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

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.

Week Eight Game Previews

SM North's Mason Perez (#2 above in black) has outrun
defenders to the endzone all season long.  Photo courtesy
the Shawnee Dispatch.

Wyandotte at SM North at SM North District Stadium

By all means SM North should be able to end their six-game losing streak this week when they host Wyandotte. Last week Leavenworth destroyed the Bulldogs 42-0... SM North should be able to do at least that much damage.  More importantly, a win here would prepare the Indians for their week nine game against Leavenworth which will likely decide their playoff fate.

Blue Valley North at SM South at SM South District Stadium

These two clubs have a combined record of 1-13 on the season so this game isn't exactly earning front cover press, but I could see it being a pretty good battle. BV North actually showed some life last week, when they only lost by 18 points against a strongly favored SM East team. SM South has been playing tough football all season long but they just haven't had many bounces go their way.

Leavenworth at SM Northwest at SM North District Stadium

The winner of this matchup will basically seal a playoff victory, which is crazy considering both teams went a combined 1-11 in pre-district play.  Nevertheless, it's a big game for both teams.  SM Northwest appears to have the horses to come away with the victory, but you never know what kind of fight Leavenworth is going to show especially considering the circumstances.

Olathe Northwest at Lawrence at Lawrence High School

Olathe Northwest's magical season (on the offensive side of the ball, that is) is quickly running short on time.  If the Ravens don't beat Lawrence in this game they will be eliminated from the playoffs.  Lawrence on the other hand is in good position to make the playoffs, and a win in this game virtually seals a playoff victory.  One element that will surely change the dimension of this game is whether or not Olathe Northwest's quarterback Dalton Rook is back in the starting lineup. Without him, the chances of a Raven victory are slim.

Olathe North at Lawrence Free State at Lawrence Free State High School

I'm sure Olathe North hasn't even let the idea of a loss enter their their minds all week, because we all know what that would mean... but realistically they're not in the position you want to be in with an 0-1 record in district play.  Free State has been playing good football and behind quarterback Kyle McFarland they've reeled off wins in five of their last six games.  On top of that, Olathe North has to travel to on the road to play under the dim and spooky lights of Free State.

Blue Valley Northwest at Olathe East at CBAC

Two teams playing some of the best football in East Kansas will be clashing in this one, and we should expect a dandy.  Olathe East has reeled off six straight wins while BV Northwest is sitting at a very respectable 4-3 coming off a near upset of Blue Valley and a sound defeat of Olathe South in consecutive weeks.  The BV Northwest passing attack versus the Olathe East secondary will be fun to watch.  Olathe East has two of the Sunflower League's premier defensive backs in Junior Williams and Marcus Banks, who have combined for six interceptions this year.  On the other side of the ball, BV Northwest quarterback Garrett Fugate has a knack for finding creases in defenses and scoring touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

Olathe South at Blue Valley West at Blue Valley High School

It's never fun to go through six weeks of play undefeated only to lose the first game that actually counts towards making the playoffs.  That is where Olathe South is at right now, and anything less than a 13-point win here against the Jaguars could basically eliminate Olathe South from playoff contention.  Olathe East handled BV West last week, and Olathe South should be able to follow suit, but they must control and dictate this game from the start.

Game of the Week
SM West at SM East at SM South District Stadium

Last year SM East was able to break a losing streak against the Vikings that had spanned over a decade.  This time around, both teams are sitting at 4-3 and they look fairly comparable on paper.  The alleged return of the formerly injured Lancer quarterback Dakota Collins could have significant importance in this game, especially considering how well SM East did with Collins at the helm in the early portion of the season. 

SM West hasn't been a real exciting team statistically, but they've gritted their teeth and managed to pull out four wins thus far.  Another point of added suspense--if SM West wins this games they'll likely make win out and make the playoffs at 6-3, guaranteeing an eighth straight winning season for the program.  A loss here and a 5-5 non-winning record may very well be the way the Vikings close out the 2011 season, breaking the streak of winning records.