Scott City hosts Kingman in Regional play

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–If you would have said at this time a week ago it would be the Kingman Eagles going to the playoffs, you would have been shocked. Fast forward a week. The Eagles are in the playoffs, as Scott City will be hosting Kingman in the Regional round of the Class 4A, Division II playoffs at Darner Field.

Make no mistake that Kingman is not only not surprised they are in the playoffs, but they are coming in with confidence. The 5-4 Eagles upset the defending Class 4A, Division II state champions, Pratt, last Friday night 39-25 in Kingman. Kingman led 14-6 at the break, and took a 24-18 lead going into the final period. Pratt would score to go up a point, before the Eagles responded with the games final 15 points, to assure them their first playoff appearance since 2013. Over the past two weeks, the Eagles have relied on their ground game. They have averaged around 380 yards rushing over the past two games, including a 454-yard performance against the Greenbacks last Friday night. Kingman rarely throws the ball, averaging 40 passing yards per contest, and are a combined 0-3 over the past two games. The Eagles are led by William Milford with seven rushing touchdowns and John Molitor with six. Milford rushed for 282 yards and four scores last week against Pratt, where three of his four scores were over 40 yards long. Kingman averages 20 points a game and also give up just over 20 points a contest.

Scott City had to rally for their 28th consecutive district win last Friday night in Concordia, with a 28-12 win over the Panthers, to finish the regular season at 9-0. Concordia scored the first 12 points in the game, before the Beavers picked up a late first half touchdown, and took the lead for good late in the third quarter, before tacking on a pair of fourth quarter scores. Scott City was held to just 66 rushing yards in the game and 246 yards of offense, while the Panthers had 226 yards. Parker Gooden tied a career-high in three touchdown passes, and threw for a season-best 180 yards, with two scoring tosses to Marshal Faurot and the other to Parker Vulgamore. This year, the Beavers are averaging 361 yards of offense, with 267 on the ground, while allowing 157 yards, with 80 rushing and 77 passing. Scott City has outscored their opponents by an average score of 32-9. Wyatt Hayes lead the ground attack with under 1,000 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, followed by Jarret Jurgens with just over 700 yards and seven scores.

Scott City is 46-18 all-time in the playoffs, and are making their third straight apperance. They are 15-4 in the regional round, and have lost their last two regional games in their 22 previous playoff appearances. Kingman is in their first playoff game since 2013, and are 5-7 all-time in the playoffs. Their last time saw them fall to Conway Springs 34-23 in the regional round of the 3A Playoffs.

This will be the third time that the Eagles and Beavers meet up, with the series tied at one game apiece. Kingman won at home in 1974 14-7, while Scott City won their meeting at home in 1975 35-14.

Kickoff at Darner Field is at 7 pm. Pregame coverage on Mix 94.5 begins at 6:30. You can also listen online at westernkansasnews.com/mix94, on TuneIn Radio, or the free Mix 94.5 App. Search for KSKL.