SM North's Mason Perez (#2 above in black) has outrun defenders to the endzone all season long. Photo courtesy the Shawnee Dispatch. |
By all means SM North should be able to end their six-game losing streak this week when they host Wyandotte. Last week Leavenworth destroyed the Bulldogs 42-0... SM North should be able to do at least that much damage. More importantly, a win here would prepare the Indians for their week nine game against Leavenworth which will likely decide their playoff fate.
Blue Valley North at SM South at SM South District Stadium
These two clubs have a combined record of 1-13 on the season so this game isn't exactly earning front cover press, but I could see it being a pretty good battle. BV North actually showed some life last week, when they only lost by 18 points against a strongly favored SM East team. SM South has been playing tough football all season long but they just haven't had many bounces go their way.
Leavenworth at SM Northwest at SM North District Stadium
The winner of this matchup will basically seal a playoff victory, which is crazy considering both teams went a combined 1-11 in pre-district play. Nevertheless, it's a big game for both teams. SM Northwest appears to have the horses to come away with the victory, but you never know what kind of fight Leavenworth is going to show especially considering the circumstances.
Olathe Northwest at Lawrence at Lawrence High School
Olathe Northwest's magical season (on the offensive side of the ball, that is) is quickly running short on time. If the Ravens don't beat Lawrence in this game they will be eliminated from the playoffs. Lawrence on the other hand is in good position to make the playoffs, and a win in this game virtually seals a playoff victory. One element that will surely change the dimension of this game is whether or not Olathe Northwest's quarterback Dalton Rook is back in the starting lineup. Without him, the chances of a Raven victory are slim.
Olathe North at Lawrence Free State at Lawrence Free State High School
I'm sure Olathe North hasn't even let the idea of a loss enter their their minds all week, because we all know what that would mean... but realistically they're not in the position you want to be in with an 0-1 record in district play. Free State has been playing good football and behind quarterback Kyle McFarland they've reeled off wins in five of their last six games. On top of that, Olathe North has to travel to on the road to play under the dim and spooky lights of Free State.
Blue Valley Northwest at Olathe East at CBAC
Two teams playing some of the best football in East Kansas will be clashing in this one, and we should expect a dandy. Olathe East has reeled off six straight wins while BV Northwest is sitting at a very respectable 4-3 coming off a near upset of Blue Valley and a sound defeat of Olathe South in consecutive weeks. The BV Northwest passing attack versus the Olathe East secondary will be fun to watch. Olathe East has two of the Sunflower League's premier defensive backs in Junior Williams and Marcus Banks, who have combined for six interceptions this year. On the other side of the ball, BV Northwest quarterback Garrett Fugate has a knack for finding creases in defenses and scoring touchdowns through the air and on the ground.
Olathe South at Blue Valley West at Blue Valley High School
It's never fun to go through six weeks of play undefeated only to lose the first game that actually counts towards making the playoffs. That is where Olathe South is at right now, and anything less than a 13-point win here against the Jaguars could basically eliminate Olathe South from playoff contention. Olathe East handled BV West last week, and Olathe South should be able to follow suit, but they must control and dictate this game from the start.
Game of the Week
SM West at SM East at SM South District Stadium
Last year SM East was able to break a losing streak against the Vikings that had spanned over a decade. This time around, both teams are sitting at 4-3 and they look fairly comparable on paper. The alleged return of the formerly injured Lancer quarterback Dakota Collins could have significant importance in this game, especially considering how well SM East did with Collins at the helm in the early portion of the season.
SM West hasn't been a real exciting team statistically, but they've gritted their teeth and managed to pull out four wins thus far. Another point of added suspense--if SM West wins this games they'll likely make win out and make the playoffs at 6-3, guaranteeing an eighth straight winning season for the program. A loss here and a 5-5 non-winning record may very well be the way the Vikings close out the 2011 season, breaking the streak of winning records.
6 comments:
SMNW/LV is Thursday and SMN/WY Friday.
TheImpaler’s Week 8 picks
Last week (6-2) Season (35-9)
Still two games up on the Olathe News guy. OE can pick up another game for me this week (I can't believe that homer picked BVNW!). Also he's taking SME. We'll see.
ONW (3-4) @ LAW (5-2) Lions probably the hottest team in the league right now other than maybe O East. Ravens let another one slip away last week vs. Free State. I think Lawrence should cruise to the district championship here. LAW 35 ONW 16
ON (5-2) @ LFS (5-2) Two weeks ago, the Eagles were everyone’s #1 seed, now they’re facing elimination from the playoffs if they don’t win this week. Free State’s run of easy schedule runs out now, they’re going to have to earn it the next two weeks. Eagles rebound here. ON 38 LFS 20
SMW (4-3) @ SME (4-3) The winner here should win the district and get a home playoff game (albeit probably against O North). Dakota Collins is supposed to be back which may boost an East offense which has been downright anemic in his absence but the Vikings have played back to back good games for the first time this year. West has more offensive options, East the better defense, kicking game about equal. This one comes down to who plays smarter, turnovers and penalties. I’ll take the Vikes by a hair SMW 24 SME 21
BVN (0-7) @ SMS (1-6) (Thurs.) This may be a real test of the strength of the Sunflower league. The Mustangs are horrible and the Raiders have been pretty competitive in league games much of the season, You’d expect and easy win for coach Longeran here. I hope that’s the case. SMS 35 BVN 14
BVNW (4-3) @ OE (6-1) An even more important game for league pride. A Husky win here pretty much wraps up the district and leaves the loser of next week’s OE-OS game out of the playoffs. The key is whether the solid Hawk D can control Fugate. I’ll take the Hawks here, hopefully by at least 13. OE 27 BVNW14
OS (6-1) @ BVW (3-4) Suddenly a must win for the Falcons who just one week ago looked like a lock for the #1 seed. After getting blown out by the Huskies last week, their only hope for a playoff berth is a big win here. OS 37 BVW 10
LV (1-6) @ SMNW (2-5) (Thurs) Both teams are 1-0 in district, the Pioneers could take a huge step toward the district championship if they can upset the Cougs. It had to feel great for LV to post a 49-0 win last week and the Cougs still looked very shaky in needing OT to get by the Indians. Still, I have to go with the Cougs. SMNW 35 LV 20
WYAN (2-5) @ SMN (1-6) Indians should get an easy win here setting up a probable last playoff spot showdown with LV next week. SMN 45 WYAN 7
Leav 7 SMNW 3 end of the 1st
Leav 7 SMNW 10 Half
ON vs LFS sub varsity scores
Fresh: 21-19 ON (6-2)
Soph: 14-19 LFS (4-4)
JV: 28-6 ON (7-1)
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