Tonganoxie at Mill Valley

One of the area’s most intriguing matchups brings together two of the Kaw Valley League’s top teams … Tonganoxie (5-0) is rolling, while Mill Valley (3-2) has struggled in two straight losses … Regardless, the Jaguars are loaded, led by senior Tony Alvarez and junior David Woods … The Chieftains counter with seniors Justin Walker, Tim Hopkins and Billy Baska … Tonganoxie will open district play at home against Kansas City Piper Friday … Mill Valley plays K.C. Ward at home Friday.

De Soto at Santa Fe Trail

Without question, De Soto (4-1) is one of the surprises of the area … A 21-14 victory over Perry-Lecompton last week gave the Wildcats their best start in years … De Soto’s only blemish is a 50-19 loss to unbeaten Tonganoxie … Santa Fe Trail (1-4) has been shut out in its last two games, a 24-0 loss to Tonganoxie and a 2-0 loss to Basehor-Linwood … SFT will play Baldwin Friday; De Soto plays at Eudora.

McLouth at Valley Heights

The Bulldogs had their toughest effort of the season last week, but still fell, 20-0, to Oskaloosa … McLouth (0-5) will now play its next two games on the road, and won’t return home until Oct. 24 … The Bulldogs lost to Valley Heights, 54-6, last season … McLouth will play Friday at Troy.

Oskaloosa at Troy

The Bears (1-4) picked up their first victory of the season last week, a 20-0 win over McLouth … Junior Todd Newell rumbled for 139 yards on 21 carries in the victory … Oskie faces a tough test in Troy, a team that beat the Bears, 38-15, a year ago … Oskaloosa will play Pleasant Ridge Friday at home.

Ottawa at Atchison

At 5-0, Ottawa has emerged as one of the area’s elite teams … The Cyclones beat KC Sumner, 37-19, last week, marking the fourth game out of five this season they’ve scored more than 35 points … Dating to last season, the Cyclones have won 10 of their last 11 … Ottawa plays Anderson County Friday.

K.C. Piper at Perry-Lecompton

The Kaws have struggled to a 1-4 start, and are on a three-game losing streak … The Kaws lost to De Soto, 21-14, on the road last week … Perry-Lecompton’s only victory this season was a 22-19 win over Basehor-Linwood Sept. 12 … P-L plays Friday at Topeka Hayden.

Spring Hill at Wellsville

The Eagles continue to struggle in the Frontier League, stumbling to an 0-5 start … Wellsville gave perennial power Eudora a scare last week, falling 14-7 on the road … Wellsville starts Class 3A district play Friday against Yates Center.