Sunflower League Week Seven Game Previews

SM Northwest's Nehemiah Jones looks to recover
a fumble against Lawrence on Sept. 26. The Cougs
and Vikes will be squaring off in the biggest game
of their respective seasons this Friday. LJWorld.

Game of the Week
SM Northwest (2-4) at SM West (2-4) at SM South District Stadium

In week nine last year, SM Northwest beat SM West, 17-14, to clinch a playoff berth and send SM West packing ... these teams' combined four wins have all come against Olathe East and SM North ... the Cougars defense ranks last in the Sunflower League, surrendering on average 417 yards per game ... the Vikings offense ranks last in the Sunflower League, managing on average just 242 yards per game ... SM West leads the series 8-3 over the last decade ... Cougar running back Duron Lowe and Viking running back Tarik Watson are two of the league's speediest tailbacks, and should make for a good showing.

Olathe South (5-1) 
at Blue Valley Northwest (4-2) 
at BVDAC

These teams last faced off on Oct. 13th, 2011 ... Blue Valley Northwest won that game, 49-34, and it was significant because it was the only loss Olathe South suffered in 2011, as the Falcons went on to go 12-1 and win the state title ... Olathe South's one loss was by one point in double overtime to undefeated Olathe North ... the Falcons have outscored their opponents 191-102 through six games, with a defense that ranks fourth in the league and an offense that ranks fifth ... Olathe South's defense has forced 15 turnovers, the most of any team in the league.

Olathe Northwest (4-2) at Lawrence (3-3) at Lawrence High Stadium

A win for Olathe Northwest would tie their school record for most wins in a season, set when they finished 5-5 in 2011 ... LHS defeated Olathe Northwest, 35-20, in week four a season ago ... LHS running back JD Woods is the league's leading rusher with 873 yards and 11 touchdowns on 122 carries ... Olathe Northwest doesn't do anything spectacular, as they rank eighth in the league in total offense and total defense, but they've compiled the fourth best record in the league.

Topeka Washburn Rural (2-4) at Lawrence Free State (3-3) at Free State Athletic Stadium

These teams last met on Oct. 29th, 2004 ... Free State won that game 14-10 to qualify for the playoffs ... quarterback Bryce Torneden ranks third in the league in rushing with 675 yards, but surprisingly only ninth in passing, with just 318 yards ... Torneden has been in on 11 of Free State's 15 touchdowns this fall ... the Firebirds rank seventh in the league in total offense, but stand at .500 because of the play of their defense, which ranks third in the league.

Leavenworth (2-4) at Schlagle (4-2) at Schlagle

Leavenworth has faced one 5A opponent this season, Great Bend in week one ... the Pioneers won the game, 19-0 ... Schlagle is averaging 43 points in each of their victories this year ... Leavenworth's Anthony Hunt has 84 tackles to lead the league in that category ... Leavenworth's secondary is the best in the league, statistically, allowing just 53 passing yards per game ... the Pioneers' defensive issue has been their run defense, which is surrendering 267 yards per game ... Juwann Potts, Leavenworth's talented receiver and defensive back, has more return touchdowns (two) than any player in the league.

Olathe East (3-3) at Olathe North (6-0) at ODAC

Olathe North leads this series, 6-5, over the past 10 years ... Olathe East is 3-4 in their last seven games dating back to last season, while Olathe North is 6-1 in their last seven ... Olathe North has the top defense in the league, surrendering just 212 yards per game ... the Eagles have also forced 14 turnovers, which ranks second in the league ... Olathe East's top receiver, Zach Cahill, is averaging 28 yards per catch and has five touchdowns on the season ... Olathe North is ranked 10th nationally in the Midlands Region by Prepnation.com.

Harmon (0-6) at SM East (6-0) at SM North District Stadium (Thursday game)

The Lancer offense averages 42 points, 350 rushing yards and 120 passing yards per game, and 7.8 yards per offensive play ... their offensive ranks first in the league ... defensively, SM East is second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (122) and seventh in pass defense (94), and they rank second overall in the league in total defense ... SM East running back Wyatt Edmisten leads the league in touchdowns with 16 ... six Lancers have rushed for over 150 yards ... Harmon has been outscored 317-62 on the season, and they have a 27-game losing streak going which dates back to October of 2011 ... SM East is ranked sixth nationally in the Midlands Region by Prepnation.com.

SM South (1-5) at Blue Valley North (1-5) at BVDAC (Thursday game)

The Raiders have dropped five games in a row after beginning the season with a victory over SM North ... last week Blue Valley North ended a losing streak of 22-games which had stretched back to September of 2012 ... the Mustangs defeated Gardner-Edgerton (0-6) 31-15 in the game ... SM South has gone 1-2 in districts each of the last three seasons, missing the playoff after losing the final district game all three years.

Wyandotte (1-5) at SM North (0-6) at SM North District Stadium

Aside from SM East, Wyandotte, SM North and Harmon are a combined 1-17 ... the winner of this game will be in good position to clinch a playoff berth against Harmon ... SM North leads the league in passing averaging 210 yards per game ... the Indians rank sixth in the league in total offense and 11th in total defense ... SM North sophomore quarterback Will Schneider has passed for 2,736 yards and 24 touchdowns in 15 games as a starter.