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Photo Credit: Mike Lavieri

We made it – the playoffs. Five more glorious weeks of high school football. Cherish it because it’ll be a long nine months until we meet again.

Some teams have played to expectations, others have struggled, but this weekend starts a new season where any team has a chance to claim glory.

Two months ago, I didn’t make preseason predictions because I didn’t know if the season would go on as planned. However, if I did, I would have said Derby in 6A, Mill Valley in 5A and Bishop Miege in 4A. I would say those picks were safe and uninspiring.

I’ve looked into my crystal ball and I can tell you that I was wrong (in some instances). I still like Mill Valley in 5A. From everything I’ve seen this year, when healthy, the Jaguars are the best team in the state in my opinion. They have a somewhat favorable draw to the semifinals as De Soto looms in the quarterfinals – a team Mill Valley defeated in game two, 70-21.

I’m not sure what to make of Seaman, and with St. Thomas Aquinas losing Blake Anderson to injury, the path to the finals for Mill Valley looks pretty smooth. The west part of the bracket is a toss up, so lets throw a dart at the wall and say Mill Valley defeats Maize in the championship.

In 6A, Derby the No. 4 seed out west. I don’t think the Panthers make it past the quarterfinals because they’ll match up against Lawrence. With Devin Neal in the backfield, I think the Lions run all the way to the state title game after squeaking by Junction City in the semifinals.

The Chesty Lions will face fellow Sunflower League foe Shawnee Mission Northwest, who needed an inspired final drive by Ty Black to nearly edge Olathe North.

In the finals, it’s Lawrence raising its first trophy since 1995.

And finally in 4A, it’s hard to bet against Bishop Miege when its won six titles in a row. However, this might be the most wide-open year and one where the Stags aren’t champs. It’s crazy to think they are one of the favorites as they enter the postseason with a 2-4 record and as the No. 10 seed.

Bishop Miege has struggled this year against teams that can run – St. Thomas Aquinas, Rockhurst and Bishop Carroll. Unfortunately, for Jon Holmes, his team might be facing Tonganoxie in the quarterfinals – a team that loves to run with Tyler Bowden. The Stags are little smaller up front this year than in years past and for that reason, I like Tonganoxie pulling the “upset.”

On the other side of the 4A East bracket, I can see Paola, St. James or Basehor-Linwood making the semifinal. Either way, I like Tonganoxie to make it to the championship against McPherson where Tyler Bowden takes the Chieftains to the highest mountain.

Even if you don’t take these picks to the bank, enjoy the playoffs. They’ll certainly be ones to remember.