Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Sub-State Preview: Olathe East at Olathe South

Much of the Sub-State game will be riding on whether or
not Olathe East's defense has what it takes to step up and
stop Olathe South's vicious run game.  Photo courtesy the
 Kansas City Star.
Olathe East (9-2) at Olathe South (10-1)
Where: ODAC
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Spread: Olathe East +5.6

Players to Watch

Olathe East
As has been the case all season, Olathe East will do about as well as their running backs perform.  Running backs John Kelsh and Kendall Kelly have both topped the 1,000 yard rushing mark, while Hayden Frazier is a reliable third back to add to the attack.  Junior Williams is mostly known for his defensive prowess where he leads the SL in interceptions with seven, but he also has the ability to make a big play on offense evidence by his 51-yard touchdown run last week against SM West.

Olathe South
Running back Jordan Ward has been a dominant figure all season but he's taken his game to another level in the last three weeks (one of those games came against Olathe East).  He has the confidence to run against Olathe East's defense and he'll get his fair share of carries.  Fellow running back Teddy Colbert will also get his touches, as it was his 60-yard touchdown run through the heart of the Olathe East defense in week nine which set the tone for the Olathe South victory.  You also can't discount junior quarterback Frankie Suerer.  He's passed for over 1,300 yards this season and he has a knack for completing big passes after defenses get lulled to sleep stopping the run.

Historical Stat
Generally speaking, the best Olathe games in the past ten years or so have come when these teams were each facing Olathe North, not one and other.  The last time these two schools met up in the playoffs was in the Sectional Round of the 2007 playoffs.  Olathe East had won the regular season contest, 35-14, but Olathe South took home the victory in the playoffs winning 21-17.  The victory helped propel the Falcons to a 6A state championship game appearance that year. 

I also remember the 2005 regular season finale between these two being a pretty hyped game.  Both squads were undefeated.  Olathe East was led by quarterback Derek Miller while Olathe South relied heavily on the leadership of their quarterback, Brady Croucher.  Olathe East just had too much speed to burn in that game, as they came away with a 28-14 victory, and eventually made it to the 6A state championship game.

What to Expect
When these two teams met up in week nine it was certainly more of a "do-or-die" situation for Olathe South.  Not only did they need to win to make the playoffs, but they also had to win by 13 points.  Olathe South led 7-6 at halftime, and then they put together a big second half, scoring 29 more points and holding Olathe East to just two more touchdowns, winning 36-18.  Needless to say, the scenario has changed in this game and it's do-or-die for both teams.  Not to say Olathe East didn't play their hardest in week nine, but I think we'll see a game that's much closer throughout.

If Olathe East is going to come out on top this time, it's going to start with the core of their defense.  The Hawks' have been weak up the middle all season long.  Olathe South was able to take full advantage of this deficiency last time around.  As you move outside the Olathe East defense gets stronger, led by and outstanding secondary of Williams, Kelly, and Marcus Banks.  But Olathe South isn't going to live by the pass.  They're going to run straight at Olathe East, and if the Hawks can't contain the rushing attack it's going to be a long night.

When Olathe East has the ball they're going to be running out of their modified three back formation, a sort of Power-I + 1 look.  The Hawks have had success with it throughout the season, but it's been shut down against team's that load the box and have outstanding linebacker personnel--see Olathe South.  The Falcons' linebacking corps, led by Remington Whitley and Chase Hanson, showed the ability to stuff the Olathe East running game in week nine, and they will be relied on to do the same again.

I feel this game is matching up the two best 6A teams on this side of the state and I'm excited to see the outcome.  It's incredibly challenging to beat a top team twice, but it just seems that Olathe South has that extra moxy they may need to carry them the distance.  Moreoever, the winner of this game won't be able to celebrate for long, as Wichita Heights (a 28.4 point favorite over Derby) very likely awaits in the 6A state championship.

Head to Head Stat Comparison

Olathe East

Passing Yards
John Blazevic: 794 yards, 7 TDs

Rushing Yards
John Kelsh: 1,154, 12 TDs
Kendall Kelly: 1,077 20 TDs
Hayden Frazier: 423, 6 TDs

Receiving Yards
Chad Johnson: 638, 6 TDs
DJ McCray: 100

Tackles
Junior Williams: 63
Nathan Guthrie: 55
Matthew Baltimore: 52

Interceptions
Junior Williams: 7
Marcus Banks: 4
Sam McReynolds: 2

Olathe South

Passing
Frankie Seurer: 1,355, 11 TDs

Rushing
Jordan Ward: 1,244, 16 TDs
Teddy Colbert: 885, 8 TDs
Matt Elliott: 356, 3 TDs

Receiving
Drew Johnson: 581, 6 TDs
Matt Elliott: 483, 3 TDs
Teddy Colbert: 114

Tackles
Remington Whitley: 144
Dylan DeVries: 108
Chase Hanson: 99

Interceptions
Matt Elliott: 4
Greg Fry: 3
Drew Johnson: 3
Remington Whitley: 3

Stats courtesy Mid-Statesports.com

9 comments:

revolnoclaF said...

Does anyone know when they will announce the Sunflower league honors for this year???

TheImpaler said...

TheImpaler’s Week 12 pick
Last week (1-1) Season (48-17)


OE (9-2) @ OS (10-1) Oh, who cares, another all-Olathe sub-state. Yawn. Oh well, here goes. East's run defense remains suspect and South has too much fire power in the running game. South made East look stupid three weeks ago and I see no way the Hawks can keep up with the Falcons. South will be Heights' cannon fodder in Topeka next weekend. OS 31 OE 21

Diablo del Sol said...

Generally, revolnoclaF, they get together and decide after the last SL team plays. I think.

Sunflower Fan said...

The Sunflower league honors have already been decided. The coaches get togehter after the last regular season game. The honors will not be published until after the state championship game.

TheImpaler said...

I wonder what they would have done if Washburn had beaten UCM and gotten a home playoff game in round two the same day as the state championship game is supposed to be played in Yager Stadium. Hmmm.

Anonymous said...

kelly has 21 touchdowns..

Anonymous said...

and john kelsh has 13..

Adam Sullivan said...

http://smnfootball.blogspot.com/ live updates from the ols/ole game, as well as derby/wichita heights

Diablo del Sol said...

South 17 - East 7 at the half.