![]() |
JD Woods and his LHS teammates are hoping to bring home a victory in week one when they visit Blue Valley West. Photo LJWorld. |
** Three of the Sunflower League's staple head coaches -- Free State's Bob Lisher, Lawrence's Dirk Wedd, and Olathe East's Jeff Meyers -- have yet to win state titles as head coaches. The trio have a combined 341 wins and 53 years of head coaching experience in the Sunflower League. You just get the feeling one of them is going to break the drought in the next few years.
**It's a bit surprising that SM East defensive end Kyle Ball hasn't received any FBS offers to date. The 2013 Sunflower League Defensive Player of the Year is coming off a season where he recorded 107 tackles (28 for loss) and eight sacks. Ball, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 235 pounds, also had stellar performances at the summer camps of various local universities. He reportedly logged a 4.58 forty at Iowa State's summer camp in June, and he was, according to many reports, the most impressive defensive lineman in attendance at Kansas' summer camp. Widely regarded as the most tenacious returning defender in the state, I'm sure Ball will eventually land an offer(s). Especially as his senior production backs up what he's done the past two years with the Lancers.
**There will be several content changes to The Sunflower League Football Blog this upcoming season. For one, I've done away with the the Weekly Player Ratings section. It was fun to keep tabs on which players were performing the best on paper, but overall I don't think it was the most efficient way to evaluate the league's top talents. And there was no real way to track lineman or strictly defensive players in the ratings. But I've also balanced things out by adding content. I plan on having weekly commentary overviews, such as this, in addition to more columns. I will also try to incorporate JV, Sophomore, and Freshman level team reports, where I see fit, if possible.
**Is there anything like Friday nights in the fall? Pregame tailgates. The band's drumline echoing throughout the parking lot. The changing leaves and temperatures creating the unique fall ambiance. The smell of the popcorn as you enter the stadium. The unbridled rush of enthusiasm from the crowds. The synopsis during the car rides home. Post-game celebrations with friends. Re-watching the highlights that night on TV... Enjoy the football season.
Trending Up



Trending Down


Week One Power Rankings
1. Olathe North
The Eagles begin their "Drive for Nine" with a trip south to take on Rogers (Ark.) Heritage. Anything less than a comfortable victory and the naysayers will be out in full force.
2. SM East
The Lancers made headway as a program last fall making the 6A state title game, but mopping up what will be an inexperienced Gardner-Edgerton team would be yellow tape to the rest of league and state.
3. Olathe East
The Hawks' opponent, Garden City, will be playing on the heels of a six-hour bus ride. Olathe East can make its presence known with a what should be a solid home showing.
4. Lawrence
Traveling to play Blue Valley West will be unfamiliar territory for the young group of Chesties. New stadium, new opponent -- but this group of Lions is ready to prove themselves after going 3-6 in 2013.
5. Lawrence Free State
Maybe the best thing about a Bob Lisher coached football team is they don't seem to miss a beat from one season to the next, especially on offense. Expect their zone-read to be at mid-season form.
6. SM West
The Vikings will be bringing out one of their most inexperienced teams of the last decade. The good news is the newbies have chance to be very good; the bad news is the newbies are newbies.
7. Olathe South
The Falcons were twice routed by Hutchinson in state title games in 2004 and 2007. What would be a better "post-Dreiling" gift for the Salthawks than a big, fat 'L?'
8. SM South
If SM South is going to break their string of losing seasons (which dates back at least 16 years), this week one matchup with SM North is a must-win kind of game.
9. Olathe Northwest
The Ravens, like their neighbors to the east, will be hosting a travel weary opponent in Hays. Whether they can or can't capitalize on those circumstances will be a sign of things to come in 2014.
10. Leavenworth
The Pioneers might as well think of the six games leading up to district play as preparation for 5A football. This week one game against Great Bend will be their only taste of 5A in that time frame.
11. SM Northwest
The Cougs have the most difficult week one draw of any team in the league as they host the defending Class 5A champs Blue Valley. But I respect the heck out of them for scheduling the game.
12. SM North
The Indians haven't tasted a victory since week eight of 2011. Their current 19-game losing streak is two short of the 21-game streak set by Leavenworth in 2010 which is longest streak of its kind in the league since 2000. They need a win.