Scott City hosts Holcomb in an area Sectional matchup

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–For the sixth time in series history, Holcomb and Scott City will meet up in the postseason. For the first time, it’s in the Sectional round of the Class 3A Playoffs. The two GWAC rivals will match up in a 7 pm start at Darner Field for a right to play in the Class 3A Sub-State round next week.

Holcomb is 8-2 on the season, following a 21-14 come from behind win over Rock Creek on the road last Saturday. The Longhorns trailed 14-0 at the break, and 14-7 after the third period. They would pull to within one early in the fourth, before a Korbin Johnson pick-six pushed Holcomb ahead for good. The Longhorn defense would limit Rock Creek to just 118 yards of offense, while they rolled up 270 yards of their own, with 179 coming on the ground. They have knocked off two NCKL teams in the playoffs, including Marysville 12-7 two weeks ago, and the Mustangs last week. In 10 games, Holcomb is averaging 26 points and just under 350 yards of offense, while allowing 13 points and under 250 yards per contest. Keegan Johnson has passed for 1,500 yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing for seven touchdowns, and Korbin Johnson has rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 scores.

Through strong winds, off an on rain and cold temperatures, Scott City improved to 9-1 on the season following a 9-7 win over Hesston in the Regional round of the Class 3A playoffs last Friday night at Darner Field. Hesston led 7-6 at the break and that would hold up until Jackson Rumford’s 27-yard field goal with 40 seconds remaining pushed the Beavers ahead. Scott City outgained the Swathers 254-173 in the contest, with an edge on the ground of 175-109. In the playoffs this year, they have knocked off Clearwater 34-7, along with the win over Hesston. Through 10 games, the Beavers are averaging 33 points and just over 350 yards of offense, while giving up just over 200 yards of offense and nine points per game. Camden Vulgamore went over 1,000 passing yards last week against Hesston, as he has passed for eight touchdowns and has run for seven more. Scott City has a balanced attack, as Kelton Cook has rushed for seven touchdowns and is just under 650 yards on the season. Oscar Mendez has over 100 tackles to lead the Scott City defense.

This is the sixth time the two teams will meet in the playoffs, with Scott City holding a 3-2 advantage. It’s the first time since 2019 that they’ve met in the playoffs. The Beavers won that game 35-18 on November 1 in the Week 9 Round of the Class 3A Playoffs. Scott City is in their first Sectional game since 2019 and are going for their first Sub-State championship game appearance since 2017. Holcomb is in their first Sectional game since 2017, the same year they were Class 4A, Division II Champions. They defeated the Beavers in the Sub-State Championship game that year in Holcomb. Scott City leads the all-time series 21-5, and have won the last four meetings.

Kickoff at Darner Field is at 7 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 pm. You can catch the Holcomb broadcast on 1030 AM/107.1 FM and the Scott City broadcast on KSKL Mix 94.5. The game will also be on YouTube on the Beaver Broadcasting Network. The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of the Andale/Cheney matchup. If Scott City wins, they’ll either host Cheney or travel to Andale. A Holcomb win would put them on the road at either Andale or Cheney.