KANSAS, Okla. — For the first time since November of 2004, Dee Neel Stadium at Kansas (Okla.) High School will host a playoff footballgame when the Comets welcome Caney Valley on Friday in the opening round of the Oklahoma Class 2A playoffs.

Comets coach Eddie Barnwell said he has no doubts the fans in Kansas will come out in force.

“They always have,” Barnwell said. “When it gets playoff time, they understand the importance of it. They’ll come out to watch it. We’ll also draw from the area, people wanting to see a good football game. Isn’t the playoff atmosphereso much fun? The time change, it’ll be dark early. The lights will be on early. It’ll be a great atmosphere. We’re excited.”

The Comets (8-2) wrapped up theregularseason last week with a 42-14 win against Salina. Sophomore quarterback Logan Blaine threw for 261 yards and six touchdowns in that game. Austin Catcher and Johnny Lewis each caught a pair of touchdowns, while Tracy Pruitt and Casey Armbrister each caught one.

Caney Valley is making its first playoff trip since 1982. The Trojans went 8-2 overall in the regular season.

“They’re a lot like us. They’re athletic,” Barnwell said. “They spread the field and throw it a lot. They scored a lot of points.”

The Comets are four points away from being undefeated, having lost 8-7 to Locust Grove in Week 2 and 21-18 to District 8-2A champion Commerce.

Colcord at Nowata

The Hornets, under firstyear coach Terrill Denny, punched their playoff ticket last week with a 25-8 win at Wyandotte and will play Nowata in the first round of the playoffs.

Colcord (6-4) won four straight games midway through the year before winning two of its last three to close the year.

Nowata went 8-2 on the year, including a 47-15 win at Caney Valley.

Sports, Pages 13 on 11/07/2012