Ottawa High’s football team scored a total of 38 points in its two wins prior to district play.

Then muddy fields appeared three weeks ago, and the Cyclones’ offensive production jumped to nearly 45 points per game a perplexing statistic.

“All the fields in the state are pretty muddy, but I’ve been pleased with the way we played the last two weeks,” said Ottawa coach Pat Boeh, whose offense erupted for 134 points during district play. “But, to be honest, we feel we need to play on a pretty clean field to spread the ball around.”

Not likely, because Ottawa’s field is in pretty bad shape. Despite the fact Ottawa (5-4) began its scoring surge in less-than-optimal conditions, Boeh knows Paola (5-4) will offer tough competition in a first- round Class 4A playoff game at 7 p.m. tonight.

Boeh doubts either team will score as many points as they did when Paola defeated Ottawa 41-32 earlier this season.

“We’re tickled to be playing them again,” he said.

The Cyclones should air things out despite the slippery surface of their home field.

Junior quarterback Gabe Sheffield has thrown for almost 1,300 yards this season and junior receiver Lee Baldwin is his favorite target, accounting for 800 of those yards.

But whether the Cyclones can churn out yards in the mud will be the key.

“We do think we’re playing our best football right now,” Boeh said.

Tonganoxie at Atchison

Tonganoxie coach Mark Elston will be a little jealous when his Chieftains (5-4) travel to Atchison (6-3) for their 4A playoff game at 7 p.m.

As the Chieftains use their 20 starters and bench players for special teams, Elston can only hope his team’s talent can overcome Atchison’s numbers.

“You have to limit some of the things you might want to do,” he said. “We’re going to huddle on the ball, because I don’t want my linemen walking an extra 10 yards each play. We’ll stick with the running game and try to limit our turnovers.”

It was the turnovers 14 in Tongie’s last three losses that hampered the Chieftains’ running game. They racked up at least 200 yards in each game, but didn’t always capitalize on that production.

“Anytime we haven’t put points on the board, it’s been because of turnovers,” Elston said. “Hopefully, we can put that behind us.”