Friday, November 11, 2011

6A East Sectional Game Previews

Olathe East's Hayden Frazier, center, is one of the Hawks'
three top running backs.  Photo courtesy the Kansas City
Star.
SM West (7-3) at Olathe East (8-2)
Where: CBAC
Spread: Olathe East +10
Last Meeting: Olathe East won 28-21 in week five

Who to Watch For

SM West
The Vikings have found that the more Joel Spiller and Brett Sterbach carry the ball, the higher chances of success they have in winning football games.  Both players have come on exceptionally strong as the season has progressed and it will take a big effort from both to pull the upset tonight.  A wildcard? While Ricco Hopkins hasn't had his numbered called in too many big situations this season, he does have as good of breakaway speed as any player in the league once he gets into open field.

Olathe East
Playing Olathe East should come with the disclaimer "DO NOT throw the football at their cornerbacks."  Their two primary corners, Junior Williams and Marcus Banks, have feasted on quarterbacks to the tune of 11 interceptions this year.  On the offensive side of the ball, the Hawks will run the football until they literally no longer can.  The only game we've seen Olathe East truly struggle with running the football was in their week one loss at Olathe North.  Without a run game, the Hawks had to rely on an average passing game and they looked lost throughout the night.  However, shutting down the Olathe East run game is easier said than done.

Historical Stat
Since Tim Callaghan took over as head coach at SM West in 2003 this has become a sort of pseudo out-of-district rivalry.  The teams have met seven times since the 2003 season, with Olathe East holding a slight 4-3 edge with wins coming in 2003, '05, '07 and this season.  SM West's wins in the rivalry have come in 2004, '06 and '09.

What to Expect
Let's see, since Olathe East beat SM West 28-21 in week five, the two teams have combined to go 9-1 overall.  For SM West it was that loss that sparked their current five-game winning streak.  Meanwhile Olathe East has only fallen once, against Olathe South.  Both teams are performing at a high level at this juncture in the season and it has the makings of a very high quality football game.  Also, an important thing to keep in mind is that SM West's fanbase travels as well as any team in the Sunflower League.  They will pack their side of CBAC and the homefield advantage will be limited for Olathe East.

Olathe South (9-1) at SM East (6-4)
Where: SM North District Stadium
Spread: Olathe South +1.7
Last Meeting: Olathe South won 29-21 in week four
Live Video Feed and Broadcast: SM East Harbinger

Who to Watch For

Olathe South
When the going gets tough Olathe South tends to focus more and more on their stable of running backs.  Their primary ballcarrier is Jordan Ward, who has gone over the century mark in rushing yards this season.  Fritz Wilbur, Teddy Colbert, and Russell White also carry the ball and all have shown the ability to be a top running back if their number is called on,.

SM East
SM East quarterback Dakota Collins is going to be looking to pass to his two primary wide receiver targets, Elliot Faerber and Connor Rellihan, all night.  Combined, those two have over 1,400 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches.  They make up the most dynamic quarterback to receiver combo in the league and now that Faerber is healthy the trio has really taken off. 

Historical Stat
I find it interesting that these two teams have once again found a way to face off in the playoffs.  In 2005 SM East was a major underdog against the Falcons but they actually gave Olathe South a pretty game, before coming up short 16-7.  Last season SM East was the favorite over Olathe South when the teams matched up in Regionals, but Olathe South pulled a 28-24 upset.  Needless to say, SM East is probably tired of bowing out in the playoffs in close games to Olathe South.

What to Expect
Olathe South has struggled at times this season against the spread offense.  SM East primarily runs the spread offense.  While the Falcons are still favored because of their strong rushing attack (that has seemingly befuddled every opponent this season) they certainly will have their hands full trying to shut down the Lancers.  The game is being broadcast live by SM East's Harbinger staff and the video to that broadcast is linked here.  It was a close game earlier in the year when these two met up and the same should be expected tonight in this game.

18 comments:

Diablo del Sol said...

South vs East rematch for Sub State. Tasty.

MahValley said...

OS v SME, WOW! What was the final total yardage? Had to be about 1200 or so because no one was playing defense.

Govannon Grey said...

Yeah, it's a little deceiving. OS was up by 27 when they put their scrubbies in and gave up some late TDs. Still Good offensive game.

revolnoclaF said...

Blair Tate, all i can say is SOUR GRAPES... It hurts to get your a$$ kicked twice in one year... Oh yeah, I forgot, we also knocked SM East out of the playoffs last year.....

If you need us we will be in the weight room....

revolnoclaF said...

And another thing Blair Tate.... I bet you are really embarassed that the SM East powerhouse team got gashed for close to 600 yards against the run.... Says a lot for your weak defensive line and weak LINEBACKERS....

Maybe your players should stick to golf and tennis

Again, if you need us we will be in the weight room....

Slugger said...

One heart Beep.

Oh, and little man Tate, so much for those predictions of a SME win. That game was over midway through the 1st quarter. Classy move by your coach on-side kicking when your down by 4 touchdowns with less then 3 minutes left.

revolnoclaF said...

Blair one thing that is certain.... If your SM East boys would have been stronger then the OSouth linemen would not have been able to knock them on their A$$es every play.... And believe me, they spent the entire night on their backs with our big boys looking down on them....

When your boys were on their backs after every play it is no wonder their whittle fingers and whittle hands got stepped on... You only compound things for the Lancer Nation by crying about the results of your team not being very strong....

The moral of the story is football is a mans sport, not like tennis and golf.... If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch, or, stick with tennis and golf........

It is very clear that SM East can't run with the olathe boys....

Now, if you need us we will be in the weight room preparing for our next opponent....

Slugger said...

There was a lot of stuff going on by both teams last night as evidence by the personal foul penalties. Classy move byOS coach to call TO and pull all players off field and bench and tell them to cut it out.

Slugger said...

You mean next victim

One heart Beep!

B. Smith 79 said...

The "Wonder Boy" Braden Smith needs some work, cause hes not gonna make a whole lot of tackles when he's on the ground every play. D1 recruit my ball sack. All In Til I Die.

B. Smith 79 said...

Jared "Idougie" Douglas wears cargo shorts. Total GDI move.

SouthSide#1 said...

Chyup Swoop first off he is a sophmore and 2nd he had a bad game so what he still played better than 95% of the sunflower league.

Slugger said...

Wnder boy was triple teamed all night long on defense. Left our linebackers free to wreak havoc. He did his job and did it well. On offense, SME didn't know what hit them. OS off line controlled that game.

B. Smith 79 said...

He was tripled teamed maybe 5 times on pass plays when the guards didnt have anyone to block. If his job was to do nothing all game, then he did great

Govannon Grey said...

You know, All year I haven't heard or seen much 'smack' talk from anyone from Olathe East all year on this board, or respond to any talk their way. I find that respectable.

I hope that the talk from South is from fans and not any of their players.

Pitt80 said...

Oklahoma State vs LSU, how do you feel about that BIG BOY. Feel free to come and see us in the weight room or training room and we will wrap up all of the hurt FINGERS. Man up Sooner lover. Is it Golf season yet?????

FootballRulez said...

The Blair Tate account is fake. My dad is really good friends with the real one. The real Blair Tate won an Orange Bowl at OU, so stop hating. Their family is SME and I bet that account is run by a bitter SME player.

Ninja turtle said...

Anyone else hear about Sandusky... That guy is WIERD!!!