Experience vs. size

Tipton football coach Tony Braby  won’t let his players take Lone Jack lightly.

The Mules are 6-4 and are a district runner-up. Tipton is 10-0, a district champion and ranked No. 5 in the state.

Lone Jack could have easily been a district champion, Braby said.

University Academy (8-2) beat the Mules by only one point, 20-19, and took the district title.

“They dropped a pass on a 2-point conversion that would’ve been the go-ahead score,” Braby said. “We drew an awful tough opponent. They’ve got our attention.”

The four teams that beat Lone Jack made the playoffs: Braymer (24-14), Concordia (25-22), Sherwood (24-8) and University Academy.

Braby compared the Mules to a Southern Boone team that forced his squad to rally in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals scored 16 fourth-quarter points to win 34-28 on Sept. 18.

“They’re big and physical,” Braby said of Lone Jack. “They run some option. Their quarterback (Scott Radmacher) is very athletic. He can run and throw.”

Justin Chandler and Jacob Suhr are Radmacher’s top targets in the passing game.

Running back Dalton Shahan and fullback Seth Vie have been major contributors this season. Michael Martin adds depth to the backfield.

The Cardinals, whose seniors went 39-1 in the regular season, have plenty of weapons on offense led by quarterback Marcus Brinkley, who has thrown for around 900 yards and 15 touchdowns and has run for about 400 yards and nine touchdowns.

Tipton features a balanced corps of running backs that have amassed around 2,000 yards on the ground.

Running backs Burt Barbour and Dallas Peoples have gained around 400 yards each, and fullbacks Keil Allison and Jonathan Loganbill  are threats as runners and receivers.

Chris Bracht is Brinkley’s favorite target in the passing game. He has caught 12 TD passes and has been equally important on defense where he has five interceptions.

“He’s our best coverage guy,” Braby said. “We put him on their best receiver.”

Braby hopes his team’s experience in big games will pay off Wednesday night. The Cardinals have reached the state semifinals in each of the past two years.

“We’ve been there done that,” Braby said. “We have a lot of respect for Lone Jack, but we’re comfortable playing in close games.”

Notes: The two teams have met only once before. Lone Jack beat the Cardinals 14-7 in a Class 1 sectional playoff in 2006 at Tipton. ... Lone Jack outscored its opponents 257-164 this season. Tipton outscored its opponents 304-103.