Eight teams remain in the Class 3A state football playoffs.

Three of the eight are undefeated, unblemished and on a season-long tear that didn’t stop once the postseason started. Four others are 10-1, almost on a similar run if not for one hiccup.

The eighth, Wellsville, is 6-5.

It seems like quite a mountain for the Eagles to climb, but don’t be confused. Wellsville likely played the toughest schedule and has been just as hot during the last six weeks as any of the eight.

Tonight, Wellsville hits the road to take on Silver Lake (10-1) at 7 p.m. in the state quarterfinals. The winner advances to 3A’s final four, and that’s not bad considering the kind of season Wellsville has had.

A roller-coaster journey doesn’t exactly describe it. The Eagles’ season is more like getting beat up by the bigger bullies, learning from the bumps and bruises, and using the toughness to pound on kids their own size.

Wellsville started the season 0-5, with tough losses to 4A schools Osawatomie, Louisburg and Eudora.

But since losing to the Cardinals, 14-7, Oct. 3, Wellsville has done nothing but win, mostly against 3A competition. And, until Saturday’s 15-6 playoff victory over Southeast of Cherokee, the Eagles had won in a lopsided fashion.

But, considering the other seven teams left in Class 3A are a combined 72-4, Wellsville coach Bill Oshel knows better than to count on any more comfortable victories.

“You expect tough games this time of season,” Oshel said. “Everybody left in it is tough.”

The key, Oshel said, is to come out strong in all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams. An all-out effort, he said, could help neutralize Silver Lake’s powerful attack, one that’s included multiple games of scoring 60 points or more.

“They’re a well-balanced team,” Oshel said. “They have a good running game and they’re a good passing team. They’re good all-around.”