Area football capsules

CLASS 4A

Chanute (9-1) at Baldwin (9-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Bi-district results: Chanute beat Labette County, 35-14; Baldwin beat Prairie View, 48-20

About the Comets: Chanute emerged as the class of the always tough Southeast Kansas League this fall, and has already improved on last season’s playoff showing, where the Comets lost in the bi-district round. Chanute is averaging 33.3 points per game whiled holding its opponents to one-third of that total (11.0 ppg).

About the Bulldogs: Baldwin advanced to regional play for the second straight season after an easy bi-district tuneup against a sub-.500 team. The benefit is the Bulldog starters should be fresh after playing less than a half in Tuesday’s game. Baldwin hopes to have senior quarterback Jeremy Wright back under center after he missed the playoff opener with a foot injury.

Topeka Hayden (10-0) at Tonganoxie (9-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Bi-district results: Hayden beat Atchison, 46-21; Tonganoxie beat Kansas City Ward, 18-14

About the Wildcats: There’s no mystery here, as Hayden again is considered the favorite to win the Class 4A state title. Prior to Tuesday night’s victory, the Wildcats’ first-team defense hadn’t allowed a touchdown all season. Josh Torrez will draw the attention of the Tonganoxie defense after scoring five touchdowns against Atchison.

About the Chieftains: Tonganoxie is glad to be rid of Ward after earning a narrow win in the regular-season matchup and needing a fourth-quarter rally to pull out Tuesday’s triumph in bi-district play. The Chieftains must rediscover their high-powered rushing attack against Hayden while continuing its string of strong defensive performances.

CLASS 3A

McLouth (10-0) at Silver Lake (10-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Bi-district results: McLouth beat Sabetha, 30-7; Silver Lake beat Northern Heights, 45-20

About the Bulldogs: McLouth won a playoff game for the first time in 25 years Tuesday, using its tried-and-true formula of tailback Kevin Stewart and a stingy defense to advance to regional play. The Bulldogs already have won one battle of the unbeatens this season, knocking off Pleasant Ridge in Week 8 to win the Delaware Valley League title.

About the Eagles: This is another case of an area team facing a perennial power. The road through the eastern half of the Class 3A bracket often runs through Silver Lake, which faced a stiff test Tuesday before pulling away late. Much like their opponent tonight, the Eagles like to run the ball, having chewed up 285 yards on the ground against Northern Heights. However, the defense also allowed 346 yards rushing.

Galena (10-0) at Wellsville (7-3)

Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Bi-district results: Galena beat Neodesha, 48-6; Wellsville beat Humboldt, 33-14

About the Bulldogs: Galena ran roughshod over the Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League this fall. The Bulldogs are averaging almost 34 points per game, while surrendering less than a touchdown (5.3 ppg) each night out. Those numbers weren’t harmed by an impressive showing on both sides of the ball in Tuesday’s bi-district victory.

About the Eagles: Wellsville continued its strong run of defensive performances Tuesday, earning its fourth straight victory to extend its longest winning streak this season. The offense also maintained a recent streak of 30-point showings, relying on a balanced attack featuring tailback Austin Bloss and quarterback Kyle Rush, who threw for two scores against Humboldt.