Hailey
Week 9 in the Topeka area doubled as the first round of the KSHSAA football playoffs, and it delivered statement wins, shutouts, and a few season-ending setbacks.
Here are the key takeaways, final scores, and what they mean heading into Week 10.
Week 9 Scoreboard — Topeka Area
| Team (Topeka area) | Opponent | Result | Final Score | Bracket/Context | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayden | Columbus | Win | 70–7 | Playoffs | Wildcats poured it on early; emphatic first-round rout. |
| Washburn Rural | Wichita South | Win | 37–0 | Playoffs | Complete shutout to start postseason strong. |
| Topeka High | at Derby | Loss | 0–49 | Playoffs | Trojans knocked out by perennial 6A power. |
| Highland Park | De Soto | Loss | 16–49 | Playoffs | Scots’ season ends; special-teams spark but defense overwhelmed. |
| Seaman | at Liberal | Loss | 17–41 | Playoffs | Vikings led early before Liberal surged. |
| Topeka West | at Salina Central | Loss | 22–68 | Playoffs | Chargers’ late rally couldn’t close the gap. |
| Shawnee Heights | at St. James Academy | Loss | 28–57 | Playoffs | Thunderbirds moved the ball but couldn’t keep pace. |
1) Hayden looks like a contender
Hayden opened the playoffs with a 70-7 blowout of Columbus, flashing a balanced, explosive attack and a defense that slammed the door early.
It’s the kind of runaway that signals the Wildcats can make a deep postseason run if they continue to start fast and protect the football.
2) Washburn Rural’s defense dominates
The Jr. Blues pitched a 37-0 shutout of Wichita South, a near-perfect defensive performance that pairs well with an offense that finished drives.
That clean sheet gives them real momentum in Class 6A, where one stop or turnover can flip a bracket game.
3) Tough exits against ranked heavyweights
Three Shawnee County teams ran into elite opponents:
- Topeka High fell at Derby by 49-0, against one of 6A’s most physical sides.
- Highland Park showed flashes (including a big return score) but lost 16-49 to De Soto’s relentless pace.
- Seaman jumped out early at Liberal before the hosts seized control for a 41-17 win.
These are heart-breaking exits but also instructive: each opponent is known for line play and depth, underscoring where Topeka programs must win first quarters and trench battles in November.
4) What the numbers say
- 2 signature Topeka wins by a combined 100-7 (Hayden + Washburn Rural)
- 3 Topeka-area defeats came against programs that routinely appear deep in their brackets (Derby, De Soto, Liberal)
- High-octane offenses were the theme statewide in Week 9 (e.g., 57+ from St. James, 70 from Hayden) putting a premium on red-zone stops in Round 2.
5) What it means for Week 10
- Hayden: Form suggests title-caliber upside if turnovers stay low and the front seven keeps winning early downs.
- Washburn Rural: The shutout travels — if the Jr. Blues maintain third-down defense and special teams field position, they’re live in 6A.
- Programs bowing out (Topeka High, Highland Park, Seaman, Topeka West, Shawnee Heights) gained valuable reps for next season and clarified what needs to improve: line depth, tackling efficiency, explosive-play prevention.
Week 9 was a snapshot of Topeka football’s competitive range: Hayden and Washburn Rural delivered statement wins, while several teams learned hard lessons against blue-blood opponents.
If defenses that showed up Friday night keep setting the tone — and if Hayden’s offense keeps humming — the Topeka area will remain firmly on the state radar as the brackets narrow.
The next seven days are all about health, ball security, and trench play — get those three right, and November can last a lot longer.