Conway Springs and Argonia-Attica are slated for big playoff games tonight
by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow — Conway Springs and Argonia-Attica have two big playoff games this weekend. It will definitely be a test of survival.
Conway Springs hosts Phillipsburg at 6 p.m. Friday in a playoff game that could arguably be between the best two teams in the state. Both are undefeated, but there are four undefeated teams left in Class 2A football. Phillipsburg is ranked at the top spot by K-preps, and Conway Springs is No. 3.
Another traditional power, Silver Lake is also unbeaten at at No.2 in the rankings.
The teams have met only once before, and that was in a playoff game in 2004. Conway Springs won that one and went on to win one of its seven state titles.
The Cardinals have averaged 43.4 points and have given up an average of 12.1 so far this year. Phillipsburg is also impressive in that department, averaging 48.2 and giving up an average of 9.1.
Last week, Conway Springs beat Chaparral at Conway Springs, and it was the second meeting of these two teams in about a month. The Cardinals won last week 21-14. When they played in Chaparral in the regular season, Conway Springs won 53-23.
Phillipsburg shut out Lakin 41-0 last week, and led that one 27-0 after one quarter.
Phillipsburg is led by senior quarterback Trey Sides. Running back Treylan Gross and receiver Ty Sides are two playmakers that have scored a lot of points. The Panthers also have kicker Jonathan Hunnacutt, who set a record for career kicking points this season.
Conway Springs is led by quarterback Collin Koester. While the Cardinals can and do pass at times, they did not throw one last week as the Cardinals rolled up 293 yards rushing. Koester ran 28 times for 138 yards last week against Chaparral.
The Cardinals have a veteran offensive line that has given the team a great running game, which is a tradition at Conway Springs.
The first time Conway Springs played Chaparral this year, Koester ran for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Peyton Winter had 167 yards rushing in that game, with two touchdowns. Koester completed two of three passes in that game for 51 yards and a touchdown.
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In eight-man Division 1, Argonia-Attica hosts Solomon in Attica. The Titans of Argonia-Attica upset Sedan in the opening round of the playoffs and then beat Uddal last week. Solomon beat Maranatha Academy in its opening round game, and beat Madison last week.
Argonia-Attica had lost to Udall earlier in the season, and the Titans are 7-3 overall. They are no stranger to the playoffs, reaching two state championship games since the teams combined their football programs.
Solomon is 9-1 with the only loss coming at Canton-Galva. There was a three-game stretch earlier in the season when Solomon scored 60 or more points each week.
