By Blake Chadwick
As the hunt for a state championship begins, teams across the state went to battle to get one game closer to etching their school into history.
Derby senior quarterback Braxton Clark — son of coach Brandon Clark — returned tonight after missing the past month with a lacerated kidney. He led Derby to a 56-7 win over Topeka in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, completing 8 of 8 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Derek Hubbard had 65 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers, who held Topeka to 13 rushing yards, have won eight straight games.
Andale’s Owen Eck had a 32-yard receiving touchdown, a 26-yard rushing touchdown and a 45-yard interception return in the 46-0 win over Hugoton. Sam Harp threw for three touchdowns and had two rushing touchdowns — in addition to a 68-yard interception return. Andale is 8-1.
Conway Springs’ Brayden Kunz had 194 rushing yards and four touchdowns on six carries, including a 71-yard run. Nathan Bernsten had 76 rushing yards on four carries. Isaac Winter returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown.
Bluestem ended a 38-game losing streak that spanned four years, beating Republic County 12-6.
Wichita Northwest moved past Campus 54-14.
McPherson ended Mulvane’s season with a 41-7 win.
Hutchinson advanced after taking care of business against West 52-28.
Kapaun Mount Carmel dominated against Salina South with a 63-7.
Maize South kept its championship hopes alive with a 41-28 win over Bishop Carroll. Tate McNew accounted for four touchdowns for Maize South.
Wellington took care of Circle with a 41-34 win.
Cheney beat Colby 50-0.
Salina Central’s season came to an end with a 38-24 loss to visiting Great Bend.
Buhler beat Ulysses 62-16.
Hays ended Valley Center’s season 31-14.
Tonight’s scores
Abilene 38, Arkansas City 12
Andale 46, Hugoton 0
Andover Central 41, Independence 20
Beloit 50, Lakin 0
Bluestem 12, Republic County 6
Buhler 62, Ulysses 16
Cair Paravel 62, Sedan 12
Canton-Galva 56, Crest 8
Cheney 50, Colby 0
Clay Center 55, Clearwater 10
Coffeyville 60, Augusta 50
Conway Springs 56, Stanton County 8
Derby 56, Topeka 7
Eisenhower 35, Andover 6
Ell-Saline 48, Quinter 0
Garden Plain 21, Halstead 7
Great Bend 38, Salina Central 24
Hays 31, Valley Center 14
Hesston 20, Marysville 17
Hoisington 46, Phillipsburg 8
Holcomb 35, Pratt 20
Hutchinson 52, Wichita West 28
Hutchinson Trinity 25, Plainville 6
Junction City 27, Wichita Heights 18
Kapaun 63, Salina South 7
Kingman 31, Hillsboro 6
Lawrence 23, Dodge City 20
Liberal 44, Newton 0
Lyndon 55, Cedar Vale-Dexter 0
Maize South 41, Bishop Carroll 28
Marion 54, Wabaunsee 14
McPherson 41, Mulvane 7
Medicine Lodge 32, Oakley 0
Rose Hill 20, Winfield 13
Scott City 52, Smoky Valley 14
Silver Lake 58, Minneapolis 7
SE-Saline 56, Chaparral 7
Sterling 54, Ellis 26
Trinity Academy 51, Hiawatha 33
Wamego 58, El Dorado 14
Washburn Rural 48, Wichita North 7
Wellington 41, Circle 34
Wichita Northwest 54, Campus 14
Thursday’s scores
Altoona-Midway 64, Burrton 24
Central-Burden 60, Goessel 12
Frankfort 60, Beloit St. John’s-Tipton 0
Hutchinson Central Christian 48, St. Paul 24
Lebo 52, Norwich 6
Little River 46, Oxford 24
Maize 31, Goddard 22
Meade 76, Pratt Skyline 50
Moundridge 66, Argonia-Attica 20
Sedgwick 35, Salina Sacred Heart 7
Smith Center 71, Belle Plaine 20
South Barber 64, Hodgeman County 18
South Sumner County 58, Herington 6
Valley Heights 68, Remington 14
West Elk 46, Burlingame 22
