By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
For a second consecutive season, the Salina Central Mustangs will pack up the bus and head south for a playoff contest with the Wichita Northwest Grizzlies.
Last season, the Grizzlies eliminated the 1-7 Mustangs 68-12 en route to a state championship appearance, but both teams have undergone major changes since then.
“They were a really good football team last year and they have some returners but they had to replace a lot of great talent on that defense,” Central head coach Mark Sandbo said. “We feel like we’ve taken a lot of steps forward this season and we feel that we’ve closed the gap between where we were and where they are now.”
The Mustangs will come into this contest at 7-2, a record that mirrors the Grizzlies, who fell to Bishop Carroll and Kapaun Mt. Carmel earlier this season.
Despite the pair of losses, Wichita Northwest is still a dynamic team on both sides of the ball thanks in large part to their ability to run the rock at will.
The three leading rushers for the Grizzlies all average nine or more yards a carry, led by junior running back LJ Phillips, who averages an absurd 15 yards a touch to add to his 27 touchdowns this season.
Phillips is joined in the backfield by quarterback Geremiah Moore, who adds another 15 touchdowns on the ground, and 13 more through the air with just one pick this season.
“They create a lot of one on one opportunities for their athletes in space and a lot of times they win that fight,” Sandbo said. "They’re a dynamic, athletic football team, they’re physical on defense and they’re well versed on offense.”
Central, of course, has their own gunslinger in Parker Kavanagh, who has just under 1,500 yards through the air this season and 15 touchdowns compared to just four picks.
The Mustangs will also get senior Kayson Graham back after he sat out a majority of the second half against Liberal.
Defensively, Wichita Northwest is led by defensive end Nathan Carter and middle linebacker Darius Diaz, who have stifled offenses in 2021.
That duo gets a big boost from a ball-hawking secondary led by Derrick Robinson, Dontrell Harris, and Ben Heidenbrecht, who have combined for 11 interceptions this season.
While it will be up to Kavanagh to make smart decisions with the football, he will need time to set up Central’s playmakers, a big point of emphasis ahead of this game.
“We have to take what they give us on offense and we have to find ways to execute when we get opportunities,” Sandbo said. “Our pass protection is going to be big and if we can run the ball too I think some good things are going to come our way on Friday night.”
The winner of this game will advance to the 5A quarterfinals to take on either 8-1 Kapaun Mt. Carmel or 6-3 Maize South.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 at Wichita Northwest High School.