The Osborne (KS) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Axtell (KS) on Friday, November 15, at 6 p.m.

What: Kansas High School Football
Who: Osborne (KS) vs Axtell (KS)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Axtell and Osborne: A Tale of Two Exceptional Kansas High School Football Teams

As the 2024-2025 Kansas high school football season progresses, two teams have garnered significant attention for their outstanding performances: the Axtell Eagles and the Osborne Bulldogs. Both teams have enjoyed impressive records, with Axtell boasting a perfect 10-0 record and Osborne securing a solid 7-3 performance. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both teams’ season statistics, team comparisons, and their shared success against common opponents.

Axtell Eagles: Dominant and Unbeaten

Axtell enters the 2024-2025 season with an impressive undefeated record, standing at a perfect 10-0 overall. This includes a flawless 4-0 district record, showcasing their dominance in the league. The Eagles have been particularly impressive in their offensive play, with a team average of 36.9 points per game, and an explosive first half performance, averaging 63.2 points in the first two quarters alone.

Axtell’s offensive strength is led by Dalton Garman, who has been a key player in multiple areas. He ranks highly in rushing yards, passing yards, and total yards per game, with averages of 94.3 rushing yards and 163.3 total yards per game. His leadership on offense has made Axtell a force to be reckoned with, especially with key contributions from Hunter Howell in the receiving game, averaging 40.7 yards per game. Defensively, Axtell’s defense holds opponents to an average of just 5.6 points per game, with standout performances from Clay Guttery, who leads the team with 5.5 tackles per game.

Osborne Bulldogs: Strong Performance with Room for Growth

Although Osborne’s 2024-2025 season record of 7-3 is less than Axtell’s perfect mark, the Bulldogs have still demonstrated their strength, particularly in their district performance, where they hold a flawless 3-0 record. Osborne’s offensive averages 43.6 points per game, with their scoring led by a strong rushing attack and solid defensive play.

The Bulldogs’ scoring averages indicate a balanced offense, with 23.3 points in the first quarter alone. However, their offensive output drops slightly in the second half, with only 12.0 points scored in the second quarter, and just 4.7 points in the third quarter. Despite this, their defense has been a key factor in their success, allowing just 130 points over the course of the season. Osborne’s standout player, Dalton Garman, also shines in multiple roles, with 69.0 passing yards and 163.3 total yards per game. Defensively, Osborne’s Kaiden Schultze has been a critical asset, contributing 0.2 sacks per game and 11.6 points per game.

Common Opponents: A Shared Success

Both Axtell and Osborne have faced similar opponents throughout the season, with each team maintaining a perfect 3-0 record against their common adversaries. Some notable victories include Axtell’s 76-6 win against Linn on September 6, 2024, and Osborne’s 54-0 shutout of Linn on October 18, 2024. The teams also secured dominant wins against Blue Valley and Thunder Ridge, with both teams showing their ability to control the game from start to finish.

Key Team Stats and Comparisons

• Offensive Production: Axtell leads in overall points per game, with a significant average of 36.9, compared to Osborne’s 43.6. However, Axtell’s scoring is more evenly spread throughout the game, while Osborne tends to have a stronger first quarter and struggles a bit in the second half.
• Rushing and Passing: Axtell’s ground game has been dominant, averaging 228.2 rushing yards per game, compared to Osborne’s 70.4 passing yards. Axtell also outperforms Osborne in total yards per game, with 298.7 compared to Osborne’s 163.3.
• Defensive Strength: Axtell has been the more dominant defensive unit, averaging 32.6 tackles per game and just 56 points allowed in total. Osborne’s defense is also impressive, though it allows more points overall (130). Both teams boast solid sack numbers, with Kaiden Schultze of Osborne and Axtell’s defensive leaders performing well.

Record Breakdown and Key Insights

• Axtell (10-0 Record):
  • Perfect record across all categories (district, league, home, away, and non-league games).
  • Undefeated in both home and away games, with a remarkable 1.000 win percentage.
  • Strong offensive and defensive performances, with dominance in the district and playoffs.
• Osborne (7-3 Record):
  • A solid 3-0 district record, showing resilience against league opponents.
  • Mixed results in non-league games, but a strong home record of 4-0.
  • Osborne’s offensive line is strong, but their scoring drops after the first quarter, indicating room for improvement in maintaining consistency throughout the game.

Conclusion

Both Axtell and Osborne have had standout seasons in Kansas high school football, with Axtell finishing the regular season unbeaten, and Osborne maintaining a solid 7-3 record. These teams’ statistics, including their shared success against common opponents, highlight their strengths and areas for improvement. With playoff seasons ahead, both teams will look to build on their successes and continue to compete at a high level in the state rankings.

As the playoffs loom, Axtell will likely be the team to beat, but Osborne’s balanced attack and defensive capabilities make them a formidable opponent in the postseason. Football fans across Kansas are eagerly awaiting what’s next for these two talented teams.