Soccer playoffs underway

By the end of this weekend, there will only be 24 high school soccer teams left, eight in each tournament. And fewer teams mean intense, big name matchups in the quest for a state championship.

In the 4-1A Northeast Regional 3, Kansas City Christian, winners of three of the last four state championships, will take on Desoto for the regional championship. Kansas City Christian is the defending state champion, and the No. ranked 4-1A team in the state, but only entered the playoffs as a No. 3 seed. The Panther’s bid for a second back-to-back championship in five years will not be easy, with teams like Shawnee-Maranatha Academy, champions in 2004, and Perry-Lecompton, 14-2 on the year, lurking.

Rose Hill, the team Kansas City Christian beat 1-0 in the championship game last year, will have to play around a big size disadvantage against Nickerson on Friday to return to the quarterfinals. The Rockets have gotten their hands around every trophy except the championship. Last year, Rose Hill hosted the semifinal and final rounds, but couldn’t use the home field advantage to take home the big hardware. This year’s players remember that sting and are hungrier than ever to go all the way.

Wichita Trinity is another team looking to regroup after its season came to an end at the hands of Kansas City Christian in the semifinals last year. The Knights were ranked No. 1 in the state last year and on a collision course with a Rose Hill rematch in the finals when Kansas City Christian got in the way. This year Trinity is looking for a tenth-straight regional championship with a game against Thomas More Prep, and a chance to get back in the state semifinals.

Berean Academy could taste the semifinals last year after using the wind to take a 3-0 halftime lead against Rose Hill in the quarterfinals. But the three goals weren’t enough to hold off Rose Hill’s five second-half goals. There is no doubt the Warriors want another shot. If they can beat Topeka-Hayden on Thursday, the Warriors will be right back in the quarterfinals.

In 5A, a win over Gardner-Edgerton on Thursday would put Saint Thomas Aquinas in the quarterfinals and in position to win a state championship for a ridiculous seven-peat across two different classifications. 2002 was the last time Aquinas didn’t win a state championship, and the Saints aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Not only is Aquinas the No. 1 overall team in Kansas, but they are the No. 3 team in the country according to an ESPN poll.

Newton will be a major team trying for the upset in 5A. The Railers are the No. 2 5A team in the state, and are sitting at 15-2 going into a tough regional final game against Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Newton raised eyebrows around the state after losing a close 1-0 game against 6A Maize. The Railers’ only other loss was in another 1-0 game against Hutchinson, which takes on Winfield for a regional championship on Thursday.

In 6A, Maize may been the lone hope for a south central championship. The top of the class is represented heavily by Topeka-Washburn Rural, Olathe East, defending champion Olathe South and Blue Valley North.

Both Olathe South and East will have to get through Shawnee Mission schools in the regional finals, with South playing South, and Olathe East playing Shawnee Mission Northwest. No. 1 ranked Washburn Rural will get the remaining Olathe team, Olathe Northwest.

Maize will play Garden City for a chance to make it to the quarterfinals. The Eagles are ranked No. 4 in 6A with a 16-1 record, but the game against Garden City will not be easy. This game is a rematch from a Titan Classic matchup on Sept. 7. Maize edged Garden City 2-1, giving the Buffaloes plenty of reason to believe they can advance to the quarterfinals.

Maize’s only loss was a 2-1 game against Dodge City, who will take on a Wichita Northwest team, loaded with young talent. Since starting the season 1-3, the Grizzlies have gone 10-2-1, all in close games. With the exception of a 4-1 win in a rematch against Kapaun, who beat Northwest 2-1 on Sept. 12, the last 13 Northwest games have been decided by no more than two goals.

Wichita East and Wichita Southeast meet in a regional final after wins over Derby and South respectively, meaning at least one GWAL school will advance to a quarterfinal.

Southeast shut out East 2-0 on Sept. 29, but East has won eight out of its last nine games following the loss to East.