Friday, August 24, 2012

Sunflower League 2012: Five Key Questions

Gene Wier has won six titles titles with ON.
How long will it take for Gene Wier to return Olathe North to dynasty form, if ever?

There's a few things to keep in mind with regard to Wier's return to the school that he established as one of the nation's top dynasties in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  First off, despite the rough 5-4 record this past season, Olathe North had all but returned to dominant form in the latter years of former head coach Pete Flood's tenure.

The Eagles went 10-2 in 2007, claimed a state title in 2009 going 13-0, and lost in the state title game in 2010 going 11-2.  For all intents and purposes, 2011 might have just been an enigma and you have to wonder about the kind of impact Flood's departure had on the Eagles' late-season collapse.  Were the players distracted by the rumors of Flood's possible exit?  Were there behind the scenes events taking place that detracted from success on the gridiron?  Ultimately, nobody knows the potential impact those events had.

While Olathe North doesn't return a ton of talent in 2012, the coaches could literally grab 11 kids from a gym class and find a way to go .500.  There's just too much talent at that school to not win big.  Really the only unknown is how long Wier plans on staying with the program before presumably retiring from coaching.  Remember, it took Wier 16 seasons before he finally captured his first state title with Olathe North in 1996. 

Even with an inexperienced offensive line, is Lawrence capable of winning a state title?

It's becoming cliche, but LHS will go as far as quarterback Brad Strauss is capable of taking them.  If he gets injured again the way he did late in 2011 then you can all but cash in LHS' title hopes.  And that's not a dig on their talent but rather a testament to the type of value Strauss adds to the team as a runner, passer and even defender.  LHS has plenty of talent at the skill positions surrounding Strauss and the offensive line will develop in time, but it's imperative that Strauss is consistently putting up 150-250 yards of total offense a game if the Chesty Lions plan on making it far into the playoffs. 

Will teams like SM South and Leavenworth actually be in contention for the league title?

I'm not sure either of these teams will be in position to compete for a league title, strictly speaking, but both should be vastly improved from 2011.  Leavenworth returns a ton of experience at seemingly every group on offense and defense.  SM South took some lumps last year by playing a ton of juniors and underclassman, but the move could pay tremendous dividends for the Raiders this season and into the future.  At the very least both teams each possess one of the league's top running backs.  Leavenworth's Jason Randall can basically be penciled in for 1,500 all-purpose yards and SM South's Gabe Guild will be aiming for that elusive 2,000-yard rushing mark.  At the high school level, especially in the Sunflower League having a big-time running back is going to win you a couple games.  But a couple isn't the number these teams are aiming for.

Who really is the best quarterback in the Sunflower League?

It's all about what you're looking for.  For dual-threat quarterbacks, you've got to go with Strauss or Free State's Kyle McFarland, both of whom have the potential for 1,000-yard passing and rushing seasons (in fact, barring injury, I'll be surprised if they don't both reach those marks).  The best pro-style quarterback in the league is SM East's Jordan Darling, hands down.  He displayed tremendous decision making and accuracy all summer in 7-on-7 events and those type of efforts generally translate well into the passing game.  For an all-around winner look no further than Olathe South's Frank Seurer.  He's won just under 80% of the games he's started during his time with the Falcons and he has an uncanny ability to make big plays and throw precision passes when the game is in its most crucial stages. 

Other thoughts as August 31st is now less than a week away?

I'm sensing a boom or bust type of season for Olathe East.  Either they win six or more games like they always do, or they really struggle to stay above .500.  Their lack of returning talent is a concern but I would still slot them as the #3 team in the preseason rankings.  You can't bet against Jeff Meyers when it comes to harvesting new talent during the offseason... SM West is flying under the radar but the Vikes have a chance to do some damage this year.  After a brutal four-game stretch to begin the season (at Lawrence, Free State, at Olathe North and at Olathe East) the Vikes should be favored to win their final five games and district.  Break even in the first four games and they're very likely looking at a solid 6-3 or 7-2 record heading into the playoffs... Olathe Northwest, SM North and SM Northwest all remain unknowns at this point in time. 

14 comments:

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Slugger said...

Hmmm.... NO questions concerning Olathe South...

Slugger said...

Hmmm.... NO questions concerning Olathe South...

Pitt 80 said...

South, Huge Lineman again

Pitt 80 said...

Question? How many people will be at the South vs East game Friday night? They better pre-sale tickets at the schools. Good luck to all of the players in this classic battle

Eli Underwood said...

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As far as Olathe South goes, I don't feel like they have any major questions marks. You could maybe, just maybe point to the production they have to replace at the running back position, but I'm confident the Falcons have a good enough system set up to put in new backs and continue rolling.

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Govannon Grey said...

Since I'm "In the know" around the Olathe area, here's some questions about South: Can south replace 4 of their 5 starters from the offensive line last year (only Braden is back?). In fact, Seurer, Elliot, and B.Smith are the only returning offensive starters. Is there another big play threat on the Outside like Drew Johnson that will make teams pay for 8 in the box?

There are also no questions concerning Olathe Northwest. So while I'm at it: they got a find a QB and WR to keep running that air raid system and put up the points they did last year. Oh, and Connor Middleton graduated too. I believe they are returning at least 4 of their lineman though.

TheImpaler said...

Couldn't agree more govannon. Note I picked OS 6-3 this year(losing to OE, LAW, and G/E) they have one hell of a tough schedule. I think the league is wide open this year. LAW and SMW have a lot of talent back and who knows what Gene Wier can do at North? Not to mention the Darling factor and there's always Coack Lisher and Coach Myers. Any of 7 teams could win the league this year I think. Should be a great show anyway.

footballer21 said...

Impaler, how could you pick East over South when East returns even fewer staters...not to mention the starters south does return are all among the best players in the league

I do agree abou SMW though, i think they will do big things this year

TheImpaler said...

Bottom line, I guess I just have more respect for Coach Myers than Coach Gourley. Maybe that's just because OE seems to kick our (SMWs) butts more often. But in week one sometimes it's about coaching and preparation. I think it will be a good game but I'm taking the Hawks by a nose.

Slugger said...

You have to have respect for Myers and how he has consistantly put out a good team year in and year out, but Gourley's team has improved every year culminating with a State Championship last year. Something East has never done. Also have to understand that last year, South replaced their complete backfield and all but two linemen. Gourley will have them ready to play. It will be a good game, but i'm predicting that South will pull away in the second half.

Slugger said...

You have to have respect for Myers and how he has consistantly put out a good team year in and year out, but Gourley's team has improved every year culminating with a State Championship last year. Something East has never done. Also have to understand that last year, South replaced their complete backfield and all but two linemen. Gourley will have them ready to play. It will be a good game, but i'm predicting that South will pull away in the second half.

Slugger said...

Also, I want to know why evertime i post it duplicates itself?