bergkamp</strong>, LB 5'8”, 140, Little River, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bergkamp is a stalwart on the Redskins' defense. He has recorded 71 total tackles for Little River through 10 games. He has eight tackles for lost yardage and has rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns on 22 total carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hill City (7-3) @ South Central (10-0) – </strong>South Central will look to remain undefeated against the Hill City Ringnecks. The Timberwolves have outscored their two playoff opponents 84-12, while Hill City knocked off higher-seeded Sublette 50-22 to reach this point. The winner will next face the winner of the Hoxie (10-0) and Wichita County (8-1) in Eight-Man Division I action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215327' first='JT' last='Prusa'], </strong>ATH, 5'9”, 165, South Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prusa has long been in the Prep Redzone rankings and is currently ranked No. 441 overall. He can play quarterback, running back, wideout, or defensive back. He has made 12 receptions for 368 yards, carried the ball 94 times for 954 yards, and completed two of his three pass attempts this season. He has accounted for 97 total touchdowns at the varsity level in the past three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Burlingame (10-0) @ Frankfort (8-2) –</strong>  Frankfort has scored 40-plus points in both playoff games. They will host Burlingame, which is one of four teams still undefeated in Eight-Man Division II football. Burlingame advanced to the sectional round with an eight-point win over Hanover. Waiting for the winner of this game will be the winner between undefeated Axtell (10-0) and Osborne (7-3).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466325' first='Dane' last='Winters'], &nbsp;</strong>WR/DB, 5'10”, 158, Burlingame, 25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winters is having one of the best offensive seasons of any player in the eight-man ranks. He has made 57 receptions for 1,021 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has also toted the rock 55 times for 408 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also been a ball hawk on defense with five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 62 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dighton (10-0) @ Hodgeman County (8-2) – </strong>Dighton has outscored its playoff opponents 100 to 16, but now must go on the road to keep their undefeated season intact.  The Longhorns defeated the Bucklin Red Aces by six points to reach the sectional round. The winner will face the team that scores the most points in the Central Christian (9-1) and Victoria (10-0) match-up. Victoria is the only undefeated Eight-Man Division II team to play at home this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214922' first='George' last='Vonleonrod']</strong>, LB, 5'11”, 195, Dighton, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vonleonrod has recorded 100 tackles through 10 games. He is a physical and fast linebacker who has also contributed on offense. He has scored 12 touchdowns, rushed for over 400 yards, and made 24 receptions. He has also made one interception during his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->