Week Eight Review

Three Up

SM East

The Lancers broke a 15+ year losing streak to SM West, claimed a share of the Sunflower League title, and sealed a spot in the playoffs with their big win.

Olathe Northwest

Olathe Northwest (featuring Leonard Parks, right) finally eked out a close win over a quality opponent and in doing so kept their playoff hopes alive.

SM North

SM North took out the frustration of their 14-game losing streak on Wyandotte, coming away with a 42-0 victory and a shot at making the playoffs with a win this Friday.

Three Down

SM West

SM West's streak of consecutive wins against their rival SM East came to an end Friday; more pertinent is that SM West needs to beat a feisty Blue Valley North team on Friday to make the playoffs.

Lawrence

Lawrence came up a yard short of grabbing a late lead over Olathe Northwest and they have lost three straight games since their upset victory over Olathe East.

Lawrence Free State

Free State has played the most difficult schedule in the Sunflower League, but yet, they haven't managed to win any of their big games since their week one win over Olathe south.

Individual Highlights

**Olathe North's Tanner Gentry ran the ball twice for 75 yards and a touchdown, and caught two passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

**Brandon Willingham led Olathe East with 19 carries for 193 yards and two touchdowns, and he threw a nine-yard touchdown pass.

**SM Northwest quarterback Stephen Mangelsdorf completed 16-of-21 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns and he also rushed for a touchdown.

Week Nine Power Rankings

1.Olathe East (7-1): Olathe East got back on track against Blue Valley Northwest and now they face Olathe South for the district title.

2. Olathe North (7-1): The Eagles had no problems dispatching a solid Free State club and the team is peaking at the right time.

3. SM East (7-1): The Lancers are on cloud-nine right now and this may be the best season in Lancer football history.

4. SM West (6-2): The Vikings have gone from a six game win streak to a do-or-die district finale against Blue Valley North.

5. Olathe South (6-2): Olathe South now holds the league's longest winning streak at six games, and with a playoff spot in hand they have nothing to lose against top ranked Olathe East on Friday.

6. Lawrence Free State (4-4): The Firebirds are in good position to make the playoffs despite their bad loss this past week.

7. SM Northwest (4-4): SM Northwest can use their game this week against Wyandotte as a tune-up for the playoffs.

8. Olathe Northwest (3-5): Olathe Northwest kept their playoff hopes alive with their win over Lawrence but beating Olathe North is a tall order.

9. Lawrence (3-5): Lawrence can make the playoffs if they beat Free State by 14 points and Olathe Northwest loses.

10. SM South (2-6): The Raiders' disappointing season could end on a bright note if they somehow managed to upset SM East.

11. Leavenworth (1-7): Leavenworth can make the playoffs with a win against SM North on Friday.

12. SM North (1-7): SM North began 2009 with two wins, lost 14 straight, and now has a chance to end 2010 with two wins in a row.

Photo courtesy the Kansas City Star