The Central Plains (Claflin, KS) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Hoxie (KS) today at 7 p.m. This match is part of the “2024 Kansas High School Football Playoff Brackets: Class 8-Player DI” tournament.
What: Kansas High School Football
Who: Central Plains (KS) vs Hoxie (KS)
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kansas High School Football Playoff Brackets: Class 8-Player DI
Live stream: Watch here
Hoxie and Central Plains: A Battle of Dominance in Kansas High School Football
In the heart of Kansas high school football, the 2024-25 season has been defined by standout teams that showcased exceptional talent, determination, and strategic prowess. Among these, Hoxie and Central Plains have emerged as two of the state’s premier squads, with impressive records, strong performances, and shared victories against common opponents.
Hoxie: The Unbeaten Powerhouse Hoxie has established itself as an indomitable force this season, finishing with an unblemished record of 12-0. Their record highlights not only their undefeated campaign but also their dominance in the league and beyond. In district play, Hoxie went 6-0, securing victories both at home and on the road (5-0 away, 6-0 at home), and they even managed to win their sole neutral-site matchup. Their potent offense and solid defense have contributed to a perfect win percentage of 1.000 in both overall and district games.
The team’s offensive output has been exceptional, averaging 45.5 points per game, with significant contributions from standout players. Braydon Scheetz, leading the charge in rushing, recorded an impressive 81.5 yards per game. Quarterback Duncan Bell threw for an average of 112.5 passing yards per game, while Samuel Watkins’ receiving skills added 33.6 yards per game. Collectively, Hoxie’s offensive strategy resulted in a total of 546 points scored and only 112 points allowed over the season.
Defensively, Easton Nickelson anchored the team’s tackles with 14.2 per game, while Watkins also contributed significantly with 0.6 sacks per game. The efficiency of Hoxie’s game plan can be seen in their ability to keep opponents to an average of just 9.3 points per game.
Central Plains: The Resilient Contender Central Plains has also been formidable this season, boasting an impressive 10-2 record and proving themselves as a top-tier competitor. Their season saw them going 4-1 in district matchups, a testament to their strong performance within their region. Their overall win percentage stood at .833, with notable victories both at home (6-1) and away (4-1).
The team’s offensive numbers were solid, with an average of 42.2 points per game. Central Plains demonstrated offensive balance, relying on a combination of rushing and passing to sustain their drive. Notably, their rushing and receiving yards were comparable to many top teams, averaging 155.8 and 115.3 yards per game, respectively. Quarterback performance was spearheaded by a passing average of 112.5 yards per game. Their defense, although slightly less dominant compared to Hoxie’s, remained competitive, maintaining a relatively modest 317 points allowed over the season.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents Hoxie and Central Plains have not faced each other this season, but both teams have proven themselves against common opponents. Hoxie defeated LaCrosse decisively, 52-0, in a home game on October 31, 2024. Similarly, Central Plains showcased their strength by overcoming LaCrosse 56-0 at home on September 20, 2024. This shared victory further underscores both teams’ formidable capabilities.
Statistical Comparison While Hoxie’s game was marked by higher points per game (45.5 compared to Central Plains’ 42.2), the teams shared strong yardage statistics. Hoxie led with an average of 271.2 total yards per game, slightly ahead of Central Plains’ 244.8 yards. Defensive tackles were more frequent for Hoxie, averaging 54.9 per game, compared to Central Plains’ average of 45.5. Sack statistics also favored Hoxie, with Watkins securing 0.6 sacks per game versus Central Plains’ 0.2.
Conclusion The 2024-25 Kansas high school football season has been a showcase of talent, resilience, and fierce competition, with Hoxie and Central Plains standing out as the elite teams in their class. Hoxie’s perfect record and powerful offense make them a team to watch, while Central Plains’ strong showings and adaptability position them as fierce contenders. The rivalry between these teams, even if not yet played this season, hints at exciting matchups and a bright future for Kansas high school football.
