Dodge City hosts Topeka High in the Class 6A state playoffs

    Every die-hard sports fan digs statistics.
    So there’s no better time than now to crunch the numbers for Saturday night’s Class 6A state high school football playoff game.
    Dodge City (7-2) meets Topeka High (6-3), with kickoff set for 6 at Memorial Stadium.
    One thing is certain: both teams showcase explosive offenses as this game has all the earmarks of a shootout.
    Jace Banner proved all season that he is one of the top running backs in the state. Dodge City’s senior tailback has carried the running game to a tune of 1,303 yards on the season for a 162.9 yards-per-game average and 17 touchdowns.
    The Demons are averaging 214.8 rushing yards and 168 passing yards for a 382.8 average in total offense, which was tops in the Western Athletic Conference this season. Quarterback Ty Thomas has thrown for 1,431 yards and 13 touchdowns.
    Dodge City struggled with some red-zone opportunities in a 14-6 win over Garden City, having drives stall inside the 10-yard line twice, yet it still put up big numbers in the game.
    “I guess our rhythm wasn’t there,” Dodge City coach Justin Burke said. “We accumulated over 400 yards in total offense and 14 points isn’t very good for having that many yards.
    “There was one where we thought we were in (on Banner’s goal-line run) and they called a fumble and a touchback.”
    There were other missed opportunities, too, but they overcame it to secure the win over Garden, it’s arch-rival.
    On the flip side, Topeka High has a potent pass-run threat in quarterback Sam Johnson and running backs Cody Harrison and Riley Williams.
    Johnson, who led the city in total offense and passing yards, has thrown for 1,832 yards and 18 touchdowns. Harrison (856 rushing yards) and Williams (706) ranked second and third in the city rushing tables.
    Trojans wide receiver Raphael Stephens ranked in No. 1 in the city in receptions and receiving yards with 65 catches for 769 yards, along with five touchdowns.   
    While it wouldn’t come as any surprise if the Trojans key on Banner, it could open up the passing lanes for Thomas and his favorite targets: wideout Zach Harvey, who has 34 catches for 520 yards and four touchdowns, and Landon Head, who has 32 catches for 454 yards and five TDs.   
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