In the night that normally would be the end of District Play, instead two Class 5A teams locked horns in the first round of the new playoff format.
The Topeka West Chargers traveled to face the Great Bend Panthers. Both teams came out firing from the first snaps with quick touchdowns each.
By Halftime, the score reached 49 to 24 for the Panthers. The final score ended being 70 to 31.
Great Bend advances to face Andover and former Panther coach Tony Crough.
Below are some of the pictures I took at the game:
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Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) pumps up his teammates before the game starts. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7) leads his team onto the field for warmups. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Zu’mere Beard (#9) runs a drill during warmups. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7) prepares to lead his team onto the field for the game. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Panthers huddle at the center of the field. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Members of the Great Bend Fourth through Sixth Grade PKFL teams join the Panthers for the National Anthem. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Allison Muth sings the National Anthem while facing the flag. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Team Captains watch the coin being flipped to decide who starts the game. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Elliot Mehrens (#11) kicks off the ball to start the game. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Cal Marshall (#11) streaks down the field as Topeka West Charger Kendall Sutton (#31) tries to catch up. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Carlos Franco (#38) kicks a Point After Touchdown as Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) tries to block. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Carlos Franco (#38) kicks the ball off. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Brian Wright (#1) runs past Great Bend Panther Dalton Miller (#16). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Max Jerke (#6) tackles Topeka West Charger Brian Wright (#1). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Zach Shima (#10) gives his offense the next play. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) scores a touchdown as Great Bend Panther Max Jerke (#6) pursues. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Elliot Mehrens (#11) kicks a Point After Touchdown. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7) punts the ball. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Dalton Miller (#16) sacks Topeka West Charger Zach Shima (#10). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panthers Dalton Miller (#16) and Mason Yellowwolf (#27) tackle Topeka West Charger Vincent Parker (#80). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Vincent Parker (#80) tries to catch a pass. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Zach Shima (#10) calls for the ball to be hiked. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Blake Penka (#34) tries to block a field goal attempt. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Elliot Mehrens (#11) kicks off the ball. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger TJ Peterson (#12) tries to stop Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7) but he crosses into the end zone to score a touchdown. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) groves to the Great Bend Student Section chants to pump up for the upcoming kick off. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) carries the ball up the field. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) changes directions as the hole he was running to closes. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Max Jerke (#6) tackles Topeka West Charger Brian Wright (#1). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Caleb Schmelzle (#14) flies through the air as a Great Bend Panther defender tires to tackle. him. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Blake Hartke (#75) moves to block Great Bend Panther Koby Schroeder (#79). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Zach Shima (#10) looks down the field for an open receiver. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) lands in the end zone to score a touchdown as Great Bend Panther Dalton Miller (#16) covers. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Bryce Lytle (#20) runs with a pass he just caught. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Bryce Lytle (#20) takes off for the end zone. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Topeka West Charger offensive line fire off of the ball. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Topeka West Chargers kneel as trainers look at /tw13. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Teammates congratulate Great Bend Panther Cal Marshall (#11) on scoring a touchdown. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Braulio Vargas (#36) tackles Topeka West Charger Brian Wright (#1). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Chargers Brian Wright (#1) and Kevin Link (#55) tackle Great Bend Panther Braulio Vargas (#36). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7) reaches out to touch Topeka West Charger Kendall Sutton (#31). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Panther sideline hold up their helmets as the ball is kicked off. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Cal Marshall (#11) finds a large hole in the Topeka West Charger defense. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Bryce Lytle (#20) looks back as the pass almost reaches his hands with Topeka West Chargers Kendall Sutton (#31) and Willie Tucker (#20) pursuing. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Brock Blessing (#18) flies in the air as Topeka West Charger Elliot Mehrens (#11) tackles him. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Willie Tucker (#20) sacks Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Bryce Lytle (#20) tries to pull in a possible touchdown pass. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Panther Dance Line perform’s to Michael Jackson’s Thriller during Halftime. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Student Section cheers a the Second Half starts. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) tries to pump himself up for the start of the Second Half. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Chris Ellis (#13) points out a defender for a teammate to block. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Dominique Rideaux (#14) and Topeka West Charger Xaiver Griffin (#65) lock up in a blocking battle. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Max Jerke (#6) returns a pass he just intercepted, one of the three he took away on the night, as Dalton Miller (#16) lead blocks. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Chargers Zach Shima (#10) and TJ Peterson (#12) tackle Great Bend Panther Jacob Murray (#7). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Cal Marshall (#11) sprints down the field with the ball. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Dalton Miller (#16) returns a pass he intercepted for a touchdown. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Ty Esfeld (#2) hands the ball off to Gage Fritz (#29). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Gage Fritz (#29) carries the ball. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Topeka West Charger Vincent Parker (#80) reaches out to try and tackle Great Bend Panther Gage Fritz (#29). The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Members of the Great Bend Panthers and Topeka West Chargers shake hands following the game. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Panthers salute their fans following the game. The Great Bend Panthers defeated the Topeka West Chargers 70 to 31 in a KSHSAA Class 5A First Round matchup. at Memorial Stadium in Great Bend, Kansas on October 28, 2016. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
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