Staff writer
Despite what has been by nearly all measures a successful year, Marion football may need help if it wants its season to continue into November.
Given Kansas State High School Athletic Association tiebreaking procedures, the Warriors need to win by 18 points or more to secure a postseason berth independently.
Any margin less than that, and the Warriors will need help from Chase County against Northern Heights.
Head coach Grant Thierolf said he will try to keep his team’s focus on winning the game at hand.
“If kids start worrying about how many points they have to score, they take the focus off doing their fundamentals, techniques, and just worrying about playing the game,” he said.
Fortunately for Marion, those teams play Thursday night, meaning the Warriors will know just what they need to do to make it to the playoffs.
The specific parameters required for the Warriors to advance are listed below:
- If Chase County beats Northern Heights, Marion must win to eliminate Northern Heights and advance.
- If Northern Heights beats Chase County by 3 points or fewer, Marion must win by a margin 14 points higher than that by which Northern Heights won to eliminate Northern Heights and advance.
- If Northern Heights beats Chase County by 4 points or more, Marion must win by 18 or more points to eliminate Mission Valley and advance.
- Chase County can make the playoffs if it beats Northern Heights by 13 points and Marion loses to Mission Valley.