Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Week Nine Game Previews

Lawrence Free State, with the help of players like Ryan
Patterson, center, has won six of their last seven games.
Photo courtesy the Lawrence Journal World.
Lawrence (5-3) at Lawrence Free State (6-2) at Lawrence Free State

This game could come down to the durability of an ankle--Brad Strauss' ankle that is. According to the Lawrence Journal World, Strauss' status is pending but he will be making an effort to start. While the talented junior won't be fully mobile if he does play, he still has the arm and the offensive weapons to get things done for the Chesty Lions. On the other hand Free State is arguably the hottest team in the league right now and they wouldn't be an easy out even if Strauss was completely healthy.

SM North (2-6) at Leavenworth (1-7) at Leavenworth

The Indians vs. the Pioneers, round two.  Last year these two teams were in the exact same situation in week nine.  Leavenworth gained an early lead, before SM North came back to claim the victory and playoff berth.  With similar circumstances at play this time around one can anticipate another great game between these two teams.

Olathe North (5-3) at Olathe Northwest (4-4) at CBAC

The winner of this game will most likely qualify for the playoffs.  Olathe Northwest has been the little brother amongst the Olathe schools since joining the league in 2004, but that title could quickly change if they were able to knock off proverbial heavyweight Olathe North.  The Eagles are reeling, but they aren't down just yet.

SM East (4-4) at SM South (2-6) at SM South District Stadium

Win or go home in this game.  SM East is favored especially with a healthy Dakota Collins back at quarterback, but there's no guarantees against a feisty foe from SM South.  The Raiders are led by the most productive running back in the league in Gabe Guild and they've certainly shown flashes of being a pretty good team during the season, despite their 2-6 record. 

SM Northwest (3-5) at Wyandotte (2-6) at Wyandotte

SM Northwest has already qualified for the playoffs and so this game is merely a chance to make their record look a little better heading into next week.  The Cougars haven't been impressive in district play, but they've managed to come away with the necessary wins.

Blue Valley North (0-8) at SM West (5-3) at SM North District Stadium

This has the potential to be a trap game for SM West, given the fact that they've already claimed a playoff berth and BV North hasn't won a game all season long.  Assuming the Vikes take this one seriously it could be a great tune up before they begin playoff action next week.

Game of the Week
Olathe East (7-1) at Olathe South (7-1) at ODAC

There's too much riding on this game for it not to be the Game of the Week.  Olathe South, who began the season on a six game terror, suffered a loss in district play to BV Northwest, and they will only make the playoffs if they are able to beat Olathe East.  If Olathe South is able to come away victorious, they will not only qualify for the playoffs, but they'll also be the outright Sunflower League Champion for 2011.

Olathe East has the chance to play spoiler.  A win would eliminate Olathe South from the playoffs, give the Hawks a share of the Sunflower League title, and also make the Hawks the top overall seed in the Kansas 6A East bracket for the playoffs.

4 comments:

Blair tate said...

Lawrence free state 24 lawrence 7
On 35 Onw 14
Smw 42 bvn 7
Sme 35 sms 14
Oe 28 Os 21

Blair tate said...

Lvw 28 Smn 21
SMNW 56 WYCO 3

But who cares about either teams in playoffs

TheImpaler said...

A couple of errors: O North is not in with just a win, they need Free State to win too and they (ON) need to win by at least 10.

OS is not in with a win. They are out with a loss. They are in with a win by 13 or more. They are also in with a win (by any margin) and either a BVNW loss or a BVNW win by the same or fewer points that OS wins by.

ONW and Free State are in with wins. Lawrence needs some help but not as much as ON.

TheImpaler said...

TheImpaler’s Week 9 picks
Last week (6-2) Season (41-11)

The Olathe News writer is now so far behind me he is forgetting his misses….he was 4-4 last week, not 5-3 as he published. Looks like a fun week. I’ll give him a chance and disagree with him on 4 games this week…if he gets them all, he’ll tie me for the regular season.

ON (5-3) @ ONW (4-4) As much as I’d love so see the Ravens win this game huge and win their district so my Vikes could get the 2 seed, it ain’t gonna happen. Eagles are going to be playing with desperation knowing they need a double digit win to have any chance to make the playoffs. Last chance, Eagles. ON 35 ONW 23

LAW (5-3) @ LFS (5-3) I think this comes down to whether Strauss plays or not. Lions are just another mediocre Sunflower League team without him and Coach Lisher has the Firebirds peaking at playoff time again. LFS’ woeful kicking game could hurt them but I’m going to guess Strauss is out or at least innefective. LFS 27 LAW 17

SME (4-4) @ SMS (2-6) Win and get in. Can the Lancers regain their focus and can Collins throw the ball to the right team this week? This comes down to Guild vs. Faerber. Both will get their yards. Not to second guess coach Sherman but I think he under utilizes Lowe, East needs more of a run threat. I just don’t think the Raiders are quite there yet, East will win and be rewarded with a game at OE in the first round. SME 31 SMS 21

BVN (0-8) @ SMW (5-3) Total mismatch, Mustangs have nothing to play for and really the Vikes have very little to gain in this game unless ONW can pull a miracle out of their hats and buy the Vikes the 2 seed. Still Coach C will have his boys focused although the starters may not get much past half time. SMW 49 BVN 7

BVNW (4-4) @ BVW (3-5) [I’ll pick this game but it doesn’t count against my record] Can the Huskies focus on their game against their EKL and cross town rivals knowing their fate is being determined in Olathe? I expect this game to be closer than most would think. BVNW 28 BVW 24

OE (7-1) @ OS (7-1) Definitely the game of the week. Can OE control the punishing OS running game? Can the suspect OS defense stop the East juggernaut? Sorry Falcons, as much as I’d love a first round rematch with the Hawks at SMS stadium, I think you’re sitting home at 7-2 this year. OE 38 OS 28

SMN (2-6) @ LV (1-7) Big showdown for the last playoff spot. They’ve put up pretty similar scores against their common district opponents and seem very evenly matched, I’d go with the home team except…it’s Leavenworth. Sorry, Pioneers, I’ve got to go Indians. SMN 31 LV 28

SMNW (3-5) @ WYAN (2-6) Uh-oh. The Cougs may not be up to their usual level this year but Wyandotte is bad even by KCK standards. Coach Barnett can pretty much name his score here. I was going to go 70 but I suppose like the SMW starters they Cougar starters won’t see much of the second half. SMNW 56 WYAN 0