The state high school football playoffs will move into the quarterfinal round tonight. The Sandhills/Thedford Knights have rolled through the playoffs tonight with wins over Axtell (68-22) and Loomis (60-16). Through ten games now, the Knights have outscored their opponents 602-119. This season the 8 man playoffs are running on a different format. In the past, 8 man teams would play every 6 days in the playoffs but this year they have a full week in between games now playing every Friday. S/T head coach Josh Deines told KCNI/KBBN sports that from the perspective of organizing practices he has really enjoyed the change.
Tonight Sandhills/Thedford will face Pleasanton on the road for the right to advance to the state semifinals. The two met earlier this season with the Knights winning big 77-24 and handing the Bulldogs its only loss of the season up to this point. Coach Deines said that outcome has no relevance on tonight’s matchup.
Tonight’s game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and kbbn.com. There will also be a special video stream of tonight’s game accompanied by the radio call on the following media platforms : sandhillsexpress.com ; Sandhills Express Facebook page ; Twitter ; and You Tube. On the other side of the D2 bracket, Falls City Sacred Heart will host Osceola with the winner advancing to play the winner of Pleasanton/Sandhills-Thedford in the state semifinals next Friday.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH S/T HEAD COACH JOSH DEINES
In other area action, the Burwell Longhorns will look to remain undefeated as they face Neligh-Oakdale (9-1) in the Class D1 quarterfinals. The winner advances out to the state semifinals where they will play the winner of tonight’s Elm Creek / Cross County matchup.
