Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
BLITZ: Sunflower League week nine capsules
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ReprintSM West (7-1, 6-1 SL) at SM East (4-4, 3-4 SL)
7 p.m. Thursday at SM North District Stadium
What to expect: Intensity. The Lancers best hope to avoid unbeaten Olathe North in the first round: beat SM West. The Vikings hope to keep rolling, while the Lancers want to send a message.
Why SM West will win: The Vikings are playing lights-out defense. After giving up at least two touchdowns in each the first five games, except a shutout win at Leavenworth, SM West has allowed only 15 points in the last three games.
Why SM East will win: Coach Chip Sherman, who has seemingly revived the Lancers program in his first season, has never had a losing season. That makes a win a must for SM East, which owns only 16 winning seasons and six district titles since the school opened in 1958.
Prediction: SM West 28, SM East 7
Free State (6-2, 5-2 SL) at Olathe Northwest (4-4, 3-4 SL)
7 p.m. Friday at the College Boulevard Activity Center
What to expect: The game will be won up front. The Firebirds have one of the top lines in the Sunflower League, but the Ravens also are formidable up front (albeit slow starters much of the season).
Why Free State will win: The Firebirds have a big advantage on offense with their relatively balanced attack. Coach Bob Lisher's bunch is the only team in the league with at least 1,000 yards rushing (1,910) and passing (1,007). QB Camren Torneden, who has thrown for 870 yards and run for another 713, might be too much for ONW.
Why Olathe Northwest will win: The Ravens can't afford to dig a hole. Their pass game isn't dangerous enough to mount a rally against Free State, but ONW has enough weapons — QB Josh Lemke, RBs Cullen Phillips and Brandon Bouvilom, WRs Devon Boyce and Nick Bandy — to hang in there with a good start.
Prediction: Free State 34, Olathe Northwest 21
Leavenworth (0-8, 0-7 SL) at Lawrence (0-8, 0-7 SL)
7 p.m. Friday at Lawrence
What to expect: Hey, one team ends the season winless, the other gets to end the season on a high note. Both teams should be pumped such an opportunity.
Why Leavenworth will win: The Pioneers needs only stop the run to emerge victorious.
Why Lawrence will win: Teams with much better defenses than the Chesty Lions will face have occasionally struggled to stop RB Tyrae Jenkins.
Prediction: Lawrence 42, Leavenworth 21
Olathe East (5-3, 4-2 SL) at SM South (3-5, 3-3 SL)
7 p.m. Friday at SM South District Stadium
What to expect: The Hawks need a victory to guarantee an eighth consecutive playoff berth. The Raiders can finish above .500 in league play for the first since 2000 with a victory.
Why Olathe East will win: Technically, even with a loss, the Hawks could reach the playoffs assuming BV Northwest beats BV North and the tiebreak goes East's way. Coach Jeff Meyers doesn't want to rely on point differential, so he'll hope RBs Hayden Groves and Brandon Willingham can carry the Hawks to the win.
Why SM South will win: The Raiders have two of the top tacklers in the league — Adam Olsen is second with 101 tackles and Gavin Blankenship is third with 83 tackles — and will try to take advantage of East's suspect secondary.
Prediction: Olathe East 35, SM South 7
Olathe South (4-4, 4-2 SL) at Olathe North (8-0, 6-0 SL)
7 p.m. Friday at the Olathe District Activity Center
What to expect: The Falcons will try to rack up the points through the air much like Blue Valley did two weeks ago, while the Eagles are vying for the program's first perfect regular season since 2004.
Why Olathe South will win: With no shot at the playoffs, this is the equivalent of the state championship for the Falcons, who can spoil a rival's perfect season and finish with a winning season of their own.
Why Olathe North will win: South can't stop the run. The Eagles can't stop running. Look for James Franklin to add to his impressive season totals: 1,757 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Prediction: Olathe North 49, Olathe South 14
SM North (2-6, 2-5 SL) at SM Northwest (4-4, 4-3 SL)
7 p.m. Friday at SM North District Stadium
What to expect: It's the Disappointment Bowl. SM North has lost six straight since a 2-0 start, while SM Northwest blew a shot at the playoffs last week.
Why SM North will win: Coach Ryan Majors' squad has endured many injuries, but that's also given them a chance to gain experience. Will it pay off?
Why SM Northwest will win: The Cougars still have a shot at a winning season. That should be enough to play for.
Prediction: SM Northwest 31, SM North 21
PALMER'S PROGNOSTICATIONS
Last week: 7-1
This season: 43-9
| Tod Palmer, todpalmer@theolathenews.com