Ultimate Roadtrip: Week 2

To start off the posting, I'll be taking a note from ESPN's Big XII team and talk about the games that I think will highlight each week and which ones will be the best to attend! This list will be based on the teams playing, the stadium, the possible implications of the game, and of course how rowdy and exciting the atmosphere will be! Of course, these games will be based on my pre-season thoughts on each team so the best games for each week might change as time moves forward.

NOTE: I will try to avoid adding venues outside of the Sunflower League unless a game truly becomes a can't miss situation. That means no Garden City, Blue Valley, or other schools of the sort.

Crowd-Pleasers (Runner-Ups)

Lawrence Free State @ Olathe North

Location: ODAC, Olathe, KS

Date: September 11th, 2015 7:00PM

As a former player, I can personally say that these two teams have a much closer rivalry than people would think. Their last five regular season games alone have been decided by 7 points or less and I haven't seen many games where the teams played as rough as these. There is absolutely no love between these teams and the fans definitely know it. That just means the stadium should be especially loud this week and both teams should definitely try to use that as motivation. 

Lawrence @ Leavenworth

Location: Pioneer Stadium, Leavenworth, KS

Date: September 11th, 2015 7:00PM

Photo taken by the Lawrence Journal-World, 2010

This game is more suited to those who are really curious about Leavenworth's potential this year. It's definitely a drive from pretty much any part of the KC Metro, but the beautiful stadium almost makes up for it all by itself. The Pioneers have only beaten Lawrence twice in their entire history playing together (Lawrence leads the series 12-2), but this year might give them the best chance to start evening out that record. Leavenworth really needs its fans to come through and help motivate them past the Nittany Lions and I believe that the stadium will be rocking if they can at least compete.

Ultimate Roadtrip: Week 2

"The Hula Bowl"

SM North @ SM Northwest

Location: SMNDS, Shawnee, KS

Date: September 11th, 2015 7:00PM

Photo taken by the Prairie Village Post

Nothing beats getting to watch a rivalry game that is getting onto its 45th game. The Cougars hold a small series lead at 24-20 and even when either team is down on the season, the Hula Bowl almost never fails to show two teams fighting for their pride in an exhilarating fashion. I really don't know what to expect from either teams considering they both have new head coaches, but I feel confident in saying that they are at least on equal ground this year. I can say that another tight finish like last year's 34-32 SMNW win can be expected. That's always a good sight to see.