Monday, May 31, 2010

Sunflower League All-Decade Team: Kyson Ginavan

Name: Kyson Ginavan
School: Olathe South
Graduated: 2008
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175lbs.
Position: Defensive Back

Kyson Ginavan stands out as perhaps the best run support defensive back the Sunflower League witnessed during the 2000s. Despite lacking great size or strength, Ginavan was an aggressive tackler at the safety position and it showed in the statistics he put up. Ginavan was also one of the more versatile players of the decade, starting as a receiver and handling kicking and return duties during his time at Olathe South.


Ginavan and his class had to step up big time as juniors in 2006, when the Olathe South program severely lacked seniors. They did a commendable job, helping Olathe South to a 6-4 record and Regional appearance in the playoffs. Ginavan led the team from the secondary recording 95 tackles, while also totaling 395 receiving yards. Ginavan was named First Team All-Sunflower League as a defensive back following the season.

The experience Olathe South’s class of 2008 had gained during their junior season created quite a bit of hype for the squad heading into the 2007 season, their senior year. Perhaps the expectations were too high, or perhaps the team hadn’t completely gelled yet. Either way, Olathe South struggled to get it together during the regular season and went 6-3, with losses in nearly every big game they played. Ginavan and company didn’t give up, however. Ginavan and the rest of his Olathe South teammates went on to avenge their “average” regular season by soundly defeating their three playoff opponents, including Olathe East and Olathe North. The team faced Hutchinson in the 6A state championship, and lost 37-14, but the team’s overall finish to the season was viewed as a success.

Ginavan’s efforts could be the viewed as the steady force behind the team’s playoff run. Ginavan finished off his senior season with 105 tackles, five interceptions, and nine pass breakups. Offensively he caught 41 passes for 639 yards and seven touchdowns. He also returned several kicks for touchdowns, and took care of kicking duties.

Ginavan was named First Team All-Sunflower League as a defensive back and receiver, First Team All-State Class 6A, Kansas Top 11, and he was named the KC Metro Sports Multipurpose Player of the Year. Ginavan has since gone on to play football at Central Missouri.

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