Week 5 area capsules

Kickoff for all games is 7 p.m.

Eudora (4-0) at Gardner-Edgerton (3-1)

Last week’s results: Eudora beat Prairie View, 44-0; Gardner-Edgerton beat Paola, 47-20

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Quick hits: After beating up on four straight hapless opponents, the Cardinals figure to be in for a much stiffer test tonight, squaring off with the lone Class 5A opponent on their schedule. Eudora has shown its dominance on both sides of the ball, averaging area bests in both scoring offense (47.8 points per game) and scoring defense (4.8 ppg).

Tonganoxie (4-0) at Santa Fe Trail (3-1)

Last week’s results: Tonganoxie beat Mill Valley, 28-7; Santa Fe Trail lost to Perry-Lecompton, 22-14

Last year’s meeting: Tonganoxie won, 32-7

Quick hits: The brutal road to a Kaw Valley League title features another intriguing battle as the Chieftains look to remain in control of their own destiny, while the Chargers try to avoid falling off the pace. Tonganoxie has been dominant on both sides of the ball, led by do-everything senior Jeff Hughes. Santa Fe Trail will look for a return to the defensive dominance it flashed in the opening two weeks.

Kansas City Ward (1-3) at Perry-Lecompton (4-0)

Last week’s results: Ward lost to Kansas City Turner, 30-16; Perry-Lecompton beat Santa Fe Trail, 22-14

Last year’s meeting: Perry-Lecompton won, 49-20

Quick hits: The Kaws are using the same formula this fall that propelled them to an 8-0 start in 2005 – a multi-faceted running game and a stingy defense that’s surrendering just 9.0 ppg through the opening four contests. Ward will be looking to avenge last year’s 29-point loss, also on Perry-Lecompton’s home field.

De Soto (3-1) at Paola (3-1)

Last week’s results: De Soto lost to Louisburg, 34-15; Paola lost to Gardner-Edgerton, 47-20

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Quick hits: After three straight impressive wins to open the 2006 campaign, the Wildcats found out quickly how tough the middle third of their schedule is going to be against Louisburg. It doesn’t figure to get much easier against Paola, which features the dangerous Jeremy Dillard running the option at quarterback.

Ottawa (0-4) at Kansas City Turner (2-2)

Last week’s results: Ottawa lost to Baldwin, 31-24; Turner beat Kansas City Ward, 30-16

Last year’s meeting: Ottawa won, 14-6

Quick hits: The Cyclones finally turned in a performance worth building on in Week 4, showing flashes on offense and limiting an opponent to less than 50 points for the first time all season. Perhaps it will be enough of a confidence boost against one of the three teams Ottawa knocked off last fall.

Wellsville (0-4) at Anderson County (3-1)

Last week’s results: Wellsville lost to Spring Hill, 18-7; Anderson County beat Osawatomie, 27-6

Last year’s meeting: Wellsville won, 28-14

Quick hits: The Eagles have fallen into a bit of a trend as they approach the midpoint of the 2006 season, following up lopsided defeats with more competitive efforts. Unfortunately, none of the four setbacks has featured much offense, as Wellsville has failed to crack the 10-point barrier in three of those games.

Troy (4-0) at Oskaloosa (2-2)

Last week’s results: Oskaloosa lost to Pleasant Ridge, 49-16

Last year’s meeting: Troy won, 33-7

Quick hits: These two teams met in the season opener in Week 5, marking the debut of the Brad Reed era at Oskaloosa. After a solid start to 2006, the Bears must shore up a defense that’s surrendered an average of 43.5 points the last two weeks and take down the team atop the Delaware Valley League standings if they hope to avoid slipping below .500 for the first time this fall.

McLouth (3-1) at Jackson Heights (3-1)

Last week’s results: McLouth beat Valley Falls, 46-0; Jackson Heights beat Doniphan West, 22-21, in OT

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Quick hits: While running roughshod through the Delaware Valley League in 2005, one team the Bulldogs didn’t have a chance to face was Jackson Heights. McLouth will look for another big effort by tailback Trevor Keling against a Cobras squad that’s allowing just a shade less than three touchdowns per game.

Mill Valley (3-1) at Bonner Springs (1-3)

Last week’s results: Mill Valley lost to Tonganoxie, 28-7; Bonner Springs lost to Lansing, 27-7

Last year’s meeting: Bonner Springs won, 28-24

Quick hits: The Jaguars are hoping it’s not a case of deja vu all over again. Last season, Mill Valley fell to Tonganoxie in Week 4 after a promising start, and didn’t win another game the rest of the season. The Jags will need to rediscover their high-powered running game to earn revenge for last fall’s Week 5 loss to the Braves.

St. John’s Military (1-3) at Veritas (1-3)

Last week’s results: St. John’s lost to Eastern Heights, 58-8; Veritas beat St. Joseph (Mo.) Christian, 36-34

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Quick hits: After watching their 2006 season begin to slip away in quick fashion, the Eagles righted their ship in a major way last week, bouncing back from an early 21-0 deficit to take care of the zero in the win column. Week 5 looks like a prime opportunity to instantly double their win total as they square off against a St. John’s team that’s allowed a combined 160 points in its three losses this fall.