Thursday Report

Week Seven Matchups
All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted

Olathe North (6-0) at Blue Valley (1-5)
Last season this matchup delivered arguably the best game of the season. In that game Blue Valley quarterback Anthony Abenoja threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns, while Olathe North's James Franklin churned out 267 yards rushing and four touchdowns of his own. The game was decided on a botched Olathe North extra point as the Tigers from Blue Valley left victorious 42-41. One year Olathe North is looking like the best team in class 6A, and meanwhile Blue Valley is having their most disappointing season in years, sitting a pitiful 1-5. Will the offensive fireworks be on display this year? If the Olathe North defense plays anything like they have previously this season, no.

Leavenworth (0-6) at Lawrence Free State (4-2)
Unfortunately for Leavenworth, Free State is coming off of a humbling experience against Olathe North. The Firebirds will be out for blood and their first W in district play. The Pioneers appear to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

SM Northwest (4-2) at SM West (5-1)
This game has slowly but steadily developed into a rivalry since Aaron Barnett became the head coach at SM Northwest in 2006, following Tim Callaghan's arrival at SM West in 2003. This year, as has been the past three seasons, the winner of this game can be crowned the champion of the Shawnee Mission School District (a title that has become more reputable in recent years).

SM South (3-3) at Blue Valley North (2-4)
SM South has been playing well this season and a winning record after game number seven would be a huge step in the right direction for the Raider football program. Blue Valley North hasn't shown much consistency, but they will put up a good fight on their home turf in district play--they always do.

Lawrence (0-6) at Olathe Northwest (2-4)
Lawrence has been playing much better lately (despite the 0-6 record) and a win could be close. Collecting a win on the road at CBAC will not be an easy task for the Chesty Lions, but it is feasible. Olathe Northwest has been playing poorly of late and is in as much of a need for a victory as Lawrence.

Blue Valley West (2-4) at Olathe South (4-2)
Olathe South has a decent shot at collecting their fifth win of the season, and fourth straight victory against a sporadic Blue Valley West crew. The EKL does throw the ball around the lot quite a bit and Olathe South's arial attack isn't likely to surprise the Jaguars--but the Jaguars haven't displayed enough consistency to hint as to whether their experience will make a difference.

SM East (2-4) at SM North (2-4)
Both teams have tough remaining paths to get a playoff berth (SM West and SM Northwest make up the rest of the district) and so this game will be crucial. The game is also one of the two Nut Cup rivalries in the Shawnee Mission School District--so bragging rights will also be big.

Blue Valley Northwest 27, Olathe East 21
Olathe East starts district play 0-1 after a disappointing loss at the hands of one of their former assistants, Mike Zegunis, and his Blue Valley Northwest Huskies. The star of the game was Husky receiver Matt Ornduff (arguably the top receiver in Johnson County), who had touchdown receptions of 37, and 85 yards. Olathe East was down 27-7 at one point in the third quarter, but made a valiant effort to get back into the game. Two Carter McEntee touchdown passes got the Hawks within six, but they weren't able to collect another score.