With the close of the Kansas high school football regular season on Friday night, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) has officially released the opening-round playoff brackets as teams state-wide transition to single-elimination play.
Several area programs earned home postseason games, while others face tough road tests as the road to the state championship begins.
Class 5A: Emporia Earns Home Playoff Game
Capping off their strongest eight-game regular season stretch since 2019, the Emporia High Spartans (4-4) earned the No. 8 seed in the Class 5A West Bracket.
The Spartans are set to host the No. 9 seed Hutchinson Salthawks (3-5) at Welch Stadium. The matchup serves as a first-round rematch from last autumn, when Hutchinson ended Emporia’s season with a 34-0 victory. KVOE will have coverage starting at 6:45 pm on Friday.
Class 8-Player Division II: Lebo Leads Area Contenders
In 8-Player Division II, Lebo completed an unblemished regular season to claim the District 3 title. The undefeated Wolves will host Linn in the opening round. Country 101.7 FM will have coverage starting at 6:45 pm on Friday.
Madison travels to Central Christian. The Bulldogs fell to a third-place finish in District 1 following a 46-22 Week 8 loss to Flinthills. Should both Lebo and Madison win, the two Lyon County League programs would clash for a regional title next week.
Waverly earned a runner-up finish in District 3 and will host Troy in round one.
Hartford secured the fourth and final playoff spot out of District 3, earning a road matchup against powerhouse Axtell.
Class 8-Player Division I: Chase County & Lyndon Lock Up Home Games
Chase County claimed the District 3 championship and will play host to Solomon in Week 9.
Lyndon locked up the No. 2 seed in District 3, securing home-field advantage for their opening matchup against Canton-Galva.
Class 1A & 2A: Olpe, Osage City, and Council Grove Gear Up
Class 1A: Olpe earned the No. 3 seed in the East region after a dominant District 1 campaign. The Eagles host Northeast-Arma in a rematch of their Week 7 meeting, which Olpe won 54-0. Mix 104.9 FM will have coverage starting at 6:40 pm on Friday.
Class 2A: A Week 8 loss to Silver Lake pushed Osage City into the No. 6 seed in the East. The Indians will host Riverton.
Class 2A: Council Grove suffered a Week 8 upset, dropping the Braves to the No. 9 seed in the West despite a 7-1 record. Council Grove, previously ranked third in the Kansas Football Coaches Association poll, will travel to Norton Community (4-4).
6-Man Division: MdCV Set to Host
In the 6-Man bracket, Marais des Cygnes Valley clinched third place in District 1 and will host Chase in their postseason opener.
