High School Football Playoffs Advance in Four States

High school football playoffs advanced across multiple states on Friday night, November 7, with intense district and quarterfinal matchups determining the next phase of postseason contention in California, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio.

In the Kansas City metro area, several Class 5A and 6A second-round games delivered dramatic finishes. Mill Valley edged St. Thomas Aquinas 28-27 in a rematch of last year's thriller, stopping a two-point conversion attempt in the final minute to secure the victory. Jaguars quarterback Blake Jay passed for 133 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 106 yards, crediting his defense for the crucial stand. "On the sideline with our friends, we knew they'd do their job," Jay said. Mill Valley, now 8-2, advances to face St. James Academy in the quarterfinals. In another high-scoring affair, Shawnee Mission Northwest defeated Free State 38-31, powered by running back Trai Woodruff's 321 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Free State's Finn Moore countered with 195 rushing yards and three scores plus a passing touchdown, but the Cougars pulled away in the fourth quarter. Shawnee Mission Northwest (7-3) will travel to Gardner-Edgerton next week. Olathe West...